This blog will discuss whether or not websites such as facebook.com and myspace.com would be beneficial to a Recreational Sports Department. There are many schools out there who are beginning to use facebook for many different aspects of their programs. For example, Washington State has an Intramural Group where they announce their special events. If you join the group, you frequently recieve messages about upcoming activities. They also have special groups for their officials, and obviously an administrator from the program would have to allow a person to join. Pictures are posted, scenarios are discussed, etc. You could potentially even send out a schedule through facebook as well. Obviously you would have to keep the normal scheduling dispersion methods as well in case people arent members.
I think UF should jump on this boat immediately. Facebook.com has become so huge and it would increase the marketing efforts tenfold without even spending a dollar. The only negative I can think of is that students might think its a little cheesy. If we post those odd flyers on the side to announce things, that might be a detriment. Would you guys join an Intramural facebook group? Thoughts?
4 comments:
I do think this is a great way of contacting people to get messages accross, but don't really think that this kind of communication is very professional. I have done the whole facebook and myspace thing. I have deleted my accounts because I am looking for a job. I know that these kind of sites can really hinder your chances at getting a job.
For example, I know first hand people that have used these sites in order to look up how people really are and what kind of stuff they do (drinking, etc) when they have applied for a job. Now, people can use these sites but not participate in the whole picture posting and whatnot. In this case, I think this type of communication would be beneficial. I believe this could work both ways...to people's advantage as well as against.
Hi Kevin - I think you're right about using Facebook for marketing and organizational purposes. One issue you might run into is that if someone goes to visit they rec group and sees your name as a group member, they'll go check out your page as well, which means that everyone connected to that group needs to keep a 'clean' web presence (not a bad idea anyway).
Sam - I should have read your comment before writing that paragraph above..."I do think this is a great way of contacting people to get messages accross, but don't really think that this kind of communication is very professional."
Check out http://www.linkedin.com/
It's similar to myspace and facebook but is specifically for professionals to network.
If I were still on Facebook and involved in Rec Sports, I would definitely join the Rec Sports Facebook group. Though Facebook is the greatest online social networking creation ever known to man, I think there are a lot of issues with choosing to do something like that. For those who are not on Facebook, it may force them to create an account simply to keep in touch with what is going on in Rec Sports. Furthermore, there are many issues which go along with being on the Facebook, some of which are the reason why I no longer use it. I do definitely think it is a good idea though, because it is more likely than not, that an athlete which engages in a social activity Rec Sports offers, they will probably be on on Facebook.
Clearly, it's a very good idea, just as long as its not the ONLY form of communication. As long as the RecSports website is still up and running, and being updated on a consistent basis; then adding Facebook to the fray is a very good idea. Our UF Women's Soccer team put out Facebook flyers to hype 2 of their biggest soccer matches this past year and the only reason I knew Louis Black was coming to Gainesville is because Accent told me through way of Facebook.
Long story short, if it is ever feasible for your organization to use teachnology, in any way, to exapnd their network and reach more people, they should do it.
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