NCAA Recruiting Rules
NCAA rules regulate when and how a staff member of an NCAA institution can recruit a prospective student-athlete. Below are some common questions and answers related to when and how coaches can recruit prospective student-athletes. Violations of NCAA recruiting rules can impact a prospective-student-athlete’s eligibility.
- What is a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade.
- What is an official visit?
An official visit is when a PSA’s visit to an institution is paid in part or in full by the institution. For example, on a PSA’s official visit, the institution may pay for the PSA’s travel to campus, the meals and lodging of the PSA and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). A PSA can take as many official visits as he/she wants to take but cannot take any more than one official visit per institution, regardless of how many sports for which he/she is being recruited. Additionally, a PSA cannot take an official visit to an institution until June 15 prior to his/her junior year in high school.
- How long can an official visit last?
An official visit can last no longer than 48 hours.
- Are there any requirements that a PSA must meet prior to taking an official visit?
Prior to taking an official visit, a high school PSA must be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center (www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org). Additionally, the PSA must submit a copy of his/her current high school transcripts (official or unofficial) to the institution.
- What is an unofficial visit?
An unofficial visit is when a PSA visits an institution at his/her own expense. An institution may provide a PSA (and the PSA’s relatives or legal guardians) with one meal either on or off the institution’s campus. At Wingate University this one meal could be provided to the PSA (and the PSA’s relatives or legal guardians) in addition to the one meal that the Office of Admissions provides to all prospective students in the on-campus dining facilities. Additionally, a PSA can take an unofficial visit at any time, other than during a dead period.
- What is a dead period?
The NCAA publishes separate recruiting calendars for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football and all other sports. These recruiting calendars dictate what type of recruiting activities coaches can participate in throughout the year. Each recruiting calendar includes portions of the year called dead periods. During such dead periods it is impermissible for a coach to make in-person recruiting contacts and evaluations on or off the member institution’s campus.
- What other restrictions do the various recruiting calendars include?
The recruiting calendars for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball include contact periods, evaluation periods and quiet periods in addition to dead periods. The recruiting calendars for other sports only include dead periods. Contact periods are those periods in which a coach may make in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and evaluations. Evaluation periods are those periods in which a coach can be involved in off-campus activities designed to assess the academic qualifications and playing abilities of PSAs. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall be made with a PSA during an evaluation period. Quiet periods are those periods in which a coach can make in-person recruiting contacts only on the member institution’s campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period.
- When can a coach start calling a PSA on the phone?
A coach can start calling a PSA June 15 prior to the PSA’s junior year in high school. From that point forward a coach can make unlimited phone calls to a PSA.
- Can a coach send a PSA text messages?
Yes, a coach can begin text messaging a PSA beginning June 15 prior to the PSA’s junior year in high school.
- When can a coach start making in-person, off-campus contacts with a PSA?
A coach can begin making in-person, off-campus contacts with a PSA beginning June 15 prior to the PSA’s junior year in high school.
- Can a PSA call a coach?
A PSA can call a coach at any time. However, the PSA should remember that a coach could only call the PSA back if the PSA has surpassed June 15 prior to their junior year in high school.
- Can a coach Tweet at or about a PSA?
A coaching staff member is not allowed to Tweet at or about a PSA until the PSA has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or athletics grant-in-aid with the institution.
- Can a coach post something on Facebook about or to a PSA?
A coaching staff member is not allowed to post anything on Facebook about or to a PSA until the PSA has signed a NLI or athletics grant-in-aid with the institution.
- Can a coach post something about a PSA on Instagram?
A coaching staff member is not allowed to post anything about or to a PSA on Instagram until the PSA has signed a NLI or athletics grant-in-aid with the institution.
