Still, there is greater duty Duke has -- and that is to its Students. Both to take all steps necessary to iinsure the safety and healty growth of the fledgling adults, the student body. And most importantly to both this case and to any hope Duke has of the gaining street creds it needs to start developing a healthy relationship with its City -- most importantly to those goals is that Duke had to take strong stand in support of the boys, as students and the team and coaches as a team of the school. Loyalty is only a virtue when things get tough.
I'm not talking excusing crimes and bad behaviour, I'm talking exercising the firmest and strongest support for them as students and atheletes of Duke University.
Even now that they are graudated -- even more then, for their prosecuted behaviour was in the house of Duke, as Duke students. Every Duke prospect, every Duke enrollee, every Duke staff member, and every alumni is taking a conscious and subconsious measure of just how loyal the administration and trustees are to the students. They ask -- consicously or subconsciously -- "will they throw me to the wolves too, someday?"
That's a deep and long river -- those considerations.
I will agree that Duke has treated it's students shabbily in preference to Durham.
And most importantly to both this case and to any hope Duke has of the gaining street creds it needs to start developing a healthy relationship with its City -- most importantly to those goals is that Duke had to take strong stand in support of the boys, as students and the team and coaches as a team of the school. Loyalty is only a virtue when things get tough.
Try not to contradict yourself in the same paragraph. Duke University already threw the entire team under the bus in an attempt to appease Durham. What's it gotten Duke? Nothing. Duke is supposed to worry about "street creds" in Durham? You gotta be kidding. If Durham hates Duke it's a badge of honor considering how Durham has behaved.