NCAA LSDBi

Division I Proposal - 2016-116

ATHLETICS PERSONNEL AND RECRUITING -- FOOTBALL RECRUITING MODEL

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: In football, to revise legislation related to camps and clinics; athletics personnel, including limitations on hiring individuals associated with a prospective student-athlete; and the recruiting calendars, as specified.

A.    Bylaws: Amend 11.4, as follows: (Immediate; a contract signed before January 18, 2017 may be honored.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

11.4 Employment of High School, Preparatory School or Two-Year College Coaches, or Other Individuals Associated With Prospective Student-Athletes.

[11.4.1 through 11.4.2 unchanged.]

11.4.3 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football. In football, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete's anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the prospective student-athlete's actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ (or enter into a contract for future employment with) an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department noncoaching staff position or in a strength and conditioning staff position.

11.4.3.1 Application. A violation of Bylaw 11.4.3 occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete (see Bylaw 13.02.19) is employed by the institution and, at the time of employment, a student-athlete who enrolled at the institution in the previous two years (and remains enrolled at the institution) was a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation of Bylaw 11.4.3 also occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete is employed and, within two years after such employment, a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular academic term at the institution. In either case, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

11.4.3.2 Exception -- Reassignment. An institution may reassign an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete from a countable coaching staff position to a noncoaching staff position or strength and conditioning staff position, provided the individual has been a countable coach at the institution for at least the previous two academic years.

B.    Bylaws: Amend 11.7, as follows: (Immediate)

[Federated provision, FBS only]

11.7 Limitations on the Number and Duties of Coaches and Noncoaching Staff Members.

[11.7.1 through 11.7.3 unchanged.]

11.7.4 Bowl Subdivision Football. There shall be a limit of one head coach, nine 10 assistant coaches and four graduate assistant coaches who may be employed by an institution in bowl subdivision football.

[11.7.4.1 through 11.7.4.2 unchanged.]

[11.7.5 unchanged.]

11.7.6 Limitations on Number of Coaches and Off-Campus Recruiters. There shall be a limit on the number of coaches (other than graduate assistant coaches per Bylaw 11.01.3 and 11.01.4, student assistant assistant coaches per Bylaw 11.01.5 and volunteer coaches per Bylaw 11.01.6) who may be employed by an institution and who may contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus in each sport as follows:

Sport Limit
Football, Bowl Subdivision (See Bylaw 11.7.2) 10 11

[11.7.6.1 through 11.7.6.2 unchanged.]

C.    Bylaws: Amend 13.02, as follows: (Immediate)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.02 Definitions and Applications.

[13.02.1 through 13.02.18 unchanged.]

13.02.19 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football. In football, an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete 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 football, and whose contact is directly or indirectly related to either the prospective student-athlete's athletic skills and abilities or the prospective student-athlete's 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 this definition retains such status during the enrollment of the prospective student-athlete at the institution.

D.    Bylaws: Amend 13.2, as follows: (Immediate; a contract signed before January 18, 2017 may be honored.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.2 Offers and Inducements.

13.2.1 General Regulation. An institution's staff member or any representative of its athletics interests shall not be involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for or giving or offering to give any financial aid or other benefits to a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends, other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations. Receipt of a benefit by a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is determined that the same benefit is generally available to the institution's prospective students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., international students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability. [R]

[13.2.1.1 through 13.2.1.2 unchanged.]

13.2.1.3 Additional Prohibition -- Consulting Fees -- Football. In football, an institution or staff member shall not 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.

[13.2.1.3 renumbered as 13.2.1.4, unchanged.]

13.2.1.5 Notification of Ineligibility and Consequences -- Football. If a violation of Bylaw 13.2.1 occurs in which an institution or staff member employed (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete at the institution's camp or clinic, the institution shall declare each involved prospective student-athlete ineligible. Within 30 days of becoming aware of the violation, the institution shall provide written notification to each involved prospective student-athlete that the actions of the institution affected the prospective student-athlete's eligibility. The written notification shall also include an explanation of the consequences of the violation for the prospective student-athlete.

[13.2.2 through 13.2.11 unchanged.]

E.    Bylaws: Amend 13.6, as follows: (August 1, 2017)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.6 Official (Paid) Visit.

[13.6.1 unchanged.]

13.6.2 Limitations on Official Visits.

[13.6.2.1 through 13.6.2.2 unchanged.]

13.6.2.2.1 First Opportunity to Visit. [D]

13.6.2.2.1.1 Sports Other Than Basketball and Football. In sports other than basketball and football, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than the opening day of classes of the prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school. [D]

13.6.2.2.1.2 Basketball. In men's basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than January 1 of his junior year in high school. In women's basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than the Thursday following the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship game of the prospective student-athlete's junior year in high school. [D]

13.6.2.2.1.3 Football. In football, an institution may provide a prospective student-athlete an expense-paid visit beginning April 1 of a prospective student-athlete’s junior year through the Sunday before the last Wednesday in June. However, an institution shall not provide a prospective student-athlete an expense-paid visit in conjunction with the prospective student-athlete's participation in an institutional camp or clinic.  Thereafter, an institution may provide an expense-paid visit beginning with the opening day of classes of the prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school. [D]

[13.6.2.2.2 unchanged.]

[13.6.2.3 through 13.6.2.6 unchanged.]

[13.6.3 through 13.6.7 unchanged.]

F.    Bylaws: Amend 13.8.3, as follows: (Immediate; a contract signed before January 18, 2017 may be honored.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.8.3 Employment Conditions.

[13.8.3.1 unchanged.]

13.8.3.2 Employment in Athletically Related Institutional Activities -- Football. In football, an institution shall not employ (either on a salaried or a volunteer basis) an individual as a speaker or presenter at any athletically related institutional event or activity (e.g., booster club function, outside consultant) if that individual is involved in coaching prospective student-athletes or is associated with a prospective student-athlete as a result of the prospective student-athlete's participation in football.

13.8.3.4 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football. In football, during a two-year period before a prospective student-athlete's anticipated enrollment and a two-year period after the prospective student-athlete's actual enrollment, an institution shall not employ (or enter into a contract for future employment with) an individual associated with the prospective student-athlete in any athletics department noncoaching staff position or in a strength and conditioning staff position.

13.8.3.4.1 Application. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete (see Bylaw 13.02.19) is employed by the institution and, at the time of employment, a student-athlete who enrolled at the institution in the previous two years (and remains enrolled at the institution) was a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation of Bylaw 13.8.3.3 also occurs if an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete is employed and, within two years after such employment, a prospective student-athlete by which the individual meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete enrolls as a full-time student in a regular academic term at the institution. In either case, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition unless eligibility is restored by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement.

13.8.3.4.2 Exception -- Reassignment. An institution may reassign an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete from a countable coaching staff position to a noncoaching staff position or strength and conditioning staff position, provided the individual has been a countable coach at the institution for at least the previous two academic years.

[13.8.3.3 through 13.8.3.7 renumbered as 13.8.3.5 through 13.8.3.9, unchanged.]

G.    Bylaws: Amend 13.9.2.3, as follows: (August 1, 2017; for signings that occur on or after August 1, 2017.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.9.2.3 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings -- Bowl Subdivision Football. In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid from December 1 through May 31 and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time.  In championship subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 30 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time. [D]

13.9.2.3.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year Application. A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided in the fall term of an academic year shall not count toward the annual limit on signings for that academic year.  A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided during the second or third term of the academic year may count toward the limit for that academic year or the limit for the next academic year.

13.9.2.3.2 Exception -- Agreement After Second Year. A student-athlete who has been in residence at the certifying institution for at least two academic years may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time without counting toward the annual limit on signings.

[13.9.2.3.3 renumbered as 13.9.2.3.4, unchanged.]

H.    Bylaws: Amend 13.12, as follows: (Immediate; a contract signed before January 18, 2017 may be honored.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

13.12 Sports Camps and Clinics.

13.12.1 Institution's Sports Camps and Clinics.

13.12.1.1 Definition. An institution's sports camp or instructional clinic shall be any camp or clinic that is owned or operated by a member institution or an employee of the member institution's athletics department, either on or off its campus, and in which prospective student-athletes participate.

