Could what's on your Myspace hurt your scholarship chances?

[rainbowgirl28]

There are tons of articles online about college admissions officers, employers, teachers, etc, looking at people's Myspace and Facebook pages to find out more about them. I could post links to some articles if anyone is interested, or you can find them yourself.

But for those of you hoping to earn a college scholarship to pole vault, put some serious thought and consideration into what is on your profile. EVEN IF YOU HAVE IT SET TO PRIVATE.

I don't recruit, but if I did, one of the first things I would do is look recruits up online.

If someone is breaking the law by drinking underage, they are being doubly irresponsible by posting pictures of it online. What does that say of how their behavior will be in college when they are away from their parents?

Also, think about the spelling on your page. If you are trying to get into college, they are looking for people who have that part figured out already.

In general, just think about the message you are sending to people. I see way too many people that are way too busy trying to look cool.

Then again, maybe you should leave it all online, so your future coaches know what they are getting into

[htheodore]

GREAT CALL BECCA!

[achtungpv]

I google every single person I select to interview for jobs. If I was a college coach I would do the the same thing for potential recruits.

[ec1vaulter]

It's fairly simple to stay out of future trouble with these sites. They are meant to be communication tools and should be used as such. Do not exploit your negative traits or anything that could be portrayed as hostile or dangerous. Example: If you drink, fine... but don't post the picture of yourself urinating in your friends lawn. If you make sure that what you post online would be acceptable in a face-to-face conversation with an admissions officer, coach, future employer, etc. then you can rest easy knowing that there is no danger in the material that you share with the world.

It is easy to use the internet for general information since it is always right at your fingertips. I know that is the first place I turn to if the information sent in by a prosective student-athlete is incomplete. Just as achtungpv does with anyone being interviewed, I look for the missing information through google.com. Any recruit that I am in constant contact with through their outdoor season I will also google in an attempt to find articles in local newspapers about them. It has sometimes found the myspace or facebook profiles. Just make sure it's appropriate and tasteful.

[robillard]

ya i know so many people that get in trouble around me with myspace. a high school not to far away had a freakin FBI led investigation with myspace. people are all like we should be able to post w/e we want and stuff. im like are you special our somethin, ya you can post it but if wat your posting is illegal your a dumbass ask to get arrested. your also stupid if you post anything you wouldnt want your parents to see, cause chance are theyll see it eventually and if they dont some one interested in recruiting/hiring you or w/e prob will and wont like it.
very good topic but it shouldnt be necessary, i guess people just dont have common sense now a days

[Barto]

The answer is, "Yes."

[bvpv07]

Here's my view on it:

These sites can be great if you use them for communicating with your friends, but you need to always be aware that pretty much anyone can see what's on your page. For that reason, you need to know that you are responsible for whatever they do see.

Becca...you're right. If you don't want to come across as a complete idiot, invest a little time with the spell check and remember those few lessons of grammar that have made their way into your head. If your page is looked at by a recruiter who doesn't know you very well, don't doubt that they may form some impression (good, bad, or scared) about you based on what they see.

Use privacy settings. I do. Check the box that only allows those people who have accounts and whom you've approved to be able to see your profile; make it necessary to preapprove comments before they are posted. If you drink or smoke (tangent: we're underaged high school athletes, so I don't quite understand why you would be doing these things anyways), don't have that option up with an affirmative or two in your general information, and please resist the temptation to post pictures from your latest weekend bash. However, teenagers in general sometimes have an inclination for stupidity. Case in point, there's currently a discussion on "Is Weed Bad or Good?" in my school's general forum (http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewThread&entryID=583129&type=schools&schoolID=14696&viewType=0&schoolLevel=3&Mytoken=A4A0E867-2032-485F-8172A509F2CAE58B7241081). One of the contributors is a varsity cross country runner at my school.

I just feel old sometimes.

BE SMART and BE MATURE. I can't stress that enough. Social networking sites aren't necessarily bad/dangerous things if you use them correctly.

[ladyvolspvcoach]

Grat topic, Becca! I absolutely agree with your points. I have seen very good athletes post pictures of themselves partying on myspace in the past couple of years, and I have seen the head coach toss them off the team for it.

I check online every one who expresses in interest in coming to Tn as a lady vol pole vaulter. I think it's REALLY important for recruit age athletes to understand clearly that some of the things that their peer group would find acceptable their parents or some of us "older" coaches would not!! Anything that is posted on myspace should be considered in that vein. They should think of it as a bill board!!!

[souleman]

A short example here. When I played in bands there was a popular song out there called "Moni Moni". The latter version was done by Billy Idle. (first version by Tommy James. I played both when they were top 40 so that'll show you how old I am). Anyway, I quit playing it when the croud started adding their own "verble imput" between the phrases of the song.(Those of you that "clubbed" it during the 80's and 90's will know what I'm talking about). When someone asked for one of my bands to play the song I would say "no" because of what the croud would add. They asked why I was such a prude. I would answer, "my Mom hates vulgarity and she comes to see me play. (she did so up until she wasin her early 70's) and the nights she doesn't see me perform.......somebody elses Mom is out there so I won't do it". As to my space? Don't put anything on there that you wouldn't want your Mom to see. You should be safe then. Later...........Mike