UIW Boosters
This page contains information for those representatives of UIW athletic interests, those who most often are referred to as Cardinals boosters. This is a summary of what is permissable and what is not.
Information for Representatives of Athletics Interests
What/Who Is A Representative Of Incarnate Word Athletics Interests?
A representative of Incarnate Word's athletics interests is an individual, business, organization who is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration to:
- Have participated in or is a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletics program;
- Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletic booster organization of that institution (i.e., Hornet Athletics Scholarship Fund, Winning Edge);
- Assisting or have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
- Assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families.
The NCAA stipulates that once an individual has been identified as a "Representatives of Athletics Interests" of the University's athletics programs, he or she retains this status forever. This is true even if the individual no longer contributes to the athletics program.
Recruiting Issues Regarding Athletics Representatives
What are the basic provisions of the NCAA regulations in this area?
It is not permissible for an athletic representative (as defined in Bylaw 13.02.10) to make telephone calls to a prospect. (Bylaw 13.1.3.4.2) The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives: a) Observing Prospect's Contest - An athletic representative may view a prospect's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospect on such occasions; b) Evaluation of Prospect - An athletic representative may not contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect; and c) Visiting Prospect's Institution - An athletic representative may not visit a prospect's educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic eligibility or athletics ability. (Bylaw 13.1.2.3)
What is a prospect?
A prospect is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not yet started ninth grade classes becomes a prospect if the institution provides any benefit not available to general prospective students.
May a booster telephone a prospect, or send a letter of congratulations to a prospect AFTER they have signed a National Letter of Intent?
No. A prospect remains a prospect until they enroll in school. Therefore, telephoning or writing to a prospective student-athlete by a booster is not permissible. The only permissible contact with a prospective student-athlete is for employment purposes initiated by the prospective student-athlete.
May a booster employ or arrange for employment of a prospective student-athlete?
Yes. This is the only exception that allows a booster to contact a prospect before the prospect enrolls at Incarnate Word. A booster can arrange employment before the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school. Compensation must be paid only for work performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for services of like character.
Is it permissible for a booster to provide a prospect with summer employment transportation?
No. Although, the arrangement of employment for a prospect after their senior year in high school is permissible, providing transportation to a prospect is generally not. An institution or its boosters cannot provide free transportation to or from a summer job unless providing transportation is the employers established policy for all employees.
Can a booster employ an enrolled student-athlete during the academic year?
Yes. Enrolled student-athletes may receive earnings during the academic year, that when combined with other sources of countable aid, do not exceed the cost of attendance.
Is it permissible for a booster to invite a prospect to a booster meeting or event?
No. It is impermissible to invite a prospect or an enrolled student-athlete to a booster meeting. If a prospect, signee or enrolled student-athlete attends a meeting on his or her own they would be permitted to stay, but they must pay all fees charged for non-members to attend the meeting, including the meal.
Can a booster group place an advertisement that is targeted at local prospective student-athletes in a newspaper or other publication?
No. It is impermissible to place such an advertisement even if the advertisement does not specifically mention Incarnate Word.
Is it permissible for a booster to pay the registration fees associated with summer sports camps for a prospect?
No. A booster may not pay any fees associated with sports camps for a prospect.
Can a booster provide a gift to the prospect, or treat a prospect to a free dinner?
No. It is not permissible to give the prospect a gift or treat him or her to a meal. After they become an enrolled student-athlete it would be permissible to invite them over for an occasional meal that must be served at the booster's home.
Is Incarnate Word responsible for the actions of its representatives and their support groups?
Yes! Incarnate Word is subject to penalties for all violations committed by any athletic representative or support organizations.
Contact With Currently Enrolled Student-Athletes
You may not provide a student-athlete any benefit or special arrangement that would not be offered to the rest of the student population. Such a benefit may cause a student-athlete to lose his or her eligibility. These activities include, but are not limited to:
- You may not entertain student-athletes, their friends or family. (Bylaw 13.5; 16.12.2)
- You may not use the name of picture of an enrolled student-athlete to advertise, recommend, or promote any product or service of any kind. (Bylaw 12.5)
- You may not provide awards or gifts to a student-athlete. (Bylaw 16.1; 16.12)
- You may not allow a student-athlete to use your telephone to make free calls, or allow use of a free or discounted automobile. (Bylaw 16.12)
- You can however, invite an enrolled student-athlete to your home for an occasional home cooked meal, but you may not take a student-athlete to a restaurant.