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Questions about recruiting?

Here are the basics
**These rules apply to prospects (individuals who have started classes for the ninth grade including students enrolled in preparatory schools and two-year colleges) and prospects' parents and legal guardians.**

Freshman and Sophomore Year

Coaches and telephone calls

  • Coaches may NOT call a freshman or sophomore.

    MSU may send the following recruiting materials to prospects

  • Educational information published by the NCAA (e.g., Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete)
  • Questionnaire
  • Camp Brochures
  • Nonathletics MSU publications (e.g., official academic, admissions and student-services publications published by MSU available to all students)

    Coaches may make the following in-person, off-campus contacts with a prospect

  • Coaches may NOT have any in-person, off-campus contact with a freshman or sophomore.

    Junior Year

    Coaches and telephone calls

  • Coaches may NOT call a junior.

    MSU may send the following recruiting materials to prospects

  • Educational information published by the NCAA (e.g., Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete)
  • Questionnaire
  • Camp Brochures
  • Nonathletics MSU publications (e.g., official academic, admissions and student-services publications published by MSU available to all students)
  • Beginning September 1 at the beginning of the prospect's junior year in high school:
    • General correspondence including letters, facsimiles, e-mail, text messages and instant messaging
    • Media guide
    • Business cards
    • Game programs (may not be mailed but may be provided to prospects during visits to campus)

    Coaches may make the following in-person, off-campus contacts with a prospect

  • Coaches may NOT have any in-person, off-campus contact with a junior.

    Senior Year

    Coaches and telephone calls

  • Coaches may make one telephone call per week beginning July 1 following the completion of the prospect's junior year in high school.

    MSU may send the following recruiting materials to prospects

  • Same as junior year.

    Coaches may make the following in-person, off-campus contacts with a prospect

  • Coaches may have up to three in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect.
  • In-person, off-campus contact between a coach and prospect may not be made until the prospect's first day of class.

    Exception to the Rules…Prospects may call coaches at any time, regardless of whether they are a freshman, sophomore or junior. However, MSU coaches MAY NOT return a prospect's call until July 1 following the prospect's junior year in high school. Prospects may also e-mail a coach at any time. Coaches MAY NOT respond to a prospect's e-mail until September 1 of the prospect's junior year in high school.

    Visiting Campus
    Prospects are allowed to visit campus at any time (at their own expense) except during dead periods. During a dead period, coaches MAY NOT have any contact with a prospect or the prospect's parents. In field hockey, there are two dead periods during the academic year: November 15-20 and February 5-8.

    Commonly asked questions
    Q: Is it permissible for a coach to call my parents if I am a freshman or sophomore in high school?
    A: NO. The recruiting rules apply to both prospects and their parents.

    Q: I am planning on attending Michigan State University's Field Hockey Camp during the summer. Am I allowed to talk to coaches during camp about attending MSU?
    A: It is not permissible for MSU coaches to engage in any recruiting activities during camps.

    For more information on NCAA rules and regulations visit the following website: http://www.msu.edu/user/msuncaa/

    or contact MSU's Office of Compliance Services at (517) 432-5510.

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