Educational Column - August 2011 - Technology and Social Media

With the quick advancement of technology in our society and the recent rule interpretations from the NCAA concerning social networking, we think a great way to begin the education outreach columns is to discuss booster Web sites, message boards, and social networking sites.

First of all, let us emphasize how much all of us in the University of Kansas Athletics Department value the supporters of this program. The fact remains, however, that the NCAA holds us responsible for the actions of all of our boosters. That is why we would like to take this opportunity to educate those who support the athletics department.

The internet has provided the opportunity for boosters from all over the world to communicate with each other in a way that was not possible before. The following regulations regarding the internet are very important for all boosters to know:

(1) Web sites: The NCAA does not consider the boosters who run Web sites to be members of the media. Therefore, when the administrators of these sites contact a prospective student-athlete (an individual who has started classes for the seventh grade in basketball and ninth grade for all other sports), interview them, and place that interview on their Web site, Kansas is responsible for the impermissible contact. Recently, the University of Kentucky had a situation where football prospective student-athletes were interviewed by the administrator of such a Web site, which resulted in a NCAA violation for Kentucky. As a result of this violation, the University had to declare both prospective student-athletes (who eventually signed with Kentucky) ineligible and appeal to the NCAA to have their eligibility reinstated.

(2) Message Boards: Boosters participating on a message board are not permitted to write, call, instant message, text, chat with, or e-mail a prospect. Sometimes we will read on a message board that someone thinks it is okay to contact a prospect once they sign a National Letter of Intent with Kansas. However, that signing does not change the fact he or she is still a prospect and all prohibitions against booster contact continue to apply. We often also hear comments that because a person is not a graduate of Kansas or a season ticket holder, they believe they are not a booster and it is okay for them to contact a prospect. However, part of the NCAA's definition of a booster includes anyone who contacts a recruit on behalf of the institution. Therefore, as soon as someone on a message board e-mails or sends a message out to a recruit, they automatically become a booster and are subject to the NCAA rules prohibiting such contact.

(3) Social Networking: Boosters are not permitted to use social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to contact or otherwise attempt to correspond with prospects. This includes, but is not limited to, posting on a wall, using the inbox/e-mail feature, instant messaging, "@replies", "mentions", or direct messaging. Recently, NC State University sent a cease-and-desist letter to a student who had formed a Facebook group urging a prospect to come to the university. The university saw the group as a fan's attempt to recruit the prospect, thus violating NCAA rules.

As electronic communication technology continues to advance, the opportunity for the boosters of an athletics program to have impermissible contact with a prospect or that prospect's family is greatly increased. However, the school's responsibility for that contact remains the same. To protect the Kansas athletics program and the young people who compete for all of us, we ask that all boosters who enjoy access to the type of Web sites described above assist us in following the guidelines that govern those sites. As always, your efforts to help Kansas remain compliant are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (785) 864-4200.