MySpace/Facebook Issue

First off, in no way am I sticking up for those who continue to send messages to recruits over MySpace and Facebook, because it’s severely immature. Secondly, I am not siding with those of you who are flipping out over this whole issue, because you’re flat out overreacting. The NCAA has stated that as of right now, MySpace and Facebook are only a part of the game. A lot of people thought the text messaging ban was a little extreme, and I doubt the NCAA is going to go after a petty issue such as internet messages. Frankly, they could be from anyone, and it would take too much man power to address thousands of messages. MySpace has a confidentiality agreement with every user, as to not share private information with any outside parties. This would make it impossible to track down anyone sending MySpace messages. Facebook holds private accounts, and messages sent to people through Facebook, are also confidential. Only the person who sent the message or the person who received the message can identify that person. When it comes to the issue surrounding UK, and the new "blacklist" that was released, it was only UK’s way of covering there own ass. The list consists of such names as RuppCathedral, U to the K, and 17TK17. If you can tell me who these people are, and what school they represent, I will pat you on the back, but I doubt you could deliver me that information. Why would they create a blacklist if it’s not an issue? After the Sutton era, every precaution is a necessary one, trust me. The NCAA is not looking to make an example, and it’s not worth freaking out about. When it comes down to it, if the writers didn’t write about it, you wouldn’t be saying anything. The NCAA has not publicly made this an issue, and all UK did was ask the little weasels to stop sending messages, because it may possibly be hurting our recruiting, not because the NCAA is going to revoke our right to have a basketball team.

The NCAA clearly states: 13.01.4 NCAA Bylaw prohibits a booster from "making in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephonic communications with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians." But what exactly is a booster/athletic representative?

The NCAA states that if you participate in or was a member of an organization promoting UK's athletics program; you make financial contributions to UK’s athletics program or booster club; you assist in the recruitment of prospects; you provide benefits to student-athletes, or has otherwise been involved in promoting UK athletics. Once a person is identified as such a representative, the person retains that identity indefinitely.

So if at some point in your life, you retained an identity as an athletic booster/representative for UK athletics, please stop being immature by sending internet messages to recruits. If you have not been stamped as a booster or representative, which 99% of us have not, calm down, but please stop sending messages to recruits.