A great deal of the success of the Maritime Department of Athletics’ programs can be attributed to the support of alumni, parents, friends, and representatives of athletics interests of the athletics program. The college is proud to have your interest in and loyal support of our athletic programs. However, it is imperative that you, as a Maritime alumnus/a, friend, and/or representative of athletics interests, adhere to all NCAA rules regulating college athletics. The Maritime College Department of Athletics is responsible for all actions of alumni, boosters, parents, and friends in regards to their involvement with athletics. Below are frequent areas of concern regarding the relationship of boosters and friends to the athletics program.
Who is a “Representative of Maritime Athletics Interests”?
NCAA Bylaw 13.02.9: A “representative of the institution’s athletics interests” is an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization that is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution’s executive or athletics administration to:
a) Have participated in, or to be a member of, an agency or organization promoting the intercollegiate athletics program of that institution;
b) Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletic booster organization (The “Privateers Club”) of that institution;
c) Assist or have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
e) Have been involved otherwise in promoting the Maritime College athletics programs.
NCAA Bylaw 13.02.9.1: Once a person is identified as such a representative, the person retains that identity indefinitely.
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
NCAA Bylaw 13.02.7: A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. An individual remains a prospective student-athlete until one of the following occurs (whichever occurs earlier):
a) 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
b) The individual participates in a regular squad practice or competition at a four-year collegiate institution.
As a Representative, What am I Permitted to do for Current Student-Athletes at Maritime College?
As a Representative of Maritime Athletics you MAY:
• Provide an “occasional meal in the locale of Maritime College or en route to or from an away contest. These meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions. In addition, you may provide transportation to student-athletes to attend such meals. If you are a relative of a student-athlete you are allowed to provide meals to team members at any location. Please note that alums, friends, and boosters do not have this same allowance.
• Notify a current Maritime student-athlete of possible employment, provided the student-athlete obtains the position through normal employment procedures and is paid at the going rate for actual services rendered.
• Make in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospective student-athlete; however, such contact may not occur until the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s junior year in high school.
• On special occasions, the Alumni Office might set up an off-campus event inviting alums, prospective student-athletes, friends of the College and a Maritime athletics team. In this case, the Alumni Office is allowed to pay for the student-athlete meals. A booster can offer to pick up the cost of the meal, but this money must be given to the Department or College as a donation and can not be given directly to the restaurant or caterers.
As a Representative of Maritime Athletics you MAY NOT:
• Provide any inducement or benefit to a prospective or current student-athlete, his/her parents, relatives, and/or friends that would be considered an “extra benefit”.
An extra benefit is considered to be any special arrangement to provide a prospective or current student-athlete, his/her parents, relatives, or friends a benefit that is not authorized by the NCAA, is not available to the general student population, or is based on their participation or athletic ability.
Examples of impermissible benefits could include, but are not limited to:
• Use of an automobile or any other personal property
• Loan of money or the signing or co-signing of a note to arrange a loan
• Involvement in the arrangement for free or reduced charges for merchandise, tickets, services, products, etc., unless this benefit is also available to the general student body
• Promise of employment following graduation
• Typing of reports, papers, letters, etc., for a student-athlete by a Department of Athletics staff member or a representative of athletic interests
• Any special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an employee or representative of athletic interests.
Violations of the above guidelines and NCAA Rules have resulted in:
• A prospective student-athlete being declared ineligible to compete
• The eligibility of a current student-athlete being jeopardized
• Penalties and sanctions being placed on the institution’s athletics department or on an individual team
• The disassociation by an institution with a representative of athletics interest
How Can I Help the Recruitment Efforts of Maritime College coaches?
• Let the Maritime College coaching staff know about possible prospective student-athletes in your area. Send newspaper clippings, biographical information, etc. Let coaches know about upcoming athletic events in your area.
• You can also help by contacting the coach about this prospective student-athlete. It is helpful to provide the coach with contact information if you have it. If you do not have this information handy, give the Maritime coach as much information as you can about prospect (high school, club team, stats, etc).
What are the NCAA Rules Regard Texting, Tweeting, Social Network Sites and Chat Rooms?
You may send and receive text messages. You should NOT receive twitters or ‘be friended’ on social networking sites from coaches, current student-athletes or boosters at Maritime.
