At least 10 Syracuse University men’s basketball players tested positive for drugs since 2001, according to a Yahoo! Sports report published Monday. Anonymous sources told the reporters the players who tested positive continued to practice and play when they should have been suspended.

If the report is true, this should be worrisome for the former players and some of the administrators involved with the players in question. But the news of the investigation should not affect the image of the current basketball team. University officials confirmed there is an ongoing inquiry by the NCAA, but current players are not involved. Both the NCAA and SU officials said the university self-reported possible violations to the NCAA more than a year ago.

As the current Syracuse players head into the Big East and NCAA tournaments, community members’ perceptions of the team should not be changed based on the report.

In light of the current situation, Syracuse fans are reminded of the Bernie Fine scandal that broke in mid-November and cast a negative spotlight on the team. After the Fine scandal, fans of opposing teams created signs in an attempt to taunt Syracuse. This will inevitably happen again. But the team, which finished the season 30-1, can do nothing more than carry on with its play.

As the news of the ongoing investigation unfolds and the postseason tournaments continue, the community should draw their own conclusions about the team and realize the current players should not be held accountable for actions they did not commit. 

Published on March 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm