COACHES COMPLIANCE MANUAL

Transcription

1 COACHES COMPLIANCE MANUAL The University of Maine Updated September 2007

2 COACHES COMPLIANCE MANUAL The University of Maine TABLE OF CONTENTS Compliance Calendar Institutional Control Ethical Conduct Gambling Procedures for Requesting a Rules Interpretation Procedures for Reporting a Rules Violation Personnel Coaching Staff Limitations Volunteer Coaches Certification to Recruit Off Campus Athletically Related Income Amateurism Student-Athlete Employment Promotional Activities Student-Athlete Vehicles and Off-Campus Housing Recruiting Official Visits Student Hosts Unofficial Visits Contacts and Evaluations Telephone Calls Transfers Recruiting Materials Tryouts Camps and Clinics Eligibility Initial Eligibility Continuing Eligibility Roster Management Financial Aid National Letter of Intent Scholarship Renewal and Nonrenewal NCAA Special Assistance Fund and NCAA Opportunity Fund Awards and Benefits Permissible/Impermissible Benefits Occasional Meals Playing Seasons Declaration of Playing and Practice Season Countable Athletically-Related Activities

3 CALENDAR OF COACHES COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES July Complete Athletically-Related Outside Income Form (distributed by compliance office) Complete Declaration of Playing and Practice Season Form (distributed by compliance office) Submit list of coaching staff and their NCAA classification for the upcoming year to the compliance office August Submit final roster to compliance office Team compliance meetings with fall sports (reporting day or first day of practice) Annual NCAA Certification of Compliance Forms to be signed in compliance office Begin submitting Countable Athletically Related Activities Forms to compliance office (ongoing) September Team compliance meetings with winter and spring sports (first day of class or practice if possible) November Early NLI signing period for sports other than field hockey, football and soccer December 19-Jan. 15 Midyear JC transfer NLI signing period for football February 6 Beginning of regular signing period for field hockey, football and soccer March Remind incoming freshmen to have their SAT/ACT scores sent from the testing agency to the Clearinghouse April 9 Beginning of regular signing period for sports other than basketball, field hockey, football and soccer 16 Beginning of regular signing period for basketball Complete summer tuition payment forms (distributed by student services coordinator) May Submit anticipated rosters, including incoming freshmen and transfers, to the compliance office Provide student-athletes' summer contact information for NCAA Drug Testing Submit Summer Camp Prior Approval Forms to the compliance office June Pass Coaches Recruiting Certification exam Complete athletic scholarship renewal form (distributed by student services coordinator) Remind incoming students to have their final transcript and diploma sent to the Clearinghouse, and to complete the Amateurism Certification section

4 INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL Bylaw 6 ETHICAL CONDUCT Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member may include, but is not limited to, the following: Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA, a conference office, or the University; Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete; Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or enrolled student-athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid; Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the University false or misleading information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation; Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent or advisor; Knowing involvement in providing a banned substance or impermissible supplement to studentathletes, or knowingly providing medications to student-athletes contrary to medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care in sports medicine practice, or state and federal law; Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA or the University admissions office regarding an individual's academic record; Fraudulence or misconduct in connection with entrance or placement examinations; Engaging in any athletics competition under an assumed name or with intent to otherwise deceive. GAMBLING The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. NCAA rules strictly prohibit studentathletes and athletics department staff members from sports wagering on ANY intercollegiate and professional athletics contests. Wagering includes receiving or offering any item that has a tangible value, such as cash, clothing or meals, based on the outcome of a sporting event. Any type of betting pool, such as March Madness or Super Bowl pools, including office pools and pools organized by family, friends, neighbors, etc., for cash or other prizes is impermissible. In addition, internet gambling is impermissible. This includes fantasy leagues that charge a fee to join and/or pays individuals based on their team's performance. It is impermissible to provide inside information, such as injury status or team morale levels, to individuals who may use such information for gambling purposes. Participation in any gambling activity through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling is prohibited. Student-athletes found in violation of gambling regulations risk temporary or even permanent ineligibility. PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING A RULES VIOLATION In accordance with NCAA regulations, all suspected or alleged violations of NCAA or America East Conference rules shall be investigated. If the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance determines that a violation has occurred, she will report the violation to the NCAA and/or America East. Reporting a Violation. Any individual may report an alleged, rumored, or suspected violation. The individual may report the alleged violation verbally or in writing and may also do so anonymously. If an

