frequently asked questions how can you help? a final reminder
Dear Supporter of Weber State Athletics: Weber State University remains dedicated to excellence in both academics and athletics. The commitment to this pursuit includes adhering to all NCAA, Big Sky, and institutional rules governing intercollegiate athletics. It is our responsibility to provide you, our loyal alumni, staff, students, and friends, with information to assist you in understanding the complexity of the rules. Compliance requires constant vigilance on the part of all of us who are associated with Weber State University, and knowledge is the first step toward compliance. The information provided in this brochure will help you understand the basic guidelines applicable to the conduct of friends of Weber State Athletics. The brochure summarizes rules and regulations involving situations that have been encountered by alumni and friends. Weber State is proud to have your loyal support, dedication, and enthusiasm for Wildcat Athletics. As we strive for continued excellence, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. With your assistance and cooperation, we are confident we can continue to meet this goal. Finally, please remember to ALWAYS ASK BEFORE YOU ACT! Sincerely,
Jerry Bovee Director of Athletics
HOW CAN YOU HELP? If you have any questions regarding NCAA regulations, please contact the Weber State Athletic Department’s Compliance Office. If you would like more information on ways to support Weber State Athletics, you may contact the Wildcat Club. Weber State Athletics (801) 626-6500 www.weberstatesports.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: What if a prospect calls a representative of athletics interests? A: A representative of athletics interests may have a telephone conversation with a prospect that is initiated by the prospect and is not prearranged by the institution (including providing a prospect with the phone number). Additionally, any questions about Weber State’s athletic programs during the conversation must be referred to members of Weber State’s coaching staff. Q: Does this apply to “established family friends” or neighbors? A: No. However, it must be understood that such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and questions about Weber State’s athletic programs should still be referred to members of Weber State’s coaching staff. Q: Can a booster provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement? A: No. However, the student-athlete may receive necessary travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable groups. Q: Is it permissible for current student-athletes to be involved in any type of promotional activities? A: Yes, provided the activities are for institutional, charitable, educational or non-profit agencies and the activity receives prior approval from Weber State’s Director of Athletics (via the Compliance Office). Q. Can a booster make contact with a recruit and his/her legal guardians on an official visit to campus? A. No. Boosters are prohibited from making in-person, onor off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or his/her relatives or legal guardians.
A FINAL REMINDER Recruitment of prospective student-athletes is the sole responsibility of Weber State’s coaches. Representatives of athletics interests may not be involved in the recruiting process. Also, the examples contained in this brochure are meant as examples and should not be considered exhaustive. If you have any questions on whether a particular action is permissible under governing rules, please contact the Compliance Office BEFORE acting.
WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE 10 THINGS A REPRESENTATIVE OF ATHLETICS INTERESTS? OF ATHLETICS INTERESTS SHOULD KNOW: You are a representative of 1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! If you are not sure if conduct athletics interests if: will constitute a violation of NCAA rules, call the Compliance • You are a member of a group that supports or promotes Weber State Athletics (e.g., Wildcat Club); • You have made financial contributions to the department of athletics or an athletics booster organization; • You have provided any benefits to Weber State student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, or their families; • Weber State has asked you to help, or you have in any way helped, to recruit student-athletes; OR • You have otherwise assisted in the promotion of Weber State Athletics.
It is important to remember that once you are identified as a representative of athletics interests, you remain one FOREVER!
WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE? A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is ANY student who has started classes for the ninth grade, including students in prep schools and junior colleges and individuals who have officially withdrawn from a four-year institution. A PSA remains a PSA even after they have signed a National Letter of Intent or accept an offer of financial aid to attend Weber State University. The restrictions regarding contact between representatives of athletics interests and PSAs apply until the PSA reports for a regular academic year term or preseason team practice.
Office. Remember, “The only dumb question is the one not asked.” 2. ACTIVE RECRUITING INVOLVEMENT is limited to coaches. BOOSTERS ARE PROHIBITED from making in-person, offcampus recruiting contacts and cannot have telephone communication with a prospect or the prospect’s family for recruiting purposes. 3. ALUMNI/BOOSTER EVENTS can violate recruiting regulations if prospects are in attendance. If you are arranging or attending alumni or booster events, do not bring or invite prospects, and explain to parents the importance of prospect-age students not attending.
