Bear in Mind

Dead Period--All sports except Football, Soccer, Track & Field, and Cross Country

2010-11-04T09:49:00.006-06:00

Dead Period

Sport -- All Sports except Football, Soccer, Track & Field, and Cross Country
Dates -- Mon., Nov. 8 though Thur. Nov. 11

This dead period surrounds the initial signing date (November 10) for the National Letter of Intent early signing period.

A National Letter of Intent may not be hand-delivered during this dead period.

The dead period remains in effect for the full four days, even if a prospect sign a National Letter of Intent during this dead period.

Permissible recruiting activities

Correspondence to prospects not at competition site.
Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team. (Prospects who are on-call and at their competition site may not be sent correspondence.
Telephone calls, including unlimited telephone calls from November 10-12

More about dead periods

Generally speaking, contacts and evaluations (either on or off-campus), official visits, unofficial visits, and appearances by coaches at meetings or banquets at which prospects are in attendance are prohibited during dead periods.

Interpretation--PSA Observing Practice and Meetings

2010-07-16T11:53:00.003-06:00

Staff Interpretation

Prospective Student-Athlete Observing Practices and Meetings (I)

Date Published: July 15, 2010

Interpretation:

The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a prospective student-athlete is permitted to observe practices and meetings until the date on which he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent, a written offer of admission or financial aid or has made a financial deposit with the institution. After that date, the prospective student-athlete is permitted to observe the institution's practices and meetings only in the same manner as the general public.

Staff Interpretation---Activities at an Off-Campus Practice or Competition Facility during an Unofficial Visit

2010-05-28T09:58:00.000-06:00

Staff Interpretation
Activities at an Off-Campus Practice or Competition Facility during an Unofficial Visit

Date Published: May 26, 2010

Interpretation:

The academic and membership affairs staff determined that the following activities at an off-campus practice or competition facility are permissible during an unofficial visit, provided the prospective student-athlete visits the institution's campus during the unofficial visit:

a. The unofficial visit may begin or end at an off-campus practice or competition facility (e.g., golf course, boathouse);

b. The prospective student-athlete is permitted to eat a meal at an off-campus practice or competition facility, provided he or she pays the actual cost of the meal; and

c. Contact during the unofficial visit between institutional staff members or student-athletes and the prospective student-athlete at an off-campus practice or competition facility is not considered an off-campus contact.

Dead Period --Men's Basketball

2010-05-12T08:13:00.002-06:00

Dead Period

Sport -- Men’s basketball
Dates -- Thu., May 20 through Fri., May 28

This dead period begins the day after the last day of the spring NLI signing period and runs to the day before the first permissible day to conduct institutional basketball camps.

Permissible recruiting activities

•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.
•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.
•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.
•Telephone calls:
‣One call in April to high school juniors.
‣ Two calls per week to high school seniors.
‣One call per week to two-year and four-year college prospects.
•Evaluation at the NBA Pre-Draft Camp (held May 19-23).

Staff Interpretation -- Participation in a High School All-Star Skills Competition

2010-04-05T09:22:00.001-06:00

Staff Interpretation

Participation in a High School All-Star Skills Competition (I)

Date Published: April 5, 2010

Interpretation:

The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a high school all-star skills competition (e.g., slam-dunk contests, three-point shooting contests) is considered to be an all-star contest pursuant to the definition of a high school all-star contest. A high school all-star skills competition conducted in conjunction with a high school football or basketball all-star game is not considered to be a separate high school all-star contest.

[References: NCAA Bylaws 14.6 (high school all-star games, effects on eligibility), 30.2.1 (high school football and basketball), 30.2.1.1 (high school all-star contest defined), and 30.2.1.2 (contests not considered high school all-star competition); and a staff interpretation (2/5/88, Item No. j, which has been archived).]

Official Interpretation -- Financial Aid -- Exempting Renewals of Academic Honor Awards from Equivalency Calculations

2010-03-23T14:48:00.000-06:00

Official Interpretation

Exempting Renewals of Academic Honor Awards from Equivalency Calculations

Date Published: March 23, 2010

Interpretation:
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that if a student-athlete receives an academic honor award during his or her initial year of enrollment, but does not qualify for exemption of the award from his or her team's equivalency computation, and receives a renewal of the academic award in a subsequent year, the renewal may be exempted from the team's equivalency computation, provided the student-athlete achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000) at the certifying institution and meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree requirements.

[References: NCAA Bylaws 15.5.3.2.2.1 (academic honor awards) and 15.5.3.2.2.1.2 (renewals)]

Educational Column --- Designation of Degree Program and Timing of Degree Change

2010-03-22T16:25:00.003-06:00

Date Published: March 22, 2010 Item Ref: 1

NCAA Division I member institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1.6, a student-athlete must designate his or her degree program prior to participating in competition that occurs during or immediately before the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter). This requirement applies to all student-athletes, including two- and four-year college transfers.

Further, the designated degree program as of the beginning of the third year (fifth semester or seventh quarter) or later academic year of full-time enrollment must be used to certify the student-athlete's percentage-toward-degree requirements for that term.

For example, if a student-athlete has not designated a degree program on the first day of classes of his or her fifth full-time semester, it is permissible for the student-athlete to declare engineering as his or her degree program before the first competition and be certified as eligible for the term, provided the student-athlete is meeting percentage of degree requirements for the engineering degree program.

Alternatively, a student-athlete who has designated marketing as his or her degree program as of the beginning of the fifth full-time semester and is certified as not eligible due to deficiencies in progress-toward-degree requirements may not be subsequently recertified during that term as eligible after changing to a different degree program, even if the change occurs before the student-athlete's first competition in that term and the student-athlete is meeting all progress-toward-degree requirements in the new degree program. The member institution would need to file a progress toward degree waiver for the student-athlete to be eligible for competition during that term.

[References: Bylaws 14.4.3.1.6 (designation of degree program), 14.4.3.2 (fulfillment of percentage of degree requirements), 14.4.3.2.2 (application of rule to transfer student), 14.4.3.3.2 (timing of certification), 14.4.3.3.2.1 (exception -- baseball) and a staff interpretation (04/09/97, Item No. a)]

Notice about Educational Columns: Educational columns are not official or staff interpretations. They are intended to assist the membership by providing examples, scenarios and reminders related to legislation and interpretations at the time of publication. Member institutions are reminded to review the referenced bylaws and interpretations to ensure correct application of current rules and regulations.

Men's basketball earns another home game, this time against Pacific

2010-03-19T14:22:00.006-06:00

The Northern Colorado men's basketball home schedule just keeps growing.

The Bears (25-7) defeated Portland 81-73 in the Opening Round of this year's CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and are now slated for another home game at 7:05 p.m. Monday, March 22, against Pacific (21-11) in the CIT Quarterfinals.

Northern Colorado (No. 12 CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25) is 13-1 at home this season and has won six straight and 18 of its last 19 games in Greeley.

All Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion seats for the CIT Quarterfinal will be reserved They can be purchased by visiting the Northern Colorado University Center Ticket Office or by calling 970-351-4849.

Fans can also purchase tickets by logging on to uncbears.com and clicking on TICKETS.

The cost for this special event is $30 for courtside seating, $20 for adults and $5 for fans ages 18 and under. All UNC students will gain free admission with their student ID.
Season ticket holders will get first chance to buy their tickets until 5 p.m. Friday, March 19.

The CIT is in its second season and features eight first-round games (March 16-18), four quarterfinal games (March 22), a semifinal round (March 24-25) and then a championship game (March 30). Bracketing is done geographically into multiple regions of the country to minimize missed class time, and those brackets will be balanced competitively within each region.

Fox College Sports Network will broadcast the CIT championship game, and all other CIT games will be available via online broadcast at FoxCollegeSports.com.

Other confirmed CIT quarterfinal games include Appalachin State at Marshall, Fairfield at Creighton and Missouri State against either Southern Mississippi or Louisiana Tech, who play tonight in the final Opening Round game.

http://www.uncbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/2009-10/news/031810_mbkcitquarters

Dead Period -- Men's Basketball

2010-03-19T12:34:00.001-06:00

Dead Period

Sport -- Men’s basketball
Dates -- Thu., Apr. 1 through Noon, Thu., Apr. 8

This dead period surrounds the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

Permissible recruiting activities

•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.
•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.
•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.
•Telephone calls:
‣One call in April to high school juniors.
‣ Two calls per week to high school seniors.
‣One call per week to two-year and four-year college prospects.

Dead Period -- Women's Basketball

2010-03-19T12:29:00.006-06:00

Dead Period

Sport -- Women’s basketball
Dates -- Fri., Apr. 2 through Thu., Apr. 8

This dead period surrounds the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship.

Permissible recruiting activities

•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.
•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.
•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.
•Telephone calls:
‣One call to high school juniors during the month of April on or after April 8.
‣One call per week to prospects who have finished the junior year of high school.
•Evaluation at one women’s basketball event certified by the NCAA held in conjunction with, and conducted in the host city of, the NCAA Division I

Sports Wagering Reminder

2010-02-05T09:23:00.003-07:00

The NCAA bans sports wagering (gambling) of any kind by Student-Athletes. This ban is extended to any professional sport that the NCAA conducts a Championship Competition. This includes Professional Games (i.e. Super Bowl, NBA Games).

We would like to take this time to remind you that gambling is defined as putting something at risk for the opportunity to win something in return, which includes competitions that involve paying an entry fee for the opportunity to win a prize (i.e. Football Pools, Sports Lottery). This also extends to any item that has tangible value.

The ramifications of a student-athlete who participates in any sports wagering activity through the Internet, a bookmaker or a parlay card shall be ineligible for all regular-season and postseason competition for a minimum period of one year from the date of the institution's determination that a violation occurred and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of eligibility. If the student-athlete is determined to have been involved in a later violation of any portion of Bylaw 10.3, the student-athlete shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.

We want you to enjoy the Super Bowl, but we don’t want you risking your eligibility.

Have a fun and safe weekend!!

How the infractions appeals process works

2010-01-05T15:34:00.001-07:00

The Infractions Appeals Committee is the final appeal option for institutions and any individuals involved in an NCAA infractions case.

After the Committee on Infractions assesses penalties, the institution and involved individuals may appeal both the findings and the penalties to the Infractions Appeals Committee.

An appeal is not a new hearing or a second chance to argue the case. The Infractions Appeals Committee does not consider evidence that was not presented to the Committee on Infractions.

The Infractions Appeals Committee will reverse or modify a ruling of the Committee on Infractions only if one of the following standards is proven:

The ruling by the Committee on Infractions was clearly contrary to the evidence.
The individual or school did not actually break NCAA rules.
There was a procedural error that caused the Committee on Infractions to find a violation of NCAA rules.
The penalty was excessive and is an abuse of discretion.
The appeal may be done through an in-person hearing or in writing. In-person hearings occur only when the institution or individual had an in-person hearing with the Committee on Infractions. If an in-person hearing occurs, the structure is similar to that of a Committee on Infractions hearing. The Infractions Appeals Committee will share the final report with the institution and individual(s) appealing the decision.
The decision of the Infractions Appeals Committee is final.

Infractions process Q&A

2010-01-05T15:33:00.001-07:00

Q What is the Division I Infractions Appeals Committee?

A The five-member Division I Infractions Appeals Committee hears and acts on the findings of major violations by the Division I Committee on Infractions. Committee members are:

Noel M. Ragsdale, law professor, University of Southern California, chair
Susan Cross Lipnickey, faculty athletics representative, Miami University (Ohio)
Jack Friedenthal, law professor, George Washington University
David Williams II, vice chancellor and general counsel, Vanderbilt University
Chris Griffin, attorney, Foley & Lardner (independent member)

Q What is the timeline of events for an enforcement case?

A An enforcement case progresses through several steps, including:

Possible violation discovered
Letter of inquiry sent
Investigation
Institution notified of alleged violations
Institution responds
Case summary compiled
Committee on Infractions hearing
Decision on penalties, if any
Appeals committee hearing

Q How does the process work?

