NCAA Regulations
For Prospective Student-Athletes
Concordia University Wisconsin
competes at the NCAA Division III level and has 23 varsity sports
(12 men, 11 women). Division III institutions have to sponsor at
least five sports for men and five for women, with two team sports
for each gender, and each playing season represented by each
gender. There are minimum contest and participant minimums for each
sport.
Division III athletics feature student-athletes who receive no
financial aid related to their athletic ability and athletic
departments are staffed and funded like any other department in the
university. Division III athletics departments place special
importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather
than on the spectators. The student-athlete's experience is of
paramount concern. Division III athletics encourages participation
by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities
available to students, placing primary emphasis on regional
in-season and conference competition (source: NCAA.org).
Prospective student-athletes and their families are invited to
read the Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete, which is
available on the NCAA website.
WHO IS A
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT ATHLETE?
A prospective student-athlete is a person who has begun classes
for the ninth grade.
In Division III, the NCAA does not allow off campus contact with a
prospective student-athlete until that student has begun classes
for the 12th grade. The student may visit the campus and talk with
coaches before they begin classes for the 12th grade provided that
contact takes place on the CUW campus and the prospect initiated
the contact.
Individuals wishing to transfer from another Division III school
must either complete a self-release form (available at NCAA.org) or
be released by their current institution in order to speak with a
member of Concordia University Wisconsin staff. Individuals
transferring from Division I, Division II or NAIA must be released
by their current institution. More information is available in the
NCAA Transfer Guide, which is available on the
NCAA website.
For Fans of Concordia University Wisconsin
Athletics
As a supporter of Concordia
University Wisconsin, you have a lot of pride in our institution.
You're proud of CUW's high academic standards, its adherence to
values and the overall quality of Concordia University Wisconsin
experience.
Chances are, you're also proud of the great athletic tradition as
well. It's a tradition steeped in National Championships,
All-Americans, conference crowns, memorable moments and tremendous
fan support. But most importantly, Concordia University Wisconsin
athletics has a long tradition of integrity. We all want to see the
Falcons win, but at Concordia University Wisconsin it is most
important to win the RIGHT way -- and that means following NCAA
rules governing the recruitment and treatment of student
athletes.
NCAA Bylaws pertaining to institutional
representatives
13.02.7.1: Once an individual is identified as an institutional
representative, the person retains that identity indefinitely.
13.1.1.2: A representative of the institution's athletics
interests shall not make contact with the student-athlete of
another four-year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly,
without first obtaining the written permission of the first
institution's athletic director to do so, regardless of who makes
the initial contact.
NCAA Bylaws pertaining to extra benefits
16.01.4: A student-athlete may not accept money for unspecified or
unitemized expenses from any organization or individual.
16.11.1.6: A student-athlete may accept transportation and meal
expenses in conjunction with participation in a luncheon meeting of
a booster club or civic organization, provided the meeting occurs
within a 30-mile radius of the institution's main campus and no
tangible award is provided to the student-athlete.
16.12.1.5: A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may
receive an OCCASIONAL family home meal from an institutional staff
member or representative of the athletics interests if: a) the meal
is provided in an individual's home (as opposed to a restaurant);
b) meals are restricted to infrequent and special occasions; c) the
institution (or a representative of its athletics interests) may
provide transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal
function as long as it is at the home of the institutional
representative.
A student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment
arrangement or credit on purchase from an institutional employee or
an athletic representative.
A member institution shall not
permit individuals outside the institution to serve as "sponsors"
or "families" for student-athletes who are enrolled in the
institution, unless a sponsorship program exists to provide the
same benefits and support service to all students at the
institution.
What is an extra benefit?
An extra benefit would include provision of any transportation,
meals, clothes, entertainment, preferential loan terms or other
benefit offered to a student-athlete that is unavailable to the
general student population.
A representative may not provide any such extra benefit to
enrolled student-athletes or their families. Simply put, you may
not treat a student-athlete any differently than a student who does
not participate in athletics (i.e. sponsors and special
discouts).
