Chris Peacock first heard of Twitter last fall. A colleague at another school asked the University of Illinois assistant athletic director for compliance if any Illini coaches were using the latest social networking tool.

Peacock quickly checked with the most tech-savvy members of the UI coaching staff. Their response mirrored his.

"At that point, no one had heard of it, much less was using it," Peacock said last week.

Fast-forward to today. Four Illini head coaches have individual Twitter accounts on which they communicate with "followers" about their teams, work and even personal lives.

In addition, 11 Illini sports programs offer Twitter pages which are updated by UI sports information staffers. On these sites, you'll find sport-specific news and updates.

Illini athletes also are tweeting – the term commonly used for communicating electronically via Twitter – in increasing numbers. John Storsved, a compliance analyst in the UI athletic department, estimates that about two dozen Illini are sharing thoughts and opinions on life as a college student-athlete on their Twitter sites.

Peacock expects this social-networking successor to MySpace and Facebook to only keep growing at the UI and every other college campuses across the country.

"Of all the technological things we've talked about, this is the one that has had the fastest life cycle," he said. "It has become not even a niche way to do it, but a generally accepted way to communicate with recruits."

For college athletic departments and their compliance offices, that is the key issue in the emergence of Twitter – how does it fit into the much-regulated interaction that plays out between coaches and recruits? What's permissible when a coach utilizes Twitter in communicating with a prospective student-athlete? What's not?

For now, the newness of the technology has schools and their coaches asking questions and treading carefully.

"It is fair to say that all of us – coaches, sports information, compliance, every school, every conference – are trying to wrap our arms around this," Peacock said.

Twitter and recruiting

For now, the NCAA's stance is to apply the recruiting rules already in place on electronically transmitted correspondence to Twitter. Those rules limit correspondence with prospective student-athletes to e-mail and faxes. All other forms of electronic communication – including text messaging and Instant Messenger – are prohibited until a recruit has signed.

However, the NCAA does not limit e-mail to the traditional services available through Web sites like AOL or Yahoo! or through an Internet service provider. Coaches are allowed to use the direct e-mail feature on a recruit's social networking page – such as Facebook and MySpace. Now, the same applies to Twitter.

In all cases, however, the NCAA requires that e-mail communication between coaches and recruits remain private and not viewable by other visitors to the recruit's social networking page.

"The issue for the NCAA is less about technology and more about recruiting," said Cameron Schuh, the NCAA's associate director for Public and Media Relations. "Coaches can use the direct-messaging aspect of Twitter to have communications back-and-forth with a recruit, as long as those messages are not posted on the site.

"As long as a coach is using the direct messaging aspect as an e-mail, that is permissible."

The intent, of course, is to comply with another NCAA recruiting rule: Publicly, coaches are limited to acknowledging only whether they are recruiting a prospective student-athlete. They are not allowed to publicly comment on a recruit's abilities or potential contributions to the coach's team as well as whether the recruit is likely to sign with the team. Since topics likes those might come up when a coach e-mails a recruit, the NCAA insists that those communiques remain private between the two.

In this regard, there is a potential stumbling block on Twitter, which offers three methods to text-communicate with others:

– Tweets are messages sent by the page's host that are visible to an entire audience of followers.

– Direct messages are visible only to the sender and receiver.

– <@>reply option is a communication between two individuals that is visible to all visitors to the page.

A message to a recruit from a coach via the <@>reply function, since it is not private, is in violation of NCAA recruiting rules on electronic communication. And no aspect of Twitter has compliance offices more on alert – and perhaps more nervous – than this.

"It comes down to, is (the coach's communication) something that's viewable to the general public." said UI compliance coordinator Sarah Hahn. "The most basic advice we can give (coaches) is private e-mail functions on these various services are typically OK, assuming the prospect is of age to receive recruiting material. However, the public (e-mail) function, you want to steer clear of."

In their public Twitter postings, Illini coaches have been told to avoid specific references to recruits. It's OK to post tweets about the topic of recruiting or even specific recruiting trips, according to Peacock, as long as they're not too detailed.

"You can put out generic tweets about recruiting – 'I'm on the road. I'm headed to Ohio,' " the UI compliance director said. "But you can't be specific as in 'I'm headed to Akron for the King James Classic to see so and so play.' "

Keeping in touch

That doesn't mean Twitter, in the eyes of college athletic departments, is only about recruiting. For coaches open to the technology, the social networking site can be another useful outlet for communicating with fans – current and potential – about their programs.

