Social Media, Mizzou, and the NCAA
Please remember that only coaches and Athletics Department staff members may be involved in the recruiting process. All boosters are prohibited from contacting prospects or members of a prospect's family by any means for the purpose of encouraging the prospect's participation in the University of Missouri's athletics program.
Q. May I email or post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or similar website and try to convince the student to attend the University of Missouri?
A. No, you may not. An athletics representative may not e-mail or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospective student-athlete.
Q. May I create an online group dedicated to convincing or encouraging a prospect to attend Mizzou if the group members do not directly contact the prospect?
A. The NCAA would consider this as recruiting activity by boosters, so this would not be permissible.
Q. What if I do not urge a prospect to come to Mizzou, may I contact them just to tell them about all the great things Mizzou has to offer?
A. No. Once again, this is another form of recruiting.
Q: Who is defined as a prospect?
A: Any individual that has begun classes for the ninth grade. This includes any individual who is currently enrolled in and/or attending courses at a junior college.
Please remember that individuals other than Mizzou coaches should not be contacting prospects, directly or indirectly, in any manner or using any form of communication in an effort to persuade them to attend Mizzou.
Relevant News Articles
- Facebook Wooing Violates NCAA Recruiting Rules (Associated Press)
- Fans' Recruiting Pitches Are Catching On (Washington Post)
- Social Networking Sites and the NCAA (Palm Beach Post)
If you have questions about this information or about NCAA or SEC rules, please contact the Mizzou Athletics Compliance Department at MIZCompliance@missouri.edu. We appreciate your support of Mizzou Athletics and your help in ensuring we operate within NCAA rules and regulations.
