Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question:
Case Scenario: There is a National tournament in Indianapolis that will last for six days. Participants are only allowed to compete every other day. They may report for practice at the tournament site the day before the tournament actually starts. Registration at the competition site is also the day before the tournament starts. A top-10 recruit (who is on IU's "short" list) from California will be participating.
First Set of Questions: Is an Indiana coach allowed to contact the prospect on the practice day since the tournament has not officially started? What if the prospect does not intend to take advantage of the practice, but is just in town a day early for the tournament? When exactly is it permissible for the coach to contact the prospect?
Second Set of Questions: Can the prospect bring his/her parents down to Indiana University for an unofficial visit on an off day when he or she is not competing? If not, when can the prospect bring his/her parents down to campus for an unofficial visit? Can the parents come down by themselves to see the campus?
Answer:
Answers to the First Set of Questions: The Indiana coach may NOT contact the prospect on the practice day, regardless of whether the prospect intends to practice. The prospect is in Indianapolis to compete in the tournament and has "reported on call" by traveling to an away-from-home event. Also, registration is that day, so the prospect had to be in Indianapolis for this competition-related activity (so coaches can not even contact local prospects who may be at the tournament site just to visit with friends if the local prospect will be competing in the tournament because they must register while there). The coach may not contact the prospect on an "off day." The coach must wait until after the prospect's final contest is completed and he or she is released by the appropriate authority (coach) and leaves the dressing and meeting facility (reminder for those sports with recruiting periods: contact may only be made after the competition is over if it is during a contact period). [13.1.7.2]
Answers to the Second Set of Questions: No, there can not be any contact on- or off-campus with the prospect until after he or she has completed all competition and has been released by the appropriate authority. So, even though the prospect will not be competing every other day while in Indianapolis, he or she is not permitted to take an unofficial visit on those off days. The prospect can drive down to Bloomington after his or her final contest is completed, regardless of whether the tournament is over. The parents can drive down to Bloomington at any time to visit the campus because they are not in competition. [13.1.7.2 and 13.8]