This is the post:
These aren't my words, the following is directly from UConn Compliance. Please note that the term "booster" applies to anyone that has (among other things) purchased season's tickets, contributed to UConn, gone to UConn, or "promoted the interests of UConn athletics" which is a vague term that the NCAA can apply any way it likes. See the
Representative of Athletics Interests
definition (booster):
The NCAA rules that regulate contact with prospective student-athletes include not only face-to-face contacts, emails, phone calls, but also any and all contacts through social media websites. This includes, but is not limited to, websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace.
Boosters or other representatives of UCONN’s athletics interests are prohibited from contacting recruits through these and similar websites. Despite these new applications of the internet, NCAA rules regarding how these technologies can be used have not changed. For instance, many years ago NCAA rules made it impermissible for anyone other than a UCONN coach to write a letter to a prospect encouraging that individual to come to UCONN. As the internet developed the rule was applied the same way to email, so that only a UCONN coach could email a prospect in an attempt to recruit the individual to UCONN. Now, with new methods for broader communication over these social networking sites, it is necessary to remember that it is still permissible only for UCONN coaches to use these sites to recruit prospects to come to UCONN. Even then, there are significant limitations and regulations on how that communication can take place.
Fans may not initiate or accept “friend” requests of prospects on Facebook, but they can “follow” recruits on Twitter. Fans should NEVER post to a recruit’s “wall,” reply to a “tweet,” send them any type of direct message, or take any other action that would constitute contacting that recruit. This prohibition also includes creating fan pages for recruits to attend UCONN.
If anyone other than UCONN coaches contact recruits or encourage prospects to enroll at UCONN, the NCAA will deem that to be a violation and we will be subject to penalties and recruiting limitations, potentially even jeopardizing the eligibility of the prospect. This is true even if the prospect is unaware of such recruiting efforts. Further, those individuals who participate in impermissible recruiting could face penalties, including being banned from obtaining tickets to athletic events.
Please remember, that while new technology has revolutionized the college recruiting world, the basic rules regarding recruitment of student-athletes remains the same. All recruiting activities to the permissible athletics staff members. Know that our coaches are at the forefront of these efforts and are doing everything they legally can to recruit outstanding student-athletes to UCONN. If any Boneyard posters have any questions regarding what constitutes a social media website, what types of actions are prohibited, or any other technology and recruiting questions, please encourage them to contact the Office of Athletics Compliance BEFORE taking any actions.