Information for Boosters

BOOSTERS, FANS AND FRIENDS OF MISSOURI S&T

Thank you for your interest in and support of Missouri S&T Athletics. This information is intended to highlight some topics pertinent to you as a representative of athletics interests.

It is difficult to cover every possible rule and regulation governing representatives of athletics interests. Therefore, please always contact Debbie Hickey (dhickey@mst.edu) before taking any action that may be contrary to NCAA rules.

WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF MISSOURI S&T ATHLETICS INTERESTS?

Under NCAA rules, a representative of the University's athletics interests is any individual who has ever:

made any type of contribution to the athletics department or to a booster club
joined the institution's booster club or any sport specific support group
provided or helped arrange employment for a student-athlete
provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families
assisted in any manner in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes
promoted the institution's athletics program in any manner

You become a representative by any action on your part to assist the University in any manner. Once you become a representative of the University's athletics interests, you retain that identity forever.

NCAA rules hold Missouri S&T responsible for all actions of its athletics representatives.

WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE?

NCAA rules stipulates a prospective student-athlete 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 prospective student-athlete if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual's relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.

An individual remains a prospective student-athlete until one of the following occurs (whichever occurs earlier):

(a) The individual officially registers and enrolls in a minimum full-time program of studies and attends classes in any term of a four-year collegiate institution's regular academic year (excluding summer); or

(b) The individual participates in a regular-squad practice or competition at a four-year collegiate institution.

A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent or accepts an offer of financial aid to attend Missouri S&T.

WHAT ABOUT RECRUITING?

As a representative of Missouri S&T athletics interests, you may NOT:

contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an effort to evaluate a prospect
visit the prospect's institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic eligibility or athletic ability
contact a prospect, his/her parents, legal guardians or spouse on or off Missouri S&T’s campus
contact a prospect by telephone or by letter
make special arrangements for entertainment for recruiting purposes

WHAT ARE EXTRA BENEFITS?

NCAA legislation expressly prohibits University supporters from providing "extra benefits" to student-athletes.

An extra benefit is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or his/her family a benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation.

In general, you may not provide anything or make special arrangements for student-athletes or prospective student-athletes that are not available to the general student population.

Examples of prohibited "extra benefits" include, but are not limited to:

providing cash or loans in any amount, or signing or co-signing for a loan
a guarantee of bond
the use of an automobile
gifts of any kind, including birthday cards, flowers and holiday gifts
gift of cash or like items, or clothing or equipment
providing loans to relatives or friends
any tangible items, including merchandise
free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type
free or reduced-cost housing
providing special discounts for goods and services (e.g., car repairs, legal services, haircuts, etc.)
purchasing complimentary admissions from a student-athlete
providing an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement

WHAT ABOUT STUDENT-ATHLETE APPEARANCES AND PROMOTIONS?

Student-athletes are prohibited from being involved in the advertisement, recommendation or promotion of sales or use of any commercial product or service of any kind.

All charitable, educational and nonprofit promotional activities involving student-athletes must have prior approval from the athletics department.

WHAT ABOUT STUDENT-ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT?

All student-athletes are eligible for employment during the regular academic year.

Student-athletes will continue to be eligible for employment during the University's official vacation periods (i.e., Christmas, Spring Break) and during the summer.

Very detailed rules regarding which student-athletes may be employed, when and how much money they can earn must be followed.

In addition, the compliance office must keep written records verifying all student-athlete employment.

WHAT ARE THE RULES GOVERNING GAMBLING?

Missouri S&T student-athletes, coaches and/or employees may not provide information to individuals involved in any type of organized gambling concerning sporting events.

In addition, Missouri S&T student-athletes, coaches and employees may not solicit or accept any wager on any intercollegiate or professional athletics contest, including, but not limited to, NCAA tournament brackets, fantasy sports, and Super Bowl pools.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES TO BOOSTERS FOR NCAA VIOLATIONS?

Missouri S&T University is required by NCAA regulations to notify boosters of consequences regarding rules violations.

Boosters found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets.