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Weekly Education

12/13/12

Recently, we met with our Business Office colleagues to discuss expense reimbursements for coaches, staff, and student managers. Please know that your money may become delayed if you are not properly documenting expenses in Concur. As a rule of thumb, please:

• Include a copy of all approved occasional meal forms
• Provide a brief explanation of each local meal provided to a student-athlete in the itemized receipt/expense comment area. For instance, meals should be denoted as occasional, training table, home competition related, etc... A missed meal due to practice is not a permissible or thorough explanation.

 It is not necessary to add documentation for each away-from-home meal; simply state the away-from-home competition opponent & date in your comments once. Following these simple steps will improve the speed of your future expense reimbursements. Please contact the Business Office at 574-631-8112 with questions regarding Concur and our office with any compliance concerns.

11/26/12

Practice Activities for Out-of-Season Sports

It is permissible for out-of-season practice activities to continue Monday, November 26 through this Sunday, December 2 (one week prior to finals). No out-of-season skill instruction/countable hours can take place after Sunday, December 2. This includes all countable hours, so, plan any team or individual meetings accordingly. An occasional meal holiday party does not constitute a countable activity and CAN take place beyond Sunday.

Holiday Cards & Prospective Student-Athletes

As the holidays approach, please keep in mind that traditional greeting cards cannot be mailed to prospects. Our staff is on hand to assist teams in producing creative and permissible alternatives to a traditional holiday card. Please contact us for assistance.

Alumni Club Hosting

It is permissible for an alumni club or athletics booster to assist financially with team meals or entertainment under the following circumstances:

MEALS - A meal may be provided to a team in the home of an alumni club member or booster. When this occurs, please submit an occasional meal form. Meals may be provided to a team in a restaurant by the university. Alumni clubs or boosters may pay for the meal, provided a donation has been made to the university in advance (for the anticipated cost of the meal) and is not paid directly by the club or a booster (e.g., to a restaurant). Alumni club members and/or boosters may be present at the meal.

ENTERTAINMENT - Team entertainment may be provided within 100 miles of an away-from-home competition site by the university. Again, an alumni club may donate funding in advance to the program for entertainment use. All donations must funnel through the Athletics Business Office.  

11/19/12

Thanksgiving Break Reminders

Student-athletes REQUIRED to remain on-campus over the holiday for practice or competition may receive room and board.  

• Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November 21  – Sunday, November 25, 2012
• Dorms are open during Thanksgiving Break
• Special Dining Hall Hours
• South will close after lunch Tuesday, November 20 and will reopen for dinner Sunday, November 25
• North will remain open with limited hours of operation (Tuesday 4:30-7:00, Wednesday 11-1:00 & 5-7:00, Thursday 8-9:30 & noon-3:30, Friday & Saturday 11-1:00 & 5-7:00, Sunday 11-1:00 & 4:30-7:00)

Meals or Per Diem

Teams may provide the following to student-athletes who are required to remain on-campus for practice or competition beginning with breakfast on Wednesday, November 21 through dinner on Sunday, November 25:

• It is permissible to provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner (actual meal OR per diem) plus one (1) additional meal (not cash)

Examples of a permissible “additional meal":

• Snack in conjunction with reasonable entertainment (e.g., popcorn and a soda when the team is at a movie);
• Team meal that is in addition to the 3 meals/per diem received by student-athletes

Entertainment

Teams required to stay on-campus for practice or competition may pay the actual costs (but may not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that takes place within a 30-mile radius of campus during vacation periods when classes are not in session.

Examples of reasonable entertainment within a 30-mile radius include:

• Tickets to a movie at a local movie theatre;
• Bowling at a local bowling alley

Practice Activities for Out-of-Season Sports

Please note that the official university academic calendar lists Thanksgiving break as Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 25….as such, it is permissible for out-of-season practice activities to resume on Monday, November 26 and continue through 1 week prior to finals (e.g., Sunday, December 2). No out-of-season skill instruction can take place after Sunday, December 2.

10/18/12

Can I send this to a prospect? Verifying that a prospect may be contacted permissibly in each manner (e.g., mail, email, text and direct social media messaging) is only the first step to sending materials to the PSA. Make sure you’re familiar with not only the “when” but also the “what” you can send.

General Correspondence/Mail (page 1 of the mailing)

• Page 1 only can be 1 side, single sheet of colored institutional letterhead including pictures
• Up to 8.5” x 11” in size
• You may turn your single sheet over and write or type a message (text) on the back

General Correspondence/Mail (pages 2+ of the mailing)

• Plain white paper with black ink; up to 8.5” x 11” in size
• Photographs may be printed on plain white paper with black/white ink
• Information and/or photographs may not be altered or staged for recruiting purposes
• Questionnaires, Camp Brochures, NCAA Educational Materials, Non-Athletic Institutional Materials (e.g., admissions brochure) may be sent anytime regardless of design

Email

• Can be colored institutional letterhead (branded email template) including pictures

Email, Text or Direct Social Media Attachments

• May be color
• Information and/or photographs may not be altered or staged for recruiting purposes
• Non-recruitment information (questionnaires, camp brochures, NCAA educational materials, non-athletic institutional materials, press releases, schedules) may be sent via attachment or hyperlink
• Video or audio may be sent via attachment or hyperlink if it was not created for a recruiting purpose

10/05/12

Fall Break begins next Saturday! Many student-athletes will remain on-campus and the dining halls will be closed. What does this mean for your team?

