12 Amateurism and Athletics Eligibility

[12.01 through 12.1 unchanged.]

12.2 Involvement With Professional Teams.

[12.2.1 through 12.2.3 unchanged.]

12.2.4 Draft and Inquiry.

[12.2.4.1 unchanged.]

12.2.4.2 Draft List. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual loses amateur status in a particular sport when the individual asks to be placed on the draft list or supplemental draft list of a professional league in that sport, even though:

[12.2.4.2-(a) through 12.2.4.2-(c) unchanged.]

12.2.4.2.1 Exception -- Men's Basketball -- Four-Year College Student-Athlete.

[12.2.4.2.1.1 unchanged.]

12.2.4.2.1.2 Professional League Other Than the National Basketball Association. In men's basketball, a student-athlete may enter a professional league's draft (other than the National Basketball Association's draft) each year during the student-athlete's four-year college participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided:

(a) The student-athlete requests to be removed from the draft list and declares the intent to resume intercollegiate participation not later than 10 days after the conclusion of the professional league's draft combine. If the professional league does not conduct a draft combine, the student-athlete must request to be removed from the draft list not later than the end of the day before the first day of the spring National Letter of Intent signing period for the applicable year;

[12.2.4.2.1.2-(b) through 12.2.4.2.1.2-(c) unchanged.]

[12.2.4.2.2 through 12.2.4.2.5 unchanged.]

[12.2.4.3 unchanged.]

[12.2.5 unchanged.]

[12.3 through 12.10 unchanged.]

12.11 Ineligibility.

[12.11.1 unchanged.]

12.11.2 Ineligibility Resulting From Recruiting Violation. An institution shall not enter a student-athlete (as an individual or as a member of a team) in any intercollegiate competition if it is acknowledged by the institution or established through the Association's infractions process that the institution or a representative of its athletics interests violated the Association's legislation in the recruiting of the student-athlete. The institution may appeal to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement for restoration of the student-athlete's eligibility as provided in Bylaw 12.12 if it concludes that circumstances warrant restoration.

12.11.2.1 Payment of Legal Fees During Appeal. An institution may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete to attend proceedings conducted by the institution, its athletics conference or the NCAA that relate to the prospective student-athlete's eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the prospective student-athlete either has signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution or (if the institution is not a subscribing member of the National Letter of Intent program) the prospective student-athlete has been accepted for enrollment by the institution and has provided written confirmation of intent to enroll at the institution the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received the individual’s  financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. The cost of legal representation in such proceedings also may be provided by the institution (or a representative of its athletics interests).

[12.11.3 through 12.11.4 unchanged.]

[12.12 unchanged.]

13 Recruiting

[13.01 unchanged.]

13.02 Definitions and Applications.

[13.02.1 through 13.02.4 unchanged.]

13.02.5 Periods of Recruiting Activities.

[13.02.5.1 through 13.02.5.4 unchanged.]

13.02.5.5 Dead Period. A dead period is a period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the institution's campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes to the institution's campus. It remains permissible, however, for an institutional staff member to communicate with (other than in person) a prospective student-athlete during a dead period. [D]

13.02.5.5.1 Exception -- After Commitment. Except for the application of Bylaw 13.02.5.5.1.1, a prospective student-athlete is no longer subject to the application of a dead period after one of the following events occurs:

(a) The prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid; or

[13.02.5.5.1-(b) unchanged.]

13.02.5.5.1.1 November, December and January Dead Period -- Bowl Subdivision Football. In bowl subdivision football, it is not permissible for an institution to make an in-person, on- or off-campus contact with a prospective student-athlete during the November, December and January dead period, even if the prospective student-athlete has signed the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. However, it is permissible for the institution to make such contact with a prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution the institution's written offer of financial aid or has arrived in the locale of the institution for initial full-time enrollment. [D]

[13.02.5.6 unchanged.]

[13.02.6 through 13.02.8 unchanged.]

13.02.9 Recruiting-Person Days -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, a recruiting-person day is defined as one coach engaged in an off-campus recruiting activity of a men's basketball prospective student-athlete on one day (12:01 a.m. to midnight); two coaches engaged in recruiting activities on the same day shall use two recruiting-person days. Men's basketball staff members shall not exceed 100 recruiting-person days September 1 through April 30.

