I'll take a page out of the coach I interviewed and submit these rules. I am basing this on the principle that these are supposed to be students participating in extracurricular activities, like the NCAA always tries to claim. I'll admit, by no means is this a perfect list. But what the heck, it's worth a shot. Violate them, see ya:
RECRUITING
1. Players are allowed to have two meetings with assistant coaches and three meetings with head coaches. They can also give/receive five phone calls from a combination of coaches. Coaches (assistant or head coach) can watch an athlete compete 3 times a year, in either high school or AAU. Coaches cannot watch athletes during any practice.
What constitutes a meeting? Saying 'hello' is a meeting. (drastic I know, but a line has to be made).
2. Athletes can make 5 campus visits for a total of two nights per visit. They can meet with potential teammates. They must live on-campus, and eat on-campus food. They can take the same tour that every other student makes. They can meet with head coaches once for one hour during this time (this visit counts towards the limit).
3. Students are allowed to transfer to another school of their choice, while sitting out one year of play, . Coaches are allowed to leave for another school, but must also not coach the team for one year if they are currently under contract. (If this means hiring an interim coach for one year, too bad. Transfer coaches are not allowed to attend practices or games.
COMPENSATION
1. Athletes are to receive scholarships for five years. Scholarships pay for room, board, books, and fees. These scholarships can only be taken away if an athlete is convicted of a crime in a court of law. Athletes can work jobs, at a wage they can negotiate. This must be legitimate employment, with records being kept.
2. Coaches are to be paid no more than each school's president. Coaches must teach an academic class in line with the school's requirements (this can eliminate relatives being hired as 'assistants'. Coaches cannot work more than 60 hours per week, including travel time and class time. (this is for their physical and mental health).
3. Athletes cannot receive any gifts that cost more than $10. (Somebody buys them a beer, that's fine. A car is a no-no).
4. Any money generated by endorsements/sponsorships, must go to the school for use in its general fund. (No more coaches making kids wear sneakers so the coaches can get paid).
STUDENT LIFE:
1. Athletes must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and keep in line with the school's graduation requirements. They must keep with the school's attendance requirements. They must be on course to graduate in five years.
2. Athletes cannot be forced to participate in team practices/meetings for more than 10 hours per week (If it means quarterbacks are drawing plays in the dirt, so be it). Athletes may also volunteer their time for five hours a week. Coaches cannot be present at these five hours. (If you want to train for the Olympics or the NFL, tough ****. You are in school to go to school!).
3. Teams cannot travel to play in any road contests more than 50 miles from campus from Monday through Thursday (too bad, ESPN). Teams cannot make their players miss more than three days of classes in a season for travel. Postseason contests are an exception (I admit for selfish reasons, I love the first two days of the NCAA Tournament).
I'm sure I've missed some stuff. But hey, give me a break, I'm trying to write this while on 5 hours of sleep.
