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Compliance Corner
August, 1999
Institutional Control and ComplianceInstitutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA Legislation. Specifically, the NCAA constitution provides that each institution shall be responsible for:
Representatives of Athletics InterestNote: A prospective student-athlete (prospect) is a person who has started classes for the ninth grade. 1. Do not telephone, write or make in-person contact (either on- or off-campus) with a prospective student-athlete for the purpose of soliciting his or her participation in the athletic program. 2. Do not become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for prospect, the prospect's relatives or friends to receive money or financial aid of any kind. 3. Do not provide any transportation to prospects, including transportation to campus to attend athletic events. 4. Do not contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, and do not visit the prospect's educational institution to pick-up films or transcripts. 5. Do not provide free tickets or tickets at a reduced cost to any University of Maryland home or away events to prospects, their relatives or friends. 6. Do not pay or offer to pay registration fees for summer sports camps for a prospect. 7. Do feel free to attend high school and community college athletic events that you would usually attend. You simply cannot have any contact with the prospect or relatives of the prospect. Should the parents or a prospect ask you questions, please direct their question to the appropriate coach at the University of Maryland. If you have incidental contact with a prospect or relatives of the prospect, be sure to contact the compliance office. Recruiting 1. Only coaches and athletic department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. All "athletic representatives" who are not employees of the University of Maryland are prohibited from contacting a prospect by telephone, letter or in-person, on- or off-campus, for the purpose of encouraging participation in athletics at the University of Maryland. 2. It is not permissible for prospects, student-athletes or their relatives and friends to receive any extra benefits or special arrangements. Examples of extra benefits that you cannot provide to these individuals include, but are not limited to: 3. As an athletic representative, you can continue friendships with families who have prospects or enrolled student-athletes (e.g., backyard barbecues, picnics). You simply cannot encourage a prospect's participation in Maryland athletics or provide benefits to a student-athlete. Advertisements and Gifts 1. Do not use the name or picture of a student-athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. 2. Do not provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement. When an athlete speaks to educational and charitable groups, actual and necessary travel expenses may be provided if approval is granted by the Compliance Office. 3. Do not provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his/her athletics performance. All awards must conform with award restrictions and must be approved by the University of Maryland Compliance Office. 4. It is permissible to invite a student-athlete to your home for an occasional meal, but please coordinate such activity with the University of Maryland Compliance Office.
Rules Governing Recruiting
A "representative of the institution's athletics interest," is anyone who is known (or should be known) by a member of the institution's athletic administration to:
(A) Be a member of or have participated in any organization promoting
the institution's intercollegiate athletics program (i.e., booster
club),
Note: Once an individual is identified as a representative of the institution's athletics interests, the person retains that identity indefinitely. Rules Governing Student-Athlete Employment 1. Do not provide employment to a prospective student-athlete or enrolled student-athlete without first obtaining approval for the University of Maryland Compliance Office. 2. Do not employ a prospect prior to the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school. 3. Do not provide transportation for prospects or student-athletes in your employment unless such transportation is provided to all employees. 4. NCAA rules stipulate that compensation may be paid to a student-athlete only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services. 5. Such compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletic ability. 6. The Office of Athletic Compliance must keep written records verifying all student-athlete employment records.
Gambling A student-athlete, coach and/or employee of the University of Maryland may not provide information to individuals involved in any type of organized gambling concerning sporting events. In addition, student-athletes, coaches and employees of the University of Maryland Athletic Department may not solicit or accept any wager on any intercollegiate or professional athletic contest. Agents and Amateurism A student-athlete loses his/her amateur status and shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sports if:
Consequences to Boosters for NCAA Violations Institutions are required by the NCAA to notify boosters of consequences regarding rules violations. Boosters found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets. The NCAA Committee on Infractions has processed cases in which penalties have included both the disassociation of boosters with the institution and the loss of season ticket privileges. Most Commonly Asked Questions May a booster attend a public event (e.g, high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance? Yes, but contact with a prospect may not be prearranged by an athletics department staff member, and no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect. Is it permissible for a booster to employ or use the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind? No.
Is it permissible for a booster to provide an enrolled student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee would normally be charged) for personal reasons? No. Professional services provided at a fee less than the normal rate or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered extra benefits.
When does a prospect become considered a student-athlete?
A prospect becomes a student-athlete when he or she reports for regular squad practice or attends classes in any regular term.
Message from the Director of Athletics The University of Maryland is committed to following established Atlantic Coast Conference and NCAA rules and regulations governing its intercollegiate athletic endeavors. We have developed this brochure as a quick reference guide designed to provide a basic understanding of NCAA rules. Please take the time to read this brochure, as we believe it will help alleviate potential NCAA concerns. We appreciate your interest in the Terrapins and ask that you assist us by following NCAA rules.
Deborah A. Yow
Compliance with NCAA rules is of the highest priority for our athletic program and institution. As a member of the NCAA, the University of Maryland is responsible for the actions of its boosters and fans. Even the best intentioned action on your part may be a violation of NCAA rules. The guide cannot address every situation or question that might arise, so if you are unable to find the answers you need, please contact the Office of Athletic Compliance. We encourage our boosters and fans to "Ask Before You Act." Inquiries should be addressed to Jane Mullens, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, at this address:
University of Maryland
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