2008 Woodie Awards
Our View: Why we did what we did
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
We crossed the line. We had no right.
We should be "ashamed and embarrassed." We're on a "do-gooder judicial crusade to punish the public."
We-not those stalwarts of Academia who show up to your classes with a hangover once a week nor those merrymaking track team members pictured in last week's photos-are the ones responsible for SRU's reputation as a party school.
In the last week, we've heard it all, from those who supported our decision (very few) to publish a story about the team's drinking party on a trip to an event in California during spring break, to those who opposed it (the vast majority).
Very rarely do we use this space to explain or justify to our readers why we did what we did in a given situation, but after the amount of feedback we've received since last Friday, we feel it's warranted.
Ultimately, the reason we decided to publish the story and accompanying photos was because what happened was a newsworthy event. This wasn't just a single student getting a little tipsy and posting a photo or two of some mildly embarrassing activity.
No, this was a case of a group of students on a university-organized team, on a university-sponsored trip, engaging in illegal and unethical behavior that violates the university's Green and White Student Handbook, and the public posting of photos chronicling that activity, which violates the athletic department's Social Networking Policy.
For those reasons alone, this story was newsworthy.
Period.
If what we reported wasn't newsworthy, why did the university feel the need to suspend 15 athletes from tomorrow's Maryland Invitational in College Park, Md.? If it was no big deal, it's highly unlikely that coaches in other sports at SRU would have gone over the aforementioned Social Networking Policy with their team members, as Athletic Director Paul Lueken said they did.
Contrary to popular belief, this also wasn't the end result of Amy Kelly, our news editor, searching through Facebook profiles in the hopes of "digging up dirt" on some unsuspecting student. Rather, the photos were sent to us, and only then, after we looked, did we discover that freshman communication major Tiffany Tedesco was the one who had posted them.
We should be "ashamed and embarrassed." We're on a "do-gooder judicial crusade to punish the public."
We-not those stalwarts of Academia who show up to your classes with a hangover once a week nor those merrymaking track team members pictured in last week's photos-are the ones responsible for SRU's reputation as a party school.
In the last week, we've heard it all, from those who supported our decision (very few) to publish a story about the team's drinking party on a trip to an event in California during spring break, to those who opposed it (the vast majority).
Very rarely do we use this space to explain or justify to our readers why we did what we did in a given situation, but after the amount of feedback we've received since last Friday, we feel it's warranted.
Ultimately, the reason we decided to publish the story and accompanying photos was because what happened was a newsworthy event. This wasn't just a single student getting a little tipsy and posting a photo or two of some mildly embarrassing activity.
No, this was a case of a group of students on a university-organized team, on a university-sponsored trip, engaging in illegal and unethical behavior that violates the university's Green and White Student Handbook, and the public posting of photos chronicling that activity, which violates the athletic department's Social Networking Policy.
For those reasons alone, this story was newsworthy.
Period.
If what we reported wasn't newsworthy, why did the university feel the need to suspend 15 athletes from tomorrow's Maryland Invitational in College Park, Md.? If it was no big deal, it's highly unlikely that coaches in other sports at SRU would have gone over the aforementioned Social Networking Policy with their team members, as Athletic Director Paul Lueken said they did.
Contrary to popular belief, this also wasn't the end result of Amy Kelly, our news editor, searching through Facebook profiles in the hopes of "digging up dirt" on some unsuspecting student. Rather, the photos were sent to us, and only then, after we looked, did we discover that freshman communication major Tiffany Tedesco was the one who had posted them.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
Contented Alumni
posted 3/27/08 @ 11:01 PM EST
I have not always held the Rocket in the highest of regards - but I must say I have complete and total respect for them in this circumstance. While providing the readers with the explicit details of their discussion with Tedesco in the initial article was debatable, I believe the article was done properly and in the best interest of journalism. (Continued…)
Jess
posted 3/28/08 @ 7:18 AM EST
I commend you for not backing down on this issue despite the threats, bad mouthing, and comments from people who don't know anything about what is "newsworthy". (Continued…)
Mal
posted 3/28/08 @ 8:47 AM EST
Rocket Staff- Perhaps you should also remind people that you are exercising a little something called freedom of the press that is mentioned in the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. (Continued…)
Rocket supporter
posted 3/28/08 @ 9:04 AM EST
I also commend you for publishing the story. You printed what happened truthfully and objectively, as news should be reported. Not all news is happy and fuzzy and makes everyone feel good. (Continued…)
the Rev. Albert Stuart
posted 3/28/08 @ 9:24 AM EST
As a former news editor and editor of The Rocket I feel compelled to express my admiration for the decision reached by the editorial board viz-a-viz the track team's California Party on school time. (Continued…)
recent graduate
posted 3/28/08 @ 9:52 AM EST
I think the Rocket made the right decision with the original story and pictures as well as with the follow up story. These students engaged in actions they knew were not acceptable by SRU standards and federal law (considering most if not all were under 21). (Continued…)
Another Contented Alumni
posted 3/28/08 @ 10:59 AM EST
Once again, instead of looking in the mirror and taking responsibility for their actions, some of these student athletes are trying to place the blame on someone else. (Continued…)
Megan
posted 3/28/08 @ 12:56 PM EST
I am so proud of every rocket member for not backing down and reporting on this story. If the president or any other higher up at this school made a mistake I would very much appreciate a story in the newspaper for it. (Continued…)
Shelly
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:17 PM EST
I appreciate you explaining yourself. I don't agree with you, but I understand where you are coming from. I just have one question. If you are criticizing people for leaving comments online, then why do have comment capabilities on your website? Also, why isn't the person who sent the pictures to Rocket ever mentioned, he or she is at fault more than Amy Kelly. (Continued…)
Cait
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:26 PM EST
I am on the swimming and Water polo team and throughout this year the rocket has printed articles about my teams that I have not found appropriate. However, I found the article in last weeks paper very apropriate. (Continued…)
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