At what point does an individual become a recruited prospective student-athlete according to Bylaw 13?

An individual becomes a recruited prospective student-athlete when a coach initiates a telephone call with the student-athlete. This action signifies that the coach is actively engaging with the athlete, indicating interest in their potential recruitment. The NCAA regulations define this interaction as a fundamental threshold for recruitment activities, showing that the coach is taking steps to evaluate the student-athlete's potential for their program.

When a coach reaches out via telephone, it marks the beginning of the formal recruitment process. This is crucial because it establishes a direct line of communication and indicates that the student-athlete is being considered for recruitment. This is also in line with NCAA bylaws that govern the appropriate conduct and timing of recruiting activities.

While other actions such as attending an official visit, signing a National Letter of Intent, or having an in-person meeting with a coach are significant milestones in the recruitment journey, they occur later in the process. Thus, the initiation of contact through a phone call is the key moment that defines the status of the student-athlete as recruited.