13.12.1.1.1 Definition of Prospective Student-Athlete -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, for purposes of Bylaw 13.12, the phrase "prospective student-athlete" shall include any individual who has started classes for the seventh grade.

[13.12.1.1.1.1 unchanged.]

13.12.1.1.2 Definition of Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football. In football, for purposes of applying Bylaw 13.12, a recruited prospective student-athlete is a prospective student-athlete who has been recruited pursuant to the definition of recruiting in Bylaw 13.02.14 or the definition of a recruited prospective student-athlete pursuant to Bylaw 13.02.14.1. In addition, a football prospective student-athlete is considered a recruited prospective student-athlete if any of the following conditions have occurred:

(a) The prospective student-athlete's attendance at any institutional camp or clinic has been solicited by the institution (or a representative of the institution's athletics interests);

(b) The institution has provided any recruiting materials to the prospective student-athlete;

(c) An institutional coaching staff member has had any recruiting contact [including in-person or electronic contact (e.g., telephone calls, video conference, electronic correspondence)] with the prospective student-athlete (including contact initiated by the prospective student-athlete);

(d) The prospective student-athlete has received an oral offer of athletically related financial aid from the institution; or

(e) The prospective student-athlete has orally committed to attend the institution.

13.12.1.1.34 Football. In bowl subdivision football, an institution's football camp or clinic may be conducted only during two periods of 15 consecutive 10 days in the months of June and July [or any calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that includes days of those months in June (e.g., May 28-June 3)] and July. The dates of the two 15-day periods must be on file in the office of the athletics director. In championship subdivision football, an institution's camp or clinic may be conducted only during the months of June, July and August or any calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that includes days of those months (e.g., May 28-June 3). [D]

[13.12.1.1.3 through 13.12.1.1.5 renumbered as 13.12.1.1.4 through 13.12.1.1.6, unchanged.]

13.12.1.2 Location Restriction -- Basketball and Football.

13.12.1.2.1 Basketball. In basketball, an institution's camp or clinic shall be conducted on the institution's campus or within a 100-mile radius of the institution's campus.

13.12.1.2.2 Football. In football, an institution's camp or clinic shall be conducted on the institution's campus, within the state in which the institution is located or, if outside the state, within a 50-mile radius of the institution's campus or in facilities regularly used by the institution for practice or competition.

[13.12.1.3 through 13.12.1.4 unchanged.]

13.12.1.5 Recruiting Calendar Exceptions. The interaction during sports camps and clinics between prospective student-athletes and those coaches employed by the camp or clinic is not subject to the recruiting calendar restrictions. However, an institutional staff member employed at any camp or clinic (e.g., counselor, director) is prohibited from recruiting any prospective student-athlete during the time period that the camp or clinic is conducted (from the time the prospective student-athlete reports to the camp or clinic until the conclusion of all camp activities). The prohibition against recruiting includes extending written offers of financial aid to any prospective student-athlete during his or her attendance at the camp or clinic (see Bylaw 13.9.2.2), but does not include recruiting conversations between the certifying institution's coach and a participating prospective student-athlete during the institution's camps or clinics. Other coaches wishing to attend the camp as observers must comply with appropriate recruiting contact and evaluation periods. In addition, institutional camps or clinics may not be conducted during a dead period.

[13.12.1.5.1 unchanged.]

13.12.1.5.2 Exception -- Recruiting Activities -- Football. In football, an institutional coaching staff member who is permissibly employed at a camp or clinic (see Bylaws 13.12.2.3.4 and 13.12.2.3.5) may engage in recruiting conversations with a prospective student-athlete during the time period that the camp or clinic is conducted (from the time the prospective student-athlete reports to the camp or clinic until the conclusion of all camp activities).

[13.12.1.6 through 13.12.1.7 unchanged.]

13.12.1.8 Educational Session.

13.12.1.8.1 Basketball. An institution's basketball sports camp or clinic must include an educational session presented in-person or in a video format detailing NCAA initial-eligibility standards and regulations related to gambling, agents and drug use to all camp and/or clinic participants.

