The NCAA News - News and Features

June 8, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 23Bylaw 12.2.1.2

Tryout with professional team after enrollment

Institutions should note that in accordance with Bylaw 12.2.1.2, a student-athlete shall not try out with a professional athletics team in a sport or permit a professional athletics team to conduct medical examinations during any part of the academic year (i.e., from the beginning of the fall term through completion of the spring term, including any intervening vacation period) while enrolled in a collegiate institution as a regular student in at least a minimum full-time academic load, unless the student-athlete has exhausted eligibility in that sport. Please note that a student-athlete may try out with a professional organization in a sport during the summer or during the academic year while not a full-time student, provided the student-athlete does not receive any form of expenses or other compensation from the professional organization.

Additionally, that in accordance with the provisions of Bylaw 12.2.1.2.1 (medical examination exception), a professional league's scouting bureau is permitted to conduct one medical examination per student-athlete during the academic year without jeopardizing the student-athlete's eligibility in that sport, provided the examination does not occur off campus. Finally, during its January 11-12, 1993, meeting, the former NCAA Council reviewed Bylaw 12.2.1.2.1 and confirmed that the provisions of Bylaw 12.2.1.2.1 permit medical exams to be administered only by a single scouting bureau recognized by the professional league in a sport.

Summer Practice and Workouts

NCAA institutions should note that in accordance with the playing and practice regulations set forth in Bylaw 17, summer practice that is organized or financially supported by a member institution is prohibited in all sports unless specifically authorized in the bylaws (e.g., foreign tour) or through official interpretations approved by a management council. Further, in Divisions I and II, a coach may participate in individual workout sessions with student-athletes from the coach's team during the summer, provided the request for such assistance is initiated by the student athlete. Please note that it is not permissible for the institution to pay fees for the use of the facility.

Bylaw 11.3.2.11

Quotations and pictures used to promote a camp

NCAA Division I institutions should note that an institution's coaching staff member may not promote a noninstitutional camp or clinic by permitting the use of his or her quotations and/or pictures in the camp or clinic brochure, unless that coaching staff member is employed by the camp.

This material was provided by the membership services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Kristen L. Davis or Lisa Roesler, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the College Sports Network.