Students upset with athletes' behavior

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - "They kind of have an obligation to the University," said Purdue student Zach Wallace. "If they're going to be on scholarship or participating for sports, it's probably not in their best interest to not go out during the season."

"If I was on the team, I wouldn't be out getting drunk and celebrating," said Purdue student William Miller. "I'd probably be in the gym shooting or upset about the loss."

"It definitely annoyed me that they would be out," said Purdue student Josh Petty.

These are reactions from Purdue students less than a week after Purdue basketball player's DJ Byrd and Kelsey Barlow were involved in an incident at "Where Else?" bar in West Lafayette.

Byrd received a one-game suspension and Barlow was dismissed permanently from the team.

The player's egos aren't the only thing that might be hurting here. According to physicians assistant Hillary Bledsoe, their bodies are probably feeling the pain too.

"Oh, I'm sure they're feeling horrible," said Bledsoe. "All of the effects of dehydration, the muscle cramps, the headaches, nausea, vomiting, are definitely going to affect even just a normal person, let alone an athlete. Someone who's pushing their body to the limits."

A habit, that over time, can negatively affect the lean body athletes might be striving for.

"Over time, binge drinking can lead to a decrease in testosterone which can actually decrease muscle mass," said Bledsoe.

Muscle mass that Bledsoe said is important to athletes who strive to achieve a perfect body. A body that might be hindered by alcohol, which contains weight-gaining ingredients like sugar and carbohydrates.

Many students like Karlyn Habenstein believe athletes should not be treated differently than anyone else. She believes they should still be able to go out and enjoy their college experience.

"If they want to go out, I think that's their decision," said Habenstein. "They have a right to have a good time, because they're in college too, just like I am."