NCAA member schools limit recruiting to certain periods during the year. Recruiting calendars promote the well-being of college-bound student-athletes and ensure fairness among schools by defining certain periods during the year in which recruiting may or may not occur in a particular sport.

​

During a contact period, a college coach may have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents.

​

A contact happens any time a college coach says more than hello during a face-to-face meeting with a college-bound student-athlete or his or her parents off the college’s campus.

​

During an evaluation period, a college coach may watch college-bound student-athletes compete, visit their high schools and write or telephone student-athletes or their parents. However, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents off the college’s campus during an evaluation period.

​

An evaluation happens when a college coach observes a student-athlete practicing or competing.

​

During a quiet period, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write or telephone college-bound student-athletes or their parents during this time.

​

During a dead period, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

​

OFFICIAL VISITS

The NCAA supports student-athlete well-being by promoting a fair recruiting environment that limits intrusions into the lives of student-athletes and their families.

​

Recruiting happens when a college employee or representative invites a high school student-athlete to play sports for their college. Recruiting can occur in many ways, such as face-to-face contact, phone calls or text messaging, through mailed or emailed material or through social media.

​

Any visit to a college campus by a college-bound student-athlete or his or her parents paid for by the college is an official visit. Visits paid for by student-athletes or their parents are considered unofficial visits.

​

During an official visit the college can pay for transportation to and from the college for the student-athlete, lodging and three meals per day for the student-athlete and his or her parents or guardians, as well as reasonable entertainment expenses including three tickets to a home sports event.

​

The only expenses a college-bound student-athlete may receive from a college during an unofficial visit are three tickets to a home sports event.

​

April 2023 Update to Governance Regarding Official Visits

The council adopted new recruiting rules for official and unofficial visits. Moving forward, prospects will no longer have a limit to the number of official visits they can make to NCAA member schools. Prospects will be limited to one official visit per school, unless there is a head coaching change after an official visit, in which case prospects would be able to complete a second official visit to the same school.

​

https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2014/10/8/recruiting.aspx

​

For young people considering where to go to college, visits to campus — both official and unofficial — are an integral part of the decision-making process. This was an opportunity to modernize NCAA rules in a way that provides greater and more meaningful opportunities for prospects going through the recruitment process.

​

Official visits may last no longer than a two-night stay, during which schools will be permitted to cover travel costs, transportation, meals and reasonable entertainment for up to two family members accompanying a prospect on that visit.[i]

​

In the fall of senior year try to schedule visits to the top five colleges and/or universities of your choice. These can either be official (paid for by the college and/or university) or unofficial visit (paid for on your own) visits.

​

Saddlebrook students are given a total of five excused absences to visit colleges during junior and senior years – two of these days may be used in the junior year or all five can be used in the senior year. All absences need to be approved in advance by the School Headmaster and students will need to submit the standard goldenrod form.

​

Students may make unlimited unofficial visits to any college and/or university. Before making any visits, be sure that the college and/or university has a record of your most recent test scores (ACT and/or SAT) on file. Remember, college or university coaches are trying to sell their program and themselves. Try to look at the whole picture. The athletic (tennis and/or golf) experience will only be one portion of your college or university experience.

​

When you visit a college and/or university, you must be prepared. You should have already (at the very least) read about the college or university, the athletic program (tennis and/or golf), and the coach. Prepare a list of questions that you have.

​

During the visit do not be afraid to ask the coach relevant questions. Some examples include:

• Can you describe a typical practice session/day?

• The facility itself – is there indoor and outdoor available?

• The schedule – full fall and spring schedule available?

• Are the practice facilities on-campus? If not, how much time do we spend traveling to them? Do I need my own transportation?

• How far do you usually travel to matches or tournaments?

• What means of transportation is used (van, bus, airplane?)

• Will the coach work with players individually?

• Does the college or university allow players to play non-collegiate tournaments during the school year? If so, who pays?

• What sport equipment does the school supply?

• If a scholarship is being offered, what all does it include? Be specific.

• Will I be able to play in the starting line-up on this team?

• Will I be redshirted?

• If I need a fifth year, will you finance it?

• What happens to my scholarship if I am injured or ineligible?

• Who do I see if I have academic issues?

• Has drug abuse been an issue at your school or in the athletic program?

• Are all injuries handled by the athletic department’s insurance?

• If injured, may I use my family doctor? Who determines my fitness to compete after an injury?

• What is expected of players in the off-season?

 

Ask the players on the team questions including:

• What does your daily schedule look like in-season and in the off-season?

• Approximately how many hours a day do you study?

• What generally are the attitudes of professors towards athletes?

• Are there any majors they try to steer athletes away from?

• How do you like the living arrangements?

• Are academic advisors available?

• Are the coaches available to help with academic issues?

 

During your visit, be sure to present an image that the coach is looking for. Dress appropriately, listen when the coach speaks, and speak up when it is your turn to talk. All coaches are looking for “team players” – they want to know that you can get along with others, and make good choices that would influence, in a positive manner, the success of the team as a whole.

​

Other suggestions for your official visits:

• Spend the night in a residence hall and sit in on several classes.

• Pick up a copy of the latest campus newspaper.

• Read the course catalog and check out the list of faculty, their degrees, and the courses they teach.

• Meet a coach if you are interested in a sport.

• Meet the head of an activity/interest you want to pursue in college.

• Find a professor and get his/her perspective.

• Go to the financial aid office and ask questions.

• Find out about the quality of the career services office.

• Take pictures to create a visual record of campus.

• Write down who your tour guide was – it can help later to recall parts of the campus and experiences.

• Write down highlights or low points of the visit.

• What residence hall did you visit? Would you want to live there? What other residence halls did you learn about? Write these things down.

• Write down what you would tell your friends if they were planning to visit here.

• Record your thoughts on being a student at this school. How did walking around campus make you feel?

• Develop your own rating system – Is this a 1-star school, 2-star, etc.?

 

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/4/13/media-center-di-council-adopts-proposal-for-student-athlete-representation.aspx