Missouri Western State University Athletics

Compliance

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MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
SUPPORTING THE GRIFFONS:  A GUIDE TO NCAA REGULATIONS
 
Thank you for your continued support of Griffon athletics.  Missouri Western State University is committed to excellence in academics and athletics.  Compliance with NCAA rules and regulations are of the utmost importance to the university.  As a member of the NCAA and MIAA Conference, Missouri Western is responsible for the actions of its coaches, student-athletes and staff, as well as alumni, boosters and fans.
 
This guide has been provided as a reference regarding the guidelines for conduct of our supporters.  It is not comprehensive to all situations that may occur, so we encourage you to call the athletics office at (816) 271-4481 with any specific questions.  Thank you in advance for your thoughtful review of this information.
 
WHO IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY’S ATHLETICS INTERESTS?
 
You are a “Representative of Athletics Interests” if:

• You have ever been a member of a Griffon athletics booster club (i.e. Gold Coat Club)
• You have ever made contributions, financial or service, to Missouri Western athletic programs
• You have assisted or have been asked to assist in the recruitment of prospects
• You have ever helped arrange or have provided employment or any other benefits to prospective or enrolled student-athletes
• You have assisted or have been asked to assist in the recruitment of prospects
• You have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families
• You have ever promoted the athletics programs at Missouri Western in any way

WHO IS A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE?
A prospective student-athlete (“prospect”) is any student currently enrolled in a ninth-grade class or above.  The NCAA, however, does not recognize a specific age limit.  If a student in a class lower than ninth grade receives any financial assistance or other benefits from an institution or athletics representative, that student is then recognized as a prospect, if the assistance or benefit provided by the institution or athletics representative is not offered to the general student body.  In addition, student-athletes enrolled in preparatory schools or two-year colleges are also considered prospective student-athletes. 

NCAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
NO “EXTRA BENEFITS” RULE
An extra benefit is a special arrangement or gift which would include the provision of any transportation, meals, discounts, clothes, gifts of any kind, entertainment, any financial aid other than that issued through Missouri Western, preferential loan terms, or other benefits offered to a student-athlete but which are unavailable to the general student population.  The NCAA strictly prohibits representatives of athletic interests from providing “extra benefits” to prospects or enrolled student-athletes. 

RULES REGARDING STUDENT-ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT
Current Griffons
Current Missouri Western student-athletes may be employed by an athletics representative provided the compensation is paid:

• Only for work actually performed;
• At a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services; and
• An employer shall not use the athletics reputation of a student-athlete employee to promote the sale of the employer's product or services. 

Future Griffons
Missouri Western may also arrange for employment of prospective student-athletes provided:

• After senior year. The arrangement of employment by an institution for a prospective student-athlete shall be permitted, provided the employment does not begin before the completion of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year in high school.
• Two-year college prospects. Once a prospective student-athlete has enrolled in a two-year college, the arrangement of employment by an institution for such a prospective student-athlete shall be permitted, provided the employment does not begin before the time period in which the prospective student-athlete has officially withdrawn from or has completed requirements or graduation at the two-year college.

RULES REGARDING EXTRA BENEFITS

• You MAY NOT become involved in making arrangements to provide money or financial aid of any kind
• You MAY NOT arrange or provide for the co-signing of a loan of money
• You MAY NOT provide the use of a car
• You MAY NOT provide any benefits, gifts, or special arrangements.  This prohibition includes free or reduced cost lodging and tickets
• You MAY NOT provide room, board, or transportation costs for family and friends to visit campus or attend home or away athletic contests
• You MAY provide an occasional family home meal to a student-athlete or an entire team provided the meal is in your home (as opposed to a restaurant) and may be catered.  If you wish to host an occasional meal, please contact the Missouri Western Compliance Office at (816) 271-4481 prior to this meal.
• You MAY provide reasonable local transportation to student-athlete(s) to attend such meals.

 
RECRUITING RULES & GUIDELINES
According to the NCAA, recruiting is defined as any solicitation of a prospect or prospect’s relatives by an institutional staff member or by a representative of athletic interests for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program. 

Representatives of Missouri Western’s athletics interests MAY NOT make ANY recruiting contacts.  This includes letters, e-mails, telephone calls, communication through “Facebook” or “Twitter” websites, text/instant messages, and face-to-face contact.

Things to Remember:

• You MAY forward information about prospects to the appropriate member of the Missouri Western coaching staff (i.e. newspaper articles)
• You MAY view a prospect’s athletic contest at your own initiative provided you do not contact the prospect or his/her parents.  In addition you may not contact a prospect’s coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect.
• You MAY continue pre-established relationships with prospects, family friends, and neighbors of prospects.  These normal contacts are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes or initiated by Missouri Western coaches.

NCAA RULES REGARDING PROMOTIONAL & COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
All charitable, educational and nonprofit promotional activities involving student-athletes must have prior approval from the Missouri Western Athletic Department.  Student-athletes are not permitted to be involved in the direct or indirect advertisement, recommendation, or promotion of sales, use of a commercial product, or service of any kind.
 
MEMORABILIA, AUTOGRAPHED ITEMS, AND DONATION REQUESTS
Under NCAA rules, Missouri Western may not provide or donate any athletic memorabilia (e.g. balls, jerseys, hates, tickets, photos, etc.) directly or indirectly, that could benefit a high school athletics program or prospects.  All individuals or organizations (including charitable, educational, and non-profit) requesting donations or personal items to be autographed, must contact the Missouri Western Athletic Department to receive approval for the use of these items.
 
CONSEQUENCES TO ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING NCAA VIOLATIONS
Institutions are required by the NCAA to notify athletics representatives of consequences regarding rules violations.  Athletics representatives found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets.
The NCAA Committee on Infractions has processed cases in which penalties have included both disassociation of athletics representatives from the institution and the loss of season ticket privileges.
 
THREE FINAL REMINDERS

1. Please contact the Missouri Western Athletic Compliance Office if you have any questions regarding your involvement with MWSU current or prospective student-athletes.  You can contact the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Sport Administration, Eric Kramer, at (816) 271-5926 or ekramer@missouriwestern.edu.
2. Remember that in most cases, any form of contact with prospects is prohibited!
3. Compliance with NCAA rules is EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.