During an unofficial visit, which type of transportation can an institution provide to a prospective student-athlete?

An institution is allowed to provide transportation to a prospective student-athlete during an unofficial visit for specific purposes that support the athlete's experience with the program. This includes transportation to off-campus practices and local contests, as these activities help the athlete understand the team's dynamics and gain firsthand experience with the program’s competitive environment.

Local contests are particularly relevant as they could showcase the competitiveness of the program and its athletes, while off-campus practices can give insights into the coaching style and the team's operation in practice settings. This transportation is allowed as long as it is arranged in a way that complies with NCAA rules regarding unofficial visits, which are less restrictive than official visits.

Transportation from home to the institution, however, is not permitted during unofficial visits. This type of transportation could provide an unfair advantage as it could be construed as a recruiting inducement, which is why it is restricted. Therefore, the correct answer encapsulates the allowable types of transportation during such visits, highlighting the balance between supporting prospective student-athletes' experiences and adhering to NCAA regulations.