Ark AD Long releases statement on SI/CBS crime report

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The following is a statement from University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long regarding the Sports Illustrated/CBS News report on college football and crime published on Wednesday. “The University of Arkansas has high standards and expectations for all of its students, including those who take part in intercollegiate athletics. When a student violates the law or the student conduct code, they are held accountable. Students who participate in intercollegiate athletics are also held accountable to our student-athlete conduct code. “The Sports Illustrated/CBS News article on Top 25 football programs cited 18 members of the Razorback football team who had violated the law. While I am in no way dismissing or rationalizing the infractions, I do want the public to know the nature of those infractions. Of the violations involving the 18 student-athletes:
• Seven were traffic violations that did not involve alcohol or any other illegal substances

• Three additional violations involved driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol

• Five involved illegal use or possession of alcohol

• Two involved marijuana possession

• One involved shoplifting

“It is worth noting that none of these violations involved any acts of violence. Unfortunately, the article placed our students in a misleading context, one which failed to distinguish the nature and severity of violations from those featured in the story. “To reiterate, the University of Arkansas’ athletic program works hard to educate our student athletes on matters of personal responsibility. We have high expectations of those who want to compete under the Razorback name. We will continue to stress those expectations and will continue to hold accountable those who fail to uphold our standards.”

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