Thank you for your support of intercollegiate athletics. We ask
for your cooperation in keeping Concordia University Wisconsin's
tradition of athletic integrity intact. Your assistance also will
insure the eligibility of both high school prospects and enrolled
student-athletes.
Examples include:
· may not give cash or loans
· may not sign or co-sign a note with an outside agency
· may not employ relatives or friends as an inducement for
enrollment of the prospect
· may not provide gifts of any kind - i.e. Birthday,
Christmas, Valentines
· may not provide free services - i.e. dry cleaning, car
repair, hair cuts, meals in restaurants
· may not provide special discounts – for goods and
services
· may not provide use of an automobile
· may not provide hospitality in your home other than
special occasions (Thanksgiving, Christmas)
· may not invite to summer home, boat etc.
· may not provide transportation i.e.; to airport, to
job.
· may not provide guarantee of a bond
· may not provide promise of post graduate financial
aid
· may not provide promise of post graduate employment
Reference Guide for Supporters and Friends of Falcon
Athletics
Concordia University Wisconsin, as a member of the NCAA, is
responsible for ensuring that various constituencies (i.e.,
University faculty, staff, student-athletes, alumni and friends)
abide by the NCAA Rules and Regulations.
We appreciate the interest and support of all alumni, friends,
students and supporters, and remind you that inappropriate contact
or an inadvertent action on your part can jeopardize the
eligibility of our student-athletes and prospects and compliance of
the University with NCAA, NAC, MCHA, MLC, MWLC, NCHA and NWA
regulations.
Please read this publication carefully and assist Concordia
University Wisconsin in its commitment to integrity and compliance
with the rules and regulations determined by the NCAA and WIAC.
This publication is designed to
provide alumni and friends of Concordia University Wisconsin with
an understanding of NCAA, NAC, MCHA, MLC, MWLC, NCHA and NWA rules
and regulations governing the conduct of Concordia University
Wisconsin athletic programs.
NCAA RULES REGARDING CONTACTS WITH CURRENTLY ENROLLED
STUDENT-ATHLETES
DO NOT provide a student-athlete or friends any
benefit or special arrangement. The NCAA considers these as an
"extra benefit" and they are specifically prohibited.
DO NOT provide room and/or board or any type of
transportation during the summer for a student-athlete with
eligibility remaining.
DO NOT provide room, board or transportation costs
incurred by friends or family of an enrolled student-athlete to
visit campus or attend an away contest.
DO NOT provide funds to entertain student-athletes, their
friends or relatives. You are not even permitted to buy a soda or a
cup of coffee for them.
DO NOT use the name or picture of an enrolled
student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote sales
or use of a commercial product or service of any kind.
DO NOT provide any payment of expense, or loan
of, any automobile for a student-athlete to return home or to any
other location for ANY reason
DO NOT provide an award or gift to a
student-athlete for his or her athletic performance. All awards
must conform to NCAA regulations and must be approved by CUW.
DO NOT provide an honorarium or gift to a student-athlete
for a speaking engagement. Only necessary travel expenses can be
given when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All
speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the Athletic
Department.
DO NOT allow a student-athlete, his or her
friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free long
distance calls.
HOWEVER...
DO feel free to invite a student-athlete to your
home for a home cooked meal but only for a special occasion (i.e.
Thanksgiving, birthday). Remember, the student-athlete must provide
his/her own transportation.
DO feel free to invite a team for dinner or to
meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing. The
NCAA permits students-athletes AS A TEAM to receive special
benefits not permitted to individuals. Arrangements for such events
must be made in advance with the head coach or Athletic
Department.
NCAA RULES REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF PROSPECTIVE AND
ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES
DO NOT employ or arrange for the employment of a
prospective or enrolled student-athlete without checking first with
the Concordia University Wisconsin Athletic Department. The
Department is permitted to make arrangements for summer employment
for prospects prior to enrollment as freshmen and to enrolled
students during the summer and semester breaks.
DO NOT provide transportation for prospects or
student-athletes in your employ unless transportation is provided
for all other employees.
HOWEVER...
