University of Oklahoma Athletics
2009 Compliance Questions of the Week
January 23, 2012 | Athletics
Return to Current
December 21, 2009 Question
May a coach at OU give an interview to a website or publication that is dedicated to recruiting?
Answer: Yes. However, coaches are still prohibited from making comments about specific prospects until they have signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution.
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December 14, 2009 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 7, 2009 Question
If a team is currently out-of-season, when is the last date to conduct mandatory weight-training, conditioning and skill-related instruction 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 2009 begins Monday, December 14th; therefore, all athletically related activities should cease beginning December 7th 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 30, 2009 Question
A prospect visited campus recently and a staff member took a picture of the prospect while on their visit. Can we email the picture to the prospect?
Answer: No, any photograph taken of a prospect on a visit to Oklahoma cannot be provided to the prospect.
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November 23, 2009 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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November 16, 2009 Question
May a student-athlete participate on a telephone call when a coach is talking to a prospect?
Answer: No. Student-athletes may not participate in, or make telephone calls at the direction of a coaching staff member or financed by the institution or a booster.
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November 9, 2009 Question
After a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, what changes in regard to telephone calls and electronic transmissions with that prospect?
Answer: Beginning the day after a prospect signs his/her National Letter of Intent an institution no longer has limits regarding number of telephone calls or types of electronic transmissions (text messaging, instant messaging, etc.) they may have with that prospect.
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November 2, 2009 Question
May a coach call prospects during a "dead period" in their recruiting calendar?
Answer: Yes, applicable to all telephone recruiting rules. During a dead period it is not period it is not permissible to make any on- or off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations of prospects.
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October 26, 2009 Question
Do telephone calls made by an academic advisor to a prospective student-athlete count towards the number of calls prospects are permitted to receive?
Answer: Yes. All calls, prior to the signing of an NLI, between any prospective student-athletes and an academic advisor (including academic advisors in the athletics department) count towards the number of telephone calls a prospect may receive during a specific time period.
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October 19, 2009 Question
Can a booster assist with recruiting prospective student-athletes by emailing or placing telephone calls to prospects to provide them with information or encourage them to attend OU?
Answer: No. Under NCAA rules booster are strictly prohibited from participating in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. Per the NCAA definition of a booster, if an individual is not already a booster, he/she would become a booster once they participate in recruiting activities on behalf of an institution.
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October 12, 2009 Question
Can a prospective student-athlete who is making an unofficial visit eat with student-athletes at an off-campus location?
Answer: It is not permissible for a prospect on an unofficial visit to dine with student-athletes at off-campus locations or otherwise be entertained off-campus during an unofficial visit by student-athletes.
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October 5, 2009 Question
Is a coach allowed to "friend" a prospective student-athlete on Facebook, since "friending" someone sends electronically generated email to that individual?
Answer: Yes. However, a coach may only attempt to "friend" a prospect beginning September 1 of the prospect's junior year (beginning June 15 after a prospect's sophomore year is complete in Men's Basketball only). "Friending" someone on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. sends out an electronically transmitted correspondence to that individual which may not be done with a prospect until the dates mentioned above.
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September 28, 2009 Question
May a student-athlete be given a post-game meal and $15 cash when they are released by their coach after completing a home contest?
Answer: No. An institution, at its discretion, may provide a meal or cash, not to exceed $15 (but not both) to student-athletes when they are released by their coaches following a home contest.
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September 21, 2009 Question
If a student-athlete's coach is conducting a coaches' clinic and a student-athlete helps to demonstrate drills/plays/etc., how is that time classified?
Answer: Time that the student-athlete spends participating in such activities at the coaches' clinic must be counted towards that student-athlete's countable athletically related activities for the week which the coaches' clinic is occurring.
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September 14, 2009 Question
May a student-athlete practice during the first week of classes, if he or she is enrolled in less than the minimum full-time limit of 12 credit hours?
Answer: Yes, provided the student-athlete is otherwise eligible under all other NCAA, conference and institutional guidelines. But they can practice ONLY during that first week/first five days of classes. Following the first week of classes they will need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours to be eligible for practice or competition.
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September 7, 2009 Question
Can a volunteer coach receive complimentary admissions to an away game or a postseason game?
Answer: No, volunteer coaches may receive complimentary admissions only to home athletics contests in their sport.
