In lieu of the Manti Te’o saga, University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon went as far as simulating the Te’o-Lennay Kekua hoax with some UM athletes.
Brandon spoke at an event in Toledo this morning, and according to Eleven Warriors reporter, Kyle Rowland, he mentioned that the Athletic Department intentionally catfished some of their athletes.
Brandon said the athletic department catfished several athletes to teach them the dangers of social networking. Very interesting.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) February 1, 2013
On the UM catfishing: They had an attractive female contact athletes on social media. Some athlete responses were wholly inappropriate.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) February 1, 2013
Brandon had meeting with players, and the girl walked in. Athletes were shocked, but it was valuable lesson in dangers of social media.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) February 1, 2013
This is probably not as bad of an idea as it sounds, and it wouldn’t come as shock if other Athletic Departments followed suit to protect them from Lennay Kekua type incidents.