Many Antioch Community High School athletes wonder why they are more severely punished than regular students who have done the same thing, but oftentimes receive less of a punishment.

At ACHS, the administration is committed to making sure that all punishments are fair and equal. While all students represent the school they attend, student athletes take it even further. Not only do they represent the school’s academics, but their athletics as well. Student athletes have an even higher responsibility to make their school and themselves look good.

Drugs are not tolerated at ACHS. However, student athletes are randomly drug tested while non-athlete students are not.

The Code and Eligibility Requirements for Competitive, Extracurricular Athletics and Activities lets athletes know the punishments for athletes. The first offense will be a warning and a parent meeting, with up to a 50 percent suspension from competitions and performances. The second offense results in mandatory community service and a 75 percent suspension from competition. Finally, the third offense is a 50 to 100 percent suspension from being able to compete and perform.

“The athletic code is good. We need to have to have good roll models on and off the field,” said ACHS sophomore and soccer player David Lonski.

Physical education teacher and head varsity soccer coach, Marni Polakow agrees.

“All students should potentially be [drug tested],” said Polakow.

However, it does cost money to drug test. Athletes who are using drugs will not only bring harm to themselves and their team, but also their teachers, friends and families.

It is true that most student athletes face harsher punishments than non-athlete students. While many believe it is not fair, athletes make the commitment to their coach, team and school that they will represent the school well and not use drugs, along with other potential harmful behavior.