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SPORTS
April 18, 2014
11
investigation of FSU for Title IX violations begins
BY ALLISON STALBERG
Staff Writer
Another sexual assault case has
risen to national media attention, but
this time a college might be involved.
A first-year student at Florida
State University accused redshirt
first-year Heisman Trophy winner
Jameis Winston of sexual assault on
December 7, 2012.
Deadspin.com reported that
FSU officials met with Winston in
January 2013 to discuss the incident
but did not openly act until January
2014. The university might have
violated federal law by postponing
its investigation and meeting with
Winston in private.
"Athletes are very protected by
their schools," said junior Kristy
Lapenta. "They are valuable assets
to the school, and they don't want
negative publicity."
The Department of Education's
Office for Civil Rights is investigating
whether FSU met its obligations as a
Title IX funding recipient.
Title IX is a law that prohibits
sexual discrimination, such as acts
of sexual violence in universities that
receive federal financial assistance.
Dean of Students and Vice
President for Student Affairs Aaron
Fetrow said, in terms of Title IX, all
you have to do to make a report is
talk to a college official: a coach, a
teacher or somebody in campus life
or residence life.
"At Guilford, any time a student
comes forward — unless to a
counselor which is protected — we
do everything we can to funnel that
person to the judicial process so we
can take statements ... (and) start
investigating any complaints of
harassment or sexual violence.
"I hope, and assume, that all
colleges in America run their
operations in a respectful manner."
But in FSU's case, things may not
be running the way others may hope.
The main concern was the school's
lack of timeliness in response to the
event.
"One thing that we see nationwide
is that a lot of these incidents aren't
reported, period," said Director of
Public Safety Ron Stowe. "A lot of
them are reported a long time after
the fact, which doesn't change what
happened.
"The fact that it is reported a long
time after makes it more difficult
to investigate and makes it more
difficult to reach a determination."
In terms of consequences for
violating Title IX, multiple things can
happen to FSU if found guilty.
"If the school messed up, then
OCR will hold them accountable,"
said Stowe. "It will probably not be
pretty because they have some pretty
significant sanctions that they can
impose."
Consequences can include cuts
from federal funds, or the OCR
may hand the case over to the U.S.
Department of Justice if FSU refuses
to negotiate a resolution with OCR.
"It's not like the law then says,
'they get no funding now,"' said Bob
Malekoff, associate professor of sport
studies. "For them to be significantly
damaged as an institution, it would
have to be shown that they tried
to protect somebody who did
something that they shouldn't have
done."
it seems Winston will
to play football with no
charges, the case goes
investigating the school's
with Winston, and
defended him due to
While
continue
criminal
on into
involvement
whether FSU
A fellow Florida State University student accused Jameis Winston of sexual assault.
his high status as an athlete or not.
"I think if someone gets accused
of sexual assault here (at Guilford),
they just get suspended straight off
the bat, regardless of whether you
are a student-athlete or not," said
Lapenta.
Little can be predicted on how
long the investigation will take and
whether or not the school will be
found guilty.
While thinking of Guilford,
Malekoff concluded, "We are the
local parents while you're away here.
'To me, in a case like this, we want
to make sure people are okay. If they
are a victim, you do everything in your
power to make sure they are okay."
Athletes must use social media wisely
BY REBECCA DOU
Staff Writer
During games, athletes already have the spotlight on
them. Now with social media, the spotlight shines on their
personal lives too.
Everyone, from friends and family to future employers
and coaches, can view tweets on Iwitter and posts on
Facebook.
While that leaves student athletes with a great venue
to promote themselves and their team, it can lead to
disastrous results if the wrong people get a hold of
inappropriate pictures or information.
"I feel as if social media can be a good resume source
in terms of allowing athletes to post and share their
highlights within their community," said senior baseball
player Chad Wagoner in an email interview. "However, do
not be stupid.
"One embarrassing post that takes two seconds to type
can stick with you for a lifetime."
Those embarrassing posts include harsh messages to the
opposing team.
"I don't think it ever works out well," said head
women's soccer coach Michael Shenigo. "If the other team
sees it, now it is a motivation for them to come back and
really get after things."
Other student athletes and sports faculty at Guilford
College advise avoiding misleading images that could
reflect poorly on that person's character.
That being said, there are many ways student athletes
use social media positively.
