Issue TWO F R O M T H E O F F I C E OF C O M P L I A N C E Rules Education current topics >>> Welcome Back Ragin Cajuns Coaches and Staff This month s topic is NCAA Recruiting. Recruiting is an integral part of working in intercollegiate athletics. As such, it comes with a large set of rules and best practices. Included in this newsletter are many rules concerning the PSA recruitment process. We have included the recruiting calendar, signing dates and testing dates for this academic year to better help you plan for your sport. The UL Compliance Office is here to ensure that all NCAA, Sun Belt Conference and University rules are followed. Never hesitate to call us or drop by if you have any questions at any time about a situation, rule or procedure. Be sure to check out the LSDBi Hot Topics and Around the NCAA. We share these articles with you in an effort to increase everyone s knowledge of the rules as they are added, changed or get broken. ACS Athletics Reminder All recruiting activity (e.g., contacts, evaluations, phone calls) must be entered into ACS Athletics. Also, remember to continue entering countable athletically-related activities (CARA logs) into ACS Athletics. Team Roster Management If a student-athlete (scholarship or walk-on) quits the team or is going to be added to the team, the compliance office must be notified immediately in order to make sure everything is documented accordingly. The coach must complete and return either a Student-Athlete Update Form or a Voluntary Withdrawal Form to the compliance office. Eligibility Certification Incoming student-athletes (scholarship and walk-on) that report for athletics participation before they have officially been certified may practice, but not compete, during a 45-day period. After the 45-day period, the individual will no longer be eligible to continue practicing or to compete and receive athletic aid. For those student-athletes that began practicing on August 26th, the 45-day deadline is Thursday, October 10th. Requesting Final Amateurism Certification On October 1, 2013, all prospective student-athletes that are planning to enroll for the Spring 2014 semester may request final amateurism certification with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The prospective studentathlete can complete this through their online account at ww.eligibilitycenter.org. Please contact the compliance office for a copy of instructions to send to prospective student-athletes, if needed. The Compliance Office 1 SEPT 2013
hot topics >>> LSDBi Hot Topics Providing Goodwill Packages to Visiting Teams (I) Date Published: August 26, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed it is permissible to provide all teams participating in an institutionally sponsored meet or tournament with a goodwill package containing various mementos (e.g., coffee mugs, candy packets) of nominal value. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 16.02.3 (extra benefit), 16.11.1.1 (general rule), 16.11.2.1 (general rule) and official interpretation (12/16/87, Item No. 3) which has been archived] Distinction between National Invitation Tournament and NCAA Championships (I) Definition of Organized Outside Basketball Competition (I) Date Published: August 30, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed that it is not permissible for a basketball student-athlete to participate in a basketball activity in which two or more individuals compete against each other (e.g., slam dunk competition, three-point shooting contest). [References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 14.6.2.1 (organized basketball competition), staff interpretations (3/16/88, Item No. 2b), (10/14/88, Item No. a), and (10/27/89, Item No. a), which have been archived] Reduction of Financial Aid (I) Date Published: August 30, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed that an institution that distributes excess financial aid to a studentathlete, which would cause the student-athlete's award to exceed a full grant-in-aid (athletically related aid) or cost of attendance (all aid), may gradate the excess aid, provided the student-athlete has not received financial benefits in excess of a full grant-in-aid or cost of attendance for the academic year. However, once the student-athlete has gained a benefit from aid received in excess of a full grant-in-aid or cost of attendance (e.g., receipt of funds, payment of charge on student-athlete's account), the institution may not avoid a violation by obtaining reimbursement from the student-athlete or charging the student-athlete's account in the amount of the excess aid received. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 15.01.6 (maximum institutional financial aid to individual), 15.1 (maximum limit on financial aid -- individual), 15.1.4 (reduction when excess aid is awarded) and staff interpretation (2/07/90, Item No. f), which has been archived] Student-Athlete Entertainment in Conjunction with Representing the Institution (I) Date Published: August 30, 2013 that a student-athlete may receive reasonable entertainment expenses in conjunction with representing a member institution in a noncompetitive event from the member institution, conference, the NCAA or the outside sponsor of the event. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 16.8.1 (permissible); 16.9.1 (permissible travel expenses not related to practice or competition); staff interpretation (7/8/88, Item No. f) and staff interpretation (10/25/91, Item No. a) which have been archived] Permission to Contact Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athlete After Commitment (I) Date Published: August 30, 2013 that an institution that has received a four-year college prospective studentathlete's signed acceptance of admission or a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission is not required to obtain written permission from another NCAA or NAIA four-year collegiate institution to make contact with the prospective student-athlete; however, the institution is required to obtain written permission from the four-year college prospective studentathlete's previous institution to provide the student-athlete with athletically related financial assistance during the student-athlete's first year of full-time enrollment at that institution. References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.02.12 (prospective student-athlete), 13.02.12.1 (exception-after commitment) and 13.1.1.3 (four -year college prospective student-athletes)] Transportation on Initial Arrival for Summer Employment (I) Date Published: September 4, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed it is not permissible for an institution to transport a prospective studentathlete to campus from the nearest bus or train station or airport when the student arrives to begin a summer job prior to attending classes even if the individual will remain in the locale of the institution to begin classes. [Reference: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.2.3.3 (after completion of senior year), 13.2.3.4 (transportation to summer job) and 13.5.4 (transportation to enroll or to attend required orientation); and an official interpretation (04/14/1986, Item No. 4),which has been archived] Training Expenses Authorized by the National Governing Body (NGB) and Governmental Entities (I) Date Published: September 5, 2013 that an individual is permitted to receive training expenses through a country's athlete-assistance program, provided the NGB or a governmental entity identifies the recipients and the use of such a program is one of the normal processes for distributing funds to cover training expenses. [References: NCAA Bylaw 12.1.2.4.7 (exception for training expenses); and staff interpretation (06/21/91, Item No. f), which has been archived] Member Institutions Providing Expenses for National Championship Events (I) Date Published: September 5, 2013 there is no limit on the number of national championship events for which an institution may provide actual and necessary expenses to a student-athlete, provided the events 2
hot topics >>> LSDBi Hot Topics are recognized as national championship events by the appropriate national governing body. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 16.8.1.1 (other competition), Proposal No. RWG-16-8 and staff interpretation (09/13/91, Item No. f) which has been archived] recognition of an accomplishment in a particular contest or event as a benefit incidental to participation. [References: 16.1.4 (types of awards, awarding agencies, maximum value and numbers of awards) and a staff interpretation (11/27/96, item a), which has been archived] [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.3.1.4 (initial-eligibility waivers) and 14.3.3.1 (fourth season of competition -- nonqualifier)] On-Campus, In-Person Scouting of Opponents (I) Date Published: September 9, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed that the prohibition against off-campus, in-person scouting of opponents is not applicable to an institution's coaching staff in a situation in which a competition involving a future opponent occurs on the coaching staff's campus. [References: NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1 (off-campus, inperson scouting prohibition; staff interpretation (09/15/10), which is archived; and official interpretation (12/12/94, Item No. 18), which is archived] Use of Service or Software that Converts Electronic Mail into a Text Message -- Sports Other Than Basketball (I) Date Published: September 9, 2013 membership affairs staff confirmed that, in sports other than basketball, it is not permissible for institutional staff members to use a service or software that converts electronic mail (e.g., email) sent by an institutional staff member into a text message when received by the prospective student-athlete. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.4.1.2 (electronic transmissions) and 13.4.1.2.1 (exception -- basketball); and an official interpretation (7/11/07, Item No. 2) which has been archived] Recognition of Accomplishments in a Particular Contest or Event (I) Date Published: September 13, 2013 that an institution may provide a memento of nominal value (e.g., game ball, t-shirt, hat, etc.), which may not include cash or cash equivalents, to a student-athlete in Member Institution Arranging for Media Interviews with Prospective Student-Athletes Participating in Voluntary Summer Workouts Conducted by Strength and Conditioning Coach -- Basketball and Football (I) Date Published: September 13, 2013 that, in basketball and football, it is permissible for an institution to arrange for media outlets to conduct interviews with a prospective studentathlete during the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment, provided the prospective student-athlete is on campus and is permitted to participate in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution's strength and conditioning coach. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.10.2.4 (prospective student-athlete's visit), 13.11.3.7 (voluntary summer conditioning -- football) and 13.11.3.8 (voluntary summer conditioning -- basketball; and a 7/1/09 staff interpretation, Item No. 4) Fourth Season of Competition for a Nonqualifier Who Receives an Initial -Eligibility Waiver (I) Date Published: September 13, 2013 that a nonqualifier who receives a fully approved initial-eligibility waiver (e.g., obvious waiver, automatic waiver, waiver approved by staff) to permit athletically related financial aid, practice and competition in the initial year of full-time collegiate enrollment is not subject to the fourth season of competition legislation. Further, the academic and membership affairs staff determined that, effective August 1, 2016, a nonqualifier who receives partial (aid and practice) relief through the initial-eligibility waiver process is not subject to the fourth season of competition legislation. 3 Subscription to Recruiting or Scouting Services that Provide Oral Reports Related to Prospective Student-Athletes (I) Date Published: September 20, 2013 Interpretation: The committee confirmed that an institution is not permitted to subscribe to a recruiting or scouting service that provides oral reports related to prospective student -athletes regardless of whether the service also disseminates information related to prospective studentathletes in any other manner (e.g., published reports, online profiles, video, etc.). [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 13.14.3 (recruiting or scouting services), 14.13.1 (basketball and football), 13.14.3.1.1 (video-only services), 14.13.3.2 (sports other than basketball and football) and 13.14.3.3 (subscription limited to approved services basketball and football)] Enrolled Student Tryouts (I) Date Published: September 4, 2013 Educational Column: NCAA Division I institutions should note that a tryout of an enrolled student may occur, provided the student is eligible for practice and the tryout involves activities that are permissible at the time they occur. The following questions and answers are intended to assist the membership as it relates to the specific parameters for enrolled student tryouts during and outside the playing and practice season. In addition, other opportunities to observe enrolled students are noted. Question No. 1: Does a student need to be certified as eligible for practice to engage in a tryout?
hot topics >>> LSDBi Hot Topics Answer: The student must be registered as a full-time degreeseeking student, or meet a legislated exception, and be otherwise eligible to engage in countable athletically related activities. However, to the extent that eligibility has not been determined (e.g., the student has not registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center, a final Eligibility Center initial -eligibility determination has not been rendered, the student is a twoyear college transfer) the student may still engage in countable athletically related activities for a 45- day period while certification is pending. This 45-day period would not be applicable for a student who is clearly ineligible (e.g., a freshman student who has never taken the SAT or ACT) and only one temporary certification period is available per student. Question No. 2: Does a student need to fill out the Drug-Testing Consent Form and be added to the squad list to engage in a tryout? Answer: A student who is trying out for a team is not required to fill out the Drug-Testing Consent Form and the institution is not required to add such a student to the squad list form for 14 days from the first date the student engages in countable athletically related activities or until the institution's first competition, whichever occurs earlier. Question No. 3: What types of activities may a student engage in as part of the tryout? Answer: The student may engage in any activities in which it would be permissible for student-athletes to engage, subject to the same in-season or out-of-season weekly and daily hour limitations applicable to student -athletes. For purposes of skillrelated instruction restrictions, each student involved in the activity must be included in the limit of four participants, if applicable. Question No. 4: May a tryout be advertised? May it be viewed by the general public? Answer: A tryout may be advertised unless it occurs outside of the playing and practice season and will include skill-related instruction in addition to conditioning activities. Skill-related instruction outside of the playing and practice season may not be publicized or conducted in view of the general public. Question No. 5: Are there other observation opportunities or restrictions for the coaching staff? Answer: NCAA playing and practice session legislation does not preclude a coach from attending or observing organized competition involving enrolled students and/or studentathletes, provided the coach does not direct or supervise the organized activity. However, a coach is not permitted to observe enrolled students or student-athletes in nonorganized sport-specific competition (e.g., "pick-up" basketball games) outside the playing season. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 12.1.1.1.3.1 (temporary certification), 14.1.4.3 (exception -- 14 -day grace period), 14.3.5.1 (participation prior to certification), 14.5.4.5.7 (participation prior to certification), 17.02.1.1 (countable athletically related activities), 17.02.12 (tryouts -- enrolled students), and 17.1.6 (time limits for athletically related activities); and staff interpretations (02/04/04, Item No. 1 and 04/26/13, Item No. c)] NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Recruiting Model (I) Date Published: September 16, 2013 Educational Column: This following questions and answers are intended to assist the membership in applying NCAA Division I legislation as it relates to the men's basketball recruiting model. Question No. 1: Do evaluation activities during the April evaluation periods count toward the 130 recruiting-person days restriction and the limit of seven recruiting opportunities per prospective studentathlete? Answer: Yes. Evaluations during April must be included in the 130 recruitingperson days and count toward the limit of seven recruiting opportunities per prospective student-athlete. Note that 4 if an event is conducted on consecutive days in a tournament format, an institution would only be charged with a single recruiting opportunity per prospective studentathlete. Question No. 2: During recruiting periods, is it permissible for an institution's coach to sit with a prospective student-athlete's parents during the prospective studentathlete's contest or to have in-person contact with the prospective studentathlete after the contest once he has been released? Answer: No. It is not permissible to have in-person contact with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians during the day of the prospective studentathlete's competition, including time before and after the competition. Question No. 3: Is it permissible for an institution to make a telephone call to a prospective student-athlete who has reported on call for competition or competition-related activities? Answer: No. It is not permissible to make a telephone call to a prospective student-athlete who has reported on call for competition or competitionrelated activities until he has been released by the appropriate institutional authority in accordance with the parameters of NCAA Bylaw 13.1.6.2. Question No. 4: Is it permissible for an institution to send an email or other form of electronic correspondence (e.g., text message) to a prospective student-athlete who has reported on call for competition or competition-related activities? Answer: It is not permissible to send electronic correspondence to a prospective student-athlete while he is on call for competition at the competition site (e.g., arena, stadium). However, it is permissible to send general correspondence (including electronic correspondence) to a prospective student-athlete while he is on call and not at the competition
