Recruiting FAQ

RECRUITING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you are interested in becoming a student-athlete at The University of Texas at Dallas (or any other NCAA Division III university), it is important that you realize that the NCAA has very strict rules concerning the recruiting process. These regulations govern what a Division III member institution can and cannot do in evaluating, contacting and arranging for you to continue your athletic career at UT Dallas.

NOTE: Despite the fact that UT Dallas has applied to transition to NCAA Division II, UTD is still operating under Division III regulations until that process is complete.

The NCAA defines a prospective student-athlete as any student who has started classes for the ninth grade. After this point, coaches and athletics representatives are permitted to observe prospective student-athletes in competition for evaluation purposes, and to make contact with prospects through various forms of communication, including but not limited to, email, telephone, mail, test messaging. Only private and direct communication is permissible.

Below is a basic set of important information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which should be helpful in understanding that process.

>>Tell me about The University of Texas at Dallas and its intercollegiate athletic program?

UT Dallas is a public, four-year university located in Richardson, Texas (a suburb in far north Dallas). Widely acclaimed as one of the top academic schools in the state of Texas, UTD offers a wide array of academic majors, but is nationally-recognized for its programs in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Pre-Med and other fields. With an enrollment of approximately 24,500 students (about 15,000 of which are undergraduates), UT Dallas is one of the largest public universities in NCAA Division III.

With 13 different intercollegiate athletic programs, the Comets are perennial powers in almost every sport in the American Southwest Conference, and have sent teams and individuals to the NCAA Division III national playoffs several times.

>>What is NCAA Division III?

Division III is the largest subdivision of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) with more than 450 member institutions. Division III includes a large number of smaller, private institutions; but also includes several larger public universities. The Division III philosophy is that athletics are an important part of the total university experience, but that student-athletes are treated on equal terms with the rest of the student populations.

Because of this philosophy, NCAA Division III institutions are not allowed to award scholarships based solely on athletic ability or participation.

>>So, is there any scholarship money available?

Certainly. Just not athletic scholarships (in Division III). Student-athletes are eligible to apply for and/or compete for the same scholarships, grants and other aid that is available to any other student attending UT Dallas - including merit-based, need-based and departmental scholarships.

For more information on scholarships and other forms of financial aid and other enrollment information, visit the UTD Enrollment Services website (LINK HERE).

>>But I thought ALL college student-athletes received athletic scholarships; or at least the talented ones?

Honestly, the vast majority of college student-athletes receive little or no financial aid from participating in athletics. In most programs, "full-ride" athletic scholarships are limited to a very few, select athletes, mostly in the major sports. NCAA Division I and II programs are allowed a limited numbers of scholarships for their programs, but most universities divide those limited funds between a number of student-athletes, and then rely heavily on non-funded "walk-ons" to fill out their rosters.

Though they receive no athletic scholarship funding, Division III student-athletes are very often just as competitive and skilled as many of those at other levels. It is certainly not a testament to a student-athlete's ability if they are not awarded an athletic scholarship.

>>What type of student-athletes is UT Dallas looking for?

It is important to us that you are a "good fit" for UT Dallas. Because most of our athletic programs are very strong, you can expect a lot of competition for roster spots and playing time in most programs.

Secondly, you MUST be strong academically to be considered for admission to UT Dallas. The admission process is the same for student-athletes as it is for any other applicant. The Athletic Dept. receives no special admission "exceptions," so student-athletes are required to meet the same admissions standards as any other student.

This doesn't, however, mean you have to be an honor graduate with a perfect GPA to even be considered. If you feel you are a strong student who will succeed in college and have relatively good test scores, we encourage you to apply.

>>How do I get started?

To begin the recruiting process, contact the coach for your particular sport via phone or email. You should then navigate to the appropriate team page on this website, and then click on the JOIN THE COMETS subhead at the top of the page. It is important that we will know how to contact you and individuals who have worked with you in the past. Next, send us video (if available) and game schedules so we can come see you play if you are good fit.

Don't wait to begin the application process to the University either. Contact the Enrollment Services office to begin the application process to UT Dallas. Enrollment Services can be contacted online (LINK HERE) or 1-800-889-2443.

When you apply, you will automatically be considered for most scholarships. All applicants who fill out the Texas Common Application are put into the scholarship pool. (Some departmental and specialty scholarships may require a separate application). To begin the qualifying process for need-based financial aid, you will also need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online (LINK HERE).

