NCAA Booster Information

LANDER GUIDE FOR BOOSTERS: A SUMMARY OF
NCAA RULES & REGULATIONS

Lander is responsible for the acts of boosters and booster support groups.

Boosters are governed by the same NCAA and institutional rules and regulations as those placed upon all institutional athletics staff members.

Who is a Representative of Athletic Interest? (NCAA Bylaw – 13.02.10)

You are if:

- You have made financial contributions to the athletic department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution, including The Bearcat Club;

- You have assisted or have been requested to assist in the recruitment of prospects;

- You have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes and their families;

- You have been involved in the promotion of Lander athletics in any way.

Once an individual has been identified as a "booster," he or she retains the identity

FOREVER

A note to parents of enrolled student-athletes

Parents of enrolled student-athletes are considered representatives of athletics interest.

Therefore, they may not be involved in the recruiting process off-campus. If parents of a

prospect should contact you with questions about your son's/daughter's experience at Lander, you should direct the questions to Lander. If you are a Lander alumnus, you may discuss your educational experiences at Lander, but you may not discuss athletics.

Key Rules

In Division II, representatives of an institution's athletics interests are prohibited from making in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or telephone calls with a prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians. On-campus contact is permitted, as are written communications.

Recruiting contacts by representatives during a prospect's official visit are confined to campus and may not extend to the 30-mile radius permitted institutional staff members (13.01.5).

Other Recruiting Restrictions for Athletics Representatives (13.1.2.3)

1. You may view a prospect's athletics contest at your own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospect on such occasions;

2. You may not contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect; and

3. You may not visit a prospect's educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic or athletics eligibility.

A Summary of Rules and Regulations Concerning the Recruitment of Prospective Student-Athletes Prospect - Defined

Q. Who is considered a prospect?

Q. How long is a prospect considered a prospect?

1) the prospect reports for regular squad practice;

2) the registrar or director of admissions certifies that the prospect is officially registered and enrolled at the institution on the opening day of classes; or

3) the prospect attends a class or classes in any regular term.

Recruiting - General Principles

Q. Is it permissible to contact a prospective student-athlete, the prospect's parents or legal guardian(s) off-campus for the purpose of recruitment?

Q. What is the definition of "in-person" contact?

Q. Are boosters prohibited from any contact with prospects?

Remember--

prohibited!

Q. Can a booster make a contact with a prospective student-athlete, the prospect's parents or legal guardian(s) on an official visit to campus?

Q. Is the contact rule applicable to established family friends or neighbors?

Q. Is the contact rule applicable to alumni who are enrolled for a course and, therefore, are considered students?

Evaluations and Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. What is the definition of "evaluation?"

Q. May a booster engage in evaluation activities on behalf of the institution?

Telephoning & Writing Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to write or call prospective student-athletes or the prospect's parents or legal guardians(s)?

Q. May a prospective student-athlete call a booster?

Financial Aid and Inducements

Q. During the recruitment of, or prior to the individual's enrollment, can a booster be involved directly or indirectly in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relatives or friends to receive money, financial aid or equivalent inducements regardless if similar financial aid, benefits or arrangements are available to a prospective student in general, their relatives or friends?

1. Cash or loans of money (in any amount);

2. The promise of employment prior to, during or after completion of college;

3. Special discounts or payment arrangements on loans;

4. Employment of relatives or friends of a prospect;

5. A special discount or payment arrangement, or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or services (laundry, dry-cleaning, tailoring, typing costs);

6. Use of an automobile;

7. Providing transportation to or from a summer job or to any other site;

8. Signing or co-signing a note for a loan;

9. Gifts or money or other tangible items (e.g., clothes, jewelry, electronic/stereo equipment);

10. A guarantee of bond;

11. Purchase of items or services from a prospect or the prospect's family at inflated prices;

12. Providing directly or indirectly transportation to enroll in class at the institution;

13. Any financial aid other than that administered by Lander;

14. The promise of financial aid for post-graduation education;

15. Free or reduced cost housing arrangements;16. To pay or arrange for the payment of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete.

Transfer Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to contact a student-athlete from another four-year institution for the purpose of recruiting?

Arrangements for Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to pay, provide or arrange for the payment of room and board and transportation costs incurred by a prospect and/or relatives or friends of a prospect to visit the campus or elsewhere?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to pay, provide or arrange for payment of transportation costs incurred by a prospect to enroll at Lander?

Official Visits to the Member Institution's Campus

Q. What is an official visit?

Q. How many official visits is a prospective student-athlete permitted?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to be involved in the on-campus entertainment of a prospective student-athlete or legal guardian(s) during an official visit?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide cash or use of an automobile to a prospect or a student-host during a prospect's official visit to campus?

