10 Things a Representative of Athletics Interest Should Know

[woundedknees]

Since questions arise on a regular basis as to whether we, as fans are limited in how we interact with and support members of our favorite team, maybe this can provide some isight.

It is taken from an actual brochure handed out in similar form by most, if not all, NCAA affiliated schools.

http://www.acusports.com/documents/2009/7/18/378454.pdf

You are a representative
of athletic interests if:

• You are a member of a booster club;

• You have made a donation to an
athletics booster organization; or to
the athletic department (DAF, anyone?)

• You have been involved in recruiting
prospects or in providing benefits
to enrolled student-athletes; or their
families; or

• You have assisted in promoting
the institution’s athletics program
in any way.

Once an individual is identified
as a representative of athletic
interests, that status is retained
INDEFINITELY.


1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! If you are not sure,
call the Director of Athletics or the Compliance
Coordinator. Remember, "the only dumb question
is the one not asked." NCAA rules are complex
and not uniformly applied.

2. ACTIVE RECRUITING INVOLVEMENT
is limited to coaches. BOOSTERS ARE PROHIBITED
from making in-person, off-campus recruiting
contacts, as well as telephone communications
with a prospect or the prospect's family.
3. ALUMNI/BOOSTER EVENTS can violate recruiting
regulations if prospects are in attendance. If you
are arranging or attending alumni or booster
events, do not bring or invite prospects and
explain to parents the importance of prospect-age
youngsters not attending.

4. EXTRA BENEFITS are any special arrangements
by an institutional employee or booster to provide
a currently enrolled student-athlete or prospect,
or their parents and relatives, a benefit not
expressly authorized by the NCAA or which is not
available to all students in general. Boosters shall
not offer, provide or arrange financial assistance,
directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part)
the cost of the prospect's educational or other
expenses other than summer employment.

5. ATTENDING ATHLETICS CONTESTS at schools
in your community is permitted, but contacting
a prospect, prospect's parents or prospect's coach
while you are there is prohibited. If you see or
hear of a potential prospect for ACU, contact
the coaches with basic information (school,
position, coach).

6. OCCASIONAL FAMILY HOME MEALS may be
provided to an enrolled student-athlete, or an
entire team. The meal must be served at the
host's home. (It cannot be at a restaurant.) It
may be catered. Such meals must be restricted
to infrequent and special occasions. Only the
host and school staff members may provide
transportation to the function. NCAA
REGULATIONS DO NOT PERMIT SPONSOR
FAMILIES OR ADOPT-A-PLAYER ARRANGEMENTS.

7. UNAVOIDABLE INCIDENTAL CONTACT
with a prospect is not a violation if the contact:
a.) was not prearranged; b.) doesn't take place
on the grounds of the prospect's educational
institution or site of a competition; c.) is not
made for the purpose of recruitment, and
d.) involves only normal civility. For example
if you meet a prospect in the normal course
of your business, there is no violation as long
as you do not try to influence the prospect's
choice of schools; or if you attend an athletics
event and come into contact with a prospect
or the prospect's parents, there would be no
violation if you excuse yourself in a timely and
courteous manner and do not discuss ACU (even
if the other party brings up the subject). If there
is an established, long-time relationship with a
prospect and his/her family, you can continue
that relationship, but you should not become
involved in the prospect's consideration of
which school to attend.

8. EMPLOYING STUDENT-ATHLETES AND
PROSPECTS is permissible in limited situations.
A booster can employ a prospect only during
the summer immediately prior to the prospect
attending ACU. Enrolled student-athletes are
limited by financial aid considerations in job
arrangements. In all cases the individual must
be paid the same as others employed in similar
positions in your area and must actually perform
the work. CONTACT THE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR
BEFORE EMPLOYING PROSPECTS OR
STUDENT-ATHLETES.

9. STUDENT-ATHLETE APPEARANCES are
permissible at a local church, school, charity
or non-profit agency. The appearances
must be carefully arranged and have prior
written approval of the Athletics Director
(not just a coach).

10. USING A STUDENT-ATHLETE'S NAME,
PICTURE OR LIKENESS is permitted only if the
purpose of the ad is to recognize the individual
(or team) or to extend best wishes. In this case
only the name, address and official logo of the
business may appear in the ad. Advertising for a
commercial product or service of any kind, which
includes an enrolled student-athlete's picture,
is not permitted. This includes group pictures
where individuals are not identified and/or
not in uniform (e.g. a "game action" photo