Article II, Section D

Recruitment Policies in the NAIA

Link to NAIA Bylaws

 

Items 1-4 Recruitment Bylaws

1. Recruitment of an Enrolled Student-Athlete

  • Notification Requirement: Permission to Contact vs. Notification

    • The NAIA does not require a permission to contact. The NAIA institution is simply providing notification that an NAIA student-athlete reached out to discuss transferring. 
    • If a student-athlete from another NAIA institution contacts or is contacted by a coach or representative of a member institution, the contacted institution must notify the student-athlete's current institution in writing within 10 days.
    • Exception: No notification is needed if the student-athlete has a signed release or documentation from their current athletics director allowing recruitment conversations.

  • Responding to Contact:

    • A coach or representative can only respond to a student-athlete's contact after notifying the student's current institution.

    • Who: the athletics director, faculty athletics representative, senior woman leader, athletic compliance administrator or coach of a member institution 

      By Whom: is contacted or becomes aware of contact by an athlete who enrolled at another NAIA institution, 

      What Must Happen: it shall be the responsibility of the contacted institution (athletics director, faculty athletics representative, senior woman leader, or athletic compliance administrator) to notify, in writing, the NAIA institution (athletics director or faculty athletics representative) where the athlete is presently enrolled within 10 days following the first contact. 

      Exception: If an NAIA student-athlete has a signed release or other documentation from their current athletics director permitting the student-athlete to participate in recruiting conversations with other NAIA institutions, written notification is not required to be provided to the student’s current NAIA institution. 

  • Initiating Contact:

    • Contact can be initiated with a student from a non-NAIA institution.
    • Contact cannot be initiated with a student-athlete from another NAIA institution unless the student hasn't been identified with an NAIA institution, drawn equipment, or participated in organized practice within the previous 12 months.

Casebook Example: Closed Institutions and Discontinued Sports:

  • If an NAIA student contacts a coach because their sport or institution will be discontinued or closed in the future, the current institution must still be notified.
Coach-to-Coach Contact Is Not Sufficient

  • Coaches cannot fulfill the notification requirement by contacting the student’s current coach.

  • The bylaw was intentionally written to prevent coach-only communication and promote broader institutional transparency.

  • Notification must come from or be directed to an administrator beyond just the coaching staff.

Notification Requirements – Who Needs It

  • Only NAIA athletes require formal notification when being contacted by another NAIA institution.

  • NCAA student-athletes do not need to be in the transfer portal for contact to occur, and no notification is required for them.

Understanding Releases

  • A "release" for transfer residency is separate from a "release" allowing contact between schools.

  • A contact release is a written statement from the student’s NAIA athletics director, allowing contact with other institutions.

  • If a student has this written approval, no further notification is needed.

Only ADs Can Issue Releases

  • A coach cannot issue or sign a release.

  • Only the athletics director of the student’s current NAIA school has this authority.

Releases Are Optional

  • An NAIA institution is not required to provide a release.

  • Whether or not a release is issued is entirely at the institution’s discretion.

Initiating Contact with Non-NAIA or Former NAIA Athletes

  • NAIA coaches may initiate contact with:

    • Non-NAIA athletes (e.g., NCAA, NJCAA)

    • Former NAIA athletes who:

      • Have not been enrolled at an NAIA school for at least 12 months, and

      • Have not drawn equipment or participated in NAIA practices during that time

Transfer Portal Status Is Not Required

  • A student-athlete does not need to be in the NCAA transfer portal to be contacted by an NAIA coach.

  • NAIA coaches may initiate contact at any time, regardless of transfer portal status.

No Notification Needed for Non-NAIA Athletes

  • NAIA coaches do not need to notify the current institution of a non-NAIA athlete when initiating contact.

  • This includes NCAA, NJCAA, and other non-NAIA institutions.

NAIA Athletes Who Transfer to NCAA

  • Once a student is enrolled at an NCAA institution, they are no longer considered an NAIA athlete.

  • NAIA coaches may initiate contact freely.

Signed Letters of Intent Do Not Restrict Contact

  • The NAIA does not recognize:

    • NCAA letters of intent

    • NAIA school or conference letters of intent

  • Contact restrictions are based on current or former enrollment, not signing status.

 

2. Recruitment of a Non-Enrolled Student

  • Restriction:
    • Coaches or representatives cannot contact athletes who have drawn equipment or are engaged in organized pre-school practice at an NAIA institution.

12-Month Rule for Former NAIA Athletes

  • If a student previously enrolled at an NAIA school but is now unenrolled:

    • The coach must wait 12 months from the last identification or activity (e.g., practice/equipment draw) before initiating contact.

  • This rule helps protect NAIA schools during a student’s break in enrollment, giving them time to assess the student’s return plans.

 

3. Recruitment of a Graduate Student-Athlete

  • Initiating Contact:
    • An NAIA coach or representative may contact an NAIA student-athlete the day after they graduate or complete their undergraduate degree requirements.
    • No written notification is required to the student's undergraduate institution.

Case Example: Recruitment of Enrolled Graduate Student:

  • If a graduate student is currently enrolled and contacts an NAIA school with intent to transfer, notification to the current institution is required.

 

4. Violation and Investigation

  • Any violation of the recruitment policy will result in an immediate investigation by the National Conduct and Ethics Committee for appropriate action.

By adhering to these guidelines, NAIA ensures that recruitment practices remain fair and transparent, protecting the interests of student-athletes and maintaining integrity within intercollegiate athletics.

See this article for recruiting bylaw changes for Summer 2023.