University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Future Bruins
UCLA continues to lead the nation in NCAA titles, winning #113 at the end of 2015. UCLA was recognized by the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) Conference as the No. 1 overall Collegiate Athletic Program of the 20th Century. No school can match UCLA’s overall athletic success. Transitioning from high school to a collegiate level athletics atmosphere such as ours is both exciting and challenging. Therefore it is our job to make sure that you understand the NCAA rules governing prospective student-athletes.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding prospect status:
Who qualifies to be a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete is a high school student who has begun the ninth grade, regardless of whether they participate in athletics.
What is amateur status, why is it important, and how do I know if I have it?
An amateur is someone who competes in their sport without pay. The NCAA only allows amateurs to compete in intercollegiate competition. Every individual is an amateur in their sport until he or she:
(a) Uses his or her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport;
(b) Accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;
(c) Signs a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received, except at permitted in Bylaw 12.2.5.1;
(d) Receives, directly or indirectly, a salary reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based on athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations;
(e) Competes on any professional athletics team per Bylaw 12.02.8, even if no pay or remuneration for expenses was received, except as permitted in Bylaw 12.2.3.2.1;
(f) After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, enters into a professional draft
(g) Enters into an agreement with an agent.
When do I need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
All students who wish to compete in NCAA Division I athletics should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the beginning of their junior year of high school. You may register here to have your academic and amateur credentials certified.
When can I visit UCLA’s Campus?
There are two types of permissible campus visits:
1. Unofficial Visit: A visit made at the prospective student-athlete’s own expense can be taken at any time. There are no limits on the number of unofficial visits a prospect may take.
2. Official (Paid) Visit: In sports other than basketball, a prospective student-athlete may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than the opening day of classes of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year in high school. A visit can be no longer than 48 hours, and each prospect is limited to a total of 5 official visits (one per university).
*Note about Dead Periods: A dead period is a period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluation on or off the institution’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes.
Am I allowed to contact a coach via telephone?
Yes, institutional staff members may receive telephone calls placed by a prospective student-athlete at the prospective student-athlete’s own expense at any time, including before the permissible date in the prospective student-athlete’s sport.
Are coaches allowed to call me back?
Coaches can call you back after the permissible date in your sport:
o Men’s Basketball: June 15th following sophomore year
o Football: September 1st of senior year in high school (Exception: one call is permitted between April1 5 and May 31 of a prospect’s junior year in HS)
o Swimming & Diving, and Track & Field/Cross Country: July 1 following junior year
o All Other Sports: September 1 of junior year
For more information about the recruiting process, please visit UCLA Recruiting.
For general information about freshman eligibility requirements, recruiting rules, college transfer rules, and to order free brochures, call the NCAA hotline at 1-800-638-3731.
To speak with a member of the NCAA staff regarding a specific eligibility or recruiting situation, you can contact the NCAA Membership Services Department at 913-339-1906.