Recruiting Guidelines
Varsity Blue’s Athletics is a program within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is bound by the following ethical standards with respect to studentathlete recruitment.
The recruitment of student-athletes is important to the success of the sport programs and enhances the academic and athletic reputation of the university. The intercollegiate office, its coaches, staff and representatives, and the University of Toronto are committed to upholding the highest standards in the recruitment of potential student-athletes.
To that end, these guidelines have been developed to:
1. Ensure that the recruit is treated with respect and integrity throughout the recruitment process.
2. Ensure that any commitments made by Varsity Blues coaches, staff or approved designates within the recruiting process are honoured.
3. Ensure that the Varsity Blues coaches, staff and approved designates have clear guidelines by which they will conduct themselves throughout the recruiting process so as to enhance the reputation of the Varsity Blues, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and the University of Toronto.
As a member, the University of Toronto and its coaches, staff and approved designates are bound by the recruiting regulations of both the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) and the CIS (Canadian University Sport). These rules can be found in the Recruiting Services and Rules section.
In addition to the CIS/OUA regulations, the following guidelines will be followed by all Varsity Blues coaches, staff and approved designates when recruiting potential studentathletes.
1. A recruit cannot be offered/guaranteed/or encouraged to expect a position on a Varsity Blues team until that athlete has been seen, in a game/competition, live or by video tape, by either the Head Coach or her/his designate.
2. An offer/guarantee can be made only by the Head Coach. If an offer/guarantee is made verbally, it must be followed up by the Head Coach in a written letter of intent via email within 48 hours. The letter of intent will outline a date by which the athlete must commit to the University of Toronto.
3. No member of the Varsity Blues staff will continue to recruit an athlete whose suitability has not been determined by the Head Coach or his/her designate.
4. At no time will a representative from the Varsity Blues, coaches or staff, discuss with a recruit, the details of the recruitment process and/or offer/guarantee of another recruit.
5. All matters related to financial assistance will, as for all other applicants, be referred to the office of Admissions and Awards with the exception of issues concerning Athletic Scholarships.
6. If a student-athlete is being offered an athletic scholarship, that offer MUST be in writing and MUST include the following information:
a. A date by which the athlete must accept the scholarship
b. The amount of the scholarship
c. An outline of all regulations that must be followed to be eligible to receive the athletic scholarship.
d. The date by which the scholarship is no longer offered
7. At no time shall a Varsity Blues coach or her/his designate staff speak disparagingly or negatively about another institution, program or coach. All recruitment activity shall be positioned with regard to what the University of Toronto and the Varsity Blues experience can provide a recruit.
Consequences for Violation
Conduct that violates the regulations of the OUA/CIS and or the University of Toronto will result in appropriate sanction by the Director of Intercollegiate and High Performance Sport.
