Glenville State University Booster Manual

A Message from the Director of Athletics

Dear Alumni and Friends,

On behalf of the Department of Athletics at Glenville State University, may I commend you for your interest in our student athletes and the success of the sports teams and coaches competing on the Division II NCAA level.  Many times secondary violations occur solely due to an athletic booster being unaware of confusing restrictions to which our sports teams must adhere.  For that purpose, it is a constant challenge to keep up with pertinent changes from year to year even for our Coaches and Student Athletes.  Our Coaches must take a NCAA Coaches certification test every year to be eligible to recruit and coach a sport at Glenville State University.
The purpose of this manual is to serve as a reference guide for the sports fan and for perusal of our Pioneer Athletic Club Members to become aware of the role and restrictions placed upon boosters.  In the movie "The Blind Side" the end of the story brought forth a situation that was questioned by the NCAA due to a family allowing a young man to live in their home that became a good football player.  It is our intent that this manual will keep our coaches and supporters from being 'Blind Sided" by a rule or a restriction to cause a NCAA probationary period for our institution. 

Jesse Skiles
Director of Athletics
jesse.skiles@glenville.edu
NCAA Role of Boosters:
"Role of Boosters
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 and financial resources which help student-athletes succeed on and off the playing field.
Boosters, referred to by the NCAA as "representatives of the institution's athletic interests," include anyone who has:

• Provided a donation in order to obtain season tickets for any sport at the university.
• Participated in or has been a member of an organization promoting the university's athletics programs.
• Made financial contributions to the athletic department or to a university booster organization.
• Arranged for or provided employment for enrolled student-athletes.
• Assisted or has been requested by university staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes.
• Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student athletes or their families.
• Been involved otherwise in promoting university athletics.

Once an individual is identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests," the person retains that identity forever.
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.
Boosters are not precluded from continuing established friendships with families who have prospective student-athletes. However, boosters may not encourage a prospect's participation in university athletics or provide benefits to prospects that were not previously provided.
If a violation occurs, it may jeopardize a student-athlete's eligibility for intercollegiate competition, jeopardize a school's membership status with the NCAA or cause a booster to lose access to all booster benefits. Frequently Asked Questions
What are examples of impermissible recruiting activities?
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.

What are examples of permissible activities?
Even though 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 existing friendships.

What are examples of impermissible extra benefits for enrolled student-athletes?
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.

An honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.
What are examples of permissible benefits for enrolled 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 may:

• Make contributions to university programs and other gift-in-kind arrangements.
• Attend university athletic events and show student athletes you support their hard work and dedication to the university.

What is institutional control?
Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA legislation. Specifically, the NCAA constitution states that the university must:

• Control its intercollegiate athletic programs in compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA.
• Monitor its program to insure compliance.
• Identify and report to the NCAA instances in which compliance has not been achieved and take corrective actions.
• Insure those members of university staff, student-athletes and other individuals or groups representing the university's athletic interests comply with NCAA rules and regulations. As a member of the NCAA, the university is responsible for the actions of its alumni, supporters and fans.

Are there any rules for the employment of enrolled student-athletes by boosters?
Student-athletes may only be compensated for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate. Compensation may not include remuneration for the value that the student-athlete may have for the employer due to the student-athlete's athletics status. Transportation may not be provided to student athletes unless it is a benefit provided to all employees."
This information is copied from:  http://www.ncaa.org/enforcement/role-boosters
 
Always ask before you act!
NCAA rules are in place to protect college athletics.  These rules may seem strict but it is important that you always seek the guidance of the institution so that a violation is not made.  For more information or questions contact our staff listed below.  If you have not joined the Pioneer Athletic Club and would like to, you may also reach out to any of the staff listed below.

Name	Title	Phone number	e-mail address
Bill Lilly	Compliance	304-462-6052	Bill.Lilly@glenville.edu
Jesse Skiles	Athletic Director	304-462-6221	Jesse.Skiles@glenville.edu
Cheyenne Carr	SWA/Compliance	304-462-6220	Cheyenne.Carr@glenville.edu
Jagger Furr	Sports Information	304-462-6238	Jagger.Furr@glenville.edu
Jimmy Mullins	Compliance	304-462-6239	James.Mullins@glenville.edu