Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 Source: Daily News (KY) Copyright: 2002 News Publishing LLC Contact: http://www.bgdailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1218 WINS MEAN MORE WITH CHARACTER By suspending Raynardo Curry the same day he was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge and placed in a pretrial diversion program, Western Kentucky University basketball coach Dennis Felton is sending the clear message that character counts at least as much as - and perhaps more than - victories. What a contrast to the University of Louisville's handling of offensive lineman Jonta Woodard's case. Woodard was charged in June with felony trafficking in marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. It's puzzling to understand why as of Friday - seven-and-a-half months and 13 football games later - Woodard's status with the team still has not been determined. There's been no announcement by coach John L. Smith, athletics director Tom Jurich or school President John Shumaker. Of course, football players facing criminal drug charges are not only found in Louisville. Along with Curry's arrest comes news that former Western football cornerback Bobby Sippio was jailed last weekend on drug charges, including a third-degree charge of unlawful transaction with a minor on Jan. 11, the same day as he applied for the NFL draft. While Sippio had the chance of being a third-or fourth-round draft pick, it's now likely he won't go that high. If he doesn't, it will prove that this kind of behavior can be costly. The Cardinals had a highly successful football season, winning 11 games, including a Liberty Bowl triumph over Brigham Young. But are they really victories that can be fully savored? Was it a victory for Woodard to allow him to fully participate with the team while facing drug charges, to which he pleaded guilty Thursday? Like every other coach who has worked so hard to get his team back to a competitive level, Felton wants to see his squad succeed. But the coach also understands that in the long run, a program that maintains standards of conduct and acts swiftly when those standards are violated will be much more successful. It matters - or should matter - as much how you get there as the fact that you finally arrive. Make no mistake about it. Losing Curry is a blow to the team's chances of reaching some of its goals. He was one of only two players to start all 18 games this season. He had a team-high 33 steals. Losing Curry leaves the Hilltoppers with only two obvious options at point guard, a critical position to the success of the team. At 15-3, there has been a lot of success this season. But thanks to Felton's no nonsense "we-have-very-little-tolerance-for-this-sort-of-behavior" decision, the wins that follow will mean more, the season will mean more and, most importantly, there will be no doubt that character counts on The Hill. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth