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 PSAs Four-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 Bylaw

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 and

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

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 and Telephone Calls

Electronic Transmissions Limited to , 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 function within social networking websites. Bylaw Proposal No

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 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

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

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.