5 alleged violation is communicated to any athletic department staff member, the staff member has an obligation to notify the compliance office promptly. Individuals other than athletic department staff members may report an alleged violation to any or all of the following persons: the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, the Director of Athletics, or the Faculty Athletic Representative. Alleged Violations Involving Other NCAA Institutions. If an individual has knowledge of an alleged violation that involves another NCAA institution and impacts the University, he or she may report the alleged violation to the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance or the Director of Athletics. The Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, the Director of Athletics and the coach or individual who reported the alleged violation will discuss the situation; if it is determined that a violation may have occurred, the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance may contact the compliance office of the accused institution to request that the matter be investigated.

6 PERSONNEL Bylaw 11 COACHING STAFF LIMITATIONS Each member of the University of Maine coaching staff must be classified in one of the five following categories per NCAA regulations: head coach, assistant coach, volunteer coach, graduate assistant coach, or student assistant coach. This designation must be submitted via a Coaching Staff Listing Form to the compliance office by the first day of practice or September 1 (whichever is first) each year, but may be updated throughout the year based on personnel changes. Coaching Staff Limitations SPORT HEAD & ASST. COACH VOLUNTEER COACH LIMIT ON OFF-CAMPUS RECRUITERS Baseball Basketball 4 NO 3 Field Hockey Football 11 NO 7 Ice Hockey Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving Track/Cross Country* Volleyball for combined men's and women's program Coaches Compensation and Benefits HEAD & ASST. COACH VOLUNTEER COACH GRADUATE ASST. COACH STUDENT ASST. COACH COMPENSATION OR RENUMERATION A. In excess of full non-resident grant-inaid B. No more than full grant-in-aid based on actual resident status C. Compensation or renumeration from athletic dept. prohibited D. May receive camp compensation from athletic dept. or from another source E. Employment outside athletic dept. arranged by institution F. May receive compensation or renumeration from institution for duties actually performed outside the athletic dept., from source outside athletics (in summer only!) G. Post-season play bonuses H. Established graduate or postgraduate award administered outside the institution

7 BENEFITS A. Complementary ticket limit Unlimited B. Use of car C. Country club, health club or like complementary services D. Benefits available to all University employees (tuition waiver, insurance) E. Reduction in teaching load without reducing non athletic dept. compensation in recognition of coaching duties F. Complementary meals incidental to team activities or as part of official visits 2 (home contests only in own sport) 4 4 VOLUNTEER COACHES As shown in the table above, volunteer coaches may not receive compensation for their service. The table below outlines permissible and impermissible duties undertaken by volunteer coaches. COACHING DUTIES RECRUITING COMPENSATION BENEFITS PERMISSIBLE Instruction during practices and competition Sending s, faxes or text messages that were prepared by a head or assistant coach Having contact with prospects during official and unofficial visits Employment at an institution s sports camp or clinic Employment outside the athletic department that is arranged by the institution Compensation from the institution for duties performed outside the athletic department, from a source outside the athletic department (i.e. teaching) Two complimentary tickets to home games in the coach s sport Transportation, room and board for road games Parking expenses associated with practice and competition Pre and post game meals Occasional meals upon approval from compliance office Meals in conjunction with a prospect s official visit IMPERMISSIBLE Scouting opponents off campus Contacting and evaluating prospects off campus Making or receiving telephone calls to prospects Preparing or composing electronic correspondence with prospects Compensation for coaching duties Bonuses for post-season play Complimentary tickets to road games Complimentary tickets to game in sport not coaching Training table meals Personal use of an institution s vehicle or a vehicle arranged through the institution Country club/health club membership or similar complimentary services Health/life insurance

8 CERTIFICATION TO RECRUIT OFF CAMPUS Only those coaches who have been certified may contact or evaluate prospective student-athletes off campus; this certification must occur on an annual basis, and is achieved with the successful completion of the NCAA Division I Coaches' Certification Test. The test will be administered by the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance in May and June of each year. Practice tests and other preparatory materials will be supplied by the compliance office prior to the exam dates. ATHLETICALLY-RELATED INCOME All athletic department staff members, excluding clerical personnel, are required to provide a written report of all athletically-related income and benefits from sources outside the institution on an annual basis. This shall be accomplished by completing the Annual Report of Earnings of Athletically-Related Income Form at the end of each fiscal year. Examples of athletically-related outside income include, but are not limited to: income from annuities sports camps housing benefits country club memberships complimentary ticket sales television and radio programs endorsement or consultation contracts with athletics show, apparel or equipment manufacturers It is important to note that an outside source is prohibited from paying or regularly supplementing an athletic department staff member's annual salary. Another note is that coaches may not promote a noninstitutional camp or clinic by permitting the use of his or her quotations and/or pictures in the camp or clinic brochure, unless that coach is employed by the camp.

9 AMATEURISM Bylaw 12 STUDENT-ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT All student-athletes are permitted to work during the academic year and vacation periods. There is no limit to the amount student-athletes may earn. Compensation may be paid to a student-athlete only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that area for similar services. Student-athlete employment will be monitored by the compliance office by asking student-athletes who are employed to complete a Student-Athlete Employment Registration Form. The compliance office will ask for coaches' assistance in identifying those student-athletes who have jobs. Student-athletes may also receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques in their sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided: institutional facilities are not used; playing lessons are not permitted; the University keeps documentation of the recipient of the lessons and the feel for the lessons on file; the compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient's family) and not another individual or entity; instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time; the student-athlete does not use his or her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions; the student-athlete completes the Fee For Lesson Form and submits it to the compliance office. Employment in Camps and Clinics. A student-athlete may be employed by his or her institution, by another institution, or by a private organization to work in a camp or clinic as a counselor, as long as the student-athlete is paid at a rate commensurate with the their level of teaching ability or camp experience, and they are not paid if they only appear to lecture or demonstrate. Student-athletes may receive travel expenses if travel expenses are paid for all camp employees; student-athletes may not be given a credit card to cover such expenses. PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES The University of Maine or any recognized entity thereof (Greek groups, student government, etc.), a conference office, or a charitable, educational or nonprofit agency may use a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support its charitable or educational activities, provided: the student-athlete receives prior written approval via a Promotional Activities Form from the compliance office; the student-athlete does not miss class; if a commercial agency is involved in promoting the activity, the commercial agency's logo or trademark only appears on the material (personal names, messages and slogans are prohibited); the name of picture of a student-athlete with remaining eligibility may not appear on a printed promotional item that includes a commercial agency's logo; all money derived from the activity go directly to the University, conference office or the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency; the student-athlete may receive actual and necessary expenses from the University, conference office or the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency; the student-athlete's name, picture or appearance is not utilized to promote the commercial ventures of any nonprofit agency;

10 commercial items with names or pictures of student-athletes may be sold only at the University or outlets controlled by the charitable or educational organization; and the student-athlete and an authorized representative of the charitable, educational, or nonprofit agency sign a Promotional Activities Form. Media Activities. Student-athletes may appear on radio and television programs, provided they do not receive renumeration for the appearance, do not miss class to participate, and are academically eligible to represent the institution. Logos on Equipment and Uniforms. Athletic equipment must only have the manufacturer's normal marks, as it is used on all such items for sale to the general public. Uniforms and all other apparel items must only have a single manufacturer's or distributor's mark, not to exceed 2 _ square inches in area, including any additional material surrounding the normal mark.

11 RECRUITING Bylaw 13 OFFICIAL VISITS An official visit is a visit by a prospective student-athlete that is financed in whole or in part by the University of Maine. The University may provide only one official visit per prospective student-athlete, and each prospective student-athlete may take a total of five official visits. An official visit may not occur prior to the prospect's opening day of classes of their senior year of high school. Coaches must receive prior approval before providing an official visit. This is accomplished by completing a Prior Approval for an Official Visit Form. Prior to being offered an official visit, a prospect must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse and the compliance office must add the student to Maine's Clearinghouse request list. The admissions office reviews the prospect's high school grades and test scores (SAT, PSAT, ACT or TOEFL) and determines the prospect's admissibility. The compliance office will inform the coach and the business office of admissions' decision and the travel arrangements may be made. The compliance office will provide the prospective student-athlete with University of Maine graduation rates, Division I initial eligibility standards, and the NCAA banned drug list. An official visit shall not exceed 48 hours; the 48 hour period begins at the time the prospect arrives on campus, not when the prospect arrives at the airport, hotel, etc. The University may not arrange personalized recruiting aids or permit a prospective student-athlete engage in any game day simulations during an official visit. Teams wishing to provide complimentary admissions to prospects during an official visit must submit a completed Complimentary Admissions to Athletic Events for Prospective Student-Athletes Form to the ticket office prior to the visit. Following each official visit, the coach is required to complete an Official Visit Summary and a Student Host Instructions and Guidelines Form. STUDENT HOSTS A student host may receive a maximum of $30 for each day of the official visit to cover all actual costs of entertaining the student host and the prospective student-athlete. This allowance may not be used to purchase souvenirs. It is permissible to provide the student host with $15 for each additional prospective student-athlete he or she hosts. Only one student host per prospective student-athlete may be provided a free meal if a restaurant is used. The student host may receive a complementary admission to a campus athletic event, provided the student host is accompanying he prospect. Student hosts are allowed to transport prospects using their own vehicle during the official visit, as long as the trip does not exceed 30 miles. Please note that nonqualifiers in their first year of residency are not permitted to serve as student hosts. UNOFFICIAL VISITS An unofficial visit is one that is made at a prospective student-athlete's own expense. During an unofficial visit, the University may not pay any expenses or provide any entertainment except a maximum of three complementary admissions (must be on a pass list, no hard tickets) to any home athletic event within a 30- mile radius of campus. Teams wishing to provide complimentary admissions to prospects during an official visit must submit a completed Complimentary Admissions to Athletic Events for Prospective Student- Athletes Form to the ticket office prior to the visit. The University may not arrange personalized recruiting aids or permit a prospective student-athlete engage in any game day simulations during an unofficial visit.

12 Following a prearranged unofficial visit, the coach is required to complete an Unofficial Visit Report Form and submit to the compliance office. CONTACTS AND EVALUATIONS In sports other than basketball, in person, off campus recruiting contacts may not be made with a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives or legal guardians before July 1 following the prospect's junior year of high school. In basketball, contact with a prospect may not be made prior to the opening day of classes of the prospect's senior year of high school (subject to recruiting calendar restrictions. Coaches may not contact a nonqualifier in his or her first year of a two-year college. To make a contact with a student enrolled in a four-year college, the compliance office must first receive permission from the student's current institution. Coaches wishing to contact a student currently enrolled in a four-year institution should see the compliance office, who will fax the request for permission to contact to the prospect's school. In all sports, time periods are established which limit permissible recruiting activities. The recruiting time periods are as follows: Contact period permissible for coaches to make in person, off campus recruiting contacts and evaluations Evaluation period permissible for coaches to be involved in off-campus recruiting activities designed to assess the academic qualifications and playing ability of prospective student-athletes; no in person, off campus recruiting contacts may be made during evaluation periods Quiet period permissible to make in person recruiting contacts only on the University of Maine campus; no in person, off campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during a quiet period Dead period not permissible to make any in person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off campus, or to permit any official or unofficial visits; is permissible to write or telephone prospects during a dead period In sports other than football and women's basketball, each institution is limited to seven recruiting opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined) per prospective student-athlete. During the senior year of high school, not more than three of the seven opportunities may be off campus contacts at any site; contacts with prospects' relatives or legal guardians must be counted, but official visits are not counted as contacts. Football is limited to six in person, off campus recruiting contacts per prospect. Women's basketball is limited to five recruiting opportunities (contacts and evaluations combined), and not more than three in person, off campus contacts may be made during the prospect's senior year. Evaluations occurring outside the academic year do not count against the annual number of recruiting opportunities. Contacts that occur with a prospective student-athlete count against the permissible number of total recruiting opportunities regardless of the time period (during or outside the academic year). All coaches must track these recruiting activities by completing Contacts, Evaluations and Telephone Calls Form. These forms are reviewed by the compliance office and the athletic business office. TELEPHONE CALLS In sports other than football and basketball, telephone calls to a prospect may not be made prior to July 1 following the completion of the prospect s junior year of high school. Thereafter, coaches are limited to one telephone call per week. Recruiting telephone calls must be tracked through the completion of Contacts, Evaluations and Telephone Calls Form.

