Does showing favoritism and giving preferential treatment and coddling of our pre-teen-aged athletes have a deleterious effect on them? This mindset follows them into high school and through college.

As I view the anti-social escapades of the college and professional football and basketball players, I am stunned. Many of these young men were chosen as future stars in junior high school. They were over praised and carefully guided into the waiting world, because of their athletic achievements, in hope of a future pot-of-gold in professional sports.

They have always had a leg-up on their classmates and contemporaries. Teachers have routinely awarded them the "C-minus" or "D" instead of the "F" that they deserved. "We need Johnny in the big game," is the plaintive cry placed before their instructors.

My take on the situation is that we are not doing them a good turn. They become merely receivers of compassion, kindness and sympathy. Instead of developing into well rounded individuals, we stunt their growth by removing every obstacle in their paths. "I take, I don't give," is their unspoken motto. They lack the ability to form interpersonal relationships.

When faced with a difficult situation, they twist about looking for some interested benefactor to scoop their chestnuts out of the fire. It is then that they sometimes choose the path of least resistance and wind up on page one of the local newspaper. Violence, beating-up girlfriends, substance abuse, weapons violations, cheating on tests, accepting bribes from eager alumni, consorting with professional agents and businessmen, auto-theft, stealing stereos on campus and other negatives are swept under the tarpaulin. "We need Johnny for the big game" again becomes the gold standard and all transgressions are forgiven.

Athletic ability is a blessing. To watch a graceful sportsman is a joy to the beholder. We must inject reality and fairness into the grooming of our young. Only then will the gifts of being the "Best and the Brightest" be a boon to the individual and to the society of which they will eventually become a member.