Deleted thread

[Webmaster]

The "rumor" thread has been deleted. While we, as webmasters, fully support and encourage the free exchange of both information and opinion, this thread was creating rampant speculation and accusations, toward athletic personnel and other posters. This is not meant in any way to be perceived as a slight toward, or censorship of, the poster who originated the post. However, since the inception of the thread, I personally have received 31 e-mails and private messages, as well as several phone calls, of which nearly all called for its removal. Thank you for understanding.

[abezontar]

I had no idea people were so sensitive.....I would think people would have thicker skin, or the wherewithal to ignore something and let it die on its own.

[jtstang]

Gotta protect those recruits who base their decision on where to go by reading what you post!!!

[PK]

Gotta protect those recruits who base their decision on where to go by reading what you post!!!

JT, our coaches have a hard enough time recruiting good players to SMU as is...why contribute to possibly making it harder? Other than to thump one's own chest to say look at what I found...or more likely what I think I found, what value is there to starting or repeating rumors, especially negative ones????

[mrydel]

Let us simply separate the issues.

1. What we say on this board will not make or break recruiting. Argue all you want but recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word.

2. It is totally unfair and unjustified to start rumors about a persons career standing. Coach Tubbs is a professional who puts food on his table by doing his job. Good or bad, like him or hate him, he is a member of our family for now and we need to stand by him and support him while he is working for us. Criticize all you wish. That is part of being a family, but do not speculate of rumors that have no legs whatsoever and stir up emotions on inuendos.

The facts will come out on the investigation and we can all state our feelings at that time, but lets not turn this into another "we are going to lose recruits" issue. This is a more important issue that deals with a persons career. I for one am backing Coach Tubbs all the way until I have reason to believe otherwise. He is our basketball coach. I will also add that I am very disappointed with the level of play we have displayed this year, but have hopes that the future will be better. (all together...Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy........)

[BrianTinBigD]

This is not meant in any way to be perceived as a slight toward, or censorship of, the poster who originated the post.

"Censorship is the systematic use of group power to broadly control freedom of speech and expression."

I personally have received 31 e-mails and private messages, as well as several phone calls, of which nearly all called for its removal

Looks to me like this thread was censored. Just my opinion.

I think we are too thin skinned around here considering that this board is not supposed to have any link with SMU athletics. A little rampant speculation, innuendo, and rumor is just what is needed to get us to Spring Football.

[McClown27]

It was probably best that the post was taken down. But honestly, I agree with Mrydel, there is no way this board affects recruiting. However, it is clear that the DMN and its incessant coverage of UT and the "Red River Classic" clearly does.

[ponyplayer]

censorship is ok, if you do not like it move to Singapore..................

[PK]

1. What we say on this board will not make or break recruiting. Argue all you want but recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word.

This particular situation wasn't a matter of someone's personal opinion that he thinks so and so coach isn't worth two cents. That is the bread and butter of fan boards and recruits probably understand that. This was a matter of repeating a rumor that says that a coach has been involved in major infractions of NCAA rules and will be fired as a result. That is not a matter of personal opinion, but implied to be truth. I would think it is libelous, to say the least, to spread rumors such as this. It could harm the subject of that rumor greatly in many ways.

[McClown27]

That is not a matter of personal opinion, but implied to be truth. I would think it is libelous, to say the least, to spread rumors such as this. It could harm the subject of that rumor greatly in many ways.

PK, Tubbs is already under investigation. I agree that it is in bad taste to say those types of things about our beloved alma mater, but Tubbs invited these rumors with his behavior (even though now the infraction seems really insignificant to me).

I like Tubbs. As I am concerned, we ain't gonna find anyone better to run the program. I would send my son to play for him in a minute, and I think he is a good and moral man.

[mrydel]

1. What we say on this board will not make or break recruiting. Argue all you want but recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word.

This particular situation wasn't a matter of someone's personal opinion that he thinks so and so coach isn't worth two cents. That is the bread and butter of fan boards and recruits probably understand that. This was a matter of repeating a rumor that says that a coach has been involved in major infractions of NCAA rules and will be fired as a result. That is not a matter of personal opinion, but implied to be truth. I would think it is libelous, to say the least, to spread rumors such as this. It could harm the subject of that rumor greatly in many ways.

Evidently you did not read #2. I agree the post could be harmful in many ways, and said so. Just do not believe it will or would have affected recruiting.

[abezontar]

If you all were really that worried about the impact the rumor could have on Tubbs and the program then you would just let this die.

[PK]

1. What we say on this board will not make or break recruiting. Argue all you want but recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word.

This particular situation wasn't a matter of someone's personal opinion that he thinks so and so coach isn't worth two cents. That is the bread and butter of fan boards and recruits probably understand that. This was a matter of repeating a rumor that says that a coach has been involved in major infractions of NCAA rules and will be fired as a result. That is not a matter of personal opinion, but implied to be truth. I would think it is libelous, to say the least, to spread rumors such as this. It could harm the subject of that rumor greatly in many ways.

Evidently you did not read #2. I agree the post could be harmful in many ways, and said so. Just do not believe it will or would have affected recruiting.

No, I read #2 and I am not knocking what you said, but I wanted to respond to #1 in reference to "recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word." I agree with that statement in general, but my point was that recruits, assuming any really visit these boards, probably recognize when a post is just someone letting off steam and stating an opinion, but a negative rumor, such as this one, with a tinge of truth to it could indeed influence a recruit...in addition to the potential harm to the subject of the rumor if it is not true.

[McClown27]

No, I read #2 and I am not knocking what you said, but I wanted to respond to #1 in reference to "recruits are not living and breathing and hanging on our every word."

PK, Thanks for clarifying (seriously). I was beginning to worry about how serious you take this board.

[PonyTales]

.... but Tubbs invited these rumors with his behavior ....

So we don't yet know if he did anything wrong, yet he "invited" this scrutiny and rumors about his job status? No, he didn't.