A conferences has the right to either approve or disapprove this extra money.
In an attempt to put a bandage over the recruiting fiasco, the NCAA "revamps" the Men's Basketball recruiting model.
Coaches are now allowed to contact recruits whenever, wherever, at any time under the new recruiting model listed today. Coaches are still not allowed to comment publically about a recruit on social media due to the rule about publicizing recruiting efforts as noted in the report.
The NCAA also restored two weekends in April for recruiting evaluations. That is what many coaches and media members argued for and that will certainly give them extra time to see kids and make better judgments while evaluating.
More changes by the NCAA:
- July will be trimmed to three four day periods instead of the previous two 10 day periods.
- Juniors in High School are allowed to take official visit after January 1st with the travel expenses being covered by the institution.
- Permitting some contact at a prospect's high school during the junior year with an evaluation with some restrictions and requirements
- On campus evaluations while on official visits.
The new recruiting rules will be in effect by August 1, 2012. In April 2012, coaches will be permitted to evaluate kids on two weekends other than the Final Four, Standardized Test weekends or Easter weekend. Coaches will also see a change in the July calendar starting July 2012.
I have to say that I agree with where the NCAA is headed with the new rules and regulations. The college game had seen many transfers over the past few years and it was a great time for the new regulations to be put intact.
This will help college coaches properly evaluate a prospective student-athlete thoroughly before and during the summer circuit.
Here's some of what my Twitter followers had to say about the recent changes:
@TheDanMyers said: $38.46 per week won't end the dirty behind the scenes business. Just my thoughts...
@Collin_OConnor said: Like it, definitely a step in the right direction, but still isn't really going to solve anything, IMO.
@Lackey9133 said: Most players get free room, board & education anyway. So what is the 2K really for?
@SaltLakeMetro said: April opening is good. Unlimited texting is bad. Restricted July leans towards bad. Official visits Jr. year great.
Now, as I stand to agree with most, I feel like this is going in a great direction but it doesn't help much. Back in the day, athletes were granted $15 dollars a week. Now it's just a shade under $40. That still isn't going to stop "runners" and "street agents" from getting their hands on potential prospects.
However, I think the biggest help came from the unlimited contact rule. Before, there were very strict contact rules that were enforced by the NCAA. Coaches weren't always allowed to contact recruits whenever they wanted and they were forced to exercise alternative options.
Most coaches started to gain relationships with many other people in direct contact with the respective athlete. Now that the unlimited contact rule is intact, coaches will now be allowed to skip the middle man and speak with the recruit himself.
In all, I feel like the new model of college basketball recruiting helps more than it hurts. We lost days in July but added pivotal weekends in April. Also added the unlimited contact rule, which could erase the middle man.
More importantly, allowing recruits to take official visits during their junior year. It will certainly allow them a chance to get a better feel for campus life, build relationships with coaches, and ultimately, prevent a recruit from changing his mind consistently on which school he wants to attend.
