This site has been created to inform supporters of Wofford Athletics on the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA.) “Representatives of athletics’ interests” are all alumni and friends of Wofford’s athletics programs; you are bound under the same rules and regulations as the athletes, coaches, and staff. This contains a brief overview, if future questions/situations arise please be sure to, “ask before you act” because consequences of NCAA violations include:
• Enrolled student-athletes declared ineligible
• Eligibility of prospective student-athletes jeopardized
• NCAA regulations and sanctions placed on the college and athletic department
• Athletics representatives forced to disassociate from the college and/or loss of ticket privileges
What is a Representative of Athletics Interests (Booster/Donor)?
All alumni, friends, and employees of the College are categorized as ‘representatives of athletics interest.’ The NCAA stipulates that once an individual has been identified as a ‘representative’ or “booster/donor” he/she retains this status forever even if the individual is no longer associated with the athletics program. Furthermore the NCAA states that it is possible for a person to be a representative of more than one institution at the same time.
A representative of athletics interest is anyone who has ever:
• Made any type of contribution to the athletics department or to a booster club,
• Joined the institution’s booster club or any sport specific group,
• Provided or helped arrange employment for a student-athlete,
• Provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families,
• Assisted in any manner in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes,
• Promoted the institution’s athletics programs in any manner.
As a representative of athletics interest you may not:
• Contact a prospect’s coach, principal or counselor in an effort to evaluate a prospect,
• Visit the prospect’s institution to pick up film or transcripts,
• Contact a prospect, his/her parents, legal guardians, or spouse on or off campus,
• Contact a prospect by telephone or letter,
• Make special arrangements to entertain a recruit,
• Provide extra benefits to a prospect, student-athlete, or the parents, family and/or guardians of the prospects or student-athletes.
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
A prospective student-athlete is a person who has started ninth (9th) grade, regardless of his/her athletic ability and/or participation. Please remember that a prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or accepts an offer of financial aid from the institution. A person remains a prospect until he/she reports for the first day of classes for a regular (Fall/Spring) term.
What is an “Extra Benefit?”
Any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletics programs to provide a student-athlete (or relative/friend) a benefit that is not generally available to other Wofford College students.
Please take special consideration of the following:
• A student-athlete cannot accept anything from an employee or booster (i.e.-use of car, hair cut, clothing, gifts, money, tickets, payment of long distance calls.)
• Free/reduced cost of room and/or board cannot be provided. This includes on or off campus and at any location or time of year.
• Storage Room cannot be provided.
• Use of copy machine, fax machine, or other department equipment may not be provided.
• A student-athlete cannot eat at a restaurant as a special guest of an employee or athletics booster. However, on infrequent, special occasions a student-athlete/team may accept an invitation to the home (never a restaurant) of an employee or booster for a meal.
• Only reasonable (i.e.-within a 30 mile radius) and occasional local transportation may be provided.
The importance of following all NCAA rules and regulations is imperative to maintaining the integrity of Wofford College and intercollegiate athletics. We ask all who are associated with the institutions athletics programs to help the College protect the spirit of competition, the athletics eligibility of our student-athletes, and the reputation of the College by adhering to the rules and regulations of the NCAA and by contacting the Compliance Office or the NCAA with all questions.
Remember the #1 Rule: ‘Ask Before You Act!’
Elizabeth Rabb
Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance
(864) 597-4492
rabbew@wofford.edu