Illini volleyball coach Kevin Hambly has been posting on Twitter since early May and has specific plans for his page during the 2009 season. It will offer updated scores during UI matches as well as alerts on his team's promotional and radio/TV appearances, links to newspaper articles, and news from the UI's athletic Web site.

"I do think Twitter is a way for us to connect with our fans and followers of the program," Hambly said. "Hopefully, it will keep our program in the forefront of people's minds."

Of course, some programs are more in the forefront than others, as a check of college Twitter sites shows. As of Friday, frequent tweeter John Calipari had 381,525 followers at the Kentucky basketball coach's page. Southern Cal football coach Pete Carroll had 30,661.

Football coach Ron Zook was the Illini leader on Twitter, with 3,399 followers. Compare that with Hambly's 76 followers or UI soccer coach Janet Rayfield's 26.

Still, Rayfield can see a growing demand for college coaches to maintain Twitter sites, regardless of the initial numbers.

"I think in this climate where immediate information is valued and almost expected, it is a way that keeps Illinois soccer constantly in the minds of players, friends, fans and recruits," she said. "I think it will be a way for us to share what is going on inside the program as we prepare and go through an exciting season. People like to feel connected, and Twitter provides constant and instant connection."

How often should a coach tweet? Feedback sometimes dictates the frequency, with fans submitting questions and comments that coaches feel compelled to answer. And some coaches, like Calipari and Indiana's Tom Crean, clearly have embraced Twitter and enjoy keeping fans updated on their comings and goings throughout the day.

Hambly says he tries to post a message at least once a week, although he expects that pace to accelerate immediately before and during the volleyball season.

"For the last four weeks my tweets would have been the same every day – 'In the gym watching recruits that we are not allowed to talk about' – so I didn't really tweet too much," he said. "I do find myself hearing some news about one of our players receiving an award and my first thought is I need to tweet this."

Rayfield still is trying to gauge the "right frequency" of tweeting and is determined to avoid the minutia that has creeped into some Twitter sites.

"I think it depends on the time of year and how much is really going on," she sad. "I find myself at this time in the college soccer cycle updating only once a day at the most. However, as preseason nears ... that will be more often. I don't twitter about what I am having for lunch or things like that."

A handful of high school volleyball players being recruited by Illinois have signed up to follow Hambly on Twitter. The UI coach said it's too early to tell whether a coach's tweets will have any impact in attracting prep talent.

"Usually when we think of the importance of something we look at it through the lens of recruiting and fan base," Hambly said. "From a recruiting standpoint, I am not sure yet. We do have a few followers that are players we are recruiting, but I am unsure whether this has a positive or a negative effect on recruiting."

More change ahead?

As Peacock's department answers questions from UI coaches about Twitter, it, too, is awaiting more guidance from the NCAA. The organization periodically publishes what are called educational columns that address timely issues and topics.

Last August, the NCAA distributed such a column on "electronically transmitted correspondence." During the next several weeks, Peacock said, another column specific to Twitter is expected. It could address such issues as what to do when a recruit uses the <@>reply function of Twitter to e-mail a coach – thus allowing the message to be read by all followers at the recruit's page.

In that case, is it OK for a coach to respond with a reminder that any e-mails between the two, under NCAA rules, must remain private?

That's an example of one of the "grey areas," as Peacock calls them, that technological advances present to the NCAA rulebook.

"For any new technology, there's going to be a year or so minimum lag time before the rules can be changed to properly address the new technology," he said. "It takes us all a while to grasp how it's working and then it takes us a little longer to figure out the consequences of the new technology. We're always playing catchup."

Considering the continuing rapid pace of change in communications technology, such questions about Twitter might become moot before they're fully addressed. By then, perhaps the next big thing already will have arrived to supplant Twitter.

"We've seen it go from standard e-mails to text messaging to Facebook to now Twitter is the big thing," Hahn said. "Two months from now, it could be something completely different."

