The Rules of College Recruiting

The Game Rules of Lacrosse Recruiting Whether it's lacrosse or Scrabble, the first thing you do in any game is learn the rules.  If you don't know the rules your chances of winning are pretty slim. This is as true for college sports recruiting as itis for any other endeavor subject to rules and regulations.  The entire process of recruiting is structured and controlled by the rules of the NCAA.  Knowing the rules helps you know what to do and what to expect along the way.  Know the rules - win the game.  When Does It Start? . . .  The rules for college sports recruiting identify you as a "prospective student-athlete" when you enter 9th grade or even before if any college gives you, your family or friends, any benefits it does not give its students generally.  So, generally, if you're a freshmen you are part of the game of recruiting under the NCAA recruiting regulations.  Click here for a complete glossary of recruiting terms. Who Can Talk To Whom When About What? There are very specific rules that define when and how coaches can talk to families and/or players, and when and how players and families can communicate with coaches.  There are three sets of rules that operate  Your grade  Time of year The division of the college Recruiting Overview For Freshmen   If you're a freshmen, coaches from DII and DIII programs can send you written materials; they can call you without limitation, and you may call them at your own expense.  You may makeunofficial visits to DII or DIII colleges. You may NOT have in-person contact with college coaches from any division other than a greeting.   Recruiting Overview For Sophomores For DI: As a sophomore you may receive brochures, NCAA materials, and non-athletics recruiting materials. You may call coaches at your own expense, but the coach cannot call you.  You are allowed no off-campus contact, but you may make unofficial visits (except during "dead" periods."  DII and DIII communication is the same as for Freshmen.  Recruiting Overview For Juniors  For DI: After September 1 of your Junior year coaches can send your written recruiting materials, and can call you after July 1st.  You are allowed to have off-campus contact with coaches after July 1st, and you can make an unlimited number of unofficial visits (except during "dead" periods). DII and DIII communication is the same as for Freshmen.  Recruiting Overview For Seniors  For DI:  Two things are different once you start your Senior year.  Beginning on the first day of class you can make one official visit to each of up to five colleges.  During this year college coaches are limited to a maximum of three contacts with you or your family.  There is a maximum of seven evaluations and contacts by coaches until you sign a National Letter of Intent, a written offer of admission and/or financial aid OR you make a financial deposit. After that there is no limit to the number of contacts and evaluations you may have.   DII and DIII communication is the same as for Freshmen.  Phone Calls Simply put - you can call college coaches at your own expense anytime after you start your Freshman year.  DII and DIII coaches can call you anytime. DI coaches cannot call you until July 1st after your Junior year.     Campus Visits This is a simple one: you can visit the campus of any college anytime on an "unofficial visit," that is, one that is not arranged by or paid for by the college.   Once you start your Senior year you can make "Official visits" to a limited  number of colleges. (no limit to DIII colleges)  Official visits are visits to campus by you and/or your family invited by and paid for by the college.  Before you can receive an invitation for an official visit you must have submitted certain material to the college and NCAA.   Off-Campus Contact  Simply, this means any time a coach talks face to face with you or your family anywhere but on the campus of the college anymore than a greeting.   This kind of contact is limited both by your grade and the NCAA Recruiting Calendar.   In case this isn't confusing enough, the rules for DII and DIII programs are slightly different.  Click here to read the exact rules.     The Recruiting Calendar  The NCAA establishes periods which control what coaches can and cannot do.  They publish a calendar each year on their website.  The periods include:  Contact Period -Coach may have in-person contact with you or your parents off the college campus, and may watch you play or visit your high school.  He may write or call as well.    Dead Period - Coaches may not have any in-person contact with your or your family.   Evaluation Period- Coach may watch you play or visit your high school , but cannot have any in-person conversations.  You can visit the college, and the coach may write or call you.    Quiet Period - Coach cannot have any in-person contact with you or your parents off the college campus, nor can he watch you play or visit your high school.  He may write or call your parents.  Remember that the permissions granted by the calendar are limited by your grade level. It's Commitment Time . . .  You've been through the process, navigated all the rules, and the coach makes an offer.  What are the rules of what happens next? You can make a Verbal Commitment to a college.  This is your commitment to a college and by a college to you.  What is most significant about this is that it is NOT BINDING ON EITHER PARTY.   It is only when you sign a National Letter of Intentthrough the NCAA which commits you to attend a specific college for one year and for that college to provide you an agreed upon amount of athletic  financial aid for that year.   The NCAA has a web page with full details on this.  If you are at this point read it carefully.  Next Time ... Our next mailing will cover the NCAA regulations as they apply to athletically related financial aid.  There are limits and requirements that affect what colleges can award.  We'll make sense of them for you.