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Compliance |
Alumni, Fans, & Boosters
The Arkansas State University (ASU) Athletic Department takes great pride in abiding by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Sun Belt Conference rules and regulations. For the benefit of the many alumni, fans and Red Wolves Foundation (RWF) members who are so active in encouraging and supporting the Red Wolves, we would like to remind everyone of a few definitions and rules that apply to all fans and supporters of Arkansas State Athletics.
What is a "Booster?"
The formal name given to "Boosters" by the NCAA is "Representatives of an Institution's Athletics Interests." Neverless, "Booster" is the more common name so we will use that name for purposes of clarity. Per the NCAA bylaws, Boosters are considered representatives of the athletics department, and, as a result, ASU is responsible for ensuring that Boosters follow all NCAA rules. If Boosters break the NCAA rules, ASU can be penalized for their actions.
How does someone become a Booster?
According to NCAA rules, a Booster is any individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer, bank) or other organization who is known (or who should have been known) by ASU to:
(a) Have participated in or to be a member of any organization that promotes ASU's athletics program (e.g. Red Wolves Foundation, ASU Alumni Association, any Jonesboro business that participates in “Paint the Town Red”, etc.);
(b) Have made financial contributions to the ASU athletics department or the Red Wolves Foundation;
(c) Be assisting or to have been requested by ASU staff to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
(d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families (e.g. provide an occasional meal to a team, provide summer employment to a student-athlete); or
(e) Have been involved otherwise in promoting ASU's athletics program.
Some additional examples of Boosters include: season ticket holders, ASU students, alumni, faculty and staff. This is not an exhaustive list. Determination of Booster status if fact specific and anyone who meets the criteria above is a Booster, even if he/she does not know he/she is a Booster.
How long does someone remain a Booster?
Per NCAA rules, once an individual or organization is identified as a Booster, that person or group retains that designation forever.
Booster Interaction with Prospects
A prospective student-athlete (prospect) is generally defined as any high school student who has started classes for the 9th grade, regardless of whether or not ASU is actively recruiting him/her.
Per NCAA rules, only NCAA certified ASU coaches are permitted to recruit for the Red Wolves.
Boosters may not make any recruiting contacts, including: on- or off-campus contact (face-to-face encounters) with a prospect or his/her parents or legal guardians, e-mails, letters, phone calls, text and instant messages, or correspondence on prospects' personal Web sites (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), unless it is pursuant to one of the exceptions below.
Boosters are permitted to contact an ASU coach and discuss particular prospects with him/her. However, it is not permissible for Boosters to attend a prospect's high school/junior college competition at the direction of ASU coaches.
Boosters may attend high school and junior collegecompetitions provided no contact with prospects or the families of prospects occurs.
Boosters are not permitted to contact a prospect's coach, principal, or counselor for recruiting purposes. They also are not permitted to pick up film or transcripts in an attempt to evaluate a prospect's athletic or academic abilities.
Boosters are permitted to speak to prospects by telephone only if the call is initiated by the prospect and the call is not for recruiting purposes. If the prospect begins discussing ASU athletics, the Booster should refer him/her to the ASU athletics department.
Boosters are permitted to continue existing relationships with an established family friend or neighbor provided any contacts are not made for recruiting purposes. If the prospect is insistent about talking about ASU athletics, the Booster should refer him/her to the ASU athletic department.
Fan Interaction with Recruits via Social Networking Sites
Please remember that only coaches and Athletics Department staff members may be involved in the recruiting process. All boosters and fans are prohibited from contacting prospects or members of a prospect's family by any means for the purpose of encouraging the prospect's participation in Arkansas State University's athletics program.
Q: May I post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Twitter site, Facebook page or similar site and try to convince him/her to attend ASU?
A: No, you may not. A booster may not e-mail or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospective student-athlete.
Q: May I create an online group dedicated to convincing or encouraging a prospect that we want them to attend ASU if the group members do not directly contact the prospect?
A: No, the NCAA would consider this as recruiting activity by boosters, so this would not be permissible.
Q: What if I do not urge a prospect to come to ASU, may I contact them just to tell them about all the great things ASU has to offer?
A: No. Once again, this is another form of recruiting.
Q: May I tweet to or post a message on a prospect's social media site once they have signed a National Letter of Intent or grant-in-aid with ASU to congratulate them or welcome them to the ASU family?
A: No. A prospect, though signed, is still deemed a prospect until they enroll full-time or practice in the fall semester.
Provision of Extra Benefits to Student-Athletes
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an ASU employee or a Booster to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative or friend with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
Examples of Impermissible Extra Benefits
● Gift items, such as cash, jewelry, or electronic equipment
● The use of an automobile or free transportation
● Giving a loan or helping to secure a loan
● Free or reduced cost discounts on services, such as dry cleaning, or car repair
● Free or reduced cost discounts on purchases, such as drinks, meals, clothing, or airline tickets
● The use of a cell phone or phone card
● Free or reduced cost housing for student-athletes, their friends and/or family
Examples of Permissible Benefits ASU may provide:
● Athletics scholarships
● Athletic equipment for practice and competition
● Travel expenses for competition
● Complimentary admissions to ASU contests for family and friends
● Awards to recognize student-athlete participation and achievement
● Medical treatment
● Academic support services
● An occasional meal
● A prize as part of a promotional activity, as long as he/she is selected at random and the promotion is open to the general public
These lists are not exhaustive and are merely a few examples of permissible and impermissible benefits. This issue is very complex and inadvertent violations can happen very easily without any intention of providing an extra benefit. As a result, we strongly encourage you to contact the Compliance Office before providing a benefit of any kind to one of our ASU student-athletes.