13 Men s basketball may make one telephone call per month on or after June 15 of the prospect s sophomore year through July 31 of the prospect s junior year of high school; may make two telephone calls per week beginning August 1 after that; may make one telephone call per week to a two-year or four-year college prospect. Women s basketball may make one telephone call during April and one call during May of the prospect s junior year of high school; may make one call on or after June 1-20 and one on or after June of or after the prospect s junior year of high school; three telephone calls may be made during the month of July following the prospect s junior year in high school with no more than one telephone call per week. Football may make one telephone call during the month of May of the prospect s junior year of high school; additional telephone calls may not be made before September 1 of the beginning of the prospect s senior year of high school; thereafter, coaches are limited to one call per week; during a contact period, telephone contact may be made at the University s discretion. Men s ice hockey may make one telephone call per month to a prospect who is a resident of a foreign country on or after July 15 following the completion of the prospect s sophomore year of high school. Exceptions. University staff members may make unlimited phone calls to a prospect during the five days immediately preceding the prospect s official visit. University staff members may also make unlimited phone calls to a prospect on the initial date for signing the National Letter of Intent and during the two days immediately following the initial signing date. In football, coaches may make unlimited calls during the 48 hours before and 48 hours after 7:00 AM on the initial signing date. Permissible Callers. All telephone calls made to prospects or their relatives or legal guardians must be made by a head or assistant coach. Volunteer and graduate assistant coaches are not allowed to call prospects. It is permissible for the University president or athletic director to receive and return (but not initiate) telephone calls from prospects or their relatives or legal guardians. There are no restrictions on the content of the conversations, but return calls must be counted toward the institutional total. Academic advisors and compliance officers may make or receive calls to and from prospects, provided that the content is related to academic, admissions, or compliance issues. Nonpermissible Callers. Representatives of athletics interests (boosters, alumni, etc.), enrolled students or enrolled student-athletes are not permitted to participate in any telephone communication with prospects, unless it is part of the University s regular admissions program. TRANSFERS Once permission to contact an enrolled two-year or four-year college student has been obtained by the compliance office, the compliance office can request a transfer release from the institution the prospect is currently enrolled in. Coaches must submit a New Transfer Student-Athlete Certification Preliminary Assessment of Academic Eligibility Form with the prospect s high school and college transcripts and test scores to the compliance office. This documentation and the transfer release will be forwarded to admissions and the dean of the prospect s intended college for academic eligibility evaluation. RECRUITING MATERIALS In sports other than men s basketball, the University may not provide recruiting materials to a prospective student-athlete, including general correspondence related to athletics, until September 1 at the beginning of the prospect s junior year of high school. Men s basketball prospects may receive recruiting materials on or after June 15 at the conclusion of their sophomore year. The following materials may be provided to prospects, their relatives, coaches or teachers:

14 TRYOUTS General correspondence letters, postcards, University note cards; attachments may include materials printed on plain white paper with black ink; content must be prepared by head or assistant coaches Business cards Camp brochures restricted to single two-sided sheet not to exceed 17 x22 when opened in full; may be provided prior to September 1 of prospects junior year Questionnaires - may be provided prior to September 1 of prospects junior year Nonathletics University publications - may be provided prior to any students at any time, provided the material is available to all students NCAA educational material - may be provided prior to September 1 of prospects junior year; includes the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete Athletics publications may provide media guides or recruiting brochures, but not both Game programs may be provided only during official and unofficial visits; may not be mailed Electronic transmissions includes and faxes only; text messages and instant message are prohibited; may include color attachments but may not include animation, audio or video clips NCAA rules prohibit the University from conducting any physical activity at which prospective studentathletes demonstrate their athletic ability. Students enrolled at the University of Maine may try out for any team. These students should complete a pink Tryout Form, which includes providing proof of a medical examination, medical history, full-time enrollment, and degree declaration (if applicable). Students should obtain the coaches signature first, then collect all medical documentation and present to the athletic training staff, and finally receive approval from the compliance office. CAMPS AND CLINICS Before organizing any camp or clinic, coaches must submit a Camp/Clinic Prior Approval Form to the compliance office. Prospective Student-Athletes. University of Maine sports camps and clinics must be open to any and all entrants and restricted only by number and age. The University may not employ or give free or reduced admission to a high school, prep school or two-year college athletic award winner or any individual being recruited by the University. Employing Student-Athletes. Coaches must submit a Summer Camps Student-Athlete Employment Request Form to the compliance office prior to the beginning of all camps. Compensation provided to studentathletes must be commensurate with the going rate for camp counselors of like teaching ability or experience and may not be paid on the basis of athletic skill or reputation. Camp brochures may include pictures of enrolled student-athletes only in the camp counselor section of the brochure.

