FanShot

Negative recruiting: responses to ESPN's article illustrate the complexity of this matter

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Both the article linked above from OutSports and a piece from Pat Griffin about ESPN's excellent article on negative recruiting demonstrate that there are quite clearly more than just two sides of analysis on this matter. In particular, a point made by commenter Kim on the OutSports article is worthy of consideration. To summarize, being friendly to fans neitherexcludes the possibility of negative recruiting nor the possibility of creating a climate of discomfort for lesbian players in a coded environment. It sort of demonstrates the complexity of this matter: this isn't about one's generally good character and positive intentions, but the consequences of actions and words in a context that the average person will never know anything about. That said, unfortunately, as Fennelly alludes to in the article, there is a distinct possibility that the negative publicity from ESPN will have the effect of penalizing his program for who they are. Yet the show of support from those that claim to know him even in the comments of the two linked responses at the very least suggest that the perception of the coded language that Griffin talks about is as important as the intention. Ultimately, as important an issue as this is, hopefully debates about one coach's character don't diminish the overall point that negative recruiting is a problem.