Before a prospective student-athlete commits to the institution, can they call a representative of athletics interests to discuss the program?

The statement is false because before a prospective student-athlete commits to an institution, they are not permitted to have contact with a representative of the institution's athletics interests—commonly known as boosters or fans—about the athletics program. This regulation is in place to ensure fair recruiting practices and to maintain the integrity of the recruitment process. Contact with such representatives can lead to undue influence or impropriety in the recruitment process, which the NCAA aims to prevent.

The other choices suggest scenarios that either allow such communication under certain conditions or imply that permission from a third party is necessary, but all would violate the NCAA's recruitment rules prohibiting such interaction prior to commitment. The rules promote a level playing field and protect student-athletes and institutions from potential violations that could arise from improper contact.