Frequently Asked Questions about Your Official Athletic Recruiting Trip to the University of Kentucky
Before you can come we need four things from you.
- Your NCAA Eligibility Center ID number (10 digits).
- A copy (doesn’t have to be official) of your high school transcripts.
- A copy of your test scores (SAT, PSAT or ACT).
- Your date of birth. You can email the information, fax it to 859/323-3601 or mail it to UK Swimming & Diving, 416 Complex Drive, Lexington, KY 40506-0219.
Who books the flight? Baggage?
We book and pay for your flights through our travel agent. We will email you your flight itinerary as well as mail it. Please make sure we have your full legal name for booking flights. The name on your ticket must match the name on your photo ID. In almost every case you will have an E-ticket so you will need the appropriate ID to get your boarding pass at the airport. We ask that you carry-on your luggage. There are nota lot of direct flights to Lexington and this will eliminate the potential for lost baggage. However, if you need to check your luggage, be sure to keep your receipt and give it to a coach once on campus. We can reimburse you.
What if I’m driving?
Drivers will be reimbursed for mileage and are asked to arrive as close to noon as possible the day your trip begins. Come to the pool office in the Lancaster Aquatic Center once you arrive and we’ll give you a weekend parking pass. Be sure to sign the travel reimbursement form before leaving campus. Your reimbursement check will arrive in the mail approximately three weeks after the official visit. Driving directions can be found on the bottom of the front page of the www.uky.edu web site. (Using your GPS? Here’s our physical address: 416 Complex Drive, Lexington, KY 40506)
Can my parents come? Sibling(s)?
Yes. Be sure to let us know as early as possible so we can make their hotel reservations. UK Athletics will pay for hotel expenses and some meals for parents, but it is forbidden by the NCAA to pay for parent’s travel (flights). If they attend, parents are encouraged to be involved in as many of the Friday recruiting events as they wish. The staff asks however, that parents allow their swimmer to be on their own with our team on Saturday. Of course if there’s a football game going on Saturday, we can provide up to 3 complimentary tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased at face value.
The NCAA has strict rules concerning siblings and recruiting trips. They are welcome, but UK can’t pay for any portion of their weekend. Your brother/sister can attend all the functions/meals, but will have to cover their share of the expense. The exception to this rule is the game ticket which is complimentary as long as it’s one of the three allowed.
How will I get to campus from the airport?
A coach will pick you up from the airport and drop you off. The Bluegrass Airport is quite small and our staff is good at picking out swimmers as they come down the stairs to the baggage claim area.
Where will I be staying?
Each recruit will typically spend one night in the dorm (Kirwan I or Kirwan IV) and one night off campus in a swimmer or diver’s house/apartment. You’ll have a bed to sleep on; there’s no need for a sleeping bag.
How much money should I bring?
You’ll only need money for souvenirs (t-shirts, posters, and hats). Your UK student host will have money for meals, snacks and entertainment provided to them by our athletic department.
Can I train while on my trip?
We usually pencil in a time for athletes to train if they chose. It is not required and the UK coaching staff will not be present during that time. So yes, bring a swim suit so you can stay on track to tear it up your senior year!
What will I be doing on my trip?
You will spend most of Friday investigating our school. You’ll tour campus, meet with an academic advisor, hear about CATS (our student athlete tutoring center), watch some of practice, meet the strength coach and explore our facilities. Saturday you’ll meet with our staff, maybe go to a game, or a team activity and then spend the rest of the day with the team. Sunday will be breakfast with your host, the staff and your parents (if they decide to come). Then we’ll take you to the airport or you will drive home.
Is there a curfew? What about an Alcohol policy?
Each night a member of the coaching staff will check in you and your host at the dorm/house. This is a University of Kentucky Athletics Department policy. Curfew is no later than midnight. Our recruiting trips have a strict, zero tolerance drinking policy. It’s against our team policy, our athletic department policy and of course it’s against the law if you’re under 21.
Additional questions? Contact our office at 859-257-7944
