Zero Tolerance for Alcohol Should be Enforced in NCAA

Jerry Thomas, staff writer

Recently, Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton was involved in a car accident in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

Days after the accident, the 69-year-old coach decided to take a leave of absence to deal with health problems that he had been suffering with all year long.

“After Friday’s events, I know it is best to go on medical leave the remainder of the regular season to address my future health,” Sutton said.

So what was described as the cause for a medical leave?  Was it the chronic back pain that the coach had reported to be “making it very difficult to coach.”  Or could it be old demons that Sutton has dealt with before?  The demon is the alcoholism that has affected the coach since the days he spent coaching at Kentucky. 

On the night of the accident, witnesses described Sutton’s vehicle to have been swerving erratically before he hit another SUV from behind going 60 miles per hour.  He was then cited by Stillwater police for driving under the influence but was not jailed because of a lack of evidence. 

One witness told police that Sutton seemed confused and had a “slightly fruity odor” on his breath.  Also, the witness reported seeing a bottle of hydrocodone pain killer in Sutton’s car.  Under Oklahoma law, driving under the influence includes painkillers and narcotics.

As it turned out, an investigation by the police showed that Sutton had a blood alcohol level of .22, which is three times the legal limit.  Yet he was freed at the crime scene due to a “lack of evidence”.

 I believe he was let go by police because he was Eddie Sutton.  That name that he has, and his occupation, may be allowing him to get away with things regular people don’t get away with. 

Should Sutton be fired?  Heck yes!  Why?  Well, you have to realize that this man could’ve killed someone because he has a problem with alcohol.  I’m sure many SPC students realize, with the recent tragedy of a former student being killed by a drunk driver, the pain that comes along with incidents of that nature.  Luckily, no one was severely hurt in Sutton’s accident, but what if someone was?  Would there still be Oklahoma State fans with signs reading, “We Miss Eddie”? 

Drunk driving is illegal, and it is the cause of death for so many people.  What message is the university sending by not firing Sutton?  This also is not his first time dealing with alcohol issues.  He admitted to dealing with his issues whenever he first became the coach at OSU. 

 It’s happened before with former Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy.  He was released after he admitted to being an alcoholic.  Those statements by Eustachy were made after pictures surfaced of the coach holding a beer in his hand at a party and kissing a female student on the cheek.  Which incident is worse? 

What image is the Big 12 Conference presenting with the troubles of their coaches during the past few years?  Former Baylor Basketball Coach Dave Bliss was fired after the murder scandal of Patrick Dennehy.  He tried to cover up NCAA violations by trying to make the slain player out to be drug dealer.  That resulted in him being released and a series of probations for the Baylor basketball team. 

The Big 12 punished Bliss pretty severely, but Sutton’s incident must be taken care of by OSU.  They have to send a message to everyone that there is zero tolerance against drunk driving.  Every university should.