We can provide the cost of room and board to student-athletes required to remain on-campus for practice or competition during official vacation periods. We can provide:

• 3 meals per day – actual meals or per diem
• 1 additional (4^th meal) per day – actual meal only
• Fruits, nuts, bagels at any time

If a student-athlete resides at home during fall break, we cannot assist with room and board except to permit participation in team meals incidental to practice. Room and board may not be provided to male practice players participating on women’s teams.

Dining Hall Closure - Fall Break

South Dining Hall closes after dinner on Saturday, October 13, 2012

North Dining Hall closes after lunch on Friday, October 12, 2012

South Dining Hall will reopen with Brunch on Saturday, October 20, 2012

North Dining Hall will reopen with Dinner on Sunday, October 21, 2012

09/26/12

A student-athlete’s name, picture or likeness may not be used without their permission or for commercial gain. Last week, we saw numerous individuals attempt to raise money by selling leis for Manti. This was done without Manti’s permission and, in some instances, for profit. Wearing or selling leis was permissible; using Manti’s name to do so was not.

Please be mindful of NCAA rules as you support our athletics programs and student-athletes. Should you receive any inquiries from groups wanting to promote a specific activity involving a current student-athlete (e.g., wearing leis in the stadium, creating a Heisman endorsement), please refer them to our office. Thank you.       

09/19/12

Did you know that an institution cannot comment about the recruitment of a prospect (except to confirm recruitment) until they have signed the National Letter of Intent? What does this mean for you?

This weekend, several athletics teams will have prospective student-athletes on-campus for recruiting visits. Institutional staff members may not comment publically about Notre Dame’s recruitment of these prospects. This includes pictures or comments on social media sites (e.g., Twitter, Facebook walls, blogs). Please refrain from posting pictures of recruits during their visits and from commenting about their ability, possible contribution to a team, or likelihood of committing to Notre Dame. Should you have any questions, please contact our office. 

09/10/12

NCAA Rules - What CAN you provide a student-athlete?

As you interact with student-athletes, please know that you have opportunities to engage and mentor.  A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may receive an occasional meal from any university staff member.  This meal may occur on-campus, locally at a restaurant, or in the home of a staff member on infrequent and special occasions.  In addition to the meal, reasonable transportation may be provided to the student-athlete to attend.   At Notre Dame, we typically define occasional as once per month and require an occasional meal form (attached) be submitted to the Compliance Office.

09/04/12

The 2012-13 academic year is in full swing and many prospective student-athletes will be on-campus this weekend for recruiting visits. Please be mindful of NCAA rules as you interact with prospects and their families.

• Printed media guides may not be provided to prospects or those accompanying them during their visit.
• Game programs may be provided to prospects during visits and do not contain a poster during the 2012 football season. It is not necessary to remove the 125 Years of Notre Dame Football essay insert.
• Approval forms related to official or unofficial visits may be accessed via JumpForward. Academic transcripts (official visits), test scores (official visits), and visit itineraries (official and unofficial visits) must be uploaded into the prospect’s profile in JumpForward. Please contact the Compliance Office for any training.
• Off-campus contact with prospects on their unofficial visits may occur only after they’re of a contactable age (bylaw 13.1.1).

08/24/12

As we enter fantasy football league season, please be mindful that all Athletic Department employees are bound by the NCAA gambling policy stating that we cannot gamble on any sport that the NCAA sponsors, whether played at the college, other amateur, or professional level.  For example, because the NCAA sponsors football, you cannot gamble on football at any level – college, NFL, CFL, etc.   

The definition of “gambling” is broad and prohibits many activities:  placing bets on covered sporting events at a casino, through a third party, via online gaming or with a friend, and even participating in many popular fantasy leagues or other similar activities (e.g., March Madness pools, Super Bowl squares).  With respect to fantasy leagues, if BOTH an entry fee is required to enter AND you have the ability to win a prize, you cannot participate in the league.  You CAN enter a fantasy league with no entry fee even if you have the ability to win a prize in that league.

04/27/12

Please remember that this Sunday, April 29,  is the final day for skill instruction in all out-of-season sports, other than football.

17.1.6.2 Hour Limitations – Outside the Playing Season

All countable related activities outside the playing season are prohibited one week prior to the beginning of the final exam period for the applicable academic term through the conclusion of each student-athlete's final exams. 

