Some premier Fresno State athletes use Twitter, Facebook responsibly

Mike Howells/The Collegian

The use of social media websites is a fast and fun way to share photos, videos, express personal thoughts and opinions, while staying connected with others regardless of distance.

Sites like YouTube, Twitter and especially Facebook garner a lot of traffic from Fresno State students and Bulldog athletes are no exception.

However, unlike the rest of the student population, athletes have to be extremely selective on what they post, comment on or share with everyone because they not only represent themselves, but their program and the school as well.

“I just think that the coaches and, you know, the atmosphere should let them know we don’t do that,” senior basketball star Jaleesa Ross said. “Kind of like how Fresno State is, we don’t allow media things like that to ruin our reputation.”

Of the seven athletes interviewed, the primary method of social communication used was Facebook, allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends and keep them updated on how their collegiate careers are going.

“I don’t have a lot time to be calling family as much as I used to,” Ross said. “So [I] keep up with them and they keep up with my basketball through Facebook and stuff.”

None of the athletes interviewed use Twitter, which is often one of the easiest and fastest ways for athletes to get in trouble due to its brevity and speed of circulation.
Some reasons for not using it as much as Facebook were due to maintenance ease of use and overall lack of interest.

Matt Weir/The Collegian

“It’s a little egotistical for me,” junior Bulldog baseball player Taylor Garrison said. “I don’t think everyone needs to know what I’m doing 24 hours of the day or I don’t need to be spending all my time telling people what I’m doing all the time.”

Due to their athletic commitments to the school, and the increased visibility that comes along with representing Fresno State, most athletes are given general guidelines about what they should and should not post on the web, regardless of medium. For most of the athletes its information they’ve heard before and are well aware of the effects an inappropriate image or statement can reflect on them and their program long term.

“Well, before I came to America, I was at the Australian Institute of Sport and they had a very you know strict thing on what we could and could not post,” sophomore basketball player Rosie Moult said. “It’s pretty much the same, like don’t put anything that you don’t want people to see because everyone can see it, so I think it’s a good policy. You shouldn’t be stupid enough to post things that you know people are going to see. Like, if you know people are going to read it, don’t post it.”

While each student strives to follow these personal and team guidelines as best as possible, they are aided by their teammates who will often point out if something doesn’t appear suitable to be on the web.

“Oh yeah definitely, we’re definitely a team-accountable baseball club,” Western Athletic Conference preseason baseball Player of the Year Jordan Ribera said. “And we’ll definitely say something or let somebody know if they’re crossing the line on something, and we’re close enough friends where they’ll take it off or switch it or apologize if they said something to somebody. We do keep each other accountable.”

Mike Howells/The Collegian

With the use of social media athletes at all levels have been getting in trouble because of photos they post, statements they tweet or comments they leave. The Fresno State athletes interviewed for this article believe it regardless of the level it is as much about self-awareness as self accountability.

“I think that the level of intimacy is pretty much up high with social networking,” senior basketball player Taja Edwards said. “So I think that athletes themselves have to be mindful of what they’re posting. They get judged and more often get put up on a pedestal with anything they do, so I think they need to take the initiative themselves.”

Whether it’s using common sense, following guidelines or having a teammate’s back, the athletes at Fresno State are well versed in what is appropriate and not appropriate for social media and are constantly mindful of those limitations when logging on. They know they are constantly under the watchful eyes of the media, fans, friends and family and do their best to represent their program and their school at all times.