• Introduction   
The University of Northern Iowa, by virtue of it’s membership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is responsible for ensuring complete compliance of all constituencies (i.e., university staff, student-athletes, alumni, and  friends) with all NCAA rules and regulations.   Under NCAA rules, parents, alumni, and friends may be categorized as "representatives of athletics interests."

This brochure is provided as a quick reference tool to the many NCAA rules and regulations that apply to "representatives of athletics interests" or boosters, as commonly referred to.  Please recognize that UNI appreciates the interest and support of all its constituencies, but urges each of you to become familiar with the rules and regulations of the NCAA.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting the Compliance Office.

UNI continually strives for academic and athletic excellence.  Combined with that pursuit is an on-going commitment to ethical conduct by all members of its staff and supporters.  Please remember that even the simplest, inadvertent actions on your part can jeopardize the eligibility of student-athletes and/or prospects and the compliance of the university with NCAA regulations.

• Am I a "Representative of Athletics Interests?"
You are a "Representative of Athletics Interests" and will always retain the identity if you:

• Are or ever have been a member of the UNI Athletic Club
• Are or ever have been an employee of UNI
• Have ever purchased season tickets for any of UNI’s athletics programs
• Are the spouse of a UNI Athletics Department employee
• Have ever made a donation to the UNI athletics program
• Have ever helped to arrange or have provided summer employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed an offer of admission to UNI
• Have ever contacted (by letter, telephone, or in person) a high school student, grades 9-12, for the purpose of encouraging the student to participate in the athletics program of UNI
• Have ever assisted in providing any benefit to enrolled student-athletes or their families
• Have ever been involved in any way with the UNI athletics program

• Who is a "Prospect?"
A prospective student-athlete (prospect) is a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade.  In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the university provides the individual (or relatives or friends of the individual) any financial assistance or other benefits not provided to prospective students generally.

• What is an "Extra Benefit?"
As defined by the NCAA, an "extra benefit" is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interests to provide a student-athlete (or relative or friend of the student-athlete) a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.  Receipt of such a benefit is not considered a violation if that same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students or their relatives and/or friends or to a particular segment of the student body determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.

In consideration of this definition, please recognize the following:

• A student-athlete cannot accept anything from a UNI employee or booster
• A student-athlete cannot accept free or reduced cost room and/or board from a UNI employee or booster
• A student-athlete cannot eat at a restaurant as the guest of a booster or UNI employee
• A student-athlete cannot accept free or reduced merchandise or services from any merchant unless that free or reduced cost item is also available to the general public
• A student-athlete cannot accept a special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase or service from a UNI employee or booster
• A student-athlete cannot accept frequent traveler miles for a trip financed by UNI
• A student-athlete may be provided reasonable and occasional local transportation (within 30 miles) from a UNI employee
• A student-athlete may accept, on the infrequent occasion, an invitation to the home of a UNI employee or booster for a meal
• A student-athlete cannot accept a loan of money, guarantee of bond, use of an automobile, or the signing or co-signing of a note to arrange a loan from a UNI employee or booster
• A student-athlete cannot use an Athletics Department copy machine or fax machine, or make long distance telephone calls using a departmental telephone
• A student-athlete may not have his/her papers and/or reports typed by a member of the Athletics Department or booster

• Recruiting Regulations
According to the NCAA definition, "Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or prospect’s relatives (or legal guardians) by an institutional staff member or by a representative of athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s athletics program."  With this definition mind, the basic provisions of this NCAA regulation are as follows:

• A booster is prohibited from making  in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communication with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.
• In addition, a booster is prohibited from contacting any enrolled student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to UNI and participation in our athletics program.  If a prospect approaches you off campus regarding the athletics program, explain that NCAA rules prohibit such a discussion and suggest to the prospect that he/she contact the head coach of the sport for information.
• A booster is prohibited from contacting the prospect’s coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect.
• A booster is prohibited from picking up films or transcripts from the prospect’s educational institution.
• A booster is prohibited from entertaining a prospect and/or relatives and friends of a prospect at any site, either on- or off-campus.
• In addition, a booster is prohibited from providing tickets at no or reduced cost to any UNI home or away athletic or non-athletic event for prospects, their relatives or friends.  Only the Athletic Department can provide complimentary admissions to prospects and only for HOME events.
• A booster is prohibited from paying or arranging for transportation for a prospect and/or relatives and friends of a prospect to visit campus.  While it is permissible for a friend or neighbor to transport a high school or  community college student who is NOT an athlete to the campus, NCAA regulations prohibit that activity for a prospect.
• A booster is permitted to send newspaper clippings or any other information regarding a prospect to the respective UNI coaching staff.
• A booster is permitted to attend high school and community college athletic events.  You simply cannot have any contact with prospects or relatives and/or friends.
• A booster is permitted to continue established family relationships with friends and neighbors.  Contact with sons or daughters of these families are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes.
• A booster is permitted to have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call.  However, the booster is not permitted to have a recruiting conversation with the prospect and an institutional staff member cannot prearrange the call.

• Employment Rules
The University of Northern Iowa and its Department of Athletics asks that all boosters, prior to employing or arranging for the employment of a prospect or enrolled student-athlete, check first with the UNI Athletics Department.  The department is permitted to make arrangements for summer employment for prospects prior to their enrollment as freshmen and to enrolled student-athletes during summer and semester breaks.  Accurate record keeping must be maintained regarding employment.  Therefore, the Department of Athletics asks for your cooperation.

• Regarding employment:

• A booster is prohibited from providing employment transportation for prospects or student-athletes unless such transportation is available to all employees.
• A booster is permitted to pay student-athletes employed for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the community or business.

• Whom Do I Contact?
It is of significance that all individuals associated with UNI and its Athletics Department, including alumni, parents, and boosters, have an awareness and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations.  Should you, at any time, have a question please do not hesitate in directing these inquiries to:

Athletics Compliance Office
University of Northern Iowa
Lower NW Dome
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0313
Phone: 319-273-6033