Follow Big Sky Compliance on Twitter!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BFG FAQ
February 8, 2010
1
Any questions related to the issues noted within this educational column should be directed to the Basketball Focus Group staff.
Definition of "Individual Associated With A Prospect"
Q1: How long does the status of "individual associated with a prospect" (IAWP) remain attached to a specific individual?
A1: The IAWP status is not indefinite like that of a booster in NCAA Bylaw 13.02.13. IAWP status is prospect specific and, once attached, stays with the IAWP throughout the involved prospect's recruitment and tenure at any secondary education and/or NCAA institution. Once the prospect/student-athlete has exhausted his eligibility at the institution, the involved individual is no longer considered an IAWP for that particular prospect. It is possible to be considered an IAWP for multiple prospects at any time.
Institutional Camp Operation
Q1: Are institutions allowed to operate elite men's/boys' basketball camps under the new NCAA Board of Directors' interpretations?
A1: An institution may operate any type of basketball camp (i.e., father/son camp, position camp, team camp, individual camp, etc.) as long as all camps are conducted in the same manner. Inevitably, there will be distinctions to be drawn between certain types of camps (e.g., father/son vs. team camp); but at a minimum, all camps must have the same advertising and registration procedure, fee and employment structure, lodging, meals, transportation, and awards. Based on the requirement that all camps be conducted in the same or comparable manner, it is not likely that an elite camp, as most have been operated over the past few years, will meet the new requirements. If an institution decides to run an elite camp, any deviation in logistics will be viewed as highly suspect by the enforcement staff.
Q2: Are institutions allowed to host two camps of different lengths (e.g., one-day camp vs. three-day camp with lodging provided)?
A2: Yes. An institution may operate two camps for different lengths of time as long as they are conducted in a similar manner. In addition, if an institution operates a five-day camp, the cost of that camp must be used in determining the cost of all other camps conducted. For example, if the cost of the five-day camp excluding lodging is $500, then the minimum that should be charged for the one-day camp should be $100.
Q3: Do the camp logistics have to be identical for all camps?
A3: No. In some instances, a violation will not result if the circumstances are not exactly the same. For example, if the campers stay in Dorm A for one camp and Dorm B for another, there may be no violation if the amenities for both dorms are comparable. However, if there are significant qualitative differences in Dorm A and B, and the dorm with more amenities is used during the camp when the institution's top prospect is attending, the use of such a dorm will be highly scrutinized. Each situation will be analyzed based on the specific facts and circumstances.
Q4: Would it be permissible for an institution to add a camp to the schedule at the last minute?
A4: Yes. The institution may conduct any camp provided that all camps are logistically operated and advertised in the same manner. The duration of advertising will be a critical factor in the analysis of a "pop-up camp" and may be a significant hurdle in ensuring consistency among the camps. Please note that such a last-minute addition to the schedule will be scrutinized and reviewed based on the totality of the circumstances.
Q5: Is it still permissible to grant reduced entry to a camp for an institutional staff member's son if the institution is recruiting the son?
A5: Yes. It would be permissible to grant a reduced admission for an institutional staff member's son provided that institutional procedures are followed and all institutional staff members are given the opportunity for reduced entry.
Definition of "Recruited Prospect"
Q1: There is a new definition of a "recruited prospect," which includes any prospect who has initiated contact with men's basketball staff members. If a prospect calls the institution one time and requests a camp brochure, is that sufficient for the prospect to become a "recruited" prospect?
A1: A single, isolated request for a camp brochure from a prospect will likely not trigger "recruited" status, but all facts and circumstances relating to interactions between the coaching staff and the prospect or his IAWPs must be considered in the analysis. For example, if the evidence shows that there was only one contact between the coaching staff and the prospect (e.g., a request for a camp brochure), but there were a significant number of contemporaneous contacts with an IAWP, that prospect will be deemed to be a recruited prospect.
Q2: Does the mass mailing of camp brochures trigger recruited status for each prospect who receives the brochure as part of that mass mailing?
A2: No. A mass mailing of camp brochures does not automatically trigger recruited status, but all facts and circumstances relating to any contemporaneous interactions between coaching staff members and the prospect or his IAWPs must be considered.
Q3: Does the mailing of a questionnaire trigger recruited status?
A3: No. The lone act of mailing of a questionnaire does not automatically trigger recruited status. Nevertheless, any contemporaneous interactions between coaching staff members and the prospect or his IAWPs can trigger recruited status.
Q4: How long does a prospect retain recruited status?
