2012 Regional Rules Seminars

Division III Compliance Issues Related to Recruiting Prospective Student-Athletes

Objectives & Overview

• Recognize legislative differences between high school and two-year and four-year prospective student-athlete (PSA) contacts.

• Describe the electronic communication and publicity legislation. Identify overlapping issues.

• Compare and contrast electronic communications and permissibility in a variety of scenarios.

• Provide feedback on recruiting concepts: recruiting models and nonscholastic recruiting.

Who May You Contact?

High School PSAsTwo-Year College

PSAsFour-Year College

PSAs

• In-person, off-campus recruiting contacts shall not be made with a PSA until the PSA has completed his or her junior year of high school.

• No contact restrictions. • No contact with student-athlete (SA) of another NCAA/NAIA four-year institution without first obtaining written permission, regardless of who makes contact first.

• May have contact on your campus.

• No permission to contact requirement.

NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.1 Bylaw 13.1.1.2

Two Release Methods

•Written permission to contact – handled via athletics administration.

•Self-release - SA releases himself or herself and is entitled initial privacy. Only applicable for Division III to Division III.

Bylaws 13.1.1.2 and 13.1.1.2.1

Self-Release by SA

• Division III to Division III only.

• NCAA form forwarded to AD at institution(s) of interest.

• 30-day privacy period from when the SA signs the form.

• Additional form must be signed to continue contact beyond 30-day period. No privacy.

Bylaw 13.1.1.2.1

• All electronically transmitted human voice exchange (includes videoconferencing and videophones) are telephone calls.

• No restrictions on the timing.

• SAs and boosters may make calls at the direction of athletics for recruitment purposes.

Bylaws 13.02.10 and 13.1.3

Telephone Calls

Electronic Transmissions

• Limited to email, faxes and text messages.

• No restrictions on the timing.

• All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., instant messaging and social networking websites) are prohibited.

• Includes email function within social networking websites.

• Bylaw 13.02.11 Proposal No. 2012-7

• Public Release of General Athletics Information provided:• Any member of general public may become

member of the group to which being sent;

• PSA retains the ability to decline or unsubscribe at anytime; and

• Content is the same for all members of the group and of a general nature.

Bylaw 13.02.11.3

Official Interpretation 3/25/11

Electronic Transmissions - Exception

Publicity• Comments Before Acceptance.

• May comment only to the extent of confirming recruitment of the PSA.

• May not comment in response to PSA article – unless only confirming recruitment.

Bylaw 13.10.2

Publicity

• Announcement of Acceptance.• May release publicity concerning PSA’s

commitment only after paid acceptance of the institution’s written offer of admission or financial aid.• Release to media outlets at discretion; • Prohibited from purchasing commercial

advertising to announce.

Bylaw 13.10.7

Case Study – Discussion Board/Blog

• Riding Hood College discovers its athletics equipment manager posted on a third-party discussion board:

• “Ruby PSA is going to make a great addition to Riding Hood’s women’s lacrosse team” (Ruby is accepted but hasn’t deposited); and

• “Riding Hood’s men’s soccer team is going to sweep the conference tournament.”

Answer• “Ruby PSA is going to make a great addition

to Riding Hood’s women’s lacrosse team.”

• Impermissible • Before paid acceptance, impermissible to

comment beyond recruitment.• After paid acceptance, through media outlets.

• “Riding Hood’s men’s soccer team is going to sweep the conference tournament.”

• Permissible• Legislation does not preclude postings on

discussion boards, just can’t use to communicate directly with PSAs.

Case Study – Coach’s Personal Facebook Page

• Big Bad Wolf University discovers its

soccer coach posted the following on her personal page:

• “We won a big game vs. Brick House U. and Little Red played really well.”

• “Little Piggy is coming to visit our campus. She’d be an impact player for us.”

Answer• “We won a big game vs. Brick House U.

and Little Red played really well.”

• Permissible. Factual, not a commentary on a PSA, targeted to only those that are friends of coach (not PSAs).

• “Little Piggy is coming to visit our campus. She’d be an impact player for us.”

• Impermissible. Violates publicity legislation – specific PSA mentioned. Not ok – regardless of who is friends with coach.

Case Study – Twitter • All the Better to See You College

sends out a tweet that links to an third-party article that notes:

• PSA deposited and is attending All the Better next year.

• PSA is a standout lacrosse SA.

• All the Better’s lacrosse coach is excited.

Answer• Permissible.

• PSA has deposited.

• Institution may release publicity – including reposting a third-party’s article.

• Institution may comment about the specific PSA since PSA has deposited.