17.1.6.3.7 Final Exam Period – During the Playing Season

Sports that are in-season may continue countable athletics activities during final exam periods and during study days leading to final exams.

03/28/12

Publicity of a PSA’s visit to campus

As a reminder, NCAA bylaw 13.10.5 states that an institution may not publicize or arrange the publicity of a prospective student-athlete’s visit to campus. Thus, unless a practice is open to the general public, media may not be present when recruits are attending a team’s practice during their official or unofficial visit.

03/12/12

As NCAA brackets are released, please remember that you cannot place or accept a bet on any sport that the NCAA sponsors. This includes entering any contest that includes BOTH an entry fee and the ability to win a prize. Only enter your bracket in free games!

03/06/12

Spring Break is Saturday, March 10 – Sunday, March 18

If student-athletes are required to attend practice and/or competition over break, they may receive the cost of room and board for those days that they are required to remain on-campus.

Meals

Dining halls will be closed Saturday, March 10 through lunch Sunday, March 18. Either a meal, or per diem for a missed meal, may be issued for the typical 3 meals per day. A 4^th meal (not per diem) may be offered to student-athletes to meet their nutrition needs.

Lodging

All dorms will remain open during spring break and students can remain in their rooms at no additional cost.  

If a student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, room and board may not be provided except to allow the student-athlete to participate in meals incidental to participation in practice/competition.

02/27/12

Postseason Events and Prospective Student-Athletes

As several of our programs prepare to host postseason events on-campus, please be mindful that the NCAA prohibits an institution from providing complimentary admissions to prospective student-athletes (and those accompanying them) for a postseason contest [13.6.7.2]. Prospective student-athletes, their families, and friends may purchase tickets to a postseason event in the same manner as the general public. Please contact our office with additional questions.

02/03/12

Boise State NCAA Infraction Report – What We Can Learn

The recent Boise State major infraction report cited several violations involving coaches who arranged free or reduced cost housing in the local community for prospective student-athletes during the summer prior to their initial enrollment. The PSAs' receipt of free or reduced cost housing violated NCAA rules regarding offers and inducements. However, it is important to note that the Committee also found a major violation when Boise State's coaches arranged local summer housing for PSAs even when the PSAs paid full and fair value for their expenses and documented their payments.

In the Boise State case, none of the prospects were enrolled in a summer session or reporting to preseason practice and, thus, were ineligible for institutional housing. They did participate in permissible voluntary workouts. The report speculated that the housing arrangements made by coaches saved the PSAs time, effort and possibly money.

Some points to remember:

• NLI signees continue to be prospects until they enroll full time and attend class during a regular academic term, enroll in and attend the summer bridge program, or participate in preseason practice or competition
• Do not provide housing (or any benefits) to PSAs arriving early on campus prior to permissible preseason practice or initial enrollment
• Do not facilitate or arrange housing for PSAs arriving early
• PSAs may reach out to student-athletes (on their own initiative) to seek housing (paying a reasonable rate)   

01/30/12

As a reminder, NCAA legislation prohibits Athletics Department staff members and student-athletes from knowingly participating in sports wagering activities or from providing information to individuals associated with any type of sports wagering activity concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition (including this weekend’s Super Bowl). Sports wagering is defined as putting something at risk, such as an entry fee, with the opportunity to win something in return. Thus, if you create a super bowl square, refrain from entering a competition in which BOTH an entry fee is required and a prize is awarded. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

01/11/12

Let’s continue to look at what we can provide to prospects, student-athletes and those affiliated with them. What CAN an institution provide to individuals associated with prospective student-athletes?  

Week 8 – Entertainment; Complimentary Admissions [13.8.1, page 114]

We are permitted to provide an individual associated with teaching or directing prospects (e.g., coach, teacher, guidance counselor) with up to 2 complimentary tickets via a pass list to a home intercollegiate athletics event.
  

Q: Can a high school coach purchase additional tickets?
A: Yes, tickets may be purchased by a coach in the same manner as the general public, if available.

Q: Can tickets be issued for a post season event or facility hosted event such as the Globetrotters?
A: No, only regular season intercollegiate competition.

Q: Does the 2012 Soldier Field football game qualify?   
A: No, tickets may only be issued at our home events within 30 miles of campus.

Q: Can I include a high school coach on the pass list for multiple games?
A: Yes, provided tickets are issued on an individual game basis (e.g., a season pass is not permissible).

Q: I’m hosting a coaches’ clinic, can I provide each participant with 2 tickets to a future game?
A: Yes, provided tickets are not issued at the clinic or mailed. Tickets must be issued on an individual game basis at the event on a pass list.

