Murray State University Athletics
Prospective Student-Athlete - Frequently Asked Questions and Recruiting Terms
A prospective student-athlete (sometimes referred to as a "prospect" or "recruit") is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if Murray State provides such an individual (or the individual’s relatives or friends) with any financial assistance or other benefits that Murray State does not provide to prospective students generally, including non-athletes.
A prospective student-athlete becomes a “recruited prospective student-athlete” once a Racer staff member or athletics representative:
(a) provides the prospect with an official visit;
(b) has an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospect or the prospect’s parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s);
(c) initiates or arranges a telephone contact with the prospect, the prospect’s parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or
(d) issues the prospect a National Letter of Intent or written offer of athletically-related financial aid.
What is classified as recruiting?
Recruiting occurs whenever a member of the Racer athletics staff or an athletics representative encourages a prospective student-athlete to enroll at Murray State and compete in athletics for one of its programs.
No alumni, boosters or representatives of the university's athletics interests can be involved in recruiting prospective student-athletes. Only coaches and staff members of a college or university are permitted to recruit prospective student-athletes to their school. However this restriction does not apply to recruiting by alumni or representatives as part of the university's regular admissions program that applies to all prospective students, including non-athletes.
What is a contact?
A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect’s parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s) and a Racer staff member or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged (e.g., a coach or athletics representative positions himself/herself in a location where a contact is possible) or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect’s educational institution or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the prospect’s high-school, preparatory school, two-year college or all-star team is considered a contact, regardless of whether any conversation occurs.
However, an institutional staff member or athletics representative who is approached by a prospect, a prospect's parents, relatives or legal guardians at any location shall not use a contact, provided the encounter was not prearranged and the staff member or athletics representative does not engage in any dialogue in excess of a greeting and takes appropriate steps to immediately terminate the encounter.
What is an evaluation?
An evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospect, including any visit to a prospect’s educational institution during which no contact occurs or the observation of a prospect participating in any practice or competition.
What is an official visit?
An official visit by a prospect is a visit financed in whole or in part by the institution they are visiting. A prospect may take up to five (5) paid official visits during their recruitment and may begin taking official visits as of the first day of classes for their senior year in high school. A prospect may make only one (1) official visit to any particular school
During an official visit (which may not exceed 48 hours), a prospect may receive round-trip transportation to the institution’s campus, from any location, as long as the prospect returns to the original departure point. Additionally, if return transportation is provided to the prospects home, educational institution or competition site, the cost may not exceed the expenses necessary for round trip travel to the original point of departure. The prospect (and their parents) may also receive meals, lodging and three complimentary admissions to campus athletics events.
What is an unofficial visit?
An unofficial visit is a campus visit made at the prospect’s own expense. A prospect may visit an institution’s campus at any time (except during a recruiting dead period) at his/her own expense and there is no limit to the number of times the prospect may visit unofficially.
However in men’s basketball, prospects may not make an unofficial visit during the month of July and in women’s basketball, prospects may not make an unofficial visit during the evaluation period or the dead period in the month of July.
When can I visit Murray State University?
High school students are welcome to visit Murray State University and the Department of Athletics. However, there are certain dates throughout the year that coaches and other athletics staff members are not able to have contact with prospects. These dates are called Dead Periods and often surround National Letter of Intent signing periods and sport championships. Please contact the coaching staff of your particular sport prior to arriving to campus to ensure you and the coaches may have contact.
Why won't a coach return my phone call?
Per NCAA regulations, college coaches are not permitted to call prospective student-athletes until July 1st following completion of the prospect’s junior year in high school. However, a high school student may call a coach at any time, regardless of their year in high school. Although a coach may not be able to return the call, prospects may call at their own expense at any time.
Football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball allow for additional phone calls; however, the numbers of calls are determined by the prospect’s year in high school.
Why won't a coach return my text message?
As of April 15, 2008, NCAA regulations do not allow coaches to text prospective student-athletes. They are also not permitted to instant message prospective student-athletes through Facebook, MySpace, etc. Coaches are allowed to email prospects on or after September 1st of their junior year in high school. (In men’s basketball, a coach may email a prospect on June 15th following a prospect’s sophomore year.)
