Student athletes monitored on Facebook

By Ryan Beck

Published Feb. 2, 2007

Among the most popular Web sites for college students is Facebook, which allows members to post pictures, share videos and keep in touch with friends around the country. But it has made managing a personal life on and off the field more difficult for student athletes around the country.

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Kent State University student athletes were restricted from using Facebook to ensure that the reputation of the institution was upheld.

George Washington University also took some interest in what its athletes were posting online. Many George Washington coaches have signed up for Facebook and keep an eye on their players making sure no diminishing or incriminating photos are released on the Web.

According to the GW Hatchet, George Washington University's student newspaper, a member of the university's golf team posted pictures of himself drinking alcohol. At George Washington, the coaches monitor their player's Facebook accounts instead of the administration.

"For me as a freshman, it is pretty easy to balance, but for some of the upperclassmen that have made a name for themselves, its much more difficult," MU football player Bart Coslet said. "You can see the way people look at them and you know they are talking about them."

MU athletics haven't yet experienced restrictions or policies regarding public Web sites.

"Currently, there is no policy regarding Facebook," MU athletic department spokesman Chad Moeller said. "But athletes were told to be aware of anything they do on such sites."

One instance of fair warning is with the MU football team.

"We were told just to be smart about what goes on the internet," Coslet said.