On September 5, 2012, the academic and membership affairs staff issued an interpretation concerning a coach speaking at a clinic outside of a contact period. Specifically, the staff confirmed that “it is permissible for a member institution’s coach to speak at a coaches’ clinic held at a prospective student-athlete’s educational institution outside a contact or recruiting period pursuant to the banquets and meeting legislation.”
Further, the staff noted that “it is not permissible for a member institution’s coaching staff to engage in recruiting activities at the clinic, nor is it permissible to attend a coaches’ clinic at a prospective student-athlete’s educational institution, in any capacity other than a speaker, outside a contact period (or recruiting period in men’s basketball).”
This interpretation referenced NCAA Division I Bylaws 11.7.2.2.2 (banquets or meetings), 11.7.3.2.2 (banquets or meetings), 11.7.4.4 (banquets or meetings), 13.02.5 (periods of recruiting activities), 13.1.8.1 (banquets or meetings at a prospective student-athlete’s educational institution), a staff interpretation (3/14/01, Item Ref: 2, and a staff interpretation (1/16/02, Item Ref: 1) which has been archived.
In light of this interpretation, the Michael L. Buckner Law Firm recommends institutions’ athletics compliance include the interpretation in the next scheduled rules-education session for athletics staff members.
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