LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2018-93
RECRUITING -- RECRUITING MODEL -- SPORTS OTHER THAN BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, MEN'S ICE HOCKEY AND SOFTBALL
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: In sports other than baseball, basketball, football, men's ice hockey and softball, to revise legislation related to contacts; telephone calls; recruiting materials; official and unofficial visits; financial aid agreements; and camps and clinics, as specified.
A. Bylaws: Amend 13.1, as follows:
13.1 Contacts and Evaluations. Recruiting contacts (per Bylaw 13.02.4) and telephone calls by institutional staff members or representatives of the institution's athletics interests are subject to the provisions set forth in this bylaw. [D]
[13.1.1 unchanged.]
13.1.1.1 Time Period for Off-Campus Contacts -- General Rule. Off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made with an individual (or his or her family members) before July 1 following the completion August 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school (July 7 after the junior year in high school in women's ice hockey and July 15 after the junior year in high school in women's gymnastics), or the opening day of classes of his or her senior year in high school (as designated by the high school), whichever is earlier. U.S. service academy exceptions to this provision are set forth in Bylaw 13.16.1. [D]
13.1.1.1.1 Exception -- Baseball and Football. In baseball and football, off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made with an individual (or his family members) before July 1 following the completion of his junior year in high school, or the opening day of classes of his senior year in high school (as designated by the high school), whichever is earlier.
[13.1.1.1.1 through 13.1.1.1.2 renumbered as 13.1.1.1.2 through 13.1.1.1.3, unchanged.]
13.1.1.1.3 Exception -- Fencing. In fencing, off-campus recruiting contacts may occur with a prospective student-athlete (or his or her family members) after he or she has completed participation in the USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge at the completion of his or her junior year in high school. [D]
[13.1.1.1.4 unchanged.]
13.1.1.1.5 Exception -- Lacrosse and Wrestling. In lacrosse and wrestling, off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made with an individual (or his or her family members) before September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school. Contacts that occur during a prospective student-athlete's junior year may occur only at the prospective student-athlete's educational institution or residence. [D]
13.1.1.1.65 Exception -- Softball. In softball, off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made with an individual (or her family members) before September 1 at the beginning of her junior year in high school. [D]
[13.1.1.2 through 13.1.1.3 unchanged.]
[13.1.2 unchanged.]
13.1.3 Telephone Calls.
13.1.3.1 Time Period for Telephone Calls -- General Rule. Telephone calls to an individual (or his or her family members) may not be made before September 1 at the beginning June 15 at the conclusion of his or her junior sophomore year in high school (subject to the exceptions below). If an individual attends an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar (e.g., Southern Hemisphere), telephone calls to the individual (or his or her family members) may not be made before the opening day of classes of his or her junior year in high school. Thereafter, an institution may make telephone calls to the prospective student-athlete at its discretion. [D]
13.1.3.1.1 Exception -- Swimming and Diving. In swimming and diving, telephone calls to an individual (or his or her family members) may not be made before July 1 following the completion of his or her junior year in high school or the opening day of classes of his or her senior year in high school (as designated by the high school), whichever is earlier. Thereafter, an institution may make telephone calls to the prospective student-athlete at its discretion. [D]
13.1.3.1.1 Exception -- Baseball, Women's Basketball and Softball. In baseball, women's basketball and softball, telephone calls to an individual (or his or her family members) may not be made before September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school. If an individual attends an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar (e.g., Southern Hemisphere), telephone calls to the individual (or his or her family members) may not be made before the opening day of classes of his or her junior year of high school. Thereafter, an institution may make telephone calls to the prospective student-athlete at its discretion. [D]
13.1.3.1.71.1 Additional Restrictions -- Women's Basketball -- July Evaluation Periods. In women's basketball, during the July evaluation periods, all communication with a prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete’s family members, the prospective student-athlete's coach or any individual associated with the prospective student-athlete as a result of the prospective student-athlete's participation in basketball, directly or indirectly, is prohibited. [D]
[13.1.3.1.2 through 13.1.3.1.4 unchanged.]
13.1.3.1.5 Exception -- Women's Ice Hockey. In women’s ice hockey, an institution is permitted to make one telephone call to an individual (or the individual’s family members) who is a resident of a foreign country on or after July 7 through July 31 following the completion of the individual’s sophomore year in high school. [D]
[13.1.3.1.6 through 13.1.3.1.8 renumbered as 13.1.3.1.5 through 13.1.3.1.7, unchanged.]
13.1.3.2 Additional Restrictions.
[13.1.3.2.1 unchanged.]
