MySpace drink/smoke/drug designation = MSHSL violation?

[ghshockeyfan]

I heard that a number of HS players have been penalized (maybe even served/serving/will serve MSHSL violations) for stating on their MySpace bios that they drink/smoke/do drugs.

Many times kids will put false info (names/bio info./bday/etc.) on these to maintain their privacy or appear older, etc. I know many suggest that they simply make this info. private. And, hopefully, those that put the drink/smoke/drugs are just saying that and it's not the truth...

The drinking/drugs/smoking is far too common, but I also hope that no one had to serve a penalty for stating this and it not being true, but...

Parents should talk to their players about what they have on their MySpace and other internet accessible info. as I'm sure we've all seen on the many news/TV shows, etc.

Coaches should consider discussing this with their players too. I was stunned when someone forwarded me links to my players MySpace sites.

Players should make all info. private, but also realize that doing this alone doesn't change that the site says this stuff.

Also, some don't realize this, but posession=consumption by MSHSL guidelines from what I understand... So, "just holding onto something" for a "friend" probably is not a good idea, etc. Some players have learned this the hard way, even if they were in theory "just trying to help." I tell my players to get out of anyplace with any drugs/alcohol ASAP if they want to play hockey - and I also turn in my own players if I find out about issues - no matter what the impact is on my team.

[RLStars]

I don't think that you even need to be in possession to be penalized for a violation. I know a kid who was pulled over by the police after leaving a party. He didn't have any alcohol in his system, on him or with him and was not at the party at all. He simply picked up a girl that was to drunk to drive and was giving her a ride home. He sat out half his senior year.

[ghshockeyfan]

I don't think that you even need to be in possession to be penalized for a violation. I know a kid who was pulled over by the police after leaving a party. He didn't have any alcohol in his system, on him or with him and was not at the party at all. He simply picked up a girl that was to drunk to drive and was giving her a ride home. He sat out half his senior year.

It's the old "guilt by association" deal sometimes I suppose. But I'm uncertain as to what rule would have been broken there. Of course, if you have alcohol containers, etc. in a vehicle I suppose that's not a good thing either as a HS student, and not sure if that may have played a role in this specific situaiton? Or maybe the coach/school/district had a more strict rule that covered the "situation" where the MSHSL didn't?

This situation in general is tough - is with pretty much all players driving now the liklihood of DUI/DWI or an accident is larger than years ago I think.

When I coached college we told the players that we didn't condone this and there were VERY strict team rules against it, but that we didn't want them to make an even worse choice to ride with, or drive, drunk, or be attacked, etc. They were told that they should call the coaches and that they'd have to deal with the consequences later but that their safety was most important (especially with women). Of course, this was a huge problem as we would have to go in pairs to get a player if it happened (and was likely to be early AM), and always would have to be at least one female coach along when it was the women. Thankfully, we only had to deal with this once.

At the HS level, the kids fear their parents finding out so much that they'll do some very stupid things as we all know (drive drunk/ride with a drunk - sometimes ride with a drunk even when they personally haven't been drinking).

Some coaches try "one & done" or more severe policies than MSHSL/district/school but parents fight them as they don't mirror MSHSL/school/district guidelines.

[GoFigure]

Honestly, I agree with most of what has been said, but at some point we need to hold kids accountable for their actions. This "spare the rod spoil the child" concept has got to come to an end. If someone is that senseless to post things on their My Space that aren't true, then pay the consequences. One wouldn't take out an add in the Star Tribune and say "I drink, I smoke!" Or better yet walk up to there principal and say "I got drunk last night!" And yet they will post it all over the internet. More importantly, I think the biggest concern with My Space is the explicit sexual behavior that predators are waiting to pounce on. If you haven't had a chance to surf it, take a look. I think there would be a lot of shocked parents!!

[ghshockeyfan]

Honestly, I agree with most of what has been said, but at some point we need to hold kids accountable for their actions. This "spare the rod spoil the child" concept has got to come to an end. If someone is that senseless to post things on their My Space that aren't true, then pay the consequences. One wouldn't take out an add in the Star Tribune and say "I drink, I smoke!" Or better yet walk up to there principal and say "I got drunk last night!" And yet they will post it all over the internet. More importantly, I think the biggest concern with My Space is the explicit sexual behavior that predators are waiting to pounce on. If you haven't had a chance to surf it, take a look. I think there would be a lot of shocked parents!!

I agree with accountability, and I will say this again:

Parents should talk to their players about what they have on their MySpace and other internet accessible info. as I'm sure we've all seen on the many news/TV shows, etc.

Coaches should consider discussing this with their players too. I was stunned when someone forwarded me links to my players MySpace sites.

Players should make all info. private, but also realize that doing this alone doesn't change that the site says this stuff

In general what we need is colaboration between coaches, teachers, and parents to help raise our children. No one of these can do the job entirely alone I don't think.

[Rinkrat95]

I think its a great way for parents and coaches to keep up on the girls. I like the idea of seeing the rules being enforced, but lets face it, unless you catch a player smoking or drinking, you can't do anything.

[ghshockeyfan]

Amen & I agree 100%. The one thing that we can do though is enforce, report, and not condone such actions, choices, & behavior. I'd gladly lose all year to do what's right. I would hope that other coaches have the same belief that "win-at-all-costs" is not what we're here to teach kids.

I think as a society we're not doing enough about substance (ab)use. this is a far larger problem than we want to believe.