Friends and fans are not the only ones this season following what North Carolina athletes post on their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Now, their coaches are required to, as well.
UNC has updated its 2010-11 Student Athlete Handbook to stipulate that “each team must identify at least one coach or administrator who is responsible for having access to and regularly monitor the content of team members’ social networking sites and postings.” The athletics department also reserves the right to have other staff members monitor athletes’ posts; and if any of an athlete’s online content violates the law or NCAA, University or athletic department policies, sanctions could range from removal of the posting to dismissal from the team.
Associate athletic director Steve Kirschner said the updated social networking policy has been in the works since last spring, “and it is not in response to any one thing.”
But there have been a couple of incidents that likely played into it.
UNC defensive lineman Marvin Austin, who has been questioned as part of the NCAA’s investigation into whether football players had inproper contact with agents, posted more than 2,400 updates – including pictures of a watch for his younger sister, a bag from an upscale sunglass store in Miami and a $143 bill from The Cheesecake Factory in Washington, D.C. – before his Twitter account went dark.
Earlier this summer, basketball sophomores Dexter Strickland and John Henson, plus junior Larry Drew II, 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."
(They continue to tweet, but their posts have been toned down a tad.)
Last year’s Student Athlete Handbook reminded players that what they post on social networks is public information; that they are a representative of the University and always in the public eye; that information is accessible after they remove it; that they should exercise caution about posting their whereabouts or plans; and that future employers might use their sites as a background check.
The updated handbook expands on those, stating that the athletic department “will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online.” That includes derogatory language; comments that constitute a credible emotional or physical threat; and photos that depict unlawful abuse, hazing, harassment, discrimination, drug possession or use, and any other illegal conduct.
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Thanks All A timely raise
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 07:15 — unc098Thanks All
A timely raise indeed.!!!!!
I will second what JPD said about it being one of the best investments I ever made.
Both kids have jobs in their chosen fields and I couldn't be prouder.
Haven't had a chance to say it
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 09:35 — Heels20But congratulations! I definitely haven't reached the point of fatherhood yet, but I'm sure this is most certainly a proud moment. I wish them the best.
Thanks 20
Wed, 09/01/2010 - 11:15 — unc098Definitely a milestone not a millstone
1st Amendment Prevent Defense?
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 23:53 — proctorThe NCAA and now university athletics departments are becoming ubiquitous in the day-to-day social lives of student-athletes. How long will it be before the NCAA or a university coaching staff will be accompanying student-athletes to restaurants and cafes to monitor whether they order fries or a sald with their burgers and whether they prefer moccas, lattes or cafe-au-lait at their favorite coffee shops?
In football terms, it's getting to the point that there's practically a prevent defense looming against the exercise of First Amendment constitutional rights for undergraduate students who also play sports. Pro football players and coaches are subject to large fines for uttering "ill-advised" off-hand comments about the way a certain game has been played. Student-athletes competing in NCAA events are of course not compensated financially for their participation in collegiate sports.
Will the NCAA leave halfbacks and linebackers free to choose their flavor of ice cream on Sunday afternoon outings during the football season?
Oops! I'd better watch what I write in my column, for the NCAA might consider me a post-graduate "redshirt" since I didn't use up my athletic eligibilty while pursuing a history degree at an ACC institution! Yikes! To whomever my coaches might have been, I was just making small-talk--you know, sports chit-chat and all that jazz. Yes, I did try out for the tennis team, so I will refrain from questioning any "out-of-bounds" calls during the upcoming U.S. Open in Forest Hills!
David P. McKnight
... practically a prevent
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 18:36 — TDiddyt... practically a prevent defense looming against the exercise of First Amendment constitutional rights for undergraduate students who also play sports...
Student-athletes competing in NCAA events are of course not compensated financially for their participation in collegiate sports.
That's one of the dumbest statements I have read on this blog, ever. A confluence of ignorance of so many things... law, history, constitution, NCAA, college sports, tuition costs... and several more.
Btw, this isn't about constitutional rights. Any and all student athletes can twitter, facebook, yell, scream, and text anything they want. However, if they want to keep and maintain the priviledge of their scholarship, there exists certain rules to which they must abide.
Take it easy
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:46 — Heels20Most people would gladly trade their right to tweeting and updating their facebook status in exchange for free college tuition and unbelievable amounts of tutoring (how do athletes ever flunk out?) If they're going to abuse their First Amendment Rights (as Marvin has), then they're probably better just to keep their mouths shut anyway.
nOT compensated?
