NCAA Rules

A Note from the Athletic Director

The information in this brochure is presented as a quick reference designed to provide a basic understanding of NCAA rules. Fairfield University appreciates your interest and support but reminds you that inappropriate contact or an inadvertent action on your part can jeopardize the eligibility of our prospects and student-athletes. The purpose of this brochure is to help you and others better understand these rules.

Eugene P. Doris

Director of Athletics

NCAA Bylaw 13.01.5.1 States ...

"In Division I, representatives of an institution's athletics interests are prohibited from making in-person, on or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephonic communications with a prospect or the prospect's parents or legal guardians."

Contacts with Prospects

1. Only coaches and athletic department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. All "athletic representatives" who are not employees of Fairfield University are prohibited from contacting a prospective student-athlete or members of the prospect's family by telephone, letter or in person on or off-campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in athletics at Fairfield.

2. Do not become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relatives or friends to receive money or financial aid of any kind.

3. Do not provide any transportation to prospects including transportation to campus to attend athletic events.

4. Do not contact the prospect's coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of recruiting the prospect.

5. Fairfield University athletic representatives cannot provide an "extra benefit" or special arrangement to a prospect or to an enrolled student-athlete.

Examples of extra benefits that you cannot provide an athlete include, but are not limited to:

• signing or co-signing a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.
• giving gifts of any kind (e.g., clothing, airline tickets, or holiday cards or gifts) or services (e.g., car repair, dental)
• providing special discounts for goods or services.

However...

6. Do feel free to attend high school and community college athletic events. You simply cannot have any contact with the prospect or relatives of the prospect. Should the parents of a prospect ask you questions about Fairfield's athletics program, direct their questions to the appropriate coach at Fairfield. You can assist the coaching staff by notifying them of any student you think would be an asset to the athletic program. The coach can then make the appropriate contact with the prospect.

7. As an athletic representative, you can continue friendships with families who have prospective or enrolled student-athletes (e.g., backyard barbecues, picnics). You simply cannot encourage a prospect's participation in Fairfield athletics or provide benefits to a student-athlete.

Contacts and Benefits to Student-Athletes

1. Do not entertain student-athletes, their friends or relatives.

2. Do not provide awards to student-athletes including post season awards.

3. Do not use the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote the sale of or use of a commercial product of any kind.

4. Do not provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement. Only actual and necessary travel expenses can be provided when an athlete speaks to educational or charitable groups.

However...

5. Do feel free to invite a student-athlete to your home for an occasional home meal. The meal must be provided in an individual's home (as opposed to a restaurant) and must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions.

6. Do feel free to invite a team for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing away from home. The NCAA permits student-athletes AS A TEAM to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals. Arrangements for such events must be made in advance with the head coach or Athletics Department.

NCAA Rules Regarding Employment Of Prospective And Enrolled Student-Athletes

1. Do not provide employment for student-athletes during the academic year without contacting the Fairfield University Athletics Department first. The NCAA has strict rules about the amount and source of employment income a student-athlete may receive during the academic year.

2. Do not provide transportation for prospects or student-athletes that you employ.

3. NCAA rules stipulate that compensation may be paid to a student-athlete only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

4. Compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletic ability.

However...

5. Do pay student-athletes employed by you for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the community and your own business.

6. Do notify the head coaches or the Athletics Department of job possibilities for student-athletes.

Lyons-Lademan Athletic Fund

The Lyons-Lademan Athletic Fund falls under the direction of the University's Advancement Division and works in cooperation with the Departments of Athletics and Recreation. Lyons-Lademan Athletic Fund is the one vehicle which Fairfield University has set up for those who wish to make a gift to athletics. Its annual goal is to assist the athletic department in providing resources for supplemental expenses for its various varsity and club teams while adhering to NCAA rules and regulations.

Representatives of an institution's athletic interests (i.e. alumni, faculty, athletic donors, friends) are prohibited from making any type of contact with prospective student-athletes or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians.

If you have any questions or would like to know how to make a gift to your favorite Stag team through the Lyons-Lademan Athletic Fund, simply call (203) 254-4000, ext. 2024 for a brochure.

Any further questions should be directed to: