ATHLETICS COMPLIANCE MISSION STATEMENT Liberty University Athletics Compliance Office’s objective is to advance and support Liberty University’s mission statement by maintaining the NCAA principle of institutional control. This is accomplished through proactive, comprehensive education of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters of Flames Athletics about NCAA, ASUN Conference, and Liberty University rules and regulations. The Compliance Office monitors policies and procedures to protect Liberty University and its constituents. The Compliance Office also serves to advance the uncompromising integrity and commitment to the highest standards of ethical behavior at Liberty University and strives to ensure a positive student-athlete experience while continuing the tradition of athletic excellence. Liberty is committed to upholding the principle of institutional control in the operation of its Athletics Department in a way that is within the rules and regulations of the NCAA, ASUN Conference, and the university. As Liberty strives for excellence on and off the field, ethical conduct must be sought and held in the highest regard. Any activity outside the rules and regulations of the NCAA could jeopardize student-athletes’ eligibility to compete.
FIVE RULES OF ATHLETICS COMPLIANCE 1. Only coaches and Athletics Department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process. Alumni, friends, or other representatives of athletics interest (e.g., boosters who are not employed by the university) are not permitted to contact a prospect (or members of the prospect’s family) by letter, telephone, or in person (on or off campus) for the purpose of soliciting their participation in the athletics program. Liberty faculty members are permitted to have contact with the prospects on campus during unofficial visits or off campus (near the institution) during official visits. 2. A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a letter of intent or financial aid agreement to attend the university. The prospect does not lose his or her prospect status until the start of classes or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes. 3. The restrictions governing any contact between a prospect and representatives of a member institution’s athletics interest include unavoidable incidental interactions. It is understood that such contact is not prearranged by the athletics representative or an Athletics Department staff member, is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect, and involves only normal civility. For example, if a booster meets a high school student or junior college student-athlete, they may not talk with them about Liberty Athletics. If they are attending a public function and find themself talking to the parents of a prospect, that booster can talk about anything that does not relate to the Athletics Department. 4. A student-athlete who accepts any benefits or special consideration based on his or her status as an athlete or because of athletic skill will lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletic participation. Nothing can be done for prospective or enrolled student-athletes without specific authorization from the Liberty Athletics Compliance Office. 5. Representatives of athletics interests are reminded that NCAA rules regarding enrolled student-athletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including summer breaks. When student-athletes complete their final season of eligibility, they must abide by NCAA rules until the end of that academic year and/or until they are no longer receiving athletics financial aid. If you have a question about NCAA rules and your interaction with Liberty coaches, student-athletes, or staff, please contact: Athletics Compliance Office Liberty University | 1971 University Blvd. | Lynchburg, Va. 24515 (434) 582-2116 | Compliance@liberty.edu “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” – Romans 13:1
18
