NCAA Rules and Regulations for Athletics Boosters What Every Friend or Alumnus of Missouri State University Should Know Dear Booster: This brochure is intended to provide you with a basic understanding of NCAA rules and regulations that you should know. It covers the most common situations encountered by alumni and friends and the rules governing these situations. If you have a question about any situation not covered in this brochure, please call our Associate Athletics Director for Compliance. We are committed to compliance with NCAA rules, and we want you to be also. We thank you for your support. Sincerely, Kyle Moats Director of Athletics This publication was prepared by the Office of Athletics Compliance of Missouri State University to assist alumni and friends in understanding the NCAA rules governing their involvement with the BEARS.
NCAA Rules and Regulations for Athletics Boosters What Every Friend or Alumnus of Missouri State University Should Know Contents Sportsmanship Statement................... 1 Introduction............................. 2 Athletics Mission Statement................. 3 Athletics Staff Directory.................... 4 Boosters................................ 5 Recruiting.............................. 6-8 Student Athletes.......................... 9 Extra Benefits......................... 10-11 On Campus Groups.................... 12-13 Recruiting Publicity.................... 14-15 Thank You.............................. 16 SPORTSMANSHIP STATEMENT Missouri State University and its conference affiliations with the Missouri Valley Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and the Mid-American Conference, are committed to the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play. We ask all persons to please show their respect to the opposing team, game officials and each other. Persons participating in acts of conflict with good sportsmanship are subject to ejection from the facility or event. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. INTRODUCTION Missouri State University s reputation is one of upholding the highest degree of academic and athletic integrity. This tradition can only continue if the alumni, boosters, and friends of the University are well informed about the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations for Representative of Athletics Interests. The NCAA has explicit guidelines for what Representatives of Athletic Interests, traditionally known as boosters, can and cannot do. The Missouri State Department of Athletics and the Office of Athletics Compliance is providing you with this brochure to assist with any questions you may have regarding the recruitment of prospective student-athletes and contact with currently enrolled student-athletes. Any intentional violation of NCAA legislation involving a booster or booster organization may lead to disassociation from the Missouri State Department of Athletics. Disassociation would result in a loss of any benefits or privileges related to the Athletics Department (which could include the purchase of season tickets). Please take time to read the following information. Since it would be impossible to address every situation in this brochure, feel free to contact Kyle Yates, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at 417-836-6829 with any additional questions you may have. As a Division I member of the NCAA, the Missouri Valley Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and the Mid-American Conference, Missouri State appreciates your support of the Bears Athletics Program. Go BEARS!! 1 2
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT (approved by the Board of Governors October 1995, revised November 1999, December 2001, October 2003) Missouri State University is committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics and is governed by the following principles: 1) Conducting a broad-based Division I athletics program in accordance with the constitution and by-laws of The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the athletic conference(s) in which the Uni- versity holds membership, and 2) Funding of intercollegiate athletics through a combination of appro- priated and student-fee monies, gate receipts, donations, and fund-rais- ing endeavors by the athletics department. To meet these principles, the intercollegiate athletics program at the University is administered with integrity and sound fiscal practices. The Missouri State University intercollegiate athletics program exists to complement the mission and goals of the University. As an integral part of the University, the intercollegiate athletics program promotes and develops academic and athletic excellence; principles of amateurism, and such educational values as leadership, perseverance, responsibility, hard work, team effort, cooperation, sportsmanship, discipline, dedication, self-confidence, ethical conduct of student-athletes and coaches, and other positive attributes of human development and citizenship. The intercollegiate athletics program is designed to accomplish the following objectives: provide equal opportunity to all student-athletes, regardless of race or gender, to achieve