Boosters, Alumni & Fans FAQ
WHO IS A BOOSTER?
You are a Booster or a Representative of Athletics Interest if you:
- Have ever been a member of a booster organization that supports Oregon State Athletics;
- Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or a booster organization;
- Are or have ever been involved with the recruitment of a prospect;
- Have provided or are providing benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or their relatives or friends;
- Have otherwise been involved in promoting the Oregon State University athletics program (e.g., alumni and friends);
Some examples of boosters are: fans, undergraduate students, graduate students, all university faculty, staff and other employees and alumni. (This is not an exhaustive list.)
Once a Booster ... Always a Booster. According to the NCAA, once an individual has been identified as a booster, he or she retains this identity forever.
WHO IS A PROSPECT?
A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above, including students in prep schools and junior colleges as well as students who have officially withdrawn from a four-year institution and plan to transfer to another collegiate institution. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution or a booster provides the individual or the individual's relatives or friends with any financial assistance or benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students in general. The individual retains their status as a prospect until they begin practice or enroll in classes as a full time student at a four year collegiate institution. Â Â
Is Oregon State responsible for the actions of its boosters and booster groups?
Yes. Boosters are subject to the same NCAA and institutional rules that govern Oregon State Athletics Department staff members. If a violation of these rules occurs, even unintentionally, it may jeopardize a prospect's or current student-athlete's eligibility.
What action should an athletic representative (booster) take, if he/she becomes aware of a rules violation?
The athletic representative should contact the Athletics Compliance Department to discuss the information pertinent to the violation. If the athletic representative wishes to remain anonymous, he/she can contact the Athletics Compliance Department to provide information without giving a name. The Athletics Compliance Department will review the information and process it as necessary.
CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETES
May I provide a student-athlete with gifts?
No, a fan, booster or alumni may not provide a student-athlete or their relatives or friends with any gifts. A gift would be considered an extra-benefit which is impermissible, unless it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution's students or their relatives or friends determined on a basis unrelated to athletic ability.
May I provide discounted housing or rent to student-athletes?
Discounted housing or rent would be considered an extra-benefit and it would be impermissible to provide such a discount to a student-athlete, his/her relatives or friends.
Is it permissible for a booster to provide an enrolled student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee would normally be charged) for personal reasons?
No. Professional services provided at a fee less than the normal rate or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered extra benefits.
May I purchase a complimentary admission ticket from a student-athlete?
No, a student-athlete may not receive payment for his or her complimentary admissions and may not exchange them for any item of value.
Can boosters fundraise or donate money to send a student-athlete's parents to an athletic contest?
No. Under NCAA rules and regulations, such activity may jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility.
May I allow a student-athlete to use my telephone to make long distance phone calls?
No, this would constitute an extra benefit and is impermissible.
I have an extra car that I don't use, is it ok to lend it to a student-athlete?
The provision of free transportation would constitute an extra-benefit. This includes loaning an automobile, free plane tickets home, or paying for transportation for the student-athlete's relatives to attend a competition.
May I provide a scholarship to a particular student-athlete?
No, a scholarship may not be provided to a particular student-athlete; however a booster or alumni may make an athletic scholarship contribution to the Athletics Department.
May I employ a student-athlete?
It is permissible for a booster or alumni to employ a current student-athlete. Compensation must be based upon work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with services of like character in that locality. Compensation may not be based upon the student-athlete's reputation, fame, publicity or athletic success. The student-athlete may not receive any benefits not provided to other employees and may not be used to advertise, promote or endorse the employer or product. An employment form must be filed with the Compliance Office prior to the student-athlete’s start date with the employer.Â
May a student-athlete make a public appearance at a business establishment for purposes of signing autographs?
No. It should be noted that student-athletes may make appearances at schools, hospitals or other non-profit charitable organizations, provided they do not receive compensation and such activities are authorized by the athletic department via the Promotional Activities Form.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES
May I go talk to a prospective student-athlete before, after or on the sidelines at the prospect's athletics contest?
An athletics representative is allowed to attend and observe a prospective student-athlete's athletic contest, but may not make contact with the prospective student-athlete, his or her parents or coaches during such an occasion.
Is this contact rule applicable to "established family friends" or neighbors?
No. However, it must be understood that such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and cannot be initiated or arranged by OSU coaching staff members. In addition, the established relationship between the booster and the prospect must have occurred prior to the friend or neighbor becoming a prospect.
Is it permissible for an athletic representative to telephone a prospect once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent and congratulate them?
No. Even if the purpose of the call is only to congratulate the prospect, he/she is still a prospect and the same contact rules apply after committing or signing that applied before. Do not contact a prospect without first checking with the Compliance Department, unless the prospect is a relative.
During recruitment, or prior to an individual's enrollment, can an athletic representative be involved directly or indirectly in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relative, or friends to receive money, financial aid, or equivalent inducements?
No. Furthermore, it would not be permissible to make such arrangements for current student-athletes at OSU.
What are considered other types of inducements that are prohibited for prospects, their relatives or friends?
Other types of inducements that are prohibited include, but are not limited to the following: cash or loans; promise of employment after college education; special discounts or payment arrangements on loans; employment or relatives or friends of prospects; arrangement for free or reduced charges for professional or personal services, purchases or charges; use of an automobile; providing transportation to and from summer job or any other site; co-signing a loan; the loan or gift of money or other tangible items (clothes, cars, jewelry, electronic/stereo equipment); free or reduced cost housing arrangements; entertainment costs on or off campus; educational expenses (typing costs, course supplies, use of copy machine); or registration for summer sports camps.
May I e-mail or post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Twitter, Facebook or similar web site and try to convince him or her to attend Oregon State Univeristy?
An athletics representative may not e-mail or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospective student-athlete.Â
