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A Joyful Noise

College sports and crime

Of sports and scofflaws

October 31, 2008 by Melodye Shore

I was shocked when I read these news articles (here and here), which spotlight an apparent end-run around the California law I proposed and helped pass.*

Nobody is above the law — not athletes, not their coaches, and certainly not publicly-funded academic institutions and athletic associations. As Governor Schwarzenegger suggested at the signing ceremony, we’re all equally responsible for upholding this piece of legislation.

I spoke many times on the bill’s behalf — before college representatives and state legislators, among others. The legislative process was open to public testimony, pro and con, but I don’t recall the proposed bill being openly challenged by the individuals cited in the aforementioned articles. The final vote was nearly unanimous, in favor of the proposed legislation. (There was only one ‘no’ vote, which is almost unheard of.) And many elected officials, dignitaries, and public safety groups (pdf) gave their full support for the bill’s passage. As one legislative committee member said, “This is a no brainer, isn’t it?”

So why hasn’t this story been widely publicized? I wish the involved parties would be more forthcoming (pdf), and that the underlying issues would get broader exposure. More daylight, please, like this. And I hope an appropriate measure of accountability is meted out to anyone who’s found guilty of flagrantly violating, or surruptitiously circumventing, this law.  

*In brief, Section 67362, which was added to the California Education Code, prevents college athletes who have been convicted of a violent felony from playing college team sports until after they complete their terms of incarceration and any supervised period of parole or probation. NOTE: It does not prevent in any way their participation in educational opportunities and co-curricular events available to all eligible students.

Posted in: family, Uncategorized Tagged: ab 2165, college athletes, College sports and crime, felons, Governor Schwarzeneger, pasadena city college, rosa resolution, section 67362 california education co

More Signing Ceremony Photos and Media Mentions

September 5, 2006 by Melodye Shore


Left to Right: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Melodye Shore (me), Assembly Member Jay La Suer, and my son, David Wiens


Left to Right: San Diego Sheriff Bill Kolender, me, David, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegge (seated), S.D. Chief Deputy District Attorney Mark Pettine, S.D. District Attorney’s Office Investigator Darrell Brown

“Today, I am signing a bill that sends a strong message to criminals on campus:  If you commit a violent crime, you lose your privileges on campus until you pay your debt to society,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.


Left to Right:David, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, me, and my husband, Eric


Left to Right: Laurie Paredes, Legislative Director for Assembly Member Jay La Suer, and me

From the lede paragraph of an article in USA TODAY: “Two years after a traumatic, life-changing experience, David Wiens and his mother, Melodye Shore, on Tuesday experienced what Shore called, ‘a full-circle moment.'”The Los Angeles Times gives a brief mention to the signing ceremony for AB 2165, in the context of a larger story about a more controversial bill.Here’s a related article from the San DIego News Tribune.

SDSU’s Daily Aztec posted a story, as well. You can read it here.

CBS News has an online story and video at this link; NBC News covers it here.

ETA: We’re also in Sports Illustrated.

The Community Community College League’s Commission on Athletics responded to the proposed (not yet signed) legislation in the Sacramento Bee; it’s reported here.

Also, you can watch the Governor’s Office Web video of the entire signing ceremony (“Schwarzenegger Signs Student Athlete Violence Bill“).

Even though I’m a writer, I’m struggling to find words that sufficiently describe my thoughts and feelings about yesterday’s signing ceremony. I need time to soak it in, to sort it all out. I can say, however,  that I’m very happy to have witnessed the fulfilment of my personal Rosa Resolution in this very public, positive way.

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Posted in: family Tagged: ab 2165, College sports and crime, governor schwarzenegger, rosa resolution, signing ceremony, sports illustrated

AB 2165 Signing Ceremony

September 5, 2006 by Melodye Shore

 Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Require State Schools to Remove Athletes who Commit Felonies 

Today, I am signing a bill that sends a strong message to criminals on campus:  If you commit a violent crime, you lose your privileges on campus until you pay your debt to society — California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

This is the symbolic moment before my son received the legislative signing pen from California State Governor Schwarzenegger. The day I made good on my Rosa Resolution.

(Yes, I’m crying. Need you ask?)

You can access the Web video here.  Also, here’s an early-release San Diego News Tribune article and a summary of local NBC news coverage.

Want to see a few more photos? To coin a famous actor’s trademark phrase, “I’ll be back!” First, however, I’m going to treat myself to a much-needed nap.

Edited to add: More signing ceremony pictures and media mentions posted here.

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Posted in: family Tagged: ab 2165, College sports and crime, governor schwarzenegger, rosa resolution, signing ceremony

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