But how should we respond when they find themselves in personal crisis?

There is no one response fits all answer. In fact, unless there is strong evidence of maltreatment, there is no need for any response beyond the immediate family, university and coaching network.
Can these personal and professional tragedies be simply chalked up to poor individual decisionmaking?

On some level, all personal and professional tragedies are caused by poor decisionmaking, be it associations, habits,etc. That said, universities, coaching staff, parents and families, all have a shared responsibility to keep these boys on the straight and narrow. We all know that college students are not as "grown" as they want to be; thus, they require supervision. Because atheletes receive more exposure than most college students, they require additional protection from themselves and others.

Or does the college setting suggest that the schools have, in some critical way, failed these young men?
The college setting assumes young people can handle celebrity; yet, we only need to look at what happens to most child stars to see that universities have ignored a problem that stems in large part from over exposure facilitated by their need to bring in sports revenue. Britney Spears, River Phoenix, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Lindsay Lohan, Todd Bridges, and the like have come to exemplify the problems of over exposure to young impressionable minds. Once you add, black poverty to the mix, superstardom can truly become a mindblowing experience. No one can tell me that universities do not have the resources or brain capital to figure this out. Clearly, universities are failing to protect young athletes.

And if so, how?
As stated above, universities have failed to supply young athletes with proper mentoring and active monitoring to protect them from over exposure and poor decisionmaking. Of course, these young men bear responsibility for their actions as well. Yet, given the psychology of superstar status, celebrity and the rags to riches stories, most of these young men have in common, they are not nearly equipped to handle the transformation without guideance. Moreover, these young men generate, untold dollars in revenue for their respective schools. Surely, they can afford to expend a few dollars counseling and guiding them.

Relatedly, what exactly can or should be done in response? What specific recommendations might one present to colleges and universities to avoid further loss of life and livelihood?

1) assign a guideance counselor and require check ins.

2) Require counseling to explore their minds and make future recommendations tailored to their needs.

3) Require athletes to live on-campus in monitored facilities, in terms of going and coming. This would assist universities ability to limit the gift culture, access to alcohol, drugs and women.

4) Implement random drug testing and rehab for violations, not suspension.

24-hour babysitters - paid for by the billions of dollars these spoiled brat athletes are making these universities, administrators, and coaches.

I believe that we should indeed feel compelled to provide a more substantive response to Black collegiate-and professional-athletes who engage in self-destructive behavior because sport as an institution-and our disproportionate presence in it -reflect the problems that Blacks are facing in the broader culture.

“For the Black man-child, two glimmers of hope penetrate even the grim depths of the underfooting. But in the cold affirmation of the realities of his situation, these beacons illuminating would-be paths to the better life reflect the fact that, here, his human value is practically coextensive with his utility as a purely physical entity. For his hope of escape has traditionally been believed to lie in either military enlistment or the dream of achieving a successful athletic career.”
Dr. Harry Edwards
Sports Sociologist

I would argue that, while the crises that the athletes referenced in the article face clearly have personal consequences, they reflect systemic and systematic factors (problems in education, employment, the family, healthcare…) that are (should be) matters of concern for American society in general and African-Americans in particular. Excuses for their behavior or sympathy for their respective plights does not have to be the basis of the kind of recognition that I think is necessary.

How about holding them accountable for the actions, like the adults the calendar says they are? And forcefully denounce the Thugg Life attitude that gives them license to act this way? No one likes to see talent and potential wantonly thrown away. But any feeling person's sympathies will be with these criminals' victims, not the criminals themselves.

"But how should we respond when they find themselves in personal crisis?"

we should respond the same way we respond when people that we don't know and who are completely unconnected to our lives find themselves in personal crises: by doing nothing and thinking no more about it. athletes gone wild is not a serious problem in this country for anyone except the athletes who are going wild and the universities who have to deal with them. for everyone else, it's more distraction.