13.02.9.1 Exception -- After Commitment. Recruiting activity involving only a prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or for whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission shall not be counted as a recruiting-person day.

[13.02.9.2 unchanged.]

13.02.10 Recruiting-Person Days -- Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, a recruiting-person day is defined as one coach engaged in an off-campus recruiting activity of a women's basketball prospective student-athlete on one day (12:01 a.m. to midnight); two coaches engaged in recruiting activities on the same day shall use two recruiting-person days. Women's basketball staff members shall not exceed 65 recruiting-person days each year (measured August 1 through July 31).

13.02.10.1 Exceptions.

(a) Recruiting activity involving only a prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or from whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission does not count toward the recruiting-person day limitation.

[13.02.10.1-(b) through 13.02.10.1-(c) unchanged.]

[13.02.10.2 unchanged.]

13.02.11 Recruiting-Person Days -- Football. In football, a recruiting-person day is defined as one off-campus recruiter engaged in an off-campus recruiting activity of a football prospective student-athlete on one day (12:01 a.m. to midnight); two off-campus recruiters engaged in recruiting activities on the same day shall use two recruiting-person days. Football staff members shall not exceed 140 (180 for U.S. service academies) recruiting-person days during the spring contact period. [D]

13.02.11.1 Exception -- After Commitment. Recruiting activity involving only a prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or for whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission shall not be counted as a recruiting-person day.

[13.02.12 unchanged.]

13.02.13 National Letter of Intent Athletics Aid Agreement Signing Dates. The National Letter of Intent referred to in this bylaw is the official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used by subscribing member institutions to establish the commitment of a prospective student-athlete to attend a particular institution.

13.02.13.1 High School, Preparatory School and Two-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. The following provisions set forth the dates when a high school, preparatory school or two-year college prospective student-athlete may sign an athletics aid agreement:

(a) Basketball Early Signing Period. The second Wednesday (7 a.m.) in November through the following Wednesday.

(b) First Date for Basketball Regular Signing. The Wednesday (7 a.m.) in April one week after the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships.

(c) Football Early Signing Period. The Wednesday (7 a.m.) following the final Football Bowl Subdivision regular-season contest through the immediately following Friday.

(d) First Date for Football Midyear Two-Year College Transfers. The Wednesday (7 a.m.) following the final Football Bowl Subdivision regular-season contest.

(e) First Date for Football Regular Signing. The first Wednesday (7 a.m.) in February.

(f) First Date for All Other Sports. The second Wednesday (7 a.m.) in November.

13.02.13.1.1 Midyear High School Graduates Who Will Enroll Midyear. A midyear high school graduate who will enroll midyear may sign an athletics aid agreement beginning with the first day of the applicable early or regular signing period and extending through the final date for signing such an agreement for the applicable term pursuant to institutional policy.

13.02.13.2 Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. A four-year college prospective student-athlete whose name has been entered into the national transfer database may sign an athletics aid agreement as of the following dates:

(a) Undergraduate Four-Year College Transfers. The first day (7 a.m.) of the notification of transfer period in the applicable sport (see Bylaw 13.1.1.4.1).

(b) Postgraduate Four-Year College Transfers. October 1 (7 a.m.).

13.02.13.2.1 Exceptions.

13.02.13.2.1.1 Notification of Transfer Exceptions. A four-year college prospective student-athlete whose name is in the national transfer database pursuant to an exception to the notification of transfer periods (see Bylaws 13.1.1.4.1.1.1 and 13.1.1.4.2) may sign an athletics aid agreement.

13.02.13.2.1.2 Other Four-Year Prospective Student-Athletes. A four-year prospective student-athlete to whom the notification of transfer process does not apply (e.g., NAIA or international student) may sign an athletics aid agreement, provided the prospective student-athlete may be contacted in compliance with any rule of the applicable governing body for making contact with the student-athlete.

[13.02.13.1.1 renumbered as 13.02.13.3.1, unchanged.]

13.02.14 Prospective Student-Athlete. A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual's family members or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally. An individual remains a prospective student-athlete until:

(a) The individual signs a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution receives the individual’s  financial deposit in response to its offer of admission, completes all high school graduation requirements or all transfer academic eligibility requirements and receives benefits or expenses from the institution that may be provided to a student-athlete (see Bylaw 16);

[13.02.14-(b) through 13.02.14-(d) unchanged.]

