Excuse me if this is short, but my arm is still a little sore.

See, I went to get a tattoo last night. Which was great, because being short on cash, I only had to trade away one of Illinois Press Association awards for my new “Cubs World Series 2012” ink.

It was completely worth it, let me tell you.

OK, that’s a lie. I did none of the above.

That is one of the perks of being an everyday college student, though. I have the option to do all of the above and face zero ramifications, except having false hope on my arm for the rest of my life. That would be punishment enough for my stupidity.

This wouldn’t be the case if I were an NCAA athlete, which is where a huge issue lies in the governance and bylaws of the NCAA. Not only is the entire organization too regulated, but its regulated in all the wrong ways.

If the NCAA really wants to start regulating student-athletes, it should starting doing so where it actually matters. Forget the Terrelle Pryors and A.J. Greens of the NCAA and start punishing the Malcolm Floyds of the game.

Instead of hunting down players for doing what every other college student has the right to do, the NCAA should start pursuing strong guidelines for punishing players who break the law. Take the power from the universities and give it right to the top dog.

A March 2010 Sports Illustrated report found that seven percent of players on Top-25 football programs were charged with some sort of crime. That adds up to about one in every 14 players on those teams. Statistically speaking, that is almost two players on a team’s starting offense and defense combined (22 players).

If that set of numbers says anything, it says that crime among student-athletes is a much more persistent problem than extra benefits. It also says the NCAA needs a hard crackdown on players who break the law.

If a star player at NIU or any other school is arrested and charged with a DUI, it should be a five-game ban. No questions asked. Get in a fight? The school could expel that athlete, which is doubtful, so let’s give five games for that, too.

That might help curtail some stupidity.

College is a place where young men and women are supposed to learn how to become adults and face the consequences of their actions. The NCAA is good at aiding in that process, I’ll give it that, but it needs to refocus. That way a player who breaks the law faces real punishment and not whatever his or her team feels like giving them.

And if one of those same players feel like trading prized memorabilia for a tattoo proclaiming the Cubs World Series champs next season, they can do so.

Because some stupidity should just go unpunished.