A4: A prospect retains "recruited" status until the prospect:
1. Enrolls at another NCAA institution; or
2. If that prospect is currently enrolled at your institution, after that specific prospect has graduated or is no longer eligible under NCAA rules for competition at the institution. Thus it is not permissible to employ an individual who is associated with a recruited prospect who is now a currently enrolled student-athlete.
Q5: Does the new definition of a "recruited prospect" impact financial aid legislation?
A5: No. The definition relates only to the application of NCAA institutional camp and clinic legislation. As such, recruited status under Bylaw 13.02.12.1 remains applicable for purposes of applying other NCAA legislation (e.g., outside aid awards).
Camp Employment
Q1: Is it ever permissible to hire an IAWP to work the institution's men's basketball camps?
A1: Yes. It is important to remember that the prohibition on camp employment applies only to an IAWP who is tied to a recruited prospect (IAWRP). Therefore, it would be permissible to hire an IAWP to work camp if that IAWP is not tied to a prospect that the institution is or has recruited as defined by the new definition of a "recruited prospect."
Q2: Is there any exception to the prohibition against camp employment for a high school coach associated with a recruited prospect if the high school coach has worked the institution's camps?
A2: No. There are no exceptions to the camp employment prohibition if the individual is associated with a recruited prospect, regardless of any prior institutional camp employment.
Q3: What is the duration of the camp employment prohibition for an IAWRP?
A3: An IAWRP could not be employed to work an institution's camp until that specific recruited prospect:
1. Enrolls at another NCAA institution; or
2. Has exhausted eligibility at your institution. Thus, it is not permissible to employ an IAWRP at the institution's camp until the recruited student-athlete is no longer eligible to represent the institution.
Q4: Can an IAWRP serve as a volunteer at a camp?
A4: No. An IAWRP cannot be employed on a volunteer basis or in any capacity at an institutional men's basketball camp.
Q5: Is it permissible for a middle school coach from the same school system of a recruited prospect to be hired to work camp?
A5: It depends on whether the middle school coach has sufficient ties to the prospect to achieve IAWP status with regard to that prospect. The determination of the status is person-to-prospect specific.
Q6. There are some instances when coaches identify a prospect late in the recruiting process. Is it permissible to employ a high school coach to work camp in June 2010 if the institution subsequently recruits the high school coach's player after the start of camp?
A6: If the institution has not triggered the recruitment of the prospect at the time of the high school coach's employment, there will be no violation. It would be permissible to subsequently recruit the prospect, but that particular high school coach could not be employed at camp contemporaneously with recruitment until that prospect enrolled elsewhere or the prospect was no longer eligible for competition at your institution.
Q7: Is it permissible to employ a third party entity (e.g., professional service, distribution company) to handle the registration and fees process associated with camp?
A7: Yes. It would be permissible to use an outside agency, provided that an IAWRP does not have a proprietary or financial interest in such a service. The institution is responsible for ensuring that all of the logistics handled by the outside agency meet the requirements of NCAA legislation. It also is strongly recommended that the institution include a provision in any such contract that the outside agency grant access to the institution and NCAA to any and all camp-related records.
Q8: Institutional camps routinely use the services of referees going through training or a certification process during competition conducted at the camps. Would an institution have to identify whether any such referee was an IAWRP?
A8: If the referees are assigned for participation by an outside agency, the institution would only be required to determine whether an IAWRP has a proprietary or financial interest in that agency. If the institution actually makes the decision to hire or employ specific referees, then the institution is responsible for determining whether each referee is an IAWRP.
Q9: Is it permissible for a high school coach to coach his team at an institution's team camp?
A9: Yes. A high school coach who is tied to a recruited prospect may still attend team camp to coach his team. However, such a coach cannot be employed or receive any financial benefit (e.g., free lodging, transportation, etc.) from the institution.
Q10: May a currently enrolled student-athlete who has a prospect-aged sibling be employed at the institution's camp?
A10: Yes. Provided that all men's basketball student-athletes are given the opportunity to work camp, there would be no violation. If only a limited number of student-athletes are offered employment, and the institution is recruiting the younger brother, then the prospect's brother could not be employed.
Q11: Can a newly hired assistant coach who is not officially on the payroll work an institutional men's basketball camp?
A11: If the new hire is an IAWRP, it would not be permissible for that individual to work camp unless he was officially employed by the institution at the time of the camp. For example, an IAWRP could not be employed at a June camp if he is not scheduled to begin full-time duties for the institution until August. Only currently employed men's basketball staff members are permitted to work the institution's camp.
Q12: Is it permissible for the institution to employ a former student-athlete to work camp?
A12: Such employment would be precluded if the former student-athlete is an IAWRP.
Donations to Nonprofit Organizations
Q1: Is the institution or coaching staff precluded from making a donation to the United Way or Coaches vs. Cancer?
A1: The determination of whether a donation to a nonprofit organization is permissible is dependent on what individuals or entities receive financial benefits from the nonprofit organization. The fact that an IAWP is tied to a nonprofit does not necessarily preclude the donation. The key is determining who benefits from the nonprofit organization. It is not permissible to donate to a nonprofit organization that provides financial benefits to:
1. A nonscholastic team;
2. Specific prospective student-athlete(s); or
3. An IAWP.
If the nonprofit organization does not benefit the proscribed entity or individual, a donation would be permissible.
Q2: Is it permissible for a coaching staff to provide items of value to a nonprofit organization for use in an auction (e.g., autographed memorabilia)?
A2: Any type of donation would be precluded if the nonprofit organization provides financial benefits to:
1. A nonscholastic team;
2. Specific prospective student-athlete(s); or
3. An IAWP.
Q3: Is it permissible for a coach to merely attend a fund-raiser for a nonprofit organization that provides financial benefits to a nonscholastic team?
A3: No. Because the nonprofit organization derives financial benefit from the fact that NCAA Division I coaches are present, attendance at such an event will be deemed to be a donation and, thus, impermissible.
Q4: Is it permissible for a booster to make donations to a nonprofit organization that benefits any of the proscribed individuals or entities?
A4: Booster donations to such a nonprofit entity will be scrutinized based on the following factors:
1. Whether the entity or individual is located in the community in which the booster resides;
2. Whether the booster is acting independently of the institution's recruiting interests;
3. Whether the funds are distributed through established channels in place for the nonprofit organization conducting the fund-raising activity; and
4. Whether the funds were earmarked directly for any specific prospective student-athlete.
Any donation by a booster that benefits a proscribed individual or entity outside of the booster's local community will be presumed to be a violation.
Provision of Tickets to an Institution's Contests
Q1: Is it permissible to provide hard tickets to an IAWP for an institution's contests?
A1: No. An IAWP should only be receiving tickets pursuant to the complimentary admission legislation set forth in Bylaw 13.8.1 or as part of the official or unofficial visit entertainment rules. An IAWP should not have access to tickets, including from the coaches' allotment, that are not available through the institution's complimentary admissions policies.
Q2: Is there a pre-existing relationship exception for the provision of tickets to an institution's contest?
A2: No. If an individual is deemed to be an IAWP, the provision of a coach's discretionary tickets to that individual constitutes an inducement pursuant to Bylaw 13 or an extra benefit pursuant to Bylaw 16. There is no pre-existing relationship exception.
Any questions related to the issues noted within this educational column should be directed to the Basketball Focus Group staff.
Notice about Educational Columns: Educational columns are not official or staff interpretations. They are intended to assist the membership by providing examples, scenarios and reminders related to legislation and interpretations at the time of publication. Member institutions are reminded to review the referenced bylaws and interpretations to ensure correct application of current rules and regulations.
ONLINE PUBLICATION ED COLUMN
Scenario: An institution posts its media guide on its Web site. In addition, the institution creates a multimedia presentation to provide general information regarding its athletics program (or specific sport), and posts the presentation to its Web site. The multimedia presentation is available on the main page of the athletics portion of the institutional Web site (or specific sport subpage) and is accessible to any viewer of the site.
Question: May an institution's head coach send a hyperlink of the media guide and the multimedia presentation to a prospective student-athlete?
Answer: If the multimedia presentation was not created for a recruiting purpose, then the coach may send a hyperlink of each to the prospective student-athlete. If created to be used in the recruiting process, however, then the multimedia presentation would be an impermissible second athletics recruiting publication and could not be provided to the prospective student-athlete. Creation for use in the recruiting process may be evidenced by institutional labeling of the program, regardless of its access to the general public, or by placement on a separate recruiting page of the institution's Web site, regardless of how the program is labeled.
NEW ED COLUMNS
Proposal No. 2009-44 Recruiting -- Recruiting Materials -- Video/Audio Materials and Computer Generated Recruiting Presentations (I)
Date Published: January 14, 2010
Item Ref: 23
Educational Column
Question: May an institution provide a computer generated recruiting presentation to a prospective student-athlete?
Answer: Yes, an institution may provide a computer generated recruiting presentation to a prospective student-athlete on an electronic media storage device (e.g., CD, flash drive) or via e-mail (e.g., attachment, hyperlink). However, it is not permissible to send a computer generated recruiting presentation to a prospective student-athlete as an attachment to e-mail if the presentation includes any animation, audio or video clips (see Bylaw 13.4.1.2).
