National SAAC Says Text Messaging Has No Place in Recruiting

The NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee supported the Centennial Conference's proposal that would eliminate informal methods of communication between coaches and prospective student-athletes at its July 19-22 meeting.

While the SAAC was concerned about the costs incurred by prospective student-athletes related to text messaging, the committee also believes the use text messaging, instant messaging and social networking sites are invasive forms of recruiting.

“It’s impersonal and intrusive,” said committee Chair Sameer Khan, a former golf student-athlete at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Florham. “With the traditional form of recruiting, prospects weren’t bothered at all hours of the day. Text messaging makes them accessible all the time and we don’t agree with that philosophy.”

The committee also asserted that Division III shouldn’t be in the habit of recruiting in such an informal manner — institutions of higher education should be held to a higher communication standard.

Read more in the NCAA News