Do's And Don'ts
As 2002 comes to an end, we find that our student-athletes are completing another outstanding and successful year on the field and in the classroom. Just as the student-athletes have worked hard to prepare themselves for the academic and athletic year, it is also a time of preparation for our boosters. So let's gear up for 2003 with a little rules education.
Here are a few reminders of the "Do's and Don'ts" with regards to our student-athletes:
Boosters cannot provide any "extra benefits" to enrolled student-athletes.
The definition of an "extra benefit" is: Any special gift or arrangement provided to an enrolled student-athlete or a student-athlete's family or friend that is not available to all other students at Cal. The extra benefit rules may also apply to gifts or arrangements (other than legitimate jobs) following the student-athlete's graduation from Cal.
The following are some examples of "extra benefits":
Arranging, providing or co-signing for a loan
Providing the use of a car, motorcycle or other mode of transportation
Providing a ticket to any athletic, institutional or community event
Arranging or providing any special discounts or credits on any purchases
Giving any type of gift or money
However, as in many cases, there is an exception to the rule. The following are some examples of "extra benefits" that are permissible:
Boosters can invite a student-athlete(s) or an entire team to your home for a meal. The meal, which may be catered, should be limited to infrequent or special occasions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc.). Boosters are permitted to give a student-athlete(s) transportation to their homes on these occasions (local transportation only).
When the team is visiting your area for an away athletics contest, boosters may invite the entire Cal team for dinner. This meal may take place at either the booster's home or at a restaurant
Boosters can employ a student-athlete during the summer months or after they have graduated from Cal. The NCAA however, requires that the employer may not use the student-athlete's reputation or fame as a condition of hire, that the student-athlete is to be compensated for work actually performed, and that the student-athlete is compensated at the going rate for similar services.
As a reminder, Cal Athletic Department policy requires that boosters contact the head coach prior to making contact with student-athletes.
