Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question:
Who is permitted to make or accept calls to/from prospective student-athletes and their parents/legal guardians and/or coaches?
Answer:
ONLY countable coaches.
Let's begin with a reminder of the definition of a prospective student-athlete for these purposes. It is ANYONE who has started classes for the 9th grade.
And here's the specific wording of the "who can call / be called" rule (in two places):
11.7.1.2 Recruiting Coordination Functions.
The following recruiting coordination functions (except related routine clerical tasks) must be performed by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4:
(a) Activities involving athletics evaluations and/or selection of prospective student-athletes; and
(b) Making telephone calls to or receiving telephone calls from prospective student-athletes (or prospective student-athletes' parents, legal guardians or coaches).
13.1.3.4 Permissible Callers.
13.1.3.4.1 Institutional Coaching Staff Members -- General Rule.
All telephone calls made to and received from a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents, legal guardians or coaches) must be made and received by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4 (In bowl subdivision football and women's rowing, such telephone calls also may be made and received by a graduate assistant coach, provided the coach has successfully completed the coaches' certification examination per Bylaw 11.5.1.1.
EXCEPTIONS:
OK, there are a few exceptions allowed: once a prospect has signed an NLI, or after May 1st and only after the compliance office (Anne) has confirmed that the walk-on has applied, been accepted (and signed our form stating that he/she is coming) and has deposited in some way. After these times, any staff member may call, or text (this is the ONLY time anyone can text ever - after NLI/tender signing OR after May 1 and all the above stuff is done).
Also, for the period of travel time around and then during the 48 hour official visit, anyone can call or take calls in order to help with official visit arrangements.
There is an exception for certain, limited camp phone calls too, which involves verifying logistical information for campers who are coming to your camp - but NOT for recruiting campers to come to camp. Only countable coaches can make those "come to camp" calls - if otherwise permissible as a countable call. Talk to compliance before having a noncoaching staff member make any camp calls please.
So, what should you do if you answer the phone as a nonpermissible caller and it's a prospect, one of their family members or a coach on the line? Well, you can take a message, pass them onto a countable coach, or transfer to a voicemail / cellphone. Be polite and smart, but you cannot talk to them about recruiting issues if you are not a countable coach.
Lastly, there are SOME occasions (for some individuals) when academic advisors, or ADs / SWAs may call - or return calls - too. Check first or look at bylaw 13.1.3.4.1.1. These calls are mostly countable but certain people MAY help in the recruitment of a prospect. Pre-signing however, even strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers do not get to talk to recruits on the phone.
As always, there's more trickiness in here, so please check with any of the compliance officers if you have questions or need clarifications. The basics are there.
Question:
Who is permitted to make or accept calls to/from prospective student-athletes and their parents/legal guardians and/or coaches?
Answer:
ONLY countable coaches.
Let's begin with a reminder of the definition of a prospective student-athlete for these purposes. It is ANYONE who has started classes for the 9th grade.
And here's the specific wording of the "who can call / be called" rule (in two places):
11.7.1.2 Recruiting Coordination Functions.
The following recruiting coordination functions (except related routine clerical tasks) must be performed by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4:
(a) Activities involving athletics evaluations and/or selection of prospective student-athletes; and
(b) Making telephone calls to or receiving telephone calls from prospective student-athletes (or prospective student-athletes' parents, legal guardians or coaches).
13.1.3.4 Permissible Callers.
13.1.3.4.1 Institutional Coaching Staff Members -- General Rule.
All telephone calls made to and received from a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents, legal guardians or coaches) must be made and received by the head coach or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4 (In bowl subdivision football and women's rowing, such telephone calls also may be made and received by a graduate assistant coach, provided the coach has successfully completed the coaches' certification examination per Bylaw 11.5.1.1.
EXCEPTIONS:
OK, there are a few exceptions allowed: once a prospect has signed an NLI, or after May 1st and only after the compliance office (Anne) has confirmed that the walk-on has applied, been accepted (and signed our form stating that he/she is coming) and has deposited in some way. After these times, any staff member may call, or text (this is the ONLY time anyone can text ever - after NLI/tender signing OR after May 1 and all the above stuff is done).
Also, for the period of travel time around and then during the 48 hour official visit, anyone can call or take calls in order to help with official visit arrangements.
There is an exception for certain, limited camp phone calls too, which involves verifying logistical information for campers who are coming to your camp - but NOT for recruiting campers to come to camp. Only countable coaches can make those "come to camp" calls - if otherwise permissible as a countable call. Talk to compliance before having a noncoaching staff member make any camp calls please.
So, what should you do if you answer the phone as a nonpermissible caller and it's a prospect, one of their family members or a coach on the line? Well, you can take a message, pass them onto a countable coach, or transfer to a voicemail / cellphone. Be polite and smart, but you cannot talk to them about recruiting issues if you are not a countable coach.
Lastly, there are SOME occasions (for some individuals) when academic advisors, or ADs / SWAs may call - or return calls - too. Check first or look at bylaw 13.1.3.4.1.1. These calls are mostly countable but certain people MAY help in the recruitment of a prospect. Pre-signing however, even strength and conditioning coaches and athletic trainers do not get to talk to recruits on the phone.
As always, there's more trickiness in here, so please check with any of the compliance officers if you have questions or need clarifications. The basics are there.