Important NCAA Recruiting Rules for Athletes

The NCAA defines recruiting as “any solicitation of prospective student-athletes or their parents by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing a prospective student-athlete’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.”

To that end, NCAA member schools have adopted rules to create an equitable recruiting environment that promotes student-athlete well-being. The rules define who may be involved in the recruiting process, when recruiting may occur and the conditions under which recruiting may be conducted. Recruiting rules seek, as much as possible, to control intrusions into the lives of student-athletes.

Athletes and parents tend to become concerned with “important NCAA recruiting rules” and their potential violation of those rules, worried that it may affect the eligibility of the athlete.   First of all, it is not incumbent upon the athlete to know all of the rules.  Almost every NCAA recruiting rule deals with the actions of the coach or member institution.  You have to remember that the NCAA came up with these important recruiting rules to protect the athlete and their parents.  Therefore the rules are there to control the actions of the coach and school, not the athlete and their parents.  Coaches are required to know the applicable rules and should stop any activity that may violate the rules.  Secondly, the NCAA Division I recruiting manual is nearly 500 pages thick.  Not even coaches know all of these rules.  But just know that you can always look up any rule you need clarification on by going to the NCAA website or manual.    

Most of the NCAA recruiting rules deal with the contact of the athletes by a coach and how and when that can be done.  If you want information more information on how and when an athlete can be contacted, click on this link to the NCAA recruiting calendars.  If you want more general information on recruiting the NCAA produces a manual called the Guide for College Bound Student Athletes if you want to learn more about recruiting and the rules that apply.

Play Up Athletics specializes in getting student athletes ready to be recruited and then walking them through the process from start to finish, including making sure they are aware of applicable rules and deadlines.  Our program called The Athletic Edge, addresses the important NCAA recruiting rules that apply to the athlete, but more than that, we teach you the most efficient, effective and affordable way to get recruited.  A small investment can reap tens of thousands of dollars in savings and produce an unforgettable college experience. Click here to learn more about The Athletic Edge and how we can help you.

If you have any specific questions about NCAA recruiting rules just e-mail or give us a call.

Links:
  
NCAA Guide for College Bound Student-Athletes 

NCAA Recruiting Calendars