[13.02.14.1 unchanged.]

13.02.14.2 Exception -- After Commitment. After an individual has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or after the institution has received the individual's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission, the individual shall no longer be subject to the restrictions of Bylaw 13.1. The individual remains a prospective student-athlete for purposes of applying the remaining provisions of Bylaw 13 and other bylaws. In basketball and football, for institutions that subscribe to the National Letter of Intent program, this exception does not apply to an individual who only signs an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid prior to the initial regular (as opposed to early) signing date of the National Letter of Intent program in the applicable sport. In sports other than basketball and football, for institutions that subscribe to the National Letter of Intent program, this exception does not apply to an individual who only signs an institution's written offer of admission prior to the initial signing date of the National Letter of Intent program in the applicable sport.

13.02.15 Recruiting. Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospective student-athlete or a prospective student-athlete's family members by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution's athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospective student-athlete's enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.

13.02.15.1 Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete. Actions by staff members or athletics representatives that cause a prospective student-athlete to become a recruited prospective student-athlete at that institution are:

[13.02.15.1-(a) through 13.02.15.1-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Issuing a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of athletically related financial aid to the prospective student-athlete. Issuing a written offer of athletically related financial aid to a prospective student-athlete to attend a summer session prior to full-time enrollment does not cause the prospective student-athlete to become recruited.

[13.02.16 through 13.02.21 unchanged.]

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 Contactable Individuals.

[13.1.1.1 unchanged.]

13.1.1.2 Signed Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests of an institution that provides athletically related financial aid to its student-athletes shall not communicate or make contact with a prospective student-athlete who has signed a written offer of athletics aid with another NCAA Division I or Division II institution, or any individual associated with the student-athlete (e.g., family member, scholastic or nonscholastic coach, advisor), directly or indirectly. A violation of this provision shall be processed pursuant to Bylaw 19.1.4. [D]

13.1.1.2.1 Duration of Contact Prohibition. Contact with a prospective student-athlete who has signed a financial aid agreement with another institution is prohibited unless and until:

(a) The prospective student-athlete's financial aid is reduced or canceled pursuant to a condition set forth in Bylaw 15.3.4.1 or Bylaw 15.3.4.1.2;

(b) The prospective student-athlete is rendered academically ineligible for intercollegiate competition and all opportunities for appeal have been exhausted;

(c) The prospective student-athlete does not attend class as a full-time student in a regular term of the academic year and is disenrolled pursuant to institutional policy;

(d) A prospective student-athlete requests a release from the contact prohibition within a 30 consecutive-day period after the institution's head coach in the sport departs or announces departure from the institution.  The institution shall update the prospective student-athlete's status in the applicable NCAA database within two business days of receipt of the prospective student-athlete's release request; or

(e) The prospective student-athlete requests and the institution grants a release from the contact prohibition.

13.1.1.2.1.1 Responding to Request for Release of Contact Prohibition. An institution shall respond to a prospective student-athlete's written request for release of the contact prohibition within two business days. If the release is granted, the institution shall update the prospective student-athlete's status in the applicable NCAA database within two business days of providing the release. If the institution fails to respond to the student-athlete’s written request within two business days, the release shall be granted by default and the institution shall update the prospective student-athlete's status in the applicable NCAA database within two business days.

13.1.1.2.1.1.1 Hearing Opportunity. If the institution denies a prospective student-athlete’s request for a release of the contact prohibition, the institution shall inform the prospective student-athlete in writing that a hearing may be requested. Such a hearing shall be conducted by an institutional entity or committee outside the athletics department (e.g., the office of student affairs; office of the dean of students; or a committee composed of the faculty athletics representative, student-athletes and nonathletics faculty/staff members). The institution shall conduct the hearing and provide written results of the hearing to the student-athlete within 15 business days of receipt of the prospective student-athlete’s written request for a hearing. The prospective student-athlete shall be provided the opportunity to actively participate (e.g., in person, via videoconference) in the hearing. If the institution fails to conduct the hearing or provide the written results to the prospective student-athlete within 15 business days, the release shall be granted by default and the institution shall update the prospective student-athlete's status in the applicable NCAA database within two business days.

