words to the wise
WORDS TO THE WISE Equipment Staff Rules Education Kennesaw State Compliance Mission The Kennesaw State University Compliance Office strives to provide a comprehensive compliance program with a focus on four general elements: rules education, policies and procedures, monitoring and self-reporting. This focus allows us to protect the integrity of the University, while fostering a culture of compliance and institutional control as required by the NCAA. Our visibility and availability is an important aspect of providing a proactive approach as we assist the University, our student-athletes, institutional staff and donors/boosters in understanding the complex nature of NCAA rules. Policy for Reporting Rules Violations Having a vigilant self-reporting program serves many purposes. It is an obligation of NCAA membership to self-report all violations, no matter how minor the violation. The self-report program allows us to apply consistent and prescribed penalties based on NCAA precedent. By self-reporting any and all violations, we meet the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 2.8.1, requiring institutions to report instances in which compliance has not been achieved. These instances of noncompliance will also serve as teaching moments for institutional staff members, so as not to have a repeat of similar violations. While we understand that violations will happen, our goal is to address those violations, prescribe the correct sanctions and educate our staff on the appropriate rules, which strengthens our knowledge base of various NCAA rules. The hope is that our rules education, policies and procedures and monitoring programs all play a critical role in reducing the amount of self-reports.
Equipment: (e.g., shoes, helmets, baseball gloves) should include only the manufacturer’s logo as it appears on all items for sale to the general public. Apparel: (e.g., uniform, warm-up, T-shirts, socks, wrist band) should include only one normal logo/trademark not to exceed 2 1/4 sq. inches. Legislative Adidas Guidelines: Guideline #1: Base color will not be considered a stripe in determining whether item contains design elements similar to the Adidas logo/trademark [ex. blue shorts which include two white descending stripes with an intervening blue stripe (same color of blue as base) would not be considered as having three stripes and, thus, would not be subject to the trademark/logo restrictions.] Guideline #2: Three stripes are considered "similar in width" if the stripes are consistently proportionate in width to one another. Three stripes that are not similar in width would not be considered a design element similar to the Adidas logo/trademark and, thus, would not be subject to the trademark/logo restrictions. Guideline #3: If an institution's traditional uniform includes design elements (e.g., three stripes, diamonds) similar to an apparel manufacturer's logo/trademark, such elements would be excluded from the application of the trademark/logo restrictions, provided: • The design elements on the institution's traditional uniform predate any contractual agreement with the supplying apparel manufacturer or distributor whose logo/trademark is similar to the institution's design elements; and • The design elements on the institution's traditional uniform are not altered in any manner subsequent to the institution's contractual agreement with the supplying apparel manufacturer or distributor. Guideline #4: Adidas may use three adjacent stripes of different colors not separated by an intervening background color, provided the three stripes are immediately adjacent to one another (i.e., no intervening base/background color between stripes similar to the Adidas trademark is permitted). Guideline #5: Adidas may use design elements other than stripes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and chevrons, provided those elements are not arranged in a manner that creates the appearance of three stripes (ex. If chevrons are used on an apparel item, the item may not contain three chevrons that are "similar in width", as defined in Guideline #2 above). Guideline #6: Adidas may use design elements in the circular bands of ribbing around a garment's cuffs, waistband and neck opening that are commonly produced by outside manufacturers and are industry-standard for all apparel manufacturers. Guideline #7: Adidas may use three stripes of differing colors (separated by an intervening base/background color) that do not run vertically down the length of a sleeve, inseam or leg of a garment, provided: • The three stripes are of at least two different colors (e.g., two blue stripes with a red stripe in the middle); and • The actual Adidas logo/trademark appearing on the item consists of a single color that is different from the colors of the stripes appearing on the item. If the color of one of the stripes is black or white, the Adidas logo/trademark may be entirely black or white.
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KSU Equipment Staff Rules Education Continued…
Recruiting rules prohibit any personalization for a prospect that comes to campus for a visit: • Personalized jerseys to try on (recruit name or HS jersey number) • Must use generic uniform for sizing purposes (pictures are ok as long as they are not sent to prospect). • Special displays/decorations cannot be part of prospect’s visit (locker/locker room staging is prohibited); must remain in normal condition.
• May NOT donate to high schools, JUCOs, or club sport programs that have any individuals in 9th—12th grades. • May donate to bona fide youth organizations within a 30 mile radius of the institution. • May donate to 4-year institutions if not recruiting any individuals from that same 4-year institution.
• We may provide a student-athlete with one shirt (polo, oxford style) bearing KSU’s logo to be used for team travel or other events. The shirt may bear a single manufacturer’s logo not to exceed 2 1/4 square inches.
• Except as permitted in 16.8.1.9, we may not provide student-athletes team travel outfits, blazers or other items of clothing that are not sports-related practice or competition apparel.
• Student-athletes may retain and use equipment related to their sport during the summer.
• Permissible as sport apparel as long as they are used for practice or competition purposes (outdoor sports, swimming, etc.) • Permissible to distribute as a specific tournament award (pre-season NIT, KSU Classic, etc.) to the student-athletes on the team at the time of the tournament
• Compliance will email you a copy of each sport’s Official Eligibility Roster prior to their first competition and whenever there is a change in an athlete’s eligibility status. • It is not permissible for a student-athlete to compete in a KSU uniform if they are not on the Official Eligibility Roster. Please check with the Compliance Department if you feel there is an error on the Roster.
