More than 180,000 athletes are granted scholarships to participate in Divisions I and II college sports every year, according to the NCAA. Many of these student-athletes currently in the process of college recruitment have taken a huge hit as they endure the effects of COVID-19. 

Since the pandemic hit last spring, an in-person recruiting ban came into effect and has since been extended until May 31, 2021. All in-person recruiting includes official/unofficial visits, tournaments and phone calls under the conditions of coach initiation. In order to preserve the health and safety of athletes and their families, the Division 1 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee supports their decision in the extension of this dead period. 

“After careful consideration of all available information, the Council agreed that an extension of the dead period through May 31 was necessary,” said  Council chair M. Grace Calhoun, athletics director at Pennsylvania.

While the well-being of families is always the number one priority, many are concerned for the class of 2021 and 2022 and their futures in college sports. Without coaches being able to see players in person and in action, it becomes difficult to make final decisions. This causes players to be making their commitments with much less knowledge when it comes to the overall feel of the program which may cause future issues with team connections and culture. 

Although the uncertainty of this situation is nerve-racking for both sides of the process, the committee is aware of the importance of the player to coach connection. They are set on giving an update on the possible return for in-person recruiting no later than April 15. This gives coaches a better chance to see players live and be able to better understand their game dynamics. 

“There is a strong commitment to use the next several weeks to outline the transition plan back to recruiting activities post-June 1 and to provide those plans to prospective student-athletes, their families and the NCAA membership no later than April 15,” said Calhoun.

With all the chaos COVID-19 has brought, the uncertainty of student-athletes’ futures is just another bump in the road. Knowing what we know about the committee’s plans, it is safe to say that college sports will resume again to the best of their abilities and student-athletes will eventually find their way in the current haze that surrounds the recruiting process.