Sweet tweets
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa sued Twitter. MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann named Twitter “Worst Person in the World.” Sounds like the social networking site could use a little love. Staff writer Jeff Huth takes a kinder, gentler view of the Land of Tweets with his 50 picks of sports folks who regularly update Twitter followers on what’s going on in their world.

http://twitter.com
/AndyRoddick
Reason we’re reading: What was Wimbledon runner-up thinking the day after?
Recent post: 4:29 PM Jul 6th  — thanks again for all the responses!! all is good .. sun came up today :) all the support has been overwhelming and humbling!!

/Ben_Howland
Reason we’re reading: UCLA coach on day after word of Michael Jackson’s death.
Recent post: 9:24 AM Jun 26th — Music is one of my biggest passions outside of basketball and I love Motown and so much of Michael’s music. What an incredible entertainer.

/BobAsmussen
Reason we’re reading: Klee’s not only N-G writer tweeting on the Illini.
Recent post: 8:51 AM Jul 9th  — It will be interesting to see how Brit Miller does as a fullback with the 49ers. He showed he could run the ball as a high school QB.

/BretBielema
Reason we’re reading: Badgers coach tweets on tragic shooting death.
Recent post: 1:01 PM Jun 24th — Lost a great coach and friend today in Iowa... I first meet Coach Thomas when I recruited Aaron Kampman to Iowa. He was a great man!

/Cardinal_Brian
Reason we’re reading: When the pride of Unity High School isn’t hooping it up with Timberwolves, he’s tweeting on the way back from the vet’s office.
Recent post: 8:10 PM Jun 1st — My new dog ate my earpiece to my cellphone... COME ON

/CoachBrucePearl
Reason we’re reading: Tennessee basketball coach taking a break from Rocky Top to visit Israel.
Recent post: 6:46 AM Jul 7th — Yesterday saw Marys Tomb, Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, and the city of David. We floated in Dead Sea and went atop Mount Masada!

/coachbruceweber
Reason we’re reading: Like Willie Nelson, Illini men’s basketball coach on the road again.
Recent post: 8:09 PM Jul 6th — Enjoyed my time in Indianapolis today during the first day of the July recruiting period. Driving to Chicago now.

/CoachFitz51
Reason we’re reading: Northwestern football coach reporting in after the Randy Walker Power of Influence Golf Outing.
Recent post: 2:36 PM Jun 29th — Bielema has a “powerful” swing! You can tell that we both played on defense in the BIG TEN- LOL

/Coachjhoward
Reason we’re reading: Friendly advice to the friendly UI assistant coach: Check spelling before you post.
Recent post: 1:02 PM Jun 30th — One of my best friends is back in town.. Cory Brandford and his wife Erica. Had a great dinner at chevys last night. Big time food!!

/CoachLowerySIU
Reason we’re reading: Following Salukis coach with U.S. team at FIBA Under-19 World Championships. Hope he eventually recovered his ...
Recent post: 2:42 PM Jul 4th — My cell phone was stolen, so if you have tried to contact me - I am not ignoring you.

/coachtubbysmith
Reason we’re reading: Gophers coach showing some love to one of his former UK Wildcats.
Recent post: 8:38 AM Jun 26th — We had a great Day Camp and start Team Camp today. Glad to see Jodie Meeks drafted... The BUCKS will love him.

/CV31
Reason we’re reading: We heard Charlie Villanueva was a twitter maniac. It’s true.
Recent post: 1:01 AM Jul 3rd — Last time I teamed up with BG (Ben Gordon) we won a championship in 2004, can it be possible?

/Danicapatrick
Reason we’re reading: Maybe board game companies should sponsor the IndyCar driver.
Recent post: 3:42 PM Jul 1st — Have been playing mexican train dominos and mancala all day. I love games, good times!

/DaveTelep
Reason we’re reading: Life on the road with scout.com basketball recruiting expert.
Recent post: 2:21 AM Jul 7th — Can’t lie. At 5am at the airport somehow I managed to trip UP the escalator. No one was looking... I think

/dkeller23
Reason we’re reading: Illini basketball veteran puts the incoming freshmen in their place.
Recent post: 5:06 PM Jul 7th — Destroyed the Lil kids in open gym today same thing tommorow. Bout to grab some food. Any suggestions anyone?????

/Dwighthoward
Reason we’re reading: Orlando Magic star pays tribute to Michael Jackson.
Recent post: 9:57 AM Jul 7 — Goodmorning everyone. I was tryna be tuff but I was listening to mj and shed a couple tears. Mike touched alotta people hearts.

