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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Saturday, December 14, 2002

It appears Iolani AD has priorities straight

The details are still murky, and we don't want to get too far ahead of an official statement that Iolani School plans to release next week. But it appears the school has taken a strong and principled stand in the face of alleged inappropriate behavior by some members of its boys' soccer team at a Big Island tournament.

The misbehavior reportedly involved hazing, a practice more characteristic of Mainland fraternity boys.

The school's response brooked no nonsense. The team forfeited two games, the head coach resigned and three players — including two captains — were "dismissed" from the team.

We believe the disciplined players will be better for the experience.

Compare this fair and firm response — assuming it will stand — to the 1999 debacle at St. Louis School, in which football players on a Las Vegas trip drank alcohol, hired a stripper and damaged a hotel room.

That school's president suspended a third of the team, forfeited a game and cut pay for coaches, but the school's board opted to keep the trophies and program intact — and fire the school's president instead.

We commend Iolani's athletic director, Carl Schroers.

Will Iolani back him up?