National Letter of Intent Education Session

1. National Letter of Intent Education Session SJSU Compliance Office October 27 & 28, 2010

2. NLI Signing Questions

3. #1: A coach may not hand-deliver an NLI to a prospect off-campus. • True • Bylaw 13.1.5.7.1 and NLI Provision 12 prohibit any in-person, off-campus delivery of an NLI by an institutional staff member; NLIs may be delivered by express mail, courier service, regular mail, e-mail or facsimile machine. • NLIs must be sent to the prospect directly, not to the prospect’s coach.

4. #2: A four-year transfer may sign an NLI. • False • NLI Provision 1 limits the signing of an NLI to prospects who will be entering four-year institutions for the first time as full-time students, 4-2-4 transfers who are graduating from a JC or JC transfer students.

5. #3: What age must a prospect be when his/her parent/guardian signature is no longer required on the NLI? • C. 21 years of age. • The NLI document does not require a parent/guardian to sign the document if the prospect is 21 years of age or older. • If a prospect is under the age of 21, regardless of marital status, a parent/ guardian must sign the NLI in order for it to be considered valid.

6. #4: A prospect who plays soccer and track may sign an NLI for each sport with different institutions. • False • The NLI Administrative Guidelines say that only one valid NLI may be signed by a prospect annually. • The NLI is signed with an institution, not with a coach or with a specific sports team.

7. #5: If an institution desires to have an individual other than a parent/guardian of a prospect sign an NLI, it must first seek approval from the NLI Office. • True • Per NLI Administrative Guidelines, if a parent/guardian is not available (i.e., incarcerated, death, etc.) another individual may sign the NLI under specified circumstances provided that individual is approved in advance by the NLI Office.

8. #6: A prospect may not sign an NLI during an official visit. • False • The NLI program allows an institution to provide an NLI to a prospect while on campus for an official visit. • The prospect may sign the NLI during an official visit, but remember that an NLI may only be signed during a permissible signing period.

9. #7: An NLI may be issued prior to the initial date of a signing period, but it may not be signed until the signing period begins. • True • An NLI signed before the signing period begins is invalid.

10. #8: Is there a signing deadline for the NLI? • A. Yes, 14-days from the date of issuance, except during the November signing period. • 14-Day Signing Deadline: If a prospect fails to sign the NLI and accompanying offer of athletics aid within 14 days after the date of issuance, it will be invalid.  In that event, another NLI may be issued within the appropriate signing period.   • Signing Deadline (November Only): NLI must be signed between the dates of November 10-17, 2010 (the 14-day signing deadline is not applicable during the November signing period).  • Additionally, the institution must file the NLI with its conference office within 21 days of the date of final signature; otherwise, the NLI is invalid. 

11. #9: Once an NLI is signed by a prospect, other institutions that are members of the NLI program must cease recruiting the prospect. • True • NLI Provision 8 sets forth the Recruiting Ban, which states that all participating conferences and institutions are obligated to respect the prospect’s signing and must cease to recruit the prospect upon his/her signing of an NLI. • It is the responsibility of the prospect to notify any recruiter who contacts him/her of their signing of an NLI. • Once the prospect enrolls in the institution the NLI Recruiting Ban is no longer in effect.

12. #10: A prospect may not sign a financial aid agreement prior to the initial NLI signing date in a sport. • True • Per Bylaw 13.9.2.2, prior to August 1 of a prospect’s senior year, an institution may not indicate in writing to the prospect that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by the institution. • On or after August 1 of a prospect’s senior year, an institution indicate in writing to a prospect that athletics aid will be offered; however, the institution may not permit the prospect to sign a form indicating his/her acceptance of such an award before the initial NLI signing date in that sport.

13. #11: Are there any limits placed on the number of prospects who may sign an NLI? • Yes, only the sport of football is limited to signing 28 prospects to an NLI annually. • Bylaw 13.9.2.3 states there is an annual limit of 28 on the number of prospects who may sign an NLI or an institutional offer of financial aid from the initial signing date of the regular signing period (February 2) of the NLI through May 31.

14. Null/Void NLI Questions

15. #12: If a coach departs an institution, all signed NLIs by prospects in that coach’s sport are automatically null and void. • False • NLI Provision 11 says an NLI is signed with the institution, not for a particular coach. • If a coach leaves the institution or the sports program (e.g., not retained, resigns), the prospect remains bound by the provisions of the NLI.

16. #13: If a prospect is declared a nonqualifier, the NLI he/she signs remains valid. • False • NLI Provision 7(b)(1) says the NLI shall be rendered null and void if the prospect becomes a nonqualifier. • If an Initial Eligibility Waiver (IEW) will be filed on behalf of the nonqualifier, the NLI remains binding through the Waiver process. We are only required to send a notice of a null and void NLI if the IEW is denied.

17. #14: If a prospect is denied admission to the signing institution and chooses to enroll at a JC, the NLI remains valid. • False • NLI Provision 7(a) says the NLI is null and void if the institution notifies the prospect in writing that he/she has been denied admission.

18. #15: If a prospect defers admission to a term beyond the ensuing fall term (e.g., greyshirt), the NLI remains valid and binding. • True • NLI Provision 7(a) says the NLI remains valid and binding if the prospect defers admission; however, the NLI will be rendered null and void if the prospect is eligible for admission, but the institution defers admission to a subsequent term. • NLI Provision 7(c) says that an NLI shall be declared null and void if the prospect has not attended any institution for at least one academic year.

19. Null and Void: A Review

20. What renders an NLI null & void? • Denied Admissions • Failure to meet initial-eligibility requirements (i.e., nonqualifier) • Failure to attend any institution for one year from signing • Serving active duty with the US armed forces or an official church mission for at least 12 months • Discontinued sport • Recruiting rules violations

21. Notification of Null and Void • Institutions are required to notify prospects in writing that his/her NLI is null and void within five business days from when the institution is made aware of the status of the NLI. • A form letter will be sent to the prospect’s home, head coaches will be copied on this notice.

22. NLI Fulfillment Questions

23. #16: A student-athlete can fulfill the obligation of an NLI by attending the signing institution for how long? • A. One Academic Year • NLI Provision 3(a) says an NLI will be fulfilled by attending the institution with which it was signed for at least one academic year as a full-time student.

24. #17:What is the basic penalty for a prospect who enrolls at another NLI institution before fulfilling his/her NLI commitment to the signing institution? • D. Both A and C • The Basic Penalty for failure to fulfill the terms of the NLI (attend the signing institution for one academic year) requires that the signee lose one season of competition in all sports and he/she must serve one year in residence at the next NLI institution per NLI Provision 4.

25. NLI Release Questions

26. #18: An institution may provide a prospect or student-athlete with a Complete Release from all requirements of the NLI. • True • The NLI Release Request Form allows an institution to grant a complete release from the NLI. • A Complete Release permits the prospect to attend any NLI institution without being subject to the NLI Basic Penalty. It releases both the institution and the student from any further NLI obligations. The NLI release is not the same as NCAA permission to contact (i.e., releases are not specific to schools). • Additionally, when a Complete Release is granted, the NLI Recruiting Ban is no longer in effect, allowing the student to be recruited by other NLI member institutions, provided permission to contact is granted.

27. #19: A prospect who receives a Complete Release from the signing institution may sign an NLI with another institution in the same signing year. • False • The NLI Administrative Guidelines state that a prospect is only permitted to sign one valid NLI in an academic year. • Therefore, if a prospect signs an NLI during the early period and receives a Complete Release by the institution or one of the NLI committees before the spring signing period ends, he/she is not permitted to sign a second NLI in the spring. The prospect must wait until the next academic year to sign another valid NLI if he/she has not enrolled at a four-year institution.

28. #20: A student-athlete may appeal an institution’s decision not to grant a Complete Release from an NLI. • True • The NLI Release Request Form allows a prospect to petition the NLI Policy & Review Committee for a release if an institution denies a request for a Complete Release. • In order to file an appeal, the prospect must provide a copy of the NLI Release Request Form, signed by the director of athletics, indicating "No Release." Once proper documentation has been submitted, the NLI Policy & Review Committee will consider the request.

29. # 21: If an institution chooses the “No Release” option on the NLI Release Request Form, the NLI remains intact, thereby requiring the student to lose one season of competition in all sports and to serve one academic year in residence at the next NLI member institution. • True • The NLI Release Request Form allows an institution to grant “No Release” from the NLI. • The No Release option keeps the NLI in tact, thereby requiring the student to lose one season of competition in all sports and to serve one academic year in residence at the next NLI member institution. • The student may appeal an institution’s decision not to release to the NLI Policy and Review Committee. In the event of an appeal, the institution will be required to cite their reason for not releasing the student.

30. #22: An institution may remove the Recruiting Ban for a signed prospect without removing other NLI penalties. • True • The NLI Release Request allows removal of the NLI Recruiting Ban from a student without granting a Complete Release. • The Recruiting Ban would be lifted for all NLI member institutions and cannot be restricted to institutions. • The only way to restrict recruitment by certain institutions is to deny permission to contact (applies to enrolled student-athletes only).

31. General Recruiting Questions

32. #23: In reference to the NLI signing, when is there no limit on the number of phone calls allowed by the institution’s coaching staff to the prospect? • D. All of the above. Phone Call Exceptions Surrounding the Initial NLI Signing Date • All Sports: Countable coaches may make unlimited phone calls to a prospect on the initial NLI signing date and during the two days immediately following the initial signing date per Bylaw 13.1.3.3.2. • Football: Countable coaches (and 2 designated GAs) may make unlimited phone calls to prospects during the period 48 hours before and 48 hours after 7 a.m. on the initial NLI signing date per Bylaw 13.1.3.3.2.1.