13.1.1.34 Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall not communicate or make contact with the student-athlete of another NCAA Division I institution, or any individual associated with the student-athlete (e.g., family member, scholastic or nonscholastic coach, advisor), directly or indirectly, without first obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process. Before making contact, directly or indirectly, with a student-athlete of an NCAA Division II or Division III institution, or an NAIA four-year collegiate institution, an athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall comply with the rule of the applicable division or the NAIA rule for making contact with a student-athlete. [See Bylaw 19.1.3-(f).]

[13.1.1.3 renumbered as 13.1.1.4, unchanged.]

13.1.1.34.4 Student-Athlete Withdrawn From Four-Year College. An institution may contact a student-athlete who has withdrawn officially from a four-year collegiate institution without obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process only if at least one academic year has elapsed since the withdrawal.

13.1.1.34.4.1 Exception -- Official Religious Mission. An institution shall not contact a student-athlete who has begun service on an official religious mission without obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process if the student-athlete signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) an athletics aid agreement and attended, as a full-time student, the institution with which the NLI agreement was signed. If such a student-athlete has completed the official religious mission and does not enroll full time in a collegiate institution within one calendar year of completion of the mission, an institution may contact the student-athlete without obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process. [D]

[13.1.1.4 renumbered as 13.1.1.5, unchanged.]

13.1.2 Permissible Recruiters.

[13.1.2.1 through 13.1.2.5 unchanged.]

13.1.2.6 Head Coach Restrictions -- Football.

[13.1.2.6.1 through 13.1.2.6.2 unchanged.]

13.1.2.6.3 Spring Contact Period. In bowl subdivision football, during the spring contact period, the head coach (and any assistant coach who has been publicly designated by the institution to become the next head coach) shall not engage in off-campus recruiting activities, participate in an off-campus coaching clinic, visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution for any reason, meet with a prospective student-athlete's coach at an off-campus location, or attend or speak at a banquet or meeting that is designed to recognize prospective student-athletes (e.g., high school awards banquet, high school all-star banquet). In addition, the head coach (or any assistant coach who has been publicly designated by the institution to become the next head coach) shall not make an in-person, off-campus contact with a prospective student-athlete during the spring contact period at any location, even if the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. [D]

[13.1.2.7 through 13.1.2.8 unchanged.]

[13.1.3 through 13.1.4 unchanged.]

13.1.5 Contacts.

[13.1.5.1 through 13.1.5.8 unchanged.]

13.1.5.9 Letter-of-Intent Contact on Day of Signing. Any in-person, on- or off-campus contact made with a prospective student-athlete for the purpose of signing a letter of intent or other on the day the prospective student-athlete signs an athletics aid agreement or other commitment to attend the institution or attendance at activities related to the signing of a letter of intent or other commitment to attend the institution shall be prohibited. In football, such in-person, on-campus contact made with a prospective student-athlete for the purpose of signing a letter of intent or other commitment to attend the institution or attendance at activities related to the signing of a letter of intent or other commitment to attend the institution is also prohibited. [D]

[13.1.5.10 unchanged.]

[13.1.6 through 13.1.10 unchanged.]

13.2 Offers and Inducements.

[13.2.1 unchanged.]

13.2.2 Institutional Preenrollment Fees. An institution may waive, pay in advance or guarantee payment of any institutional preenrollment fee for a prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or for whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. A preenrollment fee is one that is required by the institution for enrollment and includes the following:

[13.2.2-(a) through 13.2.2-(i) unchanged.]

[13.2.3 through 13.2.11 unchanged.]

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 the individual's family members) until June 15 at the conclusion of the individual's sophomore year in high school. [D]

[13.4.1.1 through 13.4.1.9 unchanged.]

13.4.1.10 Recruiting Materials. As specified below, an institution may provide only the following materials to a prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete's family members, coaches or any other individual responsible for teaching or directing an activity in which a prospective student-athlete is involved: [D]

[13.4.1.10-(a) through 13.4.1.10-(d) unchanged.]

(e) Preenrollment Information. An institution may provide any necessary preenrollment information regarding orientation, conditioning, academics and practice activities to a prospective student-athlete, provided prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or an institutional financial aid agreement, or has been officially accepted for enrollment.