Q. Can a booster entertain relatives of a prospective student-athlete at any site offcampus?

Unofficial Visits to the Member Institution's Campus

Q. What is an unofficial visit?

Q. How many unofficial visits may a prospective student-athlete make to campus?

Q. During an unofficial visit to campus is it permissible for a booster to entertain, buy a complimentary meal or expend any funds on the prospective student-athlete or legal guardian(s), relatives or friends?

Coaches of Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit the campus?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to entertain high school, preparatory school or junior college coaches at any location?

Summer Sport Camps

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to pay in whole or part registration fees associated with summer sport camps?

Participating with Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. May a booster play a "pick-up" basketball game with a prospective student-athlete?

Athletic Scouts

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to pay costs incurred by an athletics scout in studying or recruiting a prospect?

Employment of Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to employ or arrange for the employment of a prospective student-athlete before the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school?

Friends and Relatives of Prospective Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide free admissions to the institution's away from home contests to prospects, their friends or relatives?

High School Awards Banquets

Q. May a booster attend a public event (e.g., high school awards' banquet or dinner) at which a prospective student-athlete is in attendance?

A SUMMARY OF RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING ENROLLED

STUDENT-ATHLETES

Payment of Expenses and Special Arrangements

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide to a student-athlete or friend any benefit or special arrangement?

1. Cash or loans of money (in any amount);

2. The promise of employment after completion of college;

3. Special discounts or payment arrangements on loans;

4. Employment of relatives or friends of a prospect;

5. A special discount payment arrangement, or credit on a purchase ( e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or services ( laundry, dry cleaning, tailoring, typing costs);

6. Use of an automobile;7. Providing transportation to or from a job or to any other site;8. Signing or resigning a note for a loan;

9 . Gifts of money or other tangible items ( e.g., clothes, jewelry, electronic/stereo equipment);

10. A guarantee of bond;11. Purchase of items or services from a student-athlete or the athlete's family at inflated prices;

12. Any financial aid other than that administered by Lander;

13. The promise of financial aid for post-graduation education;

14. Free or reduced cost housing arrangements;15. To pay or arrange for the payment of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of student-athlete;

16. The purchase of meals or services at commercial establishments;

17. A benefit connected with off-campus housing (i.e., individual television sets or stereo equipment, specialized recreational, facilities, room furnishings or apartments of extra quality or quantity);

18. Selling or giving a student-athlete tickets to an athletics, institution or community event;

19. The use of personal properties (e.g., boats, summer homes, cars, stereos);

20. Providing Christmas or birthday gifts.No.

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to pay or provide the actual and necessary expenses

(room, board, and transportation costs) incurred by friends or relatives to visit an enrolled student-athlete?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to expend funds to entertain student-athletes and friends?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to purchase and provide enrolled student-athletes or their friends with tickets to athletic events/ plays/movies/or concerts?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to buy an enrolled student-athlete's complimentary tickets for an athletic event?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to permit the use of a telephone or pay for long distance calls?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her athletic performance?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide any payment of expenses or the loan of an

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide enrolled student-athletes with professional services (for which a fee would normally be charged) for personal reasons?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide enrolled student-athletes with a meal at their home?

1. The meal must be provided in an individual's home and may be catered;

2. Meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions;

3. A booster may not provide transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal function unless the meal function is at the home of that booster.

Employment of Student-Athletes

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to employ a student-athlete?

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to employ, use the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of commercial product or service of any kind?

Honorariums

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement?

Financing Athletic Banquets

Q. Is it permissible for a booster to finance a banquet for an institution's athletic team?

1. All expenses are paid through the institution's athletic department;

2. The location of the event is not more than 200 miles from the campus;

3. No tangible award is provided to members of the team.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

! Attend high school and community events in your area. Should you find yourself sitting next to parents of a prospect, do not initiate conversation with the relatives. If conversation is initiated with you, respond in a civil manner but do not discuss Lander athletic programs with them. If they raise questions about the programs, remind them that the NCAA prohibits you from discussing the programs with them. If you are approached by a prospect simply refer them to the Lander Athletics Department.

! Maintain established family relationships with friends and neighbors. You are permitted to play in "pick-up" games and engage in your normal activities with prospects and their parents who are family friends, simply avoid using this relationship to recruit them.

! Attend high school events and awards banquets at which prospects are in attendance, however, avoid contacts with prospects while you are there.

! Send Lander coaching staff members any newspaper clippings or other information about prospects which you think will be of interest.