"What specific recommendations might one present to colleges and universities to avoid further loss of life and livelihood?"

we should tell them that their actions are caused by white racism and are, therefore, excusable. as a result, their imprisonment is another instance of white racism. america is a racist place, we should tell them, full of white racists and black victims. they shouldn't be punished for their actions.

Why are we supposed to feel sorry for them when they break the law? Are they not adults? Are they not over 18? See, I have a hard time feeling sorry for them when they go out there and break the law.

But, I also blame the colleges. The colleges need to have, on retainer, a hard-ass middle-aged Black man that sits these folks down at the beginning of the semester and tells them the rules of LIFE for a Black Man.

It should be common sense, after all, they do live in America, but I guess common sense isn't all that common anymore. But, someone needs to tell them the list of DO'S and DONT'S.

And, if I knew that this was in place, then I REALLY wouldn't have any sympathy. Because, you and I both know that, because they are athletes, everything has been excused away for them, so when the REAL WORLD slaps them silly, it's a shock to them, and a shock that usually costs them their future.

These athletes are grown-up people, with the responsibilities and benefits that that phrase implies. MOST athletes make good, so why should amorphous "society" be made to feel responsible for the mess that the few make of their lives? For heaven's sake, at what age are people supposed to take responsibility for their lives? When are they to grow up?

I am neither responsible nor liable for deficiencies in their potty training. I make mistakes, I answer for them, and I take whatever the consequences of those mistakes may be, and I do not try to shift blame; I should cringe in shame should I try to do that. Most of us that read this site are exactly the same ... We make good, we get the kudos; we mess up, we take it.

Life, and 13.8 billion years of evolution, sorts out as is required to ensure survival of the species. Please remember that I am a scientist and use those words as a scientist, not as someone in the humanities would use them.

Sigh..

Rikyrah said it best:

Why are we supposed to feel sorry for them when they break the law? Are they not adults?

Listen, most of these people are egomaniac, spoiled brats, often from bad backgrounds, and have questionable intelligence.

Unlike athletes of years past, they have no shame and they are not the "first" at anything so they do not feel they are "carrying the entire race on their shoulders" they rep them and that is not saying much for most of these guys.

Some folks like Kobe Bryant you have to wonder what the hell goes through their minds, as Kobe is no dummy, and grew up relatively privileged.

However, most of these folks are not Kobe. They are more like Michael Vick...hip hop generation wanna be faux or real thugs.

Screw them. I don not even feel sorry for most poor people, I am damn sure not going to feel sorry for, give a pass to, or spend time concerned about some overgrown boy who makes too much money to play children's games.

It is hard out there for a student athlete please believe it.

Athletes should not be shielded from the law. Yes, these guys are all at least 18 years of age. Yet,most of us were not completely on our own without adult guideance in our late teens and early twentys. These guys blow-up too fast and lack critical leadership in their inner circles. Many of them are the ticket for their families to improve their lives. Given that reality: how can families assert leadership and authority over these towering figures? They can't. There are numerous instances in history where young people, who gain access to extraordinary power, abuse it, when they lack good counsel. Each and every one of you should be aware if not sensitive to this human trait.

Although it may be too late to help athletes who have already made poor decisions, it is not too late to recognize the problem and attack it. These kids, majority age notwithstanding, need grounding. It is incumbent upon us to push high schools, colleges and universities to provide needed guideance and limitations, so as to avoid this all too common story. Most of these tragedies are avoidable.

I hope I live to see a more proactive community emerge that is willing to tackle problems before they occur. I am sickened by the constant reactive yelling that constitutes the overwhelming response of people to social problems after the %*&# has already hit the fan.

Professor Bracey asked for some tangible solution oriented responses. I applaude him. Most of you have provided nothing but helpless outrage. At the very least, this blog presents an opportunity for us to engage in intelligent dialogue. But if used properly, this blog presents an opportunity for proactive and creative problem solving. Let us think about what we can do to help the next emerging group of black athletes avoid the mistakes of those who preceded them.

