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REPRESENTATIVE OF ATHLETICS INTERESTS (BOOSTER)
Consistent with the University's mission, the Virginia State University Department of Athletics will provide an athletics program founded on excellence, integrity and honesty. We will develop successful teams that support the intellectual, athletic and personal endeavors of our student-athletes. Additionally, the Department will operate the Athletics program and manage its resources in a manner having the most beneficial impact on the student-athletes, coaches, staff and the University Community within the parameters set by the Operating Principles of the NCAA. Representative of Athletics Interests (Booster) You are a “Representative of Athletics Interest” if you have at any time:
Entertainment and contact by representatives of the institution’s athletics interests during the official visit are confined to campus: Complying with NCAA rules and regulations is vital for any Division II institution. It is the responsibility of Virginia State University to insure that all of its coaches, student-athletes, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, and friends adhere by NCAA regulations. Under these guidelines, alumni, donors, and friends are categorized as “representative of athletics interests” of Virginia State University. This is a reference to some of the most important NCAA rules that apply to our athletics representatives. Please be aware that an uninformed or inappropriate interaction with a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete might jeopardize the student-athlete eligibility, the sport they represent, or Virginia State University. Virginia State University, to the highest degree, appreciates your loyal support and continued interest in its athletics programs. As we strive for continued success and excellence in athletics, as well as academics, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. Your cooperation can be of assistance in accomplishing these goals. Facts to Know: Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA) A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. A student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete, if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual’s relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally. Any solicitation of a prospect or a prospect’s relatives [or legal guardian(s)] by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program. Recruited PSA - Actions by staff members or athletics representatives that cause a PSA to become a recruited PSA are: • Providing the prospect with an official visit. • Arranged in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospect or the prospect’s parent(s), relatives or legal guardian(s). • Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with the prospect, the prospect’s relative’s or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment. A “contact” is any face-to-face encounter between a PSA or the PSA’s parents or legal guardians and an institutional staff member or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Authorized Staff Members- All in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians shall be made only by authorized athletics department staff members. Such off-campus contact by representatives of Virginia State University’s athletics interest is prohibited. The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives: Observing Prospect’s Contest; an athletics representative may view a prospect’s athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospect on such occasions.
Offers and Inducements Virginia State University staff members or any representative of its athletics interest shall not be involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for or giving or offering to give any financial aid or other benefits to the prospect or the prospect’s relatives or friends. Entertainment All entertainment confined to Virginia State campus. An “extra-benefit” is the receipt of any special arrangement by an institutional employee or an athletics representative to provide a SA or PSA, or their relatives or friends, with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Examples of “extra-benefits” include, but are not limited to, the following:
Sports Camps and Clinics Virginia State University’s sports camp or instructional clinic shall be any camp or clinic that is owned or operated by Virginia State University or an employee of Virginia State University athletics department, either on or off its campus. Payment of expenses: A representative of Virginia State University’s athletics interests may not pay a prospect’s expenses to attend Virginia State University’s sports camp or clinic.
Virginia State University is required by the NCAA to notify boosters of consequences regarding the rules violations. Booster’s violations of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges. Virginia State University is responsible for the actions of its boosters. If a booster provides an impermissible benefit to a prospect, a student-athlete, or a relative or friend of a prospect or a student-athlete, Virginia State University may be subject to penalties, even if the student-athlete has completed his/her eligibility for intercollegiate competition. A booster who provides an impermissible benefit may be disassociated from the university's athletics programs. Disassociation results in a loss of all benefits or privileges offered by the Department of Athletics and may involve other penalties as appropriate. Can a booster be involved in any way when a prospect is visiting campus? No. A booster is precluded from all recruiting activities. Is it permissible for a booster to provide employment in the academic year or summer for student-athletes? Yes. Please remember that compensation must be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services. Both the student-athlete and the employer must sign a written statement prior to beginning any employment. May a student-athlete's name or picture be used to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend, or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service? No. Such activity would jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete. Is it permissible for a booster to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit the campus? No. Is it permissible for a booster to pay in whole or in part registration fees associated with sports camps? No. Is the contact rule applicable to established family, friends and neighbors? No. However, it must be understood that such contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by a member of the institutions coaching staff. May a booster attend a public event (e.g., high school award banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance? Yes. Please remember that an athletics department staff member may not prearrange contact with a prospect and no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect. Is it permissible for a booster to provide enrolled student-athletes a home cooked meal? Yes. Provided it is on an "occasional" basis and any such meal is not at a restaurant. Please note, all requests must receive prior approval from the compliance office. Is Virginia State responsible for the acts of boosters and booster support groups? Yes. Boosters are governed by the same NCAA and institutional rules and regulations as those placed upon all institutional athletics staff members. When does a prospect become a student-athlete? A prospect becomes a student-athlete when he or she reports for regular squad practice or attends classes in any term (Fall or Spring). Is it permissible for a booster to provide an enrolled student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee would normally be charged) for personal reasons? No. Professional services provided at a fee less than the normal rate or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered extra benefits. May a student-athlete make a public appearance at a business establishment for purposes of signing autographs? No. It should be noted that student-athletes may make appearances at schools, hospitals or other non-profit charitable organizations, provided they do not receive compensation and such activities are authorized by the athletic department. Is it permissible for a booster to provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her athletics performance? No. All awards must conform to NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by Virginia State. Can boosters fundraise or donate money to send a student-athletes parents to an athletic contest? No. Under NCAA rules and regulations, such activity may jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility. What action should an athletic representative (booster) take, if he/she becomes aware of a rules violation? The athletic representative should contact the Athletic Compliance Office or the Athletic Director's Office to report and/or discuss the information pertinent to the violation. If the athletic representative wishes to remain anonymous, he/she can contact the Athletic Compliance Office to provide information without giving a name. The Athletic Compliance Office will review the information and process it as necessary.
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