Question: What does the phrase "created for recruiting purposes" mean?
Answer: An item is considered to be "created for recruiting purposes" if it is specifically directed toward prospective student-athletes. For example, if a video of an institution's facilities includes narration that is directed to prospective student-athletes ("If you attend University X, these are the locker room facilities you will use") it is considered to be created for recruiting purposes; however, if the video is intended to simply provide a virtual tour of the facilities, which is available for the general public to view, without narration or with only generic narration, the video will not be considered to be created for recruiting purposes. While an item may have an indirect recruiting effect (e.g., video of facilities allows prospective student-athletes to compare facilities of different institutions), it is not considered to be created for recruiting purposes for that reason alone.Proposal No. 2009-41 Recruiting -- Recruiting Materials -- Athletics Publications -- No Printed Media Guides or Recruiting Brochures (I)
Proposal No. 2009-41 Recruiting -- Recruiting Materials -- Athletics Publications -- No Printed Media Guides or Recruiting Brochures (I)
Date Published: January 14, 2010
Item Ref: 20
Educational Column
Question: Is it permissible for the institution to place a media guide on an electronic media storage device (e.g., CD, flash drive) and provide it to a prospective student-athlete?
Answer: Yes.
Question: May an institution print a media guide in order to sell it to the media, general public or alumni?
Answer: No.
Question: Does the proposal preclude the printing of things such as season ticket brochures, foundation newsletters/annual reports, marketing solicitations and the like?
Answer: No. The proposal's intent is to preclude the printing of media guides and similar publications, not publications that are unrelated to media guides or are not created for recruiting purposes.
Notice about Educational Columns and Hot Topics: Educational columns and hot topics are not official or staff interpretations. They are intended to assist the membership by providing examples, scenarios and reminders related to legislation and interpretations at the time of publication. Member institutions are reminded to review the referenced bylaws and interpretations to ensure correct application of current rules and regulations.
NEW INTERPS
Camps/Clinics -- Ownership by Multiple Institutions (I/II/III)
Date Published: February 11, 2010
Item Ref: a
The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that a camp or clinic is considered an institutional camp or clinic if an institution or multiple institutions is a majority owner (e.g., 51 percent). Further, the camp or clinic is considered an institutional camp or clinic for all institutions with any percentage of ownership (e.g., Institution A owns 40 percent and Institution B owns 25 percent, total ownership equals 65 percent and the camp or clinic is considered an institutional camp or clinic for both institutions). [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.12.1.1 (definition) and 13.12.2.3.3 (noninstitutional privately owned camps/clinics -- sports other than basketball and football); Division II Bylaws 13.12.1.1 (definition) and 13.12.2.3.3 (other noninstitutional privately owned camps/clinics); Division III Bylaws 13.12.1.1 (definition) and 13.12.4 (privately owned camp); and official interpretation (2/1/90, Item No. 12)]
Donations Made for Prospective or Currently Enrolled Student-Athletes to Outside Team or Organization (I/II/III)
Date Published: February 11, 2010
Item Ref: b
The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that donations made by individuals other than a prospective or currently enrolled student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians (e.g., neighbors, businesses) to an outside team or organization in the name of or on behalf of the prospective or currently enrolled student-athlete are precluded, inasmuch as these donations would be considered "earmarked" for the prospective or currently enrolled student-athlete. However, it is permissible for such individuals to make a donation to the general fund of the outside team or organization, provided it is not credited to a particular prospective or currently enrolled student-athlete. [References NCAA Division I Bylaws 12.1.2 (amateur status), 12.1.2.1.4.3 (expenses from outside team or organization) and 12.1.2.1.4.5 (expenses from sponsor other than parents/legal guardians or nonprofessional sponsor of event); Division II Bylaws 12.1.2.1.4.3 (expenses from outside team or organization) and 12.1.2.1.4.5 (expenses from sponsor other than parents/legal guardians or nonprofessional sponsor of event); Division III Bylaws 12.1.3 (amateurism status -- prior to initial, full-time collegiate enrollment), 12.1.4 (amateurism status -- delayed collegiate enrollment) and 12.1.5 (amateurism status -- following initial, full time collegiate enrollment); and staff interpretation (9/21/90, item d)]
BASKETBALL INTERPS!
November 4, 2009
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors used its authority set forth in NCAA Constitution 5.4.1.1 to issue the following interpretations related to men's basketball:
1. The definition of an "individual associated with a prospect" is any person who maintains (or directs others to maintain) contact with the prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians, or coaches at any point during the prospective student-athlete's participation in basketball, and whose contact is directly or indirectly related to the prospective student-athlete's:
a. Athletic skills and abilities; or
b. Recruitment by or enrollment in an NCAA institution.
This definition includes, but is not limited to, parents, legal guardians, handlers, personal trainers and coaches. An individual who meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospect retains that status during the enrollment of that prospect at that institution.
2. It is not permissible for an institution or men's basketball staff member to employ (i.e., volunteer or paid) an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete at the institution's or men's basketball staff member's camp or clinic.
3. It is not permissible for an institutional or men's basketball staff member's basketball camp to offer a different participation, registration procedure, fee structure, advertisement and/or logistical experience (e.g., lodging, meals, transportation or awards/mementos) than the other men's/boys' basketball camps operated by the institution or men's basketball staff.
4. It is not permissible for an institution or a men's basketball staff member to provide money to a nonprofit foundation that expends funds for the benefit of a nonscholastic team, prospective student-athlete(s) or an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation would occur even if the foundation provides funding to or services for both prospective student-athletes and individuals younger than prospect age.
5. It is not permissible for an institution or a men's basketball staff member to provide a consulting fee to an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete or to a consulting firm in which an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete has a proprietary or financial interest.
6. It is not permissible for a men's basketball staff member to place a telephone call to a 1-900 number connected to a prospect or an individual associated with a prospect.
7. It is not permissible for a men's basketball staff member or a representative of the institution's athletics interests to be involved in any way in the operation or planning of a men's basketball nonscholastic event on its campus. [Note: Contracts signed by boosters before October 29, 2009, may be honored.]
[References: Bylaws 13.2.1 (general regulation), 13.11.1 (prohibited activities), 13.12.1.1 (definition), 13.12.2.2 (high school, preparatory-school, two-year college coaches or other individuals involved with prospective student-athletes) and 13.15.1 (prohibited expenses); and official interpretation (8/6/87, Item No. 10), which has been archived.]
2009-2010 RECRUITING CALENDARS
Download your Football, Volleyball, Cross Country/Track, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Softball or other sports recruiting calendar here!
DEAD PERIOD REMINDER
Dead period for football surrounding the annual convention of the AFCA. Click here for more information.
UPDATED INTERPS ON LSDBi
Contributions to an Organization Consisting of Prospects and Nonprospects -- Sports Other Than Men's Basketball (I)
Date Published: December 18, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that, in sports other than men's basketball, it is permissible for a member institution's coach or a representative of its athletics interests to contribute to an organization that may consist in part of prospective student-athletes (e.g., YMCA, Boys and Girls Club), provided the assistance is not earmarked for a particular prospective student-athlete, is not earmarked for the purpose of contributing to a boys' basketball program and is offered in conjunction with the organization's regular fundraising efforts. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.15.1 (prohibited expenses), and official interpretations (8/6/87, Item No. 10, which has been archived and 11/4/09, Item No. 4)]
-------------------------------------
Involvement of Judges in Practice Activities in Diving, Equestrian and Gymnastics (I)
Date Published: December 18, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that in diving, equestrian and gymnastics (sports in which competition is judged), an institution may allow a judge to observe institutional practice sessions and display event scores without including the individual in the institution's coaching limitations in the applicable sport, provided the individual does not interact with student-athletes and does not provide any analysis to coaching staff members. [References: NCAA Bylaws 11.7.1.1.1 (countable coach) and 11.7.1.1.1.4 (use of outside consultants); and an official interpretation (February 11, 1993, Item No. 9)]
-------------------------------------
Providing Athletics Aid for a Mini-Term During the Academic Year (I)
Date Published: December 18, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined athletically related financial aid provided for a mini-term (e.g., J-term, Intersession) that takes place during the academic year is only used in calculating the individual or team equivalencies for the academic year if the mini-term is included in the calculation of the value of cost of attendance for all students during the academic year. If the mini-term is not included in the calculation of the value of cost of attendance for all students during the academic year, it is permissible to provide athletically related financial aid to an enrolled student-athlete for the term, provided it is a separate award, the student-athlete received such aid from the certifying institution during the previous academic term and the aid is awarded in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the previous academic term. [References: NCAA Bylaws 15.02.2 (cost of attendance), 15.1 (maximum limit on financial aid -- individual), 15.3.2.3 (written statement requirement), 15.5.3.2 (equivalency computations), 15.2.8.1 (general stipulations) and 15.2.8.1.2 (enrolled student-athletes); official interpretation [10/14/92, Item No. 5-c-(4)] staff interpretation (01/24/90, Item No. b) and staff interpretation (02/24/95, Item No. a), which have been archived]
-------------------------------------
COMPLIANCE VIDEO
Sacramento State has a great video on compliance. Check it out here!
