Can a coach recruit during the contact period if they are evaluating an athlete at a non-school event?

A coach cannot recruit during the contact period while evaluating an athlete at a non-school event. The contact period is defined as a specific timeframe when coaches are allowed to have in-person contact with recruits, but this permission is typically limited to certain venues and contexts, primarily pertaining to school-sanctioned events. Non-school events do not fall within the guidelines that allow for recruitment activities.

Even if the coach is attending a non-school event to evaluate talent, engaging in recruiting activities—such as directly communicating with or attempting to influence the athlete regarding their college choice—would violate NCAA recruiting regulations. Therefore, when a coach is at an event that does not have a school affiliation, they must refrain from any recruiting interactions, ensuring compliance with NCAA rules designed to maintain fair recruiting practices and preserve the integrity of the recruitment process.