A When the NCAA enforcement staff has a legitimate reason to believe a member institution violated NCAA rules, it may initiate an investigation. Depending on the circumstances, the investigation may be conducted by reviewing correspondence with the institution or conference, or through in-person inquiries. The enforcement staff review a situation if information obtained indicates:
An intentional violation has occurred.
A significant competitive or recruiting advantage may have been gained.
The institution or the enforcement staff has been given false or misleading information.

Q How do investigations begin?

A Investigations can by initiated by the enforcement staff or by a member of the public who contacts the NCAA to report a potential rules violation. Many times, the institution discovers a violation and reports its own violations to the enforcement staff.

The time an investigation takes varies. The NCAA enforcement staff must satisfy a high standard of proof to proceed with allegations. In some cases, as additional information is uncovered, more possible infractions are uncovered that broaden the scope of the investigation. Involved institutions may request additional time to respond to allegations, which also may affect the timeframe.

Q What is a letter of inquiry?

A When the enforcement staff begins to review a situation, the NCAA sends a notice of inquiry to the institution’s president or chancellor. Usually, an enforcement investigator is assigned to conduct in-person interviews.

The notice of inquiry tells institutional leadership the enforcement staff will be investigating the institution. The notice also includes facts of the case, the potential violations by sport, the approximate time period associated with the potential violations and the involved parties. The enforcement staff also includes an approximate timeframe for the investigation. The NCAA does not release the notice of inquiry publicly, but the institution may choose to release the letter or confirm its receipt.

Q How does the investigation progress?

A Since each case has a unique set of individuals, issues and circumstances, there is no single way to conduct an investigation. However, there are similarities in all investigations.

Preliminary information is reviewed by the investigator(s) assigned to the case. The investigator first tries to speak with the source who reported the potential violation. This interview is “on the record” and electronically recorded if possible. If the source anonymously reported the potential violation, the NCAA enforcement staff cannot use the information to prove a violation occurred, but it can use the information to find others who may have information about the situation.

Before the enforcement staff contacts those directly involved with the potential violations, they attempt to gather as much information as possible. The goal is to minimize the possibility of those directly involved compromising the integrity of the case by working with others to change the information reported to the enforcement staff.

If NCAA enforcement staff conducts interviews on campus with enrolled student-athletes or other individuals, institutional staff members may be present during the interviews. Everyone interviewed by NCAA enforcement staff may have legal counsel present during the interviews. In many cases, information such as long-distance telephone records, bank records and academic transcripts are also collected during the process.

NCAA enforcement regulations and student-athlete eligibility procedures employ many traditional due-process protections. For example, the enforcement staff strives to tape-record all interviews. Those that cannot be electronically recorded are transcribed or summarized.

If the enforcement staff has gathered enough information to determine if rules violations have occurred, the process continues.

Q When is the institution notified?

A If the enforcement staff discovers the institution has committed one or more major violations, institutional leadership is sent a notice of allegations that contains specific alleged rules infractions. After the letter of inquiry is sent, the enforcement staff must send the notice of allegations within six months.

The notice of allegations notifies the institution and all involved individuals of the alleged violations the NCAA enforcement staff found during the investigation process. The involved parties have 90 days to respond and may request additional time if needed.

If during the investigation process the enforcement staff determines the information no longer indicates a rules violation, the institution receives written notice the investigation has concluded.

If the investigation process lasts longer than one year after the notice of inquiry is sent, the enforcement staff must review the status of the case with the NCAA Committee on Infractions. If the Committee on Infractions believes the investigation should continue, the institution will receive notice in writing and status reports at least every six months until the case has concluded.

Q What happens next?

A When all involved parties have responded to the alleged rules violations, a hearing date is set with the Committee on Infractions. A prehearing conference with the institution and other involved individuals is held four to six weeks before the hearing. During this conference call, the allegations are discussed.

Before the hearing, the enforcement staff writes a case summary. The case summary documents the allegations, any outstanding issues and other information relevant to the case. At least two weeks before the hearing date, the individuals involved with the hearing and the Committee on Infractions receive the case summary.

Q Who can attend the Committee on Infractions hearing?

