Boosters and Alumni

Representatives of Athletics Interest (Boosters)

Charger Athletics Club Representatives of Athletic Interest (Booster's) Information The NCAA has strictly limited the role that representatives of athletics interest may take with regard to our recruits and student-athletes. The University of New Haven is held responsible for any actions taken by a representative of athletics interest relating to prospects or current student-athletes.

The penalties for breaking these rules, whether by accident or intentional, is severe. Any violation may jeopardize a young person's opportunity to attend and compete for UNH as a student-athlete, no matter how minor it may seem. In addition, UNH will be exposed to NCAA sanctions and the representative of athletics interest could be disassociated from our program.

A representative of athletics interest is any individual who has ever:

Attended the University of New Haven ·
Participated in or been a member of the Charger Athletics Club ·
Contributed to the athletics department or Charger Athletics Club ·
Assisted or have been requested by the athletics staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes ·
Been otherwise involved in the UNH athletics program

Once an individual is identified as a representative of the institution's athletics interest, that person remains an UNH booster forever.

Contact with Prospective Student-Athletes

It is clear that much confusion exists about the NCAA and its role in regulating the activity between a booster and a prospect. A booster cannot contact or interact with a prospect or family for the purpose of persuading them to attend the University of New Haven.

Permissible Activities:

1. Identify outstanding potential student-athletes.
If you know of outstanding prospects in the area, send information such as newspaper clippings to the COACH in that sport.

2. Provide employment and internship opportunities for student-athletes
If you know of positions in your business or community, that are suited for student-athletes, contact the compliance office.

3. Report potential violations to the compliance office.
Help UNH operate a program free of booster problems. If you suspect a violation or wonder about a particular situation, please contact the compliance office for further clarification.

4. Continue established friendships with friends and neighbors, even those with prospect-aged children.

Impermissible Activities:

Cannot contact prospects directly or contact high school coaches or guidance counselors to get information on prospects.
Cannot contact prospect's family or friends and promote the UNH athletic program.
A prospect could not receive any room, board or living expenses from you at any time. Including the summer prior to enrollment at UNH.
Cannot arrange financial assistance for prospects, their families and friends.
Cannot provide transportation to prospects, their families or friends.

Contact with Current Students-Athletes

An extra benefit is any award, gift, benefit or expense not allowed by NCAA rules. Generally, a student-athlete may not receive a benefit that is not available to other members of the student body at UNH. Examples of such benefits, which may not be provided by anyone other than student-athletes parents/guardians, include but are not limited to: gifts or loans, clothing, stereo equipment, compact discs, food, beverages, transportation, ownership or use of automobiles, use of automatic cash machine, low interest or interest free loans, telephone credit cards and use of charge accounts.

To determine whether a benefit provided to a student-athlete would constitute a NCAA violation, the following four- question test must be answered:

1. Did your relationship or benefit provided to the student-athlete or student-athlete's parents develop as a result of the student-athlete's athletic participation?

2. Did your relationship or benefit provided to the student-athlete or student-athlete's parents occur before the student-athlete became a prospect (grades nine through twelve)?

3. Did you relationship with the student-athlete or student-athlete's parents occur before the student-athlete's reputation as an athlete?

4. If you provided a benefit to a student-athlete or student-athlete's parents, was the benefit similar in nature today as it was before the student-athlete became an athlete?

If you answered, "yes" to the first question and "no" to any of the other three questions, do not provide! If you have already provided, contact the UNH Office of Compliance immediately.

The NCAA's goal is to limit extra benefits provided to prospects and student-athletes. If it is determined that you have an established relationship with a student-athlete, you may continue to provide occasional benefits, provided they are similar in nature as before the student-athlete became an athlete. The origin and duration of the relationship and the consistency of benefits provided by you are key factors in determining whether or not a violation occurs.

In addition, the individual who provides the benefits may not be an agent, Charger Athletics Club member, or UNH booster who assisted in the student-athletes recruitment to UNH.

Please understand that if you provide extra benefits, you may render the student-athlete ineligible and the team may have to forfeit contests in which the student-athlete participated. If you have provided or have offered to provide any extra benefit, please contact the UNH Office of Compliance immediately.

Boosters and Alumni

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