Women Sports Reporters

Since starting this class I have learned sports have their own community, identity, communication styles and languages all their own. In this world there are a lot of first and broken records. I'd like to recognize three female sports reporters.

The first reporter that I would like to recognize is Phyllis George. 

Phyllis did a lot of things that I respect. She won the title Miss America and learned how to communicate with a variety of people. She then finished school and began working for CBS reporting sports. The 70's were an interesting and exciting time in history for women. She was one of the first female reporters to work for NFL today. I mostly like that she set goals and forged a path for herself. In doing so she created a new path in sports for women to follow. 

The second reporter is Andera Kremer

Andrea is the Chief Correspondent for NFL Network. What I respect about her is that she reports about hard issues in the NFL. Not just things that people want to hear about. Because of her I have learned how to talk about things that may be uncomfortable and get answers.

Brittany Copeland




Brittany is a local sports reporter. She does a variety of things at KSL. I like that she hasn't boxed herself into one form of reporting. I like how she reports about breaking news, community events and sports.

Women are playing a more dominate role in sports, and sports reporting. These three women have influenced me as I have consumed sports media.  Women are receiving more and more attention for accomplishments in the world of sports. Where women are making new ground in the reporting aspect and accomplishments I hope the reporting of women's sports gain a stronger audience. I think these two pieces go hand in hand, as an audience for women's sports grow.

Should Recruiting Staff for College Sports use Social Media for Recruitment?

One thing I have heard from a business stand point is that you have to communicate with your client the way the client wants to communicate. If the client uses Facebook or a good old fashioned land line you communicate the way the client wants.

I question this philosophy when it comes to recruiting high school students to college athletic programs. I believe in transparency as much as possible. And even though social media is a more open form of communication I believe just like any form of communication that it can be misused and misinterpreted.

There is a website or app for everything these days. The Next College Student Athlete is a website designed to bring Coaches, Students and Parents together. The website gathers personal information and matches skill sets of athletes to coach's rosters. At first glance it reminded me of a dating site, but I loved that this program had a section for parents and a phone number that a "real" person answers. My son isn't old enough for recruiters to be calling but I liked how this company made the recruiting process a team environment. That team including student, parent and future coach.

Spread Fast talks about the pros of having social media help in the recruiting process. One advantage is that the student will have viewed either Facebook or Twitter to know about the school itself. If ethical guidelines are followed social media can give coaches and students a one on one feel without the expense of travel. And they point out that may Division 1 coaches check the athlete's account for questionable behavior that may put the team at risk.  All these things can bring everyone together to make educated decisions.

Boston College  points out a negative thing social media does to student athletes as they decided what college to go to. They point out that die hard fans can criticize high school athletes when they chose a different team than the fan's desired team.

If communication on social media is used properly it can help the college athlete make the best decision of the student;s life.

No Whining Zone

Never before has being a team been so important in the world of sports. With Fantasy sports leagues focusing on the accomplishments of an individual more than a team, social media policies addressing positive team relations are so important.

I once heard someone say dissent should be stopped at all costs. I do not agree with that. I thing dissent should be handled in a professional manner and go through proper channels. Gone are the days of bad mouthing your boss to your spouse to let off some steam and your spouse is the only one who knows your true feelings. Now people are posting negative opinions on the internet, where anyone can see them. Most often this is not good for team moral.

Ross Kaminsky says that football should be a game to unite us, not a place to show the world your grievances. I appreciated his perspective as a fan of football as the drama unfolded with the protest for black lives matter during the National Anthem. I respect the player’s right to protest and say no respectively with a large powerful audience watching.  Ignoring issues won’t make them go away. I want to be united as part of the team watching the game.  This causes a stir on social media both for and against the issue of racism in America.  Some of those post are driving a change and others shove back because they think we are just fine the way we are. But the issue was at the front of everyone's mind 

The United States’ Constitution gives us the right to freedom of expression. Does that give us permission to post everything on the internet?

The more I think about it, as much as I want politics out of sports, and players staying away from their personal beliefs on the internet, they would be untrue to themselves if they didn't defend what they value most at all times. I try to use everyday moments as teaching moments for my family. Why can't sports players do the same? Kaepernick felt that all of the United States were unaware of the injustice of racial prejudiced, and made a choice to kneel during the National Anthem. Recently he stated that he believes changes have been made and he wants to stand during the National Anthem. This act divided the players, league, and team. 

