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Coach Resource Hub: Understanding Recruiting, Tryouts, and Prospective Student-Athletes
Navigating recruiting and tryouts can be tricky—especially when it comes to understanding when a student officially becomes identified and how to manage contact across institutions. The following overview outlines the core principles every NAIA coach should know, with links to full Interpretations Library articles for deeper guidance. Link to NAIA Bylaws: Prospective Student-Athlete Definition &…
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Basics of Recruiting
Recruitment Policies in the NAIA Link to NAIA Bylaws 1. Recruitment of an Enrolled Student-Athlete Casebook Example: Closed Institutions and Discontinued Sports: Coach-to-Coach Contact Is Not Sufficient Notification Requirements – Who Needs It Understanding Releases Only ADs Can Issue Releases Releases Are Optional Initiating Contact with Non-NAIA or Former NAIA Athletes Transfer Portal Status Is…
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Basics of Campus Visits & Tryouts
Campus Visits and Tryouts for Prospective Students Link to NAIA Bylaws The NAIA has specific guidelines to ensure a fair and balanced approach towards campus visits and tryouts for prospective student-athletes. Here’s a simplified breakdown: Key Principles for Campus Visits Guidelines for Tryouts Casebook Examples Tryouts with Prospective Students: See this article for further information! Tryouts…
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Basics of a Transfer
NAIA Bylaw Definition Transfer: A student who becomes identified with an NAIA institution after having previously been identified with a two- or four-year institution of higher learning. Transfer students must complete the official NAIA Transfer Player Eligibility Statement prior to their first participation at the NAIA institution no matter how long ago the transfer occurred.…
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Basics of Prospective Student-Athlete
What is a Potential Student-Athlete? NAIA Bylaws – DefinitionA prospective student is any individual who has never been identified with a collegiate institution, or whose most recent identification was with another institution. Under NAIA rules (Article V, Section B, Item 8), an individual remains a prospective student until they are officially identified with an NAIA…
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2025 Updated NAIA Recruiting Rules: Transfer Declarations and Junior College Contact Expanded
Effective as of April 2025, the NAIA has clarified and updated key recruiting policies that impact how and when institutions may engage with prospective student-athletes. These changes enhance transparency in the transfer process and increase flexibility for institutions recruiting from junior colleges. 🔁 Transfer Intentions via Public Posts Now Considered First Contact The NAIA National…
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Clarifying Transfer Contact Rules: Public Declarations by NAIA Student-Athletes
Approved Interpretation by the NAIA National Eligibility Committee (NEC) In response to a growing number of inquiries regarding student-athletes who publicly declare their intent to transfer—often via social media or recruiting platforms—the NAIA Conduct and Ethics Committee (CEC) and the National Eligibility Committee (NEC) have finalized a formal interpretation to provide clarity for NAIA institutions…
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Tryouts with Prospective Students & 24-Week Season
Approved Ruling: Tryouts of prospective students, in accordance with NAIA Bylaws, shall not constitute practice per Article I, Section H, Item 6, although institutional team members may be involved. Such activity if conducted outside of the team’s 24-week season will not trigger the 24-week season. The National Eligibility Committee has ruled that the “prospective student”…
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Prospective Student-Athletes: Tryouts & Camps/Clinics
Tryouts Approved Ruling: Tryouts of prospective students, in accordance with NAIA Bylaws, shall not constitute practice per Article I, Section H, Item 6, although institutional team members may be involved. Such activity if conducted outside of the team’s 24-week season will not trigger the 24-week season. Tryouts may occur at any point throughout the calendar…
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Summer Activities with Prospective Student-Athletes
Who is considered a prospective student? Article V, Section B, Item 16: A prospective student is any individual, regardless of age or stated commitment to a school, who has never identified with your institution or whose most recent collegiate identification is with another institution. All incoming freshmen and transfers are considered prospective students until the…