-"I'm reading a good book that I'm liking: "The Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship Guide" by Wayne Mazzoni. It's a basic and straight forward guide on what to do to maximize exposure. It's very good in my opinion. It's available at Amazon and is not expensive."
the other parent writes:
- "I know you probably have read or heard of the following article. I found it interesting being that as a parent of a player who has been recruited (girls basketball) the tactics are now filtering into women's sports as well. I thought this information would be a good blog for parents who need to be aware of the of the other side of the fence. Kids being commodities at a third party expense. Think about it, research it. I know for sure some parents would like to hear about this, and ensure they are understanding the dynamics of the game called recruiting and what being done about it."
Board approves basketball recruiting reforms
By Michelle Brutlag Hosick
The NCAA News
The Division I Board of Directors approved a package of proposals designed to curb compensatory relationships with people associated with men’s basketball prospects and suspend coaches who violate those rules, sending a message to the membership that the issue is a top priority for presidents.
The package received broad support from a number of constituencies, including conference commissioners, basketball coaches, the Amateur Athletic Union, the chair of the Legislative Council and other presidents.
“The process shows the NCAA at its very best: We identified a need; we brought all the players to the table – including the coaches – to build consensus and support; and we worked within the governance system for solutions,” said Board chair Jim Barker, president at Clemson.
The plan adopted by the Board takes some actions immediately and puts others into the legislative cycle to be considered by the Division I governance structure.
The immediate actions include a tighter definition of a “recruited student-athlete” in men’s basketball to include anyone who has received recruiting materials or had any recruiting contact with a coaching staff member or was asked to attend an institutional camp or enroll at an institution. The Board also immediately adopted a series of interpretations meant to eliminate the funneling of money to people associated with prospects through:
-Employment relating to non-coaching staff positions
-Employment at camps and clinics
-Payment of consulting fees
-Subscriptions to recruiting services with limited value
-Donations to nonprofits
-1-900 numbers for telephone contact with a recruit. .
.....These proposals target:
-Noncoaching staff hiring practices by prohibiting institutions from hiring as noncoaching personnel individuals associated with prospects two years before or after the prospect’s actual or anticipated enrollment. The legislation is intended to offer coaches a choice between recruiting the prospect and hiring the person associated with the prospect. EMPLOYMENT LAWS?
-Institutional camp/clinic employment by allowing institutions to hire only its own staff members or enrolled students at its camps and clinics.
-Institutional camp operation by allowing recruiting during institutional camps, and stating that prospects do not have to leave the locale to begin an unofficial visit.
-Nonscholastic events on campus by prohibiting Division I institutions from hosting, sponsoring or conducting nonscholastic men’s basketball events on campus or in facilities regularly used by the institution.
-Payment of consulting fees by prohibiting fees to individuals associated with a prospect.
While the proposals deal specifically with men’s basketball, several presidents indicated a desire to keep an eye on the recruiting environment in other sports as well – especially football and women’s basketball – to see if similar action is necessary in those sports.
The Legislative Council will review and cast initial votes on the proposals the Board entered into the regular legislative cycle at its meeting at the 2010 NCAA Convention in January.
The proposal also referred several issues to the various cabinets and committees in the governance structure, including changes to the recruiting calendar, tryouts and communication with prospects.
The above legislation will have a huge impact on basketball recruiting. I wrote a piece on the changes from my perspective when the bill was passed but did not post it. What ramifications and how recruiting will change is still up for debate. However, it will certainly change. An outspoken voice of opposition for the new rules is Mike Flynn. Please visit his very informative and influential site to get the other side of the coin.
