The Atlantic 10 Conference, in conjunction with the Athletics Department at the University of Rhode Island, as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, are primarily responsible for insuring that its various constituencies (i.e. University staff and facility, student-athletes, alumni and friends) abide by the NCAA rules and regulations. Under those rules, alumni and friends can be categorized as "representatives of the University's athletic interests".

This brochure is presented as a quick reference to the many NCAA rules, which apply, to "athletic representatives". Since it does not include all applicable situations, please call the University of Rhode Island's Athletics Department if you have any questions before having any contact with a prospective or enrolled student-athlete. We appreciate your interest and support, but remind you that an inappropriate contact or an inadvertent action on your part can jeopardize the eligibility of student-athletes and prospects and the compliance of the University of Rhode Island with NCAA and Atlantic 10 regulations.

The University of Rhode Island is proud to have the loyal support and continued interest in our athletic programs by our alumni and friends. As we strive for excellence, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. With your assistance and cooperation, we believe we can accomplish both goals.

Am I a "Representative of Athletic Interests?"

YES, IF YOU:
1. Have ever been a member of the University's "booster" organization or any of the sport specific groups under the athletic department.
2. Have ever made a donation to any of the Atlantic 10 member schools' men's or women's athletic programs.
3. Have ever helped to arrange or have provided summer employment for enrolled student-athletes.
4. Have ever contacted (by letter, telephone or in person) a high school student, grades 9-12, for the purpose of encouraging the student to participate in the University of Rhode Island's Athletics programs.
5. Have ever assisted in providing any benefit to enrolled student-athletes or their families.
6. Have ever been involved in any way with the University of Rhode Island's Athletics programs.

The NCAA stipulates that once you have become an athletic representative you retain that identification forever, even if you no longer contribute to the athletic program.

Important Rules You Should Know

Rule #1: Only coaches and athletics department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. All "athletic representatives" who are not employed by the school are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect's family by telephone, letter or in person on or off campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in the University of Rhode Island's athletic programs.

Rule #2; University of Rhode Island representatives cannot provide an "extra benefit" or special arrangement to a prospect OR an enrolled student-athlete. Specific applications as they apply to the NCAA extra benefit rule to prospects and enrolled student-athletes, their relatives or friends state that you:

1. May not give them cash or loans(or co-sign for a loan) in any amount.
2. May not employ relatives or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the enrollment of the prospect at the University of Rhode Island.
3. May not give them gifts of any kind (i.e. birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day) or free services (i.e. clothing, airline tickets, laundry, car repair, haircuts, meals in restaurants).
4. May not provide special discounts for goods or services.
5. May not provide them hospitality in your home other than on an occasional basis.
6. May not provide them transportation within or outside of the campus area (i.e. from campus to your home, from the airport to campus, to summer job, etc.).
7. May not entertain or contact a prospect or prospect's family on or off campus.
8. May not provide rent free or reduced rent housing.
9. May not provide a benefit connected with on or off campus housing (i.e. individual television sets or stereo equipment, specialized recreational facilities, etc.).
10. May not provide promise of financial aid for post-graduate education.
11. May not provide promise to a prospect of employment after college graduation.
12. May not sign or co-sign a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.
13. May not provide guarantee of a bond.
14. May not invite them to your summer home to go water skiing, sailing, etc.

Rule #3: PLEASE assist the coaching staff in the recruiting process by notifying them of any student you think would be a strong addition to the University of Rhode Island's athletic program. The coach can then make the appropriate contact with the prospect.

Rule #4: As an athletic representative, you are not precluded form continuing friendship with families who have prospective or enrolled student-athletes (i.e. backyard barbecues, picnic, etc.). You simply cannot encourage a prospect's participation in the University of Rhode Island's athletic programs or provide benefits to the student-athlete that you were not providing before he or she became a prospect or enrolled student-athlete.

Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?

A prospective student-athlete is a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade. However, it is possible for a younger student to be a prospect, so it is prudent to treat ALL athletes as prospect.

NCAA Rules Regarding Contacts with High School and Community College Student-Athletes (Prospects)

PLEASE feel free to attend high school and community college athletic events. You simply cannot have any contact with the prospective student-athletes or relatives. Should you find yourself seated next to parents of a prospect, DO NOT initiate conversation with the relatives. If conversation is initiated with you, respond in a civil manner but DO NOT discuss the University of Rhode Island's athletic program with them. If they raise questions about the program, remind them that the NCAA prohibits you from discussing the program with them. Direct their questions to the University of Rhode Island's Athletic Department.

CONTINUE established family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts with sons or daughters of these families certainly are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by the University of Rhode Island's coaching staff members. You are permitted to play "pick-up" basketball or softball games, continue neighborhood picnics or backyard barbecues and engage in your normal activities with prospects and their parents who are family friends. Again, you simply cannot attempt to recruit the prospect.

PLEASE feel free to attend a public event (i.e. a high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance. No attempt should be made to recruit the prospect.

PLEASE send to the University of Rhode Island's coaching staff any information about prospects that you think would be of interest. Your assistance in this manner is very helpful. The coaching staff will then make contact with the prospect.

