Painting the Rock?

#1
EricberryFAN

EricberryFAN

GO VOLS MAN!
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#1
I haven't seen it painted or heard anyone talk about the rock this season. I know the Georgia game is a huge recruiting weekend for us. Just a heads up for those able to do so.:good!:

Does someone know who all will be visiting so far?

Ideals for the rock?
 
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#2
#2
EricberryFAN said:
I haven't seen it painted or heard anyone talk about the rock this season. I know the Georgia game is a huge recruiting weekend for us. Just a heads up for those able to do so.:good!:

Does someone know who all will be visiting so far?

Ideals for the rock?
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against NCAA rules recruiting tool.:eek:lol:
 
#8
#8
I haven't had the chance to look around and check but do we have any official visits this weekend?
 
#9
#9
terrypedigo said:
against NCAA rules recruiting tool.:eek:lol:
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Only sorta. While the NCAA has said it could be an unfair advantage, I really don't think it would hold water if put to the test under certain circumstances. The rock serves as a message board for students and always has. The problem comes in if/when non-students, boosters, fans, or staff do so. I just don't think the NCAA would dare do a thing other than give a stern look if students do so. That said, compliance paints over it as soon as it's noticed just to be safe *but* even regular statements don't stay up very long because everyone gets their turn.

The last problem was an issue because fans on this board took it upon themselves to paint it. That makes it more dangerous, imo, especially given our probation. But it would hard for the NCAA to win a case regarding the rock when it has always served as a tool of free speech for students on campus and even the rare statement by faculty, especially younger faculty. It's about free speech in a campus environment and typically anything goes. That said, non-students should leave it alone.
 
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#10
#10
UTProf said:
Only sorta. While the NCAA has said it could be an unfair advantage, I really don't think it would hold water if put to the test under certain circumstances. The rock serves as a message board for students and always has. The problem comes in if/when non-students, boosters, fans, or staff do so. I just don't think the NCAA would dare do a thing other than give a stern look if students do so. That said, compliance paints over it as soon as it's noticed just to be safe *but* even regular statements don't stay up very long because everyone gets their turn.

The last problem was an issue because fans on this board took it upon themselves to paint it. That makes it more dangerous, imo, especially given our probation. But it would hard for the NCAA to win a case regarding the rock when it has always served as a tool of free speech for students on campus and even the rare statement by faculty, especially younger faculty. It's about free speech in a campus environment and typically anything goes. That said, non-students should leave it alone.
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That's honestly just dumb. Screw them. Thanks for clearing that up though!:hi:
 
#11
#11
EricberryFAN said:
That's honestly just dumb. Screw them. Thanks for clearing that up though!:hi:
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Not a problem. I just don't see the NCAA winning a case given it's history on campus even through NCAAs appeals process. If staff did it then yeah but not if students did it. I mean, talk about a case that would make them look bad. It's a free speech issue that would likely be overturned if ever enforced against students and a potential Supreme Court case if appeals failed and one the NCAA would very likely lose. Far too much history behind the rock serving campus free speech for them to win a court case. We're talking decades of it being a free speech outlet for students addressing all kinds of issues -- everything from political protests to marriage proposals.
 
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#12
#12
Its a frickin rock, not a billboard. I guess they see it kinda like the Supreme court thinks corporations are people..
 
#14
#14
UTProf said:
Not a problem. I just don't see the NCAA winning a case given it's history on campus even through NCAAs appeals process. If staff did it then yeah but not if students did it. I mean, talk about a case that would make them look bad. It's a free speech issue that would likely be overturned if ever enforced against students and a potential Supreme Court case if appeals failed and one the NCAA would very likely lose. Far too much history behind the rock serving campus free speech for them to win a court case. We're talking decades of it being a free speech outlet for students addressing all kinds of issues -- everything from political protests to marriage proposals.
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I don't think the first amendment analysis works out like you think it does.
 
#15
#15
voltraveler said:
Its a frickin rock, not a billboard. I guess they see it kinda like the Supreme court thinks corporations are people..
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While it is simply a rock, it does serve as a sort of informal billboard/campus message board just one that has always served as an outlet for students and faculty to exercise free speech. However, it's not exactly something that gives any advantage or something even those on campus always see. Slick and/or unique mailers that outdo other schools are more of an advantage than a painted rock.

Despite SCOTUS having odd views on certain things, the Supremes would shred the NCAA on it, if students ever decided to sue since it has always been a free speech tool and students have the right to voice an opinion. Even when/if students decide to paint a welcome message, it's far closer to good old fashioned southern hospitality/people bumping into recruits on campus and saying 'welcome to UT.' Also, it's not as though you have to encounter it. It's not and never has been a recruiting tool -- just a space for students/faculty to say what they please.
 
#16
#16
TennesseeOrange said:
I don't think the first amendment analysis works out like you think it does.
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College students are a entitled to free speech (case law even grants this to high schoolers) and the rock has a history as a free speech tool and no history as a recruiting tool in any formal sense of the word. The rock also has zero association with UT football though certain fans tend to think so. The NCAA has no right or standing to override the rights of students to free speech -- they would lose a court case filed by students. They might win one against staff, boosters, and/or fans.

Again compliance plays it safe but the NCAA would not win a lawsuit filed by students.
 
#17
#17
UTProf said:
College students are a entitled to free speech (case law even grants this to high schoolers) and the rock has a history as a free speech tool and no history as a recruiting tool in any formal sense of the word. The rock also has zero association with UT football though certain fans tend to think so. The NCAA has no right or standing to override the rights of students to free speech -- they would lose a court case filed by students. They might win one against staff, boosters, and/or fans.

Again compliance plays it safe but the NCAA would not win a lawsuit filed by students.
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The NCAA is a private organization, I think that's one thing you're forgetting. Now, there may be an issue with the NCAA forcing a State institution to monitor speech (is that a public law?), but it's by no means a slam dunk case for students against the NCAA.

Also, college students and high schoolers do not have absolute free speech, there are limits defined by case law.
 
#18
#18
EricberryFAN said:
I haven't seen it painted or heard anyone talk about the rock this season. I know the Georgia game is a huge recruiting weekend for us. Just a heads up for those able to do so.:good!:

Does someone know who all will be visiting so far?

Ideals for the rock?
Click to expand...


When we have a coach like CBJ recruiting we don't have to depend on the rock.
 
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