A The institution is usually represented by a large contingent of staff that may include its president or chancellor, faculty athletics representative, director of athletics, the current/former head coach of the involved sport(s), the compliance director and legal counsel. NCAA enforcement staff members who attend include the vice president of enforcement services and director of enforcement responsible for the case. Other enforcement staff members who assisted with the case may also be in attendance. If someone is named in the allegations, they may also be present and accompanied by their legal counsel. Student-athletes who have remaining eligibility may also attend.

Q What is the format?

A The chair of the committee opens the hearing with background information. The institution, enforcement staff and other involved parties have the opportunity to give an opening statement. The enforcement staff then outlines the specifics of each allegation, followed by the institution and others involved. Committee members ask questions and after the allegation is thoroughly discussed, the same process begins with the next allegation. After all the allegations have been addressed, all parties can give closing statements.

When the hearing is concluded, the committee discusses the case privately, determines any findings of violations and then assesses penalties. The penalties vary depending on the situation. They can include probationary periods, bans on postseason competition, reductions of athletics scholarships and restrictions on the athletically related duties of coaches.

Q How often does the committee meet?

A The Division I Committee on Infractions meets about six times a year. The meetings usually last two or three days over a weekend. The Divisions II and III Committees on Infractions meet on an as-needed basis.

Q When are penalties announced?

A Penalties are announced once the committee writes the infractions report that documents the specific findings, the penalties and supporting rationale for each. After the hearing, it typically takes between six to eight weeks to complete the report.

A specific process is in place for the notification of any penalties. The day before the public release, the institution and any involved individuals receive a copy of the infractions report. The chair of the Committee on Infractions hosts a telephone press conference to announce the results of the committee decision. A public infractions report is released but specific names are not included. The committee members make no statement about the case until the report is released.

Q What are the penalties intended to accomplish?

A Penalties are intended to deter institutions from breaking the rules.

NCAA rules allow for current and former coaches to face punishment if they are involved in major infractions. The committee can require a member institution to take disciplinary action against an individual that could affect their athletically related responsibilities. If the institution refuses, it could face additional penalties from the Committee on Infractions. If the coach or other individuals are no longer at the institution where the infraction occurred but are now working at another institution, the committee may request the current institution to take action against the individual, even if the institution was not involved in the infraction.

If the involved staff member is no longer employed at an NCAA member institution and seeks employment at an NCAA institution in athletics, the committee can request the institution to appear before the committee. The goal is to determine what, if any, limitations should be imposed on the individual the institution wants to hire.

NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee Upholds Penalties for Florida State University

2010-01-05T15:29:00.001-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has upheld the vacation of records penalty for Florida State University.
In March 2009, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions issued an infractions report that included findings of academic fraud affecting more than 60 student-athletes across 10 sports.
The case also included impermissible benefits, unethical conduct by three former academic support services staff members and a failure to monitor by the university. The involved sports were football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s track, baseball, softball and men’s golf.
Penalties for the violations included four years of probation, scholarship reductions, vacation of records and show cause penalties for the former staff members.
In its written appeal, the university asserted that the vacation of records penalty assessed by the Committee on Infractions should be overturned. Specifically, the university asserted this penalty was “excessive” and claimed the Committee on Infractions did not appropriately weigh its cooperation during the investigation and corrective actions when determining the penalties.

The Infractions Appeals Committee, however, affirmed the penalty, stating in its report, “The cooperative efforts of the university clearly did not outweigh the aggravating factors in this case – the nature, number, scope and seriousness of the violations.”

The members of the Infractions Appeals Committee who heard this case were Noel M. Ragsdale, University of Southern California, chair; Susan Cross Lipnickey, Miami University (Ohio); Jack Friedenthal, George Washington University; David Williams II, Vanderbilt University; and William Hoye, Institute for the International Education of Students.

Dead Period -- Women's Volleyball

2009-12-10T14:30:00.003-07:00

Dead Period

Sport -- Women’s volleyball
Dates -- Wed., Dec. 16 through Thu., Dec. 31

Permissible recruiting activities

•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.

•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.

•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.

