Waynesburg University pushes back against online hoax
The “fake news” accusation gets tossed around a lot, particularly by public officials who don’t like what the media is reporting.
But officials at Waynesburg University are pushing back against something that is really, truly, honestly fake news.
On Tuesday night, someone posted a wholly fake but convincing-looking press release on the social media site Yik Yak stating that the university would be discontinuing its varsity football program starting in the 2026-27 academic year “and transition the sport into a women’s varsity flag football program.”
The fake press release contained made-up quotes from Douglas G. Lee, the university’s president, about the football program and that “leadership identified women’s flag football as a rapidly growing collegiate sport that aligns with enrollment goals, student interests and opportunities for competitive success.”
Also posted to Yik Yak was a fake press release from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference praising the decision and a mock social media post from the Observer-Reporter about it.
Stacey Brodiak, Waynesburg University’s vice president for Institutional Advancement and University Relations, said in a statement, “We are aware that recent false information about our football program was posted on an anonymous local social platform. Various Waynesburg University staff members have been communicating with students about the false information that is circulating.”
She added, “Furthermore, as found on our official website in the careers section, you will see that we have launched a national search for a football coach and have already received a large number of applicants for this role.”
In the football season that just wrapped up, the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets had a 4-6 record. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference also includes Washington & Jefferson, Bethany and Saint Vincent colleges, and other colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Dr. Cornelius Coleman, who had been the Yellow Jackets’ head football coach, was dismissed from his job earlier this month after four seasons.
The team did not have a winning season during Coleman’s tenure.
Brodiak also said, “Waynesburg University would like to state that factual information and official news from the university will appear on waynesburg.edu or on waynesburgsports.com, as well as the university’s official social media platforms.”