Thirty-four schools have asked for an override of a decision by the rules-making Board of Directors to prohibit the practice, limiting electronically transmitted correspondence to recruits to e-mail and faxes. The measure, approved in April and effective Aug. 1, is designed to end a text-messaging proliferation that a number of athletes complain costs them time and — because of cell phone charges — money.

Coaches have acknowledged a need for regulation, but many argue against an outright ban on a high-tech means of communication that's convenient and, they say, is now a part of high school- and college-age culture.

Both the NCAA's Division I Management Council and Board of Directors opted for the ban over another proposal merely to limit text and instant messaging.

Thirty requests were needed to throw the rules change back to the board, which meets again Aug. 9. If it doesn't rescind or amend its decision, all 326 Division I schools will vote on the issue during the NCAA's annual convention in January. A five-eighths majority is needed to override.