Give them some credit

The Duke women's lacrosse team may have lost on the field Friday night, but they were winners in many other ways.

It's interesting how so many people have jumped to the conclusion that the three Duke men's lacrosse players accused of rape are guilty. There's been no trial yet, but in the court of public opinion the three - Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and David Evans - have already been convicted.

But Friday night, in their semifinal loss to Northwestern, the Duke women showed support for their counterparts on the men's team. They wore the numbers of the three on wristbands and used the men's motto - "No excuses, No Regrets" - in their pursuit of a lacrosse title.

There's something to be said for standing up for your friends and classmates in the face of almost overwhelming opposition.

I don't know if the players are innocent or guilty. A court of law will, most likely, determine that at a point in the future. What I do know is that I have respect for the women's players for what they did.

Isn't that what we want to teach our sons and daughters? Stand up for what you believe in and don't worry about what everyone else is saying. Have faith in your convictions.

This wasn't about school support. It was about supporting fellow human beings - friends - in a time of trouble. There's something to be said for that.

No excuses. No regrets.

- Patrick Hite