Information for Prospective Student-Athletes, Parents, and High School Personnel
This website has been set up to help educate prospective student-athletes about what they need to do and what they need to refrain from doing before they can be eligible to compete for Samford University. This information may not cover every question that arises. It is designed to give a general description and hopefully to answer some specific questions. If you have any doubt as to what is acceptable, contact the Samford Athletic Compliance Office.
IMPORTANT TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
Prospective Student-Athlete
Any student who has entered the ninth grade.
Official Visit
A visit to a college campus paid in whole or in part by the college. Official visits can be no longer than 48 hours. A prospective student-athlete is limited to 5 official visits. (one per university)
Unofficial Visit
A visit made to a college campus at the prospect's expense. The college may provide free tickets to an on-campus athletics event in which the college team competes. Transportation to view off-campus practice or competition sites within 30-mile radius are also allowable. There is no limit on the number of unofficial visits a prospect can make.
National Letter of Intent
Official documentation administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used by universities to establish a prospect's commitment to attend a certain university.
Recruiting Contact
Any face-to-face, off-campus encounter between a prospect, prospect's parents (or legal guardian) or relative and a college staff employee or athletics representative; if the conversation goes beyond a greeting.\
Recruiting Evaluation
Any off-campus activity designed to assess a prospect's academic qualifications or athletic ability. (Reviewing transcripts on the high school campus or watching practices / games)
Please note that coaches are NOT allowed to call or return your calls until after July 1st (except football and basketball) prior to your senior year in high school. However, you are allowed to call the coaches at any time. If a prospective student-athlete writes a letter or emails a coach, the coach is not allowed to reply to you until September 1 of your junior year in high school.
Those who are freshmen or sophomores in high school are permitted to contact the admissions office for information regarding Samford University and its academic programs. See the Samford University Admissions link below.
Samford University Admissions
• Educational Expenses, Prep School or High School Tuition Payments
• NCAA Eligibility Center
• NCAA Graduation Rates
• NCAA Drug Testing
• Helpful Hints for the ACT/SAT
o ACT
o SAT
o New Changes In The ACT/SAT
Transfer Eligibility
• Two-Year College Transfer
• Four-Year College Transfer
WARNING: If you are a student-athlete enrolled at another four-year institution or if you have been enrolled at another four-year institution in the last year (Division I, II, or III), NCAA rules and regulations strictly prohibit coaches (or athletics staff members) from having any communication* with you, directly or indirectly, until that first institution grants our institution permission to contact you. You may obtain this permission to contact from the athletic compliance office or the director of athletics at your current or previous institution. Once you obtain this release, you may fax the release to the Samford University Director of Compliance at (205) 726-4244. Once the release is obtained from your current or previous institution, then Samford coaches will be able to contact you. In sports other than football and basketball, four-year college transfer students should request a release to be immediately eligible to compete before transferring to the Samford University. *Types of communication include via email, phone or written form.
