The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity (A Commentary)

U.S. Naval Academy Graduation in Annapolis, MD
Midshipmen cheer as the Navy Blue Angels fly over Navy-Marine Corp Stadium during the US Naval Academy's Class of 2008 Graduating and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland on May 23, 2008. (UPI Photo/Patrick D. McDermott)

From The New York Times:

THE idea of a football star receiving lenient treatment after testing positive for drug use would raise no eyebrows at most colleges. But the United States Naval Academy “holds itself to a higher standard,” as its administrators are fond of saying. According to policy set by the chief of naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, himself a former commandant of midshipmen at the academy, we have a “zero tolerance” policy for drug use.

Yet, according to Navy Times, a running back was allowed to remain at Annapolis this term because the administration accepted his claim that he smoked a cigar that he didn’t know contained marijuana. (He was later kicked off the team for a different infraction, and has now left the academy.)

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My Comment: Another example of how things are changing .... and not for the better.