Guide to NCAA Rules and Regulations
Thank you for your interest in and support of Bellarmine Athletics. This site is intended to highlight some topics pertinent to you as a representative of athletics interests. It is difficult to cover every possible rule and regulation governing representatives of athletics interests. Therefore, please always contact Annie Coryell (bcoryell@bellarmine.edu) before taking any action that may be contrary to NCAA rules.
Who Is A Representative of Bellarmine Athletics Interests?
Under NCAA rules, a representative of the University's athletics interests is any individual who has ever:
• made any type of contribution to the athletics department or to a booster club
• joined the institution's booster club or any sport specific support group
• provided or helped arrange employment for a student-athlete
• provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families
• assisted in any manner in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes
• promoted the institution's athletics program in any manner
You become a representative by any action on your part to assist the University in any manner. Once you become a representative of the University's athletics interests, you retain that identity forever. NCAA rules hold Bellarmine responsible for all actions its athletics representatives.
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
NCAA rules stipulate that a prospective student-athlete is a person who has started classes for the ninth (9th) grade, regardless of his/her athletics ability.
> The individual officially registers and enrolls in a minimum full-time program of studies and attends classes in any term of a four-year collegiate institution's regular academic year (excluding summer); or
> The individual participates in a regular squad practice or competition at a four-year collegiate institution that occurs before the beginning of any term; or
> The individual officially registers and enrolls and attends classes during the summer prior to initial enrollment and receives institutional athletics aid.
A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent or accepts an offer of financial aid to attend Bellarmine.
What About Recruiting?
As a representative of Bellarmine athletics interests, you may NOT:
• contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an effort to evaluate a prospect
• visit the prospect's institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic eligibility or athletic ability
• contact a prospect, his/her parents, legal guardians or spouse on or off Bellarmine’s campus
• contact a prospect by telephone or by letter
• make special arrangements for entertainment for recruiting purposes
What are Extra Benefits?
NCAA legislation expressly prohibits University supporters from providing "extra benefits" to student-athletes. An extra benefit is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or his/her family a benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation. In general, you may not provide anything or make special arrangements for student-athletes or prospective student-athletes that are not available to the general student population.
Examples of prohibited "extra benefits" include, but are not limited to:
• providing cash or loans in any amount, or signing or co-signing for a loan
• a guarantee of bond
• the use of an automobile
• gifts of any kind, including birthday cards, flowers and holiday gifts
• gift of cash or like items, or clothing or equipment
• providing loans to relatives or friends
• any tangible items, including merchandise
• free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type
• free or reduced-cost housing
• providing special discounts for goods and services (e.g., car repairs, legal services, haircuts, etc.)
• purchasing complimentary admissions from a student-athlete
• providing an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement
What about Student-Athlete Appearances & Promotions?
Student-athletes are prohibited from being involved in the advertisement, recommendation or promotion of sales or use of any commercial product or service of any kind. All charitable, educational
and nonprofit promotional activities involving student-athletes must have prior approval from the athletics department.
What about Student-Athlete Employment?
All student-athletes are eligible for employment during the regular academic year. Student-athletes will continue to be eligible for employment during the University's official vacation periods (i.e., Christmas, Spring Break) and during the summer.
Very detailed rules regarding which student-athletes may be employed, when and how much money they can earn must be followed. In addition, the compliance office must keep written records verifying all student-athlete employment.
What are the rules governing gambling?
Bellarmine student-athletes, coaches and/or employees may not provide information to individuals involved in any type of organized gambling concerning sporting events. In addition, Bellarmine student-athletes, coaches and employees may not solicit or accept any wager on any intercollegiate or professional athletics contest, including, but not limited to, NCAA tournament brackets, fantasy sports, and Super Bowl pools.
What are the consequences to boosters for NCAA violations?
Bellarmine University is required by NCAA regulations to notify boosters of consequences regarding rules violations. Boosters found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets.
For compliance questions or concerns, please contact Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Annie Coryell at bcoryell@bellarmine.edu
