UNC Wilmington Athletics

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Extra Benefits

What is an Extra Benefit?
Under NCAA rules, a student-athlete may not receive any "extra benefit." An "extra benefit" is defined as any special arrangement by a UNCW employee or representative of UNCW athletics interests to provide the student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.

If a student-athlete receives an "extra benefit" in violation of NCAA rules, the student-athlete is rendered ineligible for competition in their sport unless and until their eligibility is reinstated by the NCAA. In addition, there could be penalties imposed on the team and the athletic program as a result of the violation.

• A student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline tickets, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an institutional employee or a representative of its athletics interests.
• A student-athlete may not accept athletics equipment, supplies or clothing (e.g., tennis rackets, golf clubs, balls, shirts) from a manufacturer or commercial business. Receipt of a particular benefit is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to UNCW students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.

Free or Reduced Cost Services
An athletics representative may not provide a student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee normally would be charged, e.g., legal, medical, dental) without charge or at a reduced cost. Professional services provided at less than the normal rate or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered an extra benefit unless they are available on the same basis to the general student body.

Telephones and Credit Cards
It is not permissible for an institutional staff member to allow a student-athlete to use a telephone, cell phone or credit card for personal reasons without charge or at a reduced cost.

Other Prohibited Benefits
An institutional employee or representative of the institution's athletics interests may not provide a student-athlete with extra benefits or services, including, but not limited to:

• A loan of money;
• A guarantee of bond;
• The use of an automobile or an automobile;
• Transportation (e.g., a ride home with a coach), except as permitted in Bylaw 16.9.1, even if the student-athlete reimburses the institution or staff member for the appropriate amount of the gas or expense;
• Signing or cosigning a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan.

Other Prohibitions
A student-athlete cannot operate, at the student-athlete's own expense, a concession selling items related to or associated with the camp to campers or others in attendance at a sports camp.

An item received for participation in intercollegiate athletics may not be sold or exchanged or assigned for another item of value.

And remember ASK BEFORE YOU ACT.