NCAA RULES RELATING TO PROSPECTS

NCAA rules prohibit boosters’ involvement in the recruiting process of prospects, as well as their parents and family members.

Representative of Athletics Interests (booster) A “representative of the institution’s athletics interests” is any individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer), or other organization who is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution’s executive or athletics administration to: • Have participated in or to be a member of an agencyor organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiateathletics program;

• Have made financial contributions to the athleticsdepartment or to an athletics booster organization of thatinstitution;

• Be assisting or to have been requested (by theathletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment ofprospects;

• Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits toenrolled student-athletes or their families; or

• Have been involved otherwise in promoting theinstitution’s athletics program.

Examples of a representative of athletics interests are: fans, students, faculty, staff, and other employees and alumni. (This is not an exhaustive list.) Once identified as a booster, the individual or business retains that identity for life.

ProspectAn individual who has either started ninth grade (seventh grade for men’s basketball) OR who has received any benefit from Hartford or a booster. Actions taken by athletics staff that cause an individual to become a prospective student-athlete include:

• providing a prospect an expense-paid visit to a collegiateinstitution;

• having an arranged in-person encounter with theindividual; or

• initiating or arranging telephone contact with theindividual or a member of his/her family.

Only those coaching staff members who have passed the coaches certification exam are permitted to recruit prospective student-athletes.

ContactsBoosters may not make recruiting contacts in person with prospects at any site. A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or their parents, relatives, or legal guardian(s) and an institutional staff member or an athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting.

A meeting that is prearranged or takes place at the prospect’s school, competition site, or practice site is considered a contact regardless of the conversation that occurs.

CommunicationBoosters are prohibited from communicating with prospects for recruiting purposes via telephone, letters, email, text, Twitter, Facebook, or in any other manner.

GiftsThe provision of any financial aid or other benefits (e.g., clothing, special discounts, tickets to events, or loans of money or other items) to prospects or their relatives is prohibited.

EvaluationA booster may view a prospect’s athletics contests on his or her own initiative, however, a booster may not contact the prospect, prospect’s coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect. A booster may not secure transcripts or video pertaining to the prospect’s academic or athletic ability.

EmploymentThe employment or arranging of employment for a prospect before his/her graduation from high school is prohibited.

Consequences of an NCAA violation may include:

• A currently enrolled student-athlete beingdeclared ineligible for competition.

• A prospect’s eligibility being jeopardized.

• Damage to the reputation and to theintegrity of the University of Hartford.

• NCAA sanctions being placed on theUniversity and the Athletics program.

What May a Booster Provide?

Boosters may invite an enrolled student-athlete or the entire team to their home for an occasional meal. You must receive approval from the Athletics Compliance office prior to the meal.

Boosters with an employment opportunity for a student-athlete should contact the Department of Athletics at 860.768.4959.

Boosters who know of a prospect should forward information to the appropriate coaching staff member.

We appreciate your support in continuing the excellence of Hartford Athletics.

Tom NymanAssociate Athletics Director for Compliance 860.768.5041nyman@hartford.edu

This brochure is not a complete summary of all NCAA regulations. It should only be used as a quick reference

for athletics representatives.

Hartford Athletics appreciates your assistance as we strive to comply with NCAA regulations.

Student-athletes may only receive benefits expressly authorized by the NCAA.

Special BenefitsA student-athlete cannot receive any extra benefit. An “extra benefit” is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete, his/her relatives, or friends with a benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA.

Special ArrangementsA student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment arrangement (e.g., airline ticket, clothing), or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning).

Speaking EngagementsStudent-athletes may receive only necessary travel expenses associated with a speaking engagement, not an honorarium. All speaking engagements must be approved by the Director of Athletics.

EmploymentA booster can provide employment with compensation only for work performed and at the fair market rate for services of like character.

ServicesAn athletics representative may not provide a student-athlete with professional services (which a fee normally would be charged) without charge at a reduced cost.

Telephone and Credit CardsIt is not permissible to allow a student-athlete to use a telephone for personal reasons without charge or use a booster’s credit card for purchases.

EntertainmentA student-athlete may not receive services (e.g., use of a car, dinners, movie tickets) from commercial agencies (e.g., car dealers, movie theaters, restaurants) or boosters without charge or at reduced rates.

NCAA RULES RELATING TOCURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETES