Rules pertaining to communications technology vary in the three NCAA membership divisions.

Divisions I and II rules allow for coaches to contact prospects through the direct-message function on Twitter, subject to the same rules applicable to email communication with recruits. However, publicly mentioning a recruit’s name or sending an “@reply” message via Twitter are both considered NCAA rules violations. Coaches can “follow” recruits on Twitter – and vice versa – so long as the @reply function is not used. Any direct messages sent through Twitter must conform to the contact-period legislation for each NCAA sport.

Division III has a more stringent policy that prohibits the use of social networking sites,  including Twitter, in recruiting. The only technology-aided communication tools Division III permits between coaches and prospects are e-mail and facsimile. That rule was adopted with the strong support of Division III student-athletes.

Within Division III, social networking of any type that is at all related to college athletics and could reach a prospective student-athlete is against the rules. To use social networking to deliver athletics information, a coach would need to be able to ensure the communication is not being made available to prospective student-athletes. Some social networking sites have the capability to limit who views the information, but others may not.

The issue of social networking is still under discussion within the membership, and the Division I Recruiting Cabinet has identified the issue as a priority for the coming months. The membership will continue to discuss the issue with a focus on limiting the amount of intrusion in the lives of recruits and maintaining equitable competition among member institutions.

While the NCAA does not regulate the interaction between coaches and fans, communication between the two groups should comply with legislation prohibiting the discussion of recruits. The NCAA membership services staff encourages institutions to monitor social networking sites with current rules in mind.