15 ELIGIBILITY Bylaw 14 INITIAL ELIGIBILITY All student-athletes who enroll at the University of Maine with no previous full-time collegiate enrollment must register and be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Beginning with the class enrolling in fall 2007, the Clearinghouse will certify amateurism as well as academic eligibility. All students who have never enrolled in an NCAA institution (incoming freshmen, two-year college transfers and NAIA transfers) must register with the Clearinghouse to complete the amateurism section. Freshman eligibility requirements are listed below; students who meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements may not necessarily meet University standards. Core Curriculum Requirements for Initial Eligibility Courses Effective August 1, 2005 Effective August 1, 2008 English 4 years 4 years Mathematics 2 years (Algebra 1 or above) 3 years (Algebra 1 or above) Natural/physical science 2 years 2 years Social science 2 years 2 years Additional course in English, math 1 year 1 year or science Additional course in any of the above or foreign language, philosophy or nondoctrinal religion 3 years 4 years In addition to the core course requirements, freshman must meet grade point average and test score minimums according to the sliding scale Initial Eligibility Index (Appendix A). The Associate Athletic Director for Compliance will evaluate transcripts for all prospects who are offered an official visit or an athletic scholarship, and will and begin working with the student and his or her high school to help ensure the student meets initial eligibility requirements prior to enrollment at the University of Maine. Nonqualifiers. Students who do not meet initial eligibility requirements are declared nonqualifiers, making them ineligible to practice, compete, or receive athletic aid during their first academic year in residence. Nonqualifiers may not be present at a team s practice or serve as a team manager. Nonqualifiers may utilize academic support services, strength and conditioning coaching, athletic training services, and athletic medical insurance. In the sport of football, recruited nonqualifiers who enroll at Maine immediately after high school are never eligible to compete at Maine or any Colonial Athletic Association institution (per CAA bylaw).

16 CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY Progress toward degree requirements are monitored and certified by Academic Support Services and the Office of Student Records. Each student-athlete must pass six credit hours each term and 24 credit hours each academic year to retain eligibility. The chart below provides further continuing eligibility requirements. NCAA Requirements for Continuing Students Year of Initial Collegiate Enrollment Prior to Fall 2003 After Fall 2003 Entering 2nd Year Entering 3rd Year Entering 4th Year Entering 5th Year - 24 credits - Maximum of 12 remedial credits may be used in the 1 st year - 24 credits GPA minimum* - Maximum of 6 remedial credits may be used in the 1 st year - 12/24 rule - 75% of credits earned during the academic year - Must declare a degree program - 25% of degree requirements GPA minimum* - 40% of degree requirements GPA minimum* - Must declare a degree program *or percentage of GPA for graduation may vary depending on major - 12/24 rule - 75% of credits earned during academic year - 50% of degree requirements GPA minimum* - 60% of degree requirements GPA minimum* - 12/24 rule - 75% of credits earned during academic year - 75% of degree requirements GPA minimum* - 80% of degree requirements GPA minimum* ROSTER MANAGEMENT When a coach makes a change to a roster, the coach must do so with a Change of Status Form and submit it to the compliance office. This form is used for additions and deletions from a team. The compliance office assumes responsibility for alerting all necessary parties (athletic director, academic support, media relations, trainers, etc.) of the change in status and keeps official rosters. Rosters must be kept up to date at all times.