Q: Can I provide a high school coach anything else? Meal? Transportation? Lodging?
A: No. An institutional coaching staff member cannot entertain a prospect’s coach on or off-campus. However, an institutional department outside the athletics department (e.g., president's office, admissions) may host nonathletic high school, preparatory school or two-year college personnel (e.g., guidance counselors, principals) in conjunction with a home intercollegiate athletics event and may provide such individuals reasonable expenses (e.g., food, refreshments, parking, room) and a nominal gift, provided the visit is not related to athletics recruiting and there is no involvement by the institution's athletics department in the arrangements for the visit, other than providing (in accordance with established policy) free admissions to an athletics event.

01/05/12

Happy New Year! If the NCAA infraction reports from 2011 taught us anything, it’s the importance of every member of the department, our student-athletes, and supporters of Notre Dame communicating with the compliance staff.  

• Be our eyes & ears. Notify our office if you think an NCAA rule may have been violated.
• Ask questions.
• Use available resources – our staff, web site, written policies & forms, crack the manual!
• Follow policies. If you plan to provide a meal to a student-athlete, complete the approval form. If you’d like to donate memorabilia to a fundraiser, complete the approval form.
• Alert our office as you are made aware of the special needs of our student-athletes. If there is a permissible way for our office to lessen a burden, we’ll pursue it.

Thank you for all that you do to contribute to our success!

12/08/11

As the holidays approach, please keep in mind that traditional greeting cards cannot be mailed to prospects. Our staff is on hand to assist you in producing creative and permissible alternatives to a traditional holiday card. Please contact us for assistance.

12/02/11

Please keep in mind that skill instruction is to end 1 week prior to the start of finals for out-of-season sports (can occur through Dec. 4).

17.1.6.2 Hour Limitations – Outside the Playing Season

All countable related activities outside the playing season are prohibited one week prior to the beginning of the final exam period for the applicable academic term through the conclusion of each student-athlete's final exams. 

17.1.6.3.7 Final Exam Period – During the Playing Season

Sports that are in-season may resume daily and weekly countable athletically related hour limitations during final exam periods and during study days leading to final exams.

11/30/11

What CAN an institution provide student-athletes?  

Week 7 – Participation Awards [16.1.4.1, page 218]

All members of a team may be issued annual participation awards at a rate of once per year per team after the completion of their season. Equipment retained indefinitely by student-athletes (without payment of value) must be included in the limit. Typical participation awards include Monogram awards, team photos, plaques, framed jerseys and senior night flowers.

Eligible student-athletes may be issued additional awards for special achievements and events per NCAA bylaw 16.1. Each type of award has a maximum value limit and is reported to the Compliance Office. Student-athletes may not sell, trade or upgrade any items (including awards) that they receive due to their participation in athletics.

11/17/11

What CAN an institution provide student-athletes?  

Week 6 – Apparel for Team Travel or Community Service [16.8.1.9, page 227]

Don’t get your hopes up just yet! One shirt (e.g. polo, oxford) bearing our logo may be issued to a student-athlete to be worn for team events and/or travel. An additional manufacturer’s logo (e.g. Adidas) may appear on the shirt provided it doesn’t exceed 2 ¼ square inches.

As temperatures drop and teams continue to travel, it is important that our student-athletes are kept warm and are wearing appropriate gear (e.g. Adidas jackets rather than those of a competitor). It is permissible to provide jackets to student-athletes on a check-out/retrieval basis via the equipment room and we can make every effort to simplify this process for the student-athletes and coaches. Should a team be interested in implementing such a program, please contact our office or Kathy Speybroeck.

We continue to assist recommended student-athletes with a clothing allowance via the NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund. If you suspect a student-athlete does not have the means to purchase winter clothing, please alert our office.      

11/10/11

What CAN an institution provide the family of student-athletes?  

Week 5 – Reasonable Refreshments [16.6.1.5, page 224]

We are permitted to provide the family of student-athletes reasonable refreshments (e.g. soft drinks, snacks) in conjunction with educational meetings or celebratory events and on an occasional basis for other reasons. The NCAA provides us with a great opportunity to host our student-athlete’s families permissibly. This motivation has been used by coaches to welcome parents to campus, educate them or to invite them to special events. For instance, the men’s soccer program invited families to a Meet and Greet this fall featuring Jack and a member of the compliance staff.

Q: What constitutes a “snack”?
A: Finger foods (e.g. snack trays, appetizers), not a sit-down dinner!

Q: Can student-athletes attend?
A: Yes, it could be an occasional meal for the team or individual members

Q: Can non-family members attend?
A: Yes, but, non-relatives (e.g. friends, girlfriends, boyfriends) must pay the actual cost of the snack provided

11/04/11

What CAN an institution provide student-athletes?  

Week 4 – Team Entertainment [16.7, page 224]

In conjunction with a home contest, an institution may provide team entertainment in the form of a movie (rental, pay-per view, or movie theatre within 30 miles of campus) the evening before a contest without it being considered an extra benefit. Additionally, during a vacation period when classes are not in session and student-athletes are required to remain on-campus for practice/competition, an institution may pay the actual cost (but not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment within a 30 mile radius of campus.

During travel for an away-from-home contest, an institution may provide the actual cost (but not provide cash) for reasonable entertainment that takes place within 100 miles of where the team competes. During an extended road trip it is permissible for a team to provide entertainment at a site that is directly en route between two consecutive competition sites (in the immediate vicinity of where the team is residing or within 100 miles of a competition site). It is not permissible for an institution to schedule practice sessions at other locations in order to provide entertainment opportunities for team members.

10/26/11

What CAN an institution provide student-athletes?  

Week 3 – Assistance from the NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund [16.11.1.13, page 231]

Funding provided by the NCAA on an annual basis may be used to benefit student-athletes in all areas except to finance salaries, stipends, capital improvements, athletics development opportunities (e.g. personal batting cage rental, greens fees) and academic year grant-in-aid. At Notre Dame, we choose to support qualified student-athletes in at least the following areas:

Summer School Grant-in-Aid

Graduate School Expenses (application/testing fees, Kaplan courses)

Emergency Travel

Clothing Allowance

Academic Assistance (calculators, digital cameras, laptops, software)

10/13/11

What CAN institutional staff members provide student-athletes?  

Week 2 – Local Transportation [16.9.1, pages 227-228]

It is permissible for staff members to provide student-athletes with reasonable local transportation on an occasional basis. Keep in mind that student-athletes are enrolled/registered full time at Notre Dame (except during their final semester) and have begun classes for the term, or are attending the summer session as bridge program participants, or have reported to team practice (e.g. in August for football, soccer, volleyball). Prospects may not be provided transportation in the same manner as student-athletes (see 13.5 for exceptions).

Permitted

An occasional trip to the South Bend Airport

A ride to an occasional meal (restaurant, coach’s home)

A doctor’s appointment

Transportation or reimbursement of actual expenses during the playing season for media appearances

Not Permitted

A ride to O’Hare or Midway

Reimbursing a student-athlete for their own travel to an off-campus practice site

10/06/11

Often we focus on NCAA bylaws that limit interaction with, or benefits provided to, prospective and current student-athletes.  What CAN institutional staff members provide?  Stay tuned during the next several weeks as we outline permissible activities.  

Week 1 – Occasional Meals [16.11.1.5, page 230]

A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may receive an occasional meal from any university staff member.  This meal may occur on campus, locally at a restaurant, or in the home of a staff member on infrequent and special occasions.  In addition to the meal, reasonable transportation may be provided to the student-athlete to attend.   At Notre Dame, we typically define occasional as once per month and require an occasional meal form be submitted to the Compliance Office.

05/31/11

Just a little clarification as we approach June and you look to utilize the new off-campus recruiting exception to the baton rule for June, July and August (Proposal 2010-21). As discussed, the new exception allows a coach who is on the road recruiting to be replaced by another countable coach and then come back on the road without returning to campus. It is important to note, however, when using this exception that at no time can the permissible number of off-campus recruiters be exceeded in one day. For example, in the sport of softball, the permissible number of off-campus recruiters is 2. Let’s say on Wednesday, June 1 both Deanna and Kris are on the road recruiting. Deanna leaves the softball field at noon and goes on vacation with her family with the intention of getting back on the road recruiting immediately following her vacation (without returning to S. Bend). Even though Deanna is done with all recruiting activity at noon, Lizzy may not begin recruiting until Thursday, June 2. This is different than the regular baton rule, which would allow Lizzy to begin recruiting as soon as Deanna stops all recruiting activities. If the regular baton rule is used (Lizzy begins recruiting on the same day), Deanna would be required to return to campus prior to going back out on the road.

05/16/11

For those teams still participating in post season play, please keep in mind that expenses (room & board) may be provided while student-athletes are required to remain on campus during the vacation period in preparation for competition. Should a student-athlete return to campus following a season-ending competition, room and board expenses may be provided for no more than 48 hours following their return. [16.5.2]

04/18/11
16.11.1.6 Retention of Athletics Apparel & Equipment

04/14/11

REMINDER** If your sport is in the out-of-season segment of the playing season (8 hours per week), the follow apply to you:

April 15 (Friday) is the last day which you can have more than 4 student-athletes for individual skill instruction. Beginning April 16, you must have 4 or less student-athletes at any individual skill instructionny individual skill instruction.

04/04/11
Non-Institutional Camp & Clinic Employment Reminders – Turn in Approval Forms!

03/28/11

Telephone Calls Related to Academic Information
It is permissible for a non-coaching staff member or a non-countable coach to place a call to a prospect’s academic institution prior to the signing of an NLI or the receipt of a financial deposit provided the call is related to admissions or academic issues and nothing additional (non-academic) is discussed.

Staff Interpretation Telephone Calls to Guidance Counselors for Academic Information (I)

Date Published: March 18, 2011
Interpretation: The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a telephone call to the appropriate academic authority at the prospective student-athlete's educational institution (e.g., registrar, guidance counselor) related to admissions or academic issues is not a recruiting coordination function provided there is no solicitation of the prospective student-athlete and nothing beyond the prospective student-athlete's academic qualifications is discussed.

