I guess it all started when I was working in the athletics department and saw the rise of Stephen Tsai’s blog and the fall of Herman Frazier. Tsai was doing everything right as far as letting the public know what he thought was going on in the department and interacting with his followers (The Tsaiko’s), and Frazier was tight lipped and didn’t involve the community. It was at this moment that I started to really see the value in social media as far as a community relations building tool and often talked to the IT guy to convince him on the value of social media.
I really want to see Aloha Stadium packed every time like our undefeated regular season with Colt Brennan & Co. and I’m convinced social media will help in taking those steps. So I’m combining two things I know a little of: social media and college athletics and offering some suggestions. Hopefully Jim Donovan will follow this and hire me in 18 months when their hiring freeze is off.
I have to agree with C. I like the new direction of your blog and hope that you are able to provide more content and commentary on this subject as you continue. Will you be looking into other social media efforts at other schools as well?
Your inspiration moment for shifting your blog focus brings up a really good point: when you have a swell in the community you cannot just dismiss it. While I think that Tsai has a lot of good info in most of his blog posts I do think that sometimes some of the things he says are a bit much–which is his right as it’s his blog.
That is why, sometimes I think addressing these inconsistencies (in the online community and not through traditional media) may have helped UH a lot more.
Thanks Matt! Tsai is unique in that he knows the people in the Athletics Department well, and is leaked information from time to time. Sure it is a bit much but he’s got a huge following and the Advertiser is lucky Tsai jumped on this when he did.
I’m gonna try to look into what other schools are doing but there’s no much. I have to do some digging.
I’d have to agree that the NCAA is going to be a large barrier. I think it’d be interesting with how social media works with recruiting since there’s such heavy regulation with how much contact can be made with recruits. While Pete Carroll is a twitterer, Urban Meyer texts like a madman, and Nick Saban webcams, I have a hard time believing the NCAA would allow social media to be used to its full potential. I have to say that I’d also see it being an obstacle with there being another outlet for criticism of schemes, player motivation, and “fire this coach.”
Here’s a question for ya…with your experience with UH athletics, why do you think that “connection” isn’t as large with the fan base and public? Also, why despite mediocre performance and other schools, is there still the die-hard support? Are they using social media in better ways?
If you ever want some perspective from your Texas bud lemme know.
I’ll answer your question in another post because that’s an important topic. I’ll also be sending you an email with some questions because I need to get someone’s perspective from another school and Texas is a great example to use.
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C
said
David!…love your blog. What made you decide to investigate social media within UH (or any institution for that matter) athletics?
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donoue
said
Thanks for your kind comments C!
I guess it all started when I was working in the athletics department and saw the rise of Stephen Tsai’s blog and the fall of Herman Frazier. Tsai was doing everything right as far as letting the public know what he thought was going on in the department and interacting with his followers (The Tsaiko’s), and Frazier was tight lipped and didn’t involve the community. It was at this moment that I started to really see the value in social media as far as a community relations building tool and often talked to the IT guy to convince him on the value of social media.
I really want to see Aloha Stadium packed every time like our undefeated regular season with Colt Brennan & Co. and I’m convinced social media will help in taking those steps. So I’m combining two things I know a little of: social media and college athletics and offering some suggestions. Hopefully Jim Donovan will follow this and hire me in 18 months when their hiring freeze is off.
Thanks for commenting!
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Matt
said
I have to agree with C. I like the new direction of your blog and hope that you are able to provide more content and commentary on this subject as you continue. Will you be looking into other social media efforts at other schools as well?
Your inspiration moment for shifting your blog focus brings up a really good point: when you have a swell in the community you cannot just dismiss it. While I think that Tsai has a lot of good info in most of his blog posts I do think that sometimes some of the things he says are a bit much–which is his right as it’s his blog.
That is why, sometimes I think addressing these inconsistencies (in the online community and not through traditional media) may have helped UH a lot more.
Look forward to reading more!
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donoue
said
Thanks Matt! Tsai is unique in that he knows the people in the Athletics Department well, and is leaked information from time to time. Sure it is a bit much but he’s got a huge following and the Advertiser is lucky Tsai jumped on this when he did.
I’m gonna try to look into what other schools are doing but there’s no much. I have to do some digging.
Thanks for following!
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Brent
said
Awesome with the video man.
I’d have to agree that the NCAA is going to be a large barrier. I think it’d be interesting with how social media works with recruiting since there’s such heavy regulation with how much contact can be made with recruits. While Pete Carroll is a twitterer, Urban Meyer texts like a madman, and Nick Saban webcams, I have a hard time believing the NCAA would allow social media to be used to its full potential. I have to say that I’d also see it being an obstacle with there being another outlet for criticism of schemes, player motivation, and “fire this coach.”
Here’s a question for ya…with your experience with UH athletics, why do you think that “connection” isn’t as large with the fan base and public? Also, why despite mediocre performance and other schools, is there still the die-hard support? Are they using social media in better ways?
If you ever want some perspective from your Texas bud lemme know.
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donoue
said
Brent,
I’ll answer your question in another post because that’s an important topic. I’ll also be sending you an email with some questions because I need to get someone’s perspective from another school and Texas is a great example to use.