Is it permissible for a coach to provide transportation for a prospective student-athlete to attend a home athletics contest during an unofficial visit?

It is permissible for a coach to provide transportation for a prospective student-athlete to attend a home athletics contest during an unofficial visit, as this assistance is allowed under NCAA rules. During an unofficial visit, prospective student-athletes can receive transportation from coaches, which means that they can be escorted to events such as home athletics contests. This facilitates the recruitment process and provides the prospective student-athlete with an opportunity to experience the athletic environment and culture of the institution.

In NCAA compliance, it is important to differentiate between official and unofficial visits, as the rules governing them vary. During unofficial visits, the regulations are more lenient, allowing coaches to assist prospective student-athletes more freely compared to official visits, where stricter guidelines apply. Therefore, stating that it is permissible aligns with the NCAA's intent to encourage student-athlete recruitment while still maintaining certain compliance benchmarks.