Virginia Tech is looking into the circumstances surrounding the use of several current and former football players in promotional material for commercial events held in Hampton Roads, according to a report in Tech's student newspaper.
The Collegiate Times said it had seen photos showing players - among them quarterback Tyrod Taylor and safety Kam Chancellor - in a variety of posters publicizing parties and other events. A host of NCAA rules govern these type of situations, and two key issues involve whether the players were compensated for having their picture or name on the posters and whether they granted permission for the publicity material.
Tim Parker, Tech's senior assistant director of athletics for compliance, told The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday that these kinds of situations are not uncommon and that he was confident the matter would be resolved quickly.
"We run into this type of situation a couple times a year, where a promoter will use an athlete's name or likeness to promote an event,"
Parker said. "Our staff has had conversation with both players, and we've been assured that they were unaware of the use of their image or their name prior to these events. And that's really the key element."
"Their names and images were used without their permission. That's what we know right now. I'm going to have a more extensive conversation with them tomorrow."
In addition to Taylor and Chancellor, the Collegiate Times also said the name or likeness of tight end Greg Boone was on the posters. Former players Purnell Sturdivant and Branden Ore were named as well.
"Most major programs have to deal with this every year,"
Parker said. "There are things I need to find out. We'll find out if they were at the event, whether they received anything."
"If it had turned out that these guys knew about (the use of their name or image) in advance, we would have to submit that as a violation. ... But based on what I've been told, I have no reason to believe a violation occurred."
The most recent event cited by the paper was a Jan. 4 party at the Peppermint Beach Club in Virginia Beach . The paper also said a March 1, 2008, event at Lake Wright Golf Course was hosted by Taylor and Chancellor, according to a flier.
