Prospective Student-Athletes (PSAs)
Recruiting
Per bylaw 13.02.8, recruiting is any solicitation of a prospective student-athlete or a prospective student-athlete’s relatives [or guardian(s)] by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospective student-athlete’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletic program. Below are the actions that cause a PSA to become a recruited PSA:
- Providing the PSA with an official visit.
- Having an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the PSA or the PSA’s relative(s), parent(s), or legal guardian(s).
- Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with the PSA, the PSA’s relatives(s), parent(s), or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment.
IN-PERSON, OFF-CAMPUS RECRUITING CONTACTS SHALL NOT BE MADE WITH A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE OR THE PROSEPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE’S RELATIVES OR GUARDIAN(S) UNTIL THE PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE HAS COMPLETED THE JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.
Telephone Calls
Telephone calls are defined as electronically transmitted human voice exchange placed to PSAs or a PSA’s relative or legal guardian. Per bylaw 13.1.3, an institution may permit a student-athlete, a staff member or a representative of athletics interests to telephone a prospective student-athlete at the institution’s expense at any time, provided the call is only for the purpose of recruitment and is with full knowledge of the athletics department.
Electronic Transmissions
Electronic transmissions are defined as correspondence (electronic mail, Instant Messenger, private communication through social networking site, text messages or facsimiles) may be sent to a prospective student-athletes provided the communication is private between only the sender and recipient (no use of public chat rooms message boards, public communication through a social networking site).
There are no restrictions on the timing for sending private electronic transmissions to a prospective student-athlete.
Official Visits
An official visit is a visit made by a PSA to a member institution in which the member institution finances any or all of the PSA’s visit expenses.
- PSAs are permitted one (1) official visit to a member institution.
- A PSA may not be provided an official visit earlier than the opening day of classes of the PSA’s senior year of high school.
- An official visit to an institution shall not exceed 48 hours.
- Per the WIAC bylaw 12.3.1 an institution is not permitted to provide for or reimburse a prospect for travel expenses to and from the institution.
- Per the WIAC bylaw 12.3.2 during the official visit, transportation may be provided for a PSA between the campus and the bus or train station or major airport nearest the campus.
- Per the WIAC bylaw 12.3.3 an institution is limited to providing two (2) complimentary meals to a prospect, the prospect’s parents, legal guardian(s), spouse or individual of a comparable relationship during an official visit.
- Per the WIAC bylaw 12.3.4 a PSA on an official visit may be provided lodging only in an on-campus dormitory.
- An institution may provide entertainment, which may not be excessive, on the official visit only for the PSA and the PSA’s parents, guardian(s), spouse or individual of a comparable relationship and only within a 30-mile radius of the institution’s main campus.
- Complimentary admission to a home athletics event may be provided to a PSA and the individuals accompanying the PSA.
- While on an official visit, per NCAA rules, a PSA is allowed to use institutional facilities for workouts and other recreational activities provided such activities are not organized or observed by members of the coaching staff, not reported back to the coaching staff by other individuals and are not designed to test the athletics ability of the PSA.
Unofficial Visit
An unofficial visit is a visit by a PSA to a member institution in which the PSA pays all of his/her own costs.
- The NCAA allows a PSA to make unlimited unofficial visits to a member institution regardless of their year in school.
- There is no time limit in the permissible length of the visit.
- The NCAA allows one (1) on-campus meal for prospective student-athlete only.
- The NCAA allows for complimentary admission to the PSA and the individuals accompanying the PSA to a home athletics event at any facility in which the institution’s intercollegiate team practices or competes.
- Institution's staff members may arrange for lodging and academic interviews during the unofficial visit, but CANNOT pay any expenses.
- While on an unofficial visit, per NCAA rules, a PSA is allowed to use institutional facilities for workouts and other recreational activities provided such activities are not organized or observed by members of the coaching staff, not reported back to the coaching staff by other individuals and are not designed to test the athletics ability of the PSA.
See NCAA/WIAC Division III Official and Unofficial Visit Chart
Complimentary Admissions
PSAs on unofficial or official visits are permitted to receive up to three (3) complimentary admissions to home athletics events. PSAs from nontraditional families may receive an additional two (2) complimentary admissions for use by the PSA’s parents. Individuals receiving complimentary admissions are required to provide a photo ID and signature in order to receive complimentary admissions.
Financial Aid
“Financial Aid” is funds provided to the student-athletes from various sources to pay or assist in paying their cost of education at the institution. The following sources are considered to be institutional financial aid:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Tuition Waivers
- Employee dependent tuition benefits
- Loans
- Employment earnings from federal and state work-study program assistance
- Aid from government or private sources
A member institution shall not award financial aid to any student on the basis of athletics leadership, ability, participation and performance.
A student-athlete must meet UW-Whitewater, WIAC and NCAA regulations applicable to the general student body to be eligible for institutional financial aid.
A student-athlete may receive financial aid through an established and continuing program for the recognition of outstanding high school graduates, which may consider athletics leadership, ability, participation and performance, provided the following conditions are met:
- The award shall be made on only one occasion but may be disbursed over multiple years.
- The recipient’s choice of institutions shall not be restricted by the donor of the aid; and
- There shall be no direct connection between the donor and the student-athlete’s institution.
A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of cost of attendance.
Amateurism
All incoming PSAs must sign the NCAA Student/Athlete Statement which is stating that they are aware of the amateurism rules and regulations put forth by the NCAA. It is also important to note that PSAs must maintain their status as an amateur once they become student-athletes. An individual loses amateur status and is ineligible for intercollegiate competition if the individual:
- Use of athletics skill for pay.
- Accepts a Promise of Pay.
- Signs a professional contract.
- Receipt of any funds from a professional team.
- Enters into a professional draft more than once.
- Agreement with an agent.
- Receipt of cash award for participation.
- Receive reimbursement for expenses incurred at an event.
- Expenses above actual and necessary from outside amateur sports team or organization.
- Payment based on place finish-team sports.
- Expenses from non-permissible entities.
- Payment based on place finish-individual sports outside or during the playing season.
Incoming Freshman Eligibility
A first-time entering freshman student is eligible to represent an UW-Whitewater in intercollegiate athletics provided the student is admitted to UW-Whitewater in accordance with the provisions of NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.
To be eligible for practice or competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program (12 credits) of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by UW-Whitewater.
A first-time entering freshman student must also have all of the necessary documents listed below prior to any practice or competition:
- UW-Whitewater Physical Exam Form
- Health History Questionnaire
- UW-Whitewater Insurance Information
- NCAA Insurance Form
- Copy of Insurance Card- Front and Back
- Sickle Cell Trait Status Form
- NCAA ADHD Information Form
- NCAA/WIAC Student-Athlete Statement
- NCAA Drug Testing Consent
- UW-Whitewater Drug Testing Consent
- WIAC Official Eligibility Certificate
First-time entering freshman will also be required to purchase a UW-Whitewater Weight Room Membership.
NCAA Information
Testing Agencies
UW-Whitewater Resources
