DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL COLLEGE VISITS

THEY PAY VS. YOU PAY

We highly suggest college prospects/recruits visit college campuses before making a verbal commitment and signing a letter of Intent to a college football program. There are two types of visits and drastically different.

Unofficial Visit
Anytime an athlete and/or your parent(s)/legal guardians visit a college campus on your own dollar. The prospect and family pay for all expenses associated with the visit including but not limit to transportation, food and any personal purchases.

College coaches will invite a bunch of athletes to make unofficial visits even if the university is not “That interested” in the athlete. It doesn’t hurt them. They are not paying for the athlete to make the trip and win out in the deal because kids are still on campus which is a goal of the university, not just the athletic department.

Athletes/families can make as many unofficial visits as would like and just about anytime. Note: During the dead periods athletes cannot speak to any of the coaches while visiting the campus and vice versa. College coaches can’t offer much to a prospect/family while on an unofficial visit. So don’t expect dinner to be paid for and a night on the town at the expense of the university.

GOALS FOR COLLEGES COACHES

  • SHOWOFF CAMPUS AND FACILITIES
  • EYE BALL PROSPECTS/RECRUITS IN PERSON (HT/WT/BODY BUILD)
  • OBSERVE PROSPECT/RECRUITS MANNERISMS
  • START TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
  • GET KIDS ON CAMPUS TO MARKET UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE

Official Visit
If the university pays for the visit and expenses associated (In full or partially), that defines an official visit.  The university will cover the expenses of an athlete and/or legal guardian in regards to transportation to and from campus, hotel room, meals and entertainment for 48 hours.

An official visit, paid for by the university is only for 48 hours. Before an potential prospect can take an official visit he/she has to be registered with the Eligibility Center and invited by the university. If an athlete does not receive an invitation for an official visit, the university’s interest in the athlete is not very high. You can start taking Official Visits April 1 – June 24 of junior year. Then opening day of classes senior year.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

  • 1 Official Visit per college. Total of 5 Official Visits to Division 1 schools.
  • Division 2 and 3 allow one official visit per university.
  • Official visits are 48 hours as soon as prospect arrives on campus.
  • Test score, high school transcript and NCAA eligibility center verification required before visit.