13.12.1.8.2 Football. An institution's football sports camp or clinic must include an educational session presented in-person or in a video format detailing NCAA initial-eligibility standards and regulations related to gambling, agents and drug use to all camp and/or clinic participants.

13.12.2 Employment at Camp or Clinic.

[13.12.2.1 unchanged.]

13.12.2.2 High School, Preparatory School, Two-Year College Coaches or Other Individuals Involved With Prospective Student-Athletes. A member institution (or employees of its athletics department) may employ a high school, preparatory school or two-year college coach or any other individual responsible for teaching or directing an activity in which a prospective student-athlete is involved at its camp or clinic, provided: [R]

[13.12.2.2-(a) through 13.12.2.2-(b) unchanged.]

[13.12.2.2.1 through 13.12.2.2.2 unchanged.]

13.12.2.2.3 Employment as a Speaker in an Institutional Camp or Clinic -- Football. An institution shall not employ (either on a salaried or a volunteer basis) a speaker in any football camp or clinic (including a coaches clinic or a camp or clinic involving nonprospects) who is involved in coaching prospective student-athletes or is associated with a prospective student-athlete as a result of the prospective student-athlete's participation in football. Such an individual may be employed as a camp counselor (except as prohibited in Bylaw 13.12.2.2.5), but may not perform speaking duties other than those normally associated with camp counselor duties (e.g., skill instruction).

13.12.2.2.5 Individual Associated With a Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football. In football, an institution or staff member shall not employ (either on a volunteer or paid basis) an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete (see Bylaws 13.02.14.1, 13.02.19 and 13.12.1.1.2) at the institution's camp or clinic (including a coaches clinic or a camp or clinic involving nonprospects), unless at least two years (24 months) have elapsed since the prospective student-athlete's initial full-time enrollment at the institution. (See Bylaw 13.2.1.4.)

13.12.2.2.5.1 Exception -- Coach of Four-Year, NCAA Member Institution. An institution or staff member may employ a coach of another four-year, NCAA member institution at the institution's camp or clinic regardless of whether the coach is an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete.

[13.12.2.2.4 renumbered as 13.12.2.2.6, unchanged.]

13.12.2.3 Athletics Staff Members. A member institution's athletics staff member may be involved in sports camps or clinics unless otherwise prohibited in this section (see Bylaw 11.3.2.6). [D]

[13.12.2.3.1 through 13.12.2.3.3 unchanged.]

13.12.2.3.4 Institutional or Noninstitutional, Privately Owned Camps/Clinics -- Bowl Subdivision Football. In bowl subdivision football, an institution's coach or noncoaching staff member with responsibilities specific to football (including a graduate assistant coach who has successfully completed the coaches’ certification examination per Bylaw 11.5.1.1) may be employed (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) in any capacity (e.g., counselor, guest lecturer, consultant) in a noninstitutional, privately owned camp or clinic at any location, provided the camp or clinic is operated in accordance with restrictions applicable to an institutional camp or clinic (e.g., open to any and all entrants, no free or reduced admission to or employment of athletics award winners) only by his or her institution's camps or clinics or another four-year, NCAA member institution's camps or clinics.  A noncoaching athletics department staff member with responsibilities specific to football may be employed only by his or her institution’s camps or clinics.  Employment in such a camp or clinic is limited to two periods of 15 consecutive 10 days in the months of June and July [or any calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that includes days of those months in June (e.g., May 28-June 3)] and July. The dates of the two 15-day periods must be on file in the office of the athletics director.  It is not permissible for a football coach to be employed at a noninstitutional, privately owned camp or clinic.  It is not permissible for a noncoaching staff member with responsibilities specific to football to be employed at other institutional camps or clinics or at noninstitutional, privately owned camps or clinics. [D]

