10B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2006
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Surfing for the truth
False information on Web sites causes problems
By Eric Jorgensen
ejorgensen@kansan.com
KANSAN START WRITER
Internet message boards on sports Web sites are the source of many headaches for those in the Athletics Department responsible for guarding the truth. The recent saga with new KU basketball signe Darrall Arthur is a prime example.
Jim Marchiony, associate athletics director, said sports chat rooms and message boards served a valid purpose.
"I think it's great for fans to get engaged and talk to each other." Marchiony said. "I like message boards when what I read is accurate."
Marchiony said there were plenty of times when what he read on message boards and heard on sports talk shows was inaccurate.
Marchiony said he was usu-
t's more than just a
nuisance. It can harm the reputations of people unjustly."
Jim Marchiony Associate athletics director
Mason Logan is the sports information director for the football team. Part of his job is to handle all media questions regarding the football team. He said he got calls five or six times a week from people trying to see if the latest rumor was myth or fact.
ally the department's contact for media inquiries. He said he often got calls from reporters following up on a rumor they saw or heard on message boards and talk shows.
I'll look into almost anything, no matter how ridiculous it is." Logan said.
He said a problem with these types of communication mediums was that people who posted comments were anonymous.
Marchiony said he had a bigger problem with sports talk radio than he had with chat rooms or message boards, because journalists discussed rumors as truths.
Any normal Joe could say whatever they wanted, then have reporters grab onto that and follow up on it. Marchiony said these types of outlets had become a nuisance because people ran with those rumors as if they were fact.
"News outlets feel like they should follow up on leads from there," Marchiony said. "It's dangerous. It's more than just a nuisance. It can harm the reputations of people unjustly."
—Edited by Meghan Miller
What a day for croquet
Nicoletta Niosi/KANSAN
Andy Spalding, St. Louis freshman, celebrates after Andrew Stanley, Overland Park freshman, takes a swing during a game of croquet in front of Strong Hall Wednesday. Spalding and Stanley played the game with a group of friends. The group said it wanted to enjoy the nice weather, and "what better way than croquet."
BLEEDING KANSAS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL 2006
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SATURDAY AUGUST 5
Burcham Park·Lawrence, Kansas