ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
COMPLIANCE CORNER, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 8
APRIL 2012
TEAM ENTERTAINMENT 16.7.1 Away-from-Home Contests and Vacation Periods The institution may pay the actual costs (but may not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that takes place within a 100-mile radius of where a team plays or practices in connection with an away-from-home contest or en route to or from such a contest. It is not permissible for a team to depart more than 48 hours before, or to remain more than 36 hours after, an event or to transport the team to another area for entertainment purposes. In addition, an institution may pay the actual costs (but may not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that takes place within a 30-mile radius of the institution's campus or practice site during vacation periods when the team is required to reside on campus (or at a practice site normally used by the institution) and classes are not in session. 16.7.1.1 Exceptions The time limitations related to the provisions of travel expenses do not apply to the circumstances listed in Bylaw 16.8.1.2.1.1. (Exceptions. These travel expense restrictions do not apply in the following circumstances: (a) Travel before and after contests in Hawaii or Alaska; (b) Travel before and after contests in the 48 contiguous states for member institutions located in Hawaii or Alaska; (c) Travel before and after regular-season competition that takes place during the institution's official vacation period during the academic year; (d) Travel before contests in NCAA championship events, national governing body championships in emerging sports or postseason football games; (e) Return transportation after contests in NCAA championship events, national governing body championships in emerging sports or postseason football games that take place during the institution's official vacation period during the academic year or between regular academic terms; (f) Travel before the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame benefit game or the American Football Coaches Retirement Trust benefit game; (g) Travel before and after regular-season competition that takes place during the institution's summer-vacation period; (h) Travel before and after regular season competition that takes place in one or more foreign countries on one trip during the prescribed playing season and limited to not more than once every three years; or (i) Travel before the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF) collegiate championships. ) 16.7.2 Professional Sports Tickets Complimentary tickets to professional sports contests shall not be provided to studentathletes, unless the tickets are provided by the institution (or by a representative of athletics interests through the institution) for entertainment purposes to studentathletes involved in an away-from-home contest. Under the latter circumstances, the institution may pay actual costs for reasonable entertainment that takes place during a team trip. (See Bylaw 16.10.1.6.)
Eric Lahetta l Director of NCAA Compliance l 224 Philips Gymnasium l
[email protected] l [P] 440.775.8534
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
16.10.1.6 Recognition by Professional Sports Organization A student-athlete may accept complimentary admission to a professional sports contest during which the student-athlete and/or collegiate team is being recognized by the professional sports organization for extraordinary achievements. The institution may pay actual costs for reasonable entertainment that takes place during a team trip. Further, it shall be permissible for the professional sports organization to promote this event to the general public. 16.7.3 Films/Movies/Videotapes The institution may rent a film or movie, provide pay-per-view movies in the studentathletes’ hotel rooms or take its intercollegiate team to the movies in conjunction with the student- athletes’ home or away-from-home contest (immediately before or during the road trip), the night before a contest without the film or movie being considered an extra benefit not available to the student body. Such entertainment the night before a contest is considered a benefit incidental to the student-athletes’ participation. [R] (Adopted: 1/10/92) 16.7.4 Practice Sites on Road Trips Any practice on an extended road trip shall take place either at the competition site or on a direct route between two consecutive competition sites. It is not permissible for an institution to schedule practice sessions at other locations in order to provide entertainment opportunities for team members.
Eric Lahetta l Director of NCAA Compliance l 224 Philips Gymnasium l
[email protected] l [P] 440.775.8534