Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jun 1999 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 1999, New Haven Register Contact: http://www.ctcentral.com/cgi-bin/w3com/start?ctcentral+FrontPage Forum: http://www.ctcentral.com/ Author: Ariel Freedman BALLPLAYER'S DRUG ARREST DISAPPOINTS FAN I was extremely disappointed when I heard that Connecticut's No. 1 basketball player was arrested for possession of marijuana. Being a basketball player myself, I looked up to him. Even thought he wasn't one of the tallest players on the team, he still was a great player. I was also disturbed by the fact that Khalid El-Amin has to do some community service and then his record will be clean. He was given special treatment just because he's a basketball star. Now, if this was an ordinary citizen who was caught with possession of marijuana then he would be put in jail. And that would be that. When El-Amin was asked about whether he thought he was still a role model, he answered yes. I don't think he is one anymore. He was and he had his chance, but to me he isn't. If I was on the UConn team or if I attended UConn I know that I would feel especially ashamed and betrayed. I think that the other players on the team feel hurt, too. Now El-Amin gave them a bad name and reputation. I know that people are now asking themselves who else on the team is using drugs and what Richard Hamilton was doing there with him. All I have to say is that Khalid El-Amin, you should be ashamed of yourself. Ariel Freedman Branford - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck