University of Oklahoma Athletics
2008 Compliance Questions of the Week
January 23, 2012 | Athletics
Return to Current
December 22, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for student-athletes to sell, or allow someone else to sell their complimentary admissions?
Answer: No. Students-athletes, nor third party individuals designated by the student-athlete, may not receive any type of payment his or her complimentary admissions. Further, student-athlete complimentary admissions may not be exchanged or traded for an item of value.
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December 15, 2008 Question
What are the eligibility requirements a student-athlete must meet to be eligible for postseason competition that occurs between semesters (including summer)?
Answer: In order for a student-athlete to be eligible for postseason competition occurring between semesters a student-athlete must have passed at least six hours of academic credit during the preceding semester (and must have been otherwise certified as academically eligible).
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December 8, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for OU coaches to send a prospective student-athlete holiday cards to wish them a Happy Holiday?
Answer: No. It is not permissible to send a "greeting card" or an institutional note card that has been created as a holiday card. It is permissible to include a handwritten holiday greeting on an institutional note card that meets the NCAA mandated note card restrictions.
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December 1, 2008 Question
When is the last date to conduct required weight-training, conditioning and skill-related instruction if a team is currently out-of-season before winter break?
Answer: For those sports that are out-of-season, all athletically related activities are prohibited beginning one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period. The exam period for fall 2008 begins Monday, December 15th 2008; therefore, all athletically related activities should cease on December 8th in preparation of finals.
Please note that student-athletes may still participate in voluntary athletically related activities at their discretion.
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November 24, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for the University to provide current student-athletes transportation to/from the airport for travel related to intercollegiate competition?
Answer: Yes, provided the student-athlete is eligible to compete in the competition and the transportation occurs within the NCAA prescribed time limitations.
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November 17, 2008 Question
Can a prospective student-athlete, who is making an unofficial visit, go to eat with the team at an off-campus location?
Answer: It is not permissible for student-athletes to dine off-campus with prospective student-athletes on an unofficial visit.
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November 10, 2008 Question
What recruiting activities remain permissible during a "DEAD" period in a sport's recruiting calendar?
Answer: It remains permissible for an institutional staff member to write or telephone prospects during such a dead period (subject to recruiting rules).
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November 3, 2008 Question
Can the OU Athletics Department donate used athletics equipment to a local high school?
Answer: It is not permissible to donate athletics equipment to a high school. The NCAA rules do allow for the donation of equipment to bona fide youth organizations (within a 30-mile radius of OU) and to nonprofit organizations that may distribute the equipment to high schools (if the organization initiates the request and OU has no part in selecting which high schools to distribute to).
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October 27, 2008 Question
If a student-athlete redshirted during his/her freshmen year and was injured and could not play in a later year, does he/she meet the basic criteria for a waiver of the five-year clock rule?
Answer: Five-year clock extensions are considered by the NCAA if a student-athlete has been deprived of the opportunity to compete by circumstances beyond the control of the student-athlete for more than one season. In this particular example, the student-athlete redshirted during his/her freshmen year. A redshirt year has been very clearly stated by the NCAA as a circumstance within the student-athletes control. Thus, in this example, the student-athlete would not meet the minimum criteria for a five year clock extension as only one opportunity (season) to participate was lost due to circumstances beyond his/her control.
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October 20, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for an institutional coaching staff member to spend funds to entertain a high school, junior college, prep school, or club coach on or off the member institution's campus?
Answer: Entertainment of a high-school, college preparatory school or two-year college coach or any other individual responsible for teaching or directing an activity in which a prospective student-athlete is involved shall be confined to a member institution's campus and shall be limited to providing a maximum of two complimentary admissions (issued only through a pass list) to home athletics contests (within a 30-mile radius of the institution's campus), which must be issued on an individual-game basis. Such entertainment shall not include food and refreshments, room expenses, or the cost of transportation to and from the campus. It is not permissible to provide complimentary admissions to any postseason competition (e.g., NCAA Championship, conference tournament, bowl game). An institutional coaching staff member is expressly prohibited from spending funds to entertain the prospect's coach on or off the member institution's campus.
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October 13, 2008 Question
May an institution put special decorations up in a prospective student-athlete's hotel room when they come on an official visit?
Answer: No. NCAA Bylaws 13.6.7.9 and 13.7.3 state that an institution may not arrange miscellaneous, personalized recruiting aids (e.g., personalized jerseys, personalized audio/video scoreboard presentations) and may not permit a prospective student-athlete to engage in any game-day simulations (e.g., running onto the field with the team during pre-game introductions) during an official or unofficial visit. Personalized recruiting aids include any decorative items and special additions to any location the prospective student-athlete will visit (e.g., hotel room, locker room, coach's office, conference room, arena) regardless of whether or not the items include the prospective student-athlete's name or picture.