/emasar3
Reason we’re reading: Former Illini and Urbana Tiger soccer star makes it home between games for Chicago Red Stars.
Recent post: 1:54 PM Jul 6th — Walking through downtown Urbana, gosh does it bring back some memories. You truly never get a day back.

/gregolsen82
Reason we’re reading: Checking in after Bears tight end sang at Wrigley Field during seventh-inning stretch.
Recent post: 1:24 PM Jul 5th — Just met Bob Uecker..legend from days of Major League

/IlliniVBHambly
Reason we’re reading: New Illini head coach clearly can’t wait for Aug. 28 season opener to arrive.
Recent post: 7:43 AM Jul 8th — We have the entire 2009 volleyball squad on campus for a photo shoot today. It will be fun to have them all together for the first time.

/JasonDavis43
Reason we’re reading: Ex-Illini will be trying to stick with the Bears.
Recent post: 5:12 PM Jul 7th — Why is the fullback postion a dying breed? Does that make me a endangered player?

/jaypaterno
Reason we’re reading: The other Paterno on Penn State football staff is a socially conscious guy.
Recent post: 10:00 AM Jun 25th — In the Red Cross dropping a pint of blood. If you can go do it sometime.

/Jim_tressel
Reason we’re reading: We commend the honesty (see below) from the Ohio State coach.
Recent post: 10:12 PM May 29 — I keep forgetting about this thing

/joebucklive
Reason we’re reading: Here’s what host had to say about the firestorm comedian Artie Lange created on “Jack Buck Live”:
Recent post: 8:34 AM Jun 16th — Artie did what he thought we wanted. A bit too far? Sure. But its LIVE. And fun!! Glad I am at HBO!!

/kentbrown
Reason we’re reading: A mighty good question from the Illini sports information director.
Recent post: 1:02 PM Jun 10th — Trent Meacham spoke to basketball campers today at Unity HS. Why is there always one kid who asks “where did you play basketball in college?

Lancearmstrong
Reason we’re reading: Cycling legend has energy to pedal all those miles during Tour de France and still tweet!
Recent post: 11:35 PM Jul 7th — Good morning! Hey, wassup with espn.com. Trying to read my daily sports news and the page has been down for days. Odd.

/LFITZGERALD11
Reason we’re reading: Cardinals wide receiver’s take on a fellow pass catcher.
Recent post: 11:18 AM Jul 6th— Greg Jennings routes are smooth as a babys butt lol. Packer Fans have alot to look foward to this season

/MCuban
Reason we’re reading: Does David Stern issue fines for tweets, too?
Recent post: 8:06 AM Jul 5th — contrary to reports, the Mavs are not pursuing Glenn Davis. Great player, but we like our guys

/NDHFC
Reason we’re reading: Notre Dame’s Charlie Weis now watches his diet and that of his ...
Recent post: 3:54 AM Jul 1st — My dogs love when I go because the housesitter tends to overfeed them. I’ll be back in South Bend on Monday. Happy 4th and Go Irish!

/NickSwisher
Reason we’re reading: We fondly remember those titanic Big Ten hitting duels between ex-Buckeye Swisher and UI’s Andy Schutzenhofer.
Recent post: 9:06 AM Jul 2nd— A big shout out to everyone behind the All Star write in www.voteswisher.com. Also vote for all Yanks on the ballot. Voting ends at midnite

/petecarroll
Reason we’re reading: Who knew USC coach was a post-grunge fan.
Recent post: 2:40 PM Jul 3rd — Song of the day! Anything from foo fighters... They’re at the white house for the 4th... Shoutout to keith sarkisian who’s there...

/pklee_illinihq
Reason we’re reading: News-Gazette’s college basketball beat writer offers reports/views on Illini in multiple outlets.
Recent post: 9:19 PM Jun 30th — Chester Frazier, transitioning from player to student assistant coach, says D.J. Richardson the most “game ready” among the four rookies.

/Play4brew
Reason we’re reading: Former Illini tight end Tim Brewster loves his Gophers coaching job.
Recent post: 7:08 AM Jul 2nd — Studying Syracuse and recruiting what a great way to start the day!!

