Common Questions and Answers for Representatives for Athletic Interest
Q: What is a Booster/Representative of Athletics Interest? (Bylaw 13.02.13)
A: An individual who is known (or has been known by George Mason) to:
- Participate in or was a member of an organization promoting George Mason athletics program;
- Make financial contributions to George Mason athletics program or booster club;
- Assist in the recruitment of prospects;
- Provide benefits to student-athletes, or
- Has otherwise been involved in promoting George Mason Athletics.
Q: What is a prospect? (Bylaw 13.02.11)
A: A prospect is a student who has started ninth grade classes. In addition, a student who has not yet started ninth grade classes becomes a prospect if the institution provides any benefit not available to general prospective students.
Q. Is it permissible for an athletic representative to bring an outstanding prospect to the attention of George Mason Athletics?
A. Yes. An athletic representative may not, however, get involved in the actual evaluation of a prospect. In other words, an athletic representative may not contact a prospect's coach, principal, or counselor, nor visit the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's athletic or academic abilities. In addition, an athletic representative cannot contact the prospect for purposes of soliciting the prospect's enrollment to the University and participation in athletics.
Q. Is it permissible for an athletics representative to accompany a George Mason coach when he/she visits a high school campus in their area?
A. No. Even if an athletic representative provides transportation for a George Mason coach (i.e., from the airport to the high school), the athletic representative is not a permissible recruiter and thus may not enter the high school with the coach or observe prospects.
Q. Is it permissible to contact a prospective student-athlete or his/her parents or legal guardians?
A. No. An athletic representative may not contact a prospect or his/her parents in person, by telephone, or in writing. This prohibition extends both on and off the universities campus.
Q. Is this contact rule applicable to "established family friends" or neighbors?
A. No. However, it must be understood that such contacts cannot be made for recruiting purposes and cannot be initiated or arranged by the George Mason coaching staff members. In addition, the established relationship between the booster and the prospect must have occurred prior to the friend or neighbor becoming a prospect.
Q. How long is a prospective student-athlete considered to be a prospect?
A. A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after committing to or signing a National Letter of Intent with George Mason or another institution. In fact, both the prospect and the institution continue to be governed by NCAA recruiting regulations until the prospect reports for practice or attends his/her first day of classes in any regular term (i.e., fall or spring, not summer school).
Q: Can a representative of athletics interests be involved when a prospect is on an official or unofficial visit?
A: No. Representatives of athletics interests are precluded from all recruiting activities, including face-to-face contacts with a prospect or his/her relatives.
Q: May a student-athlete's name or picture is used to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend, or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service?
A. No. Such activities would jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete. The NCAA has always maintained that student-athletes not be involved in the promotion of commercial products.
Q: May a booster attend a public event (e.g., high school award banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance? What about a prospect's contest at his or her interest?
A: Yes. However, contact with a prospect or a prospect's parents/legal guardians/relatives may not occur. No attempt may be made to recruit the prospect.
Q: A classmate of my child has just signed with George Mason, and I would like to take him to the next local Patriot Club meeting to introduce him to the Mason supporters. Is this allowed?
A: No, it is not. Please remember that NCAA recruiting regulations still apply to a prospect, even after he or she signs a National Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement to attend the University. This means that boosters continue to be prohibited from having on- or off-campus contact with prospects until the academic year begins and the prospect is in classes.
Q: May a student-athlete make a public appearance at a business establishment for any purpose such as signing autographs, etc.?
A: No. Such appearances can be construed as a direct or indirect endorsement of the commercial establishment, thus jeopardizing the eligibility of the student-athlete.
Q: If I have extra tickets to a George Mason sporting events, can I give them to student-athletes? Can I provide them with tickets to other events in the area (sporting or otherwise)?
A: No it is not permissible for student-athletes to receive tickets from boosters to any George Mason-sporting event. Student-athletes must obtain their tickets in the same manner as all other students. When it comes to professional sporting events, NCAA regulations prohibit the institution or any of its boosters from obtaining and providing tickets to student-athletes. Such a gift of tickets would be considered an unacceptable extra benefit. The only exception to this rule comes on team road trips, when the institution can provide tickets to a professional sports contest as part of reasonable entertainment for student-athletes. In general, boosters are prohibited from providing any form of entertainment expenses to student-athletes. Whether it is tickets to a movie, the cover charge at a club, or greens fees, providing such benefits to student-athletes would constitute a violation of NCAA regulations and jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility.
Q: As a Mason booster, may I call or write a prospect to let him or her know they would be a good fit for the George Mason?
A: No, only the George Mason coaches may call or write a prospect after specific dates established by the NCAA.
Q: What should I do if a prospect calls me about the George Mason?
A: If that situation occurs, you may speak only about general information about the University, and cannot answer any questions about the athletic program. The best way to deal with a prospect that calls is to ask them to contact the coach of the sport they are interested in directly.
Q: Is it permissible for me to pick up a game film or transcript to deliver to a Mason coach?
A: No, only George Mason coaches may visit a prospect's high school to obtain transcripts or game films.
Q: Is it permissible for a Mason athletics booster to provide summer employment for student-athletes?
A: Yes, it is permissible. Please remember that compensation must be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality.
Q: Can a Mason booster arrange for a prospect to work for them after high school graduation?
A: Yes, once the prospect signs an NLI with the George Mason and graduates from high school, the prospect may work for a Mason. The prospect must receive pay for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the rate of that locality.
Q: Is it permissible for a Patriot Club member to provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her performances?
A: No, awards cannot be given to student-athletes by boosters.
Q: Is it permissible for boosters of George Mason athletics to provide enrolled student-athletes a home cooked meal?
A: Yes, provided it is on an occasional basis and the meal is at the booster's home, not at a restaurant. The Compliance Office prior to the event must receive all requests.
Q: Is the George Mason athletics department responsible for the acts of its boosters, including Patriot Club members, and booster support groups?
A: Yes. The athletic department is responsible for ensuring that its boosters follow NCAA regulations.
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