With the proliferation of social media, and the ease of access to prospective and current student-athletes, the internet has provided the opportunity for ’Canes fans and supporters from all over the world to communicate with each other in ways not possible before. Familiarize yourself with regulations regarding the internet, which are particularly important for all ’Canes to know when it comes to prospective student-athletes.
Boosters and ’Canes fans are not permitted to use social networking websites—such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram—to contact or otherwise attempt to correspond with prospective student-athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, posting on a wall, using the inbox/email feature, instant messaging, "@replies", "mentions", or direct messaging. However, boosters and ’Canes fans may permissibly take actions—including “like,” “favorite,” and republish—on social media that indicate approval of content that was generated by a prospective student-athlete.
As electronic communication technology continues to advance, the opportunity for the supporters of an athletics program to have impermissible contact with a prospect or that prospect's family is greatly increased. But, the institution’s responsibility for managing or limiting that contact remains the same.
Off-campus and in-person recruiting may only be completed by the University’s certified coaching staff members. Boosters should not contact any prospective student-athletes or their family members in an attempt to solicit their commitment to the University. If you are aware of a prospect that you feel would benefit the University’s athletics program, contact the Athletics Department to make the recommendation and notify coaches who are certified and permitted to contact a prospect. Let’s leave the recruiting to University coaches.
’Canes fans and supporters who have access to the type of social media sites described above can assist the University in following the guidelines that govern those sites. For more information about NCAA or ACC rules, contact University of Miami Athletics at athleticscompliance@miami.edu or 305-284-2692.
Read more compliance reminders.
