Etiquette of Fans Communicating With Recruits

I would say all of it is weird.  Let kids be kids and let the coaches do the recruiting.  17 year old high schoolers don't need paparrazi.

True story: I saw Caleb Stacey at a Michigan football game and did not talk to him.

Moral of the story: Following recruiting does not require you to act like a stalker and/or give kids a sales pitch.

Go ahead and follow recruits on Twitter.  It's kind of creepy if you "friend" them on Facebook, but whatever.  But there's no need to go further than that.  

Leave the kid(s) be. The fact that you need to ask if it's okay should be a sign. If you want to follow them on twitter and read every article on Rivals about their recruitment then that's fine, but you don't need to be going out and recruiting kids. 

Dear Booster Club Member:

You are our most loyal fans, spectators, and supporters. As you are aware, the NCAA mandates that the control and conduct of the Michigan athletics program is the responsibility of the University of Michigan. This responsibility extends to members of Michigan booster organizations and alumni clubs. Please be aware that NCAA rules prohibit you from making in-person recruiting contacts (on- or off-campus), or written and telephone communications with a recruit, the recruit’s relatives or legal guardians. If you know of a talented recruit, please inform the appropriate head coach. Any violations of this rule may impact Michigan’s ability to recruit this prospect. Likewise, the NCAA places restrictions on extra benefits and special arrangements that student-athletes or their family members may receive.

NCAA rules prohibit you from providing transportation, entertainment, meals or anything else of material value to enrolled student-athletes or their family members unless the same benefit is available to all Michigan students or the general public. Any extra benefit given to a student-athlete, no matter how big or small is a violation of NCAA rules and may adversely impact their eligibility for competition and result in the University’s athletics programs being penalized by the NCAA. University of Michigan’s athletics programs value your continued support. If you have questions, please do not hesitate in contacting the Compliance Services Office at 734-615-7341. GO BLUE!!!

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The Top 10 Things Fans & Friends of Michigan Athletics Should Know: 1. The NCAA holds the University of Michigan accountable for the actions of its fans and friends.

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-From a previous thread, http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/potential-um-recruitsncaa-compliance

Would you, if you were a high school kid, want some random 25+ dude coming up to and extolling the virtues of a university you are trying to decide on? 

I dont even like getting junk mail telling me how "great" some stores are.. and I repeatedly have verbal altercations with telemarketers. So... I'd say no. Unless he brings it up. 

1) I'd say no to this one. I think seeking them out gets into a bit of a shady area, even if your intentions are pure. One, it's a little bit creepy to be seeking out 17 or 18 year old kids to talk about college. Two, it's not worth the risk of putting a kid in a bad situation.

2) I'd say if you did not purposefully seek them out, then it's ok to bring up how much you love Michigan and encourage them to go. It really shouldn't go beyond that; you don't have to go into incredible excruciating detail about the amazingness that is Michigan. Let the coaches and the campus do that.

3) Yes

4) Way too creepy. I don't think you can accomplish anything by communicating with them through social media except to be seen as a total creep and crazy person. Would you want strange people messaging your son or daughter via twitter or facebook about college? I doubt it. 

With all of that said, there is nothing wrong with letting recruits know how much you love Michigan. Give them an early sense of how tremendous we are.

I wear a Michigan hat a bunch, so it's possible that my thoughts would not be unsolicited.

I see no problem with it if he asks you for your opinion.

1. Let the coaches do the recruiting.

2. You don't have to avoid people in your usual social network just because they have a son that might be a potential recruit. That said, see rule #1.

3. If you have to ask, you shouldn't be doing it.

If you have any monetary ties to UofM I'd advise you not to talk to him. I'm a season ticket holder and therefore qualify as a booster so I'd never go out of my way to contact a potential or current UM athlete since that would be a violation.

That's said, I've randomly run into recruits and players in AA and have spoken to them on many occasions. I draw the line anywhere beyond praising the athletes for a good game or saying I hope to see you in maize and blue.

Unless you are a famous alumni, nothing you would say or do would make a difference in the recruiting process.........although stalkers can have an adverse affect.

As a general rule, if you have to ask, you already have your answer.

1. No.

2. No.

3. No.

4. No.

doesn't mean that much. You're just some dude.

Don't go out of your way to meet him, and if you do tell him you're big Michigan fan and good luck. That's about it. If he cares to know more, he'll ask.

He probably won't ask

This thread is pretty much the embodiment of why I have zero interest in closely following recruiting.  The idea that a high school kid would ever have to deal with crap and people like this is absolutely batty to me.

Wear a Michigan hat, act classy and leave the kid be. If he solicits your opinion just say why YOU love Michigan. Leave the selling to the coaches.

No, no, no, and no.

Anything else?

1. Is it okay to seek out recruits and encourage them to come to Michigan? (If it depends, please say on what it depends.)

Not only no, but fuck no. You are almost certainly commmitting a recruiting violation and being a creepy weirdo besides.

2. Is it okay to talk to recruits and encourage them to come to Michigan? (If it depends, please say on what it depends)

You don't have to like, shun them if you're introduced. It's still not cool to give them some speech on why Michigan. You're just some random dude. Or dudette. Occasionally, recruits think it's fun to be recognized when they're on recruiting visits, but it's still creepy to treat a 16-year-old boy like a rock star.

3. Is it okay to follow recruits through their social media accounts? (If it depends, please say on what it depends.)

Again: It's creepy to treat a 16-year-old boy like a rock idol. People who friend them on Facebook are weird. Twitter's a little different, because following, if their account is open, is unobtrusive. Be judicious.

4. Is it okay to communicate with recruits through their social media accounts? (If it depends, please say on what it depends.)

Again, the chances of you committing a recruiting violation this way are enormous. If I had a high-school age kid who didn't play football, I'd think it was really fucking weird and creepy and intrusive that legions of grown-ass men wanted to be his "friend." That wouldn't change if he did play football. Follow recruiting all you like but please do not think you're special or a recruiter yourself. When you picked a college (assuming you were not one who grew up always knowing you were going to Michigan or some particular place) did you appreciate the reams of unsolicited advice you probably got? I didn't. I doubt football recruits are any different.

The farthest you should go (without him [im assuming it's a guy] asking for your opinion) is just a "Go blue" I've seen lots of prospects talk about how they loved having fans say "go blue" to them. It makes them feel important without feeling uncomfortable.

Nah man, it's cool. I recruit kids to play for Michigan all the time.

-Chet

A "go blue" is fine. If he asks you what you like about Michigan go for it, but don't start that conversation.

Keep your opinions to yourself. The last thing recruits want is an outside opinion. Not to mention based on the conversations I've had that the Michigan coaching staff definitely doesn't need anybody's help. They're really doing great work. 

ask him if he's ever  seen a grown man naked

 

/airplane

If he approaches you about the subject then you should be able to answer. Just make sure that you have some damn good things to talk about, and remember that saying the wrong thing could make him less likely to play here. I don't think you can go wrong with mentioning how awesome it would be to play in the Big House on Saturdays.

I don't think #1 or #2 is allowed, and I'm doubtful about #4.  The exception is if you're a coach, childhood friend or family member.

Stay away from these children! Read Scout or their twitter posts. If you wreck our football team for stalking I will be so pissed.