Buckeye Beat – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/12/2000 12:00:00 AM | General
The success of an institution’s athletics program depends upon the contributions of many people and organizations. One group that makes a significant contribution to the success of The Ohio State University is representatives of athletics interests, or more commonly termed, boosters. While boosters play a vital role in supporting and promoting an institution’s athletics program, they must do so in an ethical manner and in compliance with NCAA regulations at all times. The following discussion provides a brief summary of permissible booster activities.
Q. Who is a “representative of athletics interests (a.k.a. booster)?
A: NCAA Bylaw 13.02.12 defines a “representative of the institution’s athletics interests” as an 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:
(a) Participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program (e.g., member of our Buckeye Club),
(b) Contributed financially to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of the institution (e.g., contributions to the endowed scholarship fund),
(c) Assisted the athletics department staff in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes,
(d) Assisted in providing benefits to prospective or enrolled student-athletes or their families,
(e) Provided employment opportunities to prospective or enrolled student-athletes or their families, or
(f) Promoted the institution’s athletics program in any other manner.
* Once a person is designated as a booster, he/she retains that identity forever.
Q. Who is considered to be a prospective student-athlete (“prospect”)?
A. NCAA Bylaw 13.02.10 defines a prospect as a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. Additionally, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the institution provides such an individual any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.
Q. How active can a booster be in the recruitment of a prospect?
A. Boosters are strictly prohibited from engaging in any recruiting activity on behalf of The Ohio State University Department of Athletics. NCAA Bylaws 13.01.5 and 13.1.2.1 specifically prohibit activities such as on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, written correspondence (letters or emails or faxes), or telephone calls to the prospect. This prohibition also applies to a prospect’s parents, relatives, legal guardians, or friends.
Specific examples of impermissible booster recruiting activities include:
Contacting a prospect’s coach, principal, or counselor in anattempt to evaluate the prospect. Visiting a prospect’s educationalinstitution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining tothe evaluation of the prospect’s academic eligibility or athleticsability.
* The booster must refer all questions about the institution’s athletics department to the athletics department staff.
Q. Can a booster have any contact with a prospect?
A. Yes, a booster may have contact with a prospect in specific situations.
Specific examples of permissible booster recruiting activities include:
Contacting a prospect regarding permissible pre-enrollmentactivities such as summer employment. Having a telephoneconversation with a prospect when the prospect initiates the call.However, such a conversation cannot be prearranged by aninstitutional staff member and must not be for a recruitingpurpose. Contacting a prospect who is a long-time, establishedrelative, friend, or neighbor. Viewing a prospect’s athleticscontest with the understanding that the booster may not contact theprospect on that occasion for recruiting purposes.
* A booster may inform coaches of any prospect who would be a strong addition to the University and the athletics program.
All NCAA institutions are responsible for educating and monitoring the actions of their boosters. The NCAA can impose significant penalties upon institutions that fail to inform and oversee the actions of their boosters. For example, in a December 12, 2000 ruling, the NCAA Committee on Infractions penalized the University of Nevada Las Vegas (“UNLV”) for numerous violations including improper payments by a booster to men’s basketball prospects and enrolled student-athletes. Among the many penalties the NCAA imposed on UNLV are: probation, loss of scholarships, ban on postseason competition, and restrictions on recruiting activities. Another possibility is to disassociate the booster from the university’s athletics department.
Please remember that the above information addresses only some of the issues regarding the activity of boosters and is not an exhaustive discussion. Much of the material described above is available from the Compliance Office in a booklet titled “A Quick Reference Guide to NCAA Rules and Regulations.” The Athletics Department recognizes the efforts of all its boosters and is grateful for their continuing support of the Athletics Department. For further questions or to receive more information, please contact Heather Lyke, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at (614) 292-2681.
