Is participation in open events considered a step towards formal recruitment?

Participation in open events is generally viewed as a separate entity from formal recruitment processes. Open events, such as camps or showcases, allow athletes to demonstrate their skills and abilities in front of coaches and recruiters, but these interactions do not formally initiate the recruitment process. Instead, they serve to provide exposure and can help athletes gain visibility.

Formal recruitment involves a series of specific, regulated steps governed by NCAA rules, which include communications and visits between coaches and athletes, and these steps come into play after initial evaluations may take place. While participation in open events might lead to interest from coaches, it does not constitute formal recruitment since the official processes have not commenced.