Can an institution's coach provide food or lodging for a prospective student-athlete during an unofficial visit?

During an unofficial visit, the NCAA rules clearly stipulate that an institution's coach cannot provide food or lodging for a prospective student-athlete. This prohibition is in place to maintain a level playing field among institutions and prevent undue influence or improprieties in the recruiting process.

An unofficial visit is defined as a visit made by a prospective student-athlete to a college campus without the institution's involvement in the arrangement of the visit, which means that any expenses incurred, including food and lodging, must be covered solely by the prospective student-athlete or their family. This ensures that prospective athletes maintain autonomy during their visits and prevents coaches from leveraging additional benefits that could sway a recruit's decision.

The distinction between official and unofficial visits is crucial here; during official visits, institutions can provide certain expenses, but during unofficial visits, they must refrain from engaging in any financial support. This rule is in place to uphold integrity and fairness in the recruiting process.