PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

A prospective student-athlete is another term for a recruit. Any student, regardless of whether they are participating in athletics, who has entered the ninth grade of high school, is deemed a prospective student-athlete.

The NCAA Eligibility Center determines the academic eligibility of high school students as they enter college for their freshman year. In addition, the Eligibility Center determines and ensures any student (high school and junior college transfer) who is going to enter a four-year institution is an amateur student-athlete.

More information regarding the NCAA Eligibility Center can be found here.

High school students who have entered their second semester of their junior year should begin the registration process with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Once registered, you should have your high school send an up-to-date transcript to the Eligibility Center, along with ACT/SAT test scores from the testing agencies. The Eligibility Center will provide you with a preliminary evaluation of your eligibility status. You are unable to come to Washington State University on an official visit until you have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Per NCAA regulations, coaches are not permitted to call prospective student-athletes until July 1 following completion of the prospect's junior year in high school. However, a high school student may call a coach at any time, regardless of their year in high school. Although a coach may not be able to return the call, prospects may call at their own expense at any time.

The sports of football, men's basketball, and women's basketball allow for additional phone calls; however, the numbers of calls are determined by the prospect's year in high school.

As of August 1, 2007, NCAA regulations do not allow coaches to text prospective student-athletes. Coaches are allowed to email prospective student-athletes on/after September 1 of a prospect's junior year in high school. (In men's basketball, a coach may email a prospect on June 15 following a prospect's sophomore year.)

High school students are welcome to visit Washington State University and the Department of Athletics. However, there are certain dates throughout the year that coaches and other athletics staff members are not able to have contact with prospects. These dates are called Dead Periods and often surround National Letter of Intent signing periods and sports championships. Please contact the coaching staff of your particular sport prior to arriving to campus to ensure you and the coaches may have contact.

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