NCAA & YOU


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Booster Guide
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Thanks to the support of our many fans and friends, the University of Arkansas family of student-athletes, coaches, and athletics department stand to become a success both on the field and off. This guide is provided to each member of the Razorback Foundation, Inc., by mail during the academic year. We have provided it here as a reference for you if you have any questions about what is permissible as a booster. If you would like to print a full copy of this guide, please click on the link on the left side of the page.

The NCAA defines a booster as:
* An individual who is a member of the institution's athletics booster club.

* An individual who has made financial contributions to the booster club or the Athletic Department.

* An individual who is involved in providing benefits (e.g. summer jobs) to prospects or enrolled student-athletes.

* An individual who has been otherwise involved in promoting University of Arkansas (i.e. buying season tickets).

Remember: Once you are identified as a booster, you never lose that identity.

The University of Arkansas appreciates your interest in our athletics programs. Please join us in our efforts to ensure a successful career at Arkansas for our students and to maintain a high standard of ethical conduct for our athletics program.

NCAA Rules Regarding Student-Athletes

You May Not provide a student-athlete any benefits or special arrangements.

You May Not provide room and/or board or any type of transportation during the summer for a student-athlete with eligibility remaining.

You May Not provide room, board, or transportation costs incurred by friends or family of an enrolled student-athlete with eligibility remaining.

You May Not expend funds to entertain student-athletes, their friends or relatives. Things such as buying a soda or a cup of coffee for them could jeopardize their eligibility.

You May Not use the name, picture or appearance of an enrolled student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind.

You May Not use the name, picture or appearance of an enrolled student-athlete to promote an educational or charitable cause until it has been approved by the Compliance Office.

You May Not provide any payment of expense or loan of any automobile for a student-athlete for any reason.

You May Not provide awards or gifts directly to a student-athlete or his/her family or friends for his/her athletic performance. All awards financed by boosters must first be approved by the athletic department and meet NCAA award requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is a prospective student-athlete?

A prospect is any student who has entered the ninth grade. A student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospect if the University of Arkansas provides that individual (or friends and relatives) any financial assistance or other benefits the University does not provide to prospects generally.

Q: Can a booster contact a prospect or their parents on or off campus?

Boosters cannot have any in-person recruiting contact with a prospect or the prospect's parents or legal guardian (s) or relatives on or off campus at any time.

Q: Is it permissible for a booster to provide enrolled student-athletes a home cooked meal?

Yes, provided the meal is on an "occasional" basis and any such meal is not at a restaurant. Remember, this is the ONLY time you may transport a student-athlete. Note: All requests must receive prior approval.

Q: Is it permissible for a booster to employ a student-athlete?

Yes. Please remember that compensation must be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate in that locality for similar services. The athletics department should approve such employment.

What Can Boosters Do?