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Effective: 8/1/2021 |
Revised: |
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SDA 410: Offical Visits |
To codify best practices.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Sun Devil Athletics (SDA)
Student–athletes
Athletics Coaches and Staff
The core principles of Arizona State University’s Sun Devils Athletics department (SDA) are Championship Performance, Integrity, and Graduation. These principles serve as the starting point for the commitment that SDA and its sports programs have made to excel on the playing field, in the classroom, and in the community. SDA’s recruiting philosophy is designed to further that commitment by attracting young men and women who have character and whose conduct is consistent with the expectations of ASU, the Pac-12 Conference, and the NCAA.
ASU’s original official visit policy draft in 2004 was a result of a committee convened to review existing sport-specific policies, research best practices, and draft a new policy along with its related forms. The committee, comprised of various members of SDA’s administrative and coaching staffs, created a draft policy that was reviewed and approved by SDA senior administration. In accordance with NCAA legislation, the official visit policy has been reviewed and updated every four years (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020). This policy has been reviewed by SDA senior sport administrators and the Office of General Counsel and will be forwarded to ASU’s President for his signature. The policy will be published on SDA’s Compliance Office website: https://sundevilcompliance.asu.edu.
The main purpose of the official visit at ASU is to provide prospective student-athletes (prospects) a comprehensive view of what their lives would be like if they choose to become an ASU student-athlete. To accomplish that goal, components of an official visit at ASU may include:
ASU and the NCAA have rules and regulations related to providing official visits to prospects. These rules have been summarized below:
Hosts – Only current student-athletes who are enrolled full-time (unless approved as part-time under NCAA legislation) will be allowed to act as student-athlete hosts. If possible, student-athlete hosts will be of the same gender and participate in the same sport as the prospects.
Campus tours – Campus tours may only be provided by designated student-athlete hosts, SDA coaches or staff, or students who are designated in a manner consistent with ASU’s policy for providing campus tours (e.g., Devils’ Advocates). Individuals who are involved solely in administrative functions (e.g., student workers employed by SDA, including any that work with an individual sports program, that stuff envelopes or handle complimentary admissions) may not lead or accompany prospects on tours.
Transportation – Only coach-class commercial flights will be used to transport prospects (and their parents or legal guardians) to and from ASU’s campus. Transportation on the official visit at ASU will be provided only by the use of standard vehicles, including institutional, SDA staff member, and student-athlete automobiles and golf carts. If necessary, larger automobiles (without added amenities) may be rented to transport multiple prospects and their parents or legal guardians. In no case, will a prospect or a prospect’s parents or legal guardians be permitted access to any of these vehicles on their own.
Lodging – ASU will provide standard lodging for prospects and their parents or legal guardians within a 30-mile radius of ASU’s Tempe campus (“30-mile radius of ASU”). Standard lodging is defined as a normal hotel room with no special accessories or upgrades (e.g., jacuzzis, suites). Additionally, with the exception of basketball and football visits, ASU may only pay for lodging expenses for parents or legal guardians that occur within the 48-hour visit period, regardless of whether they arrive with the prospect before the 48-hour time period begins.
Meals – Meals provided to prospects and the family members accompanying them will be comparable to those provided to student-athletes during the academic year. A reasonable snack (e.g., pizza, hamburger, etc.) may be provided in addition to three meals per day. A sport program’s meal incidental to participation or pre- or post-game meal that is provided to a prospect and his or her family member will be subtracted from the three meal limit. Additionally, host entertainment money may be used for additional prospect meals. All meals must occur within a 30-mile radius of ASU.
Entertainment – Entertainment activities on official visits are permitted only within a 30-mile radius of ASU. A student host is provided a maximum of $75 per day to be used to cover entertainment expenses for the prospect and his/her parents or legal guardians. A student host may be provided an additional $40 per day for each additional prospect he or she entertains. Although other student-athletes may assist in hosting activities, only one host is permitted to receive a complimentary meal. The host money will not be used to purchase, or otherwise provide the prospect or anyone accompanying him/her, gifts (e.g., souvenirs, t-shirt, hat). At no time is a student host permitted to give cash to a prospect or anyone accompanying the prospect.
Curfew/unstructured time – It is at each sport’s discretion to set a curfew for the prospect and student host to follow during an official visit.
Prohibited activities – The following are prohibited during an official visit:
Under NCAA and ASU rules and regulations, head coaches are responsible for the recruiting activities of their staffs. With respect to ASU’s recruiting policies, head coaches are expected to educate their personnel, student-athletes, and prospects regarding the recruiting guidelines for official visits that are included in this policy. Head coaches are also responsible for their staff’s adherence to the policy.
Before an official visit, coaches and student-athlete hosts are required to review and sign the Official Visit – Student Host Guidelines Form. During the visit, coaches will meet with each prospect, and if applicable, any accompanying family members, to explain ASU’s official visit policy. Coaches and prospects will review and sign the Official Visit – Prospective Student-Athlete Guidelines Form.
The following describes SDA’s pre-approval and post-visit reconciliation processes
Depending on their nature and circumstances, violations of ASU’s recruiting policy may lead to penalties dispensed at the discretion of the head coach, sport administrator and/or Vice President of University Athletics. Penalties for student-athletes may include community service, the loss of athletics aid, suspension from practice and/or competition, or expulsion from the team. Penalties for a prospect may include immediate termination of the visit or the prospect’s recruitment. Penalties for coaches, staff members, and other individuals involved with recruiting visits may include letters of admonishment or reprimand, the temporary loss of recruiting privileges, or the loss of employment. In addition, the sport may have the number of official visits reduced for the current or subsequent academic year. All violations of NCAA rules will be reported in accordance with SDA’s Rules Violation Reporting policy.