An Analysis of Criminal Athlete Convictions

1. An Analysis of Criminal Athlete Convictions Kadie Otto, Ph. D. Associate Professor Western Carolina University

2. Benedict & Klien (1997) • Examined the arrest vs. conviction rates of professional & college athletes charged with sexual assault (n = 217, 1986-1995) • 23% discrepancy in conviction rates between the national sample (54%) vs. athletes (31%)

3. Benedict & Yaeger (1998) • 1 out of 5 NFL players charged with a serious crime • n = 180, most common crimes: • Assault and/or battery (30%) • D.U.I/D.W.I. (22%) • Sexual crimes (14%)

4. Chandler, Johnson & Carroll (1999) • Abusive behaviors of athletes vs. non-athletes (n = 342) • Athletes more likely to have: • Fondled someone of the opposite sex against his/her will • Forced sex with someone of the opposite sex

5. Crosset, Benedict & McDonald (1995) Berry & Smith (2000) • Men in sex-segregated groups (i.e., sports teams) are more likely to engage in sexual offenses such as gang rape. • In mono-sexual environments, males tend to display increased levels of sexually aggressive behavior toward women.

6. Focus • College athlete convictions accessible to the general public • Violent Criminal Acts • Examination of: • Charge • Reduced Charge • Sentence

7. Subject Sample • n=43 • 1993-2007 • Convictions • NCAA Football & Men’s Basketball

8. Instrumentation • Web-based content analysis • On-line news sources: • ESPN, The New York Times & USA Today

9. Data Collection • Two researchers, independently, searched the web for all criminal college athlete convictions. • Utilized various combinations of the following words and/or phrases: • “NCAA,” “Men(’s),” “College,” “Basketball,” “Football,” “Crime,” “Criminal,” “Athlete,” “Conviction,” “Plea,” “No Contest,” and “Convicted”

10. Key • M, AM = Murder, Attempted Murder • R, SO, RM, AR = Rape, Sodomy, Rape of a Minor, Attempted Rape • GRM, GSXM = Gang Rape of a Minor, Gang Sex with a Minor

11. Key • SA, SB, SAM, ISA, ISB = Sexual Assault, Sexual Battery, Sexual Assault of a Minor, Intent to Commit Sexual Assault, Intent to Commit Sexual Battery • SM = Sexual Misconduct • GL = Gross Lewdness

12. Key • FIM = False Imprisonment • CDM = Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor • A, B = Assault, Battery • O = Other (which includes one of each of the following: Kidnapping, Drug Charges, Burglary, Robbery)

13. Results

14. Significant Charges that Held • R = 8 years • R = 10 –25 years • R, M, BU = 5 Life Sentences • R, ROB, K = Life Sentence (131 – 311 years) • M = 35 years (eligible for parole in 17 years)

19. Research Has Shown That Men in Sex-Segregated Groups are More Likely to Engage in Sexual Offenses Such as Gang Rape • Crosset, Benedict & McDonald (1995) • Berry & Smith (2000)

20. 17 athletes charged in 5 incidents • A, B (5), SA, SB (4), CDM (8)

21. Gang Rape Charge =A,B, SA,SB, and CDM Reduced Charges =Sentences

22. Comparison Athletes receiving Prison/Jail Time for: “Rape” or “Sex Crime” Professional (50%) v. College (20%)

23. Why Are Athletes Engaging in Criminal Activity? (1) values & norms associated with sports (2) adherence to a win-at-all cost mentality (3) single-sex environments (4) male dominance & entitlement (5) celebrity status of athletes (6) the absence of regulating crime in sports (Berry & Smith, 2000)

24. ‘Kid Gloves’ • Particular attention should be paid to the “sentences” college athletes receive for their involvement in violent crimes (sex crimes and rape). • The punishment must be substantial enough to deter the athlete from acting in a similar fashion again.

25. Preventative Programs • NCAVA - National Coalition Against Violent Athletes (Kathy Redmond) • PAYS - Power, Attitude, Youth and Speed (Jackson & Davis)

26. Future Research • Are college athletes’ sentences equal to the sentences given to the general public? • Do college athletes who receive slight punishments become repeat offenders? • Is there a positive correlation between the commercialization of college athletics and athlete criminal behavior?