Pictures could lead to suspensions
By Amy Kelly
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 3/21/08 Section: News
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The teams were competing at the Aztec Classic in San Diego on March 15.
Tiffany Tedesco, a 19-year-old freshman communication major and a member of the SRU women's track team, acknowledged that she had posted the pictures on Facebook.
"I forgot to look at the pictures before I posted them," Tedesco said Wednesday afternoon. "It was a mistake and I'm deleting them."
Tedesco entered The Rocket office early Wednesday evening to inquire about The Rocket's intention to run a story about the photos. She suggested that since she had already deleted the photos, there was no need for a story.
The pictures had been deleted from Facebook earlier that day.
On Thursday, after speaking with a Rocket editor several times on the record, she e-mailed that editor, saying that she "absolutely" did not want to be quoted, and that as a result, The Rocket would "have to change (the article)."
SRU Athletic Director Paul Lueken said the student athletes involved will be punished.
"The players found to be involved will be suspended from the Maryland Invitational (on) March 29," Lueken said. "Those involved will also be receiving a strike, and after three strikes, they are out."
The Maryland Invitational will be held at College Park, Md.
The three-strike method was put in place to reprimand athletes if a percentage of games or practices are missed or if they are in violation of any of the policies put in place.
According to the Social Networking Policy of the SRU Athletic Department, the posting of "incriminating photos or statements depicting hazing, sexual harassment, vandalism, stalking, underage drinking, illegal drug use or other inappropriate behavior will be subject to disciplinary action by the Head Coach and/or Director of Athletics if they gain knowledge of such violations."
"We have policies that prohibit social networking, which prohibits posting on sites like MySpace and Facebook," Lueken said. "We also have a policy that no alcohol is allowed while traveling."
Lueken and track Head Coach John Papa said they will look into the event.
Papa said that his athletes took the risk of getting caught by having alcohol.
"We are all part of a team, and we will get though this," Papa said. "They are very hard-working individuals and they made a mistake."
Other track team members positively identified in the Facebook pictures were: junior Ben Whitten, freshman Allison Smith, freshman Jayme Stanek, senior Michelle Komo, freshman David Allen, junior Mike Rose and junior Gabriel Fortunato.
None could be reached for comment.
Other students were pictured in the photos, but The Rocket was unable to positively identify them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 60
alyssa
Alyssa Dunn
posted 3/21/08 @ 9:55 AM EST
I think the way you all handled this "story" was very poor and making a mockery of the team. Was the following paragraph really necessary:
"On Thursday, after speaking with a Rocket editor several times on the record, she e-mailed that editor, saying that she "absolutely" did not want to be quoted, and that as a result, The Rocket would "have to change (the article). (Continued…)
A concerned parent, Nancy
posted 3/21/08 @ 8:22 PM EST
I just reviewed the front page of the recent Rocket. I am upset and angry that your college students could write an article defaming your own track team!!! This isn't news, it's slander. (Continued…)
Shayne Cooper
posted 3/22/08 @ 2:15 AM EST
For years I have been a member of the track team and we have asked and pleaded for published articles displaying our achievements and for years you have focused on the football and basketball teams which have yet to reach our level in talent win percentage or conference titles. (Continued…)
Phill
posted 3/22/08 @ 9:28 AM EST
"Nancy", besides your shoddy grammar for a "college educated adult", I suspect you're either a member of the team, or a parent of a member of the team. (Continued…)
Garrison Phillis, SRU student
posted 3/22/08 @ 10:46 AM EST
In defense of the Rocket (with myself having no connection to the newspaper), and the right to free press for that matter, here is a few things that, you, Nancy should consider before posting an emotional opinion piece. (Continued…)
Bill
posted 3/22/08 @ 12:56 PM EST
This is simply a successful attempt by an overzealous "do-gooder" to "rat" on fellow classmates. Although this pseudo-moralist may hide behind First Amendment guarantees for protection and publication, this "journalist's" action makes him/her no less of a dirt bag. (Continued…)
Jon, SRU Student
posted 3/22/08 @ 3:57 PM EST
I find "Nancy's" comment on this story rather appealing. What ever happened to empathy? I understand many parents read this paper online because their kids probably attend this college. (Continued…)
Peter
posted 3/22/08 @ 6:40 PM EST
Wow, this seems pretty familiar. Remember last year when The Rocket went after SRU's Student Government Association and now their own track team?
Nancy
posted 3/22/08 @ 11:09 PM EST
To Dad with a brain,(??) and Phil,
You have lowered yourselves to personal attacks on my character! I refuse to permit myself to abide by your standards of ignorance. (Continued…)
teegee
posted 3/23/08 @ 9:36 AM EST
Jon, SRU Student:
In your opinion this article is "garbage". How unfortunate that the "truth" has such a foul taste. Perhaps the next time a university administrator misappropriates funds or is caught in a compromising situation the campus media should ignore the fact and choose not to publish a report, just to maintain the facade that life at the university is perfect. (Continued…)
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