11.01.34 Graduate Assistant Coach -- Football. In football, a graduate assistant coach is any coach who has received a baccalaureate degree and has either received the individual's first baccalaureate degree or has exhausted athletics eligibility in football (whichever occurs later) within the previous seven years and qualifies for appointment as a graduate assistant under the policies of the institution. For an individual who did not participate in football, exhaustion of eligibility occurs at the expiration of the individual's five-year period of eligibility. The individual is not required to be enrolled in a specific graduate degree program unless required by institutional policy. The following provisions shall apply:

(a) The individual shall be enrolled in at least 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular graduate program of studies, except that during the individual's final semester or quarter of the degree program, the individual may be enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular program, provided the individual is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. If the individual fails to complete all degree requirements during the term in which the individual is enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular program, the result shall be an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3. An institution may appoint a midyear replacement graduate assistant coach who is enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular graduate program of studies (or is not yet enrolled), provided the graduate assistant coach has been accepted for enrollment in a graduate program beginning with the next regular academic term;

(b) The individual may not receive compensation or remuneration in excess of the value of a full grant-in-aid for a full-time student, based on the resident status of that individual, and the receipt of four complimentary tickets to all the institution’s intercollegiate athletics events;

(c) The individual may receive training table meals as provided to the institution's student-athletes without the value of the meals being included in the individual’s limit on remuneration;

(d) Graduate and postgraduate financial assistance administered outside the institution (e.g., NCAA postgraduate scholarship) shall be excluded from the individual’s limit on remuneration, provided such assistance is awarded through an established and continuing program to aid graduate students and the donor of the assistance does not restrict the recipient’s choice of institutions;

(e) The individual may not serve as a graduate assistant coach for a period of more than two years except that if the individual successfully completes 24 semester or 36 quarter hours during the initial two-year period, the individual may serve as a graduate assistant coach for a third year;

(f) Compensation for employment from a source outside the institution during the academic year shall be excluded from the individual’s limit on remuneration, provided the institution does not arrange such employment and the compensation is for work actually performed. The member institution may not arrange on- or off-campus employment opportunities except for summer employment, which is permissible regardless of whether the student remains enrolled in the graduate program during the summer;

(g) A graduate student coach may accept employment benefits available to all institutional employees (e.g., life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance), as well as expenses to attend the convention of the national coaches association in the coach’s sport, without the value of those benefits being included in the individual’s limit on remuneration;

(h) The individual may receive cash to cover unitemized incidental expenses during travel and practice for NCAA championship events or postseason bowl contests in accordance with the parameters by which student-athletes may receive such expenses pursuant to Bylaw 16.8.1.1;

(i) The institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for the individual’s significant other and children to attend a postseason football bowl game or an NCAA championship; and

(j) The individual may not evaluate or contact prospective student-athletes off campus, regardless of whether compensation is received for such activities. The individual may not perform recruiting coordination functions (see Bylaw 11.7.2); however, it is permissible for a graduate assistant coach to make telephone calls to prospective student-athletes, provided the coach has successfully completed the rules education requirement per Bylaw 11.5.1.

11.01.3.1 Exception -- Professional Football Player. Time spent under contract as a professional football player is excepted from the application of the requirement that a graduate assistant coach must either have received the individual's first baccalaureate degree or have exhausted athletics eligibility within the previous seven years.

11.01.3.2 Replacement of Graduate Assistant Coach. The compensation or remuneration set forth in Bylaw 11.01.3 shall be charged against an academic year. Once the amount set forth in Bylaw 11.01.3-(b) is paid to a graduate assistant coach for that academic year, additional funds may not be spent on a replacement until the start of the next academic year, even though the graduate assistant coach leaves the institution's athletics program during the academic year.

11.01.4 Coach, Graduate Assistant -- Women's Rowing and Swimming and Diving. In women’s rowing and swimming and diving (see Bylaw 11.7.6.2.8), a graduate assistant coach is any coach who has received a baccalaureate degree and qualifies for appointment as a graduate assistant under the policies of the institution. The individual is not required to be enrolled in a specific graduate degree program unless required by institutional policy. The following provisions shall apply:

(a) The individual shall be enrolled in at least 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular graduate program of studies, except that during the individual's final semester or quarter of the degree program, the individual may be enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular program, provided the individual is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. If the individual fails to complete all degree requirements during the term in which the individual is enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular program, the result shall be an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3. An institution may appoint a midyear replacement graduate assistant coach who is enrolled in less than 50 percent of the institution’s minimum regular graduate program of studies (or is not yet enrolled), provided the graduate assistant coach has been accepted for enrollment in a graduate program beginning with the next regular academic term;

