Elon University Athletics

Boosters play a pivotal role in providing student-athletes with a positive experience through their enthusiastic efforts. They can support teams and athletics departments through donations of time and financial resources which help student-athletes succeed both on and off the playing field.

The official NCAA terminology for a booster is "representative of athletic interests." It is defined as anyone who:

• Provided a donation in order to obtain season tickets for any sport at the university;

• Participated in or has been a member of an organization promoting the university's athletics programs;

• Made financial contributions to the athletics department or to a university booster organization;

• Arranged for or provided employment for enrolled student-athletes;

• Assisted or has been requested by university staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

• Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or

• Been involved otherwise in promoting university athletics.

It is important to understand that once a booster has been identified as such, he or she retains that status indefinitely, regardless of whether or not that individual continues to meet any of the criteria listed above.

Recruiting

Only institutional staff members are permitted to recruit prospective student-athletes. Generally, NCAA rules prohibit anyone else from contacting (calling, messaging, writing or in-person contact) prospects or their families for recruiting purposes.

Who is a prospect?

• Anyone in high school (9th grade - college enrollment)

  • Prospect status begins in 7th grade with regard to Men's Basketball

• Prospects retain that status even after signing a National Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement

Boosters are not precluded from continuing established friendships with families who have prospective student-athletes. However, boosters may not encourage a prospect's participation in university athletics or provide benefits to prospects that were not previously provided (e.g., birthday presents).

If a violation occurs, it may jeopardize a student-athlete's eligibility for intercollegiate competition, jeopardize a school's membership status with the NCAA or cause a booster to lose access to all booster benefits and association with the university.

Examples of Impermissible Recruiting Activities

• Contact a prospect in-person on-campus or off-campus

• Contact a prospect by telephone, email, internet or letter

• Provide gifts or free reduced-cost services to a prospect and/or his or her family

• Employ relatives, guardians or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the prospect's enrollment and athletics participation at a university

• Become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to receive money or financial aid of any kind

• Provide transportation for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian

• Provide free or reduced-cost tickets for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to attend an athletic event

• Provide any material benefit (e.g., meals, cash) to the coach of a prospect, including high school, two-year college, AAU and summer team coaches

Examples of Permissible Activities

• Notify university coaching staff members about noteworthy prospects

• Attend high school or two-year college athletics contests or other events where prospects may compete, provided no contact occurs
• Continue existing friendships (originated prior to the prospect becoming a prospect)

Examples of Impermissible Extra Benefits for Enrolled Student-Athletes

As a booster, you may not provide a student-athlete or a student-athlete's friends, family or guardians:

• Tickets to college or professional sporting events

• A special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase or service

• Cash, loan, signing or co-signing of a loan

• Transportation, payment of expense or loan of any automobile

• Benefits or gifts based upon the student-athlete's athletics performance

• Free or reduced rent or housing

• An honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement

Examples of Permissible Benefits for Enrolled Student-Athletes

• Make contributions to university programs and other gift-in-kind arrangements

• Attend university athletic events and show student-athletes your support for their hard work and dedication to the university

• Seek permission (see below) from the Office of Athletics Compliance to provide a student-athlete(s) or team with an occasional meal, provided:

  • Meal is provided on-campus or at the booster's home

  • Transportation is provided only to and from the booster's home (within 30 miles of campus)

Institutional Control

Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA legislation. Specifically, the NCAA constitution states that the university must:

• Control its intercollegiate athletics programs in compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA

• Monitor its program in ensure compliance

• Identify and report to the NCAA instances in which compliance has not been achieved and take corrective actions

• Ensure those members of university staff, student-athletes and other individuals or groups representing the university's athletics interests, comply with NCAA rules and regulations.

As a member of the NCAA, the university is responsible for the actions of its alumni, supporters and fans.

Are there any rules for the employment of enrolled student-athletes by boosters?

Student-athletes may only be compensated for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate. Compensation may not include remuneration for the value that the student-athlete may have for the employer due to the student-athlete's status. Transportation may not be provided to student-athletes unless it is a benefit provided to all employees.