WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
NCAA COMPLIANCE INFORMATION FOR BOOSTERS

Western Oregon University is committed to the growth of our student-athletes. We believe in the concept of shared compliance responsibilities. Members of the athletic department, other institutional staff members, student-athletes, and individuals and groups representing Western Oregon University's athletics interests are responsible for ensuring Western Oregon University's commitment to integrity and rules compliance.

Western Oregon University abides by the principle of institutional control in operating the athletic program consistent with rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. We are committed to maintaining control of the athletic programs through cooperation and communication between responsible administrators, coaches, faculty, all institutional staff members, student-athletes, and representatives of Western Oregon University's athletic interests. The following information is provided to assist boosters in making good decisions regarding prospective and enrolled student-athletes.

Are you a representative of Western Oregon University Athletics interests?
You are a representative of Western Oregon University's athletics interests, more commonly known as a "booster," if you meet any of the following conditions:
• You have ever been a member of any organization that promotes Western Oregon University's athletics programs (i.e., Wolves Club).
• You have made a financial contribution to the Western Oregon University athletic department or its booster organization.
• You are or have been a season ticket holder in any sport.
• You have provided permissible benefits to enrolled student-athletes.
• You have ever been involved in promoting Western Oregon University athletics in any way.

Who is a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete or "prospect," is any individual who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, student-athletes enrolled in preparatory school or two-year colleges are considered prospects. In other words, a student remains a prospect until enrollment at a four-year college or university.

What is a contact?
A contact is any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect's parent or legal guardian and an institutional staff member during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange of a greeting.

What role may boosters play in recruiting?
Only Western Oregon University coaches who have successfully completed the NCAA Coaches Certification Exam are permitted to be involved in the recruitment of student-athletes. Boosters must adhere to NCAA and GNAC regulations regarding recruiting.

Western Oregon University boosters MAY NOT:
• Make recruiting contacts with prospects or their relatives, including phone calls, letters, emails, instant messages, facsimiles, or meetings.
• Assist Western Oregon University coaches by securing transcripts, film, or any other information pertaining to a prospect's ability from the prospect's current educational institution.
• Provide financial aid or benefit of any kind (i.e., clothing, special discounts, lodging, meals, transportation, tickets, loans) to prospects or their relatives.
• Contact a prospect to congratulate him/her on signing a National Letter of Intent to attend Western Oregon University.
• Provide transportation or arrange for payment of transportation costs for a prospect or his/her relatives or friends to visit campus.
• Earmark funds for specific prospects to attend a Western Oregon University summer camp.
• Employ or arrange for employment of a prospect before the completion of his/her senior year. After graduation, a booster may employ a student-athlete, provided that the compensation for work performed is commensurate with the going rate.
• Provide anything to a prospect or the prospect's family or friends without prior approval from the Compliance Office.

Western Oregon University boosters MAY:
• Communicate with Western Oregon University coaches regarding prospects.
• View a prospect's athletic contest on your own initiative, provided you do not contact the prospect or his/her relatives or coach.
• Continue established relationships with prospects' family members or friends, provided contacts are not made for recruiting purposes or are arranged by a Western Oregon University staff member.
• Employ a prospect after they have signed a National Letter of Intent and have graduated from high school, provided the compensation for work performed is commensurate with the going rate.

What are boosters permitted to do in regards to enrolled student-athletes?

Western Oregon University boosters MAY NOT:
• Pay or arrange for payment of room, board or any type of transportation at any time for currently enrolled student-athletes, their relatives, or their friends.
• Provide student-athletes with any sort of extra benefit, which refers to any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or his/her relatives or friends with a benefit unavailable to the general student population.
• Provide student-athletes with any special discount, consignment of a loan, credits on a purchase (i.e., airline tickets, clothing) or services (i.e., dry cleaning, transportation).
• Allow the student-athlete to use your telephone or provide a calling card for the student-athlete to make free calls.
• Provide awards or gifts to student-athletes for any reason without permission by the Compliance Office.

Western Oregon University boosters MAY:
• Employ a student-athlete, provided the compensation for work performed is commensurate with the going rate.
• Invite a student-athlete or an entire team to your home for an occasional meal. The meal may be catered, but must take place in your home and must be restricted to special occasions. Western Oregon University asks that you seek approval from the Compliance Office prior to the meal.

What are the consequences if any of these rules are breached?
Under NCAA rules, Western Oregon University is responsible for all actions of its boosters. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make you aware of consequences for violating the rules described within this website. Boosters found in violation are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season passes. In addition, the NCAA Committee on Infractions has required institutions to disassociate boosters from the institution.