Whether it’s during class or out at the movies, text messaging, instant messages and e-mails have grown in popularity among the adolescents of this generation to the point where it has arguably changed the communication landscape. That changing landscape of electronic communication has forced the NCAA to ban the use of text messaging as part of the recruiting process for college athletics.

The ban, which was approved in April and implemented on Aug. 1, also eliminates other forms of electronic communication that include video conferencing and message boards on social networks such as Facebook or MySpace, according to a revision made in the 2007-08 NCAA Division I Manual.

In order for the ban to be overturned, a 5/8 majority would be needed at the NCAA’s National Convention in January 2008, said Andrea Nordmann, the associate athletics director for compliance at TCU.

Nordmann said while she believes the ban will eventually be overturned, restrictions would have to be implemented in order to keep up with the continual evolution of electronic recruiting.

“I would like to see an all or nothing rule put in place,” Nordmann said. “Monitoring text messaging will be very difficult for compliance offices across the country if they put time-of-day limitations on it.”

An Alternate Route

The text messaging ban has had mixed feelings by coaches and players regarding the issue.

Football head coach Gary Patterson said that while the ban is positive by saving recruits from hefty text messaging bills, texting should be allowed when the official contact period opens in December or January.

“It’s a lot easier to get a hold of kids,” Patterson said. “People are less likely to break rules in contacting kids because they can get a hold of them easier and, with kids, that’s their use of communication nowadays.”

Despite the restrictions on some forms of electronic recruitment, Patterson has found an indirect, legal way to promote TCU football to potential recruits via an informational Web site giving background on the university, the program and himself as a coach.

CoachPatterson.com is just one of many informational Web sites on some of the nation’s best college football programs that can give recruits a better idea of what the university and the program are all about. Patterson said the site provides an easier avenue for recruits to see what camps the football program offers, and gives prospective student-athletes a look to see what makes Patterson the type of person he is.

“People want to touch people if they decide that’s where they want to go to school at, and it’s a way for me to show them a little bit more of my personal life and what I’m all about,” Patterson said. “A Web site is definitely an advantage. It’s not something that takes up a lot of my time, and it gives more access and that’s what people want.”

Impacted Recruitment

Although the majority of the debate may center around the more publicized college sports such as football and basketball, the ban affects athletic programs from sports big and small. Prentice Lewis, head coach of the volleyball team, considered text messaging to be more beneficial to smaller schools such as TCU so that athletes could become more aware of what the institution has to offer.

“We’re very upset about the change,” Lewis said. “Texting was a pure factor for getting our kids. For us to get kids on campus, they have to know the name ‘TCU.'”

Reaching the Athletes

During his time at Katy High School in Houston, redshirt freshman quarterback Andy Dalton said that while electronic recruiting did not play as much of a role during his recruitment process as did official visits and various camps, receiving a text message or e-mail from a coach would make him feel good knowing coaches were thinking about him. Of course, text messaging during the recruiting process is good if it is in moderation, he said.

“I think it can be a good thing, but I mean, if it’s getting to where they’re sending one every day, all the time, it can get out of control,” Dalton said.

Junior Devon Kirk of the volleyball team would often receive instant messages from recruiters, and started receiving text messages after committing to be a Horned Frog. She said recruiting through text messaging and instant messaging gives female student-athletes a comfort zone to think their decision through.

“I think it’s more comfortable for the athlete to get IMs and texts,” said Kirk, outside hitter and middle blocker. “Coaches can be intimidating sometimes.”

While the discussion concerning the text messaging debate continues, coaches will need to find other methods, electronic or traditional, to bring the best student-athletes to Fort Worth in the years to come.

Staff reporter Brett Larson contributed to this story.