MHSAA - Undue Influence - Recruiting...
10/14/08 11:43:51 | 0 Comments
I will tag this for future reference....
C. UNDUE INFLUENCE (RECRUITING)
The use of undue influence for athletic purposes by any person or persons directly or indirectly associated with the school
to secure or encourage the attendance of a student or the student's parents or guardians as residents of the school district,
shall cause the student to become ineligible for a minimum of one semester and a maximum of one year. The offending
school shall be placed on probation for one year and offending coach or coaches not be permitted to coach at that school
for a one-year period, and shall not coach at any other MHSAAmember school in any tournament in any sport. Examples
of undue influence include but are not limited to:
•offers of or acceptance of financial aid to parents, guardians or student;
•reduced or eliminated tuition and/or fees;
•any special privileges not accorded to other students, whether athletes or not;
•transportation allowances;
•preference in job assignments;
•room, board or clothing, promotional efforts and admission policies for athletes which are in excess of efforts for other
students.
INTERPRETATIONS - UNDUE INFLUENCE
1. Funds which have been donated to schools by clubs and individuals may be given as financial aid to students through
the normal financial aid program of the school for all students, without regard to potential. Financial aid based even
partially on athletic potential or performance is not permitted from the school or from groups that exist because of
or for the benefit of the school (e.g., booster clubs).
2. Individuals not exclusively representing athletic interests of a high school may make general presentations (not just
athletic) to seventh and eighth grade students (not just athletes). There should be a diversity of presenters, speaking
on a variety of topics to students of all interests. If it is a faculty member's responsibility to recruit students (not just
athletes) and that person makes such contact irrespective of athletic eligibility, such contact is permitted. However,
except as permitted under Interpretation 94, anything done for athletes that is not done in a comparable fashion for
all students is undue influence.
3. It is a violation of this section for a coach or any other unauthorized representative of a school to suggest or promise
that any part of tuition will be waived for a prospective student for any reason, including financial need. The only
person who may address the possibility of fee reduction is that person who has specific responsibility for admissions
and financial aid policies and procedures.
4. If it is a faculty member's responsibility to recruit students (not just athletes) and that person makes such contact irre-
spective of athletic eligibility, such contact is permitted. However, anything done for athletes that is not done in a
comparable fashion for all students is undue influence.
5. When a student at a junior high/middle school or other high school, or the parents or guardians of that student, con-
tact the coach about attending the coach's school, the coach shall refer the student, parent or guardian to the appro-
priate school personnel (those who have the responsibilities for seeking and processing prospective students).
6. A high school coach may not initiate contact with a student at a junior high/middle school or other high school, or
the parents of that student, about attendance at the school. It is not a violation for a coach to have normal communi-
ty contact with a student who attends a junior high/middle school of the same system which is a feeder to the high
school. Normal community contact may include but is not limited to that which is unavoidable, brief and incidental
to other intentions and without prior knowledge that such contact is likely to occur.
7. It is a violation of the undue influence regulation if coaches or their representatives call, send questionnaires, cards
or letters or visit prospective athletes and their families at their homes.
8. High school coaches or their representatives may not attend grade school games for the purpose of evaluating and
recruiting specific prospective athletes.
9. High school coaches and administrators may not request booster clubs, players or alumni from the high school to dis-
cuss the merits of their athletic program with prospective athletes or their parents by phone, in person or through let-
ters.
10.Any high school may allow all students of any junior high/middle school to attend its athletic events without charge.
11. A coach may conduct an athletic camp at his or her school or another site during the summer if enrollment at the
camp is open to all students at all schools. The coach is subject to the limitations of Regulation 11, Section 11 (G).
12.Persons "indirectly associated with the school" include but are not limited to parents of players and booster club
members. Such persons are prohibited from providing or performing any of the examples of undue influence listed
in the section and its interpretations