As an NCAA and Big 12 Conference member institution, Arizona State University must follow the rules governing intercollegiate athletics. That obligation is institutional and extends beyond Sun Devil Athletics to all ASU employees (see SDA 104: Rules Compliance).  

Generally, NCAA and Big 12 rules require student-athletes to be treated like other students and prospective student-athletes to be treated like other prospective students. 

The Compliance Office has summarized NCAA rules into three critical guidelines, which are explained in the video above, the tip sheet and the NIL summary of rules for faculty and staff.

Watch video on faculty and staff

In addition, the following summarizes some of the specific rules relating to prospects:

• Transportation: ASU employees may not provide transportation to prospects or their family members.

• Benefits: ASU employees may not provide prospects or prospects’ family members any money, items of value (e.g., T-shirts, hats, souvenirs) or discounts on items or services unless the same benefits are provided to all prospective students.

• In-person contacts: Face-to-face contact between a prospect and an ASU employee that is directed by a Sun Devil Athletics coach or otherwise related to athletics is prohibited unless it occurs: 

  • On campus; or 
  • If off campus, during a prospect’s official visit and within 30 miles of campus.

• Telephone calls: ASU employees may not call prospects regarding the athletics program or at the direction of a Sun Devil Athletics coaching staff member. ASU employees may receive calls from prospects if those calls are unrelated to athletics. All athletically related questions must be directed to Sun Devil Athletics.

• Electronic communications (email, text messaging, social media): Emails to a prospect that relate to athletics are prohibited until September 1 of the prospect’s junior year. All other electronic communications (e.g., friending prospects on Facebook, following prospects on X, instant messaging prospects) are prohibited. Like telephone calls, employees of the university can receive electronic communications from prospects, provided the communications do not relate to athletics.

• Publication of a prospect’s recruitment: ASU employees are prohibited from publicizing the recruitment of any prospect or a prospect’s visit to campus, such as posting a picture of a prospect’s visit on social media.

The Sun Devil Athletics Compliance Office assists staff members with questions about NCAA legislation. Please contact the Compliance Office at 480-965-5760 or SunDevilsAsk@asu.edu with any questions.