! Offer assistance to members of the Lander coaching staff who is recruiting in your area. Remember that a booster may not participate in off-campus recruitment activities, but the coaching staff member will appreciate your support.

! Support the Lander athletic teams by attending home or away contests.

! Contact the Lander Athletics Department if you would like to invite a team for dinner. Student-athletes are permitted to receive such a benefit. However, arrangements must be made in advance with the Athletics Department.

! Support Lander Athletics by joining the Bearcat Club.

Your Help is Appreciated

Compliance with NCAA regulations is of great importance to our athletics program and institution. Your help in complying with NCAA rules is an important part of our success. Lander is obligated through membership in the NCAA to report all improprieties. If you have knowledge of improprieties, intentional or unintentional, please let us know. By monitoring our own activities and self-reporting any problems, the negative impact on our student-athletes and the programs they represent will be minimized.

When you are faced with a situation and unsure how to respond or if you have questions related to being a booster, we strongly urge you to contact the Compliance Office at (864) 388-8818 or via email at katkins@lander.edu. You may also contact the Athletic Director at (864) 388-8314.

Yes. An institution's booster club may finance an intercollegiate team's transportation expenses to a recognition banquet that occurs prior to or during the season, provided:No. Student-athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the institution.No.Yes, however, specific NCAA restrictions apply. Employers should check with the Lander Athletics Department prior to employing a student-athlete. They may only be paid for work actually performed and it must be commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the community and your own business.A student-athlete or the entire team may receive an occasional home meal from an institutional staff member or a booster under the following conditions;No. Professional services provided at less than normal or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered extra benefits. automobile for a student-athlete to return home or any other location for any personal reason or to receive an award?No.No. All awards must conform with NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by Lander.No.No.No.No.

No. The NCAA considers these special arrangements as an "extra benefit" and they are specifically prohibited. Extra benefits include but are not limited to:Yes, but any contact with a prospective student-athlete may not be prearranged by an athletics staff member and no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect.No.No, however, the NCAA permits an institution to arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete that begins after the prospect's senior year in high school subsequent to a prospective student-athlete signing the National Letter-of-Intent. Employers must check with the Athletics Department prior to employing a prospect. No.Yes, provided there is no attempt to recruit the prospective student-athlete and the game is not prearranged by a member of the Athletics Department.No.No, however, it is permissible for Lander to provide two complimentary tickets to home athletic contests.No.No.Unlimited.A visit by a prospective student-athlete to a member institution's campus made at the prospect's own expense.No.No.Yes, on-campus only! (13.7.5.1)One per institution and not more than five total visits.A visit by a prospective student-athlete to a member institution's campus that is financed in whole or in part by the member's institution.No.No.No.

. No. Other types of inducements that are prohibited include, but are not limited to:A booster may have a telephone conversation with a prospective student-athlete that is initiated by the student-athlete. The telephone call may not be prearranged by an athletic department staff member.In Division II, it is permissible for an athletics' representative to make written contact to a prospect. At no time may an athletics' representative place a call to a prospect.The legislation does not preclude a booster from viewing a prospect's contest on the booster's initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may not contact the prospect or prospect's parents. Furthermore, the booster is prohibited from contacting the prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, as well as from visiting the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic or athletic ability.Evaluation is any off-campus activity designed to assess the academic qualifications or athletics ability of a prospect, including any visit to a prospect's educational institution (during which no contact occurs) or the observation of any practice or competition at any site at which the prospect participates.Part-time attendance in college by a booster would not permit the booster to avoid the application of the rule.No, however, it must be understood that such contacts are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by any coaching staff members.Yes, on-campus contact is permitted. (13.01.5)Off-campus contact by representatives of an institution's athletic interest isOn-Campus contact is permitted, as are written communications.Any face-to-face encounter between a prospective student-athlete and/or the prospect's parents or legal guardian(s), during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting constitutes an "in-person" contact. Additionally, any face-to-face encounter which is by prearrangement and which takes place on the grounds of the prospect's educational institution or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the team the prospect represents, shall be considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.No. Only coaches and athletic department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. Boosters are prohibited from making in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts.A prospect remains a prospect even after signing a National Letter-of-Intent to attend an institution, and both the institution and the prospect continues to be governed by NCAA recruiting legislation until:A prospect is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade and has been recruited by an institutional staff member or a representative of the school's athletic interest.Once a Booster . . . always a booster. According to the NCAA, once an individual has been identified as an "athletics representative" (i.e., booster), he or she retains this identity forever, even if that person no longer contributes to the athletics program. (13.02.10.1)- You have participated in or are a member of an agency or organization, including corporate entities, promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletic program;