He was convicted of rape, now he plays for his college's football team

Ma'lik Richmond was convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl who was so intoxicated she was "like a dead body." Photo evidence of the rape was distributed around Steubenville (Ohio) High School by Trent Mays, the other person convicted in the assault.

Mays played quarterback and Richmond was a wide receiver on the high school football team.

Now Richmond, who was 16 when the rape occurred in 2012, has won the ability to play football for Youngstown State University amid a swirl of controversy and protest, according to Inside Higher Ed.

How we got here

Richmond was initially told by the university that he could be on the team, but not play in any games, effectively serving a one-year suspension. The decision was rejected by both Richmond and the campus community, for different reasons.

Detractors in the community criticized the move as not a strong enough stance against sexual assault. A petition against Richmond's inclusion on the team garnered thousands of signatures.

Richmond, on the other hand, found it to be unfair and sued the university in September. The two parties reached a settlement to allow Richmond to play.

What they said

Here's what Youngstown State said after deciding to allow Richmond on the team under suspension:

"Youngstown State University takes the matter of sexual assault very seriously and continues to educate everyone within the campus community about the impact and prevention of sexual assault," the statement said. "The university is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and of petitions that are circulating on social media in protest and support of one of our students, Ma’lik Richmond."

Here's what the university said after the lawsuit resulted in Richmond being able to play this year:

“This has been a complex situation and will continue to be of interest to our campus community. As we move forward, we are prepared to continue to engage the campus in a review of our policies at it relates to these types of situations, including policies on student participation in athletics and other high-profile university activities. While the settlement agreement may cause concern for some, we believe it is in the best overall interest of the university, students and the community.”

Sexual assault and major college athletics

College sports has long had a problem with sexual assault. There have been several high-profile cases in recent years.

• Baylor University is buried in lawsuits after investigations revealed a shocking pattern of sexual assault accusations against football players, some of which were covered up by coaches and administrators.
• Florida State has seen multiple sexual and domestic assault accusations levied at football players, with former employees alleging victims are pressured against coming forward or pressing charges.
• Three Michigan State football players were dismissed from the team amid rape charges over the summer.
• The University of Louisville men's basketball program faced sanctions after it was discovered a staffer was attempting to lure recruits with strippers and prostitutes on campus.
• The University of North Texas was embroiled in a prostitution scandal involving men's basketball players and a manager.

This writer's perspective

Richmond committed his crime when he was a teenager, and served his legal punishment. But it has been a culture of entitlement and a "sports-first" mentality that has endangered the lives of students on campus who have fallen victim to sexual assaults, and who have been pressured by their institutions to keep quiet.

While Richmond should get the opportunity to attend school and pursue his education, Youngstown State is sending the wrong message to the student body and the community by settling and allowing him to represent the institution as a student-athlete.

College athletics participation is not a right, and allowing Richmond on the team perpetuates the notion that universities value athletic success over student safety.