College Football Recruiting Violations
Michigan Informs Fans of NCAA Rules Regarding Recruiting
Aug 21, 2008
In the high-profile, big-money world of college sports, news of players receiving payments that violate NCAA rules is common, no longer surprising to even the most naïve college football or basketball fan.
What might be surprising, though, is that many average fans, game-goers who don’t consider themselves boosters any more than they consider themselves linebackers, might be violating NCAA rules every time they talk to the neighborhood all-state quarterback.
“What school are you taking that arm to, Johnny?”
“I don’t know Mr. Thompson. Haven’t figured it out yet.”
“Sure would love to see you wearing the Maize and Blue…”
Flag on the play! Mr. Thompson, it turns out, is a season ticket holder for the University of Michigan. That might seem harmless, but in the eyes of the NCAA, that makes Mr. Thompson a booster, and by its definition, a person who should not be working as a representative for the Wolverines.
A recent mailing issued by U of M, which is still feeling the stings of the decade-old Ed Martin scandal, reminds Wolverine fans that their involvement with potential student-athletes should be handled delicately. Bullet No. 5 might be of particular interest to more than a few of the 100,000-plus who pack the Big House on Saturdays in the fall. The brochure states:
You are a representative of Michigan’s athletics interests, commonly known as a “booster,” if you meet any of the following conditions:
-You are a member of any agency or organization that promotes Michigan athletics programs.
-You have made a financial contribution to Michigan athletics or its booster organizations.
-You have assisted in the recruitment of prospects for Michigan.
-You have provided benefits (e.g.-jobs, occasional meals) to enrolled student-athletes.
-You have purchased season tickets for any Michigan athletics program.
-You have ever, in any way, promoted the athletics program at Michigan.
The pamphlet goes on to inform boosters what they can and cannot do under NCAA guidelines. Fans may notify Michigan coaches of outstanding prospects, and may attend an event involving the prospect as long as no recruiting occurs. But they may not contact a prospect, or their relatives, for the purposes of recruiting, nor may they provide a prospect, their relatives, friends or coaches with any benefits.
And, not only does the NCAA scrutinize boosters’ involvement with prospective student-athletes, it always heavily regulates relationships boosters may have with current student-athletes. Somewhat surprisingly, boosters may employ a current player provided the following conditions are met:
-The student-athlete’s compensation is for work actually performed.
-Compensation is at a rate commensurate with the current market rate for the job.
-You do not use the student-athlete’s name, picture or reputation to promote your business.
-You do not provide any extra benefits to the student-athlete that you do not provide to other employees.
-The student-athlete may not be paid on the basis of their athletic ability, reputation or fame.
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