NCAA Recruiting ‘Dead Period’ Extended Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

SALT LAKE CITY – We now know the one thing that can slow down the machine that is NCAA recruiting and that is a global pandemic.

The NCAA announced on Wednesday that the “Dead Period” for Division 1 and Division II athletic departments has been extended from April 15th to May 31st.

Division I, Division II extends their recruiting dead periods: pic.twitter.com/aIC7WUTg3p

— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) April 1, 2020

From the NCAA release, “The Division I Council Coordination Committee and the Division II Administrative Committee extended the recruiting dead period through May 31. The committees will continue to be guided by experts to determine whether the date needs to be extended.”

What is an NCAA recruiting “Dead Period?”

During a dead period, a college coach may not have face-to-face contact with college-bound student-athletes or their parents, and may not watch student-athletes compete or visit their high schools. Coaches may write and telephone student-athletes or their parents during a dead period.

The impact of a “Dead Period” on college athletics

This extended “Dead Period” has a large impact on the NCAA’s biggest sports in football and basketball. With football, the spring evaluation period usually takes place from April 15th to May 31st and it’s a critical portion of the recruiting calendar in helping programs shape their recruiting classes and discovering student-athletes that warrant scholarship offers.

One of the biggest impacts of the NCAA recruiting dead period being extended is that it cancels out spring evaluation periods for both football and basketball.

Tough times for student-athletes in this 2021 recruiting cycle. @kslsports https://t.co/X4csfecmFe

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) April 1, 2020

For basketball, the traditional signing day is set for April 15th. This extended dead period has caused programs to not be able to host recruits on official visits and have in-person visits. With the dead period now going out to May 31st, like football, it cancels out basketball’s spring evaluation period as well.

Programs will now have to communicate to recruits via text, social media, edits on social media platforms and Zoom teleconferences as another option.

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.