REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
INSTITUTION'S ATHLETICS INTERESTS

Dear Friend:

On behalf of the Athletics Department at Oakland University, I welcome you to the excitement of Golden Grizzlies athletics!  State-of-the-art facilities, participation in the Mid-Continent Conference, as well as recent success at the NCAA tournament level, makes for exciting times on our campus.  Your desire to assist both individual teams and the department as a whole is instrumental in the evolution of a successful intercollegiate athletics program.  You are now recognized as a “representative of our athletics interests.”  We are honored to have you as part of our team!

Your support places a definitive emphasis on your role within intercollegiate athletics.  As a member of the Mid-Continent Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Oakland University is responsible for conducting its athletics program within the rules and regulations of these governing bodies.  It is our desire that all representatives of the University, including yourself, be responsible to uphold the standards of excellence in academics and athletics in support of the student-athlete population.  A major component of this is following the rules; conducting the program with integrity.  Of course, competition among institutions can be intense.  We realize that you may want to help us, but playing by the rules, while challenging at times, is an element our department holds in high regard.

The NCAA has rules for administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and you!  Please take the time to read this brochure.  This important information deals with NCAA rules that all representatives of our athletics interests must know.  I am sure it will be helpful and answer some of the questions you may have about your role in dealing with enrolled and prospective student-athletes.  Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Anne Williams, Compliance Assistant:(248) 370-4927, or feel free to contact me directly.

Once again, thank you for supporting the Golden Grizzlies!

Respectfully,

Tracy A. Huth

Senior Associate Athletic Director

Did you know?…

Each of the following scenarios qualifies an individual as a “Representative of Oakland’s Athletic Interests” (or Black and Gold Club):

•          Alumnus

•          Contributes to the athletic department or the Black and Gold Club

•          A member of an agency/organization who provides support/funding to the athletic department

•          Provides benefits (i.e., employment) to enrolled student-athletes; or

•          Otherwise promotes OU athletics in any other way

Once identified as such a representative, you retain this identity forever, active or non-active.

As a representative, you are bound by NCAA legislation and Oakland University is held accountable for your actions!

Participation in any non-permissible activity, as outlined by the NCAA, could result in any of the following:

•          A prospect declared ineligible to represent OU;

•          A student-athlete declared ineligible to compete;

•          The entire team declared ineligible to compete in any Mid-Continent Conference or NCAA competition;

•          NCAA sanctions imposed on the University;

•          Your involvement with the OU athletics program being restricted or revoked.

A prospective student-athlete is a student that has started classes for the ninth (9^th) grade.  A prospect remains labeled as such even after signing a National Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend OU.  An individual keeps their “prospective student-athlete” label until one of the following occurs (whichever is earlier): the start of classes at OU; official registration and enrollment for the summer prior to initial enrollment in conjunction with athletic aid; the beginning of official team practice immediately prior to the start of classes.

Please be aware that you may not make in-person, on or off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospect!

•          Employ relatives or friends of a prospect;

•          Provide clothing or equipment;

•          Co-sign a loan of any kind;

•          Provide a loan to a PSA’s relatives or friends;

•          Give cash or like items;

•          Provide any tangible items, including merchandise of any kind;

•          Provide free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type;

•          Provide free or reduced housing;

•          Provide any type of transportation.

•          Entertain relatives or friends of a prospect at any off-campus site?  NO!

•          Make contact with a prospect and his/her parents on an official visit to the campus?  NO!

•          Visit a school to pick up a transcript of film to evaluate a prospect?  NO!

•          Contact a coach, principal or counselor to evaluate a prospect?  NO!

•          Reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit the campus?  NO!

•          Entertain high-school, prep school or junior college coaches at any location?  NO!

•          Pay in whole or in part registration fees, associated with summer sports camp for a specific prospect?  NO!

•          Provide cash or the use of a vehicle to the prospect or student-host on his/her official visit to the campus?  NO!

There are times when you will come into contact with a prospect that is unavoidable.  During such a contact, conversation with a prospect may involve only normal civility and no recruitment may take place.  Any contact that occurs at a prospect’s home, school, or at the site of a practice or contest is not considered incidental and will be deemed a violation of NCAA recruiting rules.

•      Provide any benefit or special arrangement to a student-athlete or his/her friends?  NO!

•      The NCAA considers special arrangements as an “Extra Benefit” which are prohibited.  A few examples are:

---a special discount;

---credit on a purchase;

---a loan of money in any amount;

---a guarantee of bond; or

---the use of an automobile.

•      Donate or provide funds to entertain a student-athlete, family or friends?  NO!  Please be aware that you are not even permitted to buy a student-athlete, family or friends a soft drink or hot dog at an athletic event or at a commercial enterprise.

•     Use the name or picture of a student-athlete to advertise or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service?  NO!

•     Pay or provide the actual and necessary expenses incurred by relatives or friends to visit an enrolled student-athlete?  NO!

•     Provide a gift or award to a student-athlete for his/her athletics performance?  NO!

NCAA regulations strictly govern the benefits a student-athlete may receive.  Before you provide a current student-athlete with a meal, a ride, a gift, or any other benefit not available to all OU students, please contact the head coach or the Compliance Coordinator. 

Due to the complexity of NCAA rules, this brochure should not be relied upon exclusively.  Compliance with NCAA and Mid-Continent Conference regulations is of the highest priority for our athletics programs.  Oakland needs and wants your help in the maintenance of NCAA rules.  If you have any questions, please contact the Athletics Department at (248) 370-4927.

Updated 10/3/05