On the PG website there is an article that says that D1 coaches can make one contact,by phone, to a junior during the month of March of their Junior year. Nearly all of the letters my son has received has asked for him to call at any time, but made the disclaimer that the coach could not return the call until July 1.

What is the real story here?

That has always been the rule in the past. In all probability, they haven't informed their secretary to change that standard form letter paragraph.

D'oh, yes, they see a prospect like him and add him to their mailing list with instructions to the secretary to "Send letter 14 ... Send letter 22 ... etc.

It's not a big deal that they are using a form letter. A coach has an extremely limited schedule. It just makes good sense. He spent a lot of time composing the original letter usually. He wanted to have it reflect the character of the program and institution. Why re-invent the wheel for every prospect.

There are specific contact rules that NCAA coaches must adhere to at the D1 and D2 level.

As a potential prospect, you are allowed to call an NCAA D1 or D2 coach at any time at your expense even freshman or sophomore year as long as you innitiate the call (there is one exception for basketball, but not relevant in this case obviously). If you don't get the coach and leave a message, the coach cannot call you back until the proper time for your sport.

So when the coach says you can call any time, they are telling the truth and when they say, I can't call you back till July 1, they are also telling the truth (assuming they haven't called you already in March).

You can keep calling him though and if he answers, you are allowed to speak.

So the March contact date is indeed good fromt this year on?

Yes, that was a D1 rule change last year as stated here...

Starting August 1, 2004, Division 1 coaches may make one phone call to a prospect during the month of March of a prospective student-athlete's junior year. It is now permissible for coaches to make one in-person off campus recruiting contact on the recruit's high school campus during the month of April of their junior year. Additional phone calls may not be made until after July 1 following the junior year, which was the standard contact time for most sports (football and basketball being the exception) at the D1 level.

Ghouse, thanks. If I read this correctly, that means they can visit with the player one time in April. I would think that would be tough to do, during season, but possible. Thanks again.

What happens if your not home when the coach calls? Does this count as the one coaches call. If you return the call is the coach allowed to call you back. I understand that even after July 1st the coach is still limited to one call per week to the player.

Is this true?

BB27

If they call and the player is not in and they have a conversation with either of parents that is more than "Hello-this is Coach Jones --tell your son I called" it couns as the call for the week

yes--after July 1 they are still limited to the one call per week

Hope this helps

Son was not home last night when a call came in (we weren't either), coach left a message on our answering machine and asked our son to call him back, when our son got home he called promptly and had a very nice conversation with the coach. TRhit is correct, we have had several calls and they ask to speak to our son. If they chat with the parents, that is considered the call for the month of March (if a junior). Take care, and good luck.

It's got to be a very busy time of year for the coaches......I would think it would be difficult to fit in calls when their college season is in full swing versus the July 1st date. I wonder how the coaches really feel about this .

rocky

They have the weekdays to deal with it--- they take and make a lot of calls at night in their office, home or cell phone

From what I have gathered they have no problem with the "new" set up

Not just games....but they have practices during the week....be prepared for calls later in the evening....after their practices end....I think if they are excited about a new prospect/talent....they are more than willing to make the phone call....any time they can.

What about a D-1 school taking a players info at a clinic hosted by the school & the player not yet being in High School.

If it is a clinic/camp it is allowable.

The info is for further "invites" perhaps !!

Clarification from NCAA Handbook

Calls During your Junioir HS Year

Once during March of your Junior Year

Once per week starting July 1 after your Junior Year