Important Notes on basketball recruiting

At the University of Illinois, we strive to recruit the nation’s best and brightest student-athletes. Not only do we evaluate a prospect’s skill level, but also their intangibles: work ethic, attitude, teamwork, and demeanor on the floor. We look for coachable, hard-working players who want to excel at the collegiate level.

Finding a good "fit" between a student-athlete and an athletic program is a crucial part of the recruiting process. Both the student-athlete and our staff must do their "homework" and get to know more about each other. Since NCAA rules prohibit us from calling juniors and from writing sophomores, it helps when prospects facilitate this process by contacting us. A simple call, email, or letter can help us get to know you better. Student-athletes are always invited to join us for an Illinois home game, too, where we are permitted to talk to you in person. All of these factors help make the recruiting process smoother and more enjoyable for all of us! After all, YOU, the student-athletes, are the future of Fighting Illini basketball.

Recruiting is a vital part of the any women’s basketball program.

While the April 18 – July 7th "Quiet Period" may appear to be just that, it is actually a great time for prospects and college coaches to get to know one another.

During a quiet period, prospective student-athletes of any age are allowed to visit us on campus at the University of Illinois. The prospect must pay for expenses involved, such as transportation and meals. Once on campus, you can visit with our coaching staff, meet the student-athletes, tour campus, see our facilities, and meet with academic personnel. This face to face interaction is invaluable! It allows us to understand your needs and goals, as well as what you are looking for in a university. It also allows you, the prospect, to get a feel for the campus and the in’s and out’s of the women’s basketball program.

If a you are unable to visit campus, you can still use this time to get to know the coaching staff. While we cannot initiate a call until June 21st after your junior year, you can call us at anytime. We would certainly welcome the call! As with the unofficial visit, this affords us the opportunity to build a relationship and learn more about each other. The coaching staff can be reached at 217-333-8612. Likewise, I encourage you to write or email periodically to keep us updated on your progress and plans.

In closing, I encourage you to make use of this quiet period by taking some initiative in the recruiting process. We look forward to hearing from you!

Some things to get keep in mind regarding the recruiting process:

• Coaches are not allowed to contact a prospect by phone (defined as any high school or junior college student) until mid-June following their junior year in high school.

• Players can contact Illinois coaches or make visits to campus anytime. Keep in mind that, e-mail, letters, etc., cannot be returned until September 1of a prospect’s junior year. Voice mail messages can’t be returned until mid-June after their junior year.

• Prospective players can make one official (expense paid) visit to a school and up to five paid visits total. In order to qualify for an official visit, the prospect must have taken a college entrance (ACT, PSAT, etc.) exam and have provided the school with an official high school transcript.

• In order to qualify for a Division I athletic scholarship, players must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. The registration materials have been mailed to all U.S. high schools free of charge. Most often the forms are maintained in the school Guidance Office. A student may also write directly to the Clearinghouse to have the materials mailed to their home.

2002-2003 Recruiting Calendar

August 1-September 8 Quiet Period • Unofficial campus visits are permissible. Seniors can be called once per week.

September 9-29 Contact Period

• Official and Unofficial Visits allowed •Coaches can visit players (Seniors only)

September 30-October 7 Quiet Period

• Unofficial campus visits are permissible. Seniors can be called once per week.

October 8-February 28 Evaluation Period

• Time when coaches can view games

• Letter writing permissible but no off-campus contact allowed

• An institution is allowed 40 evaluation days selected at the discretion of the member institutions and designated in writing in the office of the director of athletics; institutional staff members shall not visit a prospect’s educational institution on more than one day per week during this period. There is a dead period two days before the early signing day.

March 1-April 3 Contact Period • Official and Unofficial Visits allowed

• Coaches can visit players (seniors)

• A maximum of 16 visits are allowed

April 4-April 9 Dead Period

• No on- or off-campus recruiting activities can occur. Only phone calls and letters are allowed.

April 9, 12:01 p.m.-April 13 Contact Period • Official and Unofficial Visits allowed

• Coaches can visit players

April 14-April 17 Dead Period

• No contact allowed (The late signing period follows this dead period.)

April 18-July 7 Quiet Period

• Unofficial campus visits are permissible. Seniors can be called once per week. Calls can be made once per week to prospects of appropriate age. This is also a popular time for unofficial visits to occur. Coaches can also talk to recruits at the institution’s summer camps in June.

July 8-July 31 Evaluation Period

• Coaches are allowed an unlimited number of evaluations; therefore this is a very important recruiting time for college coaches. All three recruiters can be out at the same time and will attend events nearly every single day.

• No contact allowed