Do you name names?

[Bucknutty]

Name names. By all means, name names. Unless, of course, it's a female lying or grossly exaggerating about a rape or sexual assault. Then ... oh my God, how could you even think of naming her name!?!?!? You misogynist, sexist ogre!!! How could you even think of it!!! Doesn't matter if she's lying through her teeth, don't you dare!!!

Oh, and make sure to name the name of the alleged perpetrator. No worries about ruining his good name over someone's lie.

(And no, this did not happen to me)

WTF newbie?

 

[luckyducky]

If the school doesn't release the names - and I doubt they will - no.
If the kids are minors, then also the answer is no.

Unless these are big-time stars (OJ Mayo, Terrell Pryor types), I wouldn't bother.

Win.

In college? Yes. In high school? No. ... The only HS exceptions are if it's a big-name kid or was a high-profile transfer (e.g. the example above). But if it's just non-stars for grades or something? No reason.

 

[Tom Petty]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

 

[slappy4428]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

No. If the kid is a minor, it raises legal issues with privacy. If he is over 18, he is an adult and you can use it.
If he is a minor and the school releases the name, you can use it. If not, then you shouldn't.
What if you run the name, the kid and school appeal and win. You've already used the name of a 15 or 16 or 17 year-old kid and you can't take it back.

 

[Tom Petty]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

No. If the kid is a minor, it raises legal issues with privacy. If he is over 18, he is an adult and you can use it.
If he is a minor and the school releases the name, you can use it. If not, then you shouldn't.
What if you run the name, the kid and school appeal and win. You've already used the name of a 15 or 16 or 17 year-old kid and you can't take it back.

i say you name the kid and say he was ineligible, period. if these little superstars are good enough to receive game coverage and feature pieces, they're good enough to be named when they **** up.

 

[JackReacher]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

No. If the kid is a minor, it raises legal issues with privacy. If he is over 18, he is an adult and you can use it.
If he is a minor and the school releases the name, you can use it. If not, then you shouldn't.
What if you run the name, the kid and school appeal and win. You've already used the name of a 15 or 16 or 17 year-old kid and you can't take it back.

i say you name the kid and say he was ineligible, period. if these little superstars are good enough to receive game coverage and feature pieces, they're good enough to be named when they **** up.

Bingo. However, as I said before, if it's some kid who never plays, I wouldn't worry so much about the name since it's not as important.

These parents aren't screaming about privacy and being a minor when their kids are getting 18-inch features written about them. Gotta go both ways unless it's a legal issue.

 

[BillyT]

If you can actually get someone to give you names on the record, you've done something, unless their absence from the team is obvious. And if you get 'em, run 'em.

You put lil Johnny's name in the paper when he runs for 100 yards and 2 TDs. Put his name in the paper for this, too.

Edit: If it's some scrub who never plays, I wouldn't bother. Any player who contrubutes on a regular basis, yes

If someone gives the reporter the names, that person is violating federal and/or state privacy laws.

I would not use illegal information.

 

[BillyT]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

No. If the kid is a minor, it raises legal issues with privacy. If he is over 18, he is an adult and you can use it.
If he is a minor and the school releases the name, you can use it. If not, then you shouldn't.
What if you run the name, the kid and school appeal and win. You've already used the name of a 15 or 16 or 17 year-old kid and you can't take it back.

i say you name the kid and say he was ineligible, period. if these little superstars are good enough to receive game coverage and feature pieces, they're good enough to be named when they **** up.

Bingo. However, as I said before, if it's some kid who never plays, I wouldn't worry so much about the name since it's not as important.

These parents aren't screaming about privacy and being a minor when their kids are getting 18-inch features written about them. Gotta go both ways unless it's a legal issue.

Age has nothing to do with it. Kid could be 18 and it is still illegal for the school to disclose the information.

Oh, Futura: Great idea for a general story about the issue.

 

[Tom Petty]

If you can actually get someone to give you names on the record, you've done something, unless their absence from the team is obvious. And if you get 'em, run 'em.

You put lil Johnny's name in the paper when he runs for 100 yards and 2 TDs. Put his name in the paper for this, too.

Edit: If it's some scrub who never plays, I wouldn't bother. Any player who contrubutes on a regular basis, yes

If someone gives the reporter the names, that person is violating federal and/or state privacy laws.

I would not use illegal information.

why not?

 

[SoCalScribe]

What I would do is state that X number of players are said by so-and-so to be ineligible for Y length of time. Then, whoever covers the game that Friday needs to see who's on the sideline and not dressed, or not there at all. That tactic is the one you usually need to use anyway, since many schools don't like to name names. But when star OL, RB, WR, whatever, doesn't suit up or doesn't play, that's an absolute fact.

Most or all of us have been outright lied to about why a player isn't playing, so it's important not to simply trust our sources, even if we think they wouldn't lie to us.

 

[Tom Petty]

What I would do is state that X number of players are said by so-and-so to be ineligible for Y length of time. Then, whoever covers the game that Friday needs to see who's on the sideline and not dressed, or not there at all. That tactic is the one you usually need to use anyway, since many schools don't like to name names. But when star OL, RB, WR, whatever, doesn't suit up or doesn't play, that's an absolute fact.

assuming makes an ass of you.

