Compliance > Athletic Representative/Boosters > Contacts with High School or Junior College Prospects
Contacts with High School, Preparatory School or Junior College Prospects
A “prospect” is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. However, it is possible for a younger student to be a prospect, so it is prudent to treat ALL students as prospects. In addition, any student who is currently enrolled at another two-year or four-year institution also is considered a “prospect.”
Only Davidson College coaches who have passed the NCAA Recruiting Exam may be involved in the recruitment process for any sport. Therefore, all athletics representatives who are not employed by Davidson College are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect’s family by telephone, letter, or in-person on- or off-campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in Davidson College athletics program.
Here are some basic do’s and don’ts with regard to contacting high school, preparatory school or junior college coaches:
DO NOT make any on- or off- campus contacts, including written and telephone communications, to a prospect or the prospect’s family. If a coach has a recruit at an athletic event, you should not approach the coach until the prospect and family have gone elsewhere. If a prospect approaches you off campus regarding the Davidson College athletic program, explain that NCAA rules prohibit you from discussing the program. Suggest to the prospect that he or she should contact the head coach of the sport for information.
DO NOT become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements to receive money or financial aid of any kind for a prospect, or the prospect’s family or friends.
DO NOT entertain, or provide tickets, gifts or other benefits to a prospect or his or her family or friends.
DO NOT mail anything, including newspapers, posters, programs, media guides, clippings, etc., to prospects or their family or friends.
DO NOT provide cash or the use of an automobile to a prospect or student host on his or her official visit to Davidson College.
DO NOT transport, pay or arrange for payment of transportation costs for a prospect or his or her family or friends at ANY time.
DO NOT visit a prospect’s school to acquire film or transcripts for purposes of evaluating their athletic or academic eligibility.
DO NOT contribute to the payment of registration fees for prospects to attend summer sports camps.
DO NOT contact an enrolled student athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to Davidson College and participation in our athletic program.
DO, however, assist the Davidson College athletics program in the following ways:
DO attend high school athletic events without contacting prospects.
DO continue “established” family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts made with the sons and daughters of family friends are permitted with the understanding that such contacts are NOT made for recruiting purposes and are not arranged by members of Davidson College’s coaching staff.
Essentially, a relationship is “established” if:
• The relationship predates the individual’s status as a prospect;
• The relationship predates the athlete’s status achieved as a result of his/her athletics ability or reputation; and
• The relationship did not develop as a result of the athlete’s participation in athletics or his/her notoriety related thereto.
What about prospects at alumni events?
DO NOT invite selected high school or junior college prospects to alumni events. NCAA rules prohibit contact between alumni and boosters at both on-campus and off-campus sites. Alumni association chapters CAN entertain prospects under certain conditions that do not involve singling out athletes for special treatment. For example, it is permissible for alumni chapters to invite all high school seniors who have been accepted for enrollment at Davidson College to an alumni event.
DO tell Davidson College athletic department personnel invited to speak at alumni functions if prospects will be in attendance. There are certain time periods when coaches are prohibited from any contact with prospects off campus, so it is important for them to know ahead of time if prospects will be in attendance.
What about coaches of prospects?
DO NOT contact a prospect’s coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect. This includes visiting a prospect’s institution to pick up film/videotape or academic transcripts.
DO NOT entertain, or provide tickets, gifts or other benefits to junior or senior high school, preparatory school or two-year college coaches at any time.
DO NOT reimburse these coaches for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit Davidson College.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!
A “prospect” is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. However, it is possible for a younger student to be a prospect, so it is prudent to treat ALL students as prospects. In addition, any student who is currently enrolled at another two-year or four-year institution also is considered a “prospect.”
Only Davidson College coaches who have passed the NCAA Recruiting Exam may be involved in the recruitment process for any sport. Therefore, all athletics representatives who are not employed by Davidson College are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect’s family by telephone, letter, or in-person on- or off-campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in Davidson College athletics program.
Here are some basic do’s and don’ts with regard to contacting high school, preparatory school or junior college coaches:
DO NOT make any on- or off- campus contacts, including written and telephone communications, to a prospect or the prospect’s family. If a coach has a recruit at an athletic event, you should not approach the coach until the prospect and family have gone elsewhere. If a prospect approaches you off campus regarding the Davidson College athletic program, explain that NCAA rules prohibit you from discussing the program. Suggest to the prospect that he or she should contact the head coach of the sport for information.
DO NOT become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements to receive money or financial aid of any kind for a prospect, or the prospect’s family or friends.
DO NOT entertain, or provide tickets, gifts or other benefits to a prospect or his or her family or friends.
DO NOT mail anything, including newspapers, posters, programs, media guides, clippings, etc., to prospects or their family or friends.
DO NOT provide cash or the use of an automobile to a prospect or student host on his or her official visit to Davidson College.
DO NOT transport, pay or arrange for payment of transportation costs for a prospect or his or her family or friends at ANY time.
DO NOT visit a prospect’s school to acquire film or transcripts for purposes of evaluating their athletic or academic eligibility.
DO NOT contribute to the payment of registration fees for prospects to attend summer sports camps.
DO NOT contact an enrolled student athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to Davidson College and participation in our athletic program.
DO, however, assist the Davidson College athletics program in the following ways:
DO attend high school athletic events without contacting prospects.
DO continue “established” family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts made with the sons and daughters of family friends are permitted with the understanding that such contacts are NOT made for recruiting purposes and are not arranged by members of Davidson College’s coaching staff.
Essentially, a relationship is “established” if:
• The relationship predates the individual’s status as a prospect;
• The relationship predates the athlete’s status achieved as a result of his/her athletics ability or reputation; and
• The relationship did not develop as a result of the athlete’s participation in athletics or his/her notoriety related thereto.
What about prospects at alumni events?
DO NOT invite selected high school or junior college prospects to alumni events. NCAA rules prohibit contact between alumni and boosters at both on-campus and off-campus sites. Alumni association chapters CAN entertain prospects under certain conditions that do not involve singling out athletes for special treatment. For example, it is permissible for alumni chapters to invite all high school seniors who have been accepted for enrollment at Davidson College to an alumni event.
DO tell Davidson College athletic department personnel invited to speak at alumni functions if prospects will be in attendance. There are certain time periods when coaches are prohibited from any contact with prospects off campus, so it is important for them to know ahead of time if prospects will be in attendance.
What about coaches of prospects?
DO NOT contact a prospect’s coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect. This includes visiting a prospect’s institution to pick up film/videotape or academic transcripts.
DO NOT entertain, or provide tickets, gifts or other benefits to junior or senior high school, preparatory school or two-year college coaches at any time.
DO NOT reimburse these coaches for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit Davidson College.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!