[13.4.1.10-(f) unchanged.]

[13.4.2 unchanged.]

[13.5 unchanged.]

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 through 13.6.2.1.3 unchanged.]

13.6.2.1.4 Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than January 1 of the prospective student-athlete's junior year in high school. [D]

13.6.2.1.4.1 July Evaluation Periods -- Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, an institution may not provide an expense-paid visit to a prospective student-athlete during the July evaluation periods (see Bylaw 13.1.5.5.2), unless the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.6.2.1.5 through 13.6.2.1.6 unchanged.]

13.6.2.2 Number of Official Visits -- Institutional Limitations. An institution may finance one visit to its campus for a prospective student-athlete before October 15 following completion of high school and one visit beginning October 15 following completion of high school, including a visit related to a possible transfer. [D]

[13.6.2.2.1 unchanged.]

13.6.2.2.2 Football. In football, an institution may provide 70 official visits on an annual basis (April 1 through March 31). The institution must maintain a written record of the visits provided. [D]

13.6.2.2.2.1 National Service Academies and Institutions That Do Not Subscribe to the National Letter of Intent. A national service academy or an institution that does not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent may provide 84 official visits, 70 of which may be provided prior to the initial date of the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent for signing an athletics aid agreement. An official visit provided to a senior prospective student-athlete April 1 through July 31 may count toward the previous year's limit.

[13.6.2.3 through 13.6.2.5 unchanged.]

[13.6.3 through 13.6.9 unchanged.]

13.7 Unofficial (Nonpaid) Visit.

[13.7.1 unchanged.]

13.7.2 Number Permitted. A prospective student-athlete may visit a member institution's campus at the prospective student-athlete's own expense an unlimited number of times.

13.7.2.1 Exception -- Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not make an unofficial visit in July unless the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received a financial deposit from the prospective student-athlete in response to an offer of admission. A high school or preparatory school prospective student-athlete may not make an unofficial visit during the NCAA College Basketball Academy.

13.7.2.2 Exception -- Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not make an unofficial visit during the July evaluation periods (see Bylaw 13.1.5.5.2) unless the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received a financial deposit from the prospective student-athlete in response to an offer of admission. A high school or preparatory school prospective student-athlete may not make an unofficial visit during the NCAA College Basketball Academy.

[13.7.3 through 13.7.5 unchanged.]

[13.8 unchanged.]

13.9 Letter-of-Intent Programs, Financial Aid Agreements and Offers.

[13.9.1 through 13.9.2 unchanged.]

13.9.3 Letter of Intent Restriction. An institution may not participate in an institutional or conference athletics letter-of-intent program or issue an institutional or conference financial aid agreement that involves a signing date that precedes the initial regular (as opposed to early) signing date for the National Letter of Intent program in the same sport other than those set forth in Bylaw 13.02.13. However, an institution may permit a prospective student-athlete to sign an institutional or conference letter of intent during the National Letter of Intent early signing period in the applicable sport. [D]

13.9.3.21 Written Offer of Aid Before Signing Date. Before August 1 of an individual's senior year in high school, an institution shall not, directly or indirectly, provide a written offer of athletically related financial aid or indicate in writing to the individual that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by the institution. On or after August 1 of a prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school, an institution may indicate in writing to the prospective student-athlete that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by the institution; however, the institution may not permit the prospective student-athlete to sign a form indicating acceptance of such an award before the initial other than during the early signing period or on or after the regular signing date in the applicable sport in the National Letter of Intent program (see Bylaw 13.02.13). An institution may permit a midyear high school graduate who will enroll midyear to sign an athletics aid agreement beginning with the first day of the applicable early or regular signing period and extending through the final date for signing such an agreement for the applicable term pursuant to institutional policy. [D]

13.9.3.21.1 Nontraditional Academic Calendars. If a prospective student-athlete attends an educational institution that uses a nontraditional academic calendar (e.g., Southern Hemisphere), an institution may indicate in writing on or after the opening day of classes of the prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by the institution; however, the institution may not permit the prospective student-athlete to sign a form indicating acceptance of such an award before the initial signing date in that sport in the National Letter of Intent program. [D]

13.9.3.2 Early Signing Period Prohibition -- Football. An institution shall not issue an athletics aid agreement that is to be signed before the early football signing period to a prospective student-athlete who will participate in football. [D]

13.10 Publicity.

[13.10.1 unchanged.]

