Clarification and update at the end of this story
It appears as if North Carolina's players got a talkin' to about what is, and what's not, acceptable on Twitter.
About 5 p.m., rising sophomores Dexter Strickland and John Henson, plus rising junior Larry Drew II, all posted variations of the same message on their individual Twitter accounts: "well coach just talked to us about twitter and told us we offend some people n what not so this is a farewell to bein' myself..lata tweeps."
Strickland also added: "They told me I gotta watch wat I say..so I'm sry if any of my tweets offended anybody that follows me.."
Then Strickland and Henson later tweeted, "yeah these people be emailin coach n stuff smh....'self expression is a birthright and something you did PRIOR to hoopin...'"
The trio, who all have more than 4,000 followers apiece, are three of the most prolific tweeters on the team, commenting on everything from basketball to what they eat to what music and movie they enjoy -- all, usually, in shorthand-twitter-slang.
But some of the team's tweets this season have also gotten individuals into hot water.
Team spokesman Steve Kirschner, for example, in April told a panel discussing social networking that one Tar Heel tweeted that freshman Travis Wear may have broken his ankle – which could, he said, have broken HIPAA violations and brought on a lawsuit. After the College of Charleston loss during the season, Henson tweeted that the Tar Heels had just made a guy's college career. Both posts were later erased.
Clarification on the HIPAA story: Kirschner called to clarify the HIPAA story that he discussed during the panel in April. When the player tweeted injury, he said, he told the player that it wasn't his job to discuss injuries -- that was up to Coach Roy Williams, the player and the head trainer. Kirschner further pointed out to the player that if Kirschner discussed the injury without permission from the injured player, he could be subject to HIPAA violations. He was trying to make a point to the player who tweeted the injury, he said.
Kirschner also said he didn't know the details of the players' meeting today with the coaches, or who who they met with. "But we've always told them to be careful about twitter."
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at
Comments
mamby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 19:07 — bluecat69bluecat69I THINK MAMBY HAS HAD AN OUT-OF-BODY-EXPERIENCE AND HAS BECOME A CLOSET TAR-HOLE FAN, GO DUKE-CHAMPS!!!!!!!!
Wow
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 11:07 — Heels20Still stories about twitter.
HIPPA
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 20:53 — jdjonesKirschner's HIPPA scenario is so far off it's laughable. Yet this is the second time this blog has posted it without pointing out how wrong he is.
There's no way that a player putting something on Twitter about his teammate's health is a HIPPA violation by that player -- unless the player doubles as a doctor/nurse/emt/physician's assistant and was the teammate's health care provider.
Oops. Should be "HIPAA"
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 20:55 — jdjonesOops. Should be "HIPAA"
see...
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 22:48 — rpickeral (author)...the clarification above, JDJ...thanks for reading....
Thanks
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 23:26 — jdjonesRobbi, thanks for the clarification and update. His story now doesn't quite match with the quote that was in the DTH at the time though, but I'm glad to see the right line being drawn now.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/content/unc-athletes-connected-twitter-social-networking-sites
As long as they violate no laws...
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 21:31 — UNC1998it's free speech. I have a job. If I speak out at my job, and my employer disagrees they may punish me. If I'm at home on my computer I may speak my mind. It's in the constitution. I appreciate what UNC (read Coach Williams) is trying to do. The post on the injury was not a violation of HIPPA as I understand. Outside of that I believe they should be allowed to post. Just my two lil 'ol cents.
Edited to add "not". Sorry I left it out before.
Have to disagree
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 10:17 — JPDOhioThat doesn't happen very often, because you are one of the most thoughtful posters on this site and I respect your opinion. And if they want to post about their favorite movie, food, or how often they use the rest room, fine. Of course, nobody cares about that. Anyone following these guys on Twitter probably is looking for insider gossip, which I believe is the problem.
It is totally reasonable for Roy (or any coach on any team for that matter) to place limits on what can be posted as it relates to the team. Just like you and me at work, we modify our behavior in a way that doesn't jeopardize our livelihoods. When players accept scholarships to play ball and get a free education, they also accept responsibility for actions potentially detrimental to the team and the image of the university.
Of course, this is the opinion of a guy who views Facebook, My Space, and Twitter as Signs of the Apocolypse. I do like blogging though, in case you hadn't noticed.
That's cool. Disagreement is what the USA is all about.
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 16:50 — UNC1998I'm just a firm believer in the first amendment. It's ok to stipulate behavior while at school or a game. On Saturday night, though it's a different story to me. Kids have mouths, and run them off often. It's great to think a 18 year old understands what it means to represent UNC, and some guidance is a must. That guidance can't dominate their lives at every turn, though. That just doesn't sound right to me. I do understand the opposing point, though. It makes me proud to see a thoughtful response at the press conference by a UNC player. It makes me proud to see them in suit coats at away games getting off the bus. I'm sure I'd be proud if they didn't write silly things on Twitter, too. I just don't think that's realistice in a free society, though. As long as they don't disrespect or disparage coaches, teammates, or opponents....what's wrong?
I think there is a case to
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 17:53 — unc098I think there is a case to be made for both sides of the argument. I am sure that the coaches have no desire to monitor or police their charges cell phone, Facebook, or Twitter lives. I believe that it is important for the coaches to express what is or is not acceptable behavior in terms of how they represent the University and it should be a clear policy. It all gets down to communication and expectations.
I agree
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 16:12 — unc098And I think its important that the coaching staff have a clear policy in regards to these mediums which is stated from the inception of an agreement between the recruit and the coaching staff.
Never followed Twitter
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 16:25 — Heels20But I never remember hearing anything about Ty Lawson or Wayne Ellington tweeting something controversial. I do believe there is a negative correlation between how much these guys tweet and how well they play on the court. 20-17 should have been enough to humble these guys to the point where they paid less attention to their followers and more attention to improving their game. It makes me sick to read a story like this when at the same time I'm hearing about the lack of work ethic of some of these players. I don't know who can teach it and how it can be taught, but some of these guys have to eventually grasp the concept that if they don't start working toward reaching their potential and getting more Ws, then they'll no longer have followers to tweet to when they fall short of making it to the league.
undereachievers
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 20:31 — TheMambaSTRIKESthese 3 UNDERACHIEVERS who were basically STIFFS last year on a dysfunctional team that finished in the ACC.OUTHOUSE...need to get their heads out of their axxxx and learn to play basketball , PRODUCE on the court, and hopefully get the program back on track to ACC respectability.
Mamba wrote
Wed, 06/02/2010 - 17:54 — unc098......and hopefully get the program back on track to ACC respectability.
I knew you were a UNC fan
they need to be taught another lesson
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 19:44 — gvillegatrb/c they're being very condescending by their retorts to what the Carolina coaching staff had to say to them aabout what was and was not good behavior on twitter.
Nothing a two hour run up and down the Dean Dome won't cure.
Imagine .....
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 18:43 — AgentPierceJust imagine the quintessential micro-manager Dean Smith dealing with "the Internet" much less "Twitter". ...... Oh Me, Oh My !!!! :>O
Well it is a matter of
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 18:04 — unc098Well it is a matter of responsibility on the part of the players to represent themselves and the university in a positive fashion. Its a maturity thing. Thoughtfulness is necessary.
I would hope that the coaching staff will initiate some discussion from the outset to inform the players about what is considered acceptable protocol.
Could be worse.
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 19:27 — JPDOhioThey could be uploading videos of themselves in Wal-Mart at 2 A.M.
Seriously, though, it's not too early for these guys to learn the responsibilities that come with being in the public eye.