THE NCAA RULES & THE RECRUITING EAGLE
First, a few words about The Recruiting Eagle, which was established in 1993 as the nation's first Internet football recruiting site.
TRE covers recruiting and other sports at Auburn University and the University of Alabama, believing that both are of interest to fans of both schools. TRE also covers, to a limited extent, recruiting at other SEC and Southern schools, as it relates to Auburn and Alabama.
TRE wants to be perfectly clear -- unlike other recruiting websites:
** TRE DOES NOT and has never contacted prospective recruits in any sport by email, telephone, letter or any other form of communication.
** TRE HAS NEVER contacted the parents or family members of any prospective recruit in any sport by email, telephone, letter or any other form of communication.
** TRE HAS NEVER contacted a high school, junior college or prep school school coach by email, telephone, letter or any other form of communication to inquire of any prospective recruits.
** Finally, TRE DOES NOT contact any college coaches or anyone in any university athletic department in connection with the recruitment of athletics. This site has NO affiliation with any university.
Here are the general NCAA rules governing the recruitment of student-athletes.
1. It is against NCAA regulations for a representative of an institution's athletic interests to have any contact with a prospective student-athlete. Such prohibitions include telephone calls, letters and in-person contact. Any violation of these regulations causes potentially severe penalties, such as the prospect being prohibited to participate in athletics at that institution and additional penalties against the institution (i.e., loss of scholarships, bowl ban, television ban, etc.).
2. Any individual who is an alumnus, benefactor, season ticket holder or simply a fan of the athletics programs at Auburn University is considered a representative of its athletics interests and is subject to these restrictions.
3. The only individuals who are permitted to contact prospective student-athletes about their interest in attending Auburn University are certified institutional staff members, such as coaches, athletics administrators or other university officials.
4. Please note that according to NCAA regulations an individual is considered a prospective student-athlete until the day they enroll at the institution or report for the first day of preseason practice. Therefore, the above restrictions are applicable until that time. In addition, if a prospective student-athlete signs a Letter-of-Intent to attend Auburn University, an institution's athletics representative is not permitted to call that prospect and congratulate them on their signing -- this is also a violation and could jeopardize the prospect's eligibility.
Common Questions/Answers About Recruiting
Q: What are the basic provisions of the boosters regulation?
A: The so-called "booster-ban" legislation (NCAA Bylaw 13.01.5.1) applies to Division I and became effective August 1, 1987. It reads as follows: "In Division I, representatives of an institution's athletic interests (as defined in 13.02.12) are prohibited from making in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communications with a prospect or the prospect's family or legal guardians."
Q: What is a "booster" (that is a representative of a university's athletic interests)?
A: Bylaw 13.02.12 defines a booster. An abbreviated version of this regulation is set forth below: A "Booster" is any individual who is a member of the university's athletics booster club, has ever made any donations to the club or athletic department, is involved in any manner of recruiting prospects or in providing benefits (summer jobs) to enrolled student-athletes, or is otherwise involved in promoting the university's athletic's program.
Q: Once a person has been identified as a booster, how long do they retain that status?
A: Forever.
Q: Is the university responsible for the acts of boosters and booster support groups?
A: Yes. Boosters are governed by the same NCAA rules and regulations as those placed upon all university staff members.
Q: Can boosters entertain relatives and friends of a prospective student-athlete at any site off-campus?
A: No.
Q: Can a booster make contact with a prospective student-athlete and his or her legal guardian on an official visit to the campus?
A: No.
Q: Is is permissible for a booster to transport, pay or arrange for the payments of transportation costs incurred by relatives of friends to visit the campus or elswhere?
A: No.
Q: Is is permissible for a booster to provide cash or the use of an automobile to the prospect or student host on his or her official visit to campus?
A: No.
QL Is it permissible for a booster to employ or arrange for the employment of a prospective student-athlete before the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school?
A: No. But bylaw 13.2.4.1 permits an institution to arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete that begins after the prospect's senior year in high school. After a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, it is permissible for a booster to contact concerning summer employment arrangements.
Q: Is it permissible for a booster to pay in whole or in part registration fees associated with summer sports camps?
A: No.
Q: May a booster engage in evaluation activities on behalf of the university?
A: The NCAA doesn't preclude a booster from viewing a prospect's contest on the booster's initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may not make contact with the prospect. But the booster is prohibited from contacting the prospect's coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, as well as from visiting the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic or athletic ability.
Q: Is it permissible for a booster to extend funds to entertain a student-athlete and friends?
A: No.
Q: Can a booster provide summer employment to a student-athlete?
A: Yes, but compensation must be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.
Q: Can a booster provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or academic performance?
A: No, all awards must conform to the NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by the university.
Q: May a booster provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement?
A: No. Student-athletes may receive only necessary travel expenses when speaking for educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the university.
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If you believe that there is a young person with athletic talent who might be interested in attending Auburn. DO NOT contact him or her directly. Instead, please talk to the appropriate coach listed below (Area code all 334):
--- Baseball, 844-9767 Men's Basketball, 844-9760 Women's Basketball, 844-9770 Cross Country, 844-9799 Football, 844-4750 Men's Golf, 844-9759 Women's Golf, 844-9766 Gymnastics, 844-5046 Soccer, 844-9773 Swimming, 844-9754 Men's Tennis, 844-9751 Women's Tennis, 844-9739 Track and Field, 844-9790 Volleyball, 844-9794 -- Or call the compliance office toll-free at: 1-800-AUB-1957