Oklahoma State University Athletics
Dos & Donts
June 28, 2007 | General
Do's and Don'ts for Boosters
Only Oklahoma State University coaches who successfully complete the NCAA Recruiting Rules Examination on an annual basis may be involved in the recruitment process. Representatives of our athletics interests may not make any recruiting contacts. This includes letters, telephone calls, emails or face-to-face contact on or off campus with a prospect or a prospect's parents.
DO NOT become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect, or the prospect's relatives or friends, to receive money or financial assistance of any kind.
DO NOT provide anything to or for a prospect, or the prospect's relatives or friends, without first checking with the Athletic Compliance Office.
DO NOT write to, telephone, or contact in person a prospect or the prospect's family on or off campus. If a coach is accompanied by a prospect on campus, in the community or at the airport, do not approach the coach and prospect. It can create an awkward situation, as the coach cannot introduce you to the prospect. If a prospect approaches you off campus regarding the athletic program, explain that NCAA rules do not permit you to discuss the program. Suggest that the prospect contact the coaching staff for information.
DO NOT transport, pay, or arrange for payment of transportation costs for a prospect, or the prospect's relatives or friends, to visit campus or elsewhere.
DO NOT entertain high school, prep school, or two year college coaches at any location. If you are an established friend or family member the following conditions must be met:
DO NOT provide tickets or free or reduced cost admission to any prospective student-athlete for an Oklahoma State University home or away athletic or non-athletic event. Only the Athletic Department can provide complimentary admission for prospects and only to home athletic events.
DO NOT pay or offer to pay registration fees or provide transportation for summer sports camps for a prospect.
DO NOT contact the prospect's coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect. You are not permitted to videotape games or pick up films or transcripts from the prospect's educational institution.
DO NOT engage in chat room conversations or message board discussions with recruits or the family members of a recruit.
DO NOT provide awards or gifts to a student-athlete for his or her athletic performance. All awards must conform to NCAA regulations and must be approved by the OSU Athletic Compliance Office.
DO NOT allow a student-athlete, his or her friends or relatives to use your phone to make phone calls at your expense.
DO NOT provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.
DO NOT use the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to advertise, recommend, or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Even the display of a picture of an enrolled student-athlete in your business could jeopardize their eligibility.
DO NOT provide room, board, or transportation for collegiate competition to an enrolled student-athlete. This will be arranged by OSU, or the student-athlete will be "on their own" for unattached competition.
HOWEVER..
DO feel free to attend high school or community college athletic events for your enjoyment, but not to scout or videotape for our coaches. You cannot have any contact with the prospective student-athletes or relatives. Should you find yourself seated next to parents of a prospect, DO NOT initiate conversation with the family. If conversation is initiated with you, respond in a civil manner but DO NOT discuss Oklahoma State University athletic programs with them. If they inquire about the programs, remind them that the NCAA prohibits you from discussing the programs with them. Direct their questions to the OSU coaching staff or the Athletic Compliance Office (405-744-8166).
DO continue ESTABLISHED family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts with sons or daughters of these families certainly are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not prompted by Oklahoma State University coaching staff members. You are permitted to play "pick up" basketball or softball games, continue neighborhood picnics or backyard barbecues and engage in your normal activities with prospects and their parents who are established family and friends. Again, you simply are not permitted to attempt to recruit the prospect or discuss the athletics program.
DO feel free to attend a public event (e.g., a high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance. NO attempt should be made to contact or recruit the prospects at these events.
DO send Oklahoma State University coaching staff members any newspaper clippings or other information about prospects which you think would be of interest. Your assistance in this way is helpful. The coaching staff will then make the contact with the prospect.
DO provide employment opportunities for currently enrolled student-athletes as appropriate.
DO feel free to invite a student-athlete to your home for a home-cooked meal, but only on an occasional basis AND ONLY with the prior approval of the OSU Athletic Compliance Office. You may provide transportation for a student-athlete directly to and from your home ONLY in this situation. Meals at restaurants and country clubs are prohibited.
DO feel free to meet with a group of alumni in a city where the team is competing. Alumni or alumni groups may pay for the actual and necessary expenses of entertaining a team in the city of an away-from-home practice or competition site. Arrangement for such events must be made in advance with the head coach and approved by the Athletic Department. Please note that only alumni may provide entertainment costs, representatives of athletics interests are prohibited from paying entertainment expenses at away-from-home sites.
