Social Media - Grand Canyon University Athletics

Social Media

GCU Athletics appreciates the support and loyalty from the best fans in college athletics.

We appreciate and understand your passion to enhancing our sports programs. With the quick advancement in technology and rule interpretations from the NCAA regarding social networking, it is important we address fan websites, message boards, and social networking sites. The internet has provided a platform for supporters from all over the world to display and communicate their passion for college athletics and their alma mater.

The following regulations regarding the internet are important for all Grand Canyon University supporters:

(1) Websites: The NCAA does not consider Grand Canyon University boosters/supporters/student groups who run fan Web sites to be members of the media. Therefore, when the administrators of such sites contact prospective student-athletes (an individual who has started classes for the seventh grade in men’s basketball and ninth grade for all other sports), interview them, and place the interview on their website, GCU is responsible for the impermissible contact.
Recently, a Division I BCS institution had a situation where prospective student-athletes were interviewed by the administrator of such a website, which resulted in a NCAA violation for the institution. As a result of this violation, the University had to declare both prospective student-athletes (who eventually signed with the institution) ineligible and appeal to the NCAA to have their eligibility reinstated.

(2) Message Boards: Supporters participating on a message board are not permitted to write, call, instant message, text, chat with, or e-mail a prospect or their parents/family members. Sometimes we will read on a message board that someone thinks it is okay to contact a prospect once they sign a National Letter of Intent with GCU. However, that signing does not change the fact he or she is still a prospect. Rules still exist for these individuals. We often also hear comments that because a person is not a graduate of GCU or a season ticket holder, they believe they are not a booster/supporter and it is okay for them to contact a prospect. However, part of the NCAA's definition of a booster includes anyone who contacts a recruit on behalf of the institution. Therefore, as soon as someone on a message board e-mails or sends a message out to a recruit, they automatically become a Representative of Athletics Interest and are subject to the NCAA rules prohibiting such contact.

(3) Social Networking: Boosters or fans are not permitted to use social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, etc… to contact or otherwise attempt to correspond with prospects or their parents/family members. This includes, but is not limited to, posting on a wall, using the inbox/e-mail feature, instant messaging, "@replies", "mentions", or direct messaging. There have been multiple cases where institutions have issued cease-and-desist letters to students who formed a Facebook group urging a prospect to come to the university. The university saw the group as a fan's attempt to recruit the prospect, thus violating NCAA rules.

As electronic communication technology continues to advance, the opportunity for boosters of an athletics program to have impermissible contact with a prospect or prospect's family is greatly increased. However, the school's responsibility for that contact remains the same. To protect Grand Canyon University and our recruits, we ask all boosters, who enjoy access to the type of websites described above, to assist us in following the guidelines that govern those sites.

If you have questions at any time, or if you have knowledge of a possible violation, you should immediately contact the Office of Athletics Compliance at 602-639-7455 or at athleticscompliance@gcu.edu.

Follow us on Twitter: @GCUCompliance