•One telephone call per week.

•Incidental contact with two-year college prospects being honored at the annual AVCA awards banquet, provided no recruiting conversation occurs.

•From December 17-20, all coaches may attend the same single event on the same single day. The event must occur within a 30-mile radius of the Championship event site and not conflict with NCAA Championship competition.

Dead Period -- Softball

2009-12-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Dead Period

Sport -- Softball
Dates --Wed., Dec. 9 through Sat., Dec. 12

This dead period surrounds the annual convention of the National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association.

Permissible recruiting activities
•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.

•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.

•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.

•One telephone call per week.

Dead Period -- Football -- Junior College Signing Dates

2009-12-03T08:03:00.002-07:00

Dead Period

Sports -- Football
Dates -- Mon., Dec. 14 through Thu., Dec. 17

This dead period surrounds the initial signing date (Dec. 16) for the National Letter of Intent
midyear junior college transfer signing period. This dead period applies only to junior college
prospects who intend to enroll midyear and their educational institutions. The dead period
remains in effect for the full four days, even if a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent during
this dead period.

Permissible recruiting activities involving JC prospects
•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.

•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is
on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.

•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.

•Unlimited telephone calls for football recruiting from Dec. 14 (7 am)-18 (7 am).

•One phone call during the following time period: Dec. 13-14 (7 am) and Dec. 18 (7 am)-19.

•Contact with prospects who have signed a NLI, financial aid agreement, or offer of admission
and have been admitted for mid-year enrollment and are required to be on campus for orientation for all students.

Dead Period -- Cross Country and Track and Field

2009-12-03T07:55:00.002-07:00

Dead Period

Sports -- Cross country and track & field
Dates -- Mon., Dec. 14 through Thu., Dec. 17

This dead period surrounds the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches
Association national convention.

Permissible recruiting activities
•Correspondence to prospects not at a competition site.

•Correspondence (including electronic correspondence) sent directly to a prospect who is
on-call but not at the competition site or who has been released by the team.

•No correspondence to prospects who are on-call and at their competition site.

•One telephone call per week.

Educational Column -- Viewing Skill-related Instruction Sessions and Informal Basketball Practice Scrimmages

2009-11-20T10:16:00.002-07:00

Date Published: November 20, 2009

NCAA Division I institutions should note that in accordance with NCAA Bylaws 17.1.6.2.2, 17.1.6.2.3 and 17.3.3.1-(a), an institution may not publicize skill-related instruction that occurs outside the playing season in all sports other than football, or informal practice scrimmages in basketball. Also, an institution may not conduct skill-related instruction sessions in view of a general public audience. Informal practice scrimmages in basketball must be held in complete privacy.

The following questions and answers are designed to assist member institutions in applying the legislation regarding the viewing of skill-related instruction that is permissible outside the playing season in all sports other than football and informal practice scrimmages in basketball:

1. Question: May prospective student-athletes view skill-related instruction while on official or unofficial visits?
Answer: Yes, it is permissible for a prospective student-athlete to view skill-related instruction during official or unofficial visits, provided the skill-instruction has not been publicized and is not held in view of a general public audience.

2. Question: May individuals accompanying prospective student-athletes on official or unofficial visits (e.g., parent, sibling, coach) view skill-related instruction?
Answer: Yes, it is permissible for individuals accompanying prospective student-athletes on official or unofficial visits to view skill-related instruction, provided the skill-instruction has not been publicized and is not held in view of a general public audience.

3. Question: May an institution invite individuals (e.g., boosters, high school coaches) to watch a team's skill-related instruction or in basketball, an informal practice scrimmage?
Answer: No, if an institution were to invite an individual or individuals to a skill-related instruction session or an informal practice scrimmage it would be considered publicizing the activity, which is prohibited by the legislation.

4. Question: May a member of the general public walk into a facility and watch skill-related instruction?
Answer: Yes, a member of the general public could walk into a facility where a team is involved in skill-related instruction on his or her own without the instruction being considered in view of a general public audience. However, an institution could not arrange to conduct skill-related instruction in a facility or at a time in which the institution had reason to believe that the skill instruction session would be conducted in view of a general public audience. For example, it would not be permissible for an institution to conduct skill instruction for its basketball team on the football field immediately following a home football game. This situation would constitute conducting skill-related instruction in view of a general public audience.