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October 6, 2008 Question
What is countable athletically related activity?
Answer: The NCAA defines countable athletically related activity as any required activity with an athletics purpose involving student-athletes and at the direction of, or supervised by one or more of an institution's coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches) and must be counted within the weekly and daily limitations under Bylaw 17.1.6.1 and 17.1.6.2. Administrative activities (e.g., academic meetings, compliance meetings) shall not be considered as countable athletically related activities.
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September 29, 2008 Question
If a former player is on campus visiting during the same time a recruit is on campus for a visit, can the former student-athlete join the recruit and coach for lunch?
Answer: No. Boosters cannot be involved with the recruitment of a prospect.
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September 22, 2008 Question
May a prospective student-athlete be interviewed during the broadcast or telecast of an institution's intercollegiate contest?
Answer: No. Further, an institution may not allow a station telecasting a game to show a videotape of competition involving high school, prep school or two-year college players.
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September 8, 2008 Question
May an OU team provide complimentary admissions for a prospect to attend a regular season home game or event that is conducted at venue that is not the regular home facility?
Answer: Yes. If an institution schedules any regular-season home games at a site not designated as its regular home facility, the host institution may provide a maximum of three complimentary admissions to any such game for the exclusive use of a prospective student-athlete who is not on an official visit and those persons accompanying the prospective student-athlete. Tournament and postseason games are excluded.
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September 1, 2008 Question
Would it be permissible for a parent or family member of a student-athlete to share a room with the athlete during an away trip or travel with the team on the trip if it doesn't increase the cost of the room or transportation?
Answer: No. NCAA Bylaw 16.6.1 states that an institution may not provide any expenses to a student-athlete's relatives or friends, except as specifically permitted. The specifically permitted situations are that the institution may provide the cost of actual and necessary expenses (e.g., transportation, lodging, meals and expenses associated with team entertainment functions) for the spouse and children (not parents or other family members) of an eligible student-athlete to accompany the student-athlete to a licensed postseason football game or an NCAA football championship in which the student-athlete is a participant, and in other sports, to one round (conducted at the site) of any NCAA championship in which the student-athlete is a participant. Also, an institution may reserve or secure lodging at any postseason event (other than a conference event) at a reduced or special rate for the parents (or legal guardians) and immediate family of a student-athlete who is a participant. It is not permissible for an institution to cover any portion of the cost of lodging, including any cost associated with reserving or securing lodging.
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August 25, 2008 Question
During a prospect's visit (official or unofficial) to campus, is it permissible for the Board of Regents to have contact with the prospect?
Answer: No. It is not permissible for the Board of Regents to have on- or off-campus contact with a prospect or his/her parents during the prospect's visit to campus. It is permissible for a prospect to have contact with faculty on-campus or within a 30-mile radius of campus.
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August 18, 2008 Question
What is the earliest date a prospect may make an official visit to a school?
Answer: A prospect may make not make an official visit earlier than the opening day of classes of the prospect's senior year of high school. Further, a prospect may not make more than five total official visits with not more than one permitted to any single institution.
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August 11, 2008 Question
What are the rules regarding student-athletes and complimentary admissions to OU athletic events?
Answer: A student-athlete is eligible for a maximum of four complimentary admissions per home and away competition in his/her sport. A student-athlete may not receive payment from any source for his/her complimentary admissions. In addition, the student-athlete may not exchange or assign them for any item of value (e.g., clothes, dinner, entertainment). Individuals designated by the student-athlete to receive complimentary admissions are not permitted to receive any type of payment for these admissions or to exchange or assign them for any item of value. Receipt of payment for complimentary admissions is prohibited and considered an extra benefit. An institution may not provide a special arrangement to sell a student-athlete tickets to an athletics event. Student-athletes must purchase tickets according to the same procedure for the general student body. A student-athlete may not purchase tickets for an intercollegiate athletics event from the institution and then sell the tickets at a price greater than their face value.
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August 4, 2008 Question
May a student-athlete be employed during the academic year?
Answer: Yes. NCAA Bylaw 12.4 allows for a student-athlete to be compensated by any employer for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for similar services. However, the compensation cannot include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that the student-athlete has obtained because of their athletics ability.
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July 28, 2008 Question
What are the daily and weekly hour limitations for athletics activities that occur during preseason practice (prior to the start of the academic year)?
Answer: During preseason practice, there are no restrictions on the number of hours a team may participate in athletically related activities (e.g., practice, film, meetings, strength and conditioning). Teams may practice an unlimited number of hours and are not required to have a day off during preseason practice. Daily and weekly hour limitations go into effect on the first day of classes or the team's first scheduled contest, whichever is earlier.
