West Texas A&M University Guide to NCAA Rules for Alumni and Friends

A Message from the Director of Athletics
Who to Contact for Questions and Further Information
What is a "Booster"?
Permissible Activities by Boosters
10 Things a Booster Should Know
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
What is a Contact?
What is Considered Recruiting?
Rules Governing Prospective Student-Athletes
Rules Governing Enrolled Student Athletes

Helpful Links
- NCAA Student-Athlete Eligibility & Recruiting
- Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
- NCAA Transfer Guide
- NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse
- NCAA Division II Manual
- NCAA Division II Coaches Recruiting Guide

A Message from the Director of Athletics

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Your support of West Texas A&M University Athletics is vital and always appreciated. It has been one of the important cornerstones of the Buffalo athletics program.

We must be cautious, however, not to let enthusiasm for athletics lead us into conflict with the very specific rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association or the Lone Star Conference.Supporters of West Texas A&M University are justifiably proud of WTAMU's rich tradition of both academic accomplishments and athletic achievements. Student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators have worked very hard to achieve and maintain both academic and athletic excellence within the athletic department. The successful results of these efforts are seen in the large number of conference and national championships won, and the overall grade-point average of the student-athletes.

This rich tradition has been built on integrity. Winning is important, but winning the right way is crucial. The WTAMU athletic department is committed to following all NCAA rules governing the recruitment and treatment of student-athletes.

WTAMU is grateful for all you have done to make this one of the model programs in the nation. We know that you share in our goal of athletic success within the rules.

See you at the games,


Michael McBroom
Director of Athletics
mmcbroom@mail.wtamu.edu

Who to Contact for Compliance Questions and Further Information

Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA legislation. The institution's responsibility for the conduct of its athletics program includes responsibility for the actions of its staff members and for the actions of boosters or "representatives of the University's Athletics Interests."

This rules summary is not comprehensive and NCAA legislation can be subject to various interpretations. West Texas A&M University is given the responsibility to exercise "institutional control" of its athletic interests and we are committed to maintaining the kind of responsible program in which all of us take such great pride. Questions regarding rules relating to relationships between athletics representatives and recruits or enrolled student-athletes can be directed to:

Ms. Holly Troth
Associate Athletic Director/Compliance Coordinator
West Texas A&M University
WTAMU Box 60049
Canyon, TX 79016

Phone: (806) 651-4403
FAX: (806) 651-4409
E-mail: htroth@mail.wtamu.edu

What is a "Booster"?

You are considered a Booster, also known as a "Representative of the University's Athletics Interests" if you:

- have participated in or are currently a member of any athletics department booster group or the Buffalo Club;
- made a donation to the men's or women's athletic program;
- have assisted or been asked to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
- have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
- have been or are involved in promoting WTAMU athletics in any way.

Once a person is defined as a booster/representative of WTAMU's athletic interests, they retain that identity for life, even if they no longer support the athletics program.

Permissible Activities by Boosters

WTAMU boosters may attend events (e.g., contests, banquets) where prospects are present on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may NOT contact the prospect or the prospect's relatives.

WTAMU boosters may inform the Buffalo coaches of prospects in their area by contacting the WTAMU staff and sending Buff coaches newspaper clippings with the names of particular prospects.

Do continue establishing family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts with prospects are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by WTAMU staff members.

WTAMU boosters may arrange employment for prospective student-athletes. The prospect may not begin the job until after the completion of his or her senior year in high school. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a normal rate.

10 Things a Booster 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. Some apply only to Division I schools. Others may be able to do things differently. Just because someone says or is doing something different, don't assume the rule has changed. Please check with us!

2. ACTIVE RECRUITING INVOLVEMENT is limited to coaches. Only coaches are permitted to be directly involved in the recruiting process. They are the only ones who may meet a prospect or the prospect's parents in person; place a phone call to the prospect; or write to a prospect. 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. A coach's appearance at an event where prospects are present could make it a "recruiting event" and everyone present would be committing a violation. 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 WTAMU, 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 West Texas A&M (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 West Texas A&M. 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).

Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?

The NCAA defines a "prospect" as anyone who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the institution provides any financial assistance or other benefit not provided to prospective students in general.

What is a Contact?

A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's parents/guardians and an institutional staff member or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect's school or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the prospect's team shall be considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.

What is Considered Recruiting?

Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect's relatives by a staff member or representative of the institution's athletics interests (booster) for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.

Rules Governing Prospective Student-Athletes

Contact With Prospects - Division II
In Division II representatives of WTAMU's athletic interests are prohibited from making in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with prospects or their relatives. Boosters are also prohibited from contacting DII prospects by telephone. On-campus contact as well as written communications are permitted with Division II prospects.

Contact With Prospect's Coach or School Staff
Contact with a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect is prohibited.

Financial Aid or Other Benefits to Prospects
Representatives of WTAMU's athletic interests may not provide any financial aid or other benefits, such as clothing, special discounts, tickets to events, or co-signing loans, to a prospect or their relatives.

Rules Governing Enrolled Student-Athletes

Extra Benefits
A student-athlete is prohibited from receiving any extra benefit. If a student-athlete accepts any benefit based on his or her athletic ability, that athlete may lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletics participation. Additionally, boosters involved would be forced to disassociate from the university's athletic program. Extra benefits that are prohibited, include, but are not limited to the following:

- A loan of money;
- Use of an automobile;
- Signing or co-signing a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan;
- Providing professional services at no charge or a reduced rate; or
- Purchasing a meal or beverage for a student-athlete.

Employment of Enrolled Student-Athletes
NCAA rules require that the student-athlete and employer sign a written statement prior to the commencement of employment confirming that the employment satisfies NCAA regulations. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for services of like character.

Rules Governing Student-Athlete Participation in Promotional Activities
Use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support any charitable, educational or non-profit promotional activity requires the signature of the student-athlete and the authorized representative of the event on a release statement that requires written approval from the Director of Athletics. Forms can be obtained from the WTAMU Athletics Department. Furthermore, student-athletes are not permitted to be involved in the advertisement, recommendation or promotion of a commercial organization for sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Please contact the athletic department before asking any enrolled student-athlete to take part in any activity.

Agents
A student-athlete shall be ineligible for participation if he or she agrees, orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent. This includes any agreements for future negotiations that are to take place after the individual has completed his or her eligibility in that sport. Additionally, student-athletes and their relatives are prohibited from accepting any benefits, including meals or transportation, from an agent.

Gambling
NCAA rules do not permit student-athletes to knowingly:

- provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
- solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate team; or
- participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.