Which activity is NOT permissible for a coach during a dead period?

During a dead period, coaches are restricted from having in-person contact with prospective student-athletes, which encompasses a variety of interactions, including any events where they would be present to meet recruits face-to-face. Allowing an official visit falls under this category because official visits involve a level of interaction and engagement that is explicitly prohibited during a dead period.

The concept of a dead period is significant in NCAA regulations as it ensures that prospective student-athletes have time away from recruitment activities, providing them the opportunity to focus on academics and other personal interests. During this time, while coaches may not engage directly with student-athletes, they are still allowed to maintain contact in other forms, which is why options such as making phone calls or sending emails are permissible. Public speaking events, such as an awards banquet, where the coach does not interact directly with prospective athletes can also be permissible under certain circumstances, provided they are not directly recruiting during that time. Thus, permitting an official visit is clearly not allowed during a dead period, making it the correct answer.