Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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Compliance Corner Signed, Sealed and Delivered Now that the "Early" National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing period has concluded, the Compliance Office would like to provide you with insight as to what it means when a prospective student-athlete (PSA) signs an NLI for your favorite UVa sports team. As you know, in most sports we see prospective student-athletes making non-binding verbal commitments. These commitments can take place at any time up to the point when the prospect is ready to sign the NLI and return it to the institution of their choice. For all sports except football, field hockey, soccer and crosscounty/track, the first signing period occurred November 13-20, 2013. The signing period for football, field hockey, soccer and cross-county/ track does not begin until February 5, 2014. During the recruitment of a PSA, coaches are limited to how often they may call a PSA (typically once per week), how often they can evaluate or contact a PSA (no more than three contacts per prospect in the PSA's senior year) and may only confirm, when asked, if they are recruiting a PSA. Before a PSA signs, NCAA rules specify that UVa may not publicize or comment on a PSA until the NLI and financial aid agreement have been received and verified by the Compliance Office. Once a PSA signs, many of the recruiting limitations are lifted for the signed PSAs. As a result, coaches may have unlimited phone and text communication, unlimited in-person contact and unlimited athletic/academic evaluations (including during a dead period and on the day of a competition) with the signed PSA. Additionally, the publicity legislation is lifted and UVa may announce the PSA's signing and the coaching staff may discuss the signing i3-6.VAF.indd 10 of the PSA, t h e P S A' s ability and the PSA's future contribution to the team. The NLI is a binding agreement between a PSA and UVa. For the NLI to be binding, it must be accompanied by an athletics aid agreement. A PSA not receiving athletics aid is not permitted to sign an NLI. The athletics aid agreement is subject to NCAA rules (either a oneyear athletic scholarship or a multi-year athletic scholarship). When a PSA signs with UVa, he or she agrees to attend the institution full-time for at least one academic year (two semesters). Conversely, UVa agrees to provide athletics financial aid for at least one academic year (two semesters). Once the PSA signs with UVa, other institutions must respect the PSA's NLI signing by ceasing all recruitment. This recruiting ban remains in effect until the PSA enrolls at UVa. Once enrolled, the student-athlete is governed by NCAA recruiting regulations. If the PSA does not enroll at UVa, the recruiting ban will be lifted after the institution's academic year has elapsed (e.g., PSA signs during 2013-14, recruiting ban applies through the end of the 2014-15 academic year). Eric Baumgartner Associate Athletics Director for Compliance 11/5/13 3:57 PM