MESSAGE
FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
Dear Trojan Supporter:
On behalf of UALR, I
want to thank you for your support. Without the financial assistance from
generous community members like you, we simply would not be able to compete at
a national Division I level.
Being a member of the
NCAA, we are required to educate all people who interface with the university
on compliance with NCAA rules and regulations as part of the NCAA certification
process. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is committed to operating a
first-class program while strictly adhering to the rules and regulations of the
NCAA.
The reach of NCAA rules
extends beyond the athletic department itself. Because of your relationship
with the athletic department, you may be considered a “representative” of the
university's athletic program. Therefore, we are required to educate you on
NCAA rules, and how they may apply to you in your capacity and the
interpretation of certain rules.
By knowing and
understanding the rules, we can all best serve the Trojan Athletic program.
Please review the enclosed material at your convenience. Should you have any
questions or need further information, please contact me at 501-569-3322
Again, I thank you for
your support. Go Trojans!
Sincerely,
Richard Turner
Assistant Director of
Athletics, Compliance Coordinator
INTRODUCTION
This information was
prepared by the Compliance Office at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
to assist alumni, boosters and friends in understanding the application of NCAA
rules and regulations that govern the conduct of the University of Arkansas at
Little Rock.
This publication only is
intended to provide a basic understanding of NCAA legislation and is not a
complete compilation of such legislation. Anyone having a question about the
application of NCAA legislation may contact Richard Turner, Assistant Director
of Athletics, Compliance Coordinator, at 501-569-3322. Don't be afraid to ask.
We appreciate your full
cooperation and your support to ensure full compliance to all NCAA rules and
regulations.
DEFINITION
OF TERMS
Q. What does the term
“institutional control” mean?
A. It is the
responsibility of each institution to control its intercollegiate athletics
program in compliance with the NCAA rules and regulations. The institution is
responsible for the actions of its staff members and any other individual or
organization engaged in activities associated with the athletics interests of
the institution.
Q. At what point does an
individual become a representative of the institution's athletics interests
(booster)?
A. An individual becomes
a representative of the institution's athletics interest when the individual is
known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution's
executive or athletics administration to:
1.
Have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting
the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.
2.
Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an
athletics booster organization of that institution.
3.
Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to
assist in the recruitment of prospects.
4.
Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled
student-athletes or their families.
5.
Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.
Please not that once an
individual is identified as such a representative, the person retains that
identity indefinitely regardless if the involvement with the individual or
athletic department continues.
Q. Who is considered a
student-athlete?
A. The term
student-athlete basically refers to any student whose enrollment was solicited
by a member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's athletic staff and
is currently participating in intercollegiate athletics at UALR.
Q. Who is considered a
prospect or prospective student-athlete?
A. The terms “prospect”
and “prospective student-athlete” are used interchangeably and refer to any
student who is in ninth through twelfth grade, regardless if the individual
participates in athletics at his or her school.
GENERAL
COMPLIANCE ISSUES
Q. Are athletic
representatives the only individuals bound by NCAA legislation?
A. No. Any individual
who confers a benefit upon a student-athlete that is contrary to NCAA
legislation by definition automatically becomes an athletic representative and
jeopardizes the student-athlete's eligibility as well as the university's
athletic program.
Q. How so?
A. Anytime a
student-athlete receives an improper benefit, it becomes an individual
violation for the student-athlete involved and may adversely impact the
student-athlete's eligibility to compete. It may also be an institutional
violation for the university if it comes from an individual associated with the
athletic program or the violation involves individuals with whom the university
knew or should have known were acting contrary to NCAA legislation.
Q. Does this apply to
all individuals associated with the student-athlete?
A. Generally speaking,
the NCAA rules pertain to individuals with whom the student-athlete meets after
first enrolling at the university. It also could refer to individuals the
student-athlete knew prior to coming to the university, if that individual is
providing benefits or services not previously provided to that athlete.
Q. After all that has
been mentioned above, what can an individual or athletic representative do for
a student-athlete?
A. Basically, an
individual can provide the student-athlete with an occasional family home meal
at the individual's home and provide the student-athlete with transportation to
and from that home meal.
Q. It appears that an
individual is quite limited in what they can do for student-athletes.
A. That is correct. Over
the years, the membership has slowly legislated away any activities between
student-athletes and athletic representatives because of the abuses that
existed and the competitive advantage gained.
Q. What do you mean?
A. All rules that are
adopted by the membership usually have a rational basis for trying to stop a
perceived unfair advantage or practice. However, over time, loopholes develop
and more legislation is created to stop the abuses created by the loopholes. As
you can see, over a period of time, the association has regulated most
activities involving student-athletes.
THE
RECRUITMENT OF PROSPECTS
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative or any other individual to contact a prospect, the
prospect's parents or his/her legal guardian(s) off-campus for the purpose of
recruiting the prospect to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to
participate in intercollegiate athletics?
A. No. All contact
(e.g., telephone, mail, in person) for the purpose of recruiting is limited to
the University of Arkansas at Little Rock coaching staff members only. If you
know of a young person who may want to participate in intercollegiate athletics
at UALR, do not contact him/her directly. Instead, please notify a member of
the appropriate coaching staff as listed below:
|
Sport
|
Phone
Number
|
|
|
(Area
Code 501)
|
|
Baseball
|
663-8095
|
|
Men's Basketball
|
569-3304
|
|
Women's Basketball
|
569-3464
|
|
Women's Volleyball
|
569-3371
|
|
Men's and Women's Golf
|
683-7313
|
|
Women's Swimming and
Diving
|
683-7312
|
|
Women's Tennis
|
569-3447
|
|
Women's Soccer
|
569-3452
|
|
Men's and Women's
Track and Field
|
569-8921
|
|
Men's and Women's
Cross Country
|
569-8921
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. What is the
definition of a contact?
A. Any encounter between
a prospect, the prospect's parents or legal guardian(s) and an institutional
staff member or athletic representative during which any dialogue occurs in
excess of an exchange of a greeting constitutes a contact. Additionally, any
encounter that is prearranged and takes place on the grounds of the prospect's
educational institution or at the site of organized competition and practice
involving the prospect or the team which the prospect represents, shall be
considered a contact, regardless of the conversation which occurs.
Q. Is the contact rule
applicable to a representative who is an established family friend or neighbor
whose relationship with a prospect or the team that the prospect represents
regardless of the conversation that occurs?
A. No. Family friends or
neighbors can naturally have contact with the prospect provided such contacts
are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by any University of
Arkansas at Little Rock athletic department staff member.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to pay in whole or partial registration fees
associated with a prospect's attendance at summer sports camps or pay costs
incurred by an athletic talent scout?
A. No. Athletic
representatives cannot pay for any item or activity involving a prospect that
may want to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to entertain high school, preparatory or junior
college coaches at any location?
A. No. Athletic
representatives cannot entertain and provide benefits to coaches as an
inducement for the coaches' influence on a prospect.
Q. Is it permissible for
ant athletic representative to provide free admission to the institutions away
from home contests (including bowl games) to prospects, their friends or
relatives?
A. No. This activity
would be considered an improper recruiting activity.
Q. Can an athletic
representative make contact with a prospect, the prospect's parents or legal
guardian(s) on an official visit to the campus (a visit in which the
institution pays for a prospect to visit campus for 48 hours)?
A. No. In addition, the
representative cannot be involved in any type of on or off-campus
entertainment.
Q. During an unofficial
visit to campus (a visit in which a prospect pays to visit), is it permissible
for athletic representatives to entertain, buy a meal or expend any funds on
the prospect, his relatives, friends or legal guardian(s)?
A. No. On unofficial
visits to campus, the prospect is limited to three (3) complimentary tickets
from the institution to attend an athletic event and may not be entertained
(e.g., be provided meals or other tangible items) by UALR or its
representatives.
Q. How many official and
unofficial visits are prospects permitted?
A. A prospect is
permitted no more than five (5) total official visits (one to each school) and
may take an unlimited number of unofficial visits.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to contact a student-athlete from another four-year
school for the purpose of transferring to UALR?
A. No. Athletic
representatives may not be involved in recruiting activities. In fact,
institutional staff members cannot contact a student-athlete enrolled at
another four-year school.
