On March 13, 2014 the Neumann Athletics Compliance and Student Services group presented Neumann University's Dr. Margaret Stewart and her 'Social MEdia' presentation for all student-athletes.

Over 240 varsity and club athletes were in attendance for the presentation. Aside from the NCAA legislation regarding the use of social media, the student-athletes were also reminded that using social media sites can be a very powerful tool and with that power comes great responsibility. Dr. Stewart highlighted Neumann's Core Values, the RISES, by encouraging the attendees to RISE to Social Media.

[By using social media platforms,] "we are all 24/7 ambassadors of the Neumann University community."

Below is the slide presentation prepared by Dr. Stewart.


 

 

After the presentation, each student athlete completed a follow-up quiz as a reminder that when teams are committed to their own positive set of rules with social media it helps everyone be "aware and on the same page."

Neumann University is integrated campus-wide in social media. In a recent blog post, Neumann University's Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development Coordinator of New Media Jeffery Eisenberg highlights the reach, both positive and negative, that social media in athletics can have. He connects the recent retirement of the Arizona Cardinal's Rashard Mendenhall with social media noting that common trends pressure athletes into using social media to "look cool, celebrate after plays, and get more followers on Instagram!"

Eisenberg and The Institute reaffirmed that [social media] "can be equally as beneficial for athletes and their teams when leveraged in positive ways" and listed three ways student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators can support that notion: "think before you post, think about the future, and consider how you're representing your school, team, and teammates."

The evening was concluded with the teams participating in a live-tweeting session using the hashtag #goNUKnights. Teams posted pictures of their teams as well as the positive message and rules they committed to for their current and upcoming seasons.