Men’s Basketball Coach at Ocean State University (OSU) has a daughter that is a senior in high school and is going to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) next month to play volleyball at another Division I institution. There are three other seniors at the daughter’s high school that will be signing NLIs to participate in various sports at the Division I level. This is the first year ever that this high school has had students sign NLIs, so the athletic director and principal want to conduct a small event for the families while the students sign their paperwork.
Is it permissible for the OSU coach to attend his daughter’s signing event?
Yes with conditions. NCAA Staff Interpretation- 2/27/08- Coach Who Is A Prospective Student-Athlete’s Parent or Legal Guardian Attending Letter-of-Intent-Signing (I/II)- states that a coach who is a prospective-student-athlete’s parent or legal guardian may attend and observe a letter-of-intent signing activity that involves the coach’s son or daughter (or individual for which the coach is a legal guardian) in addition to other prospective-student-athletes, provided the attendance does not involve any personal contact with any other prospective-student-athletes. [References: NCAA Divisions I and II Bylaws 13.1.2.2 (permissible recruiters-general exceptions), Division I Bylaw 13.1.6.7 (letter-of-intent signing), and Division II Bylaw 13.1.6.2 (letter-of-intent signing)]
Jennifer M. Condaras
Deputy Commissioner, NCAA Relations & Administration
Colonial Athletic Association
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