"I use social media to pump up the team or let people
know how proud I am of what my teams have done," said
sophomore swiinmer Jocelyn Gesner in an email interview.
"For example, after we won our first conference game,
I posted: 'Undefeated in conference like whaaaaatttt?!
WCX)P WOOP. Good game ladies!"'
Since the majority of student athletes use social media
to mention upcoming events and encourage their teams,
Guilford's monitoring is very loose.
"As far as I know, we do not have specific guidelines,"
said sophomore football player Hayden Read in an email
interview. "Our coaches do remind us frequently not to
post dumb things that will get us in trouble.
"They also follow everyone's account and monitor what
they post."
Another reason for the loose monitoring is the lack of
time.
"I don't have the opportunity to spend hours upon
hours tracking down what all the students are posting on
Facebook," said Sports Information Director and Assistant
Athletic Director Dave Walters. "If something catches my
eye I might notify the coach, but I don't spend a whole lot
of time there."
Instead, Guilford's Sport Information Office will use the
students as a tool to bring more traffic to the Guilford's
athletic page. Tagging students in posts and pictures brin^
more attention to the page and its messages.
Social media provides a powerful tool for athletes to
interact with fans and future employers, as long as they
find the right balance.
"Do not tweet your life," said Walters. "Live it."
Masielk) lied about
getting d^;ree from
U. Kenhicl^
BASKETBALL COACH PUT ON LEAVE
UNTIL DEGREE COMPLETED
BY JAKE DELAHANTY
Staff Writer
The NCAA tournament is a big deal. Coaches are
arguably among the most important pieces in team
success.
So before collegiate coaches are hired, background
checks are thorough, right?
Well, maybe not.
On March 25, Manhattan College learned its head
men's basketball coach, Steve Masiello, never received
a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky,
despite what his resume stated.
This discovery was made when the University of South
Florida rejected Masiello for their head coaching position
during the final stages of the hiring process.
"Through the verification process, it was determined
(Masiello's) credentials could not be substantiated," said
USF in a brief press statement. "Therefore, he did not
meet the requirements for the position."
Interestingly, Manhattan might never have discovered
the truth without South Florida's verification process.
Masiello had been head coach for almost three years.
It's surprising he wasn't caught sooner.
Having a bachelor's degree is a requirement for all
head coaches, so of course, this was a major problem.
Masiello was
immediately sent on
leave following this
revelation. Over the
next few days, the
university decided his
fate.
Should he be fired?
Hall of Fame coach
Jim Calhoun weighed
in on the situation.
"So, he's the
same guy he was
before," Calhoun told
ESPNNewYork.corn's.
"He made an error on
his resume, and he's
going to have to fix
that up and get his
degree. I'm sure.
"But I would
take him back in a
heartbeat."
Manhattan agreed
with Calhoun.
On April 7,
Manhattan announced
that Masiello would be
retained as head coach
under one condition
— he will remain
on permanent leave
until completing an
undergraduate degree.
"I made a mistake
that could have cost
me my job at an ; : :
institution I love,"
Masiello said in the
school's statement.
"Details matter.
Manhattan College has
shown me a great deal
of compassion and
trust during this process, and I will do everything in my
power to uphold that trust.''
Associate Professor of Sports Studies Bob Malekoff
said he was glad Masiello is getting a second chance.
"On the other hand. I'm troubled by preferential
treatment that might likely not be afforded to others,"
said Malekoff in an email interview.
Early College senior Anjali Kapil said the decision is
up to the university, not the public.
"As long as he didn't do anything illegal, I think the
coach is fine," said Kapil.
In light of all this, how thorough are background
checks here at Guilford?
"The hiring process on campus is the same for all
employees," said Assistant Director of Human Resources
Deborah Craven in an email interview. "The background
check includes Residency History Search, Nationwide
Sexual Offenders Index Search and North Carolina
Statewide Criminal Search."
Regardless, the controversy with Masiello doesn't sit
right with me. All in all, he got off the hook easily and
managed to keep his job.
I guess a precedent for lying on your resume with little
to no consequences has been set.
"I made a mistake
that cauld have
cost me my job
at an institution
I love, details
matter. Manhattan
College has shown
me a great deal of
compassion and
trust durina this
process, ana I will
do everything in
my power to uphold
that trust."
Steve Masiello