17 FINANCIAL AID Bylaw 15 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT All National Letters of Intent (NLI) and Offers of Financial Aid will be coordinated through the compliance office. Coaches wishing to sign a prospective student-athlete must complete a Request for an Offer of Athletic Financial Aid Form and submit to the compliance office. Forms should be typed or printed neatly to avoid errors on the NLI. The compliance office will obtain the athletic director s approval and signature on the form, forward it to the financial aid office, and produce the NLI. The financial aid office creates an offer of financial aid and an accompanying cover letter. The compliance office checks to make sure the prospective student-athlete has been provided University graduation rates and initial eligibility information and if necessary, sends this information to the prospect. The NLI and offer of financial aid are sent by the compliance office via Federal Express to the prospective student-athlete, and upon receipt of the completed and signed NLI and offer of financial aid, the compliance office will forward copies of both documents to the appropriate conference office. SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL AND NONRENEWAL All athletic financial aid is awarded for a one-year term, unless the student-athlete voluntarily leaves the team (quits, transfers), renders himself or herself ineligible, or violates the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct to the extent that a loss of athletic aid is appropriate. Each year during the month of May, head coaches must submit a Financial Aid Planning Worksheet that indicates whether to renew, increase, decrease or cancel the scholarship awarded to each student-athlete who received athletic aid the previous academic year. This form will be provided by and should be returned to the Director of Student-Athlete Services. The financial aid office will produce and distribute letters to all student-athletes who received athletic aid in the previous year and are returning, notifying them of their athletic aid status by July 1 of each year. If a coach wishes to decrease or cancel a student-athlete s athletic aid during the period of the award, the coach must complete a Change of Status Form. The financial aid office will inform the student-athlete of the change in aid and will provide written notification of an opportunity for a hearing when aid is reduced or canceled during the period of the award. The University must conduct the hearing in a prompt manner. One time during a student-athlete s enrollment at the University of Maine, he or she may be awarded athletic aid for less than a full academic year, provided the student has not previously received athletic aid from the University of Maine. If a student-athlete voluntarily withdraws from a team, his or her athletic aid may not be re-awarded to another student-athlete during the same term; however, if a student-athlete leaves the team in the fall, his or her aid could be re-awarded for the spring term. NCAA OPPORTUNITY FUND AND SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FUND There are two funds available to provide additional financial assistance to student-athletes who qualify. Students interested in these funds should see the Director of Student-Athlete Services for an application. Money awarded by either of these funds does not count against a team s total equivalencies. NCAA Opportunity Fund. The NCAA Opportunity Fund is available to all University of Maine studentathletes. It is University of Maine athletic department policy to utilize the majority of this fund for fifth and sixth year tuition to help former student-athletes graduate, and for summer school for current studentathletes who require summer courses to maintain eligibility. The Opportunity Fund may also be used for graduate school exam fees or applications, travel home during University breaks, medical expenses,

18 international student fees and taxes, health insurance, and educational supplies (excluding textbooks.) NCAA Special Assistance Fund. The NCAA Special Assistance Fund is available to international studentathletes and those student-athletes who are eligible for the Pell grant or have demonstrated financial need (verified by the financial aid office.) The Assistance Fund is managed by the America East Conference office and may be used for travel home during breaks, clothing and shoes, non-athletic medical or dental expenses, academic course supplies (excluding textbooks), or expenses for family emergencies. Travel and clothing expenses may be reimbursed up to $400 per academic year.

19 AWARDS AND BENEFITS Bylaw 16 PERMISSIBLE/IMPERMISSIBLE BENEFITS The following benefits are permissible for the University of Maine to provide to enrolled student-athletes. Awards Student-athletes may receive rewards based on participation, academic achievements (graduating seniors only), winning conference and national championships, or other special achievements from the University. Value of these awards is limited by NCAA regulations. Student-athletes may also receive travel expenses associated with established hometown, conference, regional, national or international awards. Complimentary Admissions Each student-athlete may receive four complimentary admissions in his or her sport for any home or away contest. They may receive six complimentary admissions to conference or national championships they are participating in. These complimentary admissions must be administered on a pass list basis; no hard tickets are allowed. Studentathletes may receive four complimentary admissions for any home event at which they are being honored but not participating. Prior to the beginning of each season, the ticket office will distribute Comp Cards to each coaching staff; student-athletes complete the Comp Cards before each game by providing the full names of the individuals who should receive the complimentary admissions and by signing the cards. The Comp Cards are submitted to the ticket office by a member of the coaching staff for processing. Those individuals claiming the admissions must present identification and sign for the admissions they receive. Medical Expenses The University may provide medical expenses that are incidental to participation, including athletics medical insurance, death and dismemberment insurance for travel to and from practice and/or competition, drug rehabilitation, counseling and treatment for eating disorders, treatment for permanent disabilities, corrective eye lenses, medical examinations, transportation for medical treatment, surgery, medication, physical therapy and dental expenses. Housing The University may provide the cost of room and board to admitted student-athletes who report for preseason practice prior to the start of the academic year. Room and board may also be provided during institutional breaks when student-athletes are required to remain on campus for practice or competition. Meals Student-athletes may receive one training table meal per day during the academic year when regular University dining facilities are open. They may receive one additional meal if they miss a meal due to practice activities. For home competition, student-athletes may receive meals at coaches discretion, or meal money not to exceed $10. For away contests, studentathletes may receive a pre-game or post-game meal or meal money not to exceed $10. The University may provide nutritional supplements to student-athletes at any time for the purpose of increasing calories or electrolytes, but not for muscle building. Team Entertainment The University may pay the actual costs for reasonable entertainment that takes place within a 100-mile radius from, or is on the way to, an away contest site. The University may also do this during institutional breaks to sites within a 30-mile radius of campus. Travel Expenses The University may provide travel expenses for intercollegiate competition as long as the team does not depart earlier than 48 hours prior to the start of the competition and remains no more than 36 hours after the conclusion of the competition. These restrictions do not apply for trips to Hawaii, Alaska or foreign countries, trips taken during institutional vacation periods, or trips affected by inclement weather. The University may also provide travel expenses

