Women's Soccer recruiting question

[well travelled pony]

Hey fellow Mustangs. I just have a question/wonder? I sent the name and basic info to Assistant Coach Megan Surrency regarding a daughter of a coworker who will be a high school senior this fall. Now first, I have NEVER spoken with my friend or his daughter about going to SMU. (Though all now my deep love for the Ponies.) She has been sent letters by penn st., washington st., kentucky, and uc irvine. I thought maybe SMU ought to now about her. The response I got was a bit odd.

" and based on the NCAA's rules I am not comfortable contacting her regarding her interest to SMU because I do not know her age and therefore the conditions surrounding communication at this point. If she is interested in contacting us with her player bio, I am happy to hear from her!"

I know the school cannot speak with me about her recruitment, but this quote stunned me. What are thoughts. From looking at the guidelines, I as an alum, have been very careful not to speak with the girl or my friend about going to SMU. Based on what I told the Coach, why would she be so hesitant? I feel like SMU is missing out on a great person. Again, thoughts??

Go Ponies!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

First of all, I am far from an expert on the recruiting rules, contact periods, etc.

As for why the response from Meagan seemed "odd", I would guess SMU compliance has provided the coaches some sort of form response to make sure any contact from alumni about friends is handled in a way that keeps SMU from any potential trouble.

If she has interest from Penn State, she must be pretty decent.

Of course, this probably isn't the best time to try to make something happen at SMU with the women's soccer program since the coaching situation is in flux, but in general it does seem like there should be some sort of way for alumni to legally be an extra set of eyes out there for the coaches in all sports.

Maybe some others have examples of how to do this properly?

[redpony]

I also think that response is odd. Over a year ago I sent an email to one of the 'non-rev' sports coaches about my granddaughter. The coach responded almost immediately and said they were very aware of her and had been in contact with her. Both myself and her grandmother are alums. I would be hard pressed to believe that I had committed a 'recruiting' violation by suggesting that the coach contact her. JMHO

[mrydel]

They are questioning her age. They cannot contact kids under certain ages until certain specified times. Just have tell the girl to send a note of interest to the SMU coaches. That would not be a violation.

[soccermom]

If she has a highlight video she should send it to the coach (the new one).

[well travelled pony]

Thanks to all. I did relay the fact she is a junior, about to become a senior. After all, other programs are contacting , so that should also say age is a non-issue. Yes, she could send a video, but why? She doesn't have to chase a school, they are chasing her. Oh well, just thought it would be cool. SMU's loss in my book.

And yea Dan, she is more than pretty decent, plus great grades to boot.

Go Ponies!

[soccermom]

Sadly, this won't be the first loss of a great player to our program because of non action.....which is why I hope we get a REAL coach for our girls.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I got the impression from the original post the player and family didn't know anything about SMU and the poster was hoping to have SMU contact her - which is a totally different situation.

Obviously, SMU can only contact at certain times and in certain situations, but if the girl is interested in SMU and the coaching staff just ignores it then I would have a MAJOR problem with the situation.

[PoconoPony]

I got the impression from the original post the player and family didn't know anything about SMU and the poster was hoping to have SMU contact her - which is a totally different situation.

Obviously, SMU can only contact at certain times and in certain situations, but if the girl is interested in SMU and the coaching staff just ignores it then I would have a MAJOR problem with the situation.

If there are any questions, have the athlete go to the SMUMustangs web site and find the prospective athlete questionare that can be filled out online and submitted directly to the coach. There are no rules violations for and alums/boosters to send information directly to any coach so long as that alum/booster does not initiate contact with the athlete. The only time this gets sticky is where the athlete's coach, neighbor, co-worker is an alum/booster Each sport has differenct NCAA guidelines regarding ages for contact, types of contact allowed and calendar time frames in which personal contact can be initiated. Remember that any athlete can contact any coach at any time if they are on campus. In this case, I would have the athlete take a visit to SMU and request a contact with a coach.

[PoconoPony]

Just remembered that PP posted the do and do not guidelines right here supra. ( Recruiting section ) captioned, Guidelines for Boosters and Interaction with Recruits" dated November 8, 2011.

[well travelled pony]

Still time for SMU. She graduates in 2015. Currently ranked #13 player in southern Cal.

Go Ponies!

[well travelled pony]

Again. I haven't spoken with the family, but my friends daughter just got another letter. This time from Penn. Boy I would love SMU to look this kid up.

Go Ponies!!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Just curious if you have attempted to contact the new coaching staff in any way?