Compliance

WELCOME TO ASU COMPLIANCE

Augusta State University, a member of the Peach Belt Conference and the NCAA, is responsible for insuring that its various constituencies (Athletic Department staff, University staff and faculty, alumni, friends, and student-athletes) abide by NCAA and PBC rules and regulations. The website will be used as a vehicle to express our compliance office objectives and give a basic understanding of the NCAA rules and regulations.

THE PRINCIPLE OF INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITY

Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA legislation. The institution's responsibility for the conduct of its athletics program includes responsibility for the actions of its staff members and for the actions of boosters or "representatives of the University's Athletics Interests."

WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY'S ATHLETICS INTERESTS?

You are considered a "Representative of the University's Athletics Interests (a booster) if you:

•  have participated in or are currently a member of any athletics department booster group and the Jaguar Club 
• made a donation to the men's or women's athletic program; 
• have assisted or been asked to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes; 
• have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
• have been or are involved in promoting ASU athletics in any way.

Once a person is defined as a booster/representative of ASU’s athletic interests, they retain that identity indefinitely, even if they no longer support the athletics program.

WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE?
The NCAA defines a "prospect" as anyone who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the institution provides any financial assistance or other benefit not provided to prospective students in general.

WHAT IS A CONTACT?
A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's parents/guardians and an institutional staff member or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect's school or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect or the prospect's team shall be considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED RECRUITING?
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect's relatives by a staff member or representative of the institution's athletics interests (booster) for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.

RULES GOVERNING PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES
Contact With Prospects-Division I
In Division I (Golf prospects), representatives of ASU’s athletic interests are prohibited from making any in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, as well as written or telephone communications with a prospect or the prospect's parents or relatives.

Contact With Prospects-Division II
In Division II (this includes all sports other than Golf), representatives of ASU’s athletic interests are prohibited from making in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with prospects or their relatives. On-campus contact as well as written communications are permitted with Division II prospects. Effective August 1, 2000, boosters are prohibited from contacting DII prospects by telephone.

Contact With Prospect's Coach or School Staff
Contact with a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect is prohibited.

Financial Aid or Other Benefits to Prospects
Representatives of ASU’s athletic interests may not provide any financial aid or other benefits, such as clothing, special discounts, tickets to events, or co-signing loans, to a prospect or their relatives.

PERMISSIBLE ACTIVITIES BY BOOSTERS

• ASU boosters may attend events (e.g., contests, banquets) where prospects are present on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may NOT contact the prospect or the prospect's relatives.
• ASU boosters may inform the Jaguar coaches of prospects in their area by contacting the ASU staff and sending Jaguar coaches newspaper clippings with the names of particular prospects.
• Do continue establishing family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts with prospects are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by ASU staff members.
• ASU boosters may arrange employment for prospective student-athletes. The prospect may not begin the job until after the completion of his or her senior year in high school. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a normal rate.

RULES GOVERNING ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES

Extra Benefits

A student-athlete is prohibited from receiving any extra benefit. If a student-athlete accepts any benefit based on his or her athletic ability, that athlete may lose all eligibility for intercollegiate athletics participation. Additionally, boosters involved would be forced to disassociate from the university's athletic program.

Extra benefits that are prohibited, include, but are not limited to the following:

• A loan of money;
• Use of an automobile;
• Signing or co-signing a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan;
• Providing professional services at no charge or a reduced rate; or
• Purchasing a meal or beverage for a student-athlete.

Employment of Enrolled Student-Athletes
NCAA rules require that the student-athlete and employer sign a written statement prior to the commencement of employment confirming that the employment satisfies NCAA regulations. Forms are available at the ASU Compliance Office. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for services of like character.

Rules Governing Student-Athlete Participation in Promotional Activities
Use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support any charitable, educational or non-profit promotional activity requires the signature of the student-athlete and the authorized representative of the event on a release statement that requires written approval from the Director of Athletics. Forms can be obtained from the ASU Compliance Department, (706) 729-2450. Furthermore, student-athletes are not permitted to be involved in the advertisement, recommendation or promotion of a commercial organization for sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Please contact the athletic department before asking any enrolled student-athlete to take part in any activity.

Agents
A student-athlete shall be ineligible for participation if he or she agrees, orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent. This includes any agreements for future negotiations that are to take place after the individual has completed his or her eligibility in that sport. Additionally, student-athletes and their relatives are prohibited from accepting any benefits, including meals or transportation, from an agent.

Gambling
NCAA rules do not permit student-athletes to knowingly:

• provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
• solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate team; or
• participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

PERMISSIBLE ACTIVITIES BY BOOSTERS

Occasional Meals
A student-athlete or an entire team may receive an occasional family meal from a booster under certain conditions. The occasional meal MUST be provided in the individual's home, may be catered and must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions. The ASU Athletic Department requests that all arrangements for team events be made in advance with the approval of the head coach and the Director of Athletics.

Contact Person
This rules summary is not comprehensive and NCAA legislation can be subject to various interpretations. ASU is given the responsibility to exercise "institutional control" of its athletic interests and we are committed to maintaining the kind of responsible program in which all of us take such great pride. Questions regarding rules relating to relationships between athletics representatives and recruits or enrolled student-athletes can be directed to ASU Compliance and Academic Coordinator: Ian Potter

Additional Information
About Compliance
NCAA
National Letter of Intent
NCAA Clearinghouse
NCAA Recruiting Calendars
Coaches Corner
Title IX
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