IUSF decides to let it ride

As a fella much wiser than ourselves once contended, "Sometimes, you eat the bar. And sometimes, well, he eats you." \nMembers of Pi Kappa Phi have experienced both occasions. Last October, the fraternity was suspended from all IFC-sponsored activities after a pledge was hospitalized with alcohol poisoning. One week ago, though, the IU Student Foundation Appeals Board finally decided that deactivated members would be allowed to ride in Little 500 as an independent team. \nThis time, they're eating the bar.\nTeam member and senior Eric Butterbaugh said in a March 26 Indiana Daily Student article an initial meeting with IUSF Assistant Director Rob Rhamy left team members feeling confident they would be participating in the 2004 race.\n But earlier this month, the team received notification their eligibility had been denied because of a rule stating that if a participant competed in the race the previous year and was a member of a Greek organization, that participant would have to sit out for a year after deactivation before claiming affiliation with a new team (IDS, March 26). \nPi Kapps countered this by pointing out that other teams have done this in previous years. But board member and Riders Council President junior Bri Kovac also mentioned other reasons that led the board to eventually decide in the team's favor. \n"The ultimate decision was based on Pi Kapps' being treated unfairly," she said. "The decision was made after people were made aware of it. There was a lack of communication between IUSF, the dean and Pi Kapps. (The board) thought that within this situation there was definitely extenuating circumstances" (IDS, March 26).\nSincere Cycling, as the team is now known, pummeled through two technicalities -- the fraternity suspension and the eligibility rule -- to reach the positive result of its hearing, and for that, we agree the team members should be allowed to ride. They dealt with a system that left them anxious with anticipation for a long time, and they beat it. Participation in Little 500 is a perfectly acceptable reward.\n"We're so excited," Butterbaugh said. "We're so pleased with the outcome. It's just a nice thing to have off our shoulders. We've been worrying about it for awhile" (IDS, March 26).\nWe're glad Eric can quit worrying. Even if the decision had not come back in the team's favor, it deserved to know one way or the other. \nIf there's one indication these guys are deserving of their spot in the race, it's their clear dedication to earning it. Their willingness to deactivate shows the priority they are willing to assign to the event, and according to the IDS, they continued to train even when their eligibility status was in jeopardy. This suggests to us the members of Sincere Cycling are, in fact, sincere.