Recruiting is the lifeline of a good athletic program, but how important is keeping bad blood out of the system?

Last week, former Illinois linebacker Erique Robertson was sentenced to 43 days in jail after unlawfully firing a .32 caliber revolver outside a Champaign bar. This comes just a few months after several players were suspended for a game for their alleged involvement in a bar fight and a year after Jody Ellis and Derrick McPhearson were charged with felony theft. Both are serving significant jail time.

All this negative attention for our football team has put the Illini in the running for their second straight Fulmer Cup. Created in 2006 by EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com – a site well known on college football fans’ message boards – the Fulmer Cup has been awarded to the college whose “exemplary efforts to recruit the most capable football players results in the most frequent embarrassing and illegal mishaps off or on the field.” Currently, the Fighting Illini are seventh in the standings, making a strong push to be the first ever repeat champions. Oskee-wow-wow!

But football isn’t the only culprit. Jamar Smith will return to the basketball team this season after “sitting out” last year with a redshirt. He spent 15 days in jail for a felony conviction stemming from a drunk driving incident that severely injured then-teammate Brian Carlwell. Several other former basketball players had notable run-ins with the law, including Shaun Pruitt, Rich McBride and Luther Head.

There’s no doubt Illinois coach Ron Zook’s recruiting ability has turned Illini football into a national contender. Basketball coach Bruce Weber also has an impressive class of 2009 that has quieted his critics. It seems Illinois is poised to succeed on the hardwood and gridiron in the near future. But what is that success worth?

Millions in booster money? Sure. National notoriety? Of course. Increased ticket sales, more postseason earnings and upgraded facilities? Yes, yes, double yes. A growing reputation for producing criminal-athletes instead of student-athletes? Unfortunately.

Before we sell our soul to recruit a player with a troubled past or red flags, remember the reputation of the University is at stake. It’s not that we don’t love Final Four appearances and Rose Bowl berths, we just don’t want to win the Fulmer Cup too.