The following are the answers to a
few of the questions most frequently asked by the public:
Q. Can a booster make contact with
a Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA) and his/her legal
guardians on an official visit to campus?
A. In Division I, representatives of an institution's
athletic interests (as defined in 13.02.12) are prohibited
from making in-person, on or off campus recruiting contacts,
or written or telephonic communications with a prospect
or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians.
Q. May I contact high school coaches
or guidance counselors directly regarding a student-athlete?
A. No. Because such contact would involve specific
athletic recruiting and not general institutional recruiting,
a booster would be prohibited from such contact. Further,
boosters are prohibited from visiting a prospect's educational
institution to pick up game films or transcripts pertaining
to a prospect.
Q. Can boosters entertain relatives
and friends of a PSA at an off campus site?
A. No.
Q. Can a booster pay any part of
the registration fees associated with summer sports camps?
A. No.
Q. Is the contact rule applicable
to established family friends or neighbors of a PSA?
A. No. However, it must be understood that such
contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and may
not be initiated by a UCR coaching staff member.
Q. May a booster attend a public
event at which PSAs are in attendance?
A. Yes, but any contact with student-athletes may
not be prearranged by a UCR Athletics' Staff member and
no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect.
Q. Is it permissible for a booster
to provide enrolled student-athletes with professional
services (for which a fee would usually be charged) for
personal reasons?
A. No. Professional services provided to a student-athlete
at less than the usual charge, or at no charge, is considered
an extra benefit, which would be prohibited.
Q. May a booster "evaluate" a PSA
on behalf of UCR Athletics?
A. Legislation does not preclude a booster from
watching a PSA's contest on the booster's initiative,
as long as the booster does not contact the prospect.
However, the booster is prohibited from contacting a PSA's
coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate
the prospect. Additionally, the booster is prohibited
from visiting a high school or junior college campus to
pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation
of a PSA's academic or athletic ability.
Q. How long is a PSA considered a
"recruit"?
A. A PSA remains a recruit even after signing the
National Letter of Intent to attend UCR. Both UCR Athletics
and the recruit continue to be governed by NCAA recruiting
legislation until:
1. The PSA reports for regular squad practice;
2. The Registrar certifies that the PSA is officially
enrolled at UCR on the first day of classes; or
3. The PSA attends a class in any regular term.
Q. Is it permissible for a booster
to provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking
engagement?
A. No. Student-athletes may receive only necessary
travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable
groups.
Q. May a booster group finance a
season-ending banquet for a UCR Team?
A. Provided all funds are expended through the
Athletics Department, it is permissible for a booster
group to be the source of funds for banquets and awards.
Since the NCAA has established a value limit on awards
received by student-athletes, it is important to have
all awards approved by the Athletics Compliance Office.
Q. What about high school fund raising
events?
A.UC Riverside Athletics is prohibited from providing
any tangible support to high school fund-raising events
aimed at raising money for any facet of the high
school, including the athletics program. This extends
to groups affiliated with UCR Athletics, such as the Athletic
Association.
An individual booster can provide funding
to support a high school athletics program located in
the booster's community provided he/she acts independently
of UCR. The contributed funds must be channeled through
normal fund-raising procedures and the funds cannot be
earmarked for a specific student-athlete.