PLEASE feel free to offer assistance to members of the University of Rhode Island's coaching staff who are recruiting in your community.

HOWEVER...

AVOID becoming directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's family or fiends to receive money or financial aid of any kind.

AVOID providing anything to or for a prospect, relatives or friends, without first checking with the Athletics Department administration.

AVOID making any contact with a prospect or the prospect's family on or off campus. If a coach has a recruit at an athletic event, you should not approach the coach until the prospect and family have gone elsewhere. If the prospect approaches you off campus regarding the athletic program, explain that NCAA rules do not allow you to discuss the program. Suggest that the prospect contact the head coach of the sport for more information.

AVOID transporting, paying for or arranging for payment of transportation costs for a prospect, relatives or friends to visit campus or elsewhere. While it is permissible for a friend or neighbor to transport a high school or community college student who is NOT an athlete to the campus, NCAA regulations prohibit that activity for a prospective student-athlete.

AVOID providing room and/or board, transportation of any kind or any other benefit to a recruited student-athlete during the summer prior to enrollment for fall classes at the University of Rhode Island.

AVOID entertaining high school, prep school or community college COACHES at ANY location.

AVOID providing tickets or transportation for high school, prep school or community college COACHES at ANY location. Only the Athletics Department of the University of Rhode Island can provide complimentary admissions and only to home athletic events for those coaches.

AVOID entertaining or providing tickets at no or reduced cost to the University of Rhode Island's home or away athletic or non athletic events for prospects, their relatives or fiends. Only the University of Rhode Island's Athletics Department can provide complimentary admissions to prospects and only for HOME athletic events.

AVOID contacting an enrolled student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to the University of Rhode Island and for participation in the University of Rhode Island's athletic program.

AVOID paying for or offering to pay the registration fees for summer sports camps for a prospect.

AVOID contacting the prospect's coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect. You are not permitted to pick up films or transcripts from the prospect's educational institution.

AVOID inviting ONLY SELECTED junior or senior high school or community college prospective student-athletes to alumni events. Since the NCAA prohibits contact between prospects and alumni and "athletic representatives", care must be taken to invite, for instance, all high school seniors who have received academic and athletic awards.

NCAA Rules Regarding Contacts with Currently Enrolled Student-Athletes

PLEASE feel free to invite a student-athlete to your home for a home cooked meal but only for a special occasion (i.e. Thanksgiving, birthday). The meal must be provided in your home and no other site.

PLEASE feel free to invite a team for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing. The NCAA permits student-athletes AS A TEAM to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals. Arrangements for such events must be made in advance with the head coach or the Athletic Department.

HOWEVER...

AVOID providing a student-athlete or friend any benefit or special arrangement. The NCAA considers these as an "extra benefit" and they are specifically prohibited.

AVOID providing room and/or board or any type of transportation during the summer for a student athlete with remaining eligibility.

AVOID providing room, board or transportation costs incurred by friends or family of an enrolled student-athlete to visit campus or attend any away contest.

AVOID expending funds to entertain student-athletes, their friends or relatives. You are not even permitted to buy a soft drink or cup of coffee for them.

AVOID using the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. The SALE of a picture of an enrolled student-athlete will jeopardize eligibility.

AVOID providing any payment of expense or loan of any automobile for a student-athlete to return home or to any other location for ANY reason.

AVOID providing awards or gifts to a student-athlete for their athletic performance. All awards must conform to NCAA regulations and must be approved by the University of Rhode Island and the Atlantic 10 Conference.

AVOID providing an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement. Only necessary travel expenses can be given when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the University of Rhode Island Athletics Department.

AVOID allowing a student-athlete, their friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free long distance calls.

PLEASE HELP: If you have knowledge of improprieties, intentional or otherwise, please let the Compliance Office at the University of Rhode Island know immediately so that we can take the necessary corrective actions.

WHOM DO I CONTACT?

Jackie Campbell
Assistant Commissioner/Compliance
Atlantic 10 Conference
230 Broad Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 751-0500
Fax: (215) 545-3342
Email: jcampbell@atlantic10.org
Web Site: www.atlantic10.org

Paul Kassabian
Compliance Coordinator
University of Rhode Island
Three Keaney Road, Suite One
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-2281

NCAA Rules Regarding Employment of Prospective and Enrolled Student-Athletes

PLEASE pay student-athletes employed by you only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the community and your own business.

PLEASE notify the head coaches of job possibilities for student-athletes.

HOWEVER...

AVOID employing or arranging for the employment of a prospective or enrolled student-athlete without checking first with the University of Rhode Island's Athletics Department. The department is permitted to make arrangements for summer employment for prospects prior to enrollment as freshmen and to enroll student-athletes during the summer and semester breaks. Stringent rules apply in these instances and written records must be kept regarding employment.

AVOID providing transportation for prospects or student-athletes in your employ unless transportation is provided for all other employees.

AVOID providing employment for student-athletes during the academic year without first contacting the University of Rhode Island's Athletic Department. The NCAA has strict rules about the amount and source of outside funds during the academic year.

The Compliance Office compiled this publication at The University of Rhode Island to assist alumni and friends in complying with NCAA Rules and regulations governing the conduct of our Institution and its athletics programs.