NCAA Rules for Prospects, Alumni and Friends of CBU Athletics

CBU is committed to maintaining compliance with the rules of the NCAA. Coaches, administrators, and other staff members must follow NCAA regulations. Complete conformity with the rules, however, extends beyond the CBU campus. Buccaneer alumni, friends and fans must also cooperate with the College in its compliance efforts.

2005-06 Student-Athlete Handbook in PDF Format
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Recruiting Rules for Prospective Student-Athletes

Who is a prospective student-athlete?

A prospective student-athlete ("prospect") is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospect if CBU provides the individual (or the individual's relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the College does not provide to prospective students generally.

When are telephone calls to prospects allowed?

In sports other than basketball, CBU staff members may not telephone a prospect (or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians) prior to July 1 following the prospect's completion of the junior year in high school. After July 1, coaching staff members may telephone a prospect once per week (measured Sunday through Saturday). The once-per-week limit applies to the entire institution.

When may a prospect call CBU coaches?

CBU coaching staff members may receive telephone calls placed by a prospect at the prospect's own expense at any time, including before July 1 following the prospect's junior year in high school.

Do prospects need to register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse?

The NCAA mandates that all student-athletes interested in competing at the Division I or II level must be certified through the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. Contact high school coaches, athletics director or guidance counselor for necessary registration forms.

May prospects visit the CBU campus?

An official visit is a visit that is financed in whole or in part by CBU. A prospect may not make more than five expense-paid visits to NCAA member institutions, regardless of the number of sports in which the prospect is involved. An institution may not provide an expense-paid visit to a prospect who has not presented the institution with a high school (or college) academic transcript and a score from a PSAT, an SAT, a PACTPlus, or an ACT test taken on a national testing date under national testing conditions. A prospect may not be provided an expense-paid visit earlier than the opening day of classes of the prospect's senior year in high school.

An unofficial visit is a visit made at the prospect's own expense. A prospect may visit an institution's campus at the prospect's own expense an unlimited number of times and may make an unofficial visit before his or her senior year in high school.

Rules for Representatives of CBU' Athletics Interests

CBU is held accountable for the actions of "representatives of athletic interests" such as alumni, friends, and fans. NCAA rules violations by representatives could jeopardize Buccaneer athletic programs.

Who is a representative of CBU' athletics interests?

A representative of CBU' athletics interests is:

• An individual who is known by a member of the CBU administration to have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization that promotes the CBU athletics program.
• An individual who has made financial contributions to the CBU athletics program or to the CBU Buccaneer Club.
• An individual who has assisted (or who has been asked by the athletic department) to assist in the recruitment of prospects.
• An individual who has provided benefits to current student-athletes and their families.
• An individual who has been involved otherwise in promoting the CBU athletics program.

Once an individual is identified as a representative of the College's athletics interests, he or she retains that identity indefinitely. CBU is ultimately responsible for actions of representatives. CBU will be penalized by the NCAA for any violations by representative of the College's athletics interests.

Who can recruit for CBU?

CBU coaches are the only individuals permitted to recruit for the Buccaneers. In order to recruit off-campus, CBU coaches must first take an NCAA Coaches Certification Exam, as well as the Gulf South Conference Coaches Exam. Only those coaches who have been certified may contact or evaluate any prospective student-athletes off-campus. Coaches must be certified on an annual basis.

NCAA Recruiting Guidelines for Representatives of CBU Athletics Interests

Representatives of the College's athletics interests may not make in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians. This includes e-mail, fax transmission, telephone calls, letters, or contact on- or off-campus with a prospect or his or her parents.

Furthermore, representatives of the College's athletic interests:

• MAY NOT contact high school coaches, principals, or counselors in an attempt to evaluate prospects.
• MAY NOT visit prospects' schools to pick up transcripts or films.
• MAY NOT provide any transportation to prospects.
• MAY NOT provide prospects or their parents or guardians with tickets to CBU athletic events.
• MAY NOT entertain or contact prospects during official visits.
• MAY NOT pay or arrange payment of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospect visiting the campus.
• MAY NOT contact an enrolled student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to CBU and participation in its athletics program.

Representatives of the College's athletic interests...

MAY attend prospects' games or contests on their own initiative, but they cannot contact prospects there.

MAY speak to prospects on the telephone ONLY IF the prospect initiates the call and the call is not for recruitment purposes. Representatives must refer questions about the CBU athletics program to the athletic department staff.

MAY continue a relationship with an established family friend or neighbor, with the understanding that contacts are not made for the purpose of recruiting.

MAY write or telephone a CBU coach with information concerning a prospective student-athlete.

One way you can assist coaches in their recruitment efforts is by providing them with names or newspaper clippings of talented student-athletes in your area. If you know a prospective student-athlete who may be interested in attending CBU, you may notify the appropriate coaches.

Who is a student-athlete?

A student-athlete is a student who was recruited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with the ultimate goal of the student's participation in intercollegiate athletics. Any other student becomes a student-athlete when he or she reports for any varsity team.

What benefits may representatives of CBU's athletics interests provide to student-athletes?

Student-athletes and their parents are prohibited from receiving extra benefits from CBU employees or representatives of the College's athletics interests. As a general rule, "extra benefits" are those benefits that are not available to the student body and their families. Any student-athlete who receives an award, extra benefit, or expense allowance not authorized by NCAA legislation becomes ineligible for competition in his or her sport.

Representatives of the University's athletic interests:

MAY NOT provide cash or equivalent, merchandise, or gift certificates to currently enrolled student-athletes.

MAY NOT treat student-athletes to a meal at a restaurant or to entertainment services.

MAY NOT provide student-athletes with transportation or access to an automobile.

MAY NOT arrange for a special discount, payment plan, or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) for student-athletes.

MAY NOT loan money, arrange for a loan, guarantee a bond, sign or cosign a note with an outside agency for student-athletes.
   

Representatives of the College's athletic interests:

MAY provide employment at regular rates of pay for similar employees during the summer or other permissible work periods.
MAY provide a team or student-athlete an occasional family home meal provided the meals take place in the representatives' home and they are restricted to special occasions.