the highest level of competence in their athletic and academic endeavors; comply with the University's Equal Employment Opportunity and Non- discrimination Policies providing equal opportunity for, as well as nondiscriminatory treatment of, all Athletic Staff, regardless of race or gender; establish positive visibility on the local and the national scenes which supports the educational experience; create the opportunity to generate significant revenue from spectator and media interest; and achieve success at the conference, regional, and national levels. Athletics events are conducted in a competitive environment that provides entertainment and identity for such constituencies as the student body, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general public. ATHLETICS STAFF DIRECTORY Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65897 (Area Code 417 University Switchboard 836-5000) Intercollegiate Athletics Administration NAME STAFF POSITION PHONE Kyle Moats Athletics Director 836-5244 Casey Hunt Senior Assoc. AD, SWA 836-5246 Kyle Yates Associate Director- Compliance 836-6829 Monica Jones Asst. Athletic Director for Academics 836-5409 Deborah Dishman Asst. Athletics Director for Business 836-4103 Kevin Greim External Relations/ Bears Fund 836-4143 Rick Kindhart Asst. AD for Athletic Communication 836-5402 Head Coaches NAME STAFF POSITION PHONE Keith Guttin Baseball Coach 836-5242 Paul Lusk Men s Basketball Coach 836-5250 Kellie Harper Women s Basketball Coach 836-4136 Alick Musukuma Women s Cross Country Coach 836-5242 Gabby Gomez Field Hockey Coach 836-5242 Terry Allen Football Coach 836-5343 Neal Stafford Men s Golf Coach 836-5242 Kevin Kane Women s Golf Coach 836-5242 Jon Leamy Men s Soccer Coach 836-5242 Rob Brewer Women s Soccer Coach 836-5242 Holly Hesse Softball Coach 836-8384 Dave Collins Men s/women s Swimming Coach 836-5466 Ronald Boyce Men/Women Track Coach 836-5242 Melissa Stokes Volleyball Coach 836-8384 Fax Numbers Director of Athletics................................. 836-6344 Athletics Compliance................................ 836-8532 Athletics-Forsythe.................................... 836-8475 Athletics-Hammons.................................. 836-8382 Men s Basketball.................................... 836-8353 Women s Basketball.................................. 836-8382 The Achievement Center for Intercollegiate Athletics.......... 836-8445 Athletics Development and Marketing................... 836-6886 Sports Information................................... 836-4868 Athletic Training Services............................. 836-6101 3 4
BOOSTERS Representatives of Athletics Interest You are a Representative of Athletics Interest if you: 1. Participate in or have been a member in any of Missouri State's various Athletics Department booster groups, such as Bear Country, Fast Break, First Serve, Linksters, Papa Bears, Bears Fund, etc. 2. Make or have made a donation to any of Missouri State's athletics programs. 3. Provide or have helped to arrange summer employment for student-athletes. 4. Have been involved in promoting Missouri State Athletics in any way. 5. Are the parent(s) or legal guardians of an enrolled student-athlete. 6. Participated as a varsity athlete at Missouri State. 7. Are or ever have been a Missouri State season ticket holder. REMEMBER... as a Representative of Athletics Interests, you are responsible for making the Missouri State Office of Athletics Compliance aware of any infractions of Conference or NCAA rules you know have occurred. Even if a violation was unintentional, the eligibility of a prospect or enrolled studentathlete could be in jeopardy. Please contact the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at 836-6829 with any information or questions you may have. ONCE A BOOSTER... always a booster. According to the NCAA, once an individual has been identified as an Athletics Representative, he or she retains this identity forever, even if that person no longer contributes to the athletics program. RECRUITING The Prospective Student-Athlete The Definitions You Must Know: A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE (PROSPECT) is... Any student, domestic or international, who has started classes for the ninth grade. The NCAA, however, does not have a minimum age limit. As a result, a student of any age who is contacted for recruitment purposes becomes a prospect. A RECRUITING CONTACT is... any face-to-face encounter between a prospect, or a prospect s parent or legal guardian, and a University staff member or Representative of Athletics Interests during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. The Rules to Remember: 1. Only coaches and University staff Members can be involved in the recruiting process. All boosters, alumni, friends and other Representatives of Athletics Interests, who are not employed by the University, are prohibited from making contact (in person, by phone, text, by fax, social media, or by letter) with a prospective student-athlete or his or her family for the purpose of encouraging participation in the Missouri State athletics program. Alumni may be called by a prospect to discuss the University generally, but not to talk about the athletics department. 2. An impermissible contact, even if unintentional, could subject Missouri State to penalties imposed by the NCAA. Prospects could lose eligibility for competition at Missouri State because of a recruiting violation by a booster. 5 6