03/14/11
Travel Expense Restrictions
Typically when a team travels to competition, they may depart not earlier than 48 hours prior to the actual competition and may remain not more than 36 hours (24 hours in men’s basketball) following the conclusion of the actual competition.

Multi-Day/Competition Event Exceptions
A June 16, 1994 Official Interpretation states that in a situation where the 48-hour departure limitation is applicable, an institution that is participating in a multi-competition event (e.g., conference tournament) may depart 48 hours prior to the event's first round of competition (as opposed to 48 hours prior to the institution's first scheduled competition).

A March 10, 2011 NCAA Staff Interpretation clarified that when a team participates in a multi-day event such as a conference tournament, a team may return not more than 36 hours (24 in men’s basketball) following the conclusion of the last contest, even if the institution is not participating in the last contest.
Reference 16.8.1.2.1

03/07/11
New legislation introduced this year stated that coaches cannot make a written promise or offer of financial aid to a prospective student-athlete prior to August 1 of their senior year in high school per 13.9.2.2. Is it permissible to send an email to a prospect’s high school coach stating that they intend to offer financial aid prior to this date?

02/28/11
Scoreboard/Video Board. Last week we revisited one thing that we cannot do with our video board (introduce a prospect at a media/public function). Recently, the NCAA posted an interpretation which addresses the permissible use of a video board during a prospective student-athlete’s visit. Something we can do!

NCAA Staff Interpretation- 2/16/11- Use of a Scoreboard/Video Board to Display Permissible Audio/Video Materials to a Prospective Student-Athlete (I)- states that an institution is permitted to use a scoreboard or video board to show a video to a prospective student-athlete visiting the institution, provided the video was not created for recruiting purposes.

02/21/11
Around the NCAA. The University of Alabama came under fire over the weekend for allegedly displaying football coach Nick Saban, seated with high school recruit Barry Sanders Jr., on the institution’s video board during the Tide’s basketball win Saturday over Arkansas. The jury is still out regarding whether the still shots displayed on the internet were courtesy of Alabama’s Athletic Department or the Fox Sports television broadcast, a non-institutional agency of which the university is not liable. Should an investigation find that the institution displayed the pair, a secondary recruiting violation will be reported per bylaw 13.10.

13.10.6 Introduction of Prospective Student-Athlete. An institution may not introduce a visiting prospective student-athlete at a function (e.g., the institution's sports award banquet or an intercollegiate athletics contest) that is attended by media representatives or open to the general public. (Revised: 1/14/97) In addition, it would not be permissible for a visiting prospect's name or picture to appear on an institution's scoreboard or electronic screen that is view by those in attendance at an intercollegiate contest. (Ed. Column 12/23/86)

02/14/11
Media Guides & Prospective Student-Athletes

As you may recall, 13.4.1.1.2 currently permits coaches to provide media guides to allowable prospects via an electronic storage device such as a thumb drive. This will not be the case next academic year. With the adoption of NCAA Proposal 2010-38-B, institutions may only provide a media guide to a prospect via an electronic mail attachment or hyperlink. This proposal is applicable to all media guides for the 2011-12 academic year and thereafter.

Keep in mind that printed media guides may never be distributed to prospects, their parents, guardians, coaches or educational institution. Furthermore, guides associated with the 2011-12 academic year may only be distributed to a prospect via an email attachment or hyperlink.

02/07/11
Q: Is it permissible for a coach to write a letter of recommendation for a prospective student-athlete if they have signed an NLI?

A: Regardless of signing an NLI, coaches may not write letters of recommendation on behalf of prospects pursuant to NCAA Bylaws 13.2.1 (offers & inducements) and 13.11.2 (comments prior to signing).

01/31/11
Is a videoconference service such as Skype considered a “telephone contact” for Bylaw 13 purposes?

Yes. Bylaw 13.02.14 specifies that videoconferencing and the use of videophones are considered telephone calls. Pursuant to Bylaw 13.1.3.2.2, if a prospective student-athlete initiates and pays the expenses of a telephone call (or videoconference), the call is not considered a countable telephone call. However, if an institution's coach conducts a videoconference with a prospective student-athlete at the prospective student-athlete's high school and the prospective student-athlete uses the high school videoconference equipment at no cost, even if the prospective student-athlete initiates the call to the coach from the high school, the videoconference is considered a countable telephone call because the prospective student-athlete is not paying for the expense of the videoconference.

01/24/11
Student Host Money During an Official Visit

13.6.7.5 states that a maximum of $30 per day may be provided to a student host during an official visit to cover all actual costs of entertaining the student host, prospective student-athlete and the prospect’s parents, legal guardians or spouse.