5. Question: May prospective student-athletes in basketball view an informal practice scrimmage while on official or unofficial visits?
Answer: Basketball prospective student-athletes (and those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete) are permitted to view informal practice scrimmages while on an official visit. However, prospective student-athletes (and those individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete) are not permitted to view an informal practice scrimmage in basketball during an unofficial visit.

6. Question: What is the difference between the standards of "conducted in privacy" and "conducted in view of a general public audience"?
Answer: Informal practice scrimmages in basketball must be conducted in privacy. To satisfy this standard, an institution must ensure that no one from the general public can view the scrimmages. The facility where the scrimmage is occurring must be closed to the general public and the department of athletics must keep anyone from the general public from entering the gym. Further, the legislation specifically requires an institution to ensure that no one other than department of athletics staff members and those individuals necessary to conduct the practice scrimmage are present.

In contrast, the legislation regulating skill-related instruction specifies that skill related instruction sessions shall not be conducted in view of a general public audience. The intent of the legislation is to prohibit institutions from creating special activities or events in conjunction with skill-instruction sessions as a way of creating the appearance of full-fledged practice outside of the playing season or creating a celebrity atmosphere during prospective student-athletes' campus visits.

The legislation does not require complete privacy during skill-related instruction; however, it requires that institutions do not schedule or conduct the sessions in a way in which they become spectator events.

Official Interpretation -- Recruiting -- Men's Basketball Recruiting Issues

2009-11-06T15:44:00.001-07:00

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors used its authority set forth in NCAA Constitution 5.4.1.1 to issue the following interpretations related to men's basketball:

1. The definition of an "individual associated with a prospect" is any person who maintains (or directs others to maintain) contact with the prospective student-athlete, the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians, or coaches at any point during the prospective student-athlete's participation in basketball, and whose contact is directly or indirectly related to the prospective student-athlete's:
a. Athletic skills and abilities; or
b. Recruitment by or enrollment in an NCAA institution.

This definition includes, but is not limited to, parents, legal guardians, handlers, personal trainers and coaches. An individual who meets the definition of an individual associated with a prospect retains that status during the enrollment of that prospect at that institution.

2. It is not permissible for an institution or men's basketball staff member to employ (i.e., volunteer or paid) an individual associated with a recruited prospective student-athlete at the institution's or men's basketball staff member's camp or clinic.

3. It is not permissible for an institutional or men's basketball staff member's basketball camp to offer a different participation, registration procedure, fee structure, advertisement and/or logistical experience (e.g., lodging, meals, transportation or awards/mementos) than the other men's/boys' basketball camps operated by the institution or men's basketball staff.

4. It is not permissible for an institution or a men's basketball staff member to provide money to a nonprofit foundation that expends funds for the benefit of a nonscholastic team, prospective student-athlete(s) or an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete. A violation would occur even if the foundation provides funding to or services for both prospective student-athletes and individuals younger than prospect age.

5. It is not permissible for an institution or a men's basketball staff member to provide a consulting fee to an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete or to a consulting firm in which an individual associated with a prospective student-athlete has a proprietary or financial interest.

6. It is not permissible for a men's basketball staff member to place a telephone call to a 1-900 number connected to a prospect or an individual associated with a prospect.

7. It is not permissible for a men's basketball staff member or a representative of the institution's athletics interests is involved in any way in the operation or planning of a men's basketball nonscholastic event on its campus. [Note: Contracts signed by boosters before October 29, 2009, may be honored.]