RECRUITING The Prospective Student-Athlete 3. A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after he or she signed a National Letter of Intent or financial aid tender to attend Missouri State University. The prospect does not lose this prospect status until the start of classes at the University or until the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of class. The Questions You Should Ask: Q. May a booster aid the Missouri State recruiting/ coaching staff by observing or evaluating high school prospects? A. A booster may view a prospect s game on his or her own initiative as long as he/she does not contact the prospect on such occasions. A booster may not contact a prospect s coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect nor may he/she visit the prospect s school to pick up game films or transcripts. Q. Is it permissible for athletics representatives or boosters to have any contact with prospective student-athletes? A. The only contacts a booster may have are... If a booster is discussing summer employment opportunities with a prospect (after he or she has signed the National Letter of Intent). At Missouri State, initial contact should be made through the Office of Athletics Compliance at 836-6829. (answer continued on next page) RECRUITING The Prospective Student-Athlete If an established relationship between a booster and the prospect already exists, the booster may continue to enjoy a friendly relationship with family, friends, and neighbors. He/she may not, however, take advantage of this relationship for recruitment purposes. If unavoidable incidental contact happens only an exchange of a greeting may occur. Q. What should a booster do if he/she has contact with a prospect or group of prospects at a Missouri State event? A. Once again, the NCAA understands that unavoidable incidental contacts may occur. As long as... The contact is not prearranged; No attempt at recruitment is made; and Only normal civility takes place... The booster will not be held responsible for making a recruiting contact. Q. May a prospect call a booster? A. Yes. A booster may have a telephone conversation with a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call. The telephone call may not be prearranged by an institutional staff member and the discussion should be limited to the University in general. All athleticallyrelated questions must be referred to the Athletics Department. 7 8
STUDENT-ATHLETE The Missouri State Student-Athlete Missouri State associates success in its athletics programs with the welfare of its student participants. A truly effective athletics program produces studentathletes who succeed in their academic work as well as in their chosen sport and whose careers after graduation are a tribute to both them and their university. The social aspects of athletics, which include the opportunity to exercise leadership, to develop the ability to work with others as a team, to accept and appreciate the discipline of sustained practice and training, and to realize the value of good sportsmanship, are at least as important as the physical aspects. The student-athlete concept is the guiding principle of Missouri State s participation in Division I athletics. The University s goal is for student-athletes to receive a quality experience both in the classroom and on the playing field. To insure that each student-athlete reaches this goal, the University must have a pro-active system that enables it to monitor all athletic practices. This system must provide all assurances necessary to anticipate and prevent any breech of the rules. Strict observance of the rules and regulations contributes to the success of a program. It is the responsibility of the University administration and the Department of Athletics to adhere to all regulations promulgated for the governance of intercollegiate athletics by the Missouri Valley Conference, the NCAA and other groups to which the University belongs. EXTRABENEFITS The Enrolled Student-Athlete THE DEFINITIONS YOU MUST KNOW: An Enrolled Student-Athlete is... a student who presently is participating in athletics or has completed his/her eligibility but is still enrolled at the institution. An Extra Benefit is... any special gift or arrangement provided to an enrolled student-athlete or a student-athlete s relative or friend which is not available to the general student body of that institution. Extra benefit legislation also may apply to gifts or arrangements (other than legitimate jobs) subsequent to the student-athlete s graduation. THE RULES TO REMEMBER: 1. Representatives of Athletics interests cannot provide an extra benefit or special arrangements to an enrolled student-athlete that is not available to all other students at the University. 2. If a student-athlete accepts any benefit based on his or her athletic ability, that athlete will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation. If the student-athlete has completed eligibility, the institution is still responsible and may receive penalties applied to the sport program. Additionally, the booster or representative involved may be told to disassociate from the University s athletic program. 9 10
