TCU Drug Bust Prompts School to Emphasize Ethics
A drug sting at Texas Christian University has led to the arrest of 17 students at the school Wednesday. Two arrests were also made last week.
Authorities have arrested 19 students from the Texas University, four of which were members on the school's football team and were accused of selling marijuana to undercover officers.
The Associated Press has reported that the bust occurred after several students and parents began to complain about the sale of drugs on campus. Each of the 19 students have been accused of selling drugs that include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription drugs.
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The news didn't come easy to the school's head football coach Gary Patterson, who will likely face a lot of scrutiny for the arrests. "There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days," coach Patterson said. "As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I'm mad."
TCU 360, the school newspaper, also covered the story. "There's no doubt all arrested today are drug dealers," said TCU Police Chief Steven McGee at a 9:30 a.m. press conference. "These students engaged in hand-to-hand delivery with undercover officers."
The press report also revealed that of those arrested, two were female and 15 were male, three were on-campus residents. The school has shown some concern over the affect that such arrests may have on its reputation but also noted that the arrests reflect the schools commitment to supporting good students.
"Ninety-nine point nine percent of the kids here do the right thing, and we want to make sure that the kids that aren't are not at TCU," Chancellor Victor Boschini said at the press conference.
The TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Chris Del Conte, also emphasized that the university would not tolerate athletes' use of drugs.
An email was sent to students by Boschini Wednesday morning.
"Our student-athletes are a microcosm of society and unfortunately that means some of our players reflect a culture that glorifies drugs and drug use. That mindset is not reflected by TCU nor will it be allowed within athletics," Del Conte said in a statement released to media.
It was announced that those arrested have been separated from the university. "Our program is respected nationally for its strong ethics and for that reason the players arrested today were separated from TCU by the University. I believe strongly that young people's lives are more important than wins or losses," Patterson said.
Football players arrested include: Tyler Andrew Horn, Tanner Wilson Brock, Devin Jay Johnson, and David Wayne Yendrey. Two additional students were also arrested last week, making a total of 19 arrests.
In an email sent to students by Boschini Wednesday morning, the university's ethics were made clear.
"While this news is certainly shocking and disappointing, it is important to remember that TCU has clear expectations for its students: that they behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law," the email read.
"These students are charged with acting in a manner that is incompatible with TCU values and against the law. That is simply unacceptable and such reported behavior is not tolerated at this University."