(b) The individual may not receive compensation or remuneration in excess of the value of a full grant-in-aid for a full-time student, based on the resident status of that individual, and the receipt of four complimentary tickets to all the institution’s intercollegiate athletics events;

(c) The individual may receive meals incidental to organized team activities (e.g., pregame or postgame meals, occasional meals) without the value of the meals being included in the individual’s limit on remuneration;

(d) Graduate and postgraduate financial assistance administered outside the institution (e.g., NCAA postgraduate scholarship) shall be excluded from the individual’s limit on remuneration, provided such assistance is awarded through an established and continuing program to aid graduate students and the donor of the assistance does not restrict the recipient’s choice of institutions;

(e) The individual may not serve as a graduate assistant coach for a period of more than two years except that if the individual successfully completes 24-semester or 36-quarter hours during the initial two-year period, the individual may serve as a graduate assistant coach for a third year;

(f) Compensation for employment from a source outside the institution during the academic year shall be excluded from the individual’s limit on remuneration, provided the institution does not arrange such employment and the compensation is for work actually performed. The member institution may not arrange on- or off-campus employment opportunities except for summer employment, which is permissible regardless of whether the student remains enrolled in the graduate program during the summer;

(g) A graduate student coach may accept employment benefits available to all institutional employees (e.g., life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance), as well as expenses to attend the convention of the national coaches association in the coach’s sport, without the value of those benefits being included;

(h) The individual may receive cash to cover unitemized incidental expenses during travel and practice for NCAA championship events in accordance with the parameters by which student-athletes may receive such expenses pursuant to Bylaw 16.8.1.1;

(i) The institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for the individual’s significant other and children to attend the season-ending tournament(s) specified in Bylaw 17.16.5.3-(b); and

(j) The individual may not evaluate or contact prospective student-athletes off campus, regardless of whether compensation is received for such activities. The individual may not perform recruiting coordination functions (see Bylaw 11.7.2); however, it is permissible for a graduate assistant coach to make telephone calls to prospective student-athletes, provided the coach has successfully completed the rules education requirement per Bylaw 11.5.1.

11.01.4.1 Replacement of Graduate Assistant Coach. The compensation or remuneration set forth in Bylaw 11.01.4 shall be charged against an academic year. Once the amount set forth in Bylaw 11.01.4-(b) is paid to a graduate assistant coach for that academic year, additional funds may not be spent on a replacement until the start of the next academic year, even though the graduate assistant coach leaves the institution’s athletics program during the academic year.

(c) Is receiving no compensation or remuneration for coaching duties from the institution other than the financial aid that could be received as a student-athlete and expenses incurred on road trips that are received by individual team members; and

11.01.6 Coach, Volunteer. In sports other than bowl subdivision football and basketball, a volunteer coach is any coach who does not receive compensation or remuneration from the institution's athletics department or any organization funded in whole or in part by the athletics department or that is involved primarily in the promotion of the institution's athletics program (e.g., booster club, athletics foundation association). The following provisions shall apply:

(a) The individual is prohibited from contacting and evaluating prospective student-athletes off campus and may not perform recruiting coordination functions (see Bylaw 11.7.2).

(b) The individual may receive a maximum of two complimentary tickets to home athletics contests in the coach's sport.

(c) The individual may receive complimentary admission to a home athletics event in conjunction with a prospective student-athlete's official or unofficial visit.

(d) The individual may receive complimentary meals incidental to organized team activities (e.g., pre- or postgame meals, occasional meals, but not training table meals) or meals provided during a prospective student-athlete's official or unofficial visit, provided the individual dines with the prospective student-athlete.

(e) The individual may receive reasonable entertainment (but may not receive cash for such entertainment) in conjunction with entertainment provided to student-athletes per Bylaw 16.7.

11.01.8 Significant Other. A significant other is a spouse, fiancé or fiancée, domestic partner, or any individual whose relationship to an identified individual (e.g., prospective student-athlete, coach, student-athlete) is the practical equivalent of a spouse.

11.7.1.1 Countable Coach. An institutional staff member or any other individual outside the institution (e.g., consultant, professional instructor) with whom the institution has made arrangements must count against coaching limits in the applicable sport as soon as the individual participates (in any manner) in any of the following:

(a) Provides technical or tactical instruction related to the sport to a student-athlete at any time;

(b) Makes or assists in making tactical decisions related to the sport during on-court or on-field practice or competition; or

(c) Engages in any off-campus recruiting activities.

