North Carolina A&T

         

A&T's responsibilities related to NCAA and CAA regulations extend beyond the Athletics Department. In addition to its coaches, staff and student-athletes, A&T is also responsible for the actions of its fans and boosters. Therefore, it is important that all of these individuals understand NCAA rules related to their actions.

Under NCAA legislation, you are considered an Aggie booster, also known as a "representative of athletics interest," if you are any of the following:
A&T Student
A&T Employee
A&T Alumnus
A&T Donor
A&T Ticket Holder
Boosters include anyone who has:

Once an individual is identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests," the person retains that identity forever.
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.

What are examples of impermissible recruiting activities?
As a booster, you may not:

• Contact a prospect in-person on-campus or off campus.
• Contact a prospect by telephone, email, Internet or letter.
• Provide gifts or free or reduced-cost services to a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian.
• 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.

What are examples of permissible activities?                                                                                                         
Even though there are many rules prohibiting your involvement with prospects and the recruiting process, as a booster, you may:

• Notify university coaching staff members about noteworthy prospects in the area.
• Attend high school or two-year college athletic contests or other events where prospects may compete, provided no contact occurs.
• Continue existing friendships.

What are 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, relatives or guardians:

• Tickets to college or professional sporting events.
• A special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase or service.
• Cash or loan or 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 athletic performance.
• Free or reduced rent or housing.

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

What are examples of permissible benefits for enrolled student-athletes?

With the various NCAA rules and regulations regarding benefits to student-athletes, it may seem difficult to be a part of a university's athletic programs. However, you can show your support as a booster in other ways. Boosters may:

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

Attend university athletic events and show student athletes you support their hard work and dedication to the university.