CAMPS AND CLINICS
August 27, 2009
1
The committee determined that an institution may offer discounted admissions to its camps and clinics based on objective criteria unrelated to athletics abilities (e.g., registration prior to a specific date, online registration, attendance at multiple sessions), provided such discounts are published and available on an equal basis to all who qualify.
CATCHING UP TO TECHNOLOGY... SORTA
August 14, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined it is permissible for an institution to provide prospective student-athletes with a media guide on a digital media storage device (e.g., compact disc, flash drive, memory disk), provided the storage device does not include any content other than an exact reproduction of the media guide. Further, any images or information on the packaging (e.g., label, insert) is limited to a reproduction of the image(s) contained on the cover of the media guide or other identification of the institution (e.g., name, logo) and the media guide (e.g., sport). Finally, storage devices used for this purpose must not exceed the minimum standard capacity necessary to store the media guide (e.g., a media guide of 103 megabytes should be stored on a standard 128 megabyte flash drive).
SAND VOLLEYBALL UPDATE
Check out the proposed rules to regulate sand volleyball should it survive the override. Click here.
GUIDE TO FINANCIAL AID
Available now, compliments of the Big East. Click here to go to the site. Or download it here.
APR UPDATES
The head coaches tab within the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program data collection system will be available the week of July 20 for institutions to provide and to verify existing information regarding individuals employed as head coaches from the 2003-04 academic year to the present.
Institutions should be prepared to name all individuals employed as head coach during this time period, as well as the month and year associated with the beginning and end of their term of employment. Institutions will be required to report this information for only the following sports: football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. In order to assist the membership with this data collection, a question and answer document and technical instructions have been developed and are attached. Later this summer, a webinar will be hosted by the NCAA staff to assist institutions with the new input fields.
Click here for the Head Coaches’ APR Portfolio Question and Answer Document.
Click here for the Head Coaches’ Tab Instructions.
UPDATES TO NCAA MANUAL
Check out this link for updates to the 2009-10 NCAA Manual.
BASKETBALL DEAD PERIODS ON THE HORIZON!
Don't forget the men's and women's basketball dead periods coming up this month!
TWITTER ED COLUMN
July 14, 2009
NCAA Division I member institutions should note that it is permissible for an institution's Web site or an athletics department staff member's personal Web site (or personal page on any site) to include information related to the institution's athletics program, subject to the restrictions applicable to an institution's athletics Web site. Accordingly, a coach may post general informational content not created for a recruiting purpose such as game scores, team updates, facility updates or generic updates regarding the coaching staff and/or team to the extent they do not mention a specific prospect. These formats may include Web site posts, online personal journals such as blogs and microblogs, which are a form of blogging resulting in a stream of short blog posts that are generally limited by a total number of characters. A current example of a microblog is Twitter.
Microblogs and Publicity.
Institutions should note that in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.10.2, before the signing of a prospective student-athlete to a National Letter of Intent or an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, a member institution may comment publicly only to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospective student-athlete. The institution may not comment generally about the prospective student-athlete's ability or the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team. Further, the institution is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the likelihood that the prospective student-athlete will sign with that institution.
Therefore, while it is permissible for an institutional staff member to publicly microblog (e.g., Twitter "tweets") about generic information, institutions are reminded they are not permitted to publicize the recruitment of a particular prospective student-athlete in a manner inconsistent with the legislation. For example, it is not permissible for an institution to post names of prospective student-athletes being recruited on a microblog unless it is in response to an inquiry by the media in order to confirm recruitment of a prospective student-athlete. Further, communication with or about a prospective student-athlete in the public's view (e.g., Twitter "@replies" or "mentions") is contrary to the publicity legislation and also constitutes an impermissible form of electronic communication with a prospective student-athlete.
In addition, institutions may not publicize (or arrange for the publicity of) a prospective student-athlete's visit to campus. Further, institutions may photograph a prospective student-athlete during a campus visit but may not use the photograph until the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid and the prospective student-athlete's name or photograph is not used in any promotional items that involve the purchase or receipt of commercial advertising (e.g., season-ticket advertisement in newspapers or on a billboard). Therefore, it is not permissible for an institutional staff member to post a photograph of a prospective student-athlete taken during an institutional camp, for example, to the staff member's microblog, personal Web site or institutional Web site prior to the prospective student-athlete's signing of a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
Microblogs and Electronically Transmitted Correspondence.
Institutions should note that pursuant to Bylaw 13.4.1.2 an institution may send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete in sports other than men's basketball and ice hockey beginning September 1 at the beginning of the prospective student-athlete's junior year in high school. In men's basketball and ice hockey, an institution may send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete beginning June 15 at the conclusion of a prospective student-athlete's sophomore year in high school.
