Interpretation--PSA Observing Practice and Meetings

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

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.

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

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 -- Recruiting -- Men's Basketball Recruiting Issues

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.]