You are a booster "representative of athletics interests" if you have ever:
• Been a member of the UCR Athletics Association or any other group which supports specific athletic teams.
• Contributed (i.e. made a donation) to UCR Athletics.
• Arranged for or provided benefits, such as summer jobs, to enrolled student-athletes (S-A) or their families.
• Promoted or been involved with UCR athletics programs.
• Been involved in any manner with the University of California, Riverside's athletics program.
How long are you considered a Booster?
According to the NCAA, once an individual has been identified as a Highlander Athletics booster, that person retains that title for life, even if you no longer contribute or support the athletics program. UCR is ultimately responsible for the action of all boosters in relation to NCAA rules and regulations.
DEFINITIONS
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete (PSA)?
A prospective student-athlete (PSA) is a person who has started classes for the 9th grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a PSA if the institution provides such an individual (or individual's relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally. Therefore, it is a good idea to treat all athletes as prospects.
Who can recruit for UCR?
ONLY UCR coaches who have passed the NCAA Coaches Certification Examination may be involved in recruiting any student-athlete. No recruiting contacts may be made by boosters.
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or student-athlete or PSA's family (or legal guardians) by an institutional staff member for the purpose of securing the PSA's enrollment and ultimate participation in the institutions intercollegiate athletics program. Boosters may not be involved in the recruiting process.
Contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or prospect's parents, relatives or legal 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 educational institution or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect's high school, preparatory school, two-year college or all-star team shall be considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.
A BOOSTER MAY:
• Have incidental contact ¯ not prearranged by the athletics department¯ with a PSA as long as no recruitment takes place and "normal civility" occurs. "Normal civility" is considered an exchange of greetings, but no more than that. Any contact made at a recruit's high school, junior college, practice or game is not considered incidental and is prohibited.
• Watch a recruit's athletic contest, but may not have contact with the recruit.
• Contact a PSA to discuss summer job arrangements after that recruit has signed a National Letter of Intent.
• Provide an occasional family meal to a student-athlete or an entire team if the meal takes place in the home ¬s opposed to a restaurant. Meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions (i.e. holidays). A booster may provide local, reasonable, transportation to the student-athlete or team only if the meal takes place in that booster's home. Requests of these types should be directed to the specific team.
• Contribute money to be administered by the Athletics Department for endowed scholarships and/or to support athletics programs.
A BOOSTER MAY NOT:
• Make telephone calls to a PSA (exception: subsequent to NLI signing to arrange a summer job).
• Have face-to-face contact with a PSA or their parents, legal guardian, or relatives to encourage them to enroll at UCR.
• Pick up video tapes or transcripts relating to a PSA at his/her high school or junior college.
• Contact a recruit's counselor, principal, or coach in an attempt to evaluate that recruit or to entertain high school, preparatory school, or junior college coaches.
• Provide a prospective/enrolled student-athlete or friend any benefit or special arrangement. Examples of "benefits" include, but are not limited to: special discount payment arrangements; cash or loan of money in any amount; co-signing a note; the use of an automobile; the purchase or meals or services at commercial establishments; selling or giving student-athletes or relatives or friends tickets to athletic, institution, or community events; the use of personal property; providing holiday or birthday gifts; and providing transportation to enroll in class or the institution.
• Employ relatives or friends of a prospect.
• Promise of employment after college or financial aid for post graduate education.
• Expend funds to entertain student-athletes, their friends, or relatives.
• Use the name, picture, or appearance of an enrolled student-athlete to advertise, recommend, or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Even the sale of a picture of a current student-athlete would jeopardize eligibility.
• Use the name, picture, or an appearance of an enrolled student-athlete to promote an educational or charitable cause until it has been approved by UCR's Athletics Compliance Office.
• Allow a student-athlete, his/her friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free local or long distance calls.
Note: NCAA rules regarding enrolled student-athletes are in effect at all times, including summer break. At the completion of a student-athlete's final season of eligibility, the athlete must abide by NCAA rules until the end of the academic year and/or until he/she is no longer receiving athletically-related financial aid.
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