Don't Drop The Ball

Don’t Drop The Ball

Click, send, and pray.  Pray that no one sees your stupid picture or tweet.  Unfortunately everyone will see it.  Just hope your coach isn’t everyone.  Social Media is a very powerful tool, and can be very positive and negative.  It is silly to think Coaches, High Schools, Universities, or Professional Teams and Clubs don’t check Social Media.  

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

Twitter, Facebook, Buzznet, Formspring

Instagram, Myspace, Flickr

Athletes need to be smarter than the average joe because they are under more of a microscope.  Athletes represent more than just themselves, they represent the very High School or University etc. that cheer for them every game.  Do you want to let all of them down?  One picture or tweet can jeopardize an athlete’s entire athletic career and reputation.

EXPERIENCE

I know from experience what can happen when Social Media is used negatively.  A buddy from my High School played football with me my junior year.  One night he was stupid and took a picture of himself funneling beer at a party..  Soon after my coach found out and he was kicked off the team, alienated, and viewed as a traitor.  One picture, one mistake, is all it takes.

DON’T LET IT BE YOU

Everyone has the mindset of “Oh it won’t happen to me,” or “Coach isn’t going to see it,” and take that risk.  Sure you may get away with it one maybe two times.  You’re the man now.  Enjoy it while it last because at any time everything could be taken away.  All that hard work and preparation...Gone.  Athletes need to realize there is a certain swagger and attention brought upon them.  Sometimes self-inflicted, sometimes unwanted.  It can be tough at times as an athlete to get used to the spotlight and attention, however, Social Media cannot be the reason for the attention.

WRAP-UP

Handle your business on the field and stay smart socially.  The repercussions of abusing Social Media are extremely serious.  Fines, Suspensions, or Complete removal from a team are all realistic punishments.  Athletes are given gifts of athletic ability.  It would be a shame to see that obliterated over some stupid picture at a party.  Social Media can be fun and very positive, don’t abuse it.

FACTS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA

• In February 2012, 20% of 18-24 year old Student-Athletes were using Twitter on a typical day.  Just one year later, 72% of Student-Athletes have a Twitter account

• Of a random survey taken 93.5% of student-athletes have a Facebook

• 64.81% have an Instagram

• 23.1% of Student-Athletes with a twitter have tweeted something inappropriate (racial, sexual, violence, profanity, drug/alcohol use)

• 22.3% of Student-Athletes with a Facebook have posted something inappropriate (racial, sexual, violence, profanity, drug/alcohol use)