ACTIVITIES THAT ARE PROHIBITED
EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES
IMPERMISSABLE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING AN ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE OF INTEREST AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH STUDENT-ATHLETES (CURRENT AND PROSPECTS) AND THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
UM and Athletic Representatives may employ student-athletes provided they get approval from the Athletic Compliance Office. All work performed by the student-athlete is governed but is not limited to, the following rules:
• NOT permissable to provide cash or loans in any amount
• All compensation must be consistent with the going rate in the locality for similar services performed.
• NOT permissable to provide payment for or to use the name, picture or likeness (e.g. nickname, symbols) to advertise the sale of a product • NOT permissable to provide entertainment (e.g. cash, use of your home or other value items) • NOT permissable to provide discounts that are not available to the general public • NOT permissable to provide use of an automobile or transportation of any type • NOT permissable to provide rent-free or reduced-cost housing for any length of time • NOT permissable to provide the use of your telephone for free long distance calls • NOT permissable to provide, arrange, or co-sign a loan • NOT permissable to provide employment for relatives or friends as a result of their relationship to a prospect or current student-athlete • NOT permissable to provide gifts, free or reduced cost services (e.g. meals, drinks, clothing, laundry, haircuts, legal fees, etc.) • NOT permissable to provide awards or monetary gifts for athletic performances • NOT permissable to provide tickets to an athletic, institutional, or community event LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTED WHEN IN DOUBT, LET THE ATHLETIC COMPLIANCE OFFICE FIGURE IT OUT. Email your questions to tigercompliance@memphis.edu
WE WANT YOU TO BE A PART OF
• The student-athlete must be paid only for work actually performed. • Compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following resulting from athletic reputation.
TIGER ATHLETICS!
THE NCAA has specific RESTRICTIONS pertaining to student-athlete employment. For this reason, please do not employ or arrange for the employment of an enrolled student-athlete or UM prospective student-athlete without the assistance of the Athletic Compliance Office.
IT’S COOL TO KNOW THE RULES.
Contact the Athletic Compliance Office: tigercompliance@memphis.edu (901) 678-2088
PENALTIES Any Violations of the NCAA regulations referenced in this booklet can result in the following penalties: • The student-athlete (current or prospect) may be declared ineligible for intercollegiate competition at any institution. • The violator may be disassociated from the University of Memphis athletics. • The University of Memphis may be placed on probation by the NCAA and may have to forfeit previously played games, revenues received, or championships won.
HUNGRY FOR TIGER SPORTS? Is it permissible for an Athletics Representative to provide a meal to a student-athlete enrolled at UM?
EXTRA BENEFITS
YES, provided prior approval is granted by the Athletic Compliance Office. A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may receive an OCCASIONAL meal from an Athletics Representative under the following conditions: • The meal may only be provided in an individual’s home (as opposed to a restaurant), on campus, or at a facility that is regularly used for home competition and may be catered. • Meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions.
What is an EXTRA BENEFIT?
NOTE: A request for approval MUST be submitted in advance so it can be approved by the Athletic Compliance Office in a timely manner. For a copy of the “Approval Request Form” contact (901) 678-2088 or visit TIGERCOMPLIANCE.COM.
Preferential Treatment, benefits or services because of the individual’s athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation.
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or an Athletics Representative who provides a student-athlete (current or prospect) or the student-athlete’s relatives or friends with a benefit not authorized by the NCAA or available to the institution’s general student body.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Athletic Compliance Office 570 Normal Street Memphis, TN 38152
• The University of Memphis may face additional sanctions imposed by the NCAA.
What is PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT?
RUL ES & REGUL ATIONS A RE F E RENCE GUIDE F OR A L UMNI AND FRIENDS OF TIGER ATHLE TICS
Is it permissible for an Athletics Representative to provide transportation to or from campus, or free admission to the institution’s athletic events on or off-campus to prospects, their family, or friends?
WHAT IS A BOOSTER? A Booster is also known as an “Athletics Representative”. You are considered an “Athletics Representative” if you:
NO.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
• Have ever participated in, or were ever a member of an agency or organization, promoting UM athletics.
What if a prospect approaches an Athletics Representative, on or off-campus, regarding the athletics program?
• Have ever made financial contributions to UM’s athletics department or to a UM athletics booster organization. [Note: This includes the donation paid by season ticket holders for premium-seating.]
• Have ever assisted or have been requested by UM’s athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment of prospects. [Note: This would be a violation of NCAA rules.]
