How does the NCAA define a ‘representative of athletics interests’ or ‘booster’?
- If you have participated in or are a member of an agency/organization that promotes Cedarville Athletics.
- If you have made financial contributions to the athletics department or Yellow Jacket Club at any time.
- If you have assisted or been asked to assist in the recruitment of a prospective student athlete.
- If you have assisted or been asked to assist in providing benefits to an enrolled student athlete or their families.
- If you have been involved in promoting Cedarville Yellow Jacket Athletics.
If you are a Representative of Athletics Interest (booster) please continue to read and remember, once you are identified as a booster, you retain that identity forever. Boosters are bound by NCAA and Cedarville University rules. As a result, boosters are responsible for notifying the Cedarville University Athletic Compliance Office of any potential rules violations. Even if a violation is unintentional, the eligibility of a prospective student-athlete (recruit) or enrolled student-athlete could be placed in jeopardy.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES
As a booster, the NCAA restricts the involvement that you may have with prospective student-athletes. A prospective student-athlete is defined as any individual who has started classes for the ninth grade and remains a prospect until enrollment at a college or university. Only coaches and authorized employees may be involved in the recruiting process. NCAA rules prohibit boosters from engaging in recruiting activities designed to secure a prospect's enrollment at Cedarville.
Permissible Booster Activities:
- Continuing to have contact with an established family friend or neighbor who is a prospect.
- Viewing a prospect's game on your own initiative.
- Receiving a call from a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call and it is not for a recruiting purpose.
- Notifying the Cedarville coaching staff of outstanding prospects.
As a Booster you may NOT:
- Contact or call a prospect.
- Contact or call a prospect's parent, coach, principal or counselor.
- Assist with the actual evaluation of talent.
As a Booster you may NOT give/provide a prospect:
- Use of an automobile or transportation.
- Admission to an event (e.g., movies, athletic events, banquets, clubs, special events/parties, etc.).
- Cash or loans in any amount.
- Gifts of any kind including on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, finals week, etc.
- Free or reduced cost services, rentals, or purchases of any type (e.g., meals, drinks, clothing, laundry, haircuts, legal fees, tattoos, car repairs, etc.).
- Free or reduced cost housing for any length of time.
- Entertainment.
- Awards.
- Loans (including co-signing).
- Use of your telephone or credit card for personal reasons without charge.
- Provide a meal in your home.
- Academic assistance of any kind (e.g., tutoring, editing papers/projects, assistance in completing classwork, use of computer, etc.).
Common Questions
May a prospect call a booster?
YES. A booster may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call and the call is not prearranged by an institutional staff member. Discussion must be limited to general Cedarville topics. All athletically related questions must be referred to the athletics department.
May a booster telephone a prospect or send a congratulatory letter once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent with Cedarville?
NO. He/she remains a prospect until the first day of enrollment during a regular academic term or regular practice. Until that time, he/she remains a prospect and the same rules apply even after signing the National Letter of Intent (NLI).
May a booster pay for a prospect's expenses or fees to attend camp?
NO, unless the prospect is an immediate family member of the booster.
May a booster speak to a prospect who is accompanied by a Cedarville coach?
NO. If a Cedarville coach is with a prospect, do not approach the coach until the prospect and his/her family have gone elsewhere.
Is it permissible for a booster to accompany a Cedarville coach when he/she visits a local high school or prospect's home?
NO. A booster may not accompany a coach during any recruiting activities.
ENROLLED STUDENT ATHLETES
As a booster, the NCAA restricts the involvement that you may have with student-athletes. A student-athlete is defined as any student who presently is participating in intercollegiate athletics or participated in intercollegiate athletics, but has completed his/her eligibility. NCAA rules prohibit boosters from providing student-athletes with an extra benefit—doing so may result in the student-athlete being declared ineligible until he/she repays the value of the extra benefit(s) received. Extra benefit violations include any special gift or arrangement provided to a student-athlete, or student-athlete's friend or family member that is not available to the general student body.
Permissible Booster Activities:
- Employ student-athletes (see employment section).
- Host a meal on an occasional basis that has been approved by Cedarville compliance.
- Speak with student-athletes at athletic events, banquets, etc.
- Obtain an autograph from a student-athlete for personal use only. Autographs that are sold or exchanged for anything of value will result in a violation that will jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility.
As a Booster you may NOT give/provide a student-athlete:
- Use of an automobile or transportation Admission to an event (e.g., movies, athletic events, banquets, clubs, special events/parties, etc.).
- Cash or loans in any amount.
- Gifts of any kind including on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, finals week, etc.
- Free or reduced cost services, rentals, or purchases of any type (e.g., meals, drinks, clothing, laundry, haircuts, legal fees, tattoos, car repairs, etc.).
- Free or reduced cost housing for any length of time Entertainment Awards Loans (including co-signing).
- Use of your telephone or credit card for personal reasons without charge.
