Other articles by Ryan Finley:

Firecracker Triathlon's oldest entrant is determined not to take the longest Running takes Oro Valley couple to all 7 continents Cats find big Texan 'from out of the blue' Becoming Army strong Wildcats' young QB learns early: 'Don't do dumb stuff' Former Wildcats lineman, 23, dies unexpectedly Ex-Cat 'ahead of the curve' on LSU staff Arizona Wildcats Football: Former lineman, 23, dies suddenly D-M captain flies high in orienteering Las Vegas speedster commits; UA wants Milus to reconsider

Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President

An NCAA committee has advice for coaches who are using text-messaging as a recruiting tool: SLO DWN.

The NCAA recommended legislation Friday that would limit text messaging between coaches and recruits, a practice that has become popular because it skirts the NCAA's limit on phone calls.

The Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet's recommendations would limit text-messaging to between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. during the week and between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekends.

There are currently no rules restricting how often — or when — coaches and recruits can send notes via cell phone.

That fact frustrates UA associate athletic director Rocky LaRose. LaRose owns a BlackBerry and said it is easy to get hooked.

"Like we've all learned, the BlackBerrys are addicting. Any text-messaging is addicting," she said. "So limiting the hours you can text-message are good for both parties, especially the student. They should be in class."

Text messaging is valuable when it comes to recruiting. UA football recruit Delashaun Dean told the Star in December that he once racked up an $800 cell phone bill from text-messaging with coaches.

Hans Philipp, a high schooler football player who committed to the UA last week, said Monday he received two congratulatory text messages from Arizona staffers.

"They said they're excited to have me as a Wildcat, and that's basically it," said Philipp, who bought his first cell phone last month. "It's pretty cool. I get text messages (from coaches and friends) all the time."

Like many other coaches, UA assistant basketball coach Josh Pastner has been using text messaging to lure recruits for years.

He calls the one-or-two-line exchanges "a tremendous tool" because of the instant response. Pastner said recruits text him often, sometimes while they're in class.

"I still think face-to-face communication is the best," Pastner said. "But (text-messaging) is like having a conversation. It's kind of the way of life now. Forget athletes — everyone text-messages now."

Even coach Lute Olson.

Pastner said Olson, 71, is the most technologically advanced of the basketball team's coaches. The coach owns a BlackBerry and uses a BlueTooth wireless earpiece when he talks on the phone.

Pastner said the high-tech gizmos come with the job.

"It's part of our job responsibility," he said. "If you're not text-messaging with a kid, someone from Team X, Y or Z is. I have no problem with it."