Athletic Compliance
Athletics Compliance at the University of Hartford, and at every NCAA institution, is responsible for monitoring the activities of the Department of Athletics, the University of Hartford and its athletics representatives to ensure that all NCAA rules and regulations are followed and that any violations are promptly documented and reported. This process includes the education of all persons involved with the Department of Athletics. In is imperative that supporters, boosters, student-athletes, coaches, parents and prospective student-athletes familiarize themselves with NCAA rules and regulations.
Here are some basic aspects of compliance which should be understood:
Are You An Athletic Representative?
You are considered to be a "Representative of the University's Athletics Interests" (a booster) if you:
• Are or have been a member of a University of Hartford booster organization.
· Have ever made a donation to the Athletic Department, men's or women's athletic program, or any booster organization.
· Have ever assisted in evaluating or recruiting prospects.
· Have ever helped to arrange or have provided employment to enrolled student-athletes, prospects, or their parents and relatives.
· Otherwise promoted the University's athletics program.
Please Note: Once you become a Representative of the University of Hartford's Athletics Interest, you retain that identity indefinitely!
Revocation or Withholding of Privileges
As a representative of the University's athletics interests, you are bound by NCAA, AMERICA EAST, and University of Hartford rules, and the University of Hartford is responsible for your actions.
Definitions You Should Know:
Prospective Student-Athlete: A "prospect" is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above, including students in prep schools and junior college. A student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a "prospect" if the student receives any benefits that the institution does not provide for all prospective students in general. In addition, any student who has officially withdrawn from a four-year institution and plans to transfer to another institution also is considered a prospective student-athlete. The University requests that you treat ALL students as prospects.
Student-Athlete: A student-athlete is a student whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student's ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program.
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 or athletics representative during which any dialogue occurs in excess of an exchange or a greeting. Any such face-to-face encounter that is pre-arranged or that takes place on the grounds of the prospect's educational institution or at the site of organized competition or practice involving the prospect's high school, preparatory school, two-year college or all-star team shall be considered a contact, regardless of the conversation that occurs.
Recruiting: Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or the prospect's family by a University staff member or by a representative of the University's athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospect's enrollment at the University and/or participation in the athletics program.
When Can A Coach Begin To Write A Prospective Student-Athlete?
Letters from coaches and faculty members are not permitted until September 1 at the beginning of a prospect's junior year in high school. The NCAA also places limitations on the types of information that may be sent to a prospect. Permissible types of recruiting materials include general correspondence, academic and admission materials, NCAA educational information, questionnaires, camp brochures, and one sport media guide. Boosters are not allowed to write a prospect.
When Can A Coach Telephone A Prospective Student-Athlete?
Permissible telephone calls vary per sport. In men's and women's basketball, one call may be made on or after June 21 of the prospect's junior year in high school, with three more calls allowed during the month of July. All other sports (except football) may not telephone a prospect until July 1 following the completion of the prospect's junior year in high school. A prospect may not be called more than one time per week unless exceptions are allowed by NCAA legislation.
A prospect may call a University of Hartford coach at any time when the prospect is personally paying for the call. The use of collect calls or toll-free calls to a coach may not occur until July 1 following the completion of the prospect's junior year in high school. A prospect may call a booster, but a booster may NOT call a prospect. A booster must refer any questions about University of Hartford athletics to the Athletics Department.
What Is An Extra Benefit?
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by a University of Hartford institutional employee or booster to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Examples of special arrangements or extra benefits that are not permissible by NCAA rules include, but are not limited to:
• Providing cash or loans in any amount.
• Signing or co-signing for a loan or guaranteeing bail or bond.
• Giving gifts of any kind, including birthday and holiday gifts.
• Providing rent-free or reduced-rent housing.
• Providing use of an automobile.
• Providing academic course supplies, typing services or duplication costs.
• Promising financial aid for post-graduate education.
• Providing an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking arrangement.
• Compliance with NCAA Regulations
Compliance with NCAA regulations is a high priority for the University of Hartford and its athletics program. We need your assistance in complying with NCAA rules. When you are faced with a situation and unsure how to respond, we strongly urge you to contact the compliance coordinator before acting. Thank you for your interest in, and support of, University of Hartford athletics.