What is a booster?
Per NCAA rules, you are considered a “representative of the university’s athletics interests” (commonly known as a booster) if you:
• Have made any type of financial or in-kind contribution to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization;
• Are or have been a member of any organization or agency promoting Wolf Pack athletics;
• Have assisted in any manner in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
• Have arranged for or provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families or to
prospective student-athletes or their families, or;
• Have otherwise promoted Nevada’s athletics program in any manner.
Once you have been identified as a booster, you retain that status FOREVER! As a Nevada booster, the University is responsible for your compliance with NCAA recruiting and extra benefit rules. For that reason, the University has an obligation to reach out and educate you and other boosters on those rules. The applicable rules fall into two main areas: Benefits for Current Nevada Student-Athletes, and Recruitment of Prospective Student-Athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Benefits Provided to Student-Athletes
Q: May I give a discount on clothing, food or car rentals to student-athletes as part of my business?
A: No. A discount that is specifically for student-athletes is considered an extra benefit and is
against NCAA rules. However, if you provide an advertised discount to all Nevada students or to the general public, then student-athletes may also receive the discount.
Q: May I loan my car to the parents of a student-athlete who are in town visiting their child?
A: No. The NCAA’s prohibition on extra benefits for student-athletes also applies to their relatives and friends.
Q: May I allow a student-athlete to use my phone to make a telephone call?
A: No, this would constitute an extra benefit and is impermissible.
Q: I have an extra car that I don’t use, is it okay to lend it to a student-athlete?
A: No. The provision of free transportation would constitute an extra-benefit. This includes loaning a car, free plane tickets home, or paying for transportation for the student-athlete’s relatives to attend a competition.
Q: May I purchase a complimentary admission ticket (e.g. to a football game or basketball game) from a student-athlete?
A: No, a student-athlete may not receive payment for his or her complimentary admissions and may not exchange them for any item of value (e.g., meal, apparel).
Examples of impermissible benefits
The following are common examples of “extra-benefits” that may not be provided to Nevada student-athletes, prospects, nor to their relatives or friends. These are just examples; this is not an exhaustive list:
• Providing gifts of any kind (e.g., birthday, holiday, graduation)
• Providing discounted or free meals, entertainment or lodging (e.g., rent, housing, hotel, use of vacation home).
• Providing free or reduced-cost transportation of any kind, including borrowing a car or providing a ride home or to see family or friends.
• Providing free or reduced-cost services, such as telephone use, car repairs, body art (i.e. tattoos), or haircuts.
• Providing cash or loans in any amount or signing or co-signing a note with an outside
agency to arrange a loan.
• Providing any expenses (e.g., travel, lodging) for relatives or friends of a student-athlete, including expenses to visit campus, to attend a home or away competition or to attend
an event (e.g., awards banquet) at any location.
What may a booster do for a current student-athlete?
You may employ a student-athlete, as long as he or she is paid only for work performed and at the going rate in that locale for similar services. Any employment benefits (e.g., bonuses, transportation to/from job) provided to the student-athlete must be provided to all other employees performing similar services for the employer. A
Student-Athlete Employment Agreement must be submitted to the Compliance Office before the student-athlete is permitted to work. You also may refer a student-athlete to another employer, provided the employment meets NCAA guidelines and is documented with the Office of Compliance.
You also may, on an occasional basis, provide a meal to a student-athlete or team on campus or in your home. However, please contact the Office of Compliance prior to arranging any such meal. We will ask that you
review the applicable NCAA rule s and provide us the date, location, and names of all attendees.
What is a prospect?
A prospect, under NCAA rules, is any athlete who has started the 9
th grade and has not yet enrolled in a four-year college. This includes all high school students, prep school students, and junior college students. Note that in the sport of Men’s Basketball, 7
th and 8
th grade students are also considered prospects for most purposes.
What is considered recruiting?
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect’s parent/legal guardian for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment at the University of Nevada and/or participation in Nevada’s intercollegiate athletics program. This includes in-person contact with recruits, as well as any other method, such as phone calls, emails, or social media contact.
Who may help recruit prospects to the University of Nevada?
Only Nevada coaches and Athletic Department staff may be involved in the recruiting process. NCAA rules specifically prohibit boosters from engaging in any recruiting activities. It is not permissible for coaches to involve an individual associated with a prospect (but who is not a family member) in the process of recruiting that prospect. Thus, coaches may not ask the third-party individual to relay information to the prospect for
them or to act as an intermediary in order to assist the coach in the recruitment of the
prospect. In addition, coaches may not work with that individual – instead of the prospect – to set up the prospect’s official or unofficial visit to campus. Finally, coaches may not ask the individual to encourage the prospect to attend the University of Nevada.
What may a booster do with respect to prospects?
You may bring outstanding prospects to the attention of the Nevada coaching staff by sending them links or other information about prospects. However, all evaluations and
contacts are the sole responsibility of the Wolf Pack coaching staff.
If you have an “established” relationship with a prospect or his or her relatives, you may continue normal contacts with those individuals with the understanding that such contacts are NOT made for recruiting purposes and are not arranged by Nevada athletic department staff members. Essentially, a relationship is “established” if the relationship:
• Predates the individual’s status as a prospect (e.g., before the start of the ninth grade);
• Predates the prospect’s status achieved as a result of his/her athletics ability or reputation, and;
• Did not develop as a result of the prospect’s participation in athletics or his or her notoriety as an athlete.
As a booster, you may attend high school and community college events, provided you do not contact prospects or anyone associated with the prospect (e.g., relatives, coaches, high
school administrators) in an attempt to recruit the prospect. In addition, you may attend public events (e.g., banquet, fund-raising event) at which prospects are in attendance. However, NO donations, contact with the prospect (including anyone associated with the prospect) or other act should be made in an effort to persuade the prospect to attend the University of Nevada.
If at any time you have additional questions regarding what Booster activity is permissible under NCAA rules, please feel free to contact the Office of Compliance at any time by telephone or by email. The Wolf Pack urges you to always ASK before you ACT!
Thank you as always for your cooperation, and go Pack!
