Conference

Rule V, Recruitment Regulations

5.0 Rationale for Recruitment Policies Recruitment violations are considered serious. Therefore, they merit being reviewed by the Management Committee or their designates even for a first offense.

5.1 Recruitment Regulations

5.1.1 Student-athletes who participate in a CIS sport must meet all of the CIS recruiting regulations located in CIS Regulation 40.10.7. Further requirements may be placed on such athletes in accordance with OUA principles.

5.1.2 It is considered unacceptable for an Athletic Director or a coach to speak disparagingly of another person or institution in order to attempt to persuade an athlete to come to their institution or enhance the reputation of their institution by comparison.

5.1.3 Enticement of student-athlete from one university to another university by a coach, Athletic Director, or other university officials is an unethical and illegal practice. [Added July 2007]

5.2 Recruiting - High School and CEGEP Student-Athletes

5.2.1 Before approaching a high school or CEGEP student, the Director of Athletics or the coach shall first contact the person in charge of the high schools' or CEGEP’s athletic program or high school coach of the student to inform them of the contact.

5.2.2 In the event the above contact cannot be made and a OUA/CIS coach wishes to speak with a recruit on the day that a prospective student-athlete is competing, contact can only occur after the prospective student-athletes final competition of that day and once they have been released by the appropriate institutional authority and leave the dressing and meeting facilities. Recruiting camps are excluded from this rule. [Added July 2007]

5.3 Recruiting – CCAA Student-Athletes (of non-CIS member schools)

5.3.1 When recruiting an athlete at the college level, the initial contact shall be through the Director of Athletics or coach of the college team to inform them. If an athlete from a college team makes an initial contact, the head coach of the OUA/CIS institution must notify the college Director of Athletics or coach. Exception: If the athlete participates at a CIS member school in a non-CIS jurisdiction, Recruiting Regulation 40.10.7.4.1 applies.

5.3.2 In the event the above contact cannot be made and an OUA/CIS coach wishes to speak with a recruit on the day that a prospective student-athlete is competing, contact can only occur after the prospective student-athlete’s final competition of that day and once they have been released by the appropriate institutional authority and leave the dressing and meeting facilities. Recruiting camps are excluded from this rule. [Added July 2007]

5.4 Recruiting – CIS Student-Athletes

5.4.1 Student-athletes who are already attending a CIS institution shall not be contacted for the purpose of recruiting by a CIS Athletic Department representative. The definition of a student-athlete in terms of identifying them for the purpose of recruiting at the school they are attending is: a) When they have participated in any training or competition, or b) When their name has appeared on an Eligibility Certificate.

5.4.2 In the case of a potential transfer from a CIS institution when the student-athlete initiates the contact, the CIS coach or Athletic Department representative contacted shall immediately notify his/her Director of Athletics who in turn shall inform the Director of Athletics of the CIS institution in which the athlete is enrolled. [Added July 2007]

5.5 Participation of Prospective Student-Athletes

5.5.1 For the sports of basketball, field hockey, football, ice hockey, volleyball, rugby and soccer it is unacceptable to have a prospective athlete practice with or occupy the bench of a member’s team during the competitive season. The competitive season is considered to begin on the first day of training / practice and end upon conclusion of the final competition for which a team is eligible to participate in conference and playoff competition. Within men’s football, it is unacceptable for non-registered student-athletes to practice with a member’s team in spring training camps and out-of-season practice sessions. Such practices are restricted to CIS eligible registered students of that institution. The exception to this would be regulation 40.10.5.2.1.3 a) & 40.10.5.2.1.3 b) (Canada West). [Added July 2007]

5.6 Recruiting Trips and Travel

5.6.1 University funding of liaison / recruiting trips for prospective athletes is acceptable providing these trips are consistent with general university policy, however CIS limits a member institution or representative to finance only one visit to its campus for a prospective athlete.

