A Quick Guide To NCAA RULES
For alumni, friends, and supporters ofCHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICSAre you a . . . representative of athletics interests ?Did you know that . . . NCAA legislation prohibits representatives of athletics interests from being involved in any recruiting activities on or off campus.
or that . . . you cannot have any contact with prospective student-athlete ?and what do you do if you become aware of an excellent prospect in your locale?
What limitations are there in your involvement with enrolled student-athletes ?
What benefits might you give enrolled student-athletes that may render them ineligible for athletic participation.
So, what can representatives of athletics interests do ?
YOU are a representative of athletics interest if…
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Have ever participated in or are currently a member of the CSU Alumni Assoc., or any agency or organization promoting Chicago State's athletics programs;
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Have ever made a donation to Chicago State University's men's or women's athletics programs (including gifts of cash, goods or services);
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Have provided or are providing employment for student-athletes at the request of an Athletics Department staff member; Have assisted or been requested to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes
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Have otherwise been involved in promoting Chicago State's athletics programs.
Once an individual has been identified as an athletics representative, he/she retains this identity forever, even if that person subsequently discontinues contributions to or involvement with the athletics programs.
What Recruiting Activities are prohibited?
NCAA legislation prohibits representatives of athletics interests from being involved in any recruiting activities on or off campus. Only authorized institutional staff members may recruit. An athlete is considered a prospect for purposes of NCAA legislation until he/she reports for regular squad practice or attends the first day of classes at Chicago State University.
Legislation specifically prohibits:
- Any contact with a prospective student-athlete at any time whether in person, by mail or by telephone;
- Any contact with a prospect's coach, principal, or counselor to gain information that would assist in evaluating the prospect either athletically or academically, including visiting the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts;
- Any involvement, directly or indirectly, in making arrangement for or giving any financial aid or other benefits to a prospect or his/her family, relatives or friends (such as gifts, awards, loans, employment, etc.);
- Mailing anything to a prospect including letters, cards, newspaper clippings, game programs, etc. The NCAA restricts the type of materials that may be sent and who may distribute such materials;
- Any contact with enrolled student-athletes at other four-year colleges or universities for the purpose of exploring their interest in transferring to Chicago State University. If a student-athlete enrolled at another institution contacts you, do not discuss transfer with him/her. Immediately tell him/her to contact a Chicago State University Athletic Department staff member.
Limited contact is permissible, such as:
- Contacts made with a prospect who is an established family friend, relative or neighbor so long as the contact is not arranged by a Chicago State staff member and is not made for recruiting purposes;
- An unavoidable, incidental contact with a prospect provided recruiting does not take place, only normal civility is involved and the contact is not pre-arranged;
- Casual contacts at Chicago State University's athletic events, if incidental;
- Contacts about summer employment only after the prospect has signed a National Letter of Intent; or, in the case of a junior college prospect, only after the prospect has graduated or officially left the junior college;
- Contact involved in a normal working relationship (e.g., booster who is a doctor or dentist who treats a prospect professionally) provided no recruiting is involved;
- Viewing a prospect's game at your own initiative (must not involve contact with the prospect)
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete ?
A prospective student-athlete is defined as any student who has started classes for the ninth (9 th ) grade (including students attending two-year colleges). However, it is possible for a younger student to be considered a prospect, so it is a good idea to treat ALL athletes as prospects, regardless of age.
NCAA PENALTY
In conformance with NCAA regulations, any individual who enters into an agreement with the University that results in a special athletic benefit or privilege may have that benefit or privilege withheld if the individual engages in any conduct that is determined to be a violation of NCAA legislation.
What about contact with currently enrolled athletes ?
Representatives of athletics interests are limited in their involvement with enrolled student-athletes (students at Chicago State University who are members of any intercollegiate athletics team) and must be careful not to provide a benefit to a student-athlete that would render him/her ineligible for athletic participation.
Prohibited benefits for student-athletes or their friends, family and relatives include:
- Room, board or transportation costs for friends or family of an athlete to visit campus or attend an away game;
- Loan of an automobile to an athlete for any reason or provision of any type of transportation (except in conjunction with an occasional home meal);
- Use of telephones or credit cards for personal reasons without charge or at a reduced rate;
- Cash or special discounts, payment arrangement, or credit on purchases or services;
- Expenditure of funds to provide any type of entertainment;
- Provision of typing or other services associated with school projects or reports;
- Loan of money in any amount;
- Guarantee of bond;
- Purchase of meals or services at commercial establishments;
- Signing or co-signing a note to arrange a loan;
- Tickets to an athletic, university or community event (including professional sports contests);
- Use of personal property (ski condos, summer homes, car stereo, equipment, etc.);
- Gifts for Christmas, birthdays, etc.;
- Free or reduced-cost services or goods (dry cleaning, movies, haircut, etc.);
- Serving as a "sponsor family" or "home-away-from-home family";
- Use of a student-athlete's name, picture or personal appearance to promote a commercial product, service or business.
Representatives of athletics interests may :
- Employ a student-athlete with eligibility remaining provided …
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Payment is based on actual work performed and at a rate of pay comparable to the going rate for similar work;
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Employment does not result in an athlete's receiving money in excess of that permitted by NCAA legislation;
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Employment is approved in advance by the Athletics Department's Compliance Coordinator;
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Student-athlete and employer sign a written statement before work begins agreeing to abide by NCAA employment regulations and earnings limitations.
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Contribute money to be administered by the Athletics Department…
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For CSU supporters, a memorial fund, endowed scholarship, etc.;
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To support a specific sport program.
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Entertain teams at away contests provided all team members are included and advance approval has been obtained from the Athletics Department;
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Provide an occasional meal (including transportation) to a student-athlete…
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In the representative's home only;
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On an infrequent basis or special occasion (such as Thanksgiving or Christmas)
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Invite a student-athlete to speak to a youth educational or charitable group…
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Appearance must be approved in advance by the Athletics Department;
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Athlete may not receive an honorarium;
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Athlete may receive necessary travel expenses (event must be within Chicago);
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Athlete may not miss class.