College Recruiting
Many athletes participating in the NC AAU Girl's Basketball Program are recruited to play college basketball.  One element of the AAU Program is to provide high school age players with the opportunity for advanced competition and wider exposure of their skills.  The recruitment of the athlete can be a desirable result of those competitive opportunities.  It is important for coaches and volunteers to observe the following points relative to the recruitment of the athlete:

1. Always remember that the athlete is being recruited, not the coach.
2. The desired result of the recruiting process is that the athlete should attend the college most likely to meet her educational, social, and athletic needs.  A favorable reflection upon the Club, School, or Coach is not an appropriate criterion for college selection.
3. The athlete should choose her college with the advice and assistance of her family.  The coach need not be involved in the selection process unless the family requests his/her assistance.
4. An AAU coach or volunteer may not accept or solicit compensation from any source as payment for his/her involvement in the college recruiting process. It is unethical for a coach or volunteer to attempt to "deliver" a player to a particular college/university.
5. A player should be aware of all educational options available to her.  Therefore, the coach/volunteer should not restrict any college from participation in the recruiting process, unless the athlete or her parents have specifically requested that such limitations be observed.

Athletics and Education
Athletic competition is food unto itself, and opportunities for participation need not be restricted to individuals representing academic or scholastic institutions.  However, the AAU recognizes that athletics can be a powerful tool for shaping the educational development of young people and for the enhancement of educational opportunities for its participants.  AAU member organizations should consider the academic well being of its athlete, and ensure that participation in AAU activities does not adversely affect their academic progress.  The AAU member club should cooperate with the athlete and her parents to strike an appropriate balance among academic, social and athletic activities.

Coaches' Ethics
The coach must be aware that he/she can be either a positive or a negative influence upon the development of the athlete.  In all of his/her personal contact with athletes, officials, parents, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.  In keeping with that goal, all AAU coaches should observe the following ethical guidelines:

1. The coach shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest desirable ideals of character.
2. The coach must always consider the personal safety of the athlete.
3. The coach shall be thoroughly acquainted with the rules and regulations of competition, and shall be responsible for the interpretation to team members.  The coach shall not try to seek an advantage by circumventing the spirit or letter of the rules.
4. Game officials shall have the respect and support of the coach.  The coach shall not indulge in conduct that will incite the players or spectators against the officials.  Public criticism of the officials or players is unethical.
5. The coach should respect his opponents, display gracious behavior during competition and require his/her players to conduct themselves in similar fashion.  Before and after the contest, rival coaches should meet and exchange friendly greetings to set the correct tone for the event.
6. Coaches shall actively use their influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators.
7. The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse, and shall, under no circumstances authorize the use of the same.
8. The coach must recognize the importance of the athlete's academic development and promote the proper balance between athletic and academic activities.