Why do I feel it's okay to make a stand in public in the stadium and not on the internet? In public you have some control as to where and how your information is disseminated. Once something is posted on the internet, people can change the content of what you said and did to suit their personal needs. Following your leagues social media policies lets you voice your opinion in a way that doesn't make who you work for look bad. All actions will reflect on yourself. 

So take your opinions, choose your battles, and follow proper grievance procedures to make a change. The internet is there for a purpose, but not to disrupt your work as a team. But make sure when you are making your issues know you are not distracting your team from doing their best. We all want a win in the end, for the issue and the game. 

Social Media in Youth Sports.

Social Media in Youth Athletics

At every high school game you see cell phones everywhere. We also all know that cell phones are not just for talking anymore, they are mini computers with access to the internet at the swipe of a finger. Social Media is changing how fans have access to sports. Should high school athletes have a social media policy? Is this ethical because social media often has events spotlighted that do not happen during school?

Social media is more popular than ever and includes Facebook, twitter, and snapchat, to name a few.

As Jim Inskeep, a high school athletic director from Indiana points out, not all social media is bad. Their policy involves keeping the parents and the competing schools informed on team whereabouts involving high traffic or weather. They also view social media from the student’s perspective and uses it as   a teaching tools for students. Inskeep’s organization wants to maintain a certain standard of behavior and teaches students what is and is not appropriate on social media.

CBS News points out that student athletes are starting to learn that poor behavior on social media may cost them opportunities. Coaches are having students accounts monitored. Poor choices are costing students scholarships, and the chance to play on a college level. Coaches are looking for quality both on and off the field. 

Lamar High School has posted their social media policy online. By doing his they are giving other schools an outline for what is acceptable behavior on social media. This policy has natural consequences outline as well as what is expected by the school. They have had issues with social media both with athletes and not athletes. Having rules helps everyone know what the expectations are and what will happen if the rules are not followed.  

I believe that in this day and age a social media policy is essential to keeping students safe. Clear rules establish boundaries. Social media can save time and help people have meetings without being in the same room. This could help coaches and parents stay connected if they can not all be there after practice. But social media is not a place to complain about a coach or request more playing time.  

A social media policy is ethical because part of being a coach is teaching what is acceptable. A just like the rules on the court are important the rules off the court are important. They should line up with each other so the athlete and the team are ready for the game.

Fantasy Sports and Video Games

Should children play sports video games and participate in fantasy sports?

My mother-in-law was a fun mom when her kids were growing up. Back in the day when sleepovers were not as taboo as they are today, her sons and their friends played Tecmo Bowl all night. They each picked teams, played the season opener and ended when someone’s team went to the Super Bowl. They had just as much fun cheering during the video games as they did for the games on television. These are fond memories in the Hunter household.

Now, my son J is the same age as his father was and the two of them play Madden NFL on the Kindle. Playing sports video games has been a fun form of bonding. Especially because I don’t though a perfect spiral. Another advantage of video sports games is that they teach kids how to read plays and how they should look executed. 

Fantasy sports are now popular among teens as well as adults. I think sports video games seem to me to be a gate way to Fantasy Sports. I think fantasy sports have their place, but I worry about having my son playing these games on the internet. I’m not worried about child predators and they are out there, but I’m worried they will lead to unknown consequences.

A few years ago the NFL wanted kids to play Fantasy Football to learn math. My first thought was great! When I heard that commercial I was all for it. Math is often thought of  has hard and why not have fun with it. When the kids ask “when are we ever going to use this stuff” the answer would be right now. Statistics are in everything and knowing how to read statics keeps you from falling for every scheme out there. But if fantasy football is based off reality and imagination, how would that effect math being a something provable? Would kids think of math as a form of fiction? Or is this a sneaky way of advertising to children? 

Other parents are worried about fantasy sports games actually setting kids up for gambling problems. Gambling can become an addiction and I’m always talking to my son about alcohol and drugs, but it never entered my mind to talk about addictions to predicting out comes.  