 

[SoCalScribe]

assuming makes an ass of you.

My point entirely. In the absence of verifiable information, all you can do is report the facts without judgment.

 

[Diabeetus]

What I would do is state that X number of players are said by so-and-so to be ineligible for Y length of time. Then, whoever covers the game that Friday needs to see who's on the sideline and not dressed, or not there at all. That tactic is the one you usually need to use anyway, since many schools don't like to name names. But when star OL, RB, WR, whatever, doesn't suit up or doesn't play, that's an absolute fact.

assuming makes an ass of you.

Here here. Horrible idea to scan the sidelines and guess like that.

That said, I wouldn't name names since the admins are at fault here.

 

[SoCalScribe]

I'm not saying that you should guess. I am surprised this is being misinterpreted.

What I am suggesting is that, in the absence of verifiable information, one should report that Texas Tech-bound running back Alpha Beta did not play and coach Charlie Delta declined to comment as to the reason.

In such a situation, not only have you entirely avoided making any assumptions whatsoever, but you have explained why someone who plays every game did not get in the game at all and was wearing blue jeans on the sideline.

 

[Paper Dragon]

Sorry if I missed it, but do you have the names?

If so, how did you get them?

 

[Tom Petty]

assuming makes an ass of you.

My point entirely. In the absence of verifiable information, all you can do is report the facts without judgment.

no. that was not my point.

you do NOT know for a fact why a kid isn't playing if nobody will confirm. you would be assuming a kid, who could be sick, was ineligible.

we try to print facts, not speculation, which is why i "said" assuming makes an ass of you.

 

[Tom Petty]

What I would do is state that X number of players are said by so-and-so to be ineligible for Y length of time. Then, whoever covers the game that Friday needs to see who's on the sideline and not dressed, or not there at all. That tactic is the one you usually need to use anyway, since many schools don't like to name names. But when star OL, RB, WR, whatever, doesn't suit up or doesn't play, that's an absolute fact.

assuming makes an ass of you.

Here here. Horrible idea to scan the sidelines and guess like that.

That said, I wouldn't name names since the admins are at fault here.

who failed the classes?

 

[SoCalScribe]

Tom Petty, if you don't know the reason why, you cannot speculate. But if a player who usually plays and has a significant impact does not suit up, is it not responsible journalism to ask the coach why? Do you not imagine that readers would wonder why Alpha Beta did not get his usual 200 yards and three touchdowns? If there have been no suspensions, no rumors, nothing, if an important player doesn't play and no one will tell you why, are you really suggesting that it shouldn't be mentioned at all that he did not play?

You don't seem to understand that I am not suggesting that one should assume wrongdoing. If a kid does not play, and no one will confirm why, you have absolutely no reason to assume ANYTHING. This isn't a false assumption, it's no assumption at all.

 

[Tom Petty]

Tom Petty, if you don't know the reason why, you cannot speculate. But if a player who usually plays and has a significant impact does not suit up, is it not responsible journalism to ask the coach why? Do you not imagine that readers would wonder why Alpha Beta did not get his usual 200 yards and three touchdowns? If there have been no suspensions, no rumors, nothing, if an important player doesn't play and no one will tell you why, are you really suggesting that it shouldn't be mentioned at all that he did not play?

You don't seem to understand that I am not suggesting that one should assume wrongdoing. If a kid does not play, and no one will confirm why, you have absolutely no reason to assume ANYTHING. This isn't a false assumption, it's no assumption at all.

sorry socal, i thought we were working with the premise that nobody at bum**** high would confirm or deny who was inel.

my bad if we weren't.

 

[slappy4428]

if you're going to use a kid's name and describe his 77-yard touchdown run, you sure as to hell have a responsibility to your readers to name names.

at the same time, if you do name names, there's no need to beat the kid over the head with it, either.

No. If the kid is a minor, it raises legal issues with privacy. If he is over 18, he is an adult and you can use it.
If he is a minor and the school releases the name, you can use it. If not, then you shouldn't.
What if you run the name, the kid and school appeal and win. You've already used the name of a 15 or 16 or 17 year-old kid and you can't take it back.

i say you name the kid and say he was ineligible, period. if these little superstars are good enough to receive game coverage and feature pieces, they're good enough to be named when they **** up.

You are assuming the **** up is theirs and not one by a coach who didn't check grades or put in an overage player who only plays in blowouts, or an overzealous parent who skirted residency rules to get their kid in school.
Sometimes, it's the kid who does nothing wrong, rather the adults -- parents or coach. And sometimes, contradicting what I said before, you don't mention the kid even his he's an adult.
Do you hang the 19-year-old kid who goes in for two plays of a 69-0 blowout whose only crime is being a special-needs student, is on the team because it helps him belong and who contributes nothing more than a pick-me-up to his teammates -- but goes in the game because the coach knows it will make his life showing he did contribute?
What if that kid was yours?
It depends on the situation Tom. Not all the kids who play are little superstars.