Horns247 Board

Fans ragging on athletes that change their minds is definitely low class. It is immature and is definitely beneath ethical standards for UT. These kids at 17 yrs old are just that, kids. They do impulsive, immature, selfish, illogical things regularly. Adults should not stoop to that level and reinforce the behavior. 17 yr olds get a pass on that kind of behavior. Adults acting like kids, sending hateful tweets is pretty sad. As unhappy as I am that TJ says Texas is off his list, I would not tweet him. He probably never intended to lose his offer, but just wanted some free hot sneekers and other ill gotten gain.
While he is a loss, if he has one ounce of prima donna in him, we are better off without him

There is so much fail in this post, I don't know where to begin. Contact the authorities? It's good that you don't have an 18 year old son.

I agree that it's low class to tweet some kid because he decommitted. Leave him alone and let him be. It doesn't do any good to keep harping on him because he changed his mind because he wants to go somewhere else.

I don't tweet because 1. it's boring, 2. I have no idea how to even begin to understand their weird ass lingo language, and 3. it's too much randomness for me to care. I have to suffer through reading my wife's facebook, so the last thing I care to read is some kid typing in a crappy verse from a crappy rap song or whatever.

Have to admit that A&M does a better job of monitoring internet sites. They post things like this on 247 and TexAgs. PapaHorn, hope you didn't attend UT.

NCAA rules do not allow boosters, fans, or former students to contact, call, correspond with, or otherwise recruit prospective student-athletes, their parents/legal guardians, relatives, or coaches/teachers whether in person, online, etc. For example, it would not be permissible for a booster, fan, or former student to Tweet at recruits, comment on their Facebook profiles, etc. The only exception would be if you are related to the recruit by blood or marriage.

do you have that citation w/ a link? there's someone i know who friends every recruit he can on facebook and i've been trying like hell to tell him he's walking a very, very fine line.

Not really. Only this one from TAMU Compliance (there are some links in the thread)

From the UT issued LFAC Booster Info Card:

How do you determine if you are a booster or “athletics representative?”

Do you belong to the Longhorn Foundation?

Are you an alumnus/fan of The University of Texas?

Do you make financial contributions to UT Athletics?

Have you ever participated in or been a member of an agency/organization which promotes UT’s
sports programs?

Have you ever assisted in evaluating or recruiting prospective student-athletes?

Have you ever encouraged any prospective student-athlete to attend Texas?

Have you ever helped to arrange or provided employment to enrolled student-athletes, prospects or a prospect’s parents or relatives?

If you responded “yes” to any of the questions above, you are considered to be an “athletics representative,” or as it is commonly referred to, a “booster” for The University of Texas. Once you are considered an athletics representative, you permanently retain this status!

As an athletics representative, you are bound by NCAA, Big 12 Conference and University
of Texas rules. The University of Texas is RESPONSIBLE for your actions!

From the UT Compliance Dept Longhorn Family & Friends Guide to NCAA rules for those associated with student athletes:

NCAA rules only allow coaching staff members to recruit future Longhorn student-athletes. Boosters (e.g., former student-athletes, donors and parents of current/former players) may not recruit on behalf of UT. This includes, but is not limited to calling, writing or having on– or off-campus contact with prospective student-athletes or their parents. Also, please refrain from sending messages to recruits via a social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) as these forms of communi-cation are also considered impermissible recruiting activities. If you personally know of a recruit who is interested in attending UT, simply direct them to speak with a member of our coaching staff.

That definition is broad enough to encompass everyone that posts on this site. So I think that A&M has it right. Don't do it. If a fan is communicating with a potential recruit on twitter, then it is a small step to conclude that he is doing it to convince the recruit to attend Texas. I doubt many folk are twittering random high school students.