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August 31, 2009 Question
May the University of Oklahoma purchase parking passes for its student-athletes who are on scholarship?
Answer: No. A parking pass is an optional fee and thus may not be paid for as part of an athletics scholarship.
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August 24, 2009 Question
What is the earliest date a prospect may take 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 17, 2009 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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August 10, 2009 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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August 3, 2009 Question
What is the first date (or time period) that coaches may call prospects (or prospects' relatives or legal guardians)?
Answer: In the majority of sports, the first call coaches may make to a prospect is on July 1 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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July 13, 2009 Question
May a transfer student from another four-year college immediately receive an athletic scholarship if he/she was suspended at their previous school for the following semester due to an academic misconduct offense (cheating, plagiarism, etc.)?
Answer: No, such a student would not be immediately eligible for an athletic scholarship at his/her new institution because they would not have been academically eligible to compete the following semester at their former institution.
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June 29, 2009 Question
May a coach or sport place brochures for their camp available at competitions where prospective student-athletes are competing?
Answer: No, NCAA rules prohibit advertising for recruiting purposes in conjunction with competitions involving prospective student-athletes.
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June 15, 2009 Question
Is it possible for a student-athlete to earn a season of eligibility back if he/she becomes injured?
Answer: Yes. A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition if the student-athlete sustains an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness. The injury or illness must occur in one of the four seasons of competition. The injury or illness must occur prior to the first competition of the second half of the playing season and result in the inability to compete for the remainder of the playing season. The student-athlete may not compete in more than three (3) contests or dates of competition or 30 percent of the institution's scheduled competitions (whichever is greater).
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June 1, 2009 Question
May an institution post photographs of prospective student-athletes participating in their camp or clinic on a web site?
Answer: No. This would be considered publicizing a prospective student-athlete's visit to campus.
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May 18, 2009 Question
In sports other than football and basketball, may an incoming freshman or transfer student participate in voluntary summer strength or conditioning workouts conducted by the strength coach?
Answer: Yes, with the adoption of Proposal 2008-29, an incoming freshman or transfer student, in sports other than football or basketball, may participate in such voluntary activities provided they are enrolled and attending summer school.
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May 11, 2009 Question
May a student-athlete accept prize money based on his/her place finish or performance in an open athletics event?
Answer: Yes, this was a new rule that was adopted by the NCAA in April and is effective immediately. To be able to accept prize money the following conditions must be met:
• Student-athlete participates in an "individual sport" as classified by the NCAA (OU individual sports: golf, gymnastics, tennis, cross country, track and wrestling)
• Event is an "open" event (not invitation only);
• Event occurs outside the institution's declared playing and practice season;
• Event occurs during the institution's summer vacation period;
• Prize money does not exceed actual and necessary expenses incurred by the student-athlete to participate in the event;
• Prize money is provided only by the sponsor of the open event; and
• Student-athlete maintains receipts and any other financial documentation demonstrating his/her expenses met or exceeded any prize money accepted.
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May 4, 2009 Question
May a coach conduct recruiting activities during institutional camps/clinics?
Answer: No. Coaches are prohibited from recruiting any prospective student-athlete from the time the prospect reports to camp/clinic until the conclusion of all camp activities. The prohibition against recruiting activities includes extending verbal or written offers of financial aid to a prospect and offering to bring a prospect back to campus on an official visit.
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April 27, 2009 Question
May an OU summer camp or clinic employ a prospect who has signed a National Letter of Intent and is enrolled and receiving aid for summer school at OU before they begin full-time enrollment in the fall?
Answer: No. Even though the prospect is enrolled in Summer classes, they are not permitted to be employed by an OU camp or clinic.
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April 20, 2009 Question
Is it permissible for OU to promote a camp or clinic using the name and/or picture of a current student-athlete?
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 13, 2009 Question
What is a dead period in a sport's recruiting calendar?
Answer: A recruiting dead period is a period of time when coaches may not make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off campus. In addition, prospects may not make official or unofficial visits to campus during a dead period. Prospects may not receive complimentary admissions during a dead period; it remains permissible for a coach to write or telephone a prospect.
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April 6, 2009 Question
May an OU coach have face-to-face contact with a prospect who is a non-qualifier while they are in their first year of a two-year college?
