NCAA works on proposals that will change recruiting

INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA released a package of proposals Friday that would change the recruiting calendar, lift restrictions on how and how often coaches can contact recruits, and allow athletes to accept more money for participating in non-scholastic events.

All the proposals are expected to be voted on Jan. 19 at the NCAA’s annual convention near Dallas. If approved, they could take effect on Aug. 1.

This is the first detailed glimpse into how the NCAA intends to rewrite its massive rulebook and Jim Barker, Clemson president and chairman of the NCAA committee working on the plan, said the goal is “smarter rules and tougher enforcement.”

If the package is approved, the overall result would provide coaches with more leeway in recruiting. The hope is that athletes will build more meaningful relationships with their coaches, and they will get more opportunities to showcase their skills in front of college and pro scouts.

Campus leaders are embracing the moves, too.

“We have to keep track of all that now,” Indiana athletic director Fred Glass said. “If we don’t have to do that, it will eliminate a substantial part of it.”

One key recommendation would create a uniform recruiting calendar for all sports and allow coaches to begin contacting potential recruits after July 1 of their sophomore year, though coaches would still have to abide by the no-contact periods.

“The rules group believes that the uniform recruiting date will create significant ease of administration on campus, make the rules more understandable and allow for better recruiting decisions from both the coach and prospective’’ athlete, said Barker.

Another proposal would allow coaches in all sports to reach out to players through any communication mode with no limitation on the number of contacts. Basketball coaches were given that ability in June.

See NCAA proposals outline at http://tinyurl.com/dxxlef4