Buckeye Insider – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | General
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%^$%^$”I have decided to become a Buckeye” are words that The Ohio State University Athletic Department staff members and alumni love to hear. Once prospective student-athletes make such a decision, coaches urge them to “sign” with the particular institution at the earliest time permitted. Prospective student-athletes have an opportunity to sign an official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association known as the National Letter of Intent. According to NCAA Bylaw 13.02.8, this document is utilized by subscribing member institutions to establish the commitment of a prospective student-athlete to attend a particular institution. In addition to the National Letter of Intent, prospective student-athletes must also sign a written document stating the amount and duration of athletics financial aid they will receive during their first academic year.%^$
%^$The following contains a list of signing dates for different sports as well as several questions regarding the National Letter of Intent.%^$
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| Sport | Initial Signing Date | Final Signing Date |
| Basketball (Early Period) | November 14, 2001 | November 21, 2001 |
| Basketball (Late Period) | April 10, 2002 | May 15, 2002 |
| Football (Midyear JC Transfer) | December 19, 2001 | January 15, 2002 |
| Football (Regular Period) | February 6, 2002 | April 1, 2002 |
| Field Hockey, Soccer, M Water Polo | February 6, 2002 | August 1, 2002 |
| All Other Sports (Early Period) | November 14, 2001 | November 21, 2001 |
| All Other Sports (Late Period) | April 10, 2002 | August 1, 2002 |
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%^$Q. When is the permissible time period for signing a National Letter of Intent?
%^$A. A prospective student-athlete may sign a National Letter of Intent only during the designated signing period. During the signing period, the prospective student-athlete and her parent or legal guardian must sign the National Letter Intent within 14 days of issuance and mail it back to the institution.%^$
%^$Q. What happens when a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent outside the signing period?
%^$A. If a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent outside the appropriate signing period, the National Letter of Intent shall be considered null and void.%^$
%^$Q. Who signs a National Letter of Intent?
%^$A. Generally, only prospective student-athletes who are enrolling in a four-year institution for the first time sign a National Letter of Intent. Student-athletes who start their academic career at a four-year institution and then transfer to a junior college may also sign a National Letter of Intent if they plan on entering a second four-year institution.%^$
%^$Q. By signing a National Letter of Intent, is a prospective student-athlete guaranteed an athletic scholarship for four years and playing time on the team?
%^$A. No. The National Letter of Intent guarantees a one-year grant-in-aid that is renewable every year there after. Signing a National Letter of Intent also does not guarantee a prospective student-athlete playing time or a spot on the team.%^$
%^$Q. Does a prospective student-athlete sign a National Letter of Intent every year?
%^$A. No. A student-athlete only signs an NLI when he initially enrolls in a four-year institution. However NCAA rules do require an institution to notify their student-athletes each year whether the student-athletes’ athletics grant-in-aid has been renewed.%^$
%^$Q. What happens if a prospective student-athlete changes her mind about attending the institution with which she signed and wants to attend another National Letter of Intent institution?
%^$A. If a student-athlete does not attend the institution with which she signed for at least one academic year or if the student-athlete does not otherwise satisfy the terms of the National Letter of Intent Program, the student-athlete will lose two years of eligibility at the next National Letter of Intent institution she attends and must sit two years in residence at that school.%^$
%^$Q. Is a National Letter of Intent binding if the coach that signed a prospective student-athlete leaves the institution to take another position?
%^$A. Yes. When a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent with an institution, it is considered valid even if the coach that recruited the prospective student-athlete leaves the institution. When a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent he or she makes a commitment to an institution, not with a coach or a specific team.%^$
%^$Q. May a coach be present when a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent off-campus?
%^$A. No. A coach cannot be present when a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent off-campus. Pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 13.1.6.2, any in-person, off-campus contact made with a prospect for the purpose of signing a National Letter of Intent or attendance at activities related to the signing of the National Letter of Intent is prohibited. In addition, institutional staff members are prohibited from personal contact with the media representatives at the site of the signing or at any other prearranged site when a prospective student-athlete accepts an offer made by the institution.%^$
%^$Q. When may a coaching staff member comment about a prospective student-athlete to the media?
%^$A. An institution may make a one time announcement on the institution’s campus for the sole purpose of presenting to the media the names of all prospective student-athletes who have accepted offers of admission and/or athletically related aid in a particular sport from that institution. No prospects (or their friends or relatives) may be in attendance at this announcement.%^$
%^$Q. Once a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent may he be recruited by other institutions?
%^$A. Once a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent, all other participating conferences and institutions are obligated to cease recruiting the individual. Accordingly, the prospective student-athlete has an obligation to notify any recruiter from a National Letter of Intent institution of the fact that he has signed a National Letter of Intent.%^$
%^$Please remember that the above information only briefly addresses the issues concerning National Letters of Intent and is not an exhaustive discussion. For questions or to receive more information, please contact Heather Lyke, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at (614) 292-2681.
