University of Texas at Dallas Athletics

The University of Texas at Dallas Athletic Department is committed to sportsmanship and integrity in all areas of college life. UTD Athletics adheres to the rules and regulations of NCAA Division III, the American Southwest Conference and all other governing bodies. As a result, the UTD Athletic Department expects compliance with all rules and regulations from all student-athletes, coaches, staff members and all other interests. Violations of these rules and regulations may result in the loss of eligibility to participate for a student-athlete, as well as sanctions against the Athletics Department or institution by the NCAA.

Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.
 

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>>Division III athletics offers student-athletes the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals who successfully integrate athletics and academics. Student-athletes are integrated into the student body, and they experience the full range of college life.

·       >>Division III athletics departments place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators. The student-athlete's experience is of paramount concern.

·       >>Division III athletics feature athletes who receive no financial aid related to their athletic skills and athletic departments that are staffed and funded like any other department in the university.

·       >>Division III athletics encourages the development of sportsmanship and positive social attitudes. Coaches and players treat each other with respect, and administrators work to foster a positive competitive environment.

·       >>Division III athletics is committed to providing equitable athletics opportunities for both genders and gives equal emphasis to men's and women's sports.

·       >>Division III athletics encourages participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities available to student-athletes, placing primary emphasis on regional in-season and conference competition.  

DIRECT RECRUITING CONTACT 
Freshmen Prospective Student-Athlete: contact cannot be made with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians until the prospect has completed their sophomore year of high school.

Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athlete: athletic staff members and/or coaches at NCAA member institutions may not contact – directly or indirectly – student-athletes at other four-year institutions without first obtaining written permission to do so, regardless of who makes the first contact. (Exception:  A member institution may contact a student-athlete who has withdrawn officially from a four-year collegiate institution.)

Prospective student-athletes may make the initial contact with a member institution at any time.

CAMPUS VISITS: A prospective student-athlete may visit a member institution’s camps at his or her own expense an unlimited number of times, and at any time during his or her recruiting eligibility. This is defined as an unofficial visit, and is the only type of campus visit permitted by American Southwest Conference by-laws.

During an unofficial visit, the member institution is limited to providing a prospect with a meal in the campus dining facility and housing in the campus residence facilities (as long as those amenities are available to all prospective students visiting the campus). The institution may not provide transportation or other expenses.

TRYOUTS: A member institution, on its campus or elsewhere, shall NOT conduct (or have conducted on its behalf) any physical activity (e.g., practice session or test/tryout) at which one or more prospects reveal, demonstrate or display their athletics abilities in any sport.  

CELEBRATORY LETTER: 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 in any way during a signing nor are we permitted to provide any apparel or equipment items for this event.

BOOSTER INVOLVEMENT: Many of the recruiting restrictions placed on member institution athletics staff members and coaches also apply to athletic program supporters (“boosters”). Student-athletes may not receive anything that might be considered an “extra benefit” (employment, financial assistance, entertainment and meals, etc.) that is not also available to the general student population.

ENROLLMENT: To be eligible to represent The University of Texas at Dallas in intercollegiate athletics competition, student-athletes must be enrolled full-time (12 semester hours as an undergraduate; 9 hours as a graduate student) and be academically eligible (2.0 grade point average as an undergraduate; 3.0 as a graduate student). (Exception: A student-athlete in their final semester prior to graduation may be enrolled less than full-time only if those hours are required to complete their degree). Dropping or withdrawing from a class during the season can affect eligibility if a student-athlete’s class load drops below the full-time minimum.

10-SEMESTER/15-QUARTER RULE: A student-athlete shall complete his/her four seasons of participation during the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters after enrolling in a full-time college program (defined as 12 or more hours for undergraduate students). NOTE:  A student-athlete is considered to have used a semester or quarter under this rule when the student attends any class while officially registered, even if the student-athlete drops to part-time status at any time during the term, including his/her first day of attendance.

A student-athlete is considered to have used a season of eligibility when he/she practices with the team after the team’s first contest.

TRANSFER STUDENTS: There are specific NCAA requirements and paperwork governing the eligibility of student-athletes who wish to transfer from other institutions and become immediately eligible to participate at UTD. Transfer prospects should first contact the appropriate coach, who will guide the student-athlete through the appropriate process (including eligibility requirements, release forms from the previous institution, etc.)

EXTRA BENEFIT – An extra benefit is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relative or friend with a benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA, or generally available to all students at the institution.

TRADITIONAL/NON-TRADITIONAL SEASON – The traditional playing season for a particular sport is the period of time between the date of the institution’s first officially recognized practice session and the date of the last practice session or completion of the NCAA Championship in that sport. The remaining portion of the playing season shall be known as the “non-traditional” season.

ATHLETICALLY-RELATED ACTIVITIES: The playing season is the only time within which a member institution is permitted to conduct athletically-related activities such as practice, field/floor/on court activity, setting up offensive / defensive alignment, chalk talks, lecture or discussion of strategy related to the sport, activities using equipment related to the sport, viewing game films, competition, required weight training and conditioning activities held at the direction of or supervised by an institutional staff member.

REQUIRED OFF DAYS – During the playing season, all student-athletes must be given at least one calendar day each week off from all athletically-related activities, except during NCAA Championships or periods when class is not in session.

NON-TRADITIONAL SEASON WORKOUTS -  Workouts should be conducted no more than 4 days/week with coaching staff. All athletically-related activities outside of the approved number of weeks shall be considered “voluntary” by the student-athlete.

VOLUNTARY ATHLETICALLY-RELATED ACTIVITIES – In order for an athletically-related activity to be considered “voluntary,” the activity must be initiated solely by the student-athlete, attendance and participation in the activity must not be recorded, the student-athlete must not be required to report back to the coach any information related to the activity, and the student-athlete may not be subject to any penalty for non-participation.