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July 21, 2008 Question
When may an institution make a scholarship offer in writing to a prospective student-athlete?
Answer: Such an offer may be made to a prospect in writing once it is permissible to otherwise provide written correspondence to that prospect. For all sport except for Men's Basketball, this date would be September 1st at the beginning of the prospect's junior year in high school. For Men's Basketball the date would be June 15th at the conclusion of the prospect's sophomore year of high school. NCAA specifically prohibits an institution from permitting the prospect to sign a form indicating their acceptance of such an award prior to the date the prospect may sign a NLI.
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July 7, 2008 Question
What is the first date (or time period) that coaches may call prospects (or a prospect's relatives or legal guardians)?
Answer: In the majority of sports, the first call coaches may make to a prospect is on July 1st following the completion of the prospect's junior year of high school. In football, the first telephone call may be placed during the period of April 15 - May 31 of the prospect's junior year in of high school. Men's basketball coaches may place their first call on or after June 15 following the completion of the prospect's sophomore year of high school and women's basketball coaches may place the initial call during the month of April during the prospect's junior year in high school.
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June 23, 2008 Question
Do scholarships which student-athletes receive from outside organizations (high school booster club, civic organizations, etc.) count against a team's scholarship limitations?
Answer: Each student-athlete's situation is different and must be independently scrutinized to determine whether or not the scholarship from an outside organization would count against team scholarship limits. To make this determination the following factors to examine are (1) was the student-athlete recruited by the institution, (2) is the student-athlete on athletics scholarship and (3) and to what degree did athletics participation play in receiving the award.
If a student-athlete was not recruited and is not on athletics scholarship then the scholarship from the outside organization will not count against team limits regardless of the role athletic participation played in choosing the scholarship recipient. If the student-athlete was recruited and athletic participation was considered a major criterion in awarding the outside scholarship then it will count against team scholarship limits. In all other cases, if athletic participation was not a major criterion used by the entity that awarded the outside scholarship then it will not count against team scholarship limitations.
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June 9, 2008 Question
May an institutional sports camp hire someone who is a scout or coach for a professional sports organization or team to work their camp?
Answer: No. The NCAA has recently clarified that this would not be a permissible arrangement, thus solidifying their position that there needs to be a clear line of demarcation between college athletics and professional sports.
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May 26, 2008 Question
Is a video conference call with a prospect considered a contact?
Answer: No. The NCAA defines a video conference call or a video-phone call as a telephone call and not as a contact.
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May 19, 2008 Question
May an institution donate athletics equipment to a high school?
Answer: An institution may not provide athletics equipment to a high school. It would be permissible to sell athletics equipment to a high school at a sale that is open to the general public. An institution may provide athletics equipment to a youth organization (e.g., YMCA, Boy Scout troop) that may consist of some prospects, provided the issuance of equipment is in accordance with the institution's regular policy regarding the discarding of equipment. In addition, only those organizations within a 30-mile radius of the campus may be provided equipment by the institution.
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May 12, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for a prospective student-athlete to observe an OU athletics event from the sidelines?
Answer: A prospective student-athlete may receive a maximum of three complimentary admissions to a home OU athletics event. The complimentary admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility. Prospects may not observe an athletics event from the sidelines, bench area, press box, etc. during the conduct of the event (including intermission).
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May 5, 2008 Question
Is it permissible to send a letter addressed to a freshman or sophomore in care of ("c/o") a high school coach so that he/she may deliver it to a prospect?
Answer: General correspondence (including letters and e-mails) may not be sent to prospects prior to September 1 at the beginning of the prospect's junior year in high school for all sports other than men's basketball and men's ice hockey or prior to June 15 after the prospect's sophomore year in high school in men's basketball and men's ice hockey. Coaches may not circumvent the legislation by sending correspondence to a prospect's coach with the intent of the prospect's coach giving it to the prospect.
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April 28, 2008 Question
May an athletics department staff member serve as an announcer for radio or television broadcasts of high school athletics events?
Answer: No. An athletics department staff member is not permitted to serve as an announcer or commentator for any athletics contest in which prospective student-athletes are competing.
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April 21, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for a camp or clinic to use the name and/or picture of a current student-athlete to promote the camp/clinic?
Answer: An institution or privately owned camp may use a student-athlete's name, picture and institutional affiliation only in the camp counselor section in its camp brochure to identify the student-athlete as a staff member. A student-athlete's name or picture may not be used in any other way to directly advertise or promote the camp.
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April 14, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for an institution to help a student-athlete's parent(s) reserve lodging in conjunction with postseason competition?
Answer: An institution may reserve or secure lodging at any postseason event, other than a conference event, at a reduced or special rate for the parents (or legal guardians) and immediate family of a student-athlete who is a participant. It is not permissible for an institution to cover any portion of the cost of lodging, including any cost associated with reserving or securing the lodging.
