UTSA finds itself under the spotlight as two former football players face criminal charges. Athletes Nick Booker-Brown (23) and Corey Lucius (19) were arrested in June on charges pertaining to incidents that occurred in February. The pair were arrested separately, with both being pursued on charges of aggravated robbery. Although they have not been convicted yet, UTSA swiftly moved to formally dismiss them from the university’s football program.
UTSA’s administration must be commended for both their speed and verdict, as being a part of the university’s football team should not exempt people from the consequences of their actions. Although Lucius was just entering his first year in the team, Brown is a decorated player with a good athletic record in his time at UTSA. However, at a time when all colleges are under pressure to avoid favoring their sports programs, university officials have to prevent the extension of protections from the law to even their most standout individuals.
This case is not the first UTSA has seen in which their athletes are arrested and subsequently suspended, nor are they the only university where these kinds of instances happen. However, administrations are not always so final with their verdicts and have, at times, welcomed arrested students back into the fold. Joshua Cephus was charged with a DWI after a car crash in 2022 and was able to resume his football career.
Regardless of the outcome of the cases against Brown and Lucius, their dismissal from the football program by the university shows a dedication to maintain the demanding standards of conduct and achievement pressed upon all students, faculty and staff. To best present themselves as upright and fair institutions, all universities must strive to implement no tolerance policies towards crime and endeavor to lay down consequences equally to any offenders affiliated with them.
