Parents of prized recruits learning how to handle criticism of their sons on Internet

[WildcatRick]

When his son, Dakotah Euton, committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before his sophomore year in high school, Clay Euton knew that would make Dakotah a target of unrelenting fan scrutiny.

Knowing that intellectually and actually living it, however, aren't the same thing.

After Dakotah Euton, the sophomore big man for Ashland's Rose Hill Christian, had a tough go in some early-season "showcase games" (such as a 2-of-17 shooting night in the Marshall County Hoops Fest), Clay checked in on the popular UK basketball Internet message boards run by The Cats' Pause.

What he found were some strikingly harsh assessments, posted anonymously, of his child.

Euton is the slowest player on the court ... I hate to say it but he is not ever going to be UK material.

UK should not have offered Euton. I know he is a great kid, but he doesn't have the talent to play at UK.

As a father, Clay felt compelled to defend his boy.

http://www.kentucky.com/287/story/306576.html

[Rockober]

"People have freedom of speech," Robey said. "And you have to remember, it's a very small percentage of any schools' fans on these (message) boards. It's like most people say, the people on there don't have anything else to do with their lives."

Wow Rick! Robey has a chip on his shoulder about UK and it may be justified and I have heard this way before reading this article. I won't claim to know the whole story about his lack of support for his school.To single out sites that you have no idea about is wrong but I am probably looking into this for more than it really is. People subscribing to the CATS Pause, Alumni Associations, Tailgates, etc.., and internet boards make choices and these are the type of people that help support the school and the program.

Like anywhere else, 10 to 20%% are just people that you simply ignore.

Sports bars accross the country are saying the same thing, except you may only hear it if you at that table or near by.

As a parent, you just need to try to ignore, which I know must be very difficult. My kids are small but I know I would do anything to protect them. Thats why neither will be going to U of L:cool:

[Will Lavender]

"People have freedom of speech," Robey said. "And you have to remember, it's a very small percentage of any schools' fans on these (message) boards. It's like most people say, the people on there don't have anything else to do with their lives."

Silly comment.

Not only it is it a gross generalization, it's wrong.

The Internet is being used by a lot -- a whole lot -- of people. I don't think it's a "small percentage" anymore. There was an interesting article in the New York Times recently where it was revealed that a high-ranking member of the White House turned out to be a frequent user on the University of Texas Rivals site.

And I don't think it's really fair to look at the kind of stuff that goes on over at the TCP free board and make a comment about all message board posters. That board is virtually unmoderated, it is able to be accessed by rival fans (which throws in a higher level of anonymity), and it's frequented by many teenagers, who are often completely irresponsible when they post.

There are better places to find information or to discuss the games, and these places are frequented by people who are good folks and are just looking for somewhere to pass the time until the next game day.

[RP_McMurphy]

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is known to post and frequent Texas A&M websites.

[bigbaloo]

Silly comment.

Not only it is it a gross generalization, it's wrong.

The Internet is being used by a lot -- a whole lot -- of people. I don't think it's a "small percentage" anymore. There was an interesting article in the New York Times recently where it was revealed that a high-ranking member of the White House turned out to be a frequent user on the University of Texas Rivals site.

And I don't think it's really fair to look at the kind of stuff that goes on over at the TCP free board and make a comment about all message board posters. That board is virtually unmoderated, it is able to be accessed by rival fans (which throws in a higher level of anonymity), and it's frequented by many teenagers, who are often completely irresponsible when they post.

There are better places to find information or to discuss the games, and these places are frequented by people who are good folks and are just looking for somewhere to pass the time until the next game day.

I agree. I think it also shows that what we post on this mb or any mb could have an effect on recruiting, altho a small effect. I seen something in the news the other day that said over 50% of americans with the internet have googled their name to see what's on the internet about them. If people don't think high schoolers or college kids who love getting a little media attention don't do the same to see what fans are saying, their crazy.

[OldCatFan]

What parents and recruits need to realize is that anyone can get on any board and post things. No way to tell, who they really are.

[poodoo]

If I were emotionally invested enough in a particular team to spend time posting on a message board, I would keep in mind that the Internet is not private, and potential recruits and their families will see what is being written. QUOTE
**********

Those words by Mark Story are good ones. Actually, I and others have posted similar words in the past.

Back to Robey's comment, Will, yes, it was a "gross generalization," as you said. You also called it "wrong," which is also the case. I happen to think many of us read and post here and still have PLENTY ELSE we do in our lives. In fact, I KNOW many here are leading full, productive lives with their families, friends, churches, etc., while also still posting on a message board about their (our) favorite team, in which they (we) have that "emotional investment." Now, if he had questioned how many hours of sleep they (we) get during football or basketball season, that might have been different! :icon_mrgreen:

Sure there is a small percentage of fans who post in an objectionable way (although I doubt it means that they have nothing else to do!). We are fortunate, though, to have mostly a "family environment" here and GREAT moderators. I can think of far worse hobbies, for sure! :icon_mrgreen:

Again, Will is so right. What a gross generalization by Rick Robey--and also unfair and inaccurate, as generalizing, stereotyping, and very extreme statements generally are.

[Trueblujr]

What gets me is that for every negative comment there are probably 5 positive comments, People are going to have their opinions and should all remember these are High School kids being discussed, however they should take pride in the positive comments posted as much as they are turned off by the negative, chances are the positives outweigh the negatives 9 times out of 10.

