Institutional Control

Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA Legislation. Specifically, the NCAA constitution states that the University of Illinois must:

• Control its intercollegiate athletic programs in compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA
• Monitor its program to insure compliance
• Identify and report to the NCAA instances in which compliance has not been achieved and take corrective actions; and
• Insure those members of the University staff, student-athletes and other individuals or groups representing the University's athletic interests comply with NCAA rules and regulations

Compliance with NCAA rules is of the highest priority for our athletic program and institution. As a member of the NCAA, the University is responsible for the actions of its alumni, supporters and fans. Even the best-intentioned action on your part may be a violation of NCAA rules. Please contact the Compliance Office if you have any questions about any NCAA rules or their application.

Recruiting Definitions You Should Know

Representative of Athletics Interest

NCAA rules refer to boosters as "representatives of the institution's athletic interests." These representatives include anyone who has:

• Held season tickets for any sport at the University of Illinois
• Participated in or has been a member of an organization promoting Illinois athletics programs (e.g., Rebounders, Courtsiders, Quarterback Club and other booster groups);
• Made financial contributions to the athletic department or to an Illinois booster organization;
• Arranged for or provided employment for enrolled student-athletes;
• Assisted or has been requested by Illinois staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
• Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student- athletes or their families;
• Participated as a varsity athlete at the University of Illinois; or
• Been involved otherwise in promoting Illinois athletics

Please be reminded that once an individual is identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests," the person retains their identity forever.

Prospective Student-Athlete

A prospective student-athlete is defined by the NCAA as any person who has:

• Started classes for the ninth grade in sports other than men's basketball;
• Started classes for the seventh grade in men's basketball; or
• Ever received any financial assistance or other benefit prospective students do not generally receive.

Recruiting Activities

Recruiting is defined by the NCAA as:

• Any solicitation of a prospective student-athlete or the prospect's relatives or guardian by an institutional staff member or booster for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment and participation in any Illinois athletic program.

Contact

The NCAA defines a contact as:

• Any face-to-face encounter between a prospective student-athlete or the prospect's relatives or guardian and an institutional staff member or booster during which dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting; or
• Any such face-to-face encounter that is prearranged 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 is considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.

Important Recruiting Facts To Remember

Only institutional staff members are permitted to recruit prospective student-athletes. The NCAA prohibits all boosters from engaging in recruiting activities including but not limited to:

• Contacting prospects or the prospect's relatives or guardian; and
• Calling, writing or contacting a prospect on- or off- campus for recruiting purposes.

Students are still considered prospects even if they have signed a National Letter of Intent or any other financial aid agreement with Illinois.

A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect until one of the following occurs (whichever is earlier):

• He/she attends the first day of classes at Illinois;
• He/she participates in official team practice; or
• He/she enrolls in summer school at Illinois.

Boosters are not precluded from continuing established friendships with families who have prospective student-athletes. However, boosters may not:

• Encourage a prospect's participation in Illinois athletics; or
• Provide benefits to prospects that were not previously provided.

If you have any questions about continuing relationships with families of prospective student-athletes, please contact the Compliance Office.

Impermissable Recruiting Activities

As a booster, you may not:

• Contact a prospect in-person on-campus or off- campus;
• Contact a prospect by telephone, e-mail, internet or letter;
• Provide gifts or free or reduced-cost services to a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian;
• Employ relatives, guardians or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the prospect's enrollment and athletics participation at Illinois;
• Become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to receive money or financial aid of any kind;
• Provide transportation for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian;
• Provide free or reduced-cost tickets for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to attend an athletic event; or
• Provide any material benefit (e.g., meals, cash) to the coach of a prospect, including high school, two-year college, AAU and summer team coaches.

