Facebook Recruiting

[BigRed]

I was reading through the NCAA's report of USC's infractions and came across this section. I'm almost 100% sure this can be applied to "facebook recruiters" that are fans of an institution. If they penalized one for it, they would have to penalize mostly all universities. So, I don't believe the NCAA would sanction an institution for the fans (aka "boosters") doing this but it's really something interesting to think about.

NCAA Bylaw 13.02.13 provides in relevant part that an individual becomes a representative of the institution's athletics interests (commonly referred to as boosters) if an individual is known, or should have been known, by a member of the institution's athletics administration to:
__________
(c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes; or
(d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families.
Further, NCAA Bylaw 13.02.13.1 provides that once an individual is identified as a booster, the individual retains that status indefinitely.
Finally, NCAA Constitution 6.4.2 provides that an institution is responsible for the acts of those found to be representatives of its athletics interests.

 

[bhuff_32]

I don't think that they could apply it to facebook recruiting by fans. First and foremost, imposing such a restriction and regulation is unreasonable. A university doesn't have any control over someone that isn't associated with the program. Now, if these fans also contribute money for the purposes of recruiting and/or athletics, then there might be an issue. Regardless, I think that facebook would extend too far. If universities tried to regulate fan speech on facebook, you likely run the risk of violating some constitutional issues--especially at a state school.

 

[BigRed]

I don't think that they could apply it to facebook recruiting by fans. First and foremost, imposing such a restriction and regulation is unreasonable. A university doesn't have any control over someone that isn't associated with the program. Now, if these fans also contribute money for the purposes of recruiting and/or athletics, then there might be an issue. Regardless, I think that facebook would extend too far. If universities tried to regulate fan speech on facebook, you likely run the risk of violating some constitutional issues--especially at a state school.

Oh yeah, I mean I definitely don't think it's reasonable. I thought I mentioned I doubt the NCAA would never sanction an institution for it. But these rules are all about technicalities. And reading that I understand that it's technically against the rules. Like I said, the NCAA would *likely* never do anything about it. But it's just something to think about.

 

[Midfielder10]

The NCAA can't do anything. What's to keep me from signing up as an Alabama fan and posting on kids' pages that I will send them checks to commit to Bama?

 

[BigRed]

I'll play the devil's advocate here and ask, "Would it apply to a hostess more than the common fan?"

hmy:

 

[Midfielder10]

Most likely. Those with a vested interest in the program (employee,etc.) would seemingly have more restrictions on contact.

 

[Jhop]

Media, donors, and employees can face charges here... common fan not so much.