Types of visits: Official and unofficial

A visit to ASU is considered an official visit if ASU finances any part of the visit (other than complimentary admissions to a home athletics event). An unofficial visit is any visit to ASU made at a prospective student-athlete’s own expense. 

Rules for official and unofficial visits

Numerous NCAA rules govern the conduct of an official visit to a member institution like ASU. Those rules have been incorporated into ASU’s official visit policy and process. Please review ASU’s official visit policy.

The only expenses that NCAA rules allow ASU to provide a prospective student-athlete on an unofficial visit are three complimentary admissions to a home athletics contest through a pass list (not hard tickets). Those admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospective student-athlete and those accompanying the prospective student-athlete on the visit. Please note that in all sports except women’s basketball and football, an individual cannot make an unofficial visit to any NCAA Division I institution until August 1 or September 1 after his or her sophomore year in high school. For sport-specific rules, please review the NCAA’s Guide for College Bound Student-Athletes. 

Third-party payment of visit expenses 

The NCAA enforcement staff has indicated its intent to monitor the activities of prospective student-athlete unofficial visits to campuses more closely. With very little exception, NCAA rules do not allow individuals other than family members or legal guardians to finance unofficial visits. The Compliance Office is happy to answer any questions about this topic — email SunDevilsAsk@asu.edu.