Ahletics in the age of digital media: Viral video targets high school basketball’s dirtiest players

One day Cole Vanderbilt was just an unknown high school basketball player from Washington state. The next he was billed as the dirtiest high school player in the country. The hate directed toward Vanderbilt wasn’t completely irrational. When a fan of a rival team filmed Vanderbilt and his teammates commit numerous fouls, he posted the recording to YouTube to demonstrate that the league needed better officials. Indeed, Vanderbilt’s actions did shock the collective conscience of sports fans. Nevertheless, some critics have pointed out that criticism of Vanderbilt has also been over the top. His coach, for instance, has called the mean comments about him “unfair.” Other critics have called criticism of Vanderbilt disgusting, and the fan who posted the video immoral and hypocritical.

For more on Cole Vanderbilt and the game that made him a viral hit on YouTube. see the following video:

Discussion Questions:

1.  Was Cole Vanderbilt’s rough play really that shocking?

2.  Did Vanderbilt deserve the attention he received for his rough housing?

3.  How has digital media impacted athletics?