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Compliance

 ~ NCAA Rules for Boosters ~

Page Sections: 
Welcome
FAQs
Am I A Booster?
Leave the Recruiting To Us!
Recruiting & Social Media
Benefits to Student-Athletes
Employing a Student-Athlete
Academic Integrity
Ask Before You Act!
Compliance Office Contact Information


Welcome
Eastern Michigan University is grateful of your support of all our athletic programs. The NCAA rules may be confusing, but EMU's Office of Athletic Compliance has provided the below educational information as a guide. Please note, this information is a general overview of key NCAA rules, and is not a comprehensive guide. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns, and Ask before you Act!

Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What rules apply to me? Am I a booster?
A.You are a representative of athletics interests (a "booster"), and the NCAA rules apply to you if:
  • You are a member of a group that supports or promotes Eastern Athletics (e.g. Eastern Athletic Fund, The Diamond Club, E-Club, etc.);
  • You have made financial contributions to the department of athletics or any booster organization;
  • You have provided any benefits to EMU student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, or their families;
  • You have ever assisted in evaluating or recruiting prospect student-athletes;
  • You have participated in the EMU athletics program; or
  • You have otherwise assisted in the promotion of Eastern Michigan University Athletics.

As an individual associated with the athletics program, you are a representative of EMU's athletics interests, and therefore by definition a "booster." If you are a "representative of athletics interests," you remain one forever! EMU is responsible for the actions of its boosters and your improper conduct part could jeopardize our student-athletes' eligibility.


Recruiting
Q.Can we help Coaches with Recruits?
A.No, Leave the Recruiting to Us! Active recruiting involvement is limited to coaches. Boosters are prohibited from making in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts and cannot have telephone communication with a prospect or the prospect's family for recruiting purposes.

Q.Can I follow current and prospective athletes on Social Media?
A.Boosters are not permitted to engage in any type of recruiting activity (through a social networking website or otherwise) as this may risk the institution's ability to continue the recruitment of such prospects.

Boosters are not permitted to engage in any type of contact with prospective student-athletes through a social networking website. This includes posting on Facebook walls, direct messages on Twitter, e-mail, etc.

Boosters are not permitted to create recruiting or fan pages (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, fan message boards, etc.) for prospective student-athletes.

Q.Can a booster post on a recruit's Facebook wall or mention them in a tweet?
A.No. Boosters are prohibited from mentioning a prospect publicly on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media websites. This involvement by boosters could jeopardize the recruitment of a PSA.

Q.What if a prospect calls a representative of athletics interests?
A.Boosters may have a telephone conversation with a prospect that is initiated by the prospect and is not prearranged by the institution (including providing a prospect with the phone number). However, questions about EMU's athletic programs during the conversation must be referred to members of EMU's coaching staff.

Q.Does this apply to "established family friends" or neighbors?
A.No. However, it must be understood that such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and question about Eastern Michigan's athletic programs should still be referred to members of EMU's coaching staff.

Q.Can I attend local athletic contests?
A.Yes, you can attend local athletic contests at schools in your community. However, you cannot contact a prospect, a prospect's parents, or a prospect's coach while you are there, or afterwards, to try and get the recruit to attend EMU. If you see or hear of a prospect who you think would be an asset to EMU, you may contact the coaches to let them know about the prospect.

Q.I accidentally talked to a high school athlete, was that a violation?
A.Unavoidable incidental contact with a prospect is not a violation if the contact:
  1. Was not prearranged;
  2. Does not take place on the grounds of the prospect's educational institution or site of a competition;
  3. Is not made for the purpose of recruitment; and
  4. Involves normal civility.

Q.Can I invite recruits to attend Booster & Alumni Events?
A.Alumni/booster events can violate recruiting regulations if prospects are in attendance. If you are arranging or attending alumni or booster events, do not bring or invite prospects. Explain to parents the importance of prospect-age students not attending.

Q.What about on an Official Visit? Can a booster make contact with a recruit and his/her legal guardians on an official visit to campus?
A.No. Boosters are prohibited from making in person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or his/her relatives or legal guardians.


Benefits
Q.What can I provide to student-athletes?
A."Extra benefits" are special arrangements by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interest to provide a currently enrolled student-athlete, prospect, or their parents, relatives, or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA rules or which is not available to all students in general. Boosters cannot offer, provide, or arrange financial assistance (directly or indirectly) to pay (in whole or in part) the cost of the prospect's educational or other expenses. Employment is an exception, but there are restrictions, so please contact the Compliance Office if this occurs.

Q.What about Meals?
A.There are few better ways to get to know someone than over a shared meal. You cannot buy a meal for a student-athlete in a restaurant. However, you may provide a meal on in infrequent and special occasions to the student-athlete under the following conditions:
  1. The meal may only be provided in your home, on EMU's campus, or at a facility that is regularly used for home competition. This meal may be catered.
  2. If you are hosting the meal at your home, you may provide reasonable local transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal.
  3. These meals must be approved in advance by EMU's Athletic Compliance Office.

Q.Can a booster purchase a complimentary admission ticket from a PSA or Student-Athlete?
A.No, prospects and student-athletes cannot receive any form of payment for their complimentary admissions issued through EMU.


Employment
Q.Can I employ a current or prospective student-athlete? Are there restrictions?
A.Employing student-athletes and prospects is permissible with limitations. A booster can employ a prospect only during the summer immediately prior to the prospect attending Eastern Michigan. Enrolled student-athletes are limited by financial aid considerations in job arrangements. In all cases, the individual must be paid the same as others employed in similar positions in your area and must actually perform the work. Please contact the compliance office before employing current or prospective student-athletes.

Q.Can a student-athlete help out at my non-profit organization?
A.Maybe... Student-Athletes may appear at a local church, school, charity, or non-profit agency, but those appearances cannot involve co-sponsorship or promotion with for-profit organizations. These appearances must be carefully monitored and must be approved by the Compliance Office prior to the event, so please contact us first.

Q.Can a student-athlete promote my business?
A.No! Student-athletes are not permitted to be involved in advertisement, recommendation or promotion of a commercial organization or its product or service. Using a student-athlete's name, picture, or likeness to support any charitable, educational or nonprofit promotional activities require the signature of the student-athlete and the authorized representative and require prior written approval from the Director of Athletics. Forms must be obtained from the Compliance Office.


Academic Integrity
Q.Can I help with homework, tutoring?
A.You may possess a particular expertise or skill-set that you think may be helpful to a student-athlete. Please remember, student-athletes already receive permissible assistance from advisors and tutors, and are expected to complete assignments independently. They can always use some encouragement, feel free to ask how classes are going!


Q.What is the best way to help EMU Student-Athletes?
A.Donate to the Eastern Athletic Fund!


Ask before you Act!
We sincerely appreciate your support of our Athletic Department. Your character reflects on the integrity of the University. If a rules violation occurs, regardless of intention, it can jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete and the athletics program. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

Compliance Office Contact Information -  (734) 487-4519
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