Memphis coach commits violation via twitter

[tornado]

This stuff is a violation - But, Memphis' Josh Pastner claims he didn't do it on purpose -

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/19/errant-tweet-lands-pastner-in-dog-house/

there are, of course, exceptions such as the coaching staff may contact recruits during approved contact periods, and people who have a prior relationship like their old AAU coaches can contact them..
Otherwise nobody can contact unsigned recruits - it is a violation and it is especially stupid is fans or boosters do this kind of stuff and seriously risk NCAA scrutiny

[Future Walk-On]

I have facebooked recruits and talked to them......does that mean we will get the death penalty?

has there ever been a case where a school was sanctioned for fans social networking with recruits?

[PASSFIRST]

I have facebooked recruits and talked to them......does that mean we will get the death penalty?

has there ever been a case where a school was sanctioned for fans social networking with recruits?

While I am not an expert, I have a friend who has contacts with the NCAA police. They do review Twitter and Facebook pages of recruits. As far as the fans are concerned it is not out of the question for them to call foul especially if they think something funny is going on. Also there are a lot of informants out there just waiting to cause trouble.

I just do not think it would be wise to admit to such contact in a public forum. You never know who is watching....

[Da Coach]

This stuff is a violation - But, Memphis' Josh Pastner claims he didn't do it on purpose -

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/19/errant-tweet-lands-pastner-in-dog-house/

there are, of course, exceptions such as the coaching staff may contact recruits during approved contact periods, and people who have a prior relationship like their old AAU coaches can contact them..
Otherwise nobody can contact unsigned recruits - it is a violation and it is especially stupid is fans or boosters do this kind of stuff and seriously risk NCAA scrutiny

Josh Pastner must really be scared of the NCAA. He has decided to blame his pregnant wife for his erroneous tweet, rather than face the NCAA for an apparent minor violation. What's worse, having your pregant wife mad at you or offending the NCAA?

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/memphis-coach-blames-wife-ncaa-violation-155921392.html

[tornado]

I have facebooked recruits and talked to them......does that mean we will get the death penalty?

has there ever been a case where a school was sanctioned for fans social networking with recruits?

Bradley has been sanctioned a couple times for minor stuff, the likes of which you will have difficulty finding another such example anywhere...so it doesn't take much for the NCAA to come after Bradley...
Just go back and look at how trivial some of those charges from 2005 and the 1980's were (an assistant telling a player during the summer to "work harder" and a claim that a supporter said he'd help a family member find a job...)

But - in answer to your question -- in 2009, a guy used Facebook to contact recruits...and
"The NCAA claimed this violated recruiting rules, even though Moseley had no affiliation with the athletic department.
When informed that his Facebook group constituted a recruiting violation and threatened by a compliance director with dissociation from the athletic program,
Moseley had no real choice but to comply."

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2012/athletic-departments-social-media-monitoring/

Similarly there were Facebook violations by people wanting to help their schools recruit John Wall....in the end John Wall was penalized two games of eligibility at Kentucky by NCAA - and maybe this kind of stuff could have played at least a part...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4060673

Either way, the very school those people thought they were helping - were very upset with those "efforts" to "help them"
and used as strong of a coercion as they could to get them to cease.
I have personally sat in on compliance meetings with the Bradley compliance personnel and the school takes this stuff seriously
and definitely highlights that they want fans and boosters to leave the recruits alone when unsigned - do not contact them.
I take that seriously as well and do not contact them....
It is absolutely no violation to talk about them but not to contact them.

In the eyes of the NCAA this is..."a violation of the NCAA's rules regulating the recruitment of student athletes."

https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?action=DocumentDisplay&crawlid=1&doctype=cite&docid=18+Sports+Law.+J.+43&srctype=smi&srcid=3B15&key=397e967712d6b38317aec413aa43a863

and this fan saw "NOTHING WRONG" with contacting and friending recruits...but he was cautioned by Duke not to do so...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/sports/ncaabasketball/18recruiting.html?_r=3&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+nyt/rss/Sports+%28NYT+%3E+Sports%29&utm_content=Twitter&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimessports

[tornado]

For the record- Here is the statement directly from Bradley University's compliance Department...

"Bradley University Athletics Compliance Policy Statement
Bradley University is obligated and committed to the NCAA's principle of institutional control in the operation of its athletics program.
Each individual associated with athletics, whether as a staff member or fan,
is obligated to maintain competency in his/her knowledge of the NCAA rules; to act in full compliance
with the letter and the spirit of the rules within his/her realm of responsibility; and to report any known or suspected violation
of NCAA, conference, or institutional rules."

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=204976991

"As a fan and athletic booster, you also play an important role in the compliance program.
Your role is to become educated about NCAA regulations concerning boosters.
....However, please remember that potential violations of NCAA rules may not be limited to the specific infringements mentioned here. .."

"You (any individual, agency, corporate entity) are defined as a Representative of Athletics Interests if you have:
• Participated in or are a member of an organization promoting Bradley Athletics; Chiefs Club, B-Club, Braves Scholarship Society, Dugout Club, Friends of Bradley Soccer, Bradley Block, Diamond Club, etc...;
• Contributed to the athletic department or any of its booster clubs;
• Assisted or have been requested by a member of the athletics staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
• Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families;
• Been otherwise involved in promoting Bradley's athletic programs."

"Do Not make any contact with prospects..."

"Call, write or e-mail a PSA (Prospective Student Athlete - a recruit) or their parents, legal guardians, friends or relatives ...
Be aware that the use of the internet is considered to be a form of communication by means of e-mail, instant messenger or chat rooms.
Social media outlets should not be used to contact (directly or indirectly) a PSA, their parents, legal guardians or coach."

http://www.bradleybraves.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3400&ATCLID=205055504

https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/728771.pdf?&KEY=IILZJBFRBZWMMSZ.20101215143835&DB_ACCOUNT_TYPE=AGENT&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=3400

https://admin.xosn.com/pdf8/790659.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=3400&KEY=IWOGBRBSDNFGZDP.20111011131132