Elon University Athletics

WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF ATHLETIC INTEREST (BOOSTER)?
A representative of the institution’s athletics interests (booster) is an individual who is known (or should be known) by a member or members of the institution’s exectutive or athletic administration to:
• Participate in or have been a member of a sport support group or booster club.
• Make financial contributions to Elon athletics or to an athletic booster organization of Elon.
• Assist or been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment process
• Assist in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families
• Be a season ticket holder
• Provide or have helped arrange employment for student-athletes.
• Have been involved, in any way, with the promotion of the Elon University athletic program.

ONCE A BOOSTER, ALWAYS A BOOSTER
According to NCAA rules, once an individual has been identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests" the individual retains that identity indefinitely, regardless of when you were involved with the athletic department. Elon is responsible for the behavior of all its athletics representatives in relation to NCAA rules and regulations.

EXTRA BENEFITS
Elon University’s athletics interests (boosters) cannot provide an “extra benefit” or special arrangement to a prospect or to an enrolled student-athlete.

An extra benefit would include provision of any transportation, meals, clothes, entertainment, loans or other benefits offered to a student-athlete or a student-athlete’s relatives or friends unavailable to the general student population.

Examples of extra benefits that you cannot provide an athlete include, but are not limited to:
• Signing or cosigning a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.
• Giving gifts of any kind or services.
• Providing special discounts for goods and services.

EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES
A student-athlete receiving an athletic scholarship from Elon University may be employed with prior approval from the Elon Compliance Office. All work performed by the student-athlete is governed by, but not limited to, the following rules:
1. All compensation must be consistent with the going rate in the locality for similar services performed.
2. The student-athlete must be paid only for work actually performed.
3. Compensation may not include any payment for the value that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following resulting from athletic performance.
4. The employer may not provide transportation for prospects or student-athletes or student-athletes unless transportation is provided to other employees.
5. The employer may not use the student-athlete’s name or picture to advertise or promote the sale of a product.

Note: Do not employ or arrange for the employment of a prospective student-athlete or current student-athlete without the assistance of the Elon Compliance Office, 336-278-6707.

RECRUITMENT OF STUDENT-ATHLETES
Only Elon University coaches who have successfully completed the NCAA Recruiting Rules Examination on an annual basis may be involved in the recruitment process. Representatives of our athletics interest may not make any recruiting contacts. This includes; letters, e-mails, telephone calls or face-to-face contact with a prospect or the prospect’s parents.
• You may forward information about prospective student-athletes to the appropriate coaching staff.
• You may have contact with a prospect regarding permissible pre-enrollment activities such as summer employment, provided the prospect has already signed a National Letter of Intent and the Compliance Office is aware that you are making these contacts in regard to employment arrangements.
• You may have a telephone conversation with a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call. Institutional staff members may not prearrange such a call and you are not permitted to have a recruiting conversation, but may exhibit normal civility. You must refer any questions about Elon's athletics program to an athletics department staff member or coach.
• You may view a prospect’s athletic contest at your own initiative provided you do not contact the prospect or his/her parents. In addition, you may not contact the prospect’s coach, principal or guidance counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect.
• You may continue established relationships with friends and neighbors of prospects. Contacts with sons or daughters of these families are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes or encouraged by Elon coaches.

CONSEQUENCES TO BOOSTERS FOR NCAA VIOLATIONS
Institutions are required by the NCAA to notify boosters of consequences regarding rules violations. Boosters found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions has processed cases in which penalties have included both the disassociation of boosters with the institution and the loss of season ticket privileges.