Recently the NFL has stopped advertising Fantasy leagues to kids under 13.   I can see why a kid would love to play Fantasy sports. You get to live a dream of being a coach, and choosing what players you would like on your team. At the end of every game you get immediate results of how your imaginary team did. Instant feedback-great. Player highlights-great. Bragging rights-maybe not so great.

Fantasy sports and video games are another way of bringing sports home and another way to enjoy the game, but let's be old enough to participate in the games fully. 

Can we forgive?

Last semester I learned how to write an apology speech and studied a few speeches given over the last few years.This form of writing could be called crisis writing, because it is often used when someone is trying to control the damage of someone else’s behavior. This week I learned that in sports communication that these speeches are given often. When delivered to a sports audience these are viewed as win or lose situations.  

Ray Rice comes to mind as a player who apologized for poor actions. Ray had worked for the NFL for six seasons and was active in his community. He wanted to make the world a better place and promoted anti-bulling campaigns. He lost his temper one night and someone caught it on film. Rice assaulted his girlfriend. He faced the law, and attended domestic violence treatment. He now promotes treatment for domestic violence. All other domestic violence incidents are compared to his.

My initial reaction to Rice's actions were probably shared my many who listened to the story. No one deserves to be hit, let alone how extreme the actions were. I was glad as a celebrity he was facing the law like everyone else. I was glad that the NFL ended his contract. Ending the contract said more to people all over the country and the world that domestic violence will not be permitted or looked the other way. Our government supports programs to prevent and help treat people who have domestic violence in their life. 

If you suspect domestic violence is going in in a friends relationship open up a conversation.  That conversation may be hard, but could save a life, or help them get treatment before something "big" happens.


Rice has said he was sorry several times and was disciplined by the NFL. While I appreciate the 0 tolerance policy the NFL took about domestic violence, should we as a national audience forgive him? Or was this act so unforgivable that he should be punished for this the rest of his life? His girlfriend, now wife, forgave him. Rice tried out for the NFL again for the 2016 season willing to donate all his pay to domestic violence awareness. He was not selected for any teams. While I respect that the NFL did not want to keep Rice on the roster because of poor choices, I would like to see Rice have a chance to prove he is a changed man. 

If apology speeches are judged as a win or lose situation, Rice's speech lost to the NFL, but to me a fan, he won. Because his actions afterword followed up with his words. My vote doesn't count. I do believe people can change with desire and teaching and deserve a chance to prove it.

The Power of a Good Coach

At the Roy High Royal Basketball games the starting line up throws out shirts or reusable grocery bags with a chance to play in the Les Schwab half-time challenge. My kids have been trying to catch one all season. My daughter finally caught one at the last home game. Our problem was I have two kids and only one ticket for the half-time show. The mission was a half court shot.  My son was trying to convince his sister that he could make the basket, because he made his bed that morning. He ate a good breakfast, and he passed his math test that day. He was sure the basketball gods would be with him. His sister wasn't buying it, but decided to ask if they could each take one throw and share the ticket.

I realized all the words my son was saying to his sister, were words that good coaches had said to him in the past. J had the opportunity to attend Weber State University's basketball camp and Coach Rahe told all the boys that the basketball gods smiled upon boys that made their beds, and the shot would go in every time. Coach Barns told the boys that they would do better in sports if they focused on their school work. Coach Whicker told the boys they needed to eat good food, or they would run out of energy before the game ended.

Billy Graham once said, "A coach will have more impact on young people in a year than the average person does in a life time."

So what makes a good coach? A survey found that teens want a coach that cares more about the team's moral than winning. They also found that teens want to play and improve more than wining. What surprised me most in this survey was that kids realized fun was the first three letters in fundamentals.

I once heard that sometimes to learn how to do something you must first learn what not to do. As a coach don't yell and belittle kids. Everyone needs to learn how to accept criticism, but positive words bring about positive feed back. Many psychologist say it takes at least five positives to one negative to rebuild confidence. My kid may never make it to the NFL but let him dream and be the best player he can be.

Parents Coaches want to serve the whole team. Don't tell them how to do their job. You could have signed up to coach the team. Start out with this habit while the kids are younger to prevent bad habits on your part before you child reaches high school. 

Getting along with each other is part of the game.