Student-Athlete Handbook

Hood College, as a member of the NCAA, must abide by all the rules and regulations of the NCAA. Many of these rules pertain to the recruitment of student athletes. It is important for you to be knowledgeable of these rules, because any violation of them could impact your eligibility at Hood College or whichever institution you decide to attend.

This is not a comprehensive list of the rules, just a guideline that we want to share with you so that you can make the most informed decision possible. Should you have any questions concerning this information, please call the athletic director at any institution or call the NCAA directly at (317) 917-6222.

Contacts and Evaluations
The first official time an athletics department staff member, alumni or representative of the college's athletics interest (boosters) may contact you in person, off the college campus, is after you have successfully completed your junior year in high school. There is no limit on the number of contacts or the period in which they may occur.

Finally, a Division III college is permitted to provide you and your high-school and /or two year college coach any official academic, admissions, athletics and student-services publications published by the college and other general information available to all students.

Throughout the recruitment process, please be advised that you (or your family) may not receive any benefit, inducement or arrangement such as cash, clothing, cars, improper expenses, transportation, gifts or loans to encourage you to attend any NCAA school.

Visits
You can visit a college campus any time, and as many times as you wish, at your own expense. On such a visit (called an unofficial visit), you may receive three complimentary admissions to a game on that campus, a meal in the college's on-campus student dining facilities, and housing, if it is available to all visiting prospective students.

The first opportunity for you to visit an institution on an official visit is the first day of classes of your senior year in high school. During your senior year, you can make one expense-paid (official) visit to a particular campus; however, there is no limit on the total number of campuses that you may visit if you initially enroll in a Division III college.

During your official visit (which may not exceed 48 hours), you (and your parents) may receive meals, lodging and complimentary admissions to campus athletics events. All meals provided to you (and/or your parents) on an official visit must occur in an on-campus dining facility that the college's students normally use. If dining facilities are closed, the college is permitted to take you off-campus for meals. In addition, a student host may help you (and your family) become acquainted with campus life. The host may spend $20 per day to cover all costs of entertaining you (and your parents, legal guardians or spouse); however, the money can't be used to purchase college souvenirs such as T-shirts or other college mementos.

A member institution, on its campus may not conduct any physical activity at which one or more prospective student-athletes reveal, demonstrate or display their athletics abilities in any sport. A tryout is any physical activity (e.g. practice session or test) conducted by or arranged on behalf of a college, at which you display your ability.

Download the Official Visit Form Here

Transfer Status
An athletics staff member or other representatives of the institution's athletics interests shall not make any contact in any manner with the student-athlete of another NCAA or NAIA four year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly, with out first obtaining written permission to do so, regardless of who makes the initial contact.

If a current student-athlete attends another Division III institution, he/she may issue on their own behalf, permission for another Division III institution to contact them about a potential transfer. The self release will need to be forwarded to the director of athletics and/or the compliance officer at the institution of interest. Contact may occur during the 30 day period beginning with the date the permission to contact form was signed by the student-athlete.

Download the Self-Release Form Here

Eligibility Criteria
An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate athletics competition unless the student-athlete meets all applicable eligibility requirements and the institution has certified the student-athlete's eligibility.

To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be:

• enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies
• in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree

For a Division III institution, good academic standing will be determined by the academic authorities who determine the meaning of such phrases.

Over your college career, a student-athlete shall complete his/her seasons of participation during the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time program of studies. You have four seasons of intercollegiate participation in any one sport.

NCAA Recruitment Information for Representatives of Hood College Athletics/Booster
Hood College, as a member of the NCAA, must abide by all the rules and regulations of the NCAA. While there is much pontificating about the NCAA and its rules, it is important to note that these rules are established by the membership and the membership has the authority to change and modify them as they see fit. This is not a comprehensive list of the rules, just a guideline that we want to share with you so that you can make the most informed decision possible. Should you have any questions concerning this information, please call the athletic director at any institution or call the NCAA directly at (317) 917-6222.

There are several regulations that pertain to you if you are a "Representative of Athletic Interest to Hood College." You are a representative if you have done any of the following:

• Participated in or belonged to an agency or organization which promotes the athletic programs for Hood College;
• Made a financial contribution to Hood College athletics.
• Assisted or requested (by athletics department staff) to assist in the recruiting of prospects;
• Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
• Involved in otherwise promoting Hood College's athletic program

If you are a representative, there are rules, which you must be aware of when in contact with a prospective or current student/athlete.

Any contact with a prospective student athlete for the express purpose of encouraging their enrollment at Hood College should be done in coordination with the head coach of that sport. As a representative, you are allowed to make in-person, off- and on-campus contacts with a prospect, or the prospect's parents, after the prospect's completion of their junior year in high school. You are also allowed to have written and telephone correspondence with recruits.

As a representative of the institution, you are prohibited from supplying benefits and arrangements for prospective, as well as current, student athletes which includes, but is not limited to, the following: employment arrangement for a prospect's relatives; gift of clothing or equipment; cosigning of loans; providing loans to a prospect's relatives or friends; cash or like items; any tangible items, including merchandise; free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type; and free or reduced-cost housing. If a student athlete accepts any benefits based on his or her special consideration as an athlete or because of athletic skill, the student athlete could lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation.

These are some of the basic NCAA recruiting rules as they pertain to representatives of the institution. I hope this information is useful to you and if you should have any questions concerning this information, please contact the athletic director. Once again, any interaction you have with prospective student athletes should always be done in consultation with the head coach. Thank you for your attention to these matters.