Relations with Prospects and Current Student-Athletes
COMMON QUESTIONS
Q: As a booster, can I approach a current student-athlete to ask for an autograph?
A: Yes, however, you should never offer anything to the student-athlete in return for the autograph.
Q: If a Idaho coach has a recruit at an event, can I approach the coach and recruit?
A: No, you cannot make any contact with the recruit or the recruit’s family. Approach the coach only after the recruit and the recruit’s family departs.
Q: What should I do if a recruit contacts me?
A: Explain to the recruit that you can discuss Idaho's educational programs, but not the athletics department.
Q: If my neighbor is a prospective student-athlete with a lot of talent, and I want him/her to attend Idaho, what should I do?
A: Continue your relationship and make sure the athletics department is aware of your neighbor so that a Idaho coach can initiate the recruiting process. You should not engage in any kind of recruiting activities with any recruit.
Q: What should I do if I become aware of an NCAA rule violation?
A: Contact the Athletics Compliance Office to report the information pertinent to the violation. You may remain anonymous if you wish.
Q: When can I contact a recruit?
A: You may contact a recruit once he/she has signed an NLI or scholarship, or made a financial deposit to Idaho.
Q: Can I hire a student-athlete for a job?
A: Yes, as long as you pay the going rate for actual work performed and do not pay extra because of the individual’s notoriety as an athlete. You can engage in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) activities with student-athletes who are your employees so long as the NIL arrangement is separate from their normal work agreement. For more information, please visit our NIL webpage.
DO’S AND DON’TS
Do: Notify the coaching staff of outstanding recruits in your area.
Do: Observe a recruit’s athletics contest, provided you do not have any contact with the recruit or the recruit’s family.
Do: Continue having normal contact with any neighbor, relative or family friend that might be a recruit as long as you do not engage in recruiting activity.
Do: Provide an occasional meal to current student-athletes provided the meal is on special or infrequent occasions and it has been approved by Idaho's athletic department via our Occasional Meal Approval form.
Do: Accept a phone call from a recruit, as long as the recruit initiates the call. All questions about the athletics department should be directed to members of the Vandal athletics staff.
Don’t: Write, call, or make in-person recruiting contact with a recruit or his/her family members.
Don’t: Make a recruiting presentation to prospective student-athletes.
Don’t: Contact a coach, principal and/or counselor to evaluate a recruit.
Don’t: Visit a recruit’s school to pick up a transcript or video to evaluate the recruit’s academic or athletic ability or to provide it to an athletics department staff member.
Don’t: Provide extra benefits to recruits, enrolled student-athletes, or their family members and friends.
Don’t: Communicate with a recruit via social media until he/she has signed an NLI or scholarship or made a financial deposit to Idaho (e.g.,@replies, mentions, wall posts, direct messages, comments on posts, click, but do not type).
