Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Signing Day Questions
2/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
Feb. 1, 2013
Signing Day Questions
Remember when you were in kindergarten and you would receive those "Do you like me" cards and you'd had to check the yes or no box? Well, recruiting and the handling of the large amounts of recruitment paper work is basically handled the same way. But, instead of "me," they insert the name of the recruit. The person who checks the box is the compliance officer. When signing day comes nearly all of the boxes have already been checked, but like any contract the time and signatures are the final boxes of approval. It seals a binding agreement to a relationship that in some cases started years prior.
After talking with the head of FAU's compliance department, Edward Hayward, the rules were quite simple: don't get paid to play in any form, preserve your amateur status, have over a 2.0 G.P.A., and have a strong test score. While compliance often seems to be the bearer of bad news, but they really are the safeguard against so many of the stories that we read about which knock down athletic departments.
The compliance office has no influence in the recruiting process they simply govern the rules and insure that coaches, boosters and players remain within the NCAA guidelines. "The football department lets us know who is coming. We then help them work through the paperwork and eligibility process. It can take as little as two weeks when all the proper information is put together in advance. But, if there is an `abnormality' (somebody who doesn't meet the requirements), then the process can take up to six months," said Hayward.
Of course, the compliance officer's job never stops. Rules are in place throughout the athlete's career to assure they have a positive experience from the beginning to the completion of their degree and beyond, while keeping the playing field equal. The scope ranges from underage drinking to illegal tweets (yes, even twitter is monitored) and Facebook posts, so it's a 24/7 job.
Though compliance it's a small part of what happens, it's a major one in the life of an athlete. Recruits and coaches can easily check yes in the box while the excitement is high, but the process isn't over until the eligibility process is complete ultimately allowing them to play.
As signing day approaches, this is something important to realize. Signing day is a day of hopes and promises just like your thoughts while writing and passing the elementary school note. The "yes" box is checked but putting the time towards the long-term relationship is what makes it work.
Ginette Javier
> ginette.javier@gmail.com