/RealDeal91
Reason we’re reading: Tommie Harris shares a fellow Bears’ opinion on the latest social networking tool.
Recent post: 2:57 PM Jun 27th— Dusty dvorcheck said tweeter sucks

/realsidney87
Reason we’re reading: What did Penguins star Crosby do after winning Stanley Cup?
Recent post: 2:57 PM Jun 18th — party at mario’s.

/RonZook
Reason we’re reading: Illini football coach can appreciate speed in any sports.
Recent post: 7:31 AM Jun 13th — Congratulation to all of the All-Americans on our track team Go Illini

/RyanNewman39
Reason we’re reading: NASCAR stars cut their own grass???!!!
Recent post: 10:50 AM Jul 7th — Yard work...

/Sj39
Reason we’re reading: Rams running back Steven Jackson speaks for many of us with this comment:
Recent post: 8:49 PM Jul 6th — I hate when I get random phone calls.

/SportsGuy33
Reason we’re reading: The fertile mind of ESPN’s Bill Simmons never rests.
Recent post: 5:07 PM Jul 5th — Why haven’t we had a wrestler named “The Melee” yet? Or at the very least, why couldn’t that be Ron Artest’s nickname?

/Stephenbardo
Reason we’re reading: Former Illini guard and rising star in ESPNland never at loss for an opinion.
Recent post: 2:09 PM Jul 6th — Why is it that one of my collegues stated Steve McNair was better than Bret Favre??? I feel the loss but not to the point of stupidity!

/sugarray20
Reason we’re reading: Good memories of when Ray Allen was a rising star for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Recent post: 11:04 PM Jul 3rd— im looking forward to some good fireworks today

/Terrellowens81
Reason we’re reading: TO talking the talk with the receiver once known as Chad Johnson.
Recent post: 6:47 PM Jul 7th — i challenged chad whom every1 knows as ochocinco 2 a race n 40yd dash but drew held us back b/c i ws about 2 dust contrary 2 wht he tweeted!

/TheJetOnTNT
Reason we’re reading: Name-dropping by the NBA studio analyst Kenny Smith.
Recent post: 11:08 AM Jul 2nd — Ok I guess this is what twitter is for.. Ok I told yall I’m going to Don Cheadle Poker tourney. On the plane with matt Damon, Ben affleck

/The_real_Nash
Reason we’re reading: Our favorite Canadian NBAer winding down a Hall of Fame career.
Recent post: 10:57 AM Jun 13th — Check out the new EA Sports commercial where I chest bump the kid in the face... Sorry buddy. Great kid though.

/THE_REAL_SHAQ
Reason we’re reading: To all you fake Shaqs, the real deal is a self-styled connoisseur of the arts.
Recent post: 10:19 AM Jun 30th — Just shook the hand of the greatest artist since picasso Peter max is the best, I just left his art studio, we are doin a project togetha

/tomcrean
Reason we’re reading: Crean previously got this dig in.
Recent post: 3:57 p.m. July 3rd — should be following Cal but there is probably not room for me. Is he over 100,000,000 followers yet? Only a matter of time.

/TonyHawk
Reason we’re reading: He’s Bart Simpson’s favorite skateboarder.
Recent post: 10:41 AM Jul 5th — Roddick is still the man. I am proud to say that I played doubles against him... and lost.

/Travon31Bellamy
Reason we’re reading: If Illini safety has girlfriend, hope she didn’t read this.
Recent post: 9:41 PM Jun 15th — I‘m a huge fan of medical school girl aka Tia Mowry from the show The Game!!! She is wifey material all the way!!!

/tsnmike
Reason we’re reading: One of our favorite college hoops writers, Mike DeCourcy, had good news for Illini fans from the LeBron James Skills Academy.
Recent post: 8:36 AM Jul 8th — Crandall Head -- blind, between his legs pass on the break. Illinois -- you’ve got your next D. Williams!

/ukCoachCalipari
Reason we’re reading: We heard Calipari and Crean are engaging in dueling tweets.
Recent post: 12:10 p.m. July 7th — Talked 2 Tom Crean about playing in Indy/Louisville for our series. He said that we are playin everywhere but Butte, Montana & Fargo, ND...

/wildcats
Reason we’re reading: Twitter site of former News-Gazette college basketball beat writer Brett Dawson, who’s now covering Kentucky for the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Recent post: 1:59 PM Jul 6th—  Watching Juwan Howard’s son in an AAU basketball tournament makes me feel old.