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 09:20 — JPDOhioAs someone who has paid tuition, room and board for a non-resident student at NCSU and for a student at a small, private college in Ohio, I can say without any doubt that athletes on full scholarship are indeed compensated for their participation in college sports. You cannot discount or ignore the value of a free education and the opportunity it provides to the thousands of young men and women who will not become professional athletes.
As 098 stated, with opportunity comes responsibility. This includes reasonable restrictions on behavior and public comment. As a professional consultant, I normally do not discuss my political or religious views with clients. I am also careful not make public statements that may compromise my company's image nor do I divulge trade secrets, strategic plans or information about our clients. This is no different than a university placing restrictions on a player's public comments. If the player doesn't like it, he can revoke his scholarship and leave the program. Then he can say or do whatever he wants.
So spare us the free speech drivel. I have heard it all before and it carries no weight once you get past the teenage years.
absolutely
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 10:21 — unc098To the tune of over 100,000.00 or more over the course of study. Not to mention all the other perks, and a degree and whatever education that they wish to take advantage of.
I would say all college athletes on full scholarship are well compensated.
$100,000
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 13:01 — JPDOhioThat number is not an exaggeration. Two comments about that:
1. Best investment I ever made.
2. Best feeling in the world when you don't have to write those checks anymore.
And those two points do not contradict each other.
I'll Roger That!!! Just got
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 14:02 — unc098I'll Roger That!!!
Just got my last one out this past May.
Glory, Glory.
And that figure is for one. Both of mine went to private schools as well. One in upstate New York that cost ( after tuition grants. Tuition 44,000 ) over 25,000 per year and the other , in Tennessee, which had a very reasonable price tag ( geez ) of 28,000 with everything included. Of course there are intangibles such as books, plane fare, cars and insurance etc etc.
So NO! I am not feeling any pity for the athletes.
Biggest "raise" you will ever get.
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 14:54 — JPDOhioAnd, yes, I knew that figure was for just one. Congrats on the graduates.
Ditto. Congrats.
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 18:39 — TDiddytDitto. Congrats.
Paradox, Some thoughts
Tue, 08/31/2010 - 07:23 — unc0981) All the players know ( or should know ) what they have signed up for as D1 prospects. With that comes the responsibility of the commitment.
Secondly when players behave like spoiled children with no boundaries they break their commitment and are treated as such; Immature adult people without the ability to understand the nature of the commitment.
3) What does this say about the structure of D1 college athletics in general.? Should colleges and universities be farm teams for the professional leagues in order to sate the competitive nature of said institutions and lowering academic standards to field players who would otherwise be unqualified to attend?
4) There is a substantial investment on the part of these institutions to support athletics as such and they have a proprietary nature when it comes to protecting their investment.
5) Because competitive athletics has created a situation where most schools have compromised their academic standards to maintain said programs they are forced into the very situation of engendering policies which you describe in your post as being anti 1st Amendment.This behavior is oxymoronic. Universities have always been the sanctuary of this right.
I've taken my family to Cheesecake factory...
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 19:41 — UNC1998several times. The bill climbs quickly. I dare say I've bettered Austin a couple of times. As far as UNC monitoring players' online activities. I think it makes sense. I can't believe they haven't been doing it up to now. Of course by now that's kind of obvious. One thing I can't seem to get out of my mind is to think of how I thought and behaved when I was in college. When you're that young sometimes it seems like you're just in a different place. I certainly can't make excuses for any of the players. I also won't make judgement. I've heard everything from "This is proof of cheating" to "those are song lyrics". Certainly at this point the hay is out of the barn. I just look forward to putting aside the daytime drama and watching some football.
I guess the UNC AD dept.
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 19:32 — whitlow71I guess the UNC AD dept. understands that students need to hide these things they do. Wait a minute, did they just admit they know about athletes doing drugs and acting like thugs?
That includes derogatory language; comments that constitute a credible emotional or physical threat; and photos that depict unlawful abuse, hazing, harassment, discrimination, drug possession or use, and any other illegal conduct.
uncharted waters .....
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 18:54 — AgentPierceA very relevant issue brought about by popular technology requiring serious attention. Basically "uncharted waters" that would be unnecessary if 18-22 year old men could be counted on to exercise sound judgement and common sense. ..... a shortcoming not necessarily limited to young men.
The "free speech" crowd will romp and stomp as is their custom.
I am with you on that
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 20:11 — unc098I am with you on that thought Pierce.
quote for the "free speech" crowd to ponder
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 19:34 — JPDOhioJust because you have the right to do (or say) something, doesn't mean it is right to do (or say) it.
Wish I could remember who that is attributed to.