hot topics >>> LSDBi Hot Topics site, or while he is at any location, once released by the appropriate authority. Question No. 5: Is it permissible for an institution to make a telephone call, send an email, or send another form of electronic correspondence (e.g., text message) to a prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians while the prospective student-athlete is on call for competition or competition-related activities? What if the prospective student-athlete is participating in a certified event? Answer: It is permissible to make a telephone call, send an email, or send another form of electronic correspondence (e.g., text message) to a prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians while the prospective student-athlete is on call for competition or competitionr e l a t e d a c t i v i t i e s. S u c h communication may also occur with a prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians while the prospective student-athlete is participating in a certified event. However, all communication with a prospective student-athlete's coach or any individual associated with the prospective student-athlete as a result of the prospective studentathlete's participation in basketball, directly or indirectly, is prohibited during the time period in which the prospective student-athlete is participating in a certified event. Question No. 6: During the April evaluation periods, is it permissible for coaches to attend events other than certified events (e.g., noninstitutional organized events that are approved, sponsored or conducted by an applicable state, national or international governing body and are not organized and conducted primarily for a recruiting purpose)? Is it permissible for a coach to visit a high school to talk to a high school coach or pick up a transcript? Answer: No. Evaluations of live athletics activities during the April evaluation periods are specifically limited to events that are certified pursuant to Bylaw 13.18. No other off-campus evaluation activities may occur during the April evaluation periods. Question No. 7: During the academic year recruiting period, is it permissible for coaches to evaluate at an "open gym"? Answer: It would be permissible for coaches to evaluate if the "open gym" (or pick-up game or similar activity) has been approved by the appropriate authority at the scholastic institution as a regular scholastic activity; it involves only students enrolled at the institution where the activity is occurring; and it is not organized for the purpose of permitting institutional coaches to observe the p r o s p ec t iv e s tu d e nt - a th l et e s participating in the activity. Question No. 8: During the July dead periods, may an institution conduct institutional camps and clinics? Answer: As specified in Bylaw 13.12.1.5, institutions may not conduct institutional camps and clinics (those that include prospective studentathletes) during dead periods. Question No. 9: If a prospective student-athlete making an official visit is a member of a nontraditional family (e.g., divorce, separation), is it permissible to provide travel expenses to more than two individuals? Answer: No. It is only permissible to provide travel expenses in conjunction with an official visit to two individuals who are the prospective studentathlete's parents or legal guardians. Question No. 10: May an institution pay the costs for a prospective studentathlete's parents or legal guardians to receive meals and lodging while in transit to an official visit without starting the 48-hour official visit period? Answer: Yes. Question No. 11: May a coaching staff member have in-person contact with a 5 prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians during a day of the prospective studentathlete's competition, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or has submitted a financial deposit in response to the institution's offer of admission? Answer: If a prospective studentathlete has signed a NLI 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 the institution's offer of admission, the restrictions of Bylaw 13.1, including restrictions on in-person contact with the prospective student-athlete and/ or his relatives or legal guardians on a day of competition, no longer apply. However, the restrictions of Bylaw 13.1 continue to apply as they relate to other prospective student-athletes. Therefore, even if a prospective student-athlete who has signed a NLI is participating, it remains impermissible for a coaching staff member to attend an event that occurs outside of a recruiting or evaluation period. In addition, it is impermissible for a coaching staff member, while having contact with a prospective student-athlete who has signed a NLI, to place himself or herself in a position in which contact is possible with other prospective student-athletes and/or relative or legal guardians. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaws 11.7.4.3.1 (exception -- basketball -- July evaluation periods), 13.02.5.3 (recruiting period -- men's basketball), 13.1.5.3 (contacts -- men's basketball), 13.1.6.2 (contact restrictions -- competition site), 13.1.6.2.1 (additional restriction -- men's and women's basketball), 13.1.6.2.1.1 (exceptions -- men's basketball), 13.1.7.8 (basketball evaluations), 13.4.1 (recruiting materials), 13.4.1.2.1 (electronic transmission -- exception -- men's basketball), 13.5.2.6.1 (exception -- transportation expenses for a prospective student-athletes parents or legal guardians -- men's basketball), 13.6.7.1.1 (meals and lodging while in transit) and 13.17.2 (recruiting calendar -- men's basketball)]
compliance corner >>> NCAA Division I Recruiting Recruiting Basics Recruiting calendars for each sport were emailed to all coaches at the beginning of semester Helpful resource for planning future recruiting travel and also coordinating recruiting visits Contact compliance staff if you need an additional copy Please reference recruiting guides for information on recruiting definitions and periods, phone calls, and contacts/evaluations If asked to speak at a banquet, clinic, or meeting where PSAs are in attendance, contact compliance staff for prior approval Entertainment Restrictions Entertainment of a high school, prep school, or two-year college coach or any other individual responsible for teaching or directing an activity for PSA s shall be limited to a maximum of 2 complimentary admissions (issued only through a pass list) to home intercollegiate athletics events. Issued only on an individual-game basis (e.g., no season tickets). Shall not include food and refreshments, room expenses, or the cost of transportation. Complimentary admissions to any postseason competition (e.g., NCAA championship, conference tournament, bowl game) is impermissible. Does not matter if institutional staff member has pre-existing relationship with individual still impermissible! Ex. Coach Mazeitis-Fontenot and Caroline Dufrene (Head Volleyball Coach at Acadiana High School) No meals, lodging, transportation, apparel, equipment, etc. Gifts at Coaches Clinics An institution may not provide gifts to high school, prep school, or two-year college coaches in conjunction with its coaches clinic or other events. Specifically prohibits the provision of a door prize to the coach, even if the cost of the prize is included in the admission fee. Materials (e.g., clipboards, file folders) may be provided to each person attending the clinic, provided the items are included in the registration or admission fee. Official Visits Coach Stringer sent an email to the compliance staff indicating that the #1 high school prospect (Willie Robertson) wants to come to Lafayette for an official visit. Before we can share in his excitement, what are the first things we need to know? Is the prospect a senior in high school? Is the prospect registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center? Do we have a transcript and test score? Do we have official visit paperwork? Coach Stringer attached the itinerary for the official visit on the green sheet of paper provided. Any concerns with the attendees? Travel arrangements for family UL may only pay expenses for Willie s flight (NCAA bylaw 13.5.2.6) How old is Jase? Junior in high school Is he being recruited by the institution? Yes, he is Top 50 men s basketball prospect Jase would not be able to stay in hotel room with Willie (NCAA bylaw 13.6.9). Additional occupants shall not be PSA s being recruited by the institutions 6
compliance corner >>> Official Visits Con t Any concerns with Friday? Can graduate assistant Tommy pick up the family from the airport? Yes including Jase (13.5.2.4) Is the hotel room a suite or a normal room? May not include any special accessories (e.g., jacuzzi) What is the value of the comedy show? Entertainment cannot exceed $40/day for both the prospect and the student host (13.6.7.5) Can Jase and Si attend the meals? Yes, but would be responsible for their own meal costs (13.6.8) Any concerns with Saturday? How many complimentary tickets can Willie and his family receive for the volleyball game? Three (13.6.7.2) If Men s Basketball staff wanted to list Jase on the Unofficial Visit Pass List for the volleyball game, Jase could receive up to 3 complimentary tickets for the game. Can two hosts eat the meal at Coach Hudspeth s house? No; Coach Hudspeth could complete an Occasional Meal Form prior to meal occurring though Any concerns with Sunday? Is this car service a limo or a regular shuttle? Limo would be impermissible transportation (13.5.2.1) Has the visit exceeded the 48-hour period? When does the visit officially begin? When Willie arrives on campus, not when transportation is initiated from the airport (Noon on Friday) When does the visit officially end? When Willie departs campus, not when the flight leaves (10:00 AM on Sunday) Visit is within the 48-hour period Additional Reminders Activities during official visit: May not arrange personalized recruiting aids (e.g., personalized jerseys, personalized audio/video scoreboard presentations) Personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the PSA will visit (e.g., hotel room, locker room, coach s office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether the items include the PSA s name or picture No game-day simulations (e.g., running onto the field with the team during pregame introductions, Cajun Walk) Social Media and Recruiting Timing is Everything All sports other than men s basketball: First permissible use of electronic correspondence September 1 at beginning of the junior year Men s Basketball: First permissible use of electronic correspondence and text messaging June 15 after sophomore year Public vs. Private Can the public see the interaction? (e.g., friending, following, chatting, posting to a wall, liking) Is the interaction private? Sent between only the sender and recipient. Permissible: Posting generic information, including locations 7
compliance corner >>> visited (e.g., visit to a high school or town, attending a contest) Confirming recruitment of PSA by friending or following Send a private message to PSA (e.g., Twitter direct message, Google+ messenger, Facebook email) Nothing on a public forum until the day after PSA signs with our institution Content of the Message Institutions may send a photograph to a PSA as an attachment to general correspondence or electronic transmission provided the photograph was not altered or staged for a recruiting purpose. May a coaching staff member send a photo of a team practice or pep rally to a PSA as an attachment to an email or a direct social media message (e.g. Twitter, Facebook)? Yes, provided the content was not altered or staged for a recruiting purpose. May a coaching staff member use software to add content to the photograph and send it to a PSA as an attachment to an email or social media message? No; however, standard photo editing (e.g. cropping, red-eye reduction, filters, etc.) is permissible. May a coach arrange for a photo of the university s president, famous alumni and mascots to be taken and sent to PSAs? No. The content of the photo may not be 8 staged or altered for recruiting purposes. Common Facebook and Twitter Issues Timing: Impermissible to initiate friend requests prior to permissible date to send electronically transmitted correspondence; Publicity: Posting or mentioning a name, nickname or other personally identifiable information about a particular PSA; Communicating with a PSA in the public view (e.g. wall posts on Facebook or @ r e p l i e s / mentions on Twitter); and Posting a photograph of the PSA during an official visit or an institutional camp prior to the PSA s signing of a NLI or institution s written offer of admission and/or financial aid. Case Studies Coach Harkins emailed Junior PSA Korie Robertson a link to an Instagram photo of the team huddling up during a pep rally. Permissible Coach Brodhead emailed a photo of the basketball court to senior PSA Missy Robertson with Happy Birthday Missy photo-shopped onto the court. Impermissible Director of athletics Scott Farmer followed senior PSA Jep Robertson on twitter. Permissible NLI Signing Dates for Prospective Student-Athletes Enrolling 2014-2015 Sport(s) Initial Signing Date Final Signing Date Basketball (Early Period) November 13, 2013 November 20, 2013 Basketball (Regular Period) April 16, 2014 May 21, 2014 Football (Midyear JC Transfer) December 18, 2013 January 15, 2014 Football (Regular Period) February 5, 2014 April 1, 2014 Soccer, Track and Field/Cross Country February 5, 2014 August 1, 2014 All Other Sports (Early Period) November 13, 2013 November 20, 2013 All Other Sports (Regular Period) April 16, 2014 August 1, 2014
13.9.2.2 Written Offer of Aid Before Signing Date quick question >>> Rules Refresher Before August 1 of a prospective student-athlete'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 prospective student-athlete 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 a 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 his or her acceptance of such an award before the initial signing date in that sport in the National Letter of Intent program. 17.1.6.2.1.1 Sports Other Than Championship Subdivision Football In sports other than championship subdivision football, 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 and who perform such duties on a department-wide basis may design and conduct specific workout programs for student-athletes, provided such workouts are voluntary and conducted at the request of the student-athlete. List of Holidays/Vacation Periods October 10-11, 2013 Fall Break November 28-29, 2013 Thanksgiving Break December 14-January 14 Christmas Break January 20, 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March 3-5, 2014 Mardi Gras April 18-27, 2014 Easter/Spring Break QUESTION: May an institution employ a prospective student-athlete at an institutional camp whom has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI)? ANSWER: Yes, an institution may employ a prospective student-athlete in a camp or clinic, provided he or she has signed a NLI or the institution has received his or her financial deposit in response to its offer of admission. Awarding of Game Balls New rule interpretation allows a school to give a memento of nominal value (e.g., game ball) to a SA in recognition of an accomplishment in a game, not only to recognize an extraordinary achievement or milestone. Scholastic vs. Nonscholastic NCAA Division I institutions should note that a team made up of prospective student-athletes (e.g., home school or academy team) that is not organized or administered under the auspices of a scholastic governing body is considered a nonscholastic team. Pursuant to NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.7.8, in basketball, evaluations of live athletics activities are limited to regularly scheduled high school, preparatory-school and two-year college contests/tournaments and practices, and regular scholastic activities involving prospective student-athletes enrolled only at the institution where the regular scholastic activities occur. Additionally, at specified times (e.g., April), evaluations may also occur at certified events that may include nonscholastic teams. Pursuant to Bylaw 13.1.7.9.4, in bowl subdivision football, all live athletics evaluations are limited to regularly scheduled high school, preparatory-school and two-year college contests and practices, regular scholastic activities involving prospective student-athletes enrolled only at the institution at which the regular scholastic activities occur and events that are organized and conducted solely by the applicable state high school athletics association, state preparatory school association or state or national junior college athletics association. 9