01/17/11
Permitted Increase to Grant-in-Aid
Institutional financial aid may be increased for any reason prior to the commencement of the period of the award. Once the period of the award begins, institutional aid may only be increased if the institution can demonstrate that such an increase is unrelated in any manner to an athletics reason. Keep in mind that once classes begin tomorrow, any grant-in-aid agreements submitted will be prorated based on those days remaining in the term per bylaw 15.3.1.3 which states that aid cannot be awarded retroactively.

01/03/11
Reminder: You may not initiate or accept a friend request to/from a prospect until the PSA is of age to send general correspondence/email (for all sports other than men’s basketball and hockey September 1 of junior year). Additionally, even once a prospect is of a permissible contact age, coaches still cannot post to social media message boards and/or user walls. Please see the Tip Sheet above for Facebook and Twitter.

Derek Dooley's Facebook post results in NCAA violation for Tennessee

USAToday.com

The social network has snagged Tennessee. The school was forced to report a secondary violation with the NCAA because Vols coach Derek Dooley posted on the Facebook wall of a recruit

According to a story by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Dooley was conversing with high school senior Nick O'Leary, the grandson of Jack Nicklaus, through Facebook's email function during the summer. In the course of responding to O'Leary, Dooley inadvertently posted on the wall of the highly rated tight end prospect from Dwyer High School in West Palm Beach, Fla.

That caught the eye of the SEC offices, who notified the school of the potential violation. According to a NCAA bylaw "electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians) is limited to electronic mail and facsimiles."

The post was removed and Tennessee filed a response to the violation, saying Dooley was aware of the incorrect post that was sent while using his mobile phone. The NCAA told Dooley not to use his phone to respond to Facebook messages and was set to receive "technical instruction in the use of the Facebook application on his mobile phone."

O'Leary is no longer considering Tennessee and will announce his college destination next month.

12/20/10
Department personnel are required to notify the Compliance Office of any non-institutional camps or clinics that they intend to work prior to participating (form attached). In sports other than basketball, an institution's athletic department personnel may serve in any capacity (counselor, guest lecturer, consultant) in a non-institutional, privately owned camp or clinic, provided the camp or clinic is operated in accordance with restrictions applicable to institutional camps (open to any and all entrants, no free or reduced admission to or employment of athletics award winners). In football, participation in such camps or clinics is limited to two periods of 15 consecutive days in the months of June and July or any calendar week that includes days from those months.

12/14/10
12.5.1 Promotional Activities

Camp Brochures. An institution may use a student-athlete's name or picture ONLY in the camp counselor section in its camp brochure to identify the student-athlete as a staff member. A student-athlete with remaining eligibility may not be used to directly advertise or promote a camp or clinic in any additional manner.

Game Tickets.  An institution is permitted to utilize a game ticket that has the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete on the face of the ticket and a commercial company's coupon or advertisement (unrelated to the student-athlete) on the back of the ticket.

Schedule Cards. An advertisement on an institution's wallet-size playing schedule that includes the name or picture of a student-athlete may include language other than the commercial product's name, trademark or logo, provided the commercial language does not appear on the same page as the picture of the student-athlete.

Non-Printed Items. In general, it is not permissible for institutional nonprinted promotional items (e.g., t-shirts, cups, bobble head dolls) that bear the name, picture or appearance of an enrolled student-athlete with remaining eligibility to include any commercial trademark or logo. However, it is permissible for a student-athlete's name or picture to appear on a nonprinted promotional item (e.g., t-shirts, cups, bobble head doll) that also includes a commercial entity's trademark or logo, provided the only trademark or logo appearing on the item belongs to the commercial entity that manufactured the item.  Further, the commercial entity may not be cosponsor of the promotional activity and all other conditions of Bylaw 12.5.1.1 must be satisfied.  A commercial entity becomes a cosponsor if the commercial entity is involved, directly or indirectly, in advertising or promoting the activity.

12/06/10
Should student-athletes compete in noncollegiate amateur competition during a permissible period as outlined in Bylaw 14.7, please be mindful that they cannot accept any money or prizes based on performance or place finish. Outside teams and organizations may pay actual and necessary travel, room and board expenses to all participants and may not base such compensation on performance.

12.1.2.1.5 Payment based on performance. Any payment, including actual and necessary expenses, conditioned on the individual's or team's place finish or performance or given on an incentive basis, or receipt of expenses in excess of the same reasonable amount for permissible expenses given to all individuals or team members involved in the competition.

11/22/10
The early NLI Signing Period ended Wednesday, November 17 for many sports. Did you know that coaches may begin texting prospects the calendar day after they’ve signed the NLI with their institution?

13.4.1.2.1 After the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to the prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by the institution with which the prospective student-athlete has signed. For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospective student-athlete who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day on which the prospective student-athlete signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid. (Adopted: 1/14/08)

11/08/10
As members of the Athletics Department, please be mindful that gambling is prohibited by student-athletes and individuals employed by (or associated with) a member NCAA institution athletics program per Bylaw 10. We are not to place, accept or solicit a wager on any sport that the NCAA sponsors (including intercollegiate, amateur and professional contests). Participation in online sports wagering is impermissible if BOTH an entry fee is required and prizes are awarded.

