University of Oklahoma Athletics
Compliance Corner: July 2014
July 28, 2014 | Athletics
What Defines Recruiting?
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or a prospect's family member (or legal guardian) by a University of Oklahoma staff member or athletic booster, for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment and ultimate participation in the University of Oklahoma intercollegiate athletics programs.
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above, including students in prep schools and junior colleges as well as students who have officially withdrawn from a four-year institution and plan to transfer to another collegiate institution. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution or a booster provides the individual or the individual's relatives or friends with any financial assistance or benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students in general. A good rule of thumb is to treat ALL STUDENTS as prospects.
General Recruiting Guidelines for Boosters/Alumni/Representatives of Athletics Interests
- Boosters are not allowed to contact a prospect in an attempt to recruit or encourage attendance at the University of Oklahoma.
- Types of prohibited contacts include, but are not limited to:
- On-campus or off-campus face-to-face conversation with prospect or the prospect's relatives
- Any form of written correspondence; and/or
- Telephone calls to a prospect, the prospect's relatives or coaches
- Boosters are not allowed to invite a prospect or the prospect's relatives to any booster function or alumni event.
- Boosters are not allowed to provide a prospect or the prospect's relatives with free or reduced rate transportation, meals, lodging, gifts, entertainment or expenses for any type of service.
- Boosters may send information (e.g., news articles, game programs, etc.) concerning a prospective student-athlete to the appropriate coaching staff.
- Boosters may attend high school and community college events, provided they do not contact prospective student-athletes, their families, coaches, counselors or high school administrators in an attempt to recruit the prospect.
- Boosters may continue pre-established friendships with prospects, their parents and relatives provided that the contact with these individuals is not arranged by an Oklahoma coaching staff member, nor is the contact an attempt to recruit the prospect.
- Boosters may attend public events (e.g., banquet, fundraising event, or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance. However, NO contact or attempt should be made to recruit the prospect, including contact with the prospect's parents, relatives or coaches.
- Boosters may not e-mail or post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Twitter, Facebook or similar website encouraging attendance at the University of Oklahoma.
- Boosters may not obtain film/videotape or transcripts from a prospective student-athlete's educational institution in an effort to evaluate the prospect's academic eligibility or athletics ability.
Please note that the guidelines above are not exhaustive. We hope you find this information helpful and, as always, please contact the Athletics Compliance Department at (405) 325-7004 with any questions. Your cooperation and understanding is essential to the success of our programs. We appreciate your support of OU Athletics and your help in ensuring we operate within NCAA rules and regulations.
Related Links: OU Compliance Online