- Academic assistance of any kind (e.g., tutoring, editing papers/projects, assistance in completing classwork, use of computer, etc.).
Common Questions
May a booster receive a ticket to an athletic event from a current student-athlete?
NO. Boosters are not permitted to receive a complimentary admission or to purchase a ticket from a current student-athlete or their family members.
May a booster speak with a student-athlete at an athletic event or banquet?
YES. Communication with current student-athletes is not restricted under NCAA rules.
May a booster provide a student-athlete with a nominal gift for a special event (e.g., birthday, Christmas, weddings, finals week, etc.)?
NO. Provision of any gift, including a gift of nominal value, is considered an extra benefit under NCAA rules and receipt of such benefits may jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete.
May a booster host a meal for current student-athletes?
YES. A booster may host a meal on an occasional basis for any number of current student-athletes provided the meal is approved by the Cedarville compliance office prior to occurring. Meals may only be hosted in the booster's home or on Cedarville's campus.
May a booster provide lodging to a student-athlete for any length of time?
NO. Provision of lodging to a student-athlete, whether in the booster's home, rental property or at any other location for any length of time would constitute an extra benefits violation that may jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete.
EMPLOYMENT of STUDENT-ATHLETES
Employment of a student-athlete is permissible, provided all four (4) of the following conditions are met:
- Student-athlete is only paid for the work actually performed;
- Student-athlete is paid at the rate commensurate with the going rate in that locale for similar services;
- Student-athlete may not be compensated in any manner for any value or utility that he or she may have for an employer because of any publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she may have obtained because of his or her athletics ability;
- Student-athletes must register all jobs during the academic year and the summer by completing the Student-Athlete Employment Form and returning it to the Athletic Compliance Office prior to beginning work. Proof of payment is required and all student-athletes must be prepared to submit a pay stub at the end of the summer or at the end of their employment, whichever is earlier.
GAMBLING ACTIVITIES
NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from participating in any sports gambling activity or providing information concerning competitions to individuals involved in organized gambling activities. Additionally, it is a violation of federal law for boosters or student-athletes to affect or attempt to affect the outcome of a collegiate contest.
Promotional Activities Involving Student-Athletes:
- Student-athletes are not eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics if he or she accepts compensation, or permits the use of his/her name or pictures to promote a commercial enterprise.
- A student-athlete's name or picture may not be used to advertise, recommend, or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind.
- If a student-athlete's name or picture appears on commercial items (t-shirts, playing cards, posters, photographs, etc.) or is used to promote a commercial product without the student-athlete's knowledge or permission, the student-athlete and the institution are required to take steps to stop such an activity in order to retain the student-athletes eligibility.
ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES
Top 10 Things Fans & Friends of The Cedarville University Athletics Should Know About NCAA Rules:
- The NCAA holds Cedarville accountable for the actions of its fans and friends.
- You may not be involved in recruiting prospective student-athletes on behalf of Cedarville. A prospective student-athlete is defined a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above.
- You may send information about talented prospects to Cedarville coaching staff members.
- You may not become involved in arranging for a prospect, a Cedarville student-athlete or an Cedarville student-athlete's friends or family to receive money or financial assistance of any kind.
- You may not provide transportation to a prospect, student-athlete or their friends and family.
- You may not spend funds to entertain prospects, student-athletes or their friends and family.
- You may not use a photo or name of a student-athlete for commercial purposes or sell student-athlete memorabilia.
- You may continue established relationships with friends and neighbors whose children are prospects or current student-athletes, provided the relationship pre-dates high school and is not based on their status an athlete.
- Breaking NCAA rules can render prospects and student-athletes ineligible for competition at Cedarville University.
- Always ask before you act!
REPORTING SUSPECTED NCAA RULES INFRACTIONS
Cedarville University has selected Lighthouse Services to provide the public with simple, risk-free ways to anonymously and confidentially report activities that may involve violations of NCAA regulations by Cedarville's coaches, staff, student-athletes, or boosters. Reports may be filed through the Lighthouse Services website link below or by calling Lighthouse Services at 844-910-0044.
Cedarville University guarantees that reports submitted via Lighthouse Services will be handled promptly and discreetly. No retaliatory action will be taken against anyone for reporting or inquiring in good faith about potential violations of NCAA regulations.
Lighthouse Services
THANK YOU
As we strive for continued excellence, we always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. The Cedarville University is proud to have your loyal support, dedication and enthusiasm for Yellow Jacket Athletics.
In order to learn more about NCAA rules and how they may affect The Cedarville University, you may visit the Cedarville Athletics Compliance website at yellowjackets.cedarville.edu NCAA rules are the responsibility of everyone from student-athletes to administrators to boosters. In helping the Cedarville athletics department achieve its higher purpose, we ask for your assistance in continuing to build a compliance conscience. If you have any questions or become aware of any potential violations, please contact the Cedarville Athletic Compliance Office.
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