"Professor Bracey asked for some tangible solution oriented responses. I applaude him. Most of you have provided nothing but helpless outrage. At the very least, this blog presents an opportunity for us to engage in intelligent dialogue. "

Ricardo:
I don't think you get it. Most people thus far as saying there need not be any community solutions because this is a "personal problem".

If they were raised properly by their parents by 18 they should be able to make some intelligent decisions. Some of the stuff these fools do is asinine.

I have lived by myself since I was 19 years old and I have never done any of this nonsense and I'm pretty sure that the majority of black men can stand behind me and say the same thing.

This problem started in their homes with their parents (too often parent with emphasis on the singular).

If you think it does not, then examine the rate of other races of young athletes getting in trouble (oh yes they do exist, Hispanic and white) and their family background as opposed to these people Bracey is talking about. There is your answer, it is painfully obvious.

Do black young athletes get in trouble at the same rate as other athletes or not? Do you have the data on that?

"Professor Bracey asked for some tangible solution oriented responses. I applaude him. Most of you have provided nothing but helpless outrage. At the very least, this blog presents an opportunity for us to engage in intelligent dialogue. "

Ricardo:
I don't think you get it. Most people thus far as saying there need not be any community solutions because this is a "personal problem".

If they were raised properly by their parents by 18 they should be able to make some intelligent decisions. Some of the stuff these fools do is asinine.

I have lived by myself since I was 19 years old and I have never done any of this nonsense and I'm pretty sure that the majority of black men can stand behind me and say the same thing.

This problem started in their homes with their parents (too often parent with emphasis on the singular).

If you think it does not, then examine the rate of other races of young athletes getting in trouble (oh yes they do exist, Hispanic and white) and their family background as opposed to these people Bracey is talking about. There is your answer, it is painfully obvious.

Do black young athletes get in trouble at the same rate as other athletes or not? Do you have the data on that?

You talk as if these men are "victims" are "special".

Maybe they are victims. They were victimized by piss poor parenting and "special" because they have the money and fame to make an ass out of themselves for the world to see.

Reality is there misbehavior is the same problem with have with a lot of young black man who have no fame, but same dynamics coming up.

The thing is the crisis ISN'T "personal." As long as our culture continues to put college sports on a pedestal, nonsense will be tolerated ... maybe even encouraged.

The thing is the crisis ISN'T "personal." As long as our culture continues to put college sports on a pedestal, nonsense will be tolerated ... maybe even encouraged.

The thing is the crisis ISN'T "personal." As long as our culture continues to put college sports on a pedestal, nonsense will be tolerated ... maybe even encouraged.

The thing is the crisis ISN'T "personal." As long as our culture continues to put college sports on a pedestal, nonsense will be tolerated ... maybe even encouraged.

dang ets chill out

Ricardo:
I don't think you get it. Most people thus far as saying there need not be any community solutions because this is a "personal problem".

If they were raised properly by their parents by 18 they should be able to make some intelligent decisions. Some of the stuff these fools do is asinine.

Dragon Horse:

I get it. They screwed up!!! They deserve whatever punishment they receive!!! You can't possibly see my posting as an apology for them. I always call for personal responsibility. But when schools make millions, they have a strategic opportunity to stop these boys from getting into trouble. I'm with you. It shouldn't be this way. Parents need to do their job. But let's deal with the reality on the ground. It's fair to call parents to do their job. But is that the only possible response? Why should young people be allowed to go down the wrong path because their parents' failed them? If others around them can see the problems ahead and take a few measured corrective steps to avoid calamity, where is the harm? It's wrong to watch someone go the wrong way if you can offer a word to steer them in the right direction.

I want you bloggers to consider the measured steps that can be taken to assist young athletes whose parents have failed them before they get into trouble.

Remember when these young men go down, they take, in part, the dreams of many younger and older black boys and men with them. When we work together to help them, we help ourselves as well.