EXTRA BENEFITS The Enrolled Student-Athlete THE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK: Q. What are some examples of extra benefits to enrolled student-athletes that are prohibited by the NCAA? A. Arranging, providing or co-signing a loan Providing the use of a car Providing a ticket to any athletic, institutional or community event Providing the parents, family or friends of a student-athlete with free admission to a Missouri State or booster club recognition banquet Providing typing services or covering the related expenses for course-related papers or projects Arranging or providing any special discount, credits, or special payment arrangements on any purchase or service Giving any type of gift, gift-in-kind or money Q. Are athletics representatives or boosters allowed to help finance the Missouri State intercollegiate athletics program? A. Athletics representatives may not provide services or extra benefits to enrolled studentathletes. It is permissible, however, to contribute to the Bears Fund. Additionally, it is permissible to contribute to a sport-specific booster club which helps enhance the overall intercollegiate experience for student-athletes in that sport. Missouri State greatly appreciates any support in these areas. Q. If, after an athletics awards banquet, a senior student-athlete strikes up a conversation with a booster about possible post-graduation job opportunities, what may the booster discuss? A. A booster is not permitted to promise anything of value to an enrolled student-athlete. A booster may, however, contact the office of student employment services (836-5382) which helps arrange employment opportunities for students. ON-CAMPUS GROUPS Are These Groups Considered Boosters? Parents of enrolled student-athletes are considered Representatives of Athletics Interests; therefore, they may not be involved in the recruiting process on- or offcampus. If parents of a prospect should contact you with questions about your son s or daughter s athletics experience at Missouri State, you should direct the questions to the Athletics Department. If you are alumni, you may discuss your educational experiences at Missouri State, but you may not discuss athletics. Faculty and staff members are not permitted to recruit off-campus. They may have on-campus contact with prospects in all sports. Faculty and staff members may not telephone a prospect until the summer following his or her junior year. In most instances, a prospect may receive only one call per week from an institutional staff member (faculty members, athletics department staff members or administrators) regardless of who makes the call. Faculty and staff members may write to prospects. Athletics Staff. Only those coaches certified to recruit may contact prospects off-campus. All Missouri State Athletics staff members may write to prospects. A spouse of a coach or staff member may make contact with a prospect on-campus. Additionally, he or she may make an off-campus contact, within a 30-mile radius of the institution s main campus, during the prospect s official visit. The spouse may not, however, have any written correspondence (follow-up letter after visit, etc.) with the prospect. Board of Governors may not make on- or off-campus recruiting contacts with prospects. 11 12
ON-CAMPUS GROUPS Are These Groups Considered Boosters? Enrolled student-athletes and other enrolled students are not considered to be boosters as long as any contact with a prospect is incidental and does not occur at the direction of a member of the athletics department. ENROLLED STUDENTS... May not make or participate in telephone calls to prospects at the direction of a coaching staff member or financed by Missouri State or a representative of athletics interest. May receive telephone calls made at the expense of the prospect subsequent to July 1 following the completion of the prospect s junior year in high school. May have written correspondence with prospects. ELIGIBLE STUDENT-ATHLETES are, of course, permitted to serve as student hosts for a prospect s official visit. EMPLOYMENT It is now permissible for student-athletes to work during the academic year with some restrictions. If a booster employs a studentathlete, he/she can only be paid for work that is actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar work. A student-athlete may not be compensated for his/her value or utility they may have for the employer because of his/her publicity, reputation, or fame because of his/her athletics ability. Always keep the student-athlete's eligibility in mind and ask any questions by calling the Missouri State Office of Athletics Compliance. RECRUITING PUBLICITY What Can the University Say About a Prospective Student-Athlete and When? Missouri State Athletics Department personnel know and very much appreciate the keen interest boosters and fans have in the recruiting