13.1.3.2.2 Telephone Calls Initiated by an Individual at His or Her Expense -- Sports Other Than Lacrosse and Softball Baseball, Basketball, Football and Men's Ice Hockey. In sports other than lacrosse and softball baseball, basketball, football and men's ice hockey, institutional staff members may receive telephone calls placed by an individual at the individual's expense at any time.
13.1.3.2.3 Telephone Calls From an Individual -- Lacrosse and Softball. In lacrosse and softball, an institutional staff member may not receive telephone calls from an individual (or his or her family members) before September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school.
13.1.3.2.4 Telephone Calls From an Individual -- Sports Other than Baseball, Basketball, Football, Men's Ice Hockey and Softball. In sports other than baseball, basketball, football, men's ice hockey and softball, an institutional staff member may not receive telephone calls from an individual (or his or her family members) before June 15 at the conclusion of his or her sophomore year in high school.
[13.1.3.3 through 13.1.3.7 unchanged.]
[13.1.4 unchanged.]
13.1.5 Contacts.
13.1.5.1 Sports Other Than Football, Baseball, Basketball, Men's Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, and Softball and Wrestling. In sports other than football, baseball, basketball, men's ice hockey, lacrosse, and softball and wrestling, each institution is limited to seven recruiting opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined) per prospective student-athlete per year (see Bylaw 13.1.5.7). During the senior year of high school, Beginning August 1 at the start of a prospective student-athlete's junior year of high school, not more than three of the seven opportunities per year may be off-campus contacts at any site and shall include contacts with the prospective student-athlete's family members, but shall not include contacts made during an official visit per Bylaw 13.6 or an unofficial visit per Bylaw 13.7.5. [D]
13.1.5.2 Baseball. In baseball, each institution is limited to seven recruiting opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined) per prospective student-athlete per year (see Bylaw 13.1.5.7). During the senior year of high school, not more than three of the seven opportunities may be off-campus contacts at any site and shall include contacts with the prospective student-athlete's family members, but shall not include contacts made during an official visit per Bylaw 13.6 or an unofficial visit per Bylaw 13.7.5. [D]
[13.1.5.2 through 13.1.5.5 renumbered as 13.1.5.3 through 13.1.5.6, unchanged.]
13.1.5.67 Lacrosse, Softball and Wrestling. In lacrosse, softball and wrestling, each institution is limited to seven recruiting opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined) per prospective student-athlete per year (see Bylaw 13.1.5.7). Beginning September 1 at the start of a prospective student-athlete's junior year of high school, not more than three of the seven opportunities may be off-campus contacts each year, including contacts with the prospective student-athlete's family members. A contact made during an official visit per Bylaw 13.6 or an unofficial visit per Bylaw 13.7.5 does not count as a recruiting opportunity. [D]
[13.1.5.7 through 13.1.5.10 renumbered as 13.1.5.8 through 13.1.5.11, unchanged.]
[13.1.6 through 13.1.10 unchanged.]
B. Bylaws: Amend 13.4, as follows:
13.4 Recruiting Materials.
13.4.1 Recruiting Materials and Electronic Correspondence -- General Rule. An institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, or send electronic correspondence to an individual (or his or her family members) until September 1 at the beginning June 15 at the conclusion of his or her junior sophomore year in high school. If an individual attends an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar (e.g., Southern Hemisphere), an institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, or send electronic correspondence to the individual (or his or her family members) until the opening day of classes of his or her junior year in high school. [D]
[13.4.1.1 unchanged.]
13.4.1.2 Exception -- Football, Baseball, Women's Basketball and Softball. In football, baseball, women's basketball and softball, an institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, or send electronic correspondence to an individual (or his or her family members) until September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school. If an individual attends an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar (e.g., Southern Hemisphere), an institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, or send electronic correspondence to the individual (or his or her family members) until the opening day of classes of his or her junior year in high school. [D]
[13.4.1.2 through 13.4.1.9 renumbered as 13.4.1.3 through 13.4.1.10, unchanged.]
[13.4.2 through 13.4.3 unchanged.]
C. Bylaws: Amend 13.6, as follows:
13.6 Official (Paid) Visit.
[13.6.1 unchanged.]
13.6.2 Limitations on Official Visits.
13.6.2.1 First Opportunity to Visit.
13.6.2.1.1 Sports Other Than Baseball, Basketball and, Football and Softball. In sports other than baseball, basketball and, football and softball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than September August 1 of his or her junior year in high school. [D]
13.6.2.1.2 Baseball and Softball. In baseball and softball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than September 1 of his junior year in high school.
[13.6.2.1.2 through 13.6.2.1.4 renumbered as 13.6.2.1.3 through 13.6.2.1.5, unchanged.]
[13.6.2.2 through 13.6.2.5 unchanged.]
[13.6.3 through 13.6.8 unchanged.]
