A valuable lesson in learning right from wrong by Roger Williams   MIDDLETOWN, CT - In an age when fame and fortune are based on a school's athletic prowess rather than its academic requirements, when people would look the other way at rules violations rather than kill the goose that laid the golden trophy, one school gave up everything last week in the name of truth, justice and the American way. Seeded at No. 1 in a Hartford Courant poll, with a 25-1 record, Xavier High School's basketball team lost to Norwalk in a semifinal match up last week. Sidelined before the event were five varsity players, suspended by the school for rules violations. How easy it would have been to make an exception, just this one time. After all, the championship was within sight. How easy it would have been to rationalize away the infraction ­­ attending a party where alcohol was present. After all, there was no evidence any team member actually consumed alcohol. Xavier High School principal Brother Lawrence Harvey has taken what seems to be the road less traveled these days, believing that a rule is a rule and when it is broken, you own up to it. Some may think this a tough rule, but team members and their families had signed a pledge to abide by it. This has been a painful experience, no doubt. And a learning experience...for the athletes, their parents and the entire community. In the end the Xavier team lost the game, but they kept their integrity and their good name. These are honorable men who made a mistake, paid the price and will never have to hide their heads in shame. The faculty and the entire student body at Xavier are real champions in my book. Roger Williams is the editor and publisher of The Networker