Who is a representative of athletic interests?
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
• 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.
Who is a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above, (including students in junior colleges and prep schools, and individuals who have officially withdrawn from a four-year institution). Any student not yet in the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the institution provides him or her with any financial assistance or other benefits which would not generally be provided to other students.
A good rule of thumb is to treat ALL students as prospects.
10 Things a Representative of Athletics Interest Should Know
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 GCU, 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 GCU (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 GCU. 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 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS 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 Director of Athletics (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).
