

Untitled Document
Information
for our friends and fans of Yale Athletics
As alumni, fans,
and friends of Yale Athletics, we share responsibility for compliance. Although
it is not exhaustive, this list of commonly asked questions addresses many of
the critical areas of compliance. Should you have specific questions, do not
hesitate to contact the Yale University Athletic Compliance Office at (203-432-7668).
Remember:
Always ask before you act!
Who is
a current student-athlete?
A student who is enrolled fulltime at Yale University and is a member of a varsity
or junior varsity sport team. This includes student-athletes who have exhausted
their competition eligibility but are still enrolled.
Who is
a prospective student-athlete?
A student becomes a "prospect" when they begin classes for the ninth
grade, OR if the institution provides that student with any financial assistance
or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students
generally. . In addition, student-athletes enrolled in preparatory school or
two-year colleges, or those who have officially with drawn from a four-year
school, are considered prospects.
Who is
a representative of athletic interests at Yale?
A representative of Yale's athletic interests (booster) is anyone who
has participated in or is a member of an agency or organization which promotes
Yale's athletic program; has made any financial contribution to the athletics
department or to any of our sport associations; have assisted or have been requested
(by athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects; have
provided benefits e.g. summer jobs to enrolled student-athletes or their families;
or have been involved in promoting Yale's athletic programs. Once you
become a booster, you retain that identity indefinitely.
What is
recruiting?
Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect's parent(s) or
legal guardian(s) by a Yale University staff member for the purpose of securing
the prospect's enrollment at Yale and ultimate participation in Yale's
athletic program. Recruiting activities include correspondence, e-mail, IM,
faxes, telephone conversations, in-person contacts (on and off campus), and
evaluations.
What is a Contact?
A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and a Yale University staff member or booster
during which any dialogue in excess of an exchange of a greeting occurs. Any
encounter that is prearranged or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect's
school or at the site of organized competition or practice is considered a contact
regardless of the conversation (including a greeting) that occurs.
What is an extra benefit?
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or
booster to provide a current student-athlete, prospect, or their relatives or
friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Examples of
impermissible recruiting inducements and extra benefits include, but are not
limited to, the following:
- Cash or loans
in any amount, or signing or cosigning for a loan.
- Gifts of any
kind, including birthday and holiday gifts.
- Free or reduced-cost
services such as car repairs, haircuts, tutoring, etc.
- The use of an
automobile.
- Free or reduced
rent or housing.
- Tickets to an
athletic or community event.
- Academic course
supplies or assistance.
- Arranging the
employment of the relatives or friends of a prospect or student-athlete.
- Entertaining
a prospect or prospect's family or legal guardian on or off campus.
Is the Yale Athletic Department responsible for the
actions of its boosters and athletic associations?
Yes. Boosters are subject to the same NCAA and institutional rules that govern
Yale Athletics staff members. If a violation of these rules occurs, even unintentionally,
it may jeopardize a prospect's or current student-athlete's eligibility.
Can boosters be involved in the recruiting process?
Boosters are prohibited in engaging in any recruiting activities either on or
off campus. A booster can speak on the phone to a prospect only if the prospect
initiates the telephone call and the call is not for recruiting purposes.
Is there any way a booster can help identify prospects?
A booster can assist the coaching staff in the recruiting process by notifying
them of any student they think would be a strong addition to the athletics program.
Boosters may also send Yale's coaching staff any newspaper clippings or
other information about prospects. The coach can then make the appropriate contact.
Boosters are also permitted to attend high school or two year college athletic
contests or other events where prospects may compete on their own. Boosters
are not permitted to contact the prospect or the prospect's parent(s) or legal
guardian(s) at these events.
What if I am a friend of the family, a relative, or
a neighbor of a prospect?
The booster may continue the existing relationship, but is not permitted to
discuss Yale's athletics program for the purpose of recruiting. Encourage
the family to contact Yale's athletics department directly.
Is it permissible for a booster to arrange employment
for a prospect or student-athlete during the summer?
It is permissible for a booster to arrange employment for a prospect in the
summer only after they have accepted Yale's offer of admission and after
the prospect has graduated from high school. It is permissible for a booster
to arrange employment for a current student-athlete provided the student-athlete
is compensated for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the
going rate for similar services. The student-athlete must register their employment
with the Athletic Compliance Office in the Yale Athletic Department.
Is it permissible for a booster to arrange employment
for a current student-athlete during the academic year?
It is permissible for a booster to arrange employment for a current student-athlete.
The student-athlete must be compensated for work actually performed and at a
rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services. The student-athlete
must register their employment with the Athletic Compliance Office in the Yale
Athletic Department.
Is it permissible for a booster to have a student-athlete
or team over to his/her home for a meal?
Yes. A student-athlete or team may receive an occasional home meal from a booster
under the following conditions:
The meal is in an individual's home, not a restaurant. The meal may be catered.
The meal is restricted to infrequent and special occasions.
Reasonable, local transportation may be provided.
The Athletic Compliance Office approves the occasional meal in advance.
When a Yale team is competing in a city where I live,
can I provide a meal to the team and coaches?
Yes, it is permissible for a booster, or alumni group to host an event that
includes the entire team while they are at an away from home competition. However,
if parents are accompanying the team, they will have to pay for the meal.
The information contained in this list of frequently asked questions
does not represent every possible question or situation. If you have any questions
regarding prospects, student-athletes, or NCAA rules and regulations, please
contact Amy Backus/Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance at 203-432-7668 or
amy.backus@yale.edu
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