OFFERS
AND INDUCEMENTS OF PROSPECTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY
Q. During the
recruitment of, or prior to, the individual's enrollment at the university, can
an athletic representative be involved directly or indirectly in making
arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relatives and friends to receive
money, financial aid or equivalent inducements, regardless of whether similar
financial aid benefits or arrangements are available to prospective students in
general, their relatives or friends?
A. No. However, the
institution can arrange employment for a prospect or arrange for educational
loans from a regular lending agency, it being understood that no such
employment or loan shall be permitted prior to the completion of the prospect's
senior year in high school. Such arrangements should be made through the
athletic department, not directly with the prospect or prospect's relatives.
Q. What is considered
addition types of inducements?
A. Other types of
inducements that are prohibited include, but are not limited to:
1.
Cash or loans
2.
The loan or gift of money or other tangible items (e.g., clothes, cars,
electronic/stereo equipment).
3.
Free or reduced cost housing arrangements.
4.
The promise of employment after college education.
5.
Special discounts or payment arrangements of loans.
6.
Employment of relatives or friends of a prospect.
7.
Involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for professional or
personal services, purchases or charges.
8.
Use of an automobile
9.
Providing transportation to and from a summer job or any other site.
10. Signing
or co-signing a note for a loan
11.
Guarantees of bond
12. Purchase
of items or services from a prospect or the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock
13.
Providing, directly or indirectly, transportation to enroll
14. Any
financial aid other than that administered by the University of Arkansas at
Little Rock
15. The
promise of financial aid for post graduation education
16. To pay
or arrange for the payment of transportation coast incurred by relative or
friends of a prospect
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to pay or arrange for the payment of transportation
costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospect to visit campus or
elsewhere?
A. No. Even the
institution cannot pay transportation costs for the prospect's relatives or
friends when the prospect visits campus, except the prospect can be reimbursed
for mileage even if friends or family ride in the prospect's car.
EMPLOYMENT
OF A STUDENT-ATHLETE
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to employ a student-athlete during the academic year
while he or she is enrolled as a full-time student receiving FULL grant-in-aid
scholarship during that time period, and is it permissible for an athletic
representative to provide summer employment for student-athletes?
A. Yes. However,
compensation must be paid only for work actually performed at the going rate in
that locality for services of like character. Such employment should be
arranged through the athletic department by contacting Richard Turner
(501-569-3322).
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to employ “walk-on” (non-athletic scholarship
recipients) student-athletes other than during the summer?
A. Yes. Also, the
employer must notify the athletic department that such employment is being provided.
Again, such employment should be arranged through the athletic department.
BENEFITS
TO STUDENT-ATHLETES
Q. May a commercial
agency (e.g., movie theater, restaurant, department store, car dealership) make
available its services (e.g., movie tickets, meals, merchandise, use of car) to
a student-athlete free or at a reduced cost?
A. No. It is not
permissible for student-athletes to receive such benefits unless they are
available to the entire student body. Providing the service to members of the
basketball squad, for example, does not meet this requirement. All individuals
and vendors must strictly adhere this to inasmuch as this activity is
historically the most violated rule and has the most serious consequences for
the student-athlete and the university.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative or any other individual to provide to a
student-athlete or friend any benefit that is generally not available to the
other students on campus?
A. No. The NCAA
considers special arrangements to be an “extra benefit”, which are specifically
prohibited. This restriction applies to all individuals other than family
members or individual that the student-athlete received these benefits from
prior to attending college, such as long-time friend or neighbor. Extra
benefits include, but are not limited to:
- The providing of cash or
merchandise
- The use of an automobile
- The purchase of meals or
services at commercial establishments
- The use of personal properties (e.g.,
boats, summer homes, cars, stereos).
- Providing holiday or birthday
gifts
- A special discount payment
arrangement or credit on a purchase (airline ticket, clothing) or
services.
- A loan of money in any amount
- A guarantee of bond
- Transportation to or from a
summer job
- A benefit connected with
off-campus housing (television sets or stereo equipment, special
recreational facilities, furnishings or appointments of extra quality or
quantity)
- Signing or co-signing a note
with an outside agency to arrange a loan.
- Selling or giving a
student-athlete tickets to an athletic, university or town event
- Any benefit that is not
generally available to the institution's students or a particular segment
of the student body (e.g., foreign students, minority students) determined
on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.
Q. Is it permissible for
a student-athlete to receive preferential treatment, benefits or services
(e.g., loans with deferred pay-back basis) because of the athlete's reputation
or potential as a future professional athlete?
A. No. Student-athletes
are precluded from receiving preferential treatment based upon their athletics
ability primarily because of the competitive disadvantage it could create for
schools whose athletes do not have access to such services. Therefore, the
association prohibits this activity for all student-athletes. It is important
to note that a student-athlete may borrow against other future earnings
potential from an established, accredited lending institution exclusively for
the purpose of purchasing insurance (with no cash surrender value) against a
disabling injury that would prevent the individual from pursuing his or her
chosen career, provided no third party is involved in arrangements for securing
the loan. The student-athlete shall report such transaction to the university
and shall file copies of the loan documents and insurance policy with the
university.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to entertain a student-athlete and their friends?
A. No. However, the
athletic representative may entertain a student-athlete at the booster's home,
but entertainment must be limited to an “occasional” family meal. The NCAA recently
adopted legislation that now permits the person hosting the athlete at an
“occasional” family meal to transport the athlete to and from the home for this
purpose.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to permit and pay for long-distance telephone calls?
A. No. This would be an
extra benefit that the general student-body would not receive.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to pay or provide the actual and necessary expenses
(room, board and transportation coast) incurred by friends or relative to visit
an enrolled student-athlete?
A. No. This is an extra
benefit not being provided to the friends and relatives of the general student
body.
Q. Is it permissible for
an athletic representative to purchase tickets to professional sports contests
and provide them to enrolled student-athletes?
A. No. This would be a
special arrangement
Q. Is it permissible for
an individual to provide athletes with professional services at a free or
reduced rate?
A. No. Professional
services provided at less than normal or at no expense to a student-athlete are
considered an extra benefit unless it is documented to the compliance office
that these services have been provided on a pro bono basis to other citizens in
the community and not related to athletics.
STUDENT-ATHLETE
APPEARANCES AND PROMOTIONS
Q. Is the use of a
student-athlete's name or picture for promotional purposes by the University of
Arkansas at Little Rock or an officially recognized entity thereof (e.g.,
fraternity, sorority, or student government organization) or a charitable,
educational or non-profit organization permissible?
A. Yes provided such
activities have the prior written approval of the UALR Director of Athletics
and are restricted to the use of student-athlete's name or picture to promote
or support activities of an institution. It is important to not that no
commercial company or service may be associated (other than through the reproduction
of the sponsoring company's regular trademark or logo on an item) with the sale
of the item involving the name or picture of a student-athlete.
Q. May a
student-athlete's name or picture be used to directly or indirectly advertise,
recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service?
A. No. Such activity
would jeopardize the eligibility of the athlete. The NCAA membership has always
insisted that student-athletes not be involved in the promotion of a commercial
product.
Q. May a student-athlete
make a public appearance at a business establishment to sign autographs, etc.?
A. Such appearances can
be construed as a direct or indirect endorsement of the commercial
establishment, thus jeopardizing the eligibility of the student-athlete. It
should be noted that student-athletes may make appearances at schools,
hospitals or other non-profit or charitable organizations provided they do not
receive remuneration (other than expenses) and such activities are authorized
by the Director of Athletics or Richard Turner in the athletic department.
Q. Is it permissible for
a hometown group (other than the UALR Athletics booster club) to provide an
award to a student-athlete for outstanding accomplishment in intercollegiate
athletics?
A. Yes, provided the
student-athlete returns home at his or her own expense; further, it would be
permissible for the student-athlete to receive properly personalized awards
(e.g., a certificate, medal or plaque) valued at less than $50 from any entity
based upon athletic accomplishment provided it is provided through the
university.
CONCLUSION
Compliance with NCAA
regulations is of the highest priority for our athletic programs and
institution. We need your assistance in complying with NCAA rules. When you are
faced with a situation and unsure as to how to respond, we strongly urge you to
contact our Compliance Coordinator – Richard Turner at 501-569-3322 before
acting. Your continued interest and support of the University of Arkansas at
Little Rock athletic programs is most appreciated.
