NCAA Triathlon for Athletes

Division I's non-contact period is the Monday through Thursday of the fall signing period's initial week (the first week in the fall when recruits may sign National Letters of Intent).

DI coaches can send athletes nonrecruiting material like recruiting questionnaires, camp brochures, and non-athletic institutional publications at any time. Serious recruiting contact begins either June 15 after an athlete's sophomore year of high school or September 1 of junior year, depending on the sport and division level.

Division II's non-contact period is during the 48 hours prior to 7 a.m. on the first possible date to sign a National Letter of Intent (7 a.m. on Nov. 6 to 7 a.m. on Nov. 8 in 2023).

The NCAA Recruiting Rules for Division II schools are slightly more relaxed than those for Division I, and the rules are the same across all sports:

• Non-recruiting materials: Athletes can receive brochures for camps, questionnaires, NCAA materials and non-athletic recruiting publications at any time.
• Printed recruiting materials: Starting July 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year, coaches can begin sending recruits printed recruiting materials.
• Telephone calls: Starting June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year, coaches can start calling athletes.
• Off-campus contact: Coaches can conduct off-campus communications with athletes and/or their parents starting June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year.
• Unofficial visits: Athletes can take unofficial visits at any time.
• Official visits: Athletes may start taking official visits starting June 15 after an athlete’s sophomore year.

Division III schools have the most relaxed NCAA recruiting rules of all the division levels. Similar to Division II, they are the same for all sports:

• Recruiting materials: Athletes can receive recruiting materials at any time.
• Telephone calls: There is no limit on when college coaches can call athletes.
• Digital communications: There is no limit on when college coaches can contact athletes digitally.
• Off-campus contact: After the athlete’s sophomore year, college coaches may begin to conduct off-campus communications.
• Official visits: Athletes can begin taking official visits after January 1 of their junior year.
• Unofficial visits: Athletes can make an unlimited number of unofficial visits at any time.

Student-athletes are allowed to compete in multiple varsity sports. Prospective student-athletes should understand the recruiting rules for each respective sport you wish to participate in.

It is also important to understand the NCAA rules associated with competing in multiple sports. You will need to work closely with each respective sport’s coach as well as your institution’s compliance department to ensure all parties are in agreement and compliance.

Student-athletes may compete for non-NCAA amateur teams depending on the time of year.

Competing for an amateur team other than your NCAA team during the NCAA season is not allowed and renders the student-athlete ineligible for the remainder of the NCAA season. '

Outside of the season, there are no restrictions on competing for another amateur club. Athletes may even compete with NCAA teammates during the summer.

With the institution of NCAA Triathlon, both prospective and current student-athletes must follow NCAA legislation for each respective division, whether they are a current student-athlete or a prospective student-athlete for participation in an institution’s Women’s Triathlon program. Each division has a published NCAA Manual that you may use to inquire about any questions you may have regarding all NCAA topics including

1. Article 12: Amateurism
2. Article 13: Recruiting
3. Article 14: Eligibility: Academic and General Requirements
4. Article 15: Financial Aid
5. Article 16: Awards, benefits and Expenses for Enrolled Student-Athletes
   1. Also provides information for prospective student-athletes

Actual and Necessary Expenses

NCAA legislation often references the term “exceeds actual and necessary expenses” when determining the permissibility of what a current and prospective student-athlete can receive.

Actual and necessary expenses are limited to

1. Meals
2. Lodging
3. Apparel, equipment and supplies
4. Coaching and instruction
5. Health/medical insurance
6. Transportation involving the sporting event and training
7. Medical treatment and physical therapy
8. Entry fees
9. Facility usage
10. Other reasonable expenses

Actual and necessary expenses are computed on a full calendar year.

How are “actual and necessary expenses” applied to prizes I may have received?

Actual and necessary expenses are computed on a full calendar year. Therefore, all prize money and items may not exceed the above actual and necessary expenses for a full calendar year of competition and training.

Per NCAA legislation, a student-athlete may not receive any extra benefit. The term “extra benefit” refers to anything that a student-athlete (or his relatives or friends) receives from the Institution or the Institution’s representatives that is not available to the general student body, unless NCAA rules specifically permit a particular benefit.

1. A student-athlete may not receive extra benefits or services, including, but not limited to
2. A loan of money
3. A guarantee of bond
4. An automobile or the use of an automobile
5. Transportation, except permitted by Bylaw 16.9.1, even if the student-athlete reimburses the institution or the staff member for the appropriate amount of the gas or expense
6. Signing or co-signing a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan

Nonpermissible benefits are explained in Bylaw 16.11.2

Mental Health in Women's Triathlon