Key NCAA Rules and Regulations
Maintain your athletic eligibility during the recruiting process by observing these major recruiting rules.
When can I start receiving recruiting materials?
You can start receiving materials—questionnaires, business cards, game programs, post cards and general correspondence—September 1 of your junior year of high school. For men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey, you can start receiving recruiting materials on June 15, following the completion of your sophomore year.
My official visit coincides with a conference tourney at the college. Can coach give me tickets to attend?
No. If you want to go, dig into your wallet, because the NCAA prohibits coaches from offering complimentary tickets to post-season conference tournaments, including the NCAA Championships. If you take an official visit during a regular sports season, you’re allowed to receive up to three complimentary, general-seating admission tickets to a home game, for yourself and those accompanying you during the visit, so long as the game is within a 30-mile radius of campus.
When can I take my first unofficial visit?
Plan to visit your preferred schools any time you want. The NCAA doesn’t restrict the number or timing of unofficial visits.
I’m planning a road trip for an unofficial visit. Is the school permitted to reimburse me for transportation expenses?
Nope. You’ll have to travel on your own dime.
Am I allowed to receive any gifts from a school during the recruiting process?
Gifts of clothes, equipment and cash are all prohibited during the recruiting process, unless such items are offered to the general student body. If you accept a gift valued at $100 or less, you’ll be ineligible until you repay the value of the benefit.
When can I start calling a college coach?
Dial a coach any time, but realize that he/she might not pick up. The NCAA limits when a coach can ring you back to after July 1 following completion of your junior year of high school.
Am I allowed to work out or test in front of a coach?
No, not even during an unofficial visit. Workout activities organized by the athletic department or coaching staff are strictly prohibited. During the academic year, schools may not host, sponsor or conduct a tryout, camp, clinic, group workout or combine in which prospects demonstrate their athletic abilities.
Can I take an official visit to the same school more than once?
No. The NCAA allows five total expense-paid official visits, and you can officially visit the same school only once. Each trip can last up to 48 hours.
If a coach is present at one of my games, can he/she talk to me before I compete?
All communication prior to and during games, including written notes and electronic messages, is prohibited. After the game, when you’re released from the locker room, a college coach may talk with you.
Can I accept a personalized jersey?
No. The NCAA defines this as a “personalized recruiting aid.” The category of prohibited items also includes personalized audio/ video scoreboard messages and special additions (like welcome signs) in locations you may visit during an official or unofficial visit, such as a locker room, arena or coach’s office.
Can I borrow a few bucks from coach during a campus visit?
Negative. The NCAA strictly bans accepting money, and the ban is specifically noted on the prohibited offers and inducements list, which also includes clothing, equipment and merchandise.
Related Links:
Antonio Gates: A Recruiting Story Like No Other
Academics
Recruiting Support Network
Financial Aid
Self-Marketing
Researching Colleges
Effective Networking With a College Coach
Campus Visits
Gauging Interest
Standardized Tests
Recruiting Checklist
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MOST POPULAR
Key NCAA Rules and Regulations
Maintain your athletic eligibility during the recruiting process by observing these major recruiting rules.
When can I start receiving recruiting materials?
You can start receiving materials—questionnaires, business cards, game programs, post cards and general correspondence—September 1 of your junior year of high school. For men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey, you can start receiving recruiting materials on June 15, following the completion of your sophomore year.
My official visit coincides with a conference tourney at the college. Can coach give me tickets to attend?
No. If you want to go, dig into your wallet, because the NCAA prohibits coaches from offering complimentary tickets to post-season conference tournaments, including the NCAA Championships. If you take an official visit during a regular sports season, you’re allowed to receive up to three complimentary, general-seating admission tickets to a home game, for yourself and those accompanying you during the visit, so long as the game is within a 30-mile radius of campus.
When can I take my first unofficial visit?
Plan to visit your preferred schools any time you want. The NCAA doesn’t restrict the number or timing of unofficial visits.
I’m planning a road trip for an unofficial visit. Is the school permitted to reimburse me for transportation expenses?
Nope. You’ll have to travel on your own dime.
Am I allowed to receive any gifts from a school during the recruiting process?
Gifts of clothes, equipment and cash are all prohibited during the recruiting process, unless such items are offered to the general student body. If you accept a gift valued at $100 or less, you’ll be ineligible until you repay the value of the benefit.
When can I start calling a college coach?
Dial a coach any time, but realize that he/she might not pick up. The NCAA limits when a coach can ring you back to after July 1 following completion of your junior year of high school.
Am I allowed to work out or test in front of a coach?
No, not even during an unofficial visit. Workout activities organized by the athletic department or coaching staff are strictly prohibited. During the academic year, schools may not host, sponsor or conduct a tryout, camp, clinic, group workout or combine in which prospects demonstrate their athletic abilities.
Can I take an official visit to the same school more than once?
No. The NCAA allows five total expense-paid official visits, and you can officially visit the same school only once. Each trip can last up to 48 hours.
If a coach is present at one of my games, can he/she talk to me before I compete?
All communication prior to and during games, including written notes and electronic messages, is prohibited. After the game, when you’re released from the locker room, a college coach may talk with you.
Can I accept a personalized jersey?
No. The NCAA defines this as a “personalized recruiting aid.” The category of prohibited items also includes personalized audio/ video scoreboard messages and special additions (like welcome signs) in locations you may visit during an official or unofficial visit, such as a locker room, arena or coach’s office.
Can I borrow a few bucks from coach during a campus visit?
Negative. The NCAA strictly bans accepting money, and the ban is specifically noted on the prohibited offers and inducements list, which also includes clothing, equipment and merchandise.
Related Links:
Antonio Gates: A Recruiting Story Like No Other
Academics
Recruiting Support Network
Financial Aid
Self-Marketing
Researching Colleges
Effective Networking With a College Coach
Campus Visits
Gauging Interest
Standardized Tests
Recruiting Checklist
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Create A Free Recruiting Profile Today!
CaptainU helps athletes & parents not only be proactive but also to manage and take control of their entire recruiting journey.