Ricardo:

"But when schools make millions, they have a strategic opportunity to stop these boys from getting into trouble. I'm with you. It shouldn't be this way. Parents need to do their job. But let's deal with the reality on the ground. It's fair to call parents to do their job. But is that the only possible response? Why should young people be allowed to go down the wrong path because their parents' failed them?"

I don't really disagree with a proactive stance...but I think you are working on a bandage and not the root cause, a cough and not the virus that causes the disease that leads to a cough.

Why should young people "be allowed"?

Dude..we live in a free society. People are going to do what they are going to do and I am of the opinion that we should not be "disallowing" young men to do anything that is legal. We can't just preemptively mess with people's freedom like that. Isn't that racial profiling? I believe racial profiling is bad even when it is not cops doing it.

The fact is there is no "athlete" problem.

The problem is we have far too many young black boys who act barbaric in modern society.

You solve that and you have solved the athlete problem, because the only difference is these kids are talented and have more fame and money to mess up with. The root cause of the behavior is no different than Pookie on the block.

"Remember when these young men go down, they take, in part, the dreams of many younger and older black boys and men with them. "

Then maybe a lot of boys and young men should have different dreams than throwing a ball.

The sooner you hold these people responsible for their behavior, which is treating them like men, the sooner they might man up and change up.

Babying them is not going to benefit them, because so many of them already act like "babyboys" as it is.

It was not always this way? Black athletes were (for the most part) stand up individuals, with discipline, respect, etc. Remember? I do.

I believe that we should indeed feel compelled to provide a more substantive response to Black collegiate-and professional-athletes who engage in self-destructive behavior because sport as an institution-and our disproportionate presence in it -reflect the problems that Blacks are facing in the broader culture.

“For the Black man-child, two glimmers of hope penetrate even the grim depths of the underfooting. But in the cold affirmation of the realities of his situation, these beacons illuminating would-be paths to the better life reflect the fact that, here, his human value is practically coextensive with his utility as a purely physical entity. For his hope of escape has traditionally been believed to lie in either military enlistment or the dream of achieving a successful athletic career.”
Dr. Harry Edwards
Sports Sociologist

I would argue that, while the crises that the athletes referenced in the article face clearly have personal consequences, they reflect systemic and systematic factors (problems in education, employment, the family, healthcare…) that are (should be) matters of concern for American society in general and African-Americans in particular. Excuses for their behavior or sympathy for their respective plights does not have to be the basis of the kind of recognition that I think is necessary.

FYI

I will let others worried about babysitting procedures for grown man-children.

I will worry about this:

JBHE Statistical Shocker of the Year:

Here is a shocking statistic showing that despite major gains, blacks have a huge distance to go to achieve racial parity with whites in higher education.

In 2004, 2,100 doctorates were awarded by universities in the United States in the fields of mathematical statistics, botany, optics physics, human and animal pathology, zoology, astrophysics, geometry, geophysics and seismology, general mathematics, nuclear physics, astronomy, marine sciences, nuclear engineering, polymer and plastics engineering, veterinary medicine, topology, hydrology and water resources, animal nutrition, wildlife/range management, number theory, fisheries science and management, atmospheric dynamics, engineering physics, paleontology, plant physiology, general atmospheric science, mathematical operations research, endocrinology, metallurgical engineering, meteorology, ocean engineering, poultry science, stratigraphy and sedimentation, wood science, polymer physics, acoustics, mineralogy and petrology, bacteriology, logic, ceramics science engineering, animal breeding and genetics, computing theory and practice, and mining and mineral engineering. Not one of these 2,100 doctoral degrees went to an African American.

www.jbhe.com/latest/122905_statistical_shocker2005.html

FYI

I will let others worried about babysitting procedures for grown man-children.

I will worry about this:

JBHE Statistical Shocker of the Year:

Here is a shocking statistic showing that despite major gains, blacks have a huge distance to go to achieve racial parity with whites in higher education.

