Are You a Representative of UMD's Athletics Interests?

An individual is considered a representative of UMD's athletics interests, more commonly known as a \"booster,\" if any of the following conditions are:

~You have been or are a member of any organization that promotes UMD's athletics program (e.g., Bulldog Club).

~You have made a financial contribution to the UMD athletics department or its booster organization.

~You have ever assisted in the recruitment of prospects for UMD.

~You have provided benefits (e.g. summer jobs or occasional family meals) to enrolled student-athletes.

~You have arranged or provided employment for enrolled student-athletes, or assisted in providing any benefit to enrolled student-athletes or their families.

~You have ever, in any way, promoted the athletics program at UMD.

 

A representative of the athletic interests (a booster) at UMD may become well acquainted with our athletes and their families. While the administration and coaches have strived to make the collegiate experience as memorable and successful as possible for the student-athletes, it is also our responsibility to protect them, their team and the institution from situations which could cause a violation of an NCAA rule and affect their eligibility. It is for this reason that we remind you that, as a booster, you may not provide student-athletes with any sort of extra benefit, which refers to any special arrangement provided to a student-athlete, prospective student-athlete or his/her relatives or friends, if the benefit is unavailable to the general student population. The University is subject to penalties for all violations committed by a booster. Anyone who is found to be in violation of these rules, could cause the university, the booster, the student-athlete and the athletic programs to be sanctioned by the NCAA.

 

NCAA Rules Regarding Booster Involvement With Enrolled Student-Athletes

 

As a representative of our athletic interests (booster), you

~May not pay for or arrange for payment of room, board, or any type of transportation at any time for currently enrolled student-athletes, their relatives, or their friends.

~May not provide student-athletes with any sort of extra benefit, which refers to any special arrangement provided a student-athlete or his/her relatives or friends with the benefit unavailable to the general student population (this includes buying the student-athlete with an ice cream cone or soft drink at an athletic contest).

~May not provide student-athletes with any special discounts, payment arrangements (e.g., cosigning a loan), credits on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing), or services (e.g., dry cleaning, transportation).

~May not allow student-athletes to use your telephone or make free calls.

~May not provide awards or gifts to student-athletes for any reason, to include birthday, Christmas or any other special event gifts, electronic equipment, jewelry or  clothing. 

~May not provide honorariums for speaking engagements.  All awards to student-athletes must meet all NCAA legislation and be approved by the UMD compliance office.

~May not entertain student-athletes or their families and friends. The only exception to this is that you may, on an occasional basis, provide a student-athlete or team (not family members or friends) with a meal.  The meal cannot be catered and it must be in your home.

~May not use the name or picture of a student-athlete to advertise a commercial product or service.

~May not purchase complimentary admissions from a student-athlete.

 

In general, you may not provide anything or make a special arrangement for our student-athletes, or their friends of family, that is not available to the general student population

 

 

 

NCAA Rules Regarding Booster Involvement With Prospects

 

As a representative of our athletic interests (booster), you

~May not provide financial aid or benefit of any kind (e.g., clothing, special discounts, lodging, meals, transportation, tickets, loans of money) to prospects or their relatives.

~May not make contact with a prospective student-athlete or his/her parents when the prospect is on campus for an official or unofficial recruiting visit.

~May not contact a prospective student-athlete to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent to attend UMD.

~May not provide transportation or arrange for payment of transportation costs for a prospect or his/her relatives or friends to visit campus.

~May not earmark funds nor pay for specific prospects to attend a UMD summer camp.

~May not employ or arrange for employment of a prospect before the completion of his/her senior year.  After graduation, a booster may employ a prospect as long as compensation is for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with experience and the going rate.

~May not provide anything to a prospect or the prospect’s family or friends without prior approval from the UMD compliance office.

In addition, representatives of the University’s athletic interests (e.g. boosters) are strictly limited in the involvement they can have with recruits. Other than a casual greeting and the passing of the “pleasantries of the day”, boosters cannot conduct conversations with prospective student-athletes. This includes, but is not limited to, any conversations in the stands during a contest or any interaction at a team meal or any type of social event. Any prearranged meeting between a booster and recruit is illegal. If, while on a visit to an athletic contest, a recruit is allowed in the locker room and is introduced to a booster who is also in the locker room, this is considered a prearranged meeting and will constitute a violation of NCAA rules and regulations. Violations of these rules could result in sanctions being placed by the NCAA on the recruit (up to permanently ineligible at UMD), the student host (being withheld from contests) and the booster (being permanently prohibited from any interaction with UMD athletics).

 

Effect on Eligibility of a Violation:

 

If a student-athlete at UMD, including their parents or guardians, is found to have received an unauthorized benefit, the athlete is immediately declared ineligible until such time as an investigation of the matter is conducted, the NCAA is notified of the infraction, action is taken by the NCAA (including any punitive action), and the student-athlete’s eligibility has been appealed to, and been reinstated by, the NCAA.

 

Donations to the University:

 

If you wish to assist a specific sport by making a donation to their budget for travel and/or recruiting, such donations must be made to the Athletic Department. It is not permissible to make a donation directly to a coach.

 

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