A BOOSTER S GUIDE TO NCAA RULES. Presented by: Jacksonville University Office of Compliance and Student-

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1 A BOOSTER S GUIDE TO NCAA RULES Presented by: Jacksonville University Office of Compliance and Student-

2 COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS Dear Alumni, Faculty, Fans and Friends of the Jacksonville University Dolphins, It is a very exciting time to be a part of Jacksonville University Athletics. As a representative of athletics interest, you play an important role in our success. As we look forward to a continued, bright future in Division I athletics we ask you, the fans and supporters of Jacksonville University, to not let your enthusiasm lead us into conflict with NCAA, Atlantic Sun, Pioneer Football League, Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference, and Southern Conference guidelines. The purpose of this booklet is to provide you with a basic guideline of NCAA rules and regulations that pertain to you as a supporter of Jacksonville Athletics. The NCAA places on each institution the responsibility to exercise institutional control. This responsibility is not only placed on the athletics department, but on the entire outside community and beyond. Therefore, Jacksonville University is responsible for the actions of anyone considered a representative of the university s athletics interest. This group includes: alumni, faculty, staff, fans and friends of Jacksonville University. We are grateful for your continued support in our program, and know that as we have grown you have contributed a great deal to our expansion, but we ask you to help us to comply with all the NCAA and Conference affiliate rules and regulations. This guide will help to prevent any inadvertent violation of the NCAA and Conference affiliate legislation. If a question ever arises about NCAA rules or a specific situation involving a prospective student-athlete or current student-athlete, please contact the Jacksonville University Athletics Compliance Office immediately. Alex Ricker-Gilbert Associate AD Office: aricker1@ju.edu Gratefully, Jacksonville University Compliance and S-AS Rob Saunders Director of Compliance Office: rsaunde2@ju.edu Jacksonville Athletics 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL Q. Are the restrictions on contacts with prospects and their family members applicable to friends and neighbors I have known for years? A. No. However, it must be understood such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and cannot be initiated or arranged by the Jacksonville coaching staff members. In addition, the established relationship between the booster and the prospect must have occurred prior to the friend or neighbor becoming a prospect. Q. If I meet the parents of a student-athlete, can I buy them a drink during or after the game? A. No. Nothing of value (no matter how small) may be provided by a booster, alumnus or staff member to the family of a student-athlete or prospect. Q. Can I give a birthday/holiday card or gift to a student-athlete or a prospect? A. No. Same as above, you may not supply the prospect or student-athlete with any item of value. Q. If I have extra tickets to a Jacksonville sporting event, can I give them to student-athletes? Can I provide them with tickets to other events in the area (sporting or otherwise)? A. No. It is not permissible for student-athletes to receive tickets from boosters to any Jacksonville sporting event. Student-athletes must obtain their tickets in the same manner as all other students. When it comes to professional sporting events, NCAA regulations prohibit the institution or any of its boosters from obtaining and providing tickets to student-athletes. Such a gift of tickets would be considered an unacceptable extra benefit. In general, boosters are prohibited from providing any form of entertainment expenses to student-athletes. Whether it is tickets to a movie, the cover charge at a club, or greens fees, providing such benefits to student-athletes would constitute a violation of NCAA regulations and jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility. Q. As a Jacksonville booster, may I call or write a prospect to let him or her know they would be a good fit for at Jacksonville University? A. No. Only the Jacksonville coaches may call or write a prospect after specific dates established by the NCAA. Q. How long is a prospective student-athlete considered to be a prospect? A. A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after committing to or signing a National Letter of Intent with Jacksonville or another institution. In fact, both the prospect and the institution continue to be governed by NCAA recruiting regulations until the prospect reports for practice or attends his/her first day of classes in any regular term (i.e., fall or spring, not summer school). Q. What should I do if a prospect calls me about the Jacksonville athletics program? A. If that situation occurs, you may speak only about general information about the University, and cannot answer any questions about the athletic program. The best way to deal with a prospect who calls is to ask them to contact the coach of the sport they are interested in directly.

3 DONATIONS Please make all donations directly to JU Athletics in order to avoid any NCAA rules violations. CONSEQUNCES FOR BOOSTER INVOLVMENT IN NCAA VIOLATIONS Consequences are severe if NCAA rules are broken. Boosters found in violation of NCAA regulations are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including possible loss of ability to purchase season tickets, loss of ability to participate in donor programs or booster clubs, and possible complete disassociation from the entire university athletics program. If you or a member of the athletics department staff violate a rule involving a prospective or enrolled student-athlete, then that individual could lose ALL eligibility for intercollegiate athletics participation at Jacksonville University. Please contact the Jacksonville Athletics Compliance Office if you have any questions regarding NCAA rules. Again, this brochure should not be relied upon exclusively, as NCAA rules are complex and ever changing. This brochure is a tool to help avoid inadvertent involvement in a violation of NCAA legislation. We encourage you to contact the Compliance Office to determine the application of NCAA rules. When in Doubt...ALWAYS, ASK BEFORE YOU ACT! IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS Representative of Jacksonville University s Athletic Interest (also known as a Booster) You are defined as a representative of the University s athletic interest (Booster) if you have done any of the following: Have ever made any type of financial contribution to the athletics program or athletic booster organization Have ever been a member of an organization promoting the institution s intercollegiate athletic program Have ever helped arrange employment for a student-athlete, prospect, or their parents or relatives Have ever assisted in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete; or Have ever provided benefits for a student-athlete, prospect, or their parents or relatives Have ever been involved, in any way, in the promotion of the athletics program Remember once a person has been identified as a Representative of Jacksonville University s Athletic Interest, the person retains that identity forever. Prospective Student-Athlete The NCAA defines a prospect as any individual who has begun classes for the ninth grade, regardless of athletic ability. A prospect may also be a student who is currently enrolled in a two year or four year college other than Jacksonville. The person will remain a prospect until they report to the first day of class or begin official practice prior to the start of fall classes. Enrolled Student-Athlete An individual whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or representative of athletic interest with the motive toward the student s ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student at the university will become a student-athlete once they report for an intercollegiate squad that is under direct jurisdiction of the athletics department.

4 Recruiting The NCAA defines recruiting as any solicitation of a prospect, or member of a prospect s family, for the purposes of securing the prospect s enrollment and participation in Jacksonville athletics. All recruiting may only be executed by designated athletics department staff members. Each staff member must be certified by the NCAA before recruiting. Contact A contact is any face to face encounter between a prospect, or a member of the prospects family (including legal guardians), and an institutional staff member or booster during which any conversation occurs in excess of a greeting. A simple exchange of greetings is considered a contact if it is prearranged or takes place: On the grounds of a prospect s educational institution At the site of an organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the prospect s high school, preparatory school, two-year college, or all-star team No Contact with Prospects: Boosters of Jacksonville athletics are prohibited from: Making on or off campus recruiting contacts Engaging in written or telephone communications with a prospect, or member of a prospect s family Making a contact with a prospect s coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate a prospect Visiting a prospect s institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the prospect Evaluation Any off-campus activity designed to access the academic qualifications or athletic abilities of a prospect is an evaluation. A visit to a prospects educational institution (during which no contact occurs) or observing the prospects participation in practice or competition at any site is considered an evaluation. OTHER GOVERNING RULES Employment Jacksonville University is allowed to arrange employment for prospects during the summer prior to their enrollment as freshmen. Boosters may employ prospects or enrolled student-athletes during the summer, regardless of any financial aid they may be receiving. Any employment benefits provided to the student-athlete employee must be provided to all other employees performing similar services for the employer (e.g., transportation, health insurance, bonuses). Any compensation paid to the student-athlete employee by the employer must be for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for services of like character. Employment of a prospect cannot begin prior to the completion of the senior year in high school. College-age prospects (two-year, and four-year) may not begin employment prior to officially withdrawing from the previous institution or having completed the requirements for graduation from the two-year college. Implications exist for employing an enrolled student-athlete during the academic year. Therefore, always contact the Jacksonville University Athletics Compliance Office before employing any student-athlete during the academic year. Gambling Jacksonville University student-athletes, coaches and staff member shall NOT: Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team Accept a bet on any team representing the institution Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item that has tangible value (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner, etc.) Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics through the internet, a bookmaker, a parley card or any other method employed by organized gambling

5 Benefits that May be Provided by Boosters A booster may contribute funds to finance a scholarship for a specific sport or position. However, it is NOT permissible to finance a scholarship for a particular prospect or student-athlete. A booster may provide a student-athlete or an entire team with an occasional meal under the following conditions: The meal must be provided in the booster s home (not in a restaurant) and may be catered The meal must be approved in advance by the respective head coach and the Jacksonville Compliance Office The meals must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions Parents of a Jacksonville University studentathlete may provide team members with a meal at any location. PLEASE NOTE Most of the impermissible actions detailed in this brochure will immediately render the involved student-athlete ineligible for competition. PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES OF STUDENT-ATHLETES DO NOT use the name, picture or likeness of an enrolled student-athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. A student-athlete may not be eligible for competition if they accept payment for, or permits their name or image to advertise the sale/use of any commercial product or service. DO NOT mail items to a student-athlete for them to sign and return to you. All student-athletes signatures must be obtained on a fan day or after an athletic event. No autographs may be sold. DO NOT use any item (poster, ball, etc.) signed by a Jacksonville University coach, student-athlete, or staff member in an auction, raffle or any other type of fundraising activity designed to raise money for any high school projects. Student-athletes may only receive actual and necessary travel expenses when speaking to an educational or charitable groups. A student-athlete may not be compensated for appearance for any reason. All appearances must be approved in advance my the Jacksonville Compliance Office. RULES GOVERNING RECRUITING Only coaches and athletic department staff members can be involved with the recruiting process. All boosters who are not Jacksonville University employees are prohibited from contacting a prospect for the purpose of encouraging participation in the Jacksonville athletics program. Methods of contact include but are not limited to: Telephone Letter / Fax Text messaging In person (regardless of location) Special Benefits or Arrangements A booster is NOT permitted to provide a prospect, member of a prospect s family, the prospect s legal guardian, or a friend of a prospect any special benefits or arrangements. A special benefit or arrangement includes but is not limited to: Cash or loan Co-signing or arranging a loan Use of automobile Gifts of any kind (clothing, airline tickets, holiday cards, housing, etc.) Special discounts on goods or services Provide any form of transportation Provide expenses for a Jacksonville camp or clinic There may be times when you as a booster will come into contact with a prospect unavoidably. During such a contact, conversation with a prospect must be limited to normal civility. The conversation must conclude quickly and no recruitment may take place. Any contact which occurs at a prospect's home, school, or site of completion or practice will not be considered incidental; the result of such action would be deemed as an NCAA violation. Employment A booster is not permitted to provide employment to a prospect prior to the completion of a prospect s senior year in high school. No employment should be provided to a prospect without first obtaining approval from the Jacksonville Compliance Office. A booster is NOT permitted to entertain high school, prep school, or junior college coaches, or provide them with tickets to any Jacksonville athletic event.

6 What is Permitted by the NCAA? A booster may inform Jacksonville coaches of prospects in his or her area by contacting a coach via phone, letter, or . The booster may also send newspaper clippings on the prospect to the coach. You may attend a junior, senior high school, or junior college athletic event or banquet under your own initiative. However, you must avoid all contact and conversations with the prospect, as well as the prospect s family and friends. If a pre-established relationship exits between a booster and a prospect, a member of the prospect s family or legal guardian, then the booster is permitted to continue normal contacts with the understanding that such contacts are not made for recruiting purposes. These contacts may not be prearranged by Jacksonville athletics department staff members. A relationship is considered pre-established if: Relationship predates the athlete s status as a prospective student-athlete Relationship predates the athlete s status achieved as a result of their athletic ability or reputation Relationship did not develop as a result of the athlete s participation in athletics or their notoriety related thereto What if a Prospect Contacts Me? If a prospective student-athlete initiates a contact with you either in person, by telephone, by , or any other capable means, you are obligated to refer all questions to the athletics department staff. You should also inform the prospect that NCAA rules prohibit you from further conversation. Rules that Affect Alumni It is not permissible to invite selected high school or junior college athletes to alumni events. Alumni are permitted to entertain groups of prospect-age students under certain conditions where athletes are not given preferential treatment. Alumni chapter may invite ALL high school seniors who have been accepted for enrollment at Jacksonville to an alumni event. When a Jacksonville athletics department staff member is invited to speak at an alumni function, please inform the staff member before the event if prospects are going to be in attendance. This is extremely important because there are certain times of the year when coaches are prohibited from any contact with a prospect away from campus. RULES GOVERNING BENEFITS FOR ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES What are Extra Benefits? The NCAA defines an extra benefit as any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or their family or friends a benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation. In general, you may not provide anything or make special arrangements for student-athletes that are not available to the general student population. Impermissible Benefits The following may NOT be provided to student-athletes: Expense money Gift certificates / Movie passes Free or discounted meals at restaurants Reduced price housing Free or discounted automobile A booster is not permitted to provide preferential treatment or discounted professional services (medical, dental, legal, etc.) to a student-athlete or their family or friends. A booster may not provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for their athletic accomplishments. All awards from any source must conform to NCAA restrictions and must be approved by the Jacksonville Compliance Office. A booster is not permitted to use the name or picture of a studentathlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product/service of any kind. A booster is not permitted to pay any expenses incurred by studentathletes, family, or friends. This includes expenses for a studentathlete to travel home, as well as expenses (transportation hotels, meals) for family or friends to visit campus or attend an away from home event.