Further, electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospective student-athlete is limited to electronic mail (e-mail) and facsimiles until either after the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent (or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid for an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport or for a prospective student-athlete who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent), or on or after May 1 of a prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school provided the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's tuition deposit in response to the institution's offer of admission. All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited.
Institutions should note that e-mail communication is not limited to traditional e-mail services provided by an institution, Web site or Internet service provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo! Mail). Permissible e-mail communication extends to communication through electronic services and applications comparable to traditional e-mail in which a message is sent directly to another individual. Accordingly, it is permissible for an athletics department staff member to send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete using a service that permits a private message to be sent between only the sender and recipient in a manner comparable to traditional e-mail (e.g., Twitter "direct message"). However, as previously noted, all other electronically transmitted correspondence through other services or applications remain impermissible, including those that may be directed to a specific individual but are accessible to other users of the service or application (e.g., Twitter "@replies" or "mentions").
Additionally, institutional staff members may not use a service or software to convert e-mail into a text message (or other prohibited form of electronically transmitted correspondence) when received by a prospective student-athlete. Therefore, to the extent an athletics department staff member is aware that a prospective student-athlete is receiving a permissible form of electronic communication in an impermissible format (e.g., receiving e-mail as text messages) such electronic transmission is prohibited. However, if a coach is unaware of how a prospective student-athlete has elected to receive a particular form of communication, the coach is not responsible for sending an impermissible form of electronic correspondence. For example, if a coach is aware that a prospective student-athlete has elected to receive Twitter direct messages as text messages and the coach continues to engage in a direct message conversation as a means to circumvent the restrictions on text messages, the coach has committed a violation. However, if the coach is not aware that the prospective student-athlete has chosen to receive these direct messages as text messages, the coach has not acted contrary to the legislation.
2009-10 RECRUITING CALENDAR
An easy reference guide for recruiting in 2009-10. Click here.
2009-10 NLI SIGNING DATES
Basketball and All Other Sports Not Listed (Early Period) - Nov. 11-18, 2009
Field Hockey, Soccer, Track/Field, Cross Country, Men's Water Polo - Feb. 3-Aug. 1, 2010
Football (Midyear JC Transfer) - Dec. 16-Jan. 15, 2010
Football (Reg. Period) - Feb. 3-Apr. 1, 2010
Basketball (Reg. Period) - Apr. 14-May 19, 2010
All Other Sports Not Listed (Reg. Period) - April 14-Aug. 1, 2010
SLR WAIVERS
There is now a process to deal with previously approved ARS/SLR waivers, similar to what's in place for incidental-expense waivers. An institution that finds precedent for particular ARS/SLR waivers can self-apply the relief and report it to its conference office quarterly. Click here for further information. The current list is short, but will likely grow.
COACHES RECRUITING TEST
The test for the NCAA Division I Coaches Certification Test is now online! Click here to take the test.
NCAA MANUAL UPDATES
Click here for the latest NCAA Manual Updates. Thanks to the Pac-10 for putting this together!
LSDBi UPDATES
July 17, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined it is permissible for a member institution to arrange for media outlets to conduct interviews with a prospective student-athlete during the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment, provided the prospective student-athlete is on campus and permitted to participate in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach.
July 13, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that if a student-athlete who is certified as a qualifier pursuant to the early academic certification exception is added to an institution's squad list for the first time after the deadline for submission of his or her final transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center (i.e., February 1 of the same academic year if enrollment occurs in the first term or February 1 of the following academic year if enrollment occurs after the first term), the institution shall ensure submission of his or her final high school transcript (official or unofficial) to the Eligibility Center by February 1 of the next academic year.
July 17, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that it is permissible for a member institution to post the results of a high school athletics event held on a member institution's campus on its institutional Web site or use other media outlets normally used by the institution to publish such results. The staff noted an institution must post complete event results and may not highlight the results of, or provide any commentary on the performance of specific participants and/or teams.
July 13, 2009
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that, in basketball, it is permissible for a four-year college transfer prospective student-athlete to participate in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
June 17, 2009
2
The committee confirmed that institutions may not arrange for the media, including recruiting or scouting services, to be present at an institutional camp or clinic by inviting members of the media to attend or providing special access (e.g., access to areas not open to the general public) for the media to observe, meet or otherwise interact with prospective student-athletes. Further, the committee determined that members of the media who are present at an institutional camp or clinic may be positioned only in areas open to the general public.
----------------------------------------------------
May 19, 2009
1
NCAA Division I member institutions should note that NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.11.1 prohibits an institution from conducting (or having conducted on its behalf) any physical activity on its campus or elsewhere at which one or more prospective student-athletes reveal, demonstrate or display their athletics ability in any sport except as permitted under Bylaws 13.11.2 and 13.11.3. Accordingly, it is not permissible for an institutional coaching staff member (including a volunteer coach) to be involved with the coaching or administration of an outside team that includes prospective student-athletes, including summer league and travel teams, unless the involvement is a permissible tryout activity or tryout exception, pursuant to Bylaw 13.11.2 or 13.11.3.
The tryout prohibition is applicable to any individual considered a prospective student-athlete, including high school, two-year college and four-year college prospective student-athletes. The tryout prohibition remains in effect until the prospective student-athlete becomes a student-athlete by:
1. Registering and enrolling full time in a regular academic term at a four-year institution and attending classes; or
2. Participating in regular squad practice or competition at a four-year institution before the beginning of any term.
An institutional coaching staff member may be involved with an outside team that includes student-athletes from other four-year institutions. However, if the coach's institution has received permission to contact a particular student-athlete, then it is not permissible for the coach to be involved with an outside team that includes that student-athlete because NCAA recruiting rules begin to apply once the institution receives permission to contact per Bylaw 13.1.1.3.
Pursuant to Bylaw 13.11.2.3, an institutional coaching staff member in sports other than basketball may be involved in any capacity (e.g., as a participant, administrator or instructional or coaching activities) with a local sports club or organization located in the institution's home community that includes prospective student-athletes, provided all participating prospective student-athletes on the coach's team(s) reside within a 50-mile radius of the institution and there is no institutional sponsorship of the club.
For example, in baseball, it is permissible for an institution's coach to serve as a coach for a summer league team involving student-athletes from other four-year institutions. However, the coach cannot be involved in any capacity (e.g., manager, coach, scout) if the team includes prospective student-athletes, including high school, two-year college or four-year college prospective student athletes, unless the team and its participants satisfy the local sports club legislation (e.g., all participating prospective student-athletes on the coach's team reside within a 50-mile radius of the institution) or another exception to the tryout legislation.
[References: Division I Bylaws 13.02.11 (prospective student-athlete), 13.1.1.3 (four-year college prospective student-athletes), 13.11.1 (prohibited activities), 13.11.2 (permissible activities), 13.11.2.3 (local sports clubs), 13.11.3 (tryout exceptions) and 17.32.2 (outside-team tours)]
----------------------------------------------------
June 2, 2009
1
NCAA Division I institutions should note that in accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.4.4.1, an institution may not arrange for advertisements, including athletics camp and clinic advertisements, in facilities or publications related to any competition in which prospective student-athletes participate. Accordingly, it is not permissible to place a banner promoting the institution's athletics camp or clinic at a high school competition.
The prohibition against advertising in conjunction with prospective student-athletes' competition includes not only the purchase of advertising for recruiting purposes, but also the arrangement of advertising for athletics recruiting purposes. Therefore, it is not permissible for an institution to make athletics camp or clinic brochures available at high school athletics competitions even if the institution does not pay a fee for the opportunity to place its materials in the venue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 1, 2009
e
The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that for purposes of determining whether a transfer student-athlete from a four-year institution is eligible for athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution, the student-athlete must have been academically eligible to compete during the next regular academic term had he or she remained at the previous institution based on a review of all components of academic eligibility (e.g., NCAA progress-toward-degree requirements, conference academic eligibility requirements, good academic standing, suspension/dismissal related to an academic offense). Therefore, a transfer student-athlete from a four-year institution who was suspended or dismissed for the next regular academic term due to an academic offense (e.g., cheating, plagiarism) may not receive athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution.
--------------------------------------------------
May 28, 2009
d
The academic and membership affairs staff determined the following regarding a prospective student-athlete's participation in voluntary workouts while enrolled in an institution's summer term:
a. Football or Basketball. It is permissible for a prospective student-athlete who did not sign a National Letter of Intent (or, in football, for those institutions not using the National Letter of Intent or in the case of a four-year college prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete has not signed the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid) to participate in summer voluntary workouts conducted by the institution's strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties (or, in championship subdivision football, a countable coach who is a certified strength and conditioning coach) only during the period of an institution's summer term (opening day of classes through last day of final exams) in which he or she is enrolled.
b. Sports Other than Football or Basketball. It is permissible for a prospective student-athlete to participate in summer voluntary workouts conducted by the institution's strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties only during the period of an institution's summer term (opening day of classes through last day of final exams) in which he or she is enrolled.