I think we have 4 elements to this case.
1) Underage drinking. Authorities could pursue adults who provided alcohol.
2) The fact that no one came to this girls assistance and let the assault continue.
3) The use of social media. Photo's, video, tweeting and texting.
4) The jock culture. Star athletes that believe the coach, the school, adults will back them up, whether in the academic dept or criminal acts.
The author is sympathetic to the athletes. Perhaps she is acting as the devils advocate to get her point across but failed. At least I think she failed.
We just went through the sexual abuse of the "jock culture" with Penn State. The author could have made a good case for jock culture begining in High School.
The author may be only writing the sentiments of many of the supporters of the athletic dept. If this is the case then society really needs to evaluate how we regard "Star" athletes, sports programs, coaches. and school administrators.