RECRUITING HANDOUT FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND STUDENT-ATHLETE
RECRUITING RULES: These rules are to be followed by the student-athletes, their parents, as well as the college coaches and their respective schools. Recruiting Rules-these rules are to be followed by both the student-athletes, their parents, as well as college coaches and their respective colleges. Recruiting happens when a college coach actively seeks out the student-athlete using written materials, watching practice or games, or contacts the student-athlete in person. Contact happens when a college coach has a conversation or meeting with the athlete or parent off the college campus. Contact period is the length of time in which the college coach may have personal face to face contact with the student-athlete or parents NOT on the college campus. Coaches are allowed to visit your high school at this time to watch you play. You and your parents may also visit the college campus, email or call during this time as well. Evaluation period is length of time in which a college coach can watch student-athletes compete, visit their high schools and communicate via email or by phone with studentathletes or their parents. College coaches may NOT have face-to-face contact with student-athletes or their parents off the college campus during this time. Quiet period is the length of time when college coaches can make face to face contact on the coach s college campus. Dead period may ONLY contact the student-athletes and their parents by email or phone. There is to be absolutely no face-to-face contact or visits their high schools.
NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT (NLI) Is the document that is signed by the student-athlete ensuring his or her commitment to the college for one academic year. The College provides financial aid as long as as the the student-athlete athlete has been has admitted been to admitted the college to and the eligible college for it under and eligible NCAA for rules it under NCAA rules National Letter of Intent (NLI) is the document that is signed by ensuring his or her commitment to the college for one academic year. Within this agreement is the understanding that the college provides financial aid as long as the student-athlete has been admitted to the college and eligible for it under NCAA rules. The NLI is NOT required to provide financial aid or participate in college sports. It is a way to help celebrate the end of the recruiting process. By signing the NLI, no other colleges are allowed to continue recruiting the studentathlete. Sometimes, a student-athlete who has signed their NLI changes their mind about attending the college. The student MUST request a release from the school they signed with. If the student signs the NLI and attends another school, the student-athlete will lose one full year of eligibility. In order to play the following year, the student-athlete must complete a full academic year at the new college.
GLOSSARY OF RECRUITING TERMS Amateurism is being eligible to play college sports; students must maintain their amateur status in order to play in college. Booster Club Member is an individual who supports a particular college s athletic program by donating money to the college or by promoting the college s athletic program. Eligibility Center is the organization responsible for certifying the academic eligibility for practice, competition, and financial aid of all prospective student-athletes for Division I and Division II. Redshirt is a student who does not play in ANY college game or scrimmage in a given academic year. If a student plays in even one second of one game as a college athlete, he or she cannot be a redshirt. Grayshirt describes a student-athlete who delays initial enrollment in a collegiate institution to the winter or spring term. Grayshirting usually occurs when a studentathlete is injured before the start of the academic year where they forgo classes and practices to join the team once the athlete is healthy. Walk-on refers to a student-athlete who plays and trains with a collegiate team without an athletic scholarship. Official Visit is a visit to a college campus by the student-athlete and parents paid for by the college. Transportation to and from the college, room and meals (3 per day) while visiting the college, and reasonable entertainment expenses including 3 complimentary tickets to home athletic contests may be covered by the college. Transcripts, test scores, and registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center must be provided before the college can offer an official visit to their campus. Unofficial Visit is any visit by the student-athlete and parent to a college campus paid by you or your parents. The only expense allowed is 3 complimentary tickets to a home athletic game. Unofficial visits can happen at any time and as many times as the student-athlete likes. The only time the student-athlete or parent is NOT allowed to speak with a coach during an unofficial visit is during a dead period. Evaluation is where a college coach watches a student-athlete during a practice or a game. Verbal commitment is a phrase used to describe a student-athlete s commitment to the college before they sign or are able to sign a National Letter of Intent. While verbal commitments have become very popular for student-athletes and coaches, it can be made at any time and is non-binding for both parties, student and school.