Q: Can a student-athlete purchase apparel or equipment directly from the manufacturer at our discounted or wholesale rate? A: No, student-athletes may not receive our institutional discount from a manufacturer for items they order for their own personal use. Q: Can an equipment room provide backpacks to student-athletes if they utilize them for travel or for competition purposes? A: Yes, as long as they are used during a team’s travel to an away competition or as an equipment bag (tennis). Q: Can Equipment Staff sell equipment to an 11th grade HS student if the sale price is the going rate for the item? A: No, we may not provide buying opportunities to prospect-aged individuals (9th –12th grade) that are not available to general public. Q: What is the difference between apparel and equipment? A: Apparel is considered to be any clothing item utilized for practice or competition. Equipment is considered sports aids (hats, bats, helmets, bags, backpacks, shoes, etc.)
For Additional Information Contact Kennesaw State University Compliance Department Heath Senour: 678-797-2290
Cindy Gillam: 770-794-7538
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Equipment: (e.g., shoes, helmets, baseball gloves) should include only the manufacturer’s logo as it appears on all items for sale to the general public. Apparel: (e.g., uniform, warm-up, T-shirts, socks, wrist band) should include only one normal logo/trademark not to exceed 2 1/4 sq. inches. Legislative Adidas Guidelines: Guideline #1: Base color will not be considered a stripe in determining whether item contains design elements similar to the Adidas logo/trademark [ex. blue shorts which include two white descending stripes with an intervening blue stripe (same color of blue as base) would not be considered as having three stripes and, thus, would not be subject to the trademark/logo restrictions.] Guideline #2: Three stripes are considered "similar in width" if the stripes are consistently proportionate in width to one another. Three stripes that are not similar in width would not be considered a design element similar to the Adidas logo/trademark and, thus, would not be subject to the trademark/logo restrictions. Guideline #3: If an institution's traditional uniform includes design elements (e.g., three stripes, diamonds) similar to an apparel manufacturer's logo/trademark, such elements would be excluded from the application of the trademark/logo restrictions, provided: • The design elements on the institution's traditional uniform predate any contractual agreement with the supplying apparel manufacturer or distributor whose logo/trademark is similar to the institution's design elements; and • The design elements on the institution's traditional uniform are not altered in any manner subsequent to the institution's contractual agreement with the supplying apparel manufacturer or distributor. Guideline #4: Adidas may use three adjacent stripes of different colors not separated by an intervening background color, provided the three stripes are immediately adjacent to one another (i.e., no intervening base/background color between stripes similar to the Adidas trademark is permitted). Guideline #5: Adidas may use design elements other than stripes, such as circles, squares, triangles, and chevrons, provided those elements are not arranged in a manner that creates the appearance of three stripes (ex. If chevrons are used on an apparel item, the item may not contain three chevrons that are "similar in width", as defined in Guideline #2 above). Guideline #6: Adidas may use design elements in the circular bands of ribbing around a garment's cuffs, waistband and neck opening that are commonly produced by outside manufacturers and are industry-standard for all apparel manufacturers. Guideline #7: Adidas may use three stripes of differing colors (separated by an intervening base/background color) that do not run vertically down the length of a sleeve, inseam or leg of a garment, provided: • The three stripes are of at least two different colors (e.g., two blue stripes with a red stripe in the middle); and • The actual Adidas logo/trademark appearing on the item consists of a single color that is different from the colors of the stripes appearing on the item. If the color of one of the stripes is black or white, the Adidas logo/trademark may be entirely black or white.
1
KSU Equipment Staff Rules Education Continued…
Recruiting rules prohibit any personalization for a prospect that comes to campus for a visit: • Personalized jerseys to try on (recruit name or HS jersey number) • Must use generic uniform for sizing purposes (pictures are ok as long as they are not sent to prospect). • Special displays/decorations cannot be part of prospect’s visit (locker/locker room staging is prohibited); must remain in normal condition.
• May NOT donate to high schools, JUCOs, or club sport programs that have any individuals in 9th—12th grades. • May donate to bona fide youth organizations within a 30 mile radius of the institution. • May donate to 4-year institutions if not recruiting any individuals from that same 4-year institution.
• We may provide a student-athlete with one shirt (polo, oxford style) bearing KSU’s logo to be used for team travel or other events. The shirt may bear a single manufacturer’s logo not to exceed 2 1/4 square inches.
• Except as permitted in 16.8.1.9, we may not provide student-athletes team travel outfits, blazers or other items of clothing that are not sports-related practice or competition apparel.
• Student-athletes may retain and use equipment related to their sport during the summer.
• Permissible as sport apparel as long as they are used for practice or competition purposes (outdoor sports, swimming, etc.) • Permissible to distribute as a specific tournament award (pre-season NIT, KSU Classic, etc.) to the student-athletes on the team at the time of the tournament
• Compliance will email you a copy of each sport’s Official Eligibility Roster prior to their first competition and whenever there is a change in an athlete’s eligibility status. • It is not permissible for a student-athlete to compete in a KSU uniform if they are not on the Official Eligibility Roster. Please check with the Compliance Department if you feel there is an error on the Roster.
Q: Can a student-athlete purchase apparel or equipment directly from the manufacturer at our discounted or wholesale rate? A: No, student-athletes may not receive our institutional discount from a manufacturer for items they order for their own personal use. Q: Can an equipment room provide backpacks to student-athletes if they utilize them for travel or for competition purposes? A: Yes, as long as they are used during a team’s travel to an away competition or as an equipment bag (tennis). Q: Can Equipment Staff sell equipment to an 11th grade HS student if the sale price is the going rate for the item? A: No, we may not provide buying opportunities to prospect-aged individuals (9th –12th grade) that are not available to general public. Q: What is the difference between apparel and equipment? A: Apparel is considered to be any clothing item utilized for practice or competition. Equipment is considered sports aids (hats, bats, helmets, bags, backpacks, shoes, etc.)
For Additional Information Contact Kennesaw State University Compliance Department Heath Senour: 678-797-2290
Cindy Gillam: 770-794-7538
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