>>When and how can a coach start "recruiting" me?

The NCAA defines a "recruitable prospective student-athlete" as any student who has begun classes in the ninth grade, but it is more likely a coach will begin seriously begin recruiting you closer to your final year in high school.

There are various NCAA and American Southwest Conference rules that apply to how and when a coach can make contact with an individual prospect. A NCAA Division III coach can contact a prospect at any time during the recruiting process via telephone, mail or email during the process. (Text messaging is no longer permitted by the NCAA). A coach can also communicate with your parents, coaches or other representatives in the same manner. There is no limit on these types of "indirect" communication.

>>So, can a coach come see me play?

Yes. If a coach determines you will be a good fit for the university and their program, they may come see you play in person at games, tournaments or other events. However, by American Southwest Conference rule, a coach cannot make "direct" contact with you or your parents at these off-campus events until AFTER the contest is over and only during your JUNIOR year in high school.

If you are junior in high school or younger, a coach is not permitted to visit with you or your parents in person at an off-campus location (such as a game or tournament). They may come see you play for evaluation purposes, but NCAA rules prohibit direct contact. >When can I come meet the coach and visit the UT Dallas campus? Anytime. The ASC allows only UNOFFICIAL campus visits (campus visits funded by the prospect or their family) anyway. ASC member schools are not permitted to provide transportation, meals or accommodation expenses involved in "official" campus visits. Prospects and their families can make as many self-funded visits to the campus as they want, and at any time during the recruiting process.

If you come to the UT Dallas campus, we can visit with you and your parents in person regardless of your high school classification. It's also a great time to learn more about the University. Contact the coach directly (LINK HERE for contact information) to setup a visit, and you can contact Enrollment Services to arrange for a campus tour, meetings with professors, etc.

>>What about tryouts?

NCAA Division III does NOT allow its member universities to conduct tryouts - on-campus or off-campus - for prospective student-athletes. If another NCAA Division III school invites you for a "tryout," they are very likely in violation of this rule, and your eligibility for future competition could be jeopardized.

>>When do I sign a Letter of Intent & announce my "signing" to the media?

The NCAA permits a high school PSA who has committed to play a sport the opportunity to have a ‘signing day.’ This day can be any day after the PSA has applied and been ACCEPTED to UT Dallas. Per NCAA legislation, UTD coaches are not permitted to be in attendance during a signing nor are we permitted to provide any apparel or equipment items for this event.

Samples of what an appropriate press release might say …
- Player X has decided to continue his/her education and athletic career at the University of Texas at Dallas next season.
- Player X will attend the University of Texas at Dallas to continue their education and athletic career for the Comets after graduation.

Samples of what a press release should NOT say …
- Player X has signed a letter of intent to play Sport X at The University of Texas at Dallas next season.
- Player X has received an athletic scholarship to play Sport X at The University of Texas at Dallas.
- Player X has signed a contract in order to continue their playing career for the The University of Texas at Dallas Comets after graduation.

TRANSFERS:

>>I'm currently attending another university and am considering transferring to UT Dallas. How do I begin that process?

You must first provide the UT Dallas Athletic Department with written notification of your interest and gain permission for our coaches to speak with you. FAX THE APPROPRIATE FORM TO UTD ATHLETICS @ 972-883-4496.

>>If you are attending another Division III institution, transfers must fill out the NCAA SELF-RELEASE FORM and send it to us before an athletic staff member can have any type contact with you about transferring. (The form is available on the NCAA website by linking above.)

- Division I, II or NAIA transfers must obtain an OFFICIAL RELEASE from their current institution, permitting them to have contact with our athletic staff in regards to transferring. The NCAA prohibits any athletic staff member or representative of a university from contacting you about transferring - regardless of who initiates the contact - without first receiving the appropriate permission from your current university. Ask a coach or athletic administrator at your current school to provide you with this form.

Exact eligibility to compete (and actual remaining eligibility) will be determined at the time of enrollment. However, it is required that a student-athlete who transfers MUST BE ACADEMICALLY & ATHLETICALLY ELIGIBLE at the institution they are transferring from in order to compete at another institution.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For any recruiting questions or further clarification, you can contact the NCAA directly at (317) 917-6222. You may also request a copy of the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete free of charge at this number or on the NCAA Web site at www.ncaa.org.

University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

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