Permissible Activities

Even though there are many rules prohibiting your involvement with prospects and the recruiting process, as a booster, you may:

• Notify Illinois coaching staff members about noteworthy prospects in the area;
• Attend high school or two-year college athletic contests or other events where prospects may compete, provided no contact occurs; and
• Continue existing friendships, provided solicitation of a prospect's enrollment does not occur.

Employment of Prospective Student-Athletes

NCAA rules stipulate that boosters may not employ or arrange employment of a high school prospective student-athlete until the prospect has completed all classes and graduated from high school.

NCAA rules also stipulate that boosters may not employ or arrange employment of a two-year college prospective student-athlete until the prospect has officially withdrawn from or completes requirements for graduation at the two-year college.

As you can see, stringent rules govern the employment of prospective student-athletes. You must contact the Compliance Office for information before arranging such employment.

Employment of Enrolled Student-Athletes

Student-athletes and their employers must report all employment that occurs between the first day of fall classes and the last day of spring semester final exams. This notification must be made by the student-athlete to the Compliance Office prior to the commencement of employment.

• Student-athletes and employers must sign a written statement specifying the student-athlete has not been hired based on athletics reputation.
• Student-athletes may only be compensated for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate.
• Transportation may not be provided to student-athletes unless it is a benefit provided to all employees.

More Definitions You Should Know

Enrolled Student-Athlete

The NCAA defines an enrolled student-athlete as a student who is enrolled at Illinois and is presently participating in athletics or has completed his/her eligibility but is still enrolled at Illinois.

Extra Benefit

The NCAA defines an extra benefit as any special gift or arrangement provided to an enrolled student-athlete or an enrolled student-athlete's friends, relatives or guardian that is not available to the general student body or general public. Such benefits are not permitted by NCAA rules.

Examples of Impermissible Extra Benefits

As a booster, you may not provide a student-athlete or a student-athlete's friends, relatives or guardians:

• Tickets to college or professional sporting events
• A special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase or service;
• Cash or loan or signing or co-signing of a loan;
• Transportation, payment of expense or loan of any automobile;
• Benefits or gifts based upon the student-athlete's athletic performance;
• Free or reduced rent or housing; or
• An honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.

Permissible Benefits To Enrolled Student-Athletes

With the various NCAA rules and regulations regarding benefits to student-athletes, it may seem difficult to be a part of Illinois athletic programs. However, you can show your support as a booster in other ways. Boosters may:

• Make contributions to Illinois athletic programs through Varsity "I" Association and other gift-in-kind arrangements. Contact the I FUND office or visit IAMTHEIFUND.com for various contribution methods;
• Attend Illinois athletic events and show student- athletes you support their hard work and dedication to the University; and
• Meet with student-athletes during Illinois sponsored pre-season and post-season events.

Thank you...

For your support of Illinois athletics.

You are a vital contributor to the success of Illinois athletics. As such, it is important that you assist us by adhering to all NCAA rules. Even though your intentions may be to always help promote Illinois athletics, please be sure your actions do not violate NCAA rules. If a violation occurs, it may:

• Jeopardize a student-athlete's eligibility for intercollegiate competition;
• Jeopardize Illinois' membership status with the NCAA and result in sanctions against the university and
• Cause you to lose your access to all booster benefits.

For more information, visit FIGHTINGILLINI.com/compliance.

If you have any questions regarding NCAA rules, you may direct your inquiries to:

Tessi Taylor
Compliance Coordinator
Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building
1700 S. Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 300-0756
FAX: (217) 244-9759
Email: tmtaylor@illinois.edu
Twitter: @UofICompliance

The success we seek to achieve must be success that is earned by honest and ethical effort, and must be guided by our desire to achieve the highest level of integrity in all of our endeavors. Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff, coaches and student-athletes will communicate honestly and develop relationships that are built upon trust. The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will continually monitor itself in an effort to maintain the highest level of integrity and to help ensure that all personnel and student-athletes conduct themselves in a manner consistent with institutional and departmental policies and procedures, as well as NCAA and Big Ten Conference rules.