process and the desire for information about student-athletes who may at some point attend Missouri State. NCAA regulations, however, are very explicit on the subject of recruiting publicity. The regulations specify that the announcement of the declared intention of a prospective student-athlete to attend Missouri State and participate in athletics (or the signing of a National Letter of Intent) may be publicized by the University only through a press release distributed through the University s normally-used outlets, and only after the signing has taken place. Prior to that, athletics personnel are expressly prohibited from commenting on the abilities of the student-athlete or the likelihood of the student-athlete to attend Missouri State. The only public comment permitted by athletics personnel is to acknowledge that the University is recruiting a particular student-athlete. While the University has no wish to dim the interest of fans and supporters in the recruitment process, the spirit of NCAA regulations is clearly to avoid widespread public speculation, fueled by University comments that would create a "sideshow" atmosphere surrounding the recruitment process. 13 14
RECRUITING PUBLICITY What Can the University Say About a Prospective Student-Athlete and When? While the University is limited in what its personnel may publicly say, media outlets may cover the recruitment process as they wish, and prospective student-athletes are free to make comments as they wish. Therefore, it is important for fans to understand that, while they may hear or see or read about a particular student-athlete and his/her recruitment, the University cannot be involved in this process in any way. Calling radio talk shows or discussing the recruitment of a particular student-athlete at a public gathering Missouri State coaches and administrators appreciate the interest of fans in the process but emphasize the need to have that process take place behind the scenes and within the framework of NCAA regulations. It is the University s policy that a prospective studentathlete s signed National Letter of Intent and other appropriate paperwork are to be received at Missouri State before a news release is issued by the Missouri State Sports Information Office. This process, however, may take several days from the time the student-athlete makes a formal public statement of his/her intention to attend Missouri State. Media outlets may learn of and publicize that announced decision, but Missouri State personnel are prohibited from having any part in the publicity process prior to the formal news release announcement of the signing, and may not publicly comment even to acknowledge, print or broadcast reports about the athlete s stated intention to attend Missouri State. It is important that fans/boosters understand the distinction between what the studentathlete and the media do and what the University is permitted to do with regard to recruitment publicity. THANK YOU For Your Support of Missouri State Athletics After reading this brochure it may seem that Missouri State boosters and alumni are prevented from any involvement with prospective and enrolled studentathletes. Here are some activities that are permissible: For a PROSPECTIVE student-athlete, a booster may: Contact a prospect for the purpose of arranging summer employment after he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent. Initial contact should be made through the Office of Athletics Compliance at 836-6829. Provide the Missouri State Recruiting/Compliance Coordinator or the specific sport coach with names of newspaper clippings of talented prospective student-athletes in your area. For the ENROLLED student-athlete, a booster may... Have contact with enrolled studentathletes on campus. Invite a student-athlete(s) or an entire team to your home for a meal. The meal, which may be catered, should be limited to infrequent or special occasions (Thanksgiving, birthday, etc.) This does not include family and friends of the student-athlete. Boosters are permitted to give a studentathlete(s) transportation to their homes on these occasions (local transportation only). Contribute to the Missouri State Foundation (Bears Fund). This fund helps subsidize the University s commitment to athletics scholarships which benefit more than 300 athletes annually. Invite an entire team, which will be visiting your city for an away athletics contest, for dinner. This meal may take place at the booster s home. Student-athletes are allowed certain benefits as a team that they are not permitted as individuals. 15 16
THANK YOU For Your Support of Missouri State Athletics How You Can Help If you know of a high school or junior college prospect who might want to attend Missouri State, a representative of Missouri State athletics interests may call the coach. A staff directory is included on page four of this publication. Need More Information? Please do not hesitate to call us with your questions! Kyle Yates Associate Director of Athletics Compliance Missouri State University 901 S. National Springfield, MO 65897 Phone: (417) 836-6829 Fax: (417) 836-8532 E-mail: KyleYates@MissouriState.edu GO BEARS!!! 17