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Booster FAQs
Who is consider a booster?
According to NCAA Bylaw 13.02.15, a "representative of the institution's athletics interests" is an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who 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 institution's intercollegiate athletics program;
(b) Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;
(c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
(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 institution's athletics program.
How long do you retain booster status?
NCAA Bylaw 13.02.15.1, states, "Once an individual, independent agency, corporate entity or other organization is identified as such a representative, the person, independent agency, corporate entity or other organization retains that identity indefinitely.
What are examples of impermissible recruiting activities?
As a booster, do not:
- Contact a prospect in-person on-campus or off campus.
- Contact a prospect by telephone, email, social media, or letter.
- Provide gifts or free or reduced-cost services to a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian.
- Employ relatives, guardians or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the prospect's enrollment and athletics participation at a university.
- Become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to receive money or financial aid of any kind.
- Provide transportation for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian.
- Provide free or reduced-cost tickets for a prospect or the prospect's relatives or guardian to attend an athletic event.
- Provide any material benefit (e.g., meals, cash) to the coach of a prospect, including high school, two-year college, AAU and summer team coaches.
What are examples of permissible activities?
Even though there are many rules prohibiting your involvement with prospects and the recruiting process, as a booster, you may:
- Notify university coaching staff members about noteworthy prospects in the area.
- Attend high school or two-year college athletic contests or other events where prospects may compete, provided no contact occurs.
- Continue existing friendships.
What are examples of impermissible benefits for enrolled student-athletes?
As a booster, you may not provide a student-athlete or a student-athlete's friends, relatives or guardians:
- Tickets to college or professional sporting events.
- A special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase or service.
- Cash or loan or signing or co-signing of a loan.
- Transportation, payment of expense or loan of any automobile.
- Benefits or gifts based upon the student-athlete's athletic performance.
- Free or reduced rent or housing.
- An honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.
What are examples of permissible benefits for enrolled student-athletes?
With the various NCAA rules and regulations regarding benefits to student-athletes, it may seem difficult to be a part of a university's athletic programs. However, you can show your support as a booster in other ways. Boosters may:
- Make contributions to university programs and other gift-in-kind arrangements.
- Attend university athletic events and show student athletes you support their hard work and dedication to the university.
