MEDIA SAVVY
Social security
Volleyball players can prevent online problems with a solid defense by Eric Hammond
t is a frightening fact that you must protect your reputation at all times in these days of social media dominating the Internet, and often, the perception we give others about ourselves. Cameras are on almost every phone. It is easy to snap a photo or record a video at a moment’s notice, then have it posted on several social sites within a few seconds. Your private life is only as private as you are able to protect. Social media posts by you, your family, friends, teammates and anyone who happens to catch you in the background of their photo, expose your ac- tions and thoughts to the world at large. Yes, freedom of speech is a right, but you can still fi nd yourself facing serious repercussions if you aren’t careful.
I
I have coached and/or recruited high school and college volleyball players for a decade. One of my main duties has been to evaluate the potential of prospective student- athletes to determine if they will help us reach our goals, and if they will fi t into our team dynamic. Whether you play for your high school team or a club team, coaches and team- mates pay attention to the information you use to represent yourself. They use this informa- tion to judge your character, determination, potential for team chemistry and much more. Maybe you have changed your social me- dia site settings to private in order to protect your posts from outside eyes. This veil of protection just isn’t a reality any more. Your friends can see your posts, and they can in turn share your posts with anyone they wish. Most sites also allow your images and videos to be downloaded, with or without your permission. Anyone can then repost your images and videos and make them viewable anywhere on the Internet. You have never posted anything that can be considered offensive, detrimental or incriminating? Well, that doesn’t mean that someone else hasn’t posted photos and/or videos of you. For example, you are with friends and you make an obscene gesture, are doing something that breaks the law, or are wearing or holding something generally con- sidered to be offensive. If you are in a picture
SELFIE AT SUNSET: U.S. Women’s National Team member Rachael Adams takes advantage of a special sunset to pose with friends in Hawaii.
that anyone in the room has taken, you may now be doing so online for the world to see. Whether you are “tagged” in the images or not, if you are recognizable, you could be in hot water when the post goes public. Issues may include getting you suspended or kicked off a team, affecting scholarship offers or renewal status, or causing you to lose your eligibility to play in college. These possible consequences can extend to future employers, college admissions staff, potential relation- ships and many more people with whom you may come in contact and want to positively affect. It may sound like a nebulous warning, but trust my experience, it happens almost every year at all levels. A good rule to follow — think twice, or three times, or four, before posting. Check your pages and those of your “friends” often to be sure you are aware of any media in which you appear. Consider these guidelines:
DO POST
■ Match results and awards. Coaches will want to stay informed on your perfor- mance and individual and team recognition. Coaches make a time and energy investment in you, so they are excited when they see that investment rising in value, or at least appreci- ating the journey. ■ Volunteer work. Many teams and all levels perform volunteer work as a regular part of their program. If you already have experience in this area, that makes you all the more valuable. It also demonstrates that you want to contribute to something bigger than yourself, which is actually the entire concept of a team anyway. ■ Quotes and/or images that inspire
you. Knowing what motivates you gives coaches a great look at your character as a person and as a player. ■ Academic or community service achievements. The term “student-athlete” is
24 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
usavolleyball.org/mag
worded in that order for a reason. Whether high school age or college age, you are a student fi rst and foremost. Very few people will make a great living playing professional volleyball, so you must make the most of your education. Coaches like to see you tak- ing your commitments seriously.
DO NOT POST (YOU OR ANYONE ELSE IN THE PHOTO)
■ Pictures or video of anything illegal,
or inciting anything illegal. This one is ob- vious. One point of clarity here; even though some things (such as marijuana use) are becoming legal in some states, they probably aren’t in others, so unless you want to stay in your state for the rest of your life, keep it off the Internet. ■ Wearing anything that could be
offensive. Just because it is funny to you, doesn’t mean it isn’t upsetting to someone else.
■ Complain about coaches, team- mates, opponents, practice, workouts. If you aren’t serious about being part of your team and giving 100 percent effort to improv- ing your game in practice and workouts, then you shouldn’t be part of that team. When your coaches and teammates see you complaining on the Internet, they may get frustrated and lose enthusiasm and trust in you.
Eric Hammond is the fi rst assistant coach
and recruiting coordinator for women’s vol- leyball at Towson University. One of his main day-to-day duties is helping to run several social media outlets for his team. He is cur- rently is his 10th year coaching at the NCAA Division I level, and previously coached at the high school and juniors levels for two years. Hammond has also served as an as- sistant coach and evaluator for USAV Beach High Performance for the past three years.
PHOTO: BILL KAUFFMAN / USA VOLLEYBALL
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