Important Questions for Representatives of Athletic Interests
Prospective Student-Athletes Questions
Q: Who is considered a prospective student-athlete (prospect)?
A: A prospective student-athlete is defined as a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade. It is possible for any student, high school or collegiate, to be considered a prospect, so please treat ALL STUDENTS as prospects.
A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after a National Letter of Intent is signed. Applicable NCAA rules governing prospects do not change until the student attends classes as a full-time student.
NOTE: Please understand that you should not take part in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete without the consent of Western Illinois University’s Athletics Compliance Office.
Recruiting and Contact Rules for Prospective Student Athletes
Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be directly or indirectly involved in the recruitment of prospects. All representatives of the University who are not members of the athletics department staff are PROHIBITED from contacting a prospect by telephone, in person, or in writing for the purpose of encouraging his/her enrollment at the University.
Q: What if a prospect calls an athletics representative?
A: An athletics representative may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. An institutional staff member may not prearrange such a call. Any questions about the University’s athletics program should be referred to the Athletics Compliance Office.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletics representative to call a prospect or send a letter once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent with the University?
A: Even if the purpose of the call or letter is only to congratulate the prospect, he/she is still a prospect and the same contact rules apply after committing or signing.
NOTE: DO NOT contact a prospect for any reason without first checking with the Athletics Compliance Office.
Q: May an athletics representative speak to a Western coach if a prospect is with the coach?
A If a coach is with a prospect, DO NOT approach the coach until the prospect and family have gone elsewhere. Otherwise the coach will be placed in an awkward position because the coach will not be able to introduce the prospect to the athletics representative.
Q: What if a prospect approaches an athletics representative on or off campus regarding the athletics program?
A: If a prospect approaches an athletics representative on or off campus regarding the athletics program, explain to him/her that NCAA rules DO NOT PERMIT discussion of the athletics program and refer the prospect to the appropriate Western coach.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletics representative to provide transportation to or from campus or free admission to the institution’s athletics events on or off campus to prospects, their friends, or relatives?
A: NEVER
Q: Can a prospect be in attendance at booster functions?
A: This is NOT ADVISED due to the following restrictions:
* The function would have to be opened to the entire public, no special invitations may be made, and they may not be introduced.
* Prospect cannot have contact with representatives of athletics interest (boosters) on or off campus.
Extra Benefits and Current Student-Athletes
Q: What is an EXTRA BENEFIT?
A: An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletics interest who provides a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relatives or friends with a benefit not authorized by the NCAA, or available to the institution’s general body.
IMPORTANT RULE:
A representative of athletics interest shall not provide any special arrangement for a student-athlete unless specifically authorized by the Athletics Compliance Office.
Q: Who is considered an ENROLLED “CURRENT” STUDENT-ATHLETE?
A: A full-time student whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff with a view toward participation in intercollegiate athletics. Further, the student has not completed his/her four years of athletic eligibility at the institution.
