Tulane Compliance: Boosters
Playing by the Rules:
A Guide to NCAA Rules for Every Alumni, Booster and Friend of Tulane Athletics
Tulane University is proud of its academic and athletic tradition. We are committed to performing at the highest levels on the playing fields and in the classrooms, while abiding by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Conference USA and Tulane rules and regulations. The Green Wave athletic program would not be where it is today without the support of loyal alumni and friends, and that support is equally important to our compliance effort. As a member of the NCAA, Tulane is responsible for the actions of those whom the NCAA considers "representatives of its athletic interest," also known as boosters. If a well-meaning but misguided fan or booster commits a violation, Tulane will be held responsible, and the consequences can include bans on post-season competition and television coverage as well as fines or not being able to recruit a prospect.
This is basic information on NCAA rules. Please review and share the information with others who support Tulane Athletics. The scope and complexity of NCAA rules preclude us from addressing every possible situation. However, please feel free to contact the Compliance Office at (504) 865-5344 with any questions you may have. The Athletic Department appreciates your support of the University and Tulane Athletics. ROLL WAVE!
Who is considered a booster?
You are a booster if:
1. You currently or have made a donation to the Tulane Athletic Department or an organization that supports Tulane Athletics. This includes season ticket holders if a portion of the season ticket price is a donation to athletics;
2. You currently or have been a member of a booster organization that supports Tulane athletics;
3. You currently or have ever been involved in any way in the promotion of Tulane Athletics whether it was with a group or organization or individually; or
4. You have or had assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes (i.e., providing an occasional meal at your home).
Who is a Prospect?
Once a person reaches the ninth grade, he/she becomes a prospect for NCAA purposes. A prospect is also a student in a prep school, junior college, and an individual who has officially withdrawn from a four-year school. A student who has not yet started ninth grade may become a prospect if Tulane or a booster provides the student, or the student's relatives, guardian or friends, with financial assistance or benefits not generally provided to other students.
What is Recruiting?
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect's parent/legal guardian by a Tulane staff member for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment at Tulane and/or participation in Tulane's intercollegiate athletics program. Recruiting activities include, but are not limited to, correspondence, e-mails, faxes, telephone conversations and in-person contacts (both on and off-campus).
Who May Recruit?
Only Tulane coaches and Athletic Department staff may be involved in the recruiting process. NCAA rules specifically prohibit boosters from engaging in recruiting activities.
You may not have any contact (i.e., in-person encounter, telephone call, correspondence) with a prospect or the prospect's family on or off campus. If a prospect approaches you regarding Tulane, explain that NCAA rules prevent you from discussing Tulane with them. This prohibition also applies to prospects making official visits to Tulane.
You may not contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating a prospect's athletic ability or academic record.
In addition, you may not speak to or contact a student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging him or her to transfer to Tulane.
What May Boosters Do?
You may provide assistance to members of Tulane's coaching staff recruiting in your area.
You may provide names of prospects or high schools they attend to the attention of Tulane's coaching staff by sending them newspaper clippings, electronic mail, or making a telephone call. However, you cannot be involved in the actual evaluation of talent. Only the Tulane coaching staff can contact and evaluate prospects.
You may continue attending high school, preparatory school or two-year college athletic events, or other events prospect may be in attendance. NCAA rules do not prohibit attending such events. Just remember, you may not have contact with the prospect, or their parent(s)/legal guardian or relatives. If you have incidental contact with a prospect, you may exchange greetings, but do not discuss Tulane athletics.
You may continue to have contact with an established family friend or neighbor who is a prospect. However, such contact may not be for recruiting purposes.
If you know of a prospect who might be interested in attending Tulane, the only permissible activity is for you to call the appropriate sport.
| Baseball | 862-8239 |
| Men's Basketball | 865-5505 |
| Women's Basketball | 865-5672 |
| Men's & Women's Cross Country | 865-5514 |
| Football | 865-5355 |
| Men's Golf | 865-5507 |
| Women's Golf | 865-5513 |
| Women's Soccer | 865-5569 |
| Men's Tennis | 862-8237 |
| Women's Tennis | 865-5503 |
| Men's and Women's Track & Field | 865-5514 |
| Women's Swimming and Diving | 862-8236 |
| Women's Volleyball | 865-5570 |
Your assistance will assure that the eligibility of both high school prospects and enrolled student-athletes is protected.
What is an Extra Benefit?
An extra benefit is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relatives or friends with a benefit not authorized by the NCAA rules. The NCAA allows Tulane to provide student-athletes with a scholarship that covers tuition, fees, room, board and books. We can also provide complimentary admissions to Tulane athletics events, practice or competition-related apparel, equipment and medical treatment. It is a violation of NCAA rules for a student-athlete to receive any other benefit UNLESS the same benefit is normally available to all Tulane students or their parents/guardians.
Examples of Prohibited Extra Benefits:
What May a Booster Provide? You may provide an "occasional" meal at your home for a student-athlete or an entire team if you live within a 30-mile radius of Tulane's main campus. You may also provide transportation to your home for the meal. Before hosting a student-athlete, please speak to their head coach first.
Common Questions
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 designed for student-athletes is considered an extra benefit and against NCAA rules. However, if you provide a discount to all Tulane students or the general public, then student-athletes can also receive the discount.
Q: May I loan my car to the parents of a student-athlete who are in town visiting their son or daughter?
A: No. The NCAA's prohibition on extra benefits for student-athletes also applies to their relatives and friends.
Q: If I'm out golfing and happen to see a current student-athlete while getting some lunch, may I buy them a meal too?
A: No. Buying a meal for a student-athlete would be considered providing a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
Can I Employ a Tulane Student-Athlete?
You may provide a job to a student-athlete and to a prospect who has signed a letter of intent to attend Tulane. Any such job must be bona fide and the student-athlete or prospect may only receive compensation for work actually performed, at the going rate for similar services in that locality for similar services.
Gambling
The NCAA and Tulane Athletics take a strong stance against gambling. Student-Athletes, coaches and administrators are prohibited from engaging in any gambling activity involving NCAA-sponsored and professional sports. In addition, they are prohibited from providing any information on Tulane student-athletes to gambling operations or individuals involved in gambling.
IF YOU BECOME AWARE OF ANY VIOLATION OR POTENTIAL VIOLATION OF NCAA RULES, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO, PLEASE CONTACT:
Compliance Office
Tulane University
James W. Wilson Jr. Center
New Orleans, LA 70118-5698
Phone: (504) 865-5344 or (504) 314-7210
Fax: (504) 865-5512
