The University of Mississippi Athletics
Reminders For Boosters Concerning Prospects Who Sign NLIs
1/31/2006 | Athletics
Jan. 31, 2006
OXFORD, Miss. - With the initial signing period for football and women's soccer beginning Wednesday, February 1 at 7:00 a.m., the Compliance Office reminds all alumni, boosters and friends of The University of Mississippi that a prospect who signs a National Letter of Intent remains a prospect until the day he/she enrolls full-time at the University. The same recruiting rules, which restricted a booster's ability to contact a prospect, continues to apply. Here are a few important NCAA rules to remember.
- It is not permissible for alumni, boosters and friends of the University to invite a signee (and/or their family) to their "signing day" club functions.
- It is not permissible for alumni, boosters and friends of the University to invite a signee (and/or their family) to their Alumni Association and Rebel Club functions.
- It is not permissible to invite a signee (and/or their family) to your home or to provide any entertainment outside of the home.
- It is not permissible to contact signees (or their family), in person, by phone or letter, to congratulate them on signing with the University or to discuss athletically-related activities.
- It is permissible to employ a signee once they graduate from high school, provided the employment has been approved by the Athletics Department. After a prospect has signed a National Letter of Intent, you may contact the prospect for the purpose of discussing employment as long as the employment does not begin until after high school graduation. If you are interested in doing such, you must first contact a member of that sport's coaching staff and the Compliance Office.
- It is permissible to attend sporting events and banquets in which the signee participates or is being honored. However, while in attendance, you are not permitted to have recruiting contact with the signee (and/or their family).
- You are permitted to respond to a signee's questions concerning non-athletic issues (i.e., academic programs, social life, campus life etc.) if the contact is initiated by the signee.
NCAA rules do provide an exception to the contact restrictions in instances where a person has had a pre existing relationship with a signee. However, the relationship must have been established prior to the signee entering the ninth grade, should not have been initiated for athletic reasons and the activity is consistent with activities prior to the signee entering the ninth grade. Pre existing relationships do not permit a person to engage in athletic recruiting activities. Pre-existing relationships allows only the same activities which existed prior to the student becoming a prospect.
Please remember that a signee remains a prospect until they enroll in the fall at the University. Only University coaches and appointed athletic staff may be involved in the recruiting process. For more information, please visit the Ole Miss Compliance Web Site located under the "Athletics Information/NCAA Compliance" web link at www.olemisssports.com.