In 2004, 2,100 doctorates were awarded by universities in the United States in the fields of mathematical statistics, botany, optics physics, human and animal pathology, zoology, astrophysics, geometry, geophysics and seismology, general mathematics, nuclear physics, astronomy, marine sciences, nuclear engineering, polymer and plastics engineering, veterinary medicine, topology, hydrology and water resources, animal nutrition, wildlife/range management, number theory, fisheries science and management, atmospheric dynamics, engineering physics, paleontology, plant physiology, general atmospheric science, mathematical operations research, endocrinology, metallurgical engineering, meteorology, ocean engineering, poultry science, stratigraphy and sedimentation, wood science, polymer physics, acoustics, mineralogy and petrology, bacteriology, logic, ceramics science engineering, animal breeding and genetics, computing theory and practice, and mining and mineral engineering. Not one of these 2,100 doctoral degrees went to an African American.

www.jbhe.com/latest/122905_statistical_shocker2005.html

DH:
Where do you think an inquiry related to a dearth of doctorate degrees amongst African-Americans would begin? Clearly, an examination and interrogation of history, culture, and the broader social context would be critical to such an inquiry. If you read my post and that of some others, we were only suggesting that the present circumstances for Black athletes begs that same kind of inquiry. If you don't agree with that or don't get it, okay. But insisting that people have been lobbying for the institution of "babysitting procedures" in their comments when what others have been attempting to do here is to actually respond to the call of the questions in the article is-FYI-rude and destructive to a healthy exchange of ideas. I obviously don't know you, and I mean no disrespect, but your obvious disdain for the "man-children" athletes makes your many posts on this topic difficult to understand.

DH:
Where do you think an inquiry related to a dearth of doctorate degrees amongst African-Americans would begin? Clearly, an examination and interrogation of history, culture, and the broader social context would be critical to such an inquiry. If you read my post and that of some others, we were only suggesting that the present circumstances for Black athletes begs that same kind of inquiry. If you don't agree with that or don't get it, okay. But insisting that people have been lobbying for the institution of "babysitting procedures" in their comments when what others have been attempting to do here is to actually respond to the call of the questions in the article is-FYI-rude and destructive to a healthy exchange of ideas. I obviously don't know you, and I mean no disrespect, but your obvious disdain for the "man-children" athletes makes your many posts on this topic difficult to understand.

Our little statistical race-pimp is at it again. By selecting specific fields, our pimp has created negative news, yet again about black perfomance.

The reality and broader picture is quite something different. From the same source JBHE -

www.jbhe.com/news_views/50_black_doctoraldegrees.html

"Doctoral Degree Awards to African Americans Reach Another All-Time High

In 2004 African Americans earned 1,869 doctoral degrees. This number has increased more than 9 percent from a year ago. Black doctorates now stand at the highest level in history.

The overall progress in the past two decades has been rock solid. In 1987 only 787 African Americans earned doctorates. This year's total of 1,869 doctorates is nearly 2.4 times as many as were earned in 1987. In 1990 the black share of all doctoral awards was 3.6 percent. That has now grown to 7.1 percent, a showing of significant progress in a relatively short period of time of 15 years.

Now - there is a differential in types of Doctorates awarded to African Americans versus the white population. Black folks tend to dominate Doctorates awarded in the Educational fields by 2 - 1 over whites while trailing i the Hard Sciences. Since these (Education) are the fields from which our future Educational Leaders are drawn - including the Presidents of Colleges and Universities, those statistics provide an interesting corrallary as to the belief in the black community in the value of education.

Does anyone else here get tired of our resident race-pimps (and there are several) constant search for real or psuedo-scientific material buttressing their incessant bleating about black "failure"?

Posing the question - What exactly have these aforementioned pimps accomplished or done for the community as a whole - either in action or as a role model...

Working for the Man, every day and night.

"Personal Responsibility"... Indeed.

Dragon Horse;

You of course realize the sheer number of PhD areas available?

A PhD in Pschology is almost always be a statistical work.

A PhD in Medicine will touch on Bacteriology...

it is not that simple