Assembly bill proposed to aid high school recruits

Two California Assemblymen are introducing a bill to require universities and colleges to provide in writing a disclosure letter to college prospects detailing athletic program policies concerning the offer of an athletic scholarship.

AB2079, sponsored by Tom Torlakson (D-Contra Costa) and Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles), is supposed to help create transparency in the recruiting process when a college coach makes a scholarship offer and what that entails.

"Currently, the recruiter makes verbal promises and the student has to take the recruiter at their word, and the athletic departments are not obliged to follow through," Torlakson said in a news release.

One college administrator expressed concern that some of the bill's requirements are in conflict with NCAA rules. 

A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday in Sacramento to discuss the bill.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[James Gosset]

What about a bill to prevent athletes from going back on their verbal word? Recruiters have to take the athletes at their word, and many do go back on their initial verbal commitments.