*Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is simply further guidance to help in the adherence of NCAA and NSIC bylaws. To truly ensure adherence, please contact the designated Compliance Administrator of Marauders Athletics with any questions or concerns.
Who is a Booster?
Boosters, referred to by the NCAA as "representatives of the institution's athletic interests," include anyone who has:
- participated in or is a member of an agency or organization, including corporate entities (e.g., apparel and equipment companies), promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletics program;
- made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;
- assisted or has been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
- assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
- has been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.
Once an individual is identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests," the person retains that identity forever.
Role of Boosters
Current 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 play a role in providing student-athletes with a positive experience through their enthusiastic efforts. They can support teams and athletics departments through donations of time (e.g., attending athletic events, fundraising activities, etc.) and financial resources which help student-athletes succeed on and off the playing field.
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.
Prospective Student-Athletes:
Only institutional staff members are permitted to recruit prospective student-athletes. Generally, NCAA rules prohibit anyone else from contacting (calling, writing or in-person contact) prospects or the prospect's relatives or guardian for recruiting purposes. Students are still considered prospects even if they have signed a National Letter of Intent or any other financial aid agreement with a university.
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.
Although 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 established friendships with families who have prospective student-athletes.