20 to student-athletes for goodwill tours and media appearances. Other Benefits and Services Student-athletes may receive occasional meals from athletic department staff members or in the homes of representatives of athletics interests, provided that prior approval for the meal is obtained from the compliance office using the Request for Occasional Meal Form. Student-athletes may keep their athletics apparel at the end of their collegiate participation, and may also use apparel and equipment during the summer. Other permissible miscellaneous benefits include emergency telephone calls, transportation in the event of serious injury, illness or death of a family member, receipt of frequent flyer miles earned during team travel, and occasional meals from parents of team members. Specific benefits that are not permissible for the University of Maine to provide to student-athletes include: transportation or travel expenses to and from their home to practice; discounts on purchases or services based on their status as student-athletes; loans or cosigning a loan; vehicle or use of a vehicle. Other limitations apply.

21 DECLARATION OF PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASON PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASON Bylaw 17 Prior to the start of each academic year or preseason practice (whichever is first), each head coach is required to submit the Declaration of Playing Season Form, on which coaches designate season segments, practice dates, competition dates, and off days. The table below shows sport-by-sport limitations on contests, dates of competition, and season length. Maximum Length of Season, Numbers of Contests and Dates of Competition SPORT DAYS IN SEASON CONTESTS/ DATES OF COMPETITION Baseball Basketball N/A 27 or 29 * Cross Country Field Hockey in championship segment, 5 in other segment Football N/A 11 (12 in 2008, 2013, 2014) Ice Hockey Soccer in championship segment, 5 in other segment Softball Swimming & Diving Track & Field Volleyball in championship segment, 4 in other segment * 27 contests + 1 qualifying regular season multiple team event or 29 contests and no such event COUNTABLE ATHLETICALLY-RELATED ACTIVITY Countable athletically-related activities include any required activity with an athletic purpose that is supervised or directed by a coach (including strength and conditioning coaches). Athletically-related activity must be reported weekly with the completion of the Countable Athletically-Related Hours Form. This form must be submitted to the compliance office every week. Playing Season. Student-athletes participation in athletically-related activity during the playing season is limited to 4 hours per day and 20 hours per week, with 1 day off per week. All activities on the day of competition always counts as 3 hours regardless of the actual duration of the activities. Daily and weekly limitations do not apply to activities that occur prior to the first day of class or during University breaks or vacations. Outside the Playing Season. Student-athletes participation in athletically-related activity outside the playing season is limited to 8 hours per week, with 2 days off per week. No more than 2 hours per week may be spent on skill instruction. There is no limit on the number of student-athletes that may be involved in skill instruction with coaches from September 15-April 15. Prior to September 15 and after April 15, no more than 4 student-athletes from one team may be involved in skill instruction with their coach(es) at any one time in any facility. Outside the playing season, teams must cease all athletically-related activity one week prior to the beginning of final exams through the conclusion of final exams. Conditioning drills that simulate game activities are permissible, as long as no offensive or defensive alignments are set up and no equipment related to the sport is used. In ice hockey, student-athletes may be on the ice for such conditioning activities, provided no equipment other than skates is used. In swimming and diving, student-athletes may be in the pool for such conditioning activities and swim-specific equipment may be used. In football, outside of the playing season during the academic year, student-athletes participation in required review of game film is limited to 2 hours per week.

22 Initial Eligibility GPA/Test Score Sliding Scale Appendix A CORE GPA SAT ACT & above CORE GPA SAT ACT / /