Not a Fine ending

Berine Fine, the assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University, was fired on Sunday in the wake of sexual abuse allegations.Fine was in his 36th year with Syracuse when a former ball boy accused him of sexual abuse on Nov. 17. Soon after the first accusation, another ball boy came forth saying that Fine had molested him as well. Most recently, a third victim accused Fine. On Sunday, Outside The Lines reported a recording of a conversation between Fine’s wife and one of the former ball boys.The allegation against Fine is the third case of sexual abuse in sports this fall. The first came against Don Peters, former Women’s Olympic Gymnastics coach. Peters was banned from coaching for life. Shortly after, the Penn State scandal involving Jerry Sandusky followed.The worst that springs from these allegations is what happens to the people genuinely helping kids and teens, whether they are a coach, mentor or counselor.Anyone in close contact with children will come under close scrutiny. The fact that a few people have shaken the level of trust between the public and those who work with children is disgusting.What happened at Penn State should have ended back in 2002 when the first report of sexual abuse came up, and this isn’t blaming Joe Paterno. He had rid the team of Sandusky four years before and was focused on his job and his life. The president and athletic director of Penn State are to blame in that incident.

With the Syracuse incident, it’s like a lethal blow to all who care for and work with children. How can a man who worked with a program for 36 years manage to keep his actions hidden for so long?

Regaining the same sense of trust before the allegations will take time. Hopefully, those truly dedicated to aiding kids will show that what has occurred are just isolated events. As a public, we must accept what has happened and put our trust in the ones who have a beneficial impact on kids around the nation.