Ocean State University (OSU) should get its first ever recruit from the state of Alaska. Aanaq, a men’s basketball prospect is supposed to sign an NLI with OSU today. An OSU booster lives in Alaska and works for The Anchorage Dispatch, a local newspaper. If Aanaq signs the NLI to play basketball for OSU, the booster would like to interview him about being the first student-athlete from the state to attend OSU.
Is it permissible for this individual to interview Aanaq?
Yes with conditions. NCAA Staff Interpretation- 7/21/93- Booster who works with a media entity having contact with prospective student-athlete- states that a media entity (e.g., radio, talk show host, newspaper reporter) who also is a representative of an institution’s athletics interests may have contact with a prospective student-athlete, provided the contact is through a normal working relationship and not for the purpose of recruiting the prospective student-athlete.
[References: 13.1.2.3 (general exceptions); 13.1.5.3 (contacts subsequent to signing NLI); 13.11.2 (radio/TV show), and 04/13/90 NCAA Interpretations Committee minutes, Item No. 6]
Jennifer M. Condaras
Deputy Commissioner, NCAA Relations & Administration
Colonial Athletic Association
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