Educational Column --Transfers -- Two-Year College Transfer Requirements, Not a Qualifier

2009-11-06T15:42:00.003-07:00

NCAA Division I institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.5.4.2, a two-year college transfer student-athlete who was not a qualifier and who first enrolled full time in a collegiate institution before August 1, 2009, is immediately eligible for financial aid, practice and competition only if the student-athlete:

1. Graduated from the two-year college;

2. Completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter hours of transferable degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution;

3. Attended a two-year college as a full-time student for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms); and

4. Achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000.
A two-year college transfer student-athlete who was not a qualifier and who first enrolled full time in a collegiate institution August 1, 2009, or later is immediately eligible for financial aid, practice and competition only if the student-athlete:
1. Graduated from the two-year college;
2. Completed satisfactorily a minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter hours of transferable degree credit acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution, including six semester or eight quarter hours of transferrable English credit and three semester or four quarter hours of transferable math credit;
3. Attended a two-year college as a full-time student for at least three semesters or four quarters (excluding summer terms); and
4. Achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000.

For example, if a student-athlete who was not a qualifier first enrolled full time at a two-year institution in the fall of 2008 and transferred to a Division I institution in the fall of 2009, the student-athlete is not required to have completed the transferrable English and math credits. However, if a student-athlete who was not a qualifier first enrolls full time at a two-year institution in the fall of 2009 and transfers to a Division I institution in the spring of 2011, the student-athlete is required to have satisfactorily completed six semester or eight quarter hours of transferrable English credit and three semester or four quarter hours of transferrable math credit.

In addition, in order to satisfy the transferrable English and math credit-hour requirement, the credits earned at the two-year institution must transfer to the certifying institution as specific English or math credit, regardless of how the courses are identified on the two-year transcript. For example, if a student-athlete who was not a qualifier completed an English course at a two-year institution, but the course transferred to the Division I institution as humanities credit, the course may not be used to meet the transferrable English credit-hours requirement.

[References: NCAA Bylaws 14.5.4.1 (qualifier), 14.5.4.2 (not a qualifier) (applicable to student-athletes who first enrolled full time in a collegiate institution before August 1, 2009) and 14.5.4.2 (not a qualifier) (applicable to student-athletes who first enroll full time in a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2009) and staff interpretation (3/19/09, Item No. b)]

Educational Column -- Recruiting -- Electronic Transmissions -- Social Networking Web Sites

2009-10-13T13:43:00.003-06:00

October 9, 2009

NCAA Division I institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.4.1.2 an institution may send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete in sports other than men's basketball and men's ice hockey beginning September 1 at the beginning of the prospective student-athlete's junior year in high school. In men's basketball and men's ice hockey, an institution may send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete beginning June 15 at the conclusion of a prospective student-athlete's sophomore year in high school. Further, electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospective student-athlete is limited to electronic mail (e-mail) and facsimiles until after the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent. All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited.

Institutions should note that e-mail is not limited to a traditional e-mail service provided by an institution, Web site or Internet service provider. Therefore, it is permissible for an athletics department staff member to send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete using a social networking Web site's (e.g., MySpace, Facebook) e-mail feature. All other electronically transmitted correspondence including, but not limited to, text messaging, Instant Messenger, chat rooms or message boards (e.g., a user's wall) within a social networking Web site or through other services or applications remain impermissible.

For example, a coaching staff member with a MySpace or Facebook account may send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete's MySpace or Facebook account using the e-mail inbox feature located on that user's profile page. However, a coaching staff member may not send electronic correspondence to a prospective student-athlete via the comments feature on MySpace or the wall-to-wall feature on Facebook.

Institutions should also note that in accordance with Bylaw 13.10.2, 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, a member 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's signing with that institution.

Accordingly, although it is permissible for a prospective student-athlete's name and/or picture to appear on an athletics department staff member's profile page of a social networking Web site to identify the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" of the athletics department staff member, staff members may not initiate or accept such requests until such time that it is permissible to send electronically transmitted correspondence to a prospective student-athlete. Institutions should note that the identification of the prospective student-athlete as a "friend" on an athletics staff members profile page confirms only the institution's potential recruitment of that individual. However, institutions are reminded they may not make any public comments about the prospective student-athlete's ability, the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution's team or the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete's signing with that institution.

Coaches Rules Education Session

2009-10-13T11:38:00.002-06:00

Thursday November 19, 2009 at 10:00am
Bishop-Lehr Café
Topic: Social Networking