| Jan Gangelhoff made a significant contribution to the men's basketball program at the University of Minnesota. She helped players stay eligible by writing, or assisting in writing hundreds of papers and assignments between 1994 and 1998.
But, Gangelhoff knew that her cheating was wrong, and confessed to save her own peace of mind. Her confession brought down the basketball program. Coaches and athletic directors lost their jobs. Players lost eligibility. The team and university was hit hard by sanctions issued by the NCAA. The scandal rocked the University and the State of Minnesota.
It all started innocently enough. Jan Gangelhoff was an executive secretary in the athletic department, and she tutored players. Over time, she started to assist in more than tutoring, but in writing their papers. Eventually, to save time, she was writing some of their papers herself.
Jan Gangelhoff has paid a high price for her cheating and confession. She lost her job and many friendships, her health has declined from stress, and her once black hair is now salt and pepper gray. Also, she lost touch with the players who once considered her a combination on tutor and den mother. The scandal caused so much suffering that Gangelhoff says that she wonders if she should have confessed. She's survived, but the cost has been very high.
There is no question about it. The price for wrongdoing is often costly. Whether it is an academic scandal, unethical business dealings, cheating on taxes, or lying to your team - it is hard to change our behavior when we are doing something wrong.
That is why it is vital to practice ethical living in the first place. The University of Minnesota scandal would have been much easier to avert if someone had taken a stand when the cheating began.
Let's practice ethical behavior in all we do. In what every your doing - come clean and practice the right behavior. The cost of honesty may seem high, but the payoff is huge! Clean living brings peace of mine and less stress, because we aren't afraid of getting caught. Start doing the right thing today!
|