D. Bylaws: Amend 13.7, as follows:
13.7 Unofficial (Nonpaid) Visit.
13.7.1 First Opportunity to Visit.
13.7.1.1 Sports Other Than Baseball, Basketball and, Football and Softball. In sports other than baseball, basketball and, football and softball, an unofficial visit with athletics department involvement (e.g., contact with athletics department staff, athletics-specific tour, complimentary admission) shall not occur with an individual (or his or her family members) before September August 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school.
13.7.1.2 Baseball and Softball. In baseball and softball, an unofficial visit with athletics department involvement (e.g., contact with athletics department staff, athletics-specific tour, complimentary admission) shall not occur with an individual (or his family members) before September 1 at the beginning of his junior year in high school.
[13.7.1.2 renumbered as 13.7.1.3, unchanged.]
[13.7.2 through 13.7.5 unchanged.]
E. Bylaws: Amend 13.9, as follows:
13.9 Offers of Financial Aid, Letter-of-Intent Programs, and Financial Aid Agreements.
13.9.1 Oral Offer of Aid -- Sports Other Than Baseball, Basketball, Football, Men's Ice Hockey and Softball. In sports other than baseball, basketball, football, men's ice hockey and softball, an athletics department staff member shall not, directly or indirectly, provide an individual an oral offer (or indicate that an offer will or may be made) of athletically related financial aid, other institutional financial aid, admission to the institution or as a member of an intercollegiate team before August 1 at the beginning of the individual's junior year in high school.
[13.9.1 through 13.9.2 renumbered as 13.9.2 through 13.9.3, unchanged.]
F. Bylaws: Amend 13.12, as follows:
13.12 Sports Camps and Clinics.
13.12.1 Institution's Sports Camps and Clinics.
[13.12.1.1 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). Other coaches who attend the camp or clinic 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 or a recruiting shutdown.
13.12.1.5.1 Exception -- Recruiting Conversations -- Sports Other Than Baseball, Basketball and, Football and Softball. In sports other than baseball, basketball and, football and softball, recruiting conversations during an institutional camp or clinic (including a camp or clinic that involves only individuals who are not yet prospective student-athletes) are not permitted between an institution’s coach and a participating individual before September August 1 at the beginning of the individual’s junior year in high school.
13.12.1.5.2 Exception -- Recruiting Conversations -- Baseball and Softball. In baseball and softball, recruiting conversations during an institutional camp or clinic (including a camp or clinic that involves only individuals who are not yet prospective student-athletes) are not permitted between an institution's coach and a participating individual before September 1 at the beginning of the individual's junior year in high school.
[13.12.1.5.2 through 13.12.1.5.5 renumbered as 13.12.1.5.3 through 13.12.1.5.6, unchanged.]
[13.12.1.6 through 13.12.1.8 unchanged.]
[13.12.2 through 13.12.4 unchanged.]
Source: NCAA Division I Council (Student-Athlete Experience Committee)
Effective Date:Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Recruiting
Rationale: Through a multiyear process, the Student-Athlete Experience Committee developed a recruiting model that better aligns the decision-making timeline of a prospective student-athlete with the decision-making timeline for any prospective college student. A prospective college student typically begins visiting institutions during his or her junior year of high school. Regarding communications with prospective student-athletes, there is strong support among conferences and coaching associations for a tiered recruiting concept in which communication is permitted before visits and in-person contact. It is important for a coach and a prospective student-athlete to develop a relationship and determine if there is mutual interest before a visit to campus or off-campus contact. Prohibiting incoming communication from a prospect before June 15 at the conclusion of the sophomore year in high school properly addresses early recruiting concerns and may reduce the impact of third parties in the recruiting process. Regarding official and unofficial visits, many athletic contests occur each year before September 1. This proposal creates an equal opportunity for all institutions to showcase their home athletic events, while maintaining the singular start date for visits to campus. The proposed first date for visits aligns with the men's basketball recruiting model and the proposed timeline for men's ice hockey.
Estimated Budget Impact: Variable, depending on institutional recruiting practices.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
Position Statement(s):
| Legislative Committee | Supports |
History
| Nov 14, 2018: | In Progress | |
| Jan 23, 2019: | In Progress | Proposal modified by the Council to remove baseball from its application. |
| Feb 7, 2019: | Ready for Vote | |
| Mar 20, 2019: | Ready for Vote | Proposal was updated to clarify that the first permissible date for telephone calls, recruiting materials and electronic correspondence is not different for prospective student-athletes who attend an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar, which reflects the original intent of the sponsor. |
| Apr 19, 2019: | Adopted by Council | Proposal edited to remove softball. Separate proposal added to LSDBi for softball (2018-93-Softball). |
| May 1, 2019: | No Board Action | |
| May 1, 2019: | Adopted Final |
Legislative References