Freep to play hardball?

Submitted by Garvie Craw on

I read this somewhere else - I have no proof. Sounds about right for the Freep, though. Would like to know if anyone with knowledge can confirm. Brian?

"The Free Press is going to FOIA cell phone records (including texts) from any cell phones issued by UM to the coaching staff. This is presumably in an effort to discover any text messages that show coercive action from staff/coaches to players who were not "All in" for UM practices."

03 Blue 07

September 8th, 2009 at 11:38 PM ^

But ND is not a public university. Thus, not paid for with public funds, right? Thus, not subject to the FOIA. Unless due to the Catholic church's tax-exempt status, there is some sort of loophole. However, I know of no such loophole.

Sorry- not trying to nitpick, etc.

psychomatt

September 8th, 2009 at 11:34 PM ^

There could be major blow back if they really do this. First, it will look even more like a witch hunt. Second, if you start pawing through someone's text messages and emails, you will almost always find something that looks bad. If there are any emails or texts from Rosenberg et. al. that show their true colors, those texts and emails will eventually turn up. They have enemies just like everyone else. No one likes a hypocrite, so they better make certain they are squeaky clean themselves before they go down this road.

ShockFX

September 8th, 2009 at 11:59 PM ^

This is dumb.

A:  The Freep can only get the content of any messages if the Telco still has the content saved.
B:  The Freep would need subpoena power to get the content of the messages if said content is still in existence.

A is whatever because even if a message went out to each player at the time of voluntary practice, this doesn't mean anything other because we don't know if the message was "lifting, where you at" or "get your ass to this practice that is voluntary".
B would therefore be key to actually PROVING anything outside of innuendo and circumstance. It will NEVER happen. The NCAA doesn't have subpoena power, and they GOVERN these teams/ADs. How the heck does anyone expect the Freep to obtain a subpoena?

Man, if there is any justice, Rosenberg, Albom, and Snyder will have their personal/work email accounts hacked and then maybe they'll have something semi-relevant to deal with.

markusr2007

September 9th, 2009 at 12:24 AM ^

1. FERPA is not something the UM, the NCAA and the Freep can frolick around in fancifree. I've heard that messing around with student info or other data that might contain student data or info. can be a minefield for high stakes lawsuits to protect privacy. Cell phone communiques from students to coaches with info about where they were, what they were doing on day X at Y o'clock, class schedules, personal and health issues (I feel sick coach!), etc.might be "problematic" to say the least.

2.) I'm pretty sure RR and his entire staff have been lawyered by both UM administration and UM compliance staff of UM on the acceptable use policy of computers and cellphones, and that they had to sign detailed acceptance contracts of such policies prior to issuance of such devices. The coaches and staff would know that history and messages could be recorded and therefore, if inappropriate or in violation of policy, could be grounds for dismissal. After the Houston Nutt fiasco, I think we need to give RR and the UM compliance staff some measure of credit that they do follow the rules.

markusr2007

September 9th, 2009 at 12:25 AM ^

1. FERPA is not something the UM, the NCAA and the Freep can frolick around in fancifree. I've heard that messing around with student info or other data that might contain student data or info. can be a minefield for high stakes lawsuits to protect privacy. Cell phone communiques from students to coaches with info about where they were, what they were doing on day X at Y o'clock, class schedules, personal and health issues (I feel sick coach!), etc.might be "problematic" to say the least.

2.) I'm pretty sure RR and his entire staff have been lawyered by both UM administration and UM compliance staff of UM on the acceptable use policy of computers and cellphones, and that they had to sign detailed acceptance contracts of such policies prior to issuance of such devices. The coaches and staff would know that history and messages could be recorded and therefore, if inappropriate or in violation of policy, could be grounds for dismissal. After the Houston Nutt fiasco, I think we need to give RR and the UM compliance staff some measure of credit that they do follow the rules.

wildbackdunesman

September 9th, 2009 at 6:25 AM ^

Even if zero of this sticks and it is all BS. With the continued circus, I bet a certain rival coach with a diarrhea mouth can still use it to his advantage when talking to high school coaches and players.

BlueGoM

September 9th, 2009 at 8:26 PM ^

... so I didn't catch everything he said, they (Sam and Ira) I'm almost 100% sure I heard Sam say that the Freep trying to use FOIA to get cell records was true. They spent more time talking about the Freep and their little witch hunt, than giving details about the FOIA attempts. We may hear more about it tomorrow morning.

FYI FOIA has been used on Rich Rod's cell phone records before:

http://www.register-herald.com/sports/local_story_018000005.html?keywor…

"MORGANTOWN — In the hours after telling his team he was leaving for the University of Michigan, former West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez called at least two Wolverine recruits from his WVU cell phone, according to records obtained by the Daily Mail through the Freedom of Information Act."

I really hope this isn't true just because it sounds like the Freep is just stepping up their attacks. I'm getting tired of all this stuff. After reading Drew Sharp's comments about the Michigan win and his stupid, snide comments about Michigan fans tasting wine and cheese during the game I've just about had it with the Freep. There's nothing good in that paper anymore.