4. EXTRA BENEFITS are any special arrangements by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interests to provide a currently enrolled student-athlete, a prospect, or their parents, relatives, or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA rules or which is not available to all students in general. Boosters cannot offer, provide, or arrange financial assistance (directly or indirectly) to pay (in whole or in part) the cost of the prospect’s educational or other expenses other than summer employment.
7. UNAVOIDABLE INCIDENTAL CONTACT with a prospect is not a violation if the contact: a.) was not prearranged; b.) does not take place on the grounds of the prospect’s educational institution or site of a competition; c.) is not made for the purpose of recruitment; and d.) involves only normal civility. For example, if you meet a prospect in the normal course of your business, there is no violation as long as you do not try to influence the prospect’s choice of schools. Or, if you attend an athletics event and come into contact with a prospect or the prospect’s parents, there would be no violation if you excuse yourself in a timely and courteous manner and do not discuss Weber State (even if the other party brings up the subject). If there is an established, long-time relationship with a prospect and his/her family, you can continue that relationship, but you cannot become involved in the prospect’s consideration of which school to attend. 8. EMPLOYING STUDENT-ATHLETES AND PROSPECTS is permissible in limited situations. A booster can employ a prospect only during the summer immediately prior to the prospect attending WSU. Enrolled student-athletes are limited by financial aid considerations in job arrangements. In all cases, the individual must be paid the same as others employed in similar positions in your area and must actually perform the work. PLEASE CONTACT THE COMPLIANCE OFFICE BEFORE EMPLOYING PROSPECTS OR STUDENT-ATHLETES.
5. ATTENDING ATHLETICS CONTESTS at schools in your community is permitted, but contacting a prospect, a prospect’s parents, or a prospect’s coach while you are there is prohibited. If you see or hear of a prospect who you think would be an asset to Weber State, you may contact the coaches to let them know about the prospect.
9. STUDENT-ATHLETE APPEARANCES are permissible at a local church, school, charity, or nonprofit agency. The appearances must be carefully arranged and must be approved by the Director of Athletics (not a coach) prior to the event.
6. OCCASIONAL MEALS may be provided to an enrolled student-athlete or an entire team. The meal must be served at the host’s home or at a facility on Weber State’s campus. The meal cannot be provided at a restaurant, but it may be catered. Such meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions. Only the host and school staff members may provide transportation to the function.
10. USING A STUDENT-ATHLETE’S NAME, PICTURE OR LIKENESS is permitted only if the purpose is to recognize the individual (or team) or to extend best wishes. In this case, only the name, address, and official logo of the business may appear. Advertising for a commercial product or service of any kind that includes an enrolled student-athlete’s picture is not permitted.
Jerry Bovee Director of Athletics
HOW CAN YOU HELP? If you have any questions regarding NCAA regulations, please contact the Weber State Athletic Department’s Compliance Office. If you would like more information on ways to support Weber State Athletics, you may contact the Wildcat Club. Weber State Athletics (801) 626-6500 www.weberstatesports.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: What if a prospect calls a representative of athletics interests? A: A representative of athletics interests may have a telephone conversation with a prospect that is initiated by the prospect and is not prearranged by the institution (including providing a prospect with the phone number). Additionally, any questions about Weber State’s athletic programs during the conversation must be referred to members of Weber State’s coaching staff. Q: Does this apply to “established family friends” or neighbors? A: No. However, it must be understood that such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and questions about Weber State’s athletic programs should still be referred to members of Weber State’s coaching staff. Q: Can a booster provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement? A: No. However, the student-athlete may receive necessary travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable groups. Q: Is it permissible for current student-athletes to be involved in any type of promotional activities? A: Yes, provided the activities are for institutional, charitable, educational or non-profit agencies and the activity receives prior approval from Weber State’s Director of Athletics (via the Compliance Office). Q. Can a booster make contact with a recruit and his/her legal guardians on an official visit to campus? A. No. Boosters are prohibited from making in-person, onor off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or his/her relatives or legal guardians.
A FINAL REMINDER Recruitment of prospective student-athletes is the sole responsibility of Weber State’s coaches. Representatives of athletics interests may not be involved in the recruiting process. Also, the examples contained in this brochure are meant as examples and should not be considered exhaustive. If you have any questions on whether a particular action is permissible under governing rules, please contact the Compliance Office BEFORE acting.
WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE 10 THINGS A REPRESENTATIVE OF ATHLETICS INTERESTS? OF ATHLETICS INTERESTS SHOULD KNOW: You are a representative of 1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! If you are not sure if conduct athletics interests if: will constitute a violation of NCAA rules, call the Compliance • You are a member of a group that supports or promotes Weber State Athletics (e.g., Wildcat Club); • You have made financial contributions to the department of athletics or an athletics booster organization; • You have provided any benefits to Weber State student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, or their families; • Weber State has asked you to help, or you have in any way helped, to recruit student-athletes; OR • You have otherwise assisted in the promotion of Weber State Athletics.
It is important to remember that once you are identified as a representative of athletics interests, you remain one FOREVER!
WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE? A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is ANY student who has started classes for the ninth grade, including students in prep schools and junior colleges and individuals who have officially withdrawn from a four-year institution. A PSA remains a PSA even after they have signed a National Letter of Intent or accept an offer of financial aid to attend Weber State University. The restrictions regarding contact between representatives of athletics interests and PSAs apply until the PSA reports for a regular academic year term or preseason team practice.
Office. Remember, “The only dumb question is the one not asked.” 2. ACTIVE RECRUITING INVOLVEMENT is limited to coaches. BOOSTERS ARE PROHIBITED from making in-person, offcampus recruiting contacts and cannot have telephone communication with a prospect or the prospect’s family for recruiting purposes. 3. ALUMNI/BOOSTER EVENTS can violate recruiting regulations if prospects are in attendance. If you are arranging or attending alumni or booster events, do not bring or invite prospects, and explain to parents the importance of prospect-age students not attending.
4. EXTRA BENEFITS are any special arrangements by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interests to provide a currently enrolled student-athlete, a prospect, or their parents, relatives, or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA rules or which is not available to all students in general. Boosters cannot offer, provide, or arrange financial assistance (directly or indirectly) to pay (in whole or in part) the cost of the prospect’s educational or other expenses other than summer employment.
7. UNAVOIDABLE INCIDENTAL CONTACT with a prospect is not a violation if the contact: a.) was not prearranged; b.) does not take place on the grounds of the prospect’s educational institution or site of a competition; c.) is not made for the purpose of recruitment; and d.) involves only normal civility. For example, if you meet a prospect in the normal course of your business, there is no violation as long as you do not try to influence the prospect’s choice of schools. Or, if you attend an athletics event and come into contact with a prospect or the prospect’s parents, there would be no violation if you excuse yourself in a timely and courteous manner and do not discuss Weber State (even if the other party brings up the subject). If there is an established, long-time relationship with a prospect and his/her family, you can continue that relationship, but you cannot become involved in the prospect’s consideration of which school to attend. 8. EMPLOYING STUDENT-ATHLETES AND PROSPECTS is permissible in limited situations. A booster can employ a prospect only during the summer immediately prior to the prospect attending WSU. Enrolled student-athletes are limited by financial aid considerations in job arrangements. In all cases, the individual must be paid the same as others employed in similar positions in your area and must actually perform the work. PLEASE CONTACT THE COMPLIANCE OFFICE BEFORE EMPLOYING PROSPECTS OR STUDENT-ATHLETES.
5. ATTENDING ATHLETICS CONTESTS at schools in your community is permitted, but contacting a prospect, a prospect’s parents, or a prospect’s coach while you are there is prohibited. If you see or hear of a prospect who you think would be an asset to Weber State, you may contact the coaches to let them know about the prospect.
9. STUDENT-ATHLETE APPEARANCES are permissible at a local church, school, charity, or nonprofit agency. The appearances must be carefully arranged and must be approved by the Director of Athletics (not a coach) prior to the event.
6. OCCASIONAL MEALS may be provided to an enrolled student-athlete or an entire team. The meal must be served at the host’s home or at a facility on Weber State’s campus. The meal cannot be provided at a restaurant, but it may be catered. Such meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions. Only the host and school staff members may provide transportation to the function.
10. USING A STUDENT-ATHLETE’S NAME, PICTURE OR LIKENESS is permitted only if the purpose is to recognize the individual (or team) or to extend best wishes. In this case, only the name, address, and official logo of the business may appear. Advertising for a commercial product or service of any kind that includes an enrolled student-athlete’s picture is not permitted.