13.10.1.1 Comments Before Commitment. 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 or before the institution receives the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission, an 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 of the prospective student-athlete committing to or signing with that institution. [D]

[13.10.1.1.1 unchanged.]

[13.10.1.2 through 13.10.1.7 unchanged.]

13.10.1.8 Exception -- Telephone Call or Electronic Correspondence With Multiple Prospective Student-Athletes Before Commitment. An institution may conduct a telephone call (per Bylaw 13.1.3) with or send electronic correspondence (per Bylaw 13.4.1) to multiple prospective student-athletes who have not signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or from whom the institution has not received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.10.1.9 through 13.10.1.10 unchanged.]

13.10.2 Publicity After Commitment. There are no restrictions on publicity related to a prospective student-athlete after the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or after the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. In basketball and football, for institutions that subscribe to the National Letter of Intent program, this provision does not apply to a prospective student-athlete who only signs an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid prior to the initial regular (as opposed to early) signing date of the National Letter of Intent program in the applicable sport. In sports other than basketball and football, for institutions that subscribe to the National Letter of Intent program, this provision does not apply to an individual who only signs an institution's written offer of admission prior to the initial signing date of the National Letter of Intent program in the applicable sport. [D]

13.11 Tryouts.

[13.11.1 unchanged.]

13.11.2 Permissible Activities.

[13.11.2.1 through 13.11.2.3 unchanged.]

13.11.2.4 Recreational Activities. A prospective student-athlete visiting an institution may participate in physical workouts or other recreational activities during a visit to an institution's campus, provided such activities: [D]

[13.11.2.4-(a) through 13.11.2.4-(c) unchanged.]

13.11.2.4.1 Exception -- After National Letter of Intent Signing. A prospective student-athlete who has signed a National Letter of Intent (or a four-year college-transfer prospective student-athlete who has signed a written offer of financial aid and/or admission) may participate in voluntary weightlifting or conditioning activities (e.g., conditioning on the track) on the institution's campus in the presence of the institution's strength and conditioning coach, provided such activities are not prearranged, the strength and conditioning coach is performing normal duties and responsibilities in the supervision of the weight room or facility in use (e.g., track) and the strength and conditioning coach does not work directly with the prospective student-athlete. [D]

[13.11.2.5 through 13.11.2.6 unchanged.]

13.11.2.7 Medical Examinations.

[13.11.2.7.1 unchanged.]

13.11.2.7.2 After Signing or Acceptance for Enrollment. It shall be permissible to administer a medical examination at any time to a prospective student-athlete who either has signed the National Letter of Intent a written offer of financial aid with the involved institution or has been accepted for enrollment in a regular full-time program of studies at the institution, provided the examination occurs during an official paid visit or a visit to the institution at the prospective student-athlete's own expense for any purpose. Such an examination may take place before or after, but not during, a prospective student-athlete's visit to the campus to attend a general orientation session pursuant to Bylaw 13.15.2.3. [D]

[13.11.3 unchanged.]

13.11.3.8 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Football.

13.11.3.8.1 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Bowl Subdivision Football. In bowl subdivision football, a prospective student-athlete may engage in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach and may receive workout apparel (on an issuance and retrieval basis), provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. [D]

13.11.3.8.2 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Championship Subdivision Football. In championship subdivision football, a prospective student-athlete may engage in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach or a coach who is a certified strength and conditioning coach, and may receive workout apparel (on an issuance and retrieval basis), provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. [D]

[13.11.3.8.3 through 13.11.3.8.4 unchanged.]

13.11.3.9 Voluntary Summer Conditioning -- Sports Other Than Football. In sports other than football, a prospective student-athlete may engage in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach who is not a countable coach in any sport and may receive workout apparel (on an issuance and retrieval basis), provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. [D]

[13.11.3.9.1 through 13.11.3.9.2 unchanged.]

13.11.3.10 Required Summer Athletic Activities -- Basketball.

[13.11.3.10.1 unchanged.]

