"SPECIAL" TRIPS FOR TEAMS

El Paso Eagle · February 19, 2019

Just saw, on Footballscoom.com, Michigan will be taking their annual Spring team trip to South Africa (France and Italy the last two years).

The trip is a "team bonding" paid for by supports, mainly one person.

Just wonder how this falls under the rules (and yes, I understand the same rules do not apply to all)?

DeepGreen · February 19, 2019

5 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

Just saw, on Footballscoom.com, Michigan will be taking their annual Spring team trip to South Africa (France and Italy the last two years).

The trip is a "team bonding" paid for by supports, mainly one person.

Just wonder how this falls under the rules (and yes, I understand the same rules do not apply to all)?

I would say that it's pushing the limits where donor rules are concerned. Paid vacation for the team, by an Alum. Doesn't sound proper.

ipd054 · February 19, 2019

If you donate to an educational foundation that pays for the trip for educational purposes say a 10-14 week study abroad program for the football team, you are within the NCAA rules. (you are bending them pretty good but you have not crossed the line)

I love that Harbaugh is thinking outside the box to win the recruiting and retention battle. I only wish I had the money to do this for the Mean Green.

I expect to see a rule against this before next year.

NorthTexasWeLove · February 19, 2019

14 minutes ago, ipd054 said:

If you donate to an educational foundation that pays for the trip for educational purposes say a 10-14 week study abroad program for the football team, you are within the NCAA rules. (you are bending them pretty good but you have not crossed the line)

I love that Harbaugh is thinking outside the box to win the recruiting and retention battle. I only wish I had the money to do this for the Mean Green.

I expect to see a rule against this before next year.

Not sure as to why you believe there will be a rule next year as opposed to this year or last? This is the 3rd year they have been doing these trips.

I think this is bending the rules, but is good experience for the players in general. But it's doing something, financially, that gives them a recruiting and branding advantage. Programs financially stacked as Michigan could afford this, and that's it. Unfortunately, it needs to stop.

meanrob · February 19, 2019

Harbaugh better start winning the big games or he'll be paying for his own vacations soon.

ipd054 · February 19, 2019

I believe there will be a rule because one was passed to stop his spring practices in remote locations in 17 and a rule was passed to eliminate trips during the school year I think last year, after he took the team without practice to France. This year he is taking them during the summer break. Logic follows that a new rule is on the way.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/01/...harbaugh/96836772/

NASHVILLE – Though it won’t officially be called the “Jim Harbaugh Rule,” the NCAA’s five power conferences passed a measure Friday ending trips like the one he took over spring break with the Michigan football team at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., last March.