THE BASIC POINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
No Contact With Prospects: Athletics representatives of an NCAA Division I institution are prohibited from making in-person on-campus or off-campus recruiting contacts, as well as, written or telephone communications with a prospect or the prospect's parents or relatives.
No Contact With Prospects School or Staff: Athletics representatives may NOT contact the prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate a prospect or visit the prospect's institution to pick up films or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect.
Attendance at Prospect's Events: An athletics representative may attend events (e.g., contests, banquets) where prospects are present (on his or her own initiative), subject to the understanding that the representative may NOT contact the prospect or the prospect's parents or relatives.
Inform Villanova University Coach: Athletics representatives may inform the Villanova University coaches of prospects in their area by contacting the coaches and sending them newspaper clippings with the names of particular prospects.
Pre-Established Relationship: Athletics representatives who have pre-established relationships with prospects, their parents and relatives may continue normal contacts with the understanding that such contacts are not made for recruiting purposes, and are not arranged by members of the institution's coaching staff.
A Pre-Established Relationship May Exist If:
1. The relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) did not develop as a result of the athlete's participation in athletics or notoriety related thereto and
2. The relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) predates the athlete's status as a prospective student-athlete and
3. The relationship between the athlete (or the athlete's parents) and the individual providing the benefit(s) predates the athlete's status achieved as a result of his or her athletics ability or reputation and
4. The pattern of benefits provided by the individual to the athlete (or the athlete's parents) prior to the athlete attaining notoriety as a skilled athlete is similar in nature to those provided after attaining such stature.
Employment for Prospects: Athletics representatives may arrange employment for prospective student-athletes. The prospect may not begin his/her job until after the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the pay scale in the locality for similar services. Do not provide any benefits for the prospective student-athletes in your employ (e.g., transportation) unless the benefits are provided for all other employees.
Limited Exceptions For Faculty And Staff
Faculty and staff members of Villanova University are permitted to contact prospects only on the institution's campus.
Faculty and staff members of Villanova University at the direction of the coaching staff may begin to write prospects on or after September 1 at the start of their junior year in high school.
Faculty and staff members of Villanova University at the direction of the coaching staff may telephone prospects (in all sports except football) for the purpose of recruiting beginning July 1 subsequent to the prospect's junior year in high school.
Contacts With Enrolled Student-Athletes
Employment for Enrolled Student-Athletes: Employment for enrolled student-athletes may not be arranged by athletics representatives without first receiving prior approval from the appropriate administrator of the Villanova University's Athletics Department. NCAA rules require that the student-athlete and the employer sign a written statement PRIOR to the commencement of employment confirming that the employment satisfies the conditions as stated in the NCAA manual. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the pay scale in the locality for similar services.
Student-Athlete Participation in Promotional Activities: Use of a student-athlete=s name, picture or appearance to support any activities requires the signature of the student-athlete and the authorized representative of the event on a release statement that requires the written approval from the Director of Athletics. If you would like to use a student-athlete in your promotional activity, please contact the Office of Compliance and the student-athlete's head coach.
Occasional Meals: Athletics representatives may provide an enrolled student-athlete or an entire team with an occasional family meal. The occasional meal may be catered, must be provided in an individual's home and must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions. Reasonable, local transportation may be provided to the student-athlete(s) ONLY by the representative that is hosting the meal in his/her home. Arrangements for TEAM events must be made in advance with the head coach and the appropriate athletics administrator.
Benefits or Special Arrangements: Booster Groups may finance the following institutional awards and recognition banquets, provided all expenses are paid through the Villanova University Athletics Department:
- Single Team Postseason Awards Banquet
- All Sports Postseason Awards Banquet
- All Sports Academic Awards Banquet
- Single Team Recognition Banquets prior to or during the season may be financed as well as the team's transportation expenses to the event, if it is not more than 100 miles from campus and no tangible award is provided to the members of the team.
If you have any questions regarding a booster's role in the recruiting process and involvement with Villanova student-athlete's, please call Gordon Finch, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, at 610-519-5305 or Molly Myers, Compliance Assistant, at 610-519-6607.
CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THE RULES
NCAA Bylaw 19.6.2.6 Disassociation of Representatives of Athletics Interest
The disassociation of relations with a representative of an institution's athletics interests may be imposed on a permanent basis, for the duration of the applicable probationary period or for another specified period of time. When an institution is required to show cause why a representative of the institution's athletics interest should not be disassociated from its athletics program, such disassociation shall require that the institution:
(a) Refrain from accepting any assistance from the individual that would aid in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes or the support of enrolled student-athletes;
(b) Not accept financial assistance for the institution's athletics program from the individual;
(c) Ensure that no athletics benefit or privilege be provided to the individual that is not generally available to the public at large; and
(d) Take such other actions against the individual that the institution determines to be within its authority to eliminate the involvement of the individual in the institution's athletics program.
