Don't Contact Recruits Via Facebook or Twitter

JonDMiller

JonDMiller

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Just another reminder to not seek out possible Iowa recruits via social media for the sake of sending them messages encouraging them to consider Iowa.

Most people are not that 'direct', rather they'll send messages or tweets about good things about a school, or a program, subtle things. It's dangerous territory, and likely against the rules.
 
It blows my mind that people contact teenagers they have never met and probably will never meet.
 
I'm not sure which is worse: that fans would be pathetic enough to do this, or that the NCAA is trying to stop it.
 
In the information age that we live in it is going to become harder and harder to control what the fans and boosters do, much like what this article points out. With outlets like Facebook and especially Twitter (which allows people to be anonymous) it becomes easy for fans of a team to become potentially influential in the recruiting process. And although I'm not condoning contacting a recruit, especially before commitment, I would be a liar if I said I did not follow some twitter accounts for kids that were on Iowa's radar. I did however see a few instances where Iowa fans were tweeting potential recruits about the positives of coming to Iowa. The Internet has the ability to give a voice to pretty much anybody that has access to it. I think the NCAA is going to end up chasing it's tail however if it thinks they are going to be able to stop fans from contacting recruits via social media.
 
My dummy facebook account has a hot blond as the avatar, I friend all the recruits OSU is going after and then spam their wall with stuff about how awesome OSU is. Am I not supposed to do that?
 
Following kids is not a violation. Interacting with them in a way that promotes one school, the one they follow, is getting in the area code.

I followed a few prospects last year...not for very long...the two or three tweets that had any sort of relevance to their recruitment was not worth the 50 or more that were nonsensical teenage chatter...which I am sure I would have done some of as a teen, but I am a long way from being there ;)
 
Forget the NCAA. If you take the time to interact with a teenager to try and convince him to come play sports for the team you like, you are a Grade A Creeper, and that is a fact.
 
okeefe4prez said:
My dummy facebook account has a hot blond as the avatar, I friend all the recruits OSU is going after and then spam their wall with stuff about how awesome OSU is. Am I not supposed to do that?
Click to expand...

I know you're trying to be funny but in the end this is that main reason that the NCAA has no footing in this argument. Anybody can create a dummy Facebook/Twitter account. If the NCAA was to pursue "illegal" contact of a recruit through social media they would have absolutely no proof if a person making contact was an actual alumni/fan/booster or just a random Joe trying to make a school look bad. I'm not a fan of people contacting recruits in the process however I really think the NCAA is handcuffed on the issue.
 
hahaha not going to lie I laughed at OK4P post....seems like that would be a good/dangerous thing to do after knocking back a few brews...Post on other schools recruits walls with a dummy account lol.
 
Darian Cooper claimed Iowa's 12th man (Social media response) was a big factor in him choosing the Hawks. He openly asked fans to lobby for their school during his recruitment.
 
The following 17 year old kids on facebook or twitter thing is creepy, but I don't see how this is any different than having a recruit in town and having fans say "Hey come to Iowa, we would love to see you" or something to that effect.
 
okeefe4prez said:
My dummy facebook account has a hot blond as the avatar, I friend all the recruits OSU is going after and then spam their wall with stuff about how awesome OSU is. Am I not supposed to do that?
Click to expand...

The NCAA ruled that OSU, Texas and the SEC conference are exempt from this rule, so you should be fine.
 
I see several tiers here.

If you are on Facebook or Twitter period, I'm starting to suspect you need a life.

If you are following players or potential recruits on Facebook or Twitter, you need a life and I'm starting to suspect you are a little weird.

If you are actively communicating to players or potential recruits on Facebook or Twitter (and these aren't close personal friends of yours - you just have a "virtual" relationship), not only do you have no life, you are a bona fide freak.
 
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