Wilkes team addresses issue of public communication on Facebook

In February 2004, cyber communities were revolutionized by two Harvard sophomores, Mark Zuckerberg and Chris Hughes, who brought to life the world of Facebook.

On April 19, 2007 Ashli Rentzel, a member of the Wilkes women's soccer team, was dismissed for material she posted on Facebook.

Eighty-five percent of college students have a Facebook profile, and nationwide the line between appropriate and inappropriate material has become blurred as employers, professors, coaches, and other authorities have acknowledged that they not only scan Facebook posts, but make judgments about the content they view. Should there be an ethical standard Wilkes athletes have to meet? Head women's soccer coach John Sumoski adopted the "no alcohol policy" for his team in spring 2005. But the "dry" policy was just the beginning for an overall public behavior standard set for women's soccer players, a team that has maintained the highest grade point average among athletic teams at Wilkes. During the fall 2006 season Sumoski sent an e-mail to his players recommending they delete any "questionable material" from their profiles. Questionable material included references to alcohol use and abuse, sexually explicit references, foul language and provocative photographs.

The second e-mail was sent in January directed to specific individuals who had not yet complied with Sumoski's request. The third, and final e-mail, was sent in mid-April explaining that the material gave the team a bad name and was inappropriate. "I sent an e-mail in the fall and then I talked to the captains and said, 'I would like you to go on Facebook and MySpace and talk to the individuals who are in jeopardy of getting in trouble,'" said Sumoski. "I was concerned about any inappropriate stuff that could possibly give our team a bad name." On top of a dry season, members of the women's soccer team co-creates a team policy, collectively, at the beginning of each season. They are required to sign the contract in agreement. Attendance, study hours, drug use, and foul language are among the issues addressed in the team team policies. As well, they have a team vision, "to be a cohesive, emotionally intelligent, and nationally ranked NCAA Division III women's soccer program." "On our team we believe in accountability, not just in athletics. Each player is held responsible and told upfront the team policy that we developed as a team," said team captain Briana Bertoni. "We developed our policy as a team, every part, even the consequences. We agree to these standards to make us a better team." It should be understood that Rentzel was not excused from the team because of Facebook alone. There were compounding variables that led to her dismissal. Rentzel's exit took place just three days before the team's spring game day causing mixed emotions among players. Sophomore Lauren Cirilli commented, "I was upset and shocked and don't understand why it was done. I didn't comply [with] or meet some of the deadlines." Regardless of the exact reason for Rentzel leaving the team the issue of information an athlete has on Facebook continues to be a struggle between player and coach. Athletes walk a fine line as key figures representing the university. Prospective athletes who check team rosters and then search players' names on Facebook and MySpace are not the only ones searching. "There are employers out there hiring D1 and D3 athletes and [they] now have the ability to go on to cyber communities and google someone's name and an array of information comes forward. Everyone needs to be forewarned, not just student athletes," said Addy Malatesta, Director of Athletics. Malatesta added that Wilkes athletes have an obligation to their teammates who do not support this particular behavior or do not want to be represented in such a way. "Taking that negative representation and expanding it creates dissension on teams. When it goes public you have an obligation to NCAA, future employers, alums, teammates, and the institution," she said. Wilkes athletics representatives and members of the Student Life and Media (SLAM) committee are working together to review the guidelines for student conduct and address the issue of policy on cyber communities. "This is part of college life, but it does have effects in the long run," Rentzel said. "I learned my lesson."