The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- September 28, 1998

Legislative assistance

1998 Column No. 33
Academic requirements for official visit

Divisions I and II institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 13.7.1.2.3.1, a Division I or II member institution may not provide an expense-paid visit to a high-school or preparatory school prospect who has not presented the institution with a score from a PSAT, an SAT, a PLAN (or PACT Plus) or an ACT test taken on a national testing date under national testing conditions. The score must be presented in writing through an official high-school or testing-agency document but does not have to be received directly from the testing agency. A foreign or disabled prospect who requires a special administration of the PSAT, SAT, PLAN (or PACT Plus) or ACT may present such a score upon the approval of the Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet or the Initial-Eligibility Waiver Committee. For example, a student with a disability who has taken a nonstandard test may not use that test score to fulfill the requirements of Bylaw 13.7.1.2.3.1 unless documentation of the disability has been received and approved by the NCAA. The student must submit the professional diagnosis of the disability, including diagnostic test results used in diagnosing the disability. Additionally, the student must submit a current copy of his or her Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), Individual Transition Plan (ITP) or 504 Plan. This information must be no more than three years old to show that the current level of performance is indicative of disabilities.

NCAA Bylaw 13.1.2.3-(c)

Coach's observation of spouse in game-related activities

NCAA Division I institutions should note that, per NCAA Bylaw 13.1.2.3-(c), recruiting contact and evaluation limitations do not apply to a coaching staff member observing a contest that involves prospective student-athletes coached by his or her spouse, provided the attendance by the coaching staff member at such a contest does not involve any personal contact with any prospect participating in the contest. During its September 5, 1997, telephone conference, the Legislative Review/Interpretations Subcommittee of the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet determined that recruiting contact and evaluation limitations do not apply to a coaching staff member who observes a contest in which his or her spouse is involved in any legitimate noncoaching game-related activities (e.g., cheerleading coach, band director), provided the attendance by the coaching staff member at such a contest does not involve any personal contact with any other participant in the contest.

Seasons of competition -- nonqualifier/partial qualifier competing at provisional member institutions

Division I institutions should note that during its July 21, 1998, telephone conference, the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Legislative Review/Interpretations determined that a nonqualifier or partial qualifier who engages in outside competition at a Division I provisional member institution during the institution's required four-year provisional period must count the outside competition toward the three seasons of Division I competition that are permitted for nonqualifiers and partial qualifiers. [References: NCAA Constitution 3.6.1.2.1 (four-year progression) and Bylaw 14.3.3 (seasons of competition -- partial qualifier and nonqualifier -- Division I).]

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.