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April 7, 2008 Question
Is it permissible to provide prospects with complimentary admissions to attend a postseason tournament (e.g., Conference, NCAA)?
Answer: No. Prospects and prospects' coaches may not receive complimentary admissions to attend postseason competition (e.g., NCAA championships, conference tournaments, NIT championships).
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March 31, 2008 Question
Is it permissible for a booster to contact a prospect who has signed a National Letter of Intent with OU?
Answer: No. A prospect remains a prospect even after he/she has signed an NLI with an institution. Boosters may not have on- or off-campus contact with a prospect. In addition, boosters may not contact a prospect via telephone, written or electronic correspondence.
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March 24, 2008 Question
Within a sport's playing season may a travel day related to athletics participation be used to satisfy the one day off per week requirement?
Answer: Yes, provided no countable athletically related activities occur on that day.
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March 17, 2008 Question
What are the maximum daily and weekly hour limitations for a student-athlete whose sport is within their declared playing season?
Answer: A student-athlete may participate in a maximum of four hours a day and 20 hours per week of countable athletically related activities. Additionally, they must be provided one day off per week in which they do not participate in any countable athletically related activities.
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March 10, 2008 Question
May student-athletes appear at an institutional promotional event if the event is being held at a commercial location?
Answer: Yes, as long the commercial establishment is not a cosponsor of the event and the student-athlete does not promote the sale of a commercial product in conjunction with the event.
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March 3, 2008 Question
As defined by the NCAA, what actions cause a prospective student-athlete to be considered "recruited" as opposed to "non-recruited"?
Answer: A prospect will be considered recruited by an institution if any of the following four activities occur: (1) providing the prospect with an official visit; (2) having arranged off-campus contact with the prospects or his/her parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s); (3) initiating or arranging telephone contact with the prospect on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or (4) issuing the prospect a National Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement.
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February 25, 2008 Question
An individual who has entered ninth grade is a prospective student-athlete until what occurs?
Answer: An individual remains a prospective student-athlete until he/she: (1) registers and enrolls as a full-time student and attends class in any term of a four-year colleges regular academic year (excluding summers); (2) participates in practice or competition at a four-year college that occurs before the beginning of any term; or (3) registers and enrolls and attends class during the summer prior to initial enrollment and receives athletics scholarship for summer school.
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February 18, 2008 Question
What are the restrictions regarding the location where coaches may show a prospect the computer-based recruiting presentation their program developed?
Answer: It is permissible to show the computer recruiting presentation to a prospect during any permissible on- or off-campus contact. Additionally, the presentation may be posted on the institution's Web site.
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February 11, 2008 Question
Is it now permissible for coaches to text message or instant message prospects that have signed a National Letter of Intent with their institution?
Answer: Yes. After the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent there are no longer limits on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent by the institution with which the prospect has signed.
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February 4, 2008 Question
Are coaches permitted to conduct interviews with individual media outlets in addition to the "one time press conference announcing all signees?"
Answer: Yes, it is permissible for coaches to conduct interviews with media outlets, provided: (1) All PSAs discussed have signed a National Letter of Intent that has been received and (2) The prospects do not appear either with the coach or during the same program segment as the coach.
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January 28, 2008 Question
May a coach at OU give an interview to a website or publication that is dedicated to recruiting?
Answer: Yes. The NCAA has removed the restriction that precluded a coach from providing an interview for an article that will appear in a recruiting publication or newsletter. However, coaches are still prohibited from making comments about specific prospects.
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January 21, 2008 Question
May a University of Oklahoma student-athlete receive prize money for placing at an outside competition as long as the prize money does not exceed actual expenses?
Answer: No. Once a student-athlete enrolls in college, they may not receive any type of prize money (cash, gift certificate, etc.) and may not forward any prize money to other parties (friends, teammates, charities, etc.).
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January 14, 2008 Question
May the athletic department donate memorabilia to an organization to auction off to help raise money for a general college scholarship fund?
Answer: No. Pursuant to NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.15.1, an institution or a representative of its athletics interests shall not offer, provide or arrange financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part) the costs of a prospective student-athlete's educational or other expenses for any period prior to his or her enrollment or so the prospect can obtain a postgraduate education. This prohibition applies to all prospects, including those who have signed a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of admission or financial aid. An institution may not donate institutional memorabilia (e.g., jerseys, hats, T-shirts) to any organization for the purpose of being auctioned to raise funds to provide financial assistance to high school students to attend collegiate institutions.
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January 7, 2008 Question
May a coach increase a student-athlete's scholarship during the middle of an academic year?
Answer: Yes, provided such an increase is unrelated in any manner to an athletics reason.
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