In light of the popularity of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) we wanted to provide everyone with the rules and regulations that surround interaction with recruits/unsigned prospects. Violations of these rules could result in penalties against an institution.
Are You a Representative of St. John's Athletics Interests? You are a representative of St. John's athletics interests, more commonly known as a "booster", if you meet any of the following conditions:
You have ever been a member of any organization that promotes St. John's athletics program (Red/White Club).
You have made a financial contribution to the St. John's athletics department, no matter the amount.
You are or have been a season ticket holder in any sport.
You have provided benefits (e.g., summer jobs ) to enrolled student-athletes.
You have ever, in any way, promoted the athletics program at St. John's
NOTE: Please remember that once you become a booster, you retain that identity indefinitely. Once an individual or entity becomes a "booster" or "representative of athletics interests," that identity is retained forever, even if involvement with the athletics program ceases (NCAA Bylaw 13.02.13.1). In short if you gave $10 fifteen years ago your still a booster.
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?A prospective student-athlete, commonly known as a "prospect", is any individual who has started classes for the 9th grade. In addition, student-athletes enrolled in preparatory school or two-year colleges are considered prospects. Ultimately, a student remains a prospect until enrollment at a four-year collegiate institution
NCAA Rules Regarding Booster Involvement with ProspectsMAY NOT -Make any recruiting contacts with prospects or their relatives. This includes telephone calls, letters, emails, and facsimiles, along with any face-to-face contact either on or off-campus.
-Provide financial aid or benefit or any kind (e.g., clothing, special discounts, lodging, meals, transportation, tickets, loans of money) to prospects or their relatives.
-Make contact with a prospective student-athlete or his/her parents when the prospect is on campus for and official or unofficial recruiting visit.
-Contact a prospective student-athlete to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent.
-Employ or arrange for employment of a prospect before ht completion of his/her senior year. After graduation, a booster may employ a prospect as long as compensation is for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with experience and the going rate.
-Provide ANYTHING to a prospect or the prospect's family or friends without prior approval from the Compliance Office.
MAY
-Forward information about prospects to the appropriate coaching staff member.
-View a prospect's athletics contest on your own initiative, provided you do not contact the prospect or his/her relatives, coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the academic or athletic abilities of the prospect. You are responsible for all incurred costs or fees at a contest.
-Speak to a prospect on the telephone ONLY if you prospect initiates the call.
You May Not have a recruiting conversation, but you
may refer questions about the athletics program to the athletics department staff.
NCAA Rules Regarding the InternetThe internet is considered similar to email, telephone calls, or general correspondence. Therefore, it should not be used by boosters to contact prospects, their families, or their coaches. Participation in "chat rooms" with prospects is also strictly prohibited.
Common Questions Q: Can boosters contact prospects to encourage them to attend a specific University?A: NO. Any such contact could result in the prospect being declared ineligible to participate in athletics.
Please remember that only coaches and Athletics Department staff members may be involved in the recruiting process. All boosters are prohibited from contacting prospects or members of a prospect's family by any means for the purpose of encouraging the prospect's participation in the University of Oklahoma's athletics program.
Q. May I email or post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Facebook, Twitter or similar website and try to convince him or her to attend a certain University?A. No, you may not. An athletics representative may not e-mail or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospective student-athlete and neither can boosters.
Q. May I create an online group dedicated to convincing or encouraging a prospect that we want them to attend a certain University if the group members do not directly contact the prospect?A. The NCAA would consider this as recruiting activity by boosters, so this would not be permissible.
Q. What if I do not urge a prospect to come, may I contact them just to tell them about all the great things a school has to offer?A. No. Once again, this is another form of recruiting.
In short anything that is public is off limits. Private messages on Facebook or DM's on Twitter are not public for all to see. But posts on walls and @ replies are there for many to see.
Here are some recent articles on the subject-
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/highschool/04/10/facebook.ap/index.html http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2009/01/24/a1c_facebook_0125.html http://dukechronicle.com/node/149096 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/24/AR2009082401795.html