[Catligula]

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is known to post and frequent Texas A&M websites.

Get back to work, Gates! LOL

[DonnieKat]

What gets me is that for every negative comment there are probably 5 positive comments, People are going to have their opinions and should all remember these are High School kids being discussed, however they should take pride in the positive comments posted as much as they are turned off by the negative, chances are the positives outweigh the negatives 9 times out of 10.

It also depends what board you frequent. Some are 90% negative while others are 10% negative.

[scfcats]

If I were emotionally invested enough in a particular team to spend time posting on a message board, I would keep in mind that the Internet is not private, and potential recruits and their families will see what is being written. QUOTE
**********

Those words by Mark Story are good ones. Actually, I and others have posted similar words in the past.

Back to Robey's comment, Will, yes, it was a "gross generalization," as you said. You also called it "wrong," which is also the case. I happen to think many of us read and post here and still have PLENTY ELSE we do in our lives. In fact, I KNOW many here are leading full, productive lives with their families, friends, churches, etc., while also still posting on a message board about their (our) favorite team, in which they (we) have that "emotional investment." Now, if he had questioned how many hours of sleep they (we) get during football or basketball season, that might have been different! :icon_mrgreen:

Sure there is a small percentage of fans who post in an objectionable way (although I doubt it means that they have nothing else to do!). We are fortunate, though, to have mostly a "family environment" here and GREAT moderators. I can think of far worse hobbies, for sure! :icon_mrgreen:

Again, Will is so right. What a gross generalization by Rick Robey--and also unfair and inaccurate, as generalizing, stereotyping, and very extreme statements generally are.

I agree with this assessment 100%. And Rick Robey is right, I have no life. :icon_mrgreen:

I kid, I kid...

[DCWildcat]

Euton's dad:

"You have nothing better to do than trash a 16-year-old kid ... I can understand why parents of kids do not want their kids playing at UK. It's not the coaching staff or the school, it's the judgmental fans."


So can we put that one to rest?

[poodoo]

I hear you, DCWildcat. Again, Mark Story made a good point in that regard. Just my humble opinion.

[Will Lavender]

It also depends what board you frequent. Some are 90% negative while others are 10% negative.

Well, there's negative: "The Cats are going to lose. We're not very good, and we'll probably not be good this year. I just don't like where we are as a program, but maybe we'll get better next year -- I don't think so, though. I see bad times ahead, because the recruits we have coming in aren't going to be difference makers...yada yada." That's negative.

And then there's negative and irresponsible: "[Recruit] sucks."

I think everybody can handle the first brand of poster (although, if they post a lot, they can really suck the life out of a board). If you're the parent of a recruit, you either have to be able to take that kind of post, or else you simply shouldn't read the boards. That's an honestly measured opinion, even if it does seem to be given right from the heart of a black cloud.

It's the second kind of poster that causes problems for everyone, and even though I don't think you will find a ton of the second variety out there, they do exist, especially on the big corporate free boards that are the equivalent of parking lot brawls.

It's the job of the responsible posters, like most all of WCN, to call out the second kind of poster rather than cover up for him ("Well, he might be a rival fan posing as a UK fan") or just ignore him altogether.

I'm not going to ignore that guy. I want no part of what he's doing, and I think allowing him access to a computer and a username is potentially dangerous for the University of Kentucky's athletic programs. That's why good moderation of these boards is critical, and you find that here at WCN.

[catsno1]

Well, there's negative: "The Cats are going to lose. We're not very good, and we'll probably not be good this year. I just don't like where we are as a program, but maybe we'll get better next year -- I don't think so, though. I see bad times ahead, because the recruits we have coming in aren't going to be difference makers...yada yada." That's negative.

And then there's negative and irresponsible: "[Recruit] sucks."

I think everybody can handle the first brand of poster (although, if they post a lot, they can really suck the life out of a board). If you're the parent of a recruit, you either have to be able to take that kind of post, or else you simply shouldn't read the boards. That's an honestly measured opinion, even if it does seem to be given right from the heart of a black cloud.

It's the second kind of poster that causes problems for everyone, and even though I don't think you will find a ton of the second variety out there, they do exist, especially on the big corporate free boards that are the equivalent of parking lot brawls.

It's the job of the responsible posters, like most all of WCN, to call out the second kind of poster rather than cover up for him ("Well, he might be a rival fan posing as a UK fan") or just ignore him altogether.

I'm not going to ignore that guy. I want no part of what he's doing, and I think allowing him access to a computer and a username is potentially dangerous for the University of Kentucky's athletic programs. That's why good moderation of these boards is critical, and you find that here at WCN.
I agree with you 100%. This board is the best one that I have been on and is moderated fair. These people that get on here and down grade these recruits should be called out and it is up to every one of us to see that it is done. Will, I'm glad to have you back. I enjoy your insight.

[poodoo]

Well-said, Will. Too, there's BETTER than "good" moderating here at WCN. :big_grin:
Thanks, still again, to ALL of you administrators and moderators. You are appreciated! :big_grin:

[ImForKy]

Well-said, Will. Too, there's BETTER than "good" moderating here at WCN. :big_grin:
Thanks, still again, to ALL of you administrators and moderators. You are appreciated! :big_grin:

Agreed!!! :thumbup::thumbup: