Big Ten Recruiting Break Proposal

Earlier this week, I talked about the problem I had with spring recruiting. So, today when I read in the news that the Big Ten was proposing a new NCAA (or at least Big Ten) rule to prohibit recruiting for a two-week period, I was excited to read what they had to say.

And now I’m just angry.

The recruiting break they are proposing is one that would add a “dead period” to the summer schedule. It’s not to help pressured students take a little break. No, it is to help coaches. The proposal is made so that coaches and assistants have a little break before training camp. Says Purdue’s Joe Tiller,

“We always talk about quality of life and assistant coaches and the ability for them and for us to get away and recharge our batteries, totally get away from the sport, but we can never get away from the sport because of year-round recruiting. [The proposal] would make a difference.”

Dude. What about the kids? At least you’re getting paid for the time you spend recruiting. The high school juniors and seniors you’re calling? Sure, there is a limit to how many times you can contact them within a give time period…but think of ALL of the schools hitting that max contact level. Some of the nation’s top high school players are getting hundreds of calls and text messages every single week.

So yes, coaches should get a little recruiting break. I 100% agree with that. But students should get a break too, at a time that makes sense for them, not in the middle of summer. A little break during the month of May when junior students are taking finals, going to prom, and becoming seniors makes all the sense in the world.

How about you propose that, Big Ten (or any other conference for that matter)?