University of North Florida Athletics

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The University of North Florida is committed to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner consistent with the NCAA, ASUN Conference, and University rules and regulations. Assuring compliance with NCAA and conference regulations is an institutional responsibility and involves a cooperative effort between staff, friends, alumni and boosters.  By assisting the University in our compliance efforts, you are not only fostering the quality that we expect in our programs, but are ensuring our commitment to NCAA, ASUN, and UNF rules and regulations.  In addition, by operating within the parameters of the aforementioned rules, you help to ensure the continued NCAA eligibility of our student-athletes.

Listed below is some important information that Representatives of Athletics Interests should know. Please take the time to read these details and descriptions and familiarize yourself with all of these guidelines. We understand there are always questions that will arise as a result of specific situations, so please do not hesitate to contact the Compliance office.  Our contact information is located below.

Listed below is some important information that representatives of athletics interests should know. Please take the time to read these details and descriptions and familiarize yourself with all of these guidelines. We understand there are always questions that will arise as a result of specific situations.

All questions regarding NCAA rules should be addressed to:
Nancy Miller
Assistant AD-Compliance
904-620-1325
nmiller@unf.edu

Tara Sunquist
Compliance Coordinator
904-620-5464
tara.sunquist@unf.edu

Donna Kirk
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance & Academics/SWA
(904) 620-2819

Important Information:
Am I a Representative of UNF's Athletic Interest?
Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?
Who is a Current or Enrolled Student-Athlete?
What is an Extra Benefit?
In what ways do the NCAA rules affect me?



Am I a Representative of UNF's Athletic Interest?

The NCAA defines a "representative of the institution's athletics interest," or "booster" as any individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g. apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who:

• Is a current or former member of any UNF Booster Club.
• Has made financial contributions to the Booster Club or the Athletic Department.
• Has ever assisted in the recruitment of any prospective student-athlete.
• Has ever helped to arrange employment for or provided any benefits to prospective student-athletes (after completion of senior year) or enrolled student-athletes.
• Has otherwise ever promoted the athletics programs at UNF.
• Once a person, agency, business or other organization is identified as a "representative of athletics interests," that person/entity retains that title forever.

Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?

A Prospective Student-Athlete or "Prospect" can be defined as:

• Any student who has begun classes for the ninth grade.
• Any student younger than ninth grade who has received any benefits from an institution or representative of an institution's athletics interests.
• Students who have enrolled in preparatory school and/or two-year colleges.
• A prospect remains a prospect--regardless of whether or not they have signed a National letter of Intent-- until they enroll at UNF and attend the first day of classes, or report for practice (whichever happens earlier). All NCAA rules in regards to contact with prospects are applicable until this time.

As an Athletics Representative you MAY:

• Attend high school and community college athletics events, although you may not have any in-person recruiting contacts with a prospect, their parents, or their relatives.
• Continue to maintain friendships previously developed with prospects before they reached the 9th grade.
• Send the UNF coaching staff newspaper clippings or other information about prospects that you think might be of interest.
• Assist in the arrangement of employment for a prospective student-athlete, provided the employment does not begin prior to the completion of the prospective student-athlete's senior year in high school.

As an Athletics Representative you MAY NOT:

• Make any on or off campus contact--including telephone calls, emails and letters--to a prospect or the prospect's family.
• Contact a prospect's coach, principal or guidance counselor in an attempt to recruit or evaluate the prospect.
• Contact or greet a prospect on an unofficial or official visit to campus.
• Contact a prospect to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent to UNF.
• Visit the prospect's school in an attempt to assist in the recruitment of a prospect.
• Provide any type of inducement or extra benefit to a prospect, a prospect's family or friends.
• Pay for prospect's registration fees for athletics camps at any time.
• Provide transportation or provide any other costs related to a prospect's visit to campus.
• Have any contact with a student who is enrolled at another institution about his/her interest in transferring to UNF.

Who is a Current or Enrolled Student-Athlete?

A current or "enrolled" student-athlete is any UNF student who is a member of a varsity athletics team.

• NCAA regulations apply to all student-athletes, not just those who were recruited or who receive an athletics scholarship
• NCAA regulations that pertain to current student-athletes remain in effect throughout the entire year, including breaks such as summer vacation.

As a Representative of UNF's Athletics Interest you MAY:

• Provide employment to a UNF student-athlete, rovided that the student-athlete is paid the going rate for actual services rendered, and the employment has been approved in writing in advance by the Head Coach, Athletics Director, and the Compliance Office.
• Endow an athletic scholarship or athletics award through the University's regular procedures.

As a Representative of UNF's Athletics Interest you MAY NOT:

• Provide any type of inducement or benefit to a current student-athlete, their parents, relatives and/or friends--please review the list of Extra Benefits below.
• Use the name, picture or appearance of a current student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote the sale of any commercial product.
• Provide an award or gift to a student-athlete for any reason.
• Pay for all or part of a current student-athlete's meal at a restaurant.
• Provide any payment of expense or loan of an automobile for a student-athlete for any reason.
• Pay for, or arrange for the payment of, any expenses incurred by the family and friends to visit a current student-athlete.

What is an Extra Benefit?

An extra benefit is considered to be any special arrangement to a prospect or enrolled student-athlete, their family/relatives, and/or their friends that is not expressly authorized by NCAA regulations.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Cash or loan of money in any amount
• Special discount, payment arrangements or co-signing of a loan
• The purchase of meals or services at commercial establishments
• Involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for meals, merchandise, tickets, services, products or rent
• Use of an automobile or other personal property (i.e. boats, houses, motorcycles, etc.)
• Gift items (i.e. cars, jewelry, electronics, clothes, holiday gifts, long distance phone cards, gift certificates, etc.)
• Any financial aid other than that administered by the institution
• Free or reduced cost housing arrangements
• The payment of registration fees for athletic camps
• Promise of employment after college graduation
• Employment of friends or relatives

In what ways do the NCAA rules affect me?

Violations of NCAA rules have lead to:

• A prospective student-athlete being declared ineligible to compete.
• The eligibility of current student-athletes to be jeopardized.
• Penalties and sanctions placed upon the entire athletic department and/or team.
• Revocation of ticket privileges and/or the University's permanent disaffiliation with a representative of its athletics interests.

Even the best intentions can lead to an NCAA violation so remember to ask before you act!