Not one of the photos sent to M. Dianne Murphy

Bwog has obtained a memo sent from M. Dianne Murphy, the director of Athletics, to the head coaches of Columbia’s sports teams. In the memo, Murphy explains that someone sent her an anonymous email (and we thought we were the only ones getting anonymous tips) with photos of Columbia athletes “engaging in inappropriate activities” (i.e. underage drinking) “in a local restaurant/bar” (begging the question: EC, Heights, or Campo?) while wearing Columbia athletics apparel.

Wherever the pictures were taken, Murphy was not happy to receive them. She let the coaches know that, telling them: “You should be disappointed…regardless of whether or not your team is involved.”

For shame, athletes, for shame.

Here’s the full memo:

Date: March 13, 2013

To: Head Coaches

From: M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education

Re: URGENT – Student-athlete Behavior

Earlier today, I received an anonymous email containing several images of Columbia student-athletes engaging in inappropriate activities, including public underage drinking, while wearing our official team-issued apparel in a local restaurant/bar.

This is totally unacceptable and extremely disappointing.

Our athletics program is one of the most public facets of the University. When our student-athletes behave in such a manner, it can have repercussions not for our athletics program and our individual varsity teams, but the entire University. As a head coach at Columbia, you should be disappointed that any of our student-athletes would decide to conduct themselves in this way – regardless of whether or not your team is involved.

This is a very teachable moment for all of our student-athletes. We can all appreciate the fact that our student-athletes work very hard throughout the school year, on both academic and athletic pursuits. However, we would be remiss if we didn’t take the time to remind our student-athletes about how visible they are within the community, and how their actions in public and even online (on facebook or other social media) have the ability to tarnish the reputation of the entire athletics program, if they are not careful.

It expect that all of our head coaches will address this matter immediately with their teams, especially our captains and other team leaders. Our student-athletes must understand that they are perceived as ambassadors of the University when they are out in public, especially when wearing our official team apparel.

I am sure that the email that I received is part of a unique situation – and I will not receive another similar email any time soon.

I know that I can count on you to help our student-athletes understand our expectations. Thanks so much.

CC: Sports Program Administrators

Drunk athlete via Shutterstock