Buckeye Beat – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/14/2001 12:00:00 AM | General
The Ohio State University athletic teams have worked extremely hard preparing for their seasons and representing this institution in the best way they can. Throughout the year, these fine student-athletes have given much pleasure to their fans on the field/court. As the numerous athletic seasons are coming to a conclusion, there are many activities in which boosters, alumni, family and friends can take part. The Ohio State University is proud of the strong tradition and support given to athletics. We encourage the fans to be a part of the celebratory events that take place at the end of the season. The following discussion provides a brief summary of rules and regulations regarding banquets, awards, and other related activities.
Q: Are boosters, or “representatives of athletics interests,” permitted to host a celebratory event for student-athletes, or a specific athletic team?
A: Yes, according to NCAA Bylaw 16.1.6.1, a booster club may hold a recognition banquet for student-athletes. One time per year, an institution’s athletics booster club may finance an intercollegiate team’s transportation expenses to a recognized banquet, provided
1) all expenses are paid through the institution’s athletics department,
2) the location of the event is not more than 100 miles from the campus, and
3) no tangible award is provided to members of the team.
Q: Is it permissible for members of a student-athlete’s hometown to pay for expenses in order to return home to receive an award?
A: No. NCAA Bylaw 16.1.7.1 states that a member institution, its booster club or any other organization may not pay the expenses of any student-athlete returning home to receive an award for athletics accomplishments or for other personal purposes. The student-athlete may return home at his or her own expense to attend a recognition event and receive an award from any hometown group that is not the institution’s local athletics booster group.
Q: What types of awards are not permissible to give to student-athletes?
A: NCAA Bylaw 16.1.3 states that it is impermissible to give the following awards to student-athletes:
(a) An individual may not receive a cash award or a cash-equivalent award for athletics participation. This would include any item that is negotiable for cash, trade or other services, benefits and merchandise.
(b) Gift certificates are not permissible
(c) An award of a country club or sports-club membership, or discount, is strictly prohibited.
If a student-athlete receives cash or any other award that is not permissible, he or she will forfeit his or her athletics eligibility.
Q: Why are such awards prohibited to student-athletes?
A: Such awards are not permissible because they are considered “extra benefits.” According to NCAA Bylaw 16.02.3, an extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletics interests to provide a student-athlete, or his/her relative or friend, a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
Some examples of extra benefits are:
– free meals,
– discounts on athletic wear only given to student-athletes,
– providing free or reduced cost admission to any event (i.e., movies, The Ohio State University athletic event, concerts), and
– providing transportation for a student-athlete.
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.