13.12.2.3.5 Institutional or Noninstitutional, Privately Owned Camps/Clinics -- Championship Subdivision Football. In championship subdivision football, an institution's coach or noncoaching staff member with responsibilities specific to football may be employed (either on a salaried or volunteer basis) in any capacity (e.g., counselor, guest lecturer, consultant) in a noninstitutional, privately owned camp or clinic at any location, provided the camp or clinic is operated in accordance with restrictions applicable to an institutional camp or clinic (e.g., open to any and all entrants, no free or reduced admission to or employment of athletics award winners) only by his or her institution's camps or clinics or another four-year, NCAA member institution's camps or clinics. A noncoaching athletics department staff member with responsibilities specific to football may be employed only by his or her institution’s camps or clinics.  Employment in such a camp or clinic may occur only during 10 days in the months of June, July and August [or any calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) that includes days of those months in June (e.g., May 28-June 3)] and July.  It is not permissible for a football coach to be employed at a noninstitutional, privately owned camp or clinic.  It is not permissible for a noncoaching staff member with responsibilities specific to football to be employed at other institutional camps or clinics or at noninstitutional, privately owned camps or clinics. [D]

[13.12.2.3.6 through 13.12.2.3.9 unchanged.]

[13.12.3 unchanged.]

13.12.4 Notification of Ineligibility and Consequences of Violation -- Football. In football, if a violation of Bylaw 13.12.2.2.5 occurs, the institution shall declare each involved prospective student-athlete ineligible. Within 30 days of becoming aware of the violation, the institution shall provide written notification to each involved prospective student-athlete that the actions of the institution affected the prospective student-athlete's eligibility. The written notification shall also include an explanation of the consequences of the violation for the prospective student-athlete.

I.    Bylaws: Amend 13.17.4.1, as follows: (August 1, 2017)

[Federated provision, FBS only]

13.17.4.1 Bowl Subdivision Football. The following periods of recruiting activities shall apply to bowl subdivision football:

(a) June 1 through the last Saturday in November [except for (1) and (2) through (3) below]: Quiet Period

(1) A 14-day period that begins on the last The Monday before the last Wednesday in June unless July 1 falls on a Monday through July 24. If July 1 falls on a Monday, a 14-day period that begins on July 1: Dead Period

(2) August 1-31: Dead Period

(2 3) Forty-two (54 for U.S. service academies) evaluation days (see Bylaw 13.02.7.2) during the months of September, October and November selected at the discretion of the institution and designated in writing in the office of the director of athletics; authorized off-campus recruiters shall not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution on more than one calendar day during this period: Evaluation Period

(b) The Sunday following the last Saturday in November through the Saturday prior to the initial date for the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent except for (1) and (2) below. Six in-person off-campus contacts per prospective student-athlete shall be permitted during this time period with not more than one permitted in any one calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or partial calendar week: Contact Period

(1) The Sunday prior to the dead period surrounding the initial date of the midyear junior college transfer National Letter of Intent signing period (applicable only to junior college prospective student-athletes who intend to enroll midyear): Quiet Period

(2) Monday of the week that includes the initial date of the midyear junior college transfer National Letter of Intent signing period through the Wednesday Thursday of the week of the annual American Football Coaches Association Convention [applicable to all prospective student-athletes (see Bylaw 13.02.5.5.2)]: Dead Period

[13.17.4.1-(c) through 13.17.4.1-(g) unchanged.]

J.    Bylaws: Amend 13.17.4.2, as follows: (August 1, 2017)

[Federated provision, FCS only]

13.17.4.2 Championship Subdivision Football. The following periods of recruiting activities shall apply to championship subdivision football:

(a) June 1 through the last Saturday in November [except for (1) through (3) below]: Quiet Period

(1) The Monday before the last Wednesday in June through July 24: Dead Period

(2) August 1-31:  Dead Period

(1 3) Forty-two evaluation days (see Bylaw 13.02.7.2) during the months of September, October and November selected at the discretion of the institution and designated in writing in the office of the director of athletics; authorized off-campus recruiters shall not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution on more than one calendar day during this period: Evaluation Period

(b) The Sunday following the last Saturday in November through the Saturday prior to the initial date for the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent except for (1) through (7) and (2) below. Six in-person off-campus contacts per prospective student-athlete shall be permitted during this time period with not more than one permitted in any one calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or partial calendar week: Contact Period

[13.17.4.2-(b)(1) unchanged.]

(2) Monday through Thursday of the week that includes the initial date of the midyear junior college transfer National Letter of Intent signing period through the Thursday of the week of the annual American Football Coaches Association Convention [applicable only to junior college all prospective student-athletes who intend to enroll midyear (see Bylaw 13.02.5.5.2)]: Dead Period

(3) The Friday following the initial date of the midyear junior college transfer National Letter of Intent signing period through the Sunday of the week of the annual convention of the American Football Coaches Association [subject to the dead periods (5) and (7) below in applicable years (applicable only to junior college prospective student-athletes who intend to enroll midyear)]: Quiet Period

(4) The Sunday after the third Saturday in December: Quiet Period

(5) The Monday following the third Saturday in December through January 3: Dead Period

(6) Sunday during the week of the annual convention of the American Football Coaches Association: Quiet Period

(7) Monday through Thursday during the week of the annual convention of the American Football Coaches Association: Dead Period

[13.17.4.2-(c) through 13.17.4.2-(g) unchanged.]

K.    Bylaws: Amend 15.5.1.9.1, as follows: (August 1, 2017; for signings that occur on or after August 1, 2017.)

[Federated provision, FBS and FCS, divided vote]

15.5.1.9.1 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings -- Bowl Subdivision Football. In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid from December 1 through May 31 and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time.  In championship subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 30 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and student-athletes who may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time. [D]

15.5.1.9.1.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year Application. A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided in the fall term of an academic year shall not count toward the annual limit on signings for that academic year.  A prospective student-athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid or a student-athlete who signs a financial aid agreement that specifies financial aid will be initially provided during the second or third term of the academic year may count toward the limit for that academic year or the limit for the next academic year.

15.5.1.9.1.2 Exception -- Agreement After Second Year. A student-athlete who has been in residence at the certifying institution for at least two academic years may sign a financial aid agreement for the first time without counting toward the annual limit on signings.

[15.5.1.9.1.3 renumbered as 15.5.1.9.1.4, unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Council (Football Oversight Committee)

Effective Date:
  Sections A, D, F, H: Immediate; a contract signed before January 18, 2017 may be honored.
  Sections B, C: Immediate
  Sections E, I, J: August 1, 2017
  Sections G, K: August 1, 2017; for signings that occur on or after August 1, 2017.

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Recruiting

Rationale: In response to the charge from the Board of Directors, guided by the need to have rules that appropriately promote and advance the collegiate model of athletics competition and in consideration of recommendations provided by the NCAA Division I Football Recruiting Ad Hoc Working Group, this proposal incorporates changes to the football camps and clinics rules into the comprehensive review of Division I football recruiting. The proposal maintains the focus on recruiting within the scholastic environment. In addition, it enhances access for prospective student-athletes and promotes informed decision-making. The proposal increases protection for the health and well-being of prospective student-athletes participating in camps and clinics and promotes awareness of NCAA rules. The change to the number of days in which coaches may work at camps or clinics promotes an appropriate balance between the need to support and supervise current student-athletes and interest in conducting camps and clinics, as well as the interest of prospective student-athletes in offering an opportunity to interact with coaches. The addition of rules related to hiring individuals associated with prospective student-athletes promotes transparency in recruiting by establishing a line between hiring legitimate candidates for employment and providing a recruiting inducement through the hiring of individuals whose primary value to an institution is in their ties to specific prospective student-athletes.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.

History

Oct 5, 2016: In Progress Introduced by the Division I Council.
Jan 18, 2017: In Progress The Council modified the proposal to: (1) Permit official visits for a prospective student-athlete beginning April 1 of the junior year in high school through the Sunday preceding the last Wednesday in June, and specify that the effective date for such visit is 8/1/17; (2) Specify that official visits that occur in June (or a week that includes any days in June) may not occur in conjunction with a prospective student-athlete's participation in an institutional camp or clinic; (3) Eliminate the opportunity for official visits to occur July 25 through July 31 following a prospective student-athlete's junior year; (4) Clarify the application of the effective date of provisions related to the "individual associated with a prospective student-athlete" such that contracts signed before 1/18/17 may be honored; (5) Clarify the application of the effective date of the "hard cap" on signing prospective student-athletes and student-athletes is 8/1/17 for signings that occur on or after 8/1/17.
Jan 30, 2017: In Progress Proposal edited to clarify that: (1) An institution or staff member may employ a coach of another four-year, NCAA member institution at the institution's camp or clinic regardless of whether the coach is an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete; and (2) The annual limit on signings of financial aid agreements applies to student-athletes who sign financial aid agreements for the first time.
Apr 14, 2017: Adopted by Council Adopted as amended by Proposal Nos. 2016-116-1 (FBS), 2016-116-3 (FBS), 2016-116-4 (FCS), 2016-116-5 (FCS) and 2016-116-6 (FCS).
Apr 26, 2017: No Board Action
Apr 26, 2017: Adopted Final

