University of Iowa: Restrictions on Student-Athletes’ Social Media Use

As the University of Iowa’s football program suspended its strength and conditioning coach, Chris Doyle, following former players’ allegations of race-based misconduct, reports emerged that the team had long banned players from using social media. On June 8, 2020, FIRE wrote to the university’s leadership seeking clarification and transparency as to what restrictions had been imposed on student athlete expression, explaining that the First Amendment protects student-athletes’ use of social media, and requesting public records concerning its past and current policies.