Stunned at how many fans contact recruits on social media

[Rollerdude123]

I guess I am naïve as someone that has never even attempted to contact any recruit in any way at all- and as someone that has never even tried to "follow" or "like" recruits on social media.

I knew that it happened from time to time - but reviewing my twitter feed over the weekend- I was really surprised by how many Gamecock and Clemson fans I saw that tweeted to and tried to carry on conversations directly with recruits leading up to signing day. These conversations almost always involved trying to sway them, or recruit for their particular college. Of course this applies to fans of most major conference teams- not just South Carolina and Clemson.

A fan contacting recruits to try to recruit (sway, influence, etc) for their school is committing an NCAA violation - a violation that the NCAA can't enforce - but it's an NCAA rule regardless. What I saw from my twitter and Facebook accounts over the weekend was flat out recruiting- trying to convince recruits to go to their school- or trying to convince them to avoid other schools.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that such fans don't care about rules anyway - even though - ironically- many of those same fans seem to be super offended when they find out the "rival" school broke an NCAA rule.

I realize folks doing that don't care about the rules- if they think their involvement can benefit their favorite school in some way.

It's pretty pitiful, but it's the way it works these days.

 

[Rollerdude123]

I will add- and I won't mention the screen names - I was also saddened by some of the comments I saw some of these same fans making toward these players.

Some of the comments were abusive, inappropriate, and way over the top. They weren't just ridiculing them for their choice of college- but some of the comments were personal in nature.

I am not speaking about any one player or even any one fan. I saw quite a number of them.

The people making these comments don't care that these are high school students they are referencing or talking directly to in these comments. Of course most of these same fans would be highly upset if someone was making those comments about someone they cared about.

Wow -is all I can say.

 

[world famous 3rd base hecklers]

Originally posted by Rollerdude123:
I guess I am naïve as someone that has never even attempted to contact any recruit in any way at all- and as someone that has never even tried to "follow" or "like" recruits on social media.

I knew that it happened from time to time - but reviewing my twitter feed over the weekend- I was really surprised by how many Gamecock and Clemson fans I saw that tweeted to and tried to carry on conversations directly with recruits leading up to signing day. These conversations almost always involved trying to sway them, or recruit for their particular college. Of course this applies to fans of most major conference teams- not just South Carolina and Clemson.

A fan contacting recruits to try to recruit (sway, influence, etc) for their school is committing an NCAA violation - a violation that the NCAA can't enforce - but it's an NCAA rule regardless. What I saw from my twitter and Facebook accounts over the weekend was flat out recruiting- trying to convince recruits to go to their school- or trying to convince them to avoid other schools.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that such fans don't care about rules anyway - even though - ironically- many of those same fans seem to be super offended when they find out the "rival" school broke an NCAA rule.

I realize folks doing that don't care about the rules- if they think their involvement can benefit their favorite school in some way.

It's pretty pitiful, but it's the way it works these days.

The NCAA open a can of worms when they said social media was ok to contact them...

The thought of contacting recruits through social media is a little creepy...

 

[ReadR00ster]

I don't do instagram, twitter or facebook. I am against those abominations.

 

[uscg1984]

Originally posted by ReadR00ster:
I don't do instagram, twitter or facebook. I am against those abominations.

I'm not sure I'm "against" them, but I definitely do not understand the obsession. I've lived this long without virtual friends or followers, so I figure I can probably go the rest of my life without them too.

Whether the kid is a recruit or not, I think the idea of grown men (or women) following, friending, or otherwise contacting teenagers they don't already know is a really bizarre and disappointing concept. Somebody has way too much time on their hands.

 

[wdt001]

Everyone is now on social media. The people arnt virtual.My mom is on facebook but she is still my mom. You guys are just out of the loop. It's like using candles instead of electricity. Social media allows us to communicate way easier than any time before. Just cause you don't understand don't knock it.

 

[cog85]

I detest all forms of social media. Call me an ol fogey, but what exactly is social about hiding behind an electronic device?

 

[DarkCock]

Originally posted by wdt001:
Everyone is now on social media. The people arnt virtual.My mom is on facebook but she is still my mom. You guys are just out of the loop. It's like using candles instead of electricity. Social media allows us to communicate way easier than any time before. Just cause you don't understand don't knock it.

"The people arnt virtual." What are trying to say, kid?

Anyway, Dawn Staley doesn't allow her players to use social media during the season. Smart woman.

 

[atl-cock]

Seems to me that unless you have a prior relationship with a recruit (e.g., classmate, teacher, coach, or relative), involvement with a recruit should probably be limited to contacting the school of your choice and advising them of a potential "great find." Let the school handle it from there in an NCAA-approved manner.

I'm not keen on social media as well. I follow one specific Twitter feed which sends out tweets twice a week. I opt out of all ads, and no one follows me.

Twitter, like all electronic media, is value-neutral. The end result is what you make of it and how you use it..

 

[psmith5532]

For all you people who say you don't use social media...you do realize this is social media? Smh...

 

[runtheballstoptherun]

This is how Tennessee got Derrell Scott running back out of North Carolina to flip and sign with them . Carolina fans are their own worst enemy sometimes with the negative remarks about a recruit and Tennessee used it against them...

 

[cockgun]

I am one of the oldest on here and I use Facebook, texting, Instagram and several applications. I have not ever contacted a student athelete. I contact my two grown children though and that about it.

 

[wdt001]

We are on social media right now. This is a forum. Yall do realize that. With one feed like Facebook I get all the gamecock updates as soon as any outlet I like post something. I have friends that played for Carolina in a few different sports I lived all over and met people across long the way. I can keep up with them and they can me. It also makes hooking up with chicks super easy. The thing is You can be anywhere and get in touch with anyone now Quickly. But it's a choice. There are cons don't get me wrong but it's a new world.

 

[pepsicock]

Should be against the NCAA rules

 

[Scooter2001]

Social media is fine, but when idiots get on it and try to persuade a high school kid on where he should go to school......

 

[Kmart84]

It is against NCAA rules and USC sends out a letter every year to all GCC members letting them know what is against the rules. Basically any contact with any potential recruit for USC by a fan of USC is against the rules.