Answer: No. A prospective student-athlete who was not a qualifier as defined in Bylaw 14.02.9.1 and who is enrolled in the first year of a two-year college may not be contacted in person on or off of OU's campus.
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March 30, 2009 Question
May OU provide a photograph to a current student-athlete's high school to put up on its wall-of-fame or something recognition area of former students?
Answer: Yes. A member institution of the NCAA may provide a student-athlete's high-school with an unframed photograph of the student-athlete. However, the institution's coaches are not permitted to appear in the photograph.
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March 23, 2009 Question
If a prospective student-athlete is married and asks to bring their spouse on their official visit, what are the NCAA rules regarding this situation?
Answer: Spouses of prospects may be provided entertainment, meals and lodging during the official visit in the same manner that a prospect's parents or legal guardians may receive.
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March 16, 2009 Question
Who do NCAA regulations regarding sports wagering apply to?
Answer: NCAA sports wagering regulations apply to student-athletes, athletics department staff members, nonathletics department staff members who have responsibilities within or over the athletics department and staff members of a conference office.
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March 9, 2009 Question
Is it permissible to provide prospects with complimentary admissions to attend a postseason tournament (e.g., Conference, NCAA)? What if the postseason event is being held on OU's campus?
Answer: At no time, regardless of the location of the postseason event, may an institution provide prospects (and their families) or prospect's coaches with complimentary admissions to postseason events. Further, an institution may not arrange for tickets for them to purchase; they must purchase tickets for postseason events in the same manner as the general public.
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March 2, 2009 Question
How many complimentary admissions may student-athletes receive so their family and friends can attend their events and watch them compete?
Answer: NCAA rules permit an institution to provide four (4) complimentary admissions per home or away contest to a student-athlete in the sport in which he/she participates. For conference championships, NCAA championships and bowl games a student-athlete may receive six (6) complimentary admissions for events in which they participate.
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February 23, 2009 Question
Is it a violation of NCAA rules for an OU booster to visit a prospective student-athlete's MySpace or Facebook profile and leave a message encouraging them to attend OU?
Answer: Yes. This is a violation of NCAA regulations, as it is considered impermissible communication by a booster. Such a violation could jeopardize a prospect's eligibility at OU.
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February 16, 2009 Question
What is the earliest date coaching staff members may accept collect or toll-free telephone calls from prospect or their parents/legal guardians?
Answer: The general rule is July 1st following the completion of the prospect's junior year in high school.
Two exceptions:
• In men's basketball, coaches may begin accepting collect or toll-free calls after the prospect sophomore year of high school has concluded.
• In women's basketball, coaches may begin accepting collect or toll-free calls during the month of April of a prospect's junior year of high school - beginning with the Thursday after the conclusion of the NCAA Division I Women's Final Four.
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February 9, 2009 Question
May OU coaches or staff members be present when a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) at a location other than on OU's campus?
Answer: No. Any off-campus contact with a prospect for the purpose of signing a NLI, or at any activities related to signing a NLI is prohibited.
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January 26, 2009 Question
When is it permissible to release the name of a prospect that has not signed a National Letter of Intent but will be attending the University of Oklahoma?
Answer: An institution may publically release the name of a prospect's commitment to attend OU when he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent or signed acceptance of the institutions written offer of admission and/or financial aid agreement. Additionally, the media relations staff must receive confirmation from compliance before releasing this information.
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January 19, 2009 Question
After a prospective student-athlete signs a NLI, is it permissible to text message the prospect?
Answer: Yes. After the calendar day on which the prospective student-athletes signs a NLI there are no limitations on text messaging or other electronically transmitted correspondence.
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January 12, 2009 Question
If I am a donor and want to raise money for an OU sport program, is it permissible to create and sell jerseys or T-shirts bearing the name of a student-athlete as long as the proceeds are going to the team or the OU Athletics Department?
Answer: No. It is not permissible to sell or auction any non-informational items including an individual student-athletes name, picture or likeness even if the proceeds benefit the student-athletes team or institution.
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January 5, 2009 Question
May a student-athlete sell an award they receive for participating in a Big 12 Championship, NCAA Championship or bowl game?
Answer: No. It is impermissible for a student-athlete to sell any item received for athletic participation or exchange for another item of value. Student-athletes are not permitted to sell awards received for participation in conference or national competition or received through special achievements.
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