Dear Tiger Alumni and Friends, The support and loyalty of Tiger fans is a cornerstone of the UM Athletics Department. We appreciate your outstanding support. As dedicated fans, we know that you are committed to complying with the rules and regulations of the NCAA and the Conference USA. Because alumni, friends and supporters may not engage in any recruitment activities or provide benefits or privileges to prospective and enrolled student-athletes, we have put together this representative of athletics interest’s brochure to assist in the continuing education of fans, friends, and alumni. Any inappropriate, even inadvertent, activity on the part of a representative of athletics interests could result in serious NCAA violations.
• Have ever assisted in providing benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or their families. • Have ever been involved otherwise in the promotion of UM’s athletics program. • Have ever provided a job for a current or prospective student-athlete at the request of the athletics department. The NCAA stipulates that once you have become an Athletics Representative, you are one forever, even if you no longer contribute to or are involved in the athletics program.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE
UM’s Athletics Department is proud to have your loyal support and continued interest in its athletics programs. As we strive for continued excellence, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. With your assistance and cooperation, we believe we can accomplish our goals.
Who is considered a prospective student-athlete, (“prospect”)?
If you have any questions about the various rules and regulations, please do not hesitate to contact the Athletic Compliance Office. Your attention to this very important matter is greatly appreciated.
• A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect EVEN AFTER a National Letter of Intent (NLI), an agreement to attend UM, is signed. Applicable NCAA rules governing prospects do not change until the student attends classes as a full-time student.
NOTE: Please understand that you should not take part in the recruitment of any prospective student-athlete. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Compliance Office at (901) 678-2088.
Sincerely,
Tom Bowen Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
• A prospective student-athlete is defined as a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade (for Men’s Basketball it’s for a person who has begun classes for the seventh grade). However, it is possible for any HIGH SCHOOL or NON-UM COLLEGIATE STUDENT to be considered a prospect, so please treat ALL STUDENTS as prospects.
RULES FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES ONLY COACHES AND ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STAFF MEMBERS are permitted to be directly or indirectly involved in the recruitment of prospects. All Athletics Representatives of the University who are not members of the athletics department staff are PROHIBITED from contacting a prospect by telephone, in person, or in writing for the purpose of encouraging the prospect’s enrollment at the University. DO continue established family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contact is permitted as long as it is not made for recruiting purposes. You may not discuss recruiting under any circumstances.
PROSPECT-RELATED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS What if a prospect calls an Athletics Representative of interest?
An Athletics Representative may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. The Athletics Representative shall NOT engage in any recruiting conversations with the prospect. Any questions about the University’s athletics program should be referred to the Athletics Department.
Is it permissible for an Athletics Representative to telephone a prospect or send a letter once the prospect has committed to, or signed a NLI with the University?
NO, even if the purpose of the call or letter is only to congratulate the prospect. The prospect is still a prospect until he/she attends classes at UM.
Is social media (i.e., twitter, facebook, skype) appropriate ways to communicate with prospective student athletes? NO. The use of any social networking systems to contact prospective student-athletes is prohibited. Tweeting at, posting comments, or sending emails to prospective student-athletes could result in a violation.
May an Athletics Representative provide any assistance or special arrangement to a prospect or a prospect’s family or friends? NO. The NCAA considers these “Offers and Inducements,” and they are specifically prohibited.
If a prospect approaches an Athletics Representative on or off-campus regarding the athletics program, explain to him/her that NCAA rules do not permit discussion of the athletics program and refer the prospect to the Athletics Department.
Can a prospect be in attendance at booster functions?
This is NOT advised due to the following restrictions: • The function must be open to the entire public, no special invitations may be made for a prospect, and the prospect may not be introduced at the event. • Prospects cannot have contact with Athletics Representatives on or off-campus.
Is it permissible for an Athletics Representative to give their game tickets to a prospective student-athlete?
NO. Even if you are not using your tickets to a game, they have intrinsic value. Therefore, it would be a violation to provide your tickets to any student-athlete. This prohibition continues for as long as a student is a prospect, enrolled at UM, and even after eligibility is completed.
CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETE RELATED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Is it permissible for a current student-athlete to receive any expenses for speaking to a booster club or civic organization?
A student-athlete may ONLY accept transportation and meal expenses in conjunction with participation in a luncheon meeting of a booster club or civic organization, provided the meeting occurs within a 100-mile radius of the institution’s main campus and no tangible award is provided to the studentathlete. If the luncheon is outside of the 100-mile radius, the student-athlete is not permitted to accept any transportation or meal expenses.
Is it permissible for an athletic representative to provide an honorarium to a current student-athlete who has been approved for a speaking engagement?
NO. Student-athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses, as stated above, and may not receive an honorarium.
VISIT US ONLINE AT W W W.TIGERCOMPLIANCE.COM Compliance Question? Check out tigercompliance.com