5.6.2 A university or its representatives are prohibited from paying, providing, or arranging for the payment of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospective athlete to visit the campus or elsewhere. [Added July 2007]

5.7 Recruiting Black-Out Periods – Men’s Football

5.7.1 For the purpose of athletic-related recruiting, there will be no contact of prospective student-athletes by any person representing a CIS institution from December 24th to January 1st inclusively.

5.7.2 For the purpose of athletic-related recruiting, there will be no contact of prospective student-athletes by any person representing a CIS institution from the Thursday prior to the East-West All-Star Game until the completion of the East-West All-Star Game. [Added July 2007]

5.8 Offers and Inducement

5.8.1 In recruiting a student-athlete, an OUA member can only provide the prospective recruit with product and/or services not exceeding $50.00 (CDN), over and above what is provided the general prospective student population. [Added July 2007]

5.9 Alumni

5.9.1 Alumni organizations and individuals who are in any way affiliated with or involved in the recruiting process shall be governed by the recruiting guidelines of the OUA.

5.9.2 OUA members shall pursue an active policy of informing and educating independent alumni of the importance of operating in accordance with the policy.

5.9.3 The onus shall be on each OUA member to advise any alumni who functions in violation of OUA and/or CIS rules and regulations that they jeopardize the participation of their university in interuniversity athletics.

5.9.4 It is unacceptable for a member institution to conduct objective-type physical evaluation tests, such as 40 yard sprint, vertical jump, or bench press for prospective student athletes unless the testing takes place in a skills camp which meets the requirements of the OUA General Regulation 5.12 or after the student has registered as defined by CIS Regulations.

5.10 Employment

5.10.1 Employment opportunities may not be provided to prospective athletes during their funded visit.

5.10.2 Prospective athletes employed by a university in a recognized university or departmental positions are to be paid at a rate not to exceed the standard rate of pay established by the institution for similar positions.

5.10.3 Prospective athletes employed by the athletic department or departmental staff running private camps or clinics are to be paid at a rate comparable to the rate of pay of other employees of similar experience.

5.10.4 Such employees may not receive housing (free, reduced or subsidized), or any form of travel subsidy in connection with this employment. Housing may only be provided (free, reduced or subsidized) if the camp or clinic involves overnight accommodation for the participants and the employee is directly responsible for supervision as part of the employment contract. [Added July 2007]

5.10.5 Such employees shall be under a contract which designates their responsibilities and the remuneration to be received, and the contract shall be authorized by the Athletic Director or designate.

5.11 Skills Camps
Skills Camps are acceptable if:

1. Open to candidates except those who are eligible to enter an Ontario university in that year;

2. Camps are open and publicized to all OUA coaches;

3. All details of site, time, dates etc., are made available upon request; and

4. Student-athletes’ profiles are available upon request.

NOTE: All-Star games sponsored by a member institution are subject to sections 2, 3, and 4 above. Section 1 does not apply in this case.

5.12 Sanctions for Violations of Recruiting Regulations
1st Violation:
Coach:
Team Sports Sanction:
- Football – 1 game suspension from OUA league scheduled game.
- Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby, Soccer, Volleyball, Water Polo – 2 game suspension from OUA league scheduled event.

Individual Sports Sanction:
- Suspension from a sectional or qualifier event or sanction subject to review

Institution: - $1,000 fine

2nd Violation:
Coach: - Review and suspension of the coach for up to one calendar year.

Institution: - $1,500 fine
- No television coverage of the offending institution's home games in the particular sport in which the violation occurred for up to one calendar year.
- No home games for league championship play for up to one calendar year.

3rd Violation: Coach:
- Suspension for life.

Institution: - $2,000 fine
- No television coverage of any league game (not sport specific) for up to one calendar year.
- No post-season league championship play for up to one calendar year.

For more information concerning Champions for Life, athletic scholarships, eligibility, and recruitment please contact:
Samantha Magalas 
Sport Development Officer
Ontario University Athletics
samantha.magalas@oua.ca