Rules for Representatives of Athletics Interests (“Boosters”)
The University of Portland Compliance Office is charged with protecting the integrity of the Athletic Department and the University through educating, monitoring, and assisting all parties with regard to the NCAA rules. We work collaboratively with coaches, staff, student-athletes, recruits, parents, boosters and fans to ensure that all groups are aware of NCAA rules and regulations and that all actions occur within the spirit and intent of the rules.
The University of Portland appreciates the interest and support shown to our many athletic teams, and we urge you to help us continue our high standards of sportsmanship, fair play and athletic excellence by becoming familiar with the rules and regulations of the NCAA.
Under NCAA rules, parents, alumni, and friends may be categorized as "representatives of athletics interests." This site is intended as a quick reference tool to the many NCAA Rules and Regulations that possibly apply to you as a representative of athletics interests. Below you will find links to information regarding whether or not you are a representative of athletic interests, reminders about what you can and cannot do as a supporter of UP athletics, and a list of frequently asked questions. By having an understanding of the rules, you not only strengthen the University of Portland commitment to achieve the highest standard of ethical conduct, you help protect the eligibility of our student-athletes.
PLEASE NOTE: The scope and complexity of NCAA legislation precludes complete coverage on this website. Please contact the University of Portland Athletic Department with any questions or concerns regarding NCAA rules at (503) 943-7884 or ncaacompliance@up.edu.
FOLLOWING READING…
Am I a Representative of Athletics Interests?
Do’s and Don’ts
Rules Regarding Current Student-Athletes
Rules Regarding Prospects at Alumni Events
Rules Regarding Contact with Prospective Student-Athletes
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information
Am I a “Representative of Pilot Athletics Interests”?
You are a Representative of The University of Portland’s Athletics Interests (i.e., “Booster”) if:
You have ever participated in or been a member of the Pilot Club or any other group which supports a specific University of Portland athletic team;
You are a current or former University of Portland student-athlete;
You are a parent of a current or former University of Portland student-athlete;
You are or have ever been an employee of the University of Portland;
You have ever contributed to the University of Portland athletic program;
You have ever assisted in providing NCAA-permissible benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or his or her family or friends;
You have ever helped to arrange or have provided employment for an enrolled student-athlete;
You have ever helped to arrange or have provided summer employment to prospects who have signed an offer of admission to the University of Portland;
You have ever purchased season tickets for any University of Portland team;
You have ever promoted the University of Portland athletic program; or
You are the spouse of a University of Portland athletic department employee.
NCAA rules state that once an individual has been identified as such a Representative of Athletics Interests, the individual retains that identity for life. The University of Portland is then ultimately responsible for the acts of all representatives in relation to NCAA rules and regulations.
A List of Do’s and Don’ts for Our Alumni and Friends
Rules Governing Currently Enrolled Student Athletes
1. DO NOT give money to any student-athlete, regardless of its intended purpose. Even funds such as those that are intended to cover expenses to amateur athletic competitions are prohibited. All expenses for student-athletes must be provided through the University, or by officially registered amateur sport organizations. For example, boosters cannot “sponsor” a golfer or tennis player who competes in pro-am competition over the summer, either by providing money for any expenses or by directly providing housing, meals, etc.
2. DO NOT provide employment to a student-athlete during the regular academic year unless you have checked with the athletic department.
3. DO NOT provide "extra benefits" to student-athletes. The NCAA considers extra benefits to be any benefit that is not available to the general public, or the general student body. This can include actions such as: taking a student-athlete out to dinner, providing any gift of material value (including cash loans, free use of an automobile, Christmas presents or consigning a loan), not charging for professional services another student has to pay for (haircuts, dental work, etc.) or any other benefit not available to non-athlete students on the same basis.
4. DO NOT buy athletic event tickets from student-athletes. The NCAA prohibits a student-athlete from receiving and selling game tickets.
5. DO provide employment at regular rates of pay for similarly situated non-athlete employees. University of Portland welcomes the positive involvement and support of alumni in obtaining jobs and internships related to all students' degree programs and career interests.
6. DO feel free to call a University of Portland coach or athletic administrator to ask questions about the permissibility of any activity involving a student-athlete.
7. DO feel free to invite a team to meet with alumni or friends in a city where they travel to play. Current student-athletes may participate in many events and are allowed to receive benefits as a team which individual student-athletes may not. Always make these kinds of arrangements through the head coach or an athletic department administrator.
Rules Governing the Attendance of High School Athletes at Alumni Events
1. DO NOT invite high school student-athletes to alumni events. NCAA rules prohibit contact between Representatives of Athletics Interests and recruits at any site. Alumni and friends of the University can entertain high school students under certain conditions that do not involve singling out athletes for special treatment. An example would be inviting all high school seniors who have been awarded scholarships (academic and athletic) to an Alumni Association event.
2. PLEASE tell athletic department coaches and staff invited to speak at any functions if high school student athletes will be in attendance. There are certain time periods when coaches are prohibited from any off-campus contact with prospective student-athletes, and there are additional rules governing contact with recruits and their parents.
Rules Governing Contact With Prospective Student-Athletes (“Recruits”)
1. DO NOT provide transportation to the University of Portland for a local high school or junior college athlete who wants to visit our campus.
2. DO NOT entertain in any way or give gifts, benefits, special treatment, or free services to any high school or junior college student-athlete or his or her parents or relatives.
3. DO NOT arrange for or initiate any kind of contact or communication with a prospective student-athlete, or his or her parents or relative regardless of the site of such a meeting or type of communication.
4. DO NOT provide a free ticket or transport a high school or junior college athlete to any University of Portland athletic event whether the event is in Portland or any other city.
5. DO NOT bring your son or daughter or any other guest to an alumni gathering (unless the event is conducted on the University of Portland campus) if he or she is participating in athletics at the high school or junior college level.
6. DO NOT telephone or write to high school or junior college prospective athletes about attending University of Portland.
7. DO call or write to a University of Portland coach if you know of a talented student-athlete who might benefit our program or who is already interested in attending University of Portland.
8. DO feel free to offer your assistance to a University of Portland coach who is recruiting in your city. For example, it is permissible for you to provide a meal to a coach.
The University of Portland appreciates your interest and involvement in our athletic program. We know that you, our alumni and friends, demand integrity and honesty in the conduct of our department and we will do our very best to deserve your support. Please assist us in helping to educate others about NCAA rules and always call the University of Portland Athletic Department if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions for Boosters
Q: Am I a representative of the University of Portland Athletic Interests?
A: Please see the “Am I a Booster/Representative of Athletic Interest” link for a more exhaustive list but, in short, if you are a member of the Pilot Club, an employee or spouse of an employee of the University of Portland, a season ticket holder, or an alumni then YES you are a representative of athletic interests.
Q: Once an individual has been identified as a representative how long does he or she retain this identity?
A: Forever.
Q: Is the University of Portland responsible for my acts as a Representative of Athletics Interests?
A: Yes. Representatives of Athletics Interests are governed by the same NCAA and institutional rules as athletic department coaches and staff members.
Recruiting
Q: May I evaluate a prospect on behalf of the University of Portland?
A: NCAA legislation allows a Representative of Athletics Interests to view a prospect's contest. However, the representative may not contact the prospect, or observe the prospect at the direction of a University of Portland coach.
Q: Can I contact a high school student-athlete for the University of Portland?
A: No, ALL Representatives of Athletic Interest who are not employed by the University are prohibited from contacting a prospect or any member of their family with the purpose of encouraging the prospect to enroll at the University of Portland.
Q: Can I entertain relatives and/or friends of a prospect at the University of Portland campus or off-campus?
A: No.
Q: May I provide employment to a prospect?
A: Yes. However, the prospect must have signed a National Letter of Intent or institutional financial aid agreement with the University of Portland and cannot commence the employment until s/he has completed their senior year in high school. All arrangements of this kind must be coordinated by the UP Compliance Staff.
Q: May I provide employment to an enrolled student-athlete?
A: Yes; however, all arrangements of this kind must be coordinated by the UP Compliance Staff. Student-athletes must be paid for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar service in the community and your own business.
Q: May I contact high school coaches or guidance counselors directly regarding a prospect?
A: No. Such contact would be considered athletic recruiting. Further, Representatives of Athletics Interests are prohibited from visiting a prospect’s educational institution to pick up game films or transcripts pertaining to a prospect.
Q: May I accompany the coach during his or her “home” visit with the prospect?
A: No. This would constitute your direct involvement in the athletic recruitment of a prospect.
Q: What if a prospect calls me, and I’m a booster for the University of Portland?
A: A Representative of Athletics Interests may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. Such a call may not be prearranged by an institutional staff member and the athletic representative may NOT have a recruiting conversation, but may exhibit normal civility. The athletic representative can speak generally about the University, but must refer any questions about the University's athletic program to the Portland Athletic Department.
Q: What if a prospect knows that an athletic representative is a Portland graduate and contacts him/her to ask questions about the University of Portland in general?
A: If a prospect contacts an athletic representative, s/he may answer questions regarding the University as long as NO discussion takes place regarding the athletic program. If a prospect asks about Portland athletics, please refer him/her to the appropriate coaching staff and remind the prospect that you are not being rude or unhelpful but that you do not want to jeopardize their eligibility.
Q: What if unavoidable incidental contact is made with a prospect by a Booster?
A: An unavoidable incidental contact with a prospect is permissible provided the contact is not prearranged by the athletic representative or an athletic staff member, does not take place at the prospect's educational institution or at the sites of organized competition or practice involving the prospect, is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect, and involves only normal civility.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to telephone a prospect once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent to congratulate them?
A: No. Even if the purpose of the call is only to congratulate the prospect, s/he is still a prospect and the same contact rules apply after committing or signing that applied before. Do not contact a prospect without first checking with the athletic department, unless the prospect is a relative.
Q: During recruitment, or prior to an individual's enrollment, can an athletic representative be involved directly or indirectly in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relative, or friends to receive money, financial aid, or equivalent inducements?
A: No. Providing any of these kinds of benefits would be an NCAA violation and would jeopardize the prospect’s eligibility. Similarly, it is not permissible to provide financial benefits of any kind to current student-athletes.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to let Portland coaches know about prospects from their local area?
A: Yes, and we would encourage you to do so. An athletic representative may not, however, get involved in the actual recruiting of the prospect. In other words, an athletic representative may not contact a prospect's coach, principal, or counselor nor visit the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's athletic or academic abilities. In addition, an athletic representative cannot contact the prospect for purposes of soliciting the prospect's enrollment at the University of Portland and ultimate participation in athletics.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit campus?
A: No.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to provide transportation to or from campus or free admission to an athletics event on or off the Portland campus to prospects, their friends or relatives?
A: No. Complimentary admissions may only be provided through the University of Portland athletic department.
Regarding Current Student-Athletes
Q: May I invite a student-athlete or team over to my house for a meal?
A: Yes. However, please note that the invitation to the student-athlete may only be for a special occasion (e.g., birthday) and only you can provide the student-athlete transportation if needed. In addition you may invite a team to your home for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing away from home. The NCAA permits student-athletes, as a team, to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals. Any of these type of arrangements must be coordinated through the head coach or the Compliance Staff.
Q: May I provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her athletics performance?
A: No. All awards must conform to NCAA awards legislation and must be distributed by the University of Portland athletic department.
Q: What other types of conduct are prohibited by the NCAA and the University of Portland?
A: Other prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to , the following kinds of actions: cash or loans to prospects or student-athletes; promise of employment after college education; special discounts or payment arrangements on loans; employment of relatives or friends of a prospect/student-athlete; involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for professional or personal services, purchases or charges; signing or co-signing a note for a loan; the loan or gift of money or other tangible items (e.g., clothes, cars, jewelry); purchase of items or services from a prospect or prospect’s family at inflated prices; and providing directly or indirectly transportation to enroll in classes at the College.
Q: What are the possible penalties for any improper actions of a representative of athletic interest?
A: Violations of NCAA rules can result in serious consequences for student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, coaches and the University of Portland as a whole. In certain circumstances, the NCAA can impose penalties on an institution even though a prospective student-athlete didn’t attend school there. Some examples of penalties for improper action include, but are not limited to, the following:
Loss of eligibility of an enrolled student-athlete;
Forfeiture of games;
Prohibiting a coach from off campus recruiting;
Institutional fines and public censure;
Reduction of scholarships;
Prohibiting a team from participating in postseason competition; and/or
Institutional probation
Please Note: The University of Portland encourages all representatives of Pilot athletic interests to contact the Athletic Department if there is any doubt concerning their contact with potential or enrolled student-athletes.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact the NCAA Compliance Staff at the University of Portland:
Lauren Brownrigg, Director of Compliance
(503) 943-7884
brownrig@up.edu
