Let’s talk practicalities here. There has been NO NCAA investigations, inquiries or even warnings about social media contact between spectators or fans and prospects, players or their parents. While member institutions may publish some of the guidelines that have been copied in posts here, no one actually monitors and enforces them. Basically the only avenues of enforcement of fan behavior, no matter how extreme, is ‘disassociation’ from the athletic program which would involve ticket suspensions, attendance bans, etc. Unless impermissible benefits are involved, there are NO repercussions for the player, prospect or parents by the NCAA for social media exchanges with fans.
The prospects, players or parents in many cases ask for these interactions and many times gauge the reaction to their posts in evaluating their feelings for the institutions that these followers represent. If we don’t get involved as Tennessee’s fans, other fan bases will, which is not a good look. It’s second only to attendance at games in evaluating fan support for this audience. It’s even more important now that prospects can’t make visits.
To me, it’s a matter of personal propriety. Being a fan, not a critic, being supportive, but not too personal. If we approach these interactions with common sense, we can positively impact these prospects, players and parents‘ opinion of the University of Tennessee. Let’s all just remember to leave the ‘recruiting’ to the coaches.
.