Legislative References

Division Number Title
I 11.4 Employment of High School, Preparatory School or Two-Year College Coaches, or Other Individuals Associated With Prospective Student-Athletes.
I 11.4.3 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 11.4.3.1 Application.
I 11.4.3.2 Exception -- Reassignment.
I 11.7 Limitations on the Number and Duties of Coaches and Noncoaching Staff Members.
I 11.7.4 Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 11.7.6 Limitations on Number of Coaches and Off-Campus Recruiters.
I 13.02 Definitions and Applications.
I 13.02.19 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.2 Offers and Inducements.
I 13.2.1 General Regulation.
I 13.2.1.3 Additional Prohibition -- Consulting Fees -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.2.1.5 Notification of Ineligibility and Consequences -- Football.
I 13.6 Official (Paid) Visit.
I 13.6.2 Limitations on Official Visits.
I 13.6.2.2.1 First Opportunity to Visit.
I 13.6.2.2.1.1 Sports Other Than Basketball and Football.
I 13.6.2.2.1.2 Basketball.
I 13.6.2.2.1.3 Football.
I 13.8.3 Employment Conditions.
I 13.8.3.2 Employment in Athletically Related Institutional Activities -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.8.3.4 Individual Associated with a Prospective Student-Athlete -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.8.3.4.1 Application.
I 13.8.3.4.2 Exception -- Reassignment.
I 13.9.2.3 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.9.2.3.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year.
I 13.9.2.3.2 Exception -- Agreement After Second Year.
I 13.12 Sports Camps and Clinics.
I 13.12.1 Institution's Sports Camps and Clinics.
I 13.12.1.1 Definition.
I 13.12.1.1.1 Definition of Prospective Student-Athlete -- Men's Basketball.
I 13.12.1.1.2 Definition of Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football.
I 13.12.1.1.3 Football.
I 13.12.1.2 Location Restriction -- Basketball and Football.
I 13.12.1.2.1 Basketball.
I 13.12.1.2.2 Football.
I 13.12.1.5 Recruiting Calendar Exceptions.
I 13.12.1.5.2 Exception -- Recruiting Activities -- Football.
I 13.12.1.8 Educational Session.
I 13.12.1.8.1 Basketball.
I 13.12.1.8.2 Football.
I 13.12.2 Employment at Camp or Clinic.
I 13.12.2.2 High School, Preparatory School, Two-Year College Coaches or Other Individuals Involved With Prospective Student-Athletes.
I 13.12.2.2.3 Employment as a Speaker in an Institutional Camp or Clinic -- Football.
I 13.12.2.2.5 Individual Associated With a Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete -- Football.
I 13.12.2.2.5.1 Exception -- Coach of Four-Year, NCAA Member Institution -- Football.
I 13.12.2.3 Athletics Staff Members.
I 13.12.2.3.4 Noninstitutional, Privately Owned Camps/Clinics -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.12.2.3.5 Noninstitutional, Privately Owned Camps/Clinics -- Championship Subdivision Football.
I 13.12.4 Notification of Ineligibility and Consequences of Violation -- Football.
I 13.17.4.1 Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 13.17.4.2 Championship Subdivision Football.
I 15.5.1.9.1 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings -- Bowl Subdivision Football.
I 15.5.1.9.1.1 Exception -- Counter During Same Academic Year.
I 15.5.1.9.1.2 Exception -- Agreement After Second Year.