During which period is in-person contact with prospective student-athletes permitted?

• A. Contact period
• B. Dead period
• C. Evaluation period
• D. Non-contact period

Answer: (A)

In recruiting rules, face-to-face interaction with a prospective student-athlete is allowed only during specific time windows. The period when in-person contact is permitted is the contact period. During this window, coaches may meet with the athlete and the athlete’s parents in person, on or off campus, and conduct recruiting conversations as part of visits or on-site meetings. This is the active recruitment phase where direct personal contact is allowed.

The other time frames restrict such meetings: during a dead period no in-person contact is allowed; during the evaluation period coaches may observe the athlete and discuss abilities but with restrictions on broader recruitment activities; and during the non-contact period in-person meetings are restricted as well. The key idea is that the contact period is the designated time for direct, in-person recruitment conversations with prospective student-athletes.