Information Regarding Athletic Boosters

Boosters/Representatives of Athletics Interests

A "representative of the institution's athletic interest" (a.k.a. "booster") is an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g. apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization that is known (or should have been known) by a member of the University of Tampa executive or athletics administration to: 

(a) Have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting UT’s intercollegiate athletics program;

(b) Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of UT;

(c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;

(d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or

(e) Have been involved otherwise in promoting UT's athletics program.

Note: Once an individual, agency, corporation or other organization is identified as a "representative of athletics interest", that person/entity retains that identity indefinitely.

The NCAA restricts the involvement that you may have with prospective student-athletes. Only coaches and authorized employees may be involved in the recruiting process. NCAA rules prohibit boosters from engaging in recruiting activities designed to secure a prospect’s enrollment at UT. If a prospect contacts you regarding academic information, you may have correspondence discussing non-athletically related information at any time. Please remember any athletics recruiting conversation must be directed towards the applicable coaching staff member.

What constitutes a recruiting contact?

Any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s) and a University of Tampa staff member or representative of athletic interests during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged (e.g., positions himself/herself in a location where a contact is possible) 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 or the prospect's high-school, preparatory school, two-year college or all-star team shall be considered a contact, regardless of whether any conversation occurs.

Permissible Activities for Boosters in Recruitment

The following list provides examples of permissible actions by boosters:

A booster may attend high school, prep school and two-year college athletic events at his/her own discretion (i.e., not at the direction of a university staff member), but may not have any contact with a prospect or his/her parents, relatives or legal guardians.

An athletic representative can assist UT by notifying the appropriate coaching staff of any student-athlete you think would be an asset to the athletic program (e.g., via newspaper clippings, telephone calls to coaching staff members, etc.) so that the coach can then make the appropriate contact with the prospect.

An athletic representative can continue established friendships with families who have prospective or enrolled student-athletes but cannot encourage a prospect's participation in UT athletics or provide benefits to a student-athlete (except as expressly permitted by NCAA rules).

During an encounter with a prospect, if the prospect or his/her parent, relative or legal guardian asks a booster a question about UT’s athletics program, simply direct their questions to the appropriate coach at UT.

Prohibited Activities for Boosters in Recruitment

Boosters are prohibited from engaging the following activities. This list is not all-inclusive.

Direct or indirect involvement in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relatives or friends to receive money or financial aid of any kind.

Providing free tickets or tickets at a reduced cost to any UT home or away events for prospects, their relatives or friends. (Only the Athletic Department can provide complimentary admissions to prospective student-athletes at home athletic events.)

Providing any transportation of any sort to prospects (or their parents/guardians/relatives/friends) including transportation to campus to attend athletic events.

Paying or offering to pay registration fees for summer sports camps for a prospect.

Contacting a prospect's coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of recruiting the prospect (e.g., meeting with the counselor, picking up a videotape of the prospect, etc.)

Providing cash or loans in any amount, or signing or co-signing for a loan.

Providing gifts of any kind, including birthday cards and holiday gifts.

Providing special discounts for goods and services (e.g., movie tickets, car repairs, clothing, haircut, meals, legal services).

Providing the use of any transportation (e.g., car, moped, motorcycle, etc.)

Providing free or reduced-cost rent/housing.

Entertaining prospective student-athletes, their friends or relatives.

Employment of Prospective and Enrolled Student-Athletes

Boosters are permitted to employ prospective and enrolled student-athletes within certain parameters:

You may employ or arrange for the employment of a prospective student-athlete, but you must first obtain the approval of the University of Tampa Compliance Office. Prospective student-athletes may not begin employment with a booster until they have completed their senior year in high school or withdrawn from their two-year college/completed their two-year college graduation requirements.

You may employ or arrange for the employment of an enrolled student-athlete (during the summer or the academic year), but you must first obtain the approval of the Compliance Office.

You may not provide transportation for prospects or enrolled student-athletes that you employ (unless it is the company's established policy to transport all employees to the job site).

NCAA rules require that compensation may be paid to a prospective or enrolled student-athlete only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services. Such compensation may not include any remuneration for the value or utility that the individual may have for the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he/she has obtained because of athletic ability.