2013 2014 National Testing Dates ACT SAT Test Date Registration Deadline Test Date Registration Deadline September 21, 2013 August 23, 2013 October 5, 2013 September 6, 2013 October 26, 2013 September 27, 2013 November 2, 2013 October 3, 2013 December 14, 2013 November 8, 2013 December 7, 2013 November 12, 2013 February 8, 2014 January 10, 2014 January 25, 2014 December 27, 2013 April 12, 2014 March 7, 2014 March 8, 2014 February 9, 2014 June 14, 2014 May 9, 2014 May 3, 2014 April 6, 2014 June 7, 2014 May 8, 2014 R E C R U I T I N G C A L E N D A R Baseball September 1-19 Quiet Period September 20-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Contact Period Men s Basketball September 1-8 Quiet Period September 9-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Recruiting Period Women s Basketball September 1-8 Quiet Period September 9-29 Contact Period September 30 Evaluation Period October 1-31 Evaluation Period Training Table Meals Please make sure you are providing feedback to Jessica Leger in regard to any issues or concerns associated with the Training Table Meal. She will be meeting each Friday with Sodexo so immediate feedback is greatly encouraged. Football September 1-30 Evaluation Period October 1-31 Evaluation Period Softball September 1-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Contact Period Track/Cross Country September 1-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Contract Period Volleyball September 1-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Contact Period Other Sports (Golf, Tennis, & Soccer) September 1-30 Contact Period October 1-31 Contact Period 10 Fall Break October 10-11 The cafeteria will be closed from October 11-14. Please make sure to request per-diem through Monique. As a reminder, only those sports that are in-season are allowed to request per-diem.
around the ncaa >>> NCAA president: Not a good idea The structure of the NCAA could look very different by this time next year as members try to resolve the growing disparity between big-money schools and smaller institutions. What won't change, however, is the amateur status of the players who make college athletics a billion-dollar business. "One thing that sets the fundamental tone is there's very few members and, virtually no university president, that thinks it's a good idea to convert student-athletes into paid employees. Literally into professionals," NCAA president Mark Emmert said Monday at Marquette University. "Then you have something very different from collegiate athletics. One of the guiding principles (of the NCAA) has been that this is about students who play sports." Emmert and the NCAA have had a turbulent year, with money the source for most of the discontent. After Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel was investigated for allegedly receiving money for autographs -- he was cleared -- Time magazine put him on the cover along with the headline "It's Time to Pay College Athletes." Oklahoma State is investigating whether rules were broken after a series of Sports Illustrated stories that alleged cash payments to players and academic misconduct. The NCAA is also facing an antitrust lawsuit from former players who believe they're owed millions of dollars in compensation. "(There's) enormous tension right now that's growing between the collegiate model and the commercial model," said Emmert, who spoke as part of Marquette's "On the Issues" forum. "And, by the way, this is nothing new. This tension has been going on forever and ever. It has gotten greater now because the magnitude of dollars has gotten really, really large." "The most valuable (television) products are things you have to watch in real time, and that's sports and 'Dancing with the Stars,'" he added. "So we're seeing an explosion in the value of sports media properties and that's injected a lot of revenue into sports.... That's led to a lot of the discussion. This whole notion of, first and foremost, treating student-athletes in fair fashion while still maintaining the student-athlete, is at the core of all of this." One way to address that would be by allowing athletes to turn pro straight out of high school, Emmert said, something the NBA and NFL don't allow. Other professions don't impose an "artificial juncture," he said, noting that ballet dancers don't have to take a detour to college before joining a troupe. He also pointed to baseball's two-track model. Players can turn pro out of high school. If they choose to go to college, however, they must stay until after their third year or they turn 21. "It's a dynamic tension that we really need to work on because it's at heart of part of what (we're) talking about here," he said. "Why would we want to force someone to go to school when they really don't want to be there? But if you're going to come to us, you're going to be a student." While there may not be interest in paying players, the NCAA's Division I Board of Directors has twice approved a rules change that