Question from the mildy uninformed: when a recruit takes a visit, who pays for the trip?
Depends, if the visit is "unofficial" the athlete and their family must foot the bill. If the visit is "official", then the Athletic Department/University picks up the tab. Each sport has a specific budget for recruiting, which will determine, how many prospects they bring in a year, and the treatment that each prospect receives. The typical visit will be arrival (plane, with transportation to airport; arrival via car (can be reimbursed for gas); campus tour, facility tour, ball game, lunch with coaches and players, a nice dinner, academic advising, meeting with faculty in area of interest. Parents hosted by coaches, while the prospect is doing a tour of the Athens/campus nightlife being hosted by a current player (current player is given cash for hosting and making sure the appropriate tour necessities are taken care of). Breakfast next day, more touring and meeting, etc.