11/02/10
13.1.7.20 Off-campus observation of a prospective student-athlete via video made available by a recruiting or scouting service is considered an evaluation activity and is subject to applicable evaluation regulations. (adopted 01/16/10)

Questions regarding this legislation on the NCAA coaches exam were missed by several employees this summer. A helpful interpretation (below) was released in October that assists us in defining “off-campus” as it relates to the location at which the coach views the PSA video.

Observation of Prospective Student-Athletes on Video (I)
Interpretation:

The academic and membership affairs staff reviewed several issues related to the observation of prospective student-athletes on videos and determined the following:

a. If video that includes prospective student-athletes is delivered to an institutional coaching staff member, or if an institutional coaching staff member accesses video provided by a recruiting or scouting service to which the institution subscribes, the observation of prospective student-athletes on such a video at an off-campus site (e.g., the coach's home) is not considered an "off-campus activity" and, thus, is not included in the permissible number of evaluations in the applicable sport.

b. If an authorized institutional coaching staff member visits a prospective student-athlete's educational institution during the evaluation period, the institution is charged with an evaluation for all prospective student-athletes at the educational institution. If, during the visit, the coaching staff member receives video that includes prospective student-athletes, or accesses video provided by a recruiting or scouting service to which the institution subscribes, the observation of the video at an off-campus site is not considered an additional evaluation.

c. If an authorized institutional coaching staff member makes a contact with a prospective student-athlete at the prospective student-athlete's educational institution, and, during the visit, receives video that includes prospective student-athletes or accesses video provided by a recruiting or scouting service to which the institution subscribes, the observation of the video at an off-campus site is not considered an evaluation.

d. If an institutional coaching staff member attends an off-campus recruiting event at which he or she observes video of prospective student-athletes, such observation is considered an evaluation activity and is subject to the applicable regulations related to the evaluation of prospective student-athletes.

10/27/10
The baseball coaches at Ocean State University are conducting a coaches clinic this weekend. One of the high school coaches attending is bringing a few of his players to serve as demonstrators.

10/18/10
The early signing period for the National Letter of Intent is quickly approaching. Please keep in mind that a prospective student-athlete must:

• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to signing an NLI
• Be placed on the institutional request list (IRL) prior to signing an NLI

10/04/10
According to ESPN, IU Men’s Basketball is denying any involvement in the "1,000 Hoosier Fans For Cody Zeller" campaign sweeping Facebook. Cody, a top 20 recruit, is the brother of Tyler (North Carolina ‘12) and Luke (Notre Dame ‘09).

09/27/10
Q: Is it permissible for a prospective student-athlete (or their accompanying family members) to accept tickets in a non-general seating area during an unofficial visit?

A: No. When a PSA visits the university and has contact with a member of the coaching staff, the visit becomes an evaluation and is subject to unofficial visit regulations. During an unofficial visit, PSAs and those accompanying them may be offered up to three complimentary admissions via a pass list to a home athletics event in the general seating area of the facility.

13.7.2.1 - General Restrictions. During an unofficial visit, the institution may not pay any expenses or provide any entertainment except a maximum of three complimentary admissions (issued only through a pass list) to a home athletics event at any facility within a 30-mile radius of a member institution's main campus in which the institution's intercollegiate team practices or competes. Such complimentary admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospective student-athlete and those persons accompanying the prospective student-athlete on the visit and must be issued on an individual-game basis. Such admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility used for conducting the event. Providing seating during the conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's parents (or legal guardians) or spouse in the facility's press box, special seating box(es) or bench area is specifically prohibited. (Revised:1/10/90 effective 8/1/90, 1/11/94, 4/24/03)

09/20/10
IN THE NEWS: NCAA Takes a Critical Look at Extra Benefits & Student-Athlete Contact with Agents

(a) Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of his or her athletics ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or

(b) An agent, even if the agent has indicated that he or she has no interest in representing the student-athlete in the marketing of his or her athletics ability or reputation and does not represent individuals in the student-athlete's sport. (Adopted: 1/14/97)

The June 10, 2010 NCAA public infractions report indicated an assistant USC football coach had knowledge of the impermissible relationship between former student-athlete Reggie Bush, and two registered sports agents. As Athletic Department administrators and staff, we have an obligation to report findings to Compliance and to the NCAA. As always,

ASK BEFORE YOU ACT 574-631-9647

University of Notre Dame
Department of Athletics

NCAA Compliance Office

113 Joyce Center

Notre Dame, IN 46556

Phone (574) 631-9647

Fax (574) 631-9961

Athletics Department Main Phone Number: (574) 631-6107

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University of Notre Dame

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Thursday, November 4, 2010