33. #23 Answer Cont’d – Phone Call Exceptions After NLI Signing • No Limit: After the calendar day on which a prospect signs an NLI, there is no limit on the number of phone calls that may be made by the institution with which the prospect has signed per Bylaw 13.1.3.3.3. Noncoaching Staff Members • After the calendar day on which a prospect signs an NLI, a noncoaching staff member or a noncountable coach may make phone calls to or receive phone calls from the prospect (or the prospects parents/guardians) per Bylaw 13.1.3.4.1.2(a). • For a prospect who is not eligible to sign an NLI (e.g., four-year college transfer), a noncoaching staff member or a noncountable coach may make phone calls to or receive phone calls from a prospect (or the prospect's parents/guardians) after the calendar day on which the prospect signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid per Bylaw 13.1.3.4.1.2(a). 

34. #24: Text messaging prospects is always prohibited. • False • Per Bylaw 13.4.1.2, electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospect (or the prospect’s parents/guardians) is limited to e-mail and fax. All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited.  • However, per Bylaw 13.4.1.2.1, after the calendar day on which a prospect signs an NLI, there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to the prospect or his/her parents/guardians by the institution with which the prospect has signed. • For a prospect who is not eligible to sign an NLI (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to the prospect or his/her parents/guardians by the institution after the calendar day on which the prospect signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.

35. #25: Prospects may be sent pre-enrollment information regarding conditioning and practice activities only after the prospect has signed an NLI. • False • Per Bylaw 13.4.1.1(h), necessary pre-enrollment information regarding orientation, conditioning, academics and practice activities may be provided to a prospect if any one of the following has taken place: > He/she has signed an NLI; > He/she has signed an institutional financial aid agreement; or > He/she has been officially accepted for enrollment. 

36. #26: An institution’s coaching staff may freely comment on a prospect’s ability before the prospect has signed an NLI. • False • Per Bylaw 13.10.2, before a prospect signs an NLI or an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, a member institution may comment publicly ONLY to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospect. • The institution may NOT comment generally about the prospect’s ability or the contribution that the prospect might make to the institution's team; further, the institution is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the likelihood of the prospect's signing with that institution.

37. #27: An institution may only announce a prospect’s commitment to attend after he/she has signed an NLI. • False • Press Release: Per Bylaw 13.10.9, publicity concerning a prospect’s commitment to attend the institution may take place after one of the following has occurred: > The prospect has signed an NLI (validity MUST be confirmed by the Director of Student Service); > The prospect has signed an offer of admission; or > The prospect signed an offer of financial aid (validity MUST be confirmed by the Director of Student Services) • Press Conference: Per Bylaw 13.10.9.2, an institution may conduct ONE formal press conference on the institution's campus for the purpose of presenting the names of all prospects in a sport who have signed an NLI or accepted written offers of admission and/or financial aid from the institution, with the understanding that no prospects (or their friends or relatives) may be in attendance at such an announcement.

38. For Prospective Student-Athletes Enrolling in the 2011-2012 Academic Year

39. SJSU NLI/GIA Request Process • Coach submits NLI/GIA Request Form to Dir. Of Student Services. (DOSS) • DOSS passes form to Compliance/ Academics staff to approve: • SJSU Admissions Status • NCAA Initial Eligibility Status If issues with either area arise, the head coach will be contacted. • DOSS creates NLI and/or GIA documents. • DOSS obtains signatures from SJSU Financial Aid Office & Dir. Of Athletics Designee. • DOSS gives NLI Packet to Coaching staff to send to prospect.

40. Contents of NLI Packet • Instructions Sheet for Prospect • NLI Document • Copy of NLI Document for prospect to keep • Grant In Aid Document • Copy of Grant in Aid Document for prospect to keep • Self Addressed, Pre-paid envelope for prospect to return originals to DOSS.

41. NLI/GIA Validation Process • Prospect faxes signed NLI/GIA to DOSS & mails hard copies • DOSS checks documents for correct signatures and dates. • Valid NLIs – DOSS emails Coaches and Staff notifying them of valid signees that can be released. • Invalid NLIs – DOSS contacts coaches and prospects informing them of corrections that need to be made to documents. • DOSS faxes all valid NLIs to the WAC Office.

42. FAFSA Letters • In January DOSS will letters from the Athletic Director to all NLI/GIA signees as well as GIA renewal candidates. • Signee Letter will welcome them to SJSU as well as include FAFSA filing instructions and deadlines for completion in order for their athletic aid to be disbursed. • Renewal letters will outline the FAFSA Renewal Process and deadlines and explain that GIA Renewals will not be processed for those candidates with incomplete FAFSA’s.

43. Questions?!