Texas Rio Grande Valley Athletics

• All photo/video requests must be coordinated in advance through the Athletics Communications Office.
• Media, freelance photographers, and videographers must be credentialed prior to receiving sideline or restricted area access.
• Credentials are issued only to working media, approved freelancers, or institutional staff. Bloggers, personal content creators, or family members are generally not credentialed unless approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Credentialed individuals must follow the media code of conduct: no cheering, negative comments, or interference with officials, athletes, or staff. Violations may result in immediate revocation of access.
• Football media credential requests: five days prior to the event.

• Standard photography/videography requests: at least 24 hours prior to the event.
• Television, radio, or webcast requests: at least 48 hours prior.
• Football media credential requests: five days prior to the event.
• Interview requests: Please refer to the interview polices section.

• Photographers must wear media passes at all times (provided by the Athletics Communications Office).
• Designated shooting areas must be respected (e.g., outside of team bench areas, at least 4–5 yards from field boundaries, restricted to baselines in gyms, etc.). 
• No photography directly in bench areas. Maintain safe distances from substitution zones, team personnel, game officials, and operational staff.
• Pool deck, tennis courts, and specialty venues require additional permission from Athletics Communications staff or coaches and access only during natural breaks in play.
• Flash photography is prohibited in all venues. 

• Photos and videos must be used solely for the media outlet or opposing institution that received credentials.
• Images may not be sold, provided to student-athletes/families, or used for personal promotion without prior written consent from Athletics Communications and the Director of Athletics.
• When working on behalf of the host Athletics Communications Office or any W&L program, all captured content must be shared with the Athletics Communications staff and in turn the specific programs captured. 

• Credential requests must be submitted through the Athletics Communications Office.
• Season-long or single-game requests are subject to space and staff availability.
• Freelance photographers/videographers representing visiting teams must have requests submitted by the visiting school’s Athletics Communications Office.
• There is no designated media or credential parking at any Washington and Lee University venue.

• Wireless internet is available at most home venues; Ethernet or static IP requests for broadcast teams must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
• Ethernet lines are available at designated broadcast locations, subject to availability.

• All media and credentialed photographers/videographers assume personal risk when capturing content on campus and especially within the restricted access areas. Potential hazards include errant balls, athletes leaving the field of play, and routine event operations.
• Violations of policy and continued actions deemed unsafe to credentialed workers, W&L personnel or student-athletes may result in removal from the venue and denial of future credentials.
• The University is not liable for any equipment damages or personal injuries obtained during athletics events. 

The Department of Athletic Communications coordinates all interviews between departmental staff or student-athletes and legitimate representatives of press or media outlets, including radio, television, the internet and other publications. All requests for interviews received by Department personnel should be referred to the Athletic Communications staff. The granting of an interview that may address any controversial issue or matter under investigation is subject to prior approval of Washington and Lee administration.

All coaches and student-athletes are encouraged to participate in interview sessions in order to generate positive publicity and present the best possible image of the University, including one of good sportsmanship. While every effort will be made to accommodate all needs, coach and student-athlete availability is determined on an event-by-event basis in accordance to their athletic and academic schedules. These individuals also reserve the right to deny an interview request.

• Student-athletes and coaches are available to internal and external media throughout the week for mid-week interviews. Director of Athletics Communications, Sydney Anderson (sanderson@wlu.edu), will coordinate interview requests with a minimum of 24 hours notice and advance notice of the topic of your interview for all student-based, internal and external media members. A member of the Athletic Communications Staff will be present during the interview at the request of the coach or student-athlete. 
• The Director of Athletics Communications may request advance notice of the subject, topic, or questions prepared for your interview. Failure to do so may result in a request rejection. 
• Direct contact with student-athletes (residences, phones, emails, social media) is prohibited.
• Interviews are treated as part of the educational experience, helping student-athletes build communication and professional skills. 
• The interviewee or staff reserve the right to end an interview at any time. 
• To better provide complete service and help fully understand your interview needs, please fill out the Media Interview Request Form.

Post-game interviews are coordinated following the event and can be conducted on the fields/court or outside the locker rooms following a mandatory ten minute cool down period. Washington and Lee has a closed locker room policy and interviews are not to be conducted in the locker room areas. For post-game access, simply locate a member of the athletic communications staff with your interview requests. We will assist in ushering those players from the locker room for your convenience and remain present during the interview.

• Postgame interviews occur following a mandatory 10-minute cool-down period and will be arranged by Athletics Communications staff outside of locker rooms (closed locker room policy applies).
• Coaches and student-athletes are encouraged to participate in interviews as part of the University’s commitment to positive publicity and sportsmanship, but reserve the right to deny requests.
• Interviews are treated as part of the educational experience, helping student-athletes build communication and professional skills.

• All mid-week interviews require at least 24 hours notice and must be coordinated through the Athletic Communications Office. A staff member may be present at the request of the coach or student-athlete.
• Direct contact with student-athletes (residences, phones, emails, social media) is prohibited.
• Advance notice of interview subjects/topics/questions may required by Athletics Communications staff or interviewees. Failure to comply may result in request denial.
• Requests must be referred to the Athletic Communications Office and approved in advance.
• Controversial issues or matters under investigation require administrative approval.

Interviews are viewed as a part of the educational experience offered at Washington & Lee, helping the student-athlete develop communication skills that can assist not only in the classroom but in future professional and business careers. Interviews can be a very valuable part of a student-athlete's life at W&L. They can serve as a great learning and growing experience for you. This growth and personal confidence can be carried throughout life and the policies the Athletic Communications Office practices will allow the student-athlete to be prepared, confident and feel safe throughout the process. 

We encourage student-athletes to make themselves available to the media, especially because student-athletes have been tremendous representatives of Washington and Lee University. We as that all interview requests are directed through the athletic communications office. Student-athlete phone numbers, email addresses, home address or additional phone numbers should never be given to the media. These rules were established in an effort to reduce disruptions to the student-athletes' schedule and also to avoid any attempts to gain information for other purposes outside of media information. 

Athletics Communications personnel will not provide members of the media with home or cell numbers of student-athletes and coaches without expressed permission. If a telephone or video interview is requested, the Director of Athletics for Communications will ask that the selected student-athlete/coach to return the phone call at a designated time or work with W&L staff to coordinate the video call. 

It is strongly suggested that any phone call placed by a student-athlete or coach to be dialed beginning with *67, to prevent the inadvertent distribution of their phone number.

Head coaches, along with the Athletic Communications staff, may wish to provide their student-athletes with specific guidelines for speaking to media representatives. While different guidelines may be appropriate for different sports, all coaches should include instructions on responding to both typical and high stress situations, which may occur during or after a game.

• Advance notice of interview subjects/topics/questions may required by Athletics Communications staff or interviewees. Failure to comply may result in request denial.
• Controversial issues or matters under investigation require administrative approval.
• The Director of Athletics Communications may request advance notice of the subject, topic, or questions prepared for your interview. Failure to do so may result in a request rejection.
• The interviewee or staff reserve the right to end an interview at any time and deny requests at any time.