11.7.1.1.1 Exception -- Postseason Practice Session -- Football. In football, an employee of a professional sports organization or team who conducts a postseason practice session per Bylaw 17.11.7.4 is not considered a countable coach.

11.7.1.1.2 Replacement Due to Extenuating Circumstances. An institution may replace temporarily or on a limited basis one of its countable coaches if the coach is unable to perform any or all duties because of extenuating circumstances (e.g., suspension, prolonged serious illness, pregnancy). The replacement coach may perform only those coaching, administrative or recruiting duties, including the telephoning of prospective student-athletes, that the replaced coach is unable to perform.

11.7.1.1.3 Replacement for National, Olympic or Paralympic Team Coaches. An institution may replace a coach temporarily or on a limited basis when that coach takes a leave of absence to participate on or to coach a national team, Olympic or Paralympic team, provided the replacement is limited to a one-year period and the coach who is replaced performs no recruiting or other duties on behalf of the institution.

11.7.2 Recruiting Coordination Functions. The following recruiting coordination functions (except related routine clerical tasks) must be performed by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.6:

(a) Activities involving athletics evaluations and/or selection of prospective student-athletes other than on-campus evaluations of video and on-campus activities involving the selection of prospective student-athletes; and

(b) Making telephone calls to prospective student-athletes (or prospective student-athletes' family members or coaches).

11.7.2.1 Exception -- Graduate Assistant Coach -- Football. In football, a graduate assistant coach may perform the functions set forth in Bylaw 11.7.2-(a) (on campus only) and 11.7.2-(b) if the coach has successfully completed the rules education requirement per Bylaw 11.5.1. [See Bylaw 11.02.3-(j).]

11.7.2.2 Exception -- Graduate Assistant Coach -- Women's Rowing and Swimming and Diving. In women’s rowing and swimming and diving, a graduate assistant coach may perform the functions set forth in Bylaw 11.7.2-(a) (on campus only) and 11.7.2-(b) if the coach has successfully completed the rules education requirement per Bylaw 11.5.1. [See Bylaw 11.02.4-(j).]

11.7.2.3 Exceptions -- Noncoaching Staff Members and Noncountable Coaches.

(a) After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment. A noncoaching staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may perform the functions set forth in Bylaw 11.7.2-(b) after the prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.

(b) After Receipt of Financial Deposit. A noncoaching institutional staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may perform the functions set forth in Bylaw 11.7.2-(b) after the institution receives a financial deposit in response to the institution's offer of admission.

(c) Telephone Calls in Conjunction With Official Visit. A noncoaching staff member or coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may initiate telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete or those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete during the five days immediately preceding the official visit and during the official visit.

(d) Telephone Calls in Conjunction With an Unofficial Visit. A noncoaching staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may initiate telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete (or those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete) beginning the day immediately preceding the unofficial visit until the conclusion of the visit.

(e) Telephone Calls Regarding Institutional Camp or Clinic Logistical Issues. A noncoaching staff member or coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may initiate telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete (or a prospective student-athlete's family member or coach) that relate solely to institutional camp or clinic logistical issues (e.g., missing registration information), provided no recruiting conversation or solicitation of particular individuals to attend a camp or clinic occurs during such calls.

11.7.6.2.3 Volunteer Coach. In sports other than football, basketball, women’s equestrian, women’s rowing, swimming and diving and women's triathlon, an institution may use the services of one volunteer coach (per Bylaw 11.02.6). Indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and cross country are separate sports for purposes of this provision. In sports in which the NCAA conducts separate men's and women's championships, a combined men's and women's program may use two volunteer coaches.

11.7.6.2.3.1 Volunteer Coach -- Women's Rowing. In women's rowing, an institution may use the services of four volunteer coaches.

11.7.6.2.3.2 Volunteer Coach -- Swimming and Diving. An institution that conducts separate men's and women's swimming programs with a combined men's and women's diving program may employ three volunteer coaches, one for men's swimming, one for women's swimming and one for diving. An institution that only sponsors either men's swimming and diving or women's swimming and diving may use the services of two volunteer coaches, one for swimming and one for diving.

11.7.6.2.3.3 Volunteer Coach -- Cross Country/Track and Field. An institution that sponsors cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field as separate sports may use the services of one volunteer coach for each of the sports that it sponsors. Each volunteer coach may coach student-athletes in any of the three sports throughout the academic year.

