The NCAA has worked to keep up with the times when it comes to communication, adjusting its policies based on the explosion of Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets. Now coaches will have a new tool to communicate with prospective student-athletes: Snapchat.
In its new social media ed column, the NCAA specifically names SnapChat as a type of electronic transmission.
— John Infante (@John_Infante) February 11, 2014
The photo messaging application allows users to take photos or videos and add text or drawing, then set an expiration for the message once it is opened. The service has been criticized in popular culture as a means to distribute explicit material, particularly for its part in the social phenomenon of sexting.
The idea of coaches Snapchatting their way into a recruit's life may seem strange because of the app's reputation, but it is no different than any of the other social media tools currently being used for recruiting. Coaches send Facebook messages and direct messages on Twitter, along with Instagram posts and those archaic text messages.
According to the University of Texas' compliance office (@TexasCompliance), schools will be able to begin using Snapchat for recruiting Aug. 1.
NCAA says SnapChat permissible to use for recruiting correspondence in Basketball & most other sports beg. 8/1. This should be interesting.
— Texas Compliance (@TexasCompliance) February 11, 2014