13.11.3.10.2 Institutions That Do Not Offer Summer School Courses -- Basketball. In basketball, an institution that does not offer summer school courses may designate eight weeks of the summer during which a prospective student-athlete may participate in required summer athletic activities (pursuant to Bylaw 17.1.7.2.1.6.1), provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.11.3.10.3 unchanged.]

13.11.3.11 Required Summer Athletic Activities -- Football.

[13.11.3.11.1 unchanged.]

13.11.3.11.2 Institutions That Do Not Offer Summer School Courses -- Championship Subdivision Football. In championship subdivision football, an institution that does not offer summer school courses may designate eight weeks of the summer during which a prospective student-athlete may participate in required summer athletic activities (pursuant to Bylaw 17.1.7.2.1.6.2), provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid, or the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.11.3.11.3 unchanged.]

13.12 Sports Camps and Clinics.

13.12.1 Institution's Sports Camps and Clinics.

[13.12.1.1 through 13.12.1.6 unchanged.]

13.12.1.7 Employment of Prospective Student-Athletes/No Free or Reduced Admission Privileges.

13.12.1.7.1 General Rule. An institution, members of its staff or representatives of its athletics interests shall not employ or give free or reduced admission privileges to a prospective student-athlete who is an athletics award winner or any individual being recruited by the institution per Bylaw 13.02.15.1. An institution may offer discounted admission 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, group discounts), provided such discounts are published and available on an equal basis to all who qualify. [R]

13.12.1.7.1.1 Exception -- Employment After Commitment. An institution may employ a prospective student-athlete in a camp or clinic, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received the prospective student-athlete's financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. Compensation may be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for similar services. Such compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following obtained because of athletics ability. A prospective student-athlete who only lectures or demonstrates at a camp/clinic may not receive compensation for an appearance at the camp/clinic.

[13.12.1.7.2 through 13.12.1.7.4 unchanged.]

[13.12.2 through 13.12.4 unchanged.]

[13.13 through 13.14 unchanged.]

13.15 Precollege Expenses.

13.15.1 Prohibited Expenses. An institution or a representative of its athletics interests shall not offer, provide or arrange financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part) the costs of the prospective student-athlete's educational or other expenses for any period prior to the prospective student-athlete's enrollment or so the prospective student-athlete can obtain a postgraduate education. [R]

13.15.1.1 Extent of Prohibition. The provisions of Bylaw 13.15.1 apply to all prospective student-athletes, including those who have signed a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of admission or financial aid.

[13.15.1.2 through 13.15.1.11 unchanged.]

13.15.2 Permissible Expenses.

13.15.2.1 Expenses Related to Academic Evaluations and Test Scores. An institution may pay fees or provide expenses in the following situations related to a prospective student-athlete's academic evaluation or test scores:

[13.15.2.1-(a) through 13.15.2.1-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Expenses (e.g., transcript fee, express delivery charges) for a prospective student-athlete's institution to send an academic transcript to the Eligibility Center, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.15.2.2 through 13.15.2.5 unchanged.]

13.16 U.S. Service Academy Exceptions and Waivers.

13.16.1 Contacts.

[13.16.1.1 unchanged.]

13.16.1.2 After National Letter of Intent Signing Date. There shall be no limit on the number of recruiting contacts with the prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete's family members made by a national service academy to which the prospective student-athlete has applied for admission after the National Letter of Intent signing date in the sport.

[13.16.1.3 unchanged.]

[13.16.2 through 13.16.4 unchanged.]

13.17 Recruiting Calendars.

[13.17.1 through 13.17.13 unchanged.]

13.17.14 Contact Period Exception. An institution that does not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent offer athletically related financial aid in a particular sport and has an official admissions notification date (the date when all applicants are notified whether they are admitted) that occurs after the end of the final contact period of the academic year may extend the final contact period of the academic year through 30 days after the institution's official admissions notification date. The institution remains subject to all dead periods that occur during the extended contact period and may not exceed the maximum number of contacts permitted in the particular sport.

13.17.15 Recruiting Periods -- Other Sports. There are no specified recruiting periods in sports for which no recruiting calendars have been established, except for the following recruiting shutdowns, dead periods and quiet periods.

[13.17.15.1 unchanged.]