11.7.6.2.3.4 Volunteer Coach -- Track and Field -- Pole Vault. An institution that competes in pole vault may use the services of one additional volunteer coach (to coach both genders), limited to coaching pole vault.

11.7.6.2.3.5 Volunteer Coach -- Women's Equestrian. In women's equestrian, an institution may use the services of one volunteer coach for the hunt seat riding discipline and one volunteer coach for the western riding discipline.

11.7.6.2.3.6 Volunteer Coach -- Women's Triathlon. In women's triathlon, an institution may use the services of one volunteer coach for the swimming element, one volunteer coach for the cycling element and one volunteer coach for the running element.

11.7.6.2.3.7 Volunteer Coach -- Women's Acrobatics and Tumbling. In women's acrobatics and tumbling, an institution may use the services of two volunteer coaches.

11.7.6.2.3.8 Volunteer Coach -- Championship Subdivision Football. In championship subdivision football, an institution may use the services of up to two volunteer coaches, dependent on the number of graduate assistant coaches employed by the institution (see Bylaw 11.7.5).

11.7.6.2.4 Special Attrition Provision. The institution is permitted to meet these limitations through normal attrition only if the institution had in effect prior to September 15, 1990, a written obligation to the assistant coach through academic tenure, an enforceable contract or formal security-of-employment commitment.

11.7.6.2.7 Graduate Assistant Coach -- Women's Rowing. In women's rowing, an institution may employ one graduate assistant coach (see Bylaw 11.02.4).

11.7.6.2.8 Graduate Assistant Coach -- Swimming and Diving. In swimming and diving, an institution may employ one graduate assistant coach (see Bylaw 11.02.4) for diving (regardless of whether its diving programs are separate or combined).

13.1.3.4 Permissible Callers.

13.1.3.4.1 Institutional Coaching Staff Members -- General Rule. All telephone calls made to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's family members or coaches) must be made by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.6 (see Bylaw 11.7.2). In football, women's rowing and swimming and diving, such telephone calls also may be made by a graduate assistant coach, provided the coach has successfully completed the rules education requirement per Bylaw 11.5.1. [D]

13.1.3.4.1.1 Exceptions -- Before Commitment. Before a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or before the institution receives a financial deposit in response to the institution's offer of admission, the following institutional staff members may make telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's family members) as specified:

(a) President or Chancellor/Faculty Athletics Representative/Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator. It is permissible for an institution's chancellor or president, faculty athletics representative, director of athletics and senior woman administrator to return (as opposed to initiate) telephone calls from a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's family members). Under such circumstances, there are no restrictions on the content of the conversation that may occur during the call; however, any return call is subject to any applicable limitations on the number of telephone calls that an institution may place to a prospective student-athlete.

(b) Academic Advisors. It is permissible for academic advisors (including academic advisors within the athletics department) to make calls to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's family members) related to admissions or academic issues, subject to any applicable limitation on the number of telephone calls an institution may place to a prospective student-athlete.

(c) Compliance Administrators. It is permissible for a compliance administrator to make telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's family members) with no limit on the timing or number of such telephone calls, provided the calls relate only to compliance issues.

(d) Noncoaching Staff Members and Noncountable Coaches -- Telephone Calls in Conjunction with Official Visit. A noncoaching staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may initiate telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete or those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete during the five days immediately preceding the official visit and during the official visit.

(e) Noncoaching Staff Members and Noncountable Coaches -- Telephone Calls in Conjunction With an Unofficial Visit. A noncoaching staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.6 may initiate telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete (or those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete) beginning the day immediately preceding the unofficial visit until the conclusion of the visit.

13.1.3.5.2 Enrolled Student-Athletes. Enrolled student-athletes or other enrolled students shall not make or participate in telephone calls to prospective student-athletes at the direction of a coaching staff member or financed by the institution or a representative of its athletics interests; however, they may receive telephone calls at the expense of the prospective student-athlete on or after the date on which an institution may begin placing telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete. An enrolled student-athlete may receive telephone calls made at the expense of a prospective student-athlete prior to the date on which an institution may begin placing telephone calls to a prospective student-athlete, provided there is no direct or indirect involvement by athletics department staff. [D]

13.1.3.5.2.1 Exception -- Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, enrolled student-athletes may participate in telephone calls to prospective student-athletes initiated by a coaching staff member, subject to countable athletically related activities limitations. Such calls may not occur on a student-athlete's day off. [D]

13.1.3.5.2.2 Admissions Program Exception. Telephone calls made by enrolled students (excluding student-athletes) pursuant to an institution's regular admissions program directed at all prospective students shall be permissible.