Sports Information/Social Media Policy

The Sports Information Office, under the direction of Brian Lentz, is the public relations arm of the athletic program. It is responsible for providing information and statistics about all sports to the electronic and print media. In addition, this office serves the Northwest Mississippi Community College student body, administration, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. In order to perform these duties, the sports information staff must have complete cooperation from all members of the athletic program.

Athlete's Responsibilities to the Sports Information Office:

Complete the information sheet that will be issued, and make sure that all responses are complete and true. Do not give false and outrageous answers. Return the information sheet to the SID as requested.

Cooperate within the time frames of the class schedules for interviews or photograph sessions.

Student-athletes should talk with all media personnel only after receiving authorization from the SID staff, your coach or the athletic director.

Student-athletes should not respond to journalists, whether non-university or from “The Ranger Rocket,” regarding matters of internal team affairs, sports teams, coaches, administration or other athletes. It is also recommended that the student-athlete refrain from answering any question you believe to be unwarranted or controversial in nature. Common sense and respect for the privacy of fellow athletes and the Northwest athletic program should prevail. Please advise the SID staff or your coach of any outside attempts by the media to contact you.

Use of Social Networking Sites (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.):

The Department of Athletics recognizes and supports its student-athletes’ rights to freedom of speech, expression, and association, including the use of social networks. In this context, however, each student-athlete must remember that playing and competing for Northwest is a privilege, not a right. As a student-athlete, you represent the College and you are expected to portray yourself and your team in a positive manner at all times. 

Guidelines:

If you participate on a social networking site, you must keep the following guidance in mind:

  • Everything you post is public information – any text or photo placed online is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online – even if you limit access to your site. Information (including pictures, videos, comments, and posters) may be accessible even after you remove it.
  • Use caution when adding someone or inviting someone to be a friend. Many individuals are looking to take advantage of student athletes, to get close to student-athletes to give themselves a sense of membership, or to gain information about you, your teammates, or your team for the purposes of sports gambling or negative publicity.
  • Limit information about your whereabouts or plans to minimize the potential of being stalked, assaulted, or the victim of other criminal activity.
  • What you post may affect your future. Many employers and graduate school admissions officers review social networking sites as part of their overall evaluation of an applicant. Carefully consider how you want people to perceive you before you give them a chance to misinterpret your information (including pictures, videos, comments, and postings).
  • Similar to comments made in person, the Department of Athletics will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as:
    •         Derogatory or defamatory language;
    •         Comments that create a danger to the safety of another person or that constitute a credible threat of serious physical or emotional injury to another person;
    •         Comments or photos that describe or depict unlawful acts, assault, abuse, hazing, harassment, or discrimination; selling, possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other illegal or prohibited conduct, including violating University policies.


Monitoring and Consequences:

The Department of Athletics reserves the right to have staff members review and/or monitor student-athletes’ social networking sites and postings.

Any violation of law or of the College's, NJCAA or Department of Athletics’ policies or evidence of such violation in your online content is subject to investigation and sanction. The College reserves the right to determine appropriate sanctions for any violation of this policy. Reference the student handbook.