13.17.15.2 Dead Periods.

13.17.15.2.1 National Letter of Intent Signing Date. Monday through Thursday of the week that includes the fall or spring signing of the National Letter of Intent date in the applicable sport.

13.17.15.2.1.1 Exception -- North American Cup Fencing Championship. During a year in which the National Letter of Intent signing date dead period occurs during the North American Cup Fencing Championship, it shall be permissible for authorized coaching staff members to observe prospective student-athletes participating in that event.

13.17.15.2.1.2 Exception -- Junior Olympic Rifle Championships. During a year in which the National Letter of Intent signing date dead period occurs during the Junior Olympic Rifle Championships, it shall be permissible for authorized coaching staff members to observe prospective student-athletes participating in that event.

[13.17.15.2.2 through 13.17.15.2.9 unchanged.]

[13.17.15.3 unchanged.]

[13.18 unchanged.]

14.2 Full-Time Enrollment.

14.2.1 Requirement for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the regulations of the certifying institution. (See Bylaw 12.8.2.5.) [D]

14.2.1.1 Practice Prior to Initial Enrollment. A student-athlete may practice during the official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has been accepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual's initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements.

14.2.1.1.1 Prohibited Practice Activities -- General Rule. A prospective student-athlete shall not engage in any practice activities (e.g., review of playbook, chalk talk, film review) with a coaching staff member prior to enrollment. A prospective student-athlete may observe an institution’s practice session, including a session that is closed to the general public.

14.2.1.1.1.1 Exception -- Women's Basketball. A prospective student-athlete who signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or for whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission may participate in virtual team activities (e.g., team meetings, film review) during an institution's summer vacation period, provided the prospective student-athlete has completed all academic requirements for high school graduation or all transfer academic requirements.

[14.2.1.2 through 14.2.1.8 unchanged.]

[14.2.2 through 14.2.3 unchanged.]

15.02 Definitions and Applications.

[15.02.1 through 15.02.8 unchanged.]

15.02.9 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student-athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete:

[15.02.9-(a) through 15.02.9-(b) unchanged.]

(c) Was issued a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of athletically related financial aid by the institution for a regular academic term.

[15.02.10 unchanged.]

17.1.7 Time Limits for Athletically Related Activities. In all sports, the following time limitations shall apply:

[17.1.7.1 unchanged.]

17.1.7.2 Weekly Hour Limitations -- Outside of the Playing Season.

[17.1.7.2-(a) through 17.1.7.2-(c) unchanged.]

17.1.7.2.1 Institutional Vacation Period and Summer. A student-athlete may not participate in any countable athletically related activities outside the playing season during any institutional vacation period and/or summer. Strength and conditioning coaches who are not countable coaches in the student-athlete's sport may design and conduct specific workout programs for a student-athlete, provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the student-athlete.

[17.1.7.2.1.1 through 17.1.7.2.1.4 unchanged.]

17.1.7.2.1.5 Exception -- Participation in Virtual Team Activities -- Women's Basketball. In women's basketball, a student-athlete may engage in virtual team activities (virtual nonphysical countable athletically related activities) during an institution's summer vacation period subject to the following limitations:

[17.1.7.2.1.5-(a) unchanged.]

(b) During Summer Athletic Activities Period. If a student-athlete (or prospective student-athlete who signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid or for whom the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission) is not participating in required summer athletics activities (per Bylaw 17.1.7.2.1.6.1), they may participate in a maximum of eight hours per week of virtual team activities for up to eight weeks.

[17.1.7.2.1.6 unchanged.]

[17.1.7.2.2 through 17.1.7.2.4 unchanged.]

[17.1.7.3 through 17.1.7.12 unchanged.]

20.2.4 Conditions and Obligations of Membership.

[20.2.4.1 through 20.2.4.9 unchanged.]

20.2.4.10 Certification of Insurance Coverage. An active member institution must certify insurance coverage for medical expenses resulting from athletically related injuries sustained by the following individuals while participating in a covered event: [D]

[20.2.4.10-(a) unchanged.]

(b) A prospective student-athlete participating in a covered event who has graduated from high school and signed a National Letter of Intent or an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid to participate in an intercollegiate sport at a participating institution.

[20.2.4.10.1 through 20.2.4.10.3 unchanged.]

[20.2.4.11 through 20.2.4.32 unchanged.]