What is the permissible distance an institution may entertain a prospective student-athlete during an official visit?

The permissible distance an institution may entertain a prospective student-athlete during an official visit is primarily defined by NCAA regulations, which stipulate that the visit must occur within the confines of a specific area surrounding the institution. The correct answer indicates that the institution can only host a prospective student-athlete within a 30-mile radius of the main campus.

This policy ensures that the recruitment process remains fair and limited to reasonable geographical boundaries, preventing institutions from exerting undue influence by bringing in prospects from far distances. The 30-mile limit is designed to create a more equitable recruitment environment where local student-athletes have access to official visits without being overshadowed by far-reaching recruitment efforts from out-of-state or distant schools.

The other distance options exceed this limit, making them non-compliant with NCAA regulations, which explicitly define the maximum travel distance for official visits to maintain the integrity of the recruitment process.