Can an athletics department staff member endorse a noninstitutional athletics event involving prospective student-athletes?

The correct answer is that athletics department staff members must not endorse or promote a noninstitutional athletics event involving prospective student-athletes. This is rooted in NCAA rules designed to protect the integrity of the recruiting process and ensure that prospective student-athletes are not unduly influenced or pressured by college staff.

Endorsement by staff can create a perception of a relationship or preference for a specific institution, which could compromise the fairness of the recruitment process. By prohibiting such endorsements, the NCAA upholds the principle of amateurism and prevents potential compliance violations that could arise from staff involvement in noninstitutional events featuring recruits. This helps maintain a level playing field for all institutions involved in recruiting prospective student-athletes.

While there may be exceptions in certain contexts, the overarching rule is aimed at maintaining clear boundaries between institutional activities and outside events, particularly regarding recruiting.