Can a coach contact a prospective student-athlete only for recruiting purposes?

In the context of NCAA recruiting rules, a coach cannot contact a prospective student-athlete solely for recruiting purposes. Such contact is highly regulated to ensure that the recruiting process remains fair and compliant with NCAA guidelines. Coaches are allowed to communicate with prospective student-athletes, but there are specific rules that govern when and how this can occur, which are designed to protect the interests of both the athletes and the institutions involved.

For instance, while a coach can reach out to a prospective athlete to discuss potential scholarship offers or campus visits, this contact must align with the NCAA's designated recruiting calendar, which specifies certain contact periods and dead periods. This means that outside of these designated periods, contact is restricted or prohibited.

The other options presented suggest limited contact scenarios that may imply controlling circumstances around the nature and timing of communication. However, the overarching rule established by the NCAA is that any contact must have a context beyond merely fostering recruitment, emphasizing the need for balanced and respectful interactions between coaches and athletes. Thus, the correct understanding is that coaches cannot engage in unrestricted communication purely for recruitment purposes.