would allow schools to give athletes a stipend to cover expenses not covered by their scholarship -- clothes, travel, meals out with their friends. But the full membership has overridden it, with some smaller schools saying they were not interested or did not have the money to pay stipends. That divide between the large and small schools is part of the greater debate on the NCAA's governance structure. Commissioners from the most powerful conferences and big-market schools have called for an overhaul, and Emmert said the board plans to begin discussions at its meeting next month. Then, at the NCAA's national convention, there will be a day-and-a-half forum that will give the entire membership a chance to formulate options. The board hopes to adopt proposals at its meeting next April, then have a special meeting for the full membership next summer. "That could involve bringing all 350 members of Division I together and having every school vote on it," Emmert said. "It'll be a bit like a constitutional convention." While there has been talk the largest schools could form their own "super division," no one is threatening to leave the NCAA, Emmert said. All of the schools -- large and small -- want to take part in March Madness, along with the other championships staged by the NCAA, and no one wants to jeopardize that. But there are fundamental differences that have to be sorted out, Emmert said. "They're having a really hard time finding common interests," he said. 11
around the ncaa >>> NCAA OK with self-imposed penalties Iowa State will not face additional penalties from the NCAA following an investigation into impermissible calls and text messages to recruits. Iowa State said the NCAA's Committee on Infractions released its final report on the matter Friday. The committee reported that its findings were consistent with what the Cyclones reported nearly two years ago and the case is now closed. Iowa State made its internal investigation into NCAA recruiting violations public in April. The school said it found "a significant number" of unallowable calls and text messages made by coaches in football, men's basketball and several other sports. The school's self-imposed penalties included the forfeiture of a week of recruiting calls and a wide range of punitive actions against the coaches named in the report. The school will spend $82,000 over the next three years in compliance and recruiting software to simplify the recording and monitoring of calls and texts. Iowa State also proposed a two-year probation, which was adopted by the NCAA and began on Friday. "The violations were inadvertent and did not result in any competitive advantages. Our athletics staff cooperated fully with the NCAA throughout the process. We were proactive in reporting our findings and have made changes in our monitoring systems as a result," Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said. Iowa State's two-year investigation started with the discovery of improper contacts with recruits by Keith Moore, a former Cyclones player who was working in his first year as an undergraduate student coach under Fred Hoiberg. An audit of three years of telephone and text messaging by coaching staff found "a significant number of recruiting communication violations involving most of its sports programs." Moore sent 160 impermissible text messages to his former AAU players. Coaches also made 24 "clear-cut intentional" telephone call violations, and other employees made 55 impermissible calls. Employees failed to log another 1,400 calls that failed to connect with recruits. In all, the university faulted itself for failing to monitor the calls. "Operating with integrity is a core value for our entire campus. We strive to maintain the highest standards at Iowa State University and will continue to place a high emphasis on compliance and adhering to standards of the NCAA," Iowa State President Steven Leath said. "I have found our staff to be extremely diligent in investigating the situation and fully cooperative with the NCAA during the entire review. Iowa State respects the enforcement process and is grateful for this resolution." 12
Inspiration Corner When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful. - Eric Thomas September/October coming soon >>> Our next Rules Education meeting will be on October 30, 2013 at 8am in Abdalla Hall. *Please note the date change. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat! 25 26 27 WSO @ Georgia State WVB @ Texas State 28 XC @ McNeese WVB @ UT Arlington 29 WSB vs. USSSA Pride @ 2pm WSO @ WKU 30 1 2 WVB vs. ULM @ 7pm 3 4 WTE UL Invitational Futures WVB @ Troy 5 MFB vs. Texas State @ 6pm WTE UL Invitational Future WSB @ UT-San Antonio & Baylor MGO @ David Toms Intercollegiate 6 Futures MGO @ David Toms Intercollegiate WSO @ ULM WVB @ Arkansas State 7 Futures 8 Futures 9 10 MTE @ ITA Southern Regionals 11 WVB vs. USA @ 6pm WSO vs. UALR @ 7pm MTE @ ITA Southern Regionals XC @ FSU Invitational WTE @ Northwestern State 12 WSB vs. LSU Alexandria @ 12pm MTE @ ITA Southern Regionals WTE @ Northwestern State 13 WSO vs. Arkansas State @ 1pm WVB vs. WKU @ 12pm WSB vs. Lamar @ 2pm MTE @ ITA Southern Regionals 14 MTE @ ITA Southern Regionals 15 MFB @ WKU 16 17 18 WSO vs. Texas State @ 7pm WVB vs. Georgia State @ 7pm 19 WSB vs. Galveston College @ 1pm XC @ UALR Invite 20 WVB @ UALR 21 22 MFB @ Arkansas State 23 WSB vs. LSUE @ 5pm 24 WSO @ USA 25 WTE @ Southern Miss Invitational WVB @ Georgia State 26 WTE @ Southern Miss Invitational