YOU CAN as a representative of the CUW athletic
interests, at your own expense, transport or pay the cost of a
prospect to visit the campus, one time, provided at your own
expense you accompany the prospect to campus. The same recruiting
restriction outlined by the NCAA and WIAC apply. This will count as
an official visit and can include parents, relatives or friends of
the prospect.
DO pay student-athletes employed by you only for
work actually performed at a rate commensurate with the going rate
for similar services in the community and your own business.
NCAA RULES REGARDING CONTACTS WITH HIGH SCHOOL AND
COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT-ATHLETES (PROSPECTS)
DO NOT become directly or indirectly involved in
making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relatives or
friends to receive money or financial aid of any kind.
DO NOT provide anything to or for a prospect,
his/her relatives or friends, without first checking with the
Athletic Department administration.
DO NOT make any contact with a prospect or the
prospect's family, off campus, until the prospect has begun classes
for the 12th grade. If a prospect that has not reached the 12th
grade approaches you, off campus, regarding the athletic program,
explain that NCAA rules do not permit you to discuss the program.
Suggest that the prospect contact the head coach of the sport for
information.
DO NOT provide room and/or board, transportation
of any kind or any other benefit to a recruited student-athlete
during the summer prior to enrollment for classes at Concordia
University Wisconsin.
DO NOT entertain high school, prep school or
community college COACHES at ANY time.
DO NOT provide tickets or transportation for high
school, prep school or community college COACHES at any location.
Only the Athletic Department can provide complimentary admissions
and only to home athletic events for those coaches.
DO NOT entertain or provide tickets at no, or
reduced cost to CUW's home or away athletic or non-athletic events
for prospects, their relatives or friends. Only the Athletic
Department can provide complimentary admissions to prospective
student-athletes and only for HOME athletic events.
DO NOT contact an enrolled student-athlete at
another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to
Concordia University Wisconsin and participation in our athletic
program.
DO NOT pay or offer to pay registration fees for
summer sports camps for a prospect.
DO NOT contact the prospect's coach, principal or
counselor for the purpose of evaluating the prospect. You are not
permitted to pick up films or transcripts from the prospect's
educational institution.
HOWEVER...
DO feel free to
attend high school and community college athletic events. Please
feel free to contact the coaching staff if you see a prospective
student-athlete that would be an asset to Concordia University
Wisconsin athletically and academically.
DO continue established family relationships with
friends and neighbors. Contact with sons and daughters of these
families certainly are permitted as long as they are not made for
recruiting purposes and are not initiated by Concordia University
Wisconsin's coaching staff members. You are permitted to play "pick
up" basketball or softball games, continue neighborhood picnics or
backyard barbecues and engage in your normal activities with
prospects and their parents who are family friends. Again, you
simply are not permitted to attempt to recruit the prospect or
discuss the Concordia University Wisconsin athletic program.
DO feel free to attend a public event (i.e. a
high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in
attendance. No attempt should be made, however, to recruit the
prospect.
DO send to the CUW coaching staff any newspaper
clippings or other information about the prospects which you think
would be of interest. Your assistance in this way is very helpful.
The coaching staff will then make the contact with the prospect
YOU CAN BE
CLASSIFIED AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WISCONSIN'S
ATHLETIC INTERESTS IF YOU:
· Have made a financial contribution to the athletic
department or an athletic booster organization
· Have been requested or assisted the athletic department
in the recruitment of prospective student athletes
· Have assisted or are assisting in providing benefits to
enrolled student athletes or their families
· Are involved in promoting CUW's athletic program
The NCAA stipulates that once you become an "athletic
representative" you retain that identity forever, even if you no
longer contribute to, or are involved with, the athletic
program.
PLEASE HELP!!
If you have knowledge of improprieties, intentional or
unintentional, please let the Athletic Department know immediately
so that we can take corrective action.
WHOM DO I CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS?
Dr. Rob Barnhill, Director of Athletics (262) 243-4404 or
Rob.Barnhill@cuw.edu
Stacey Brunner-Jones, Senior Woman Administrator (262) 243-4492 or
Stacey.BrunnerJones@cuw.edu
Two final reminders:
1) Please contact the athletic department for NCAA rules
interpretations.
2) Remember that in most cases: CONTACT IS PROHIBITED.