Athletic competition is ultimately defined by what happens between the out-of-bounds marks, whether it’s the sidelines in football, boards in hockey or baseline in basketball, though a lot of media attention focuses on stories outside the field of play. Twitter, a popular social media site among celebrities and athletes alike, has given the common spectator unprecedented access inside the day to day personal lives of star players, for better or worse. While some certainly do use the site to promote their own brand and give informative insights, a healthy dose of twitter-happy athletes end up doing more harm than good. Particularly in collegiate athletics, where competitors must walk a tight line just to remain eligible, it seems as if Twitter is an unwelcome news pipeline. Whether it’s typing without thinking, exposing facets of college life universities/athletic departments would rather not see disclosed, or the ease with which unprepared young men are exposed to a barrage of personal praise and criticism with each passing game, a Twitter account is a modern day Pandora’s Box for the big time college athlete. Continue Reading…