George Mason University Athletics

This information is for boosters, fans and friends of George Mason University. The relationship we enjoy, one with another and to the institution to which we are loyal is one which we all cherish. To enhance that relationship, we must all adhere to the rules and regulations that govern George Mason’s athletic program.
 
Under NCAA regulations, we are, or can unintentionally make ourselves, "representatives of George Mason’s athletic interests" and thereby bound to the same rules and regulations as coaches, athletic administrators and staff members. When violations occur, whether intentional or not, George Mason University is responsible for our actions, and ignorance of the rules cannot be used as an excuse.
 
This web page has been prepared as a handy reference to the NCAA rules governing situations most likely encountered by alumni and friends. Please remember that it does not, however, include all applicable provisions.
 
Therefore, please call us before you do anything involving contact with, or employment of, any prospective student-athletes. As members of the "Mason Family," we must make sure that the eligibility of our student-athletes is not endangered by inadvertent rules violations.

DO's
• If desired, provide an occasional family meal for student-athletes. The meal must be in the home of the representative of athletics interests, and the meal can be catered. You may also provide transportation for the athletes attending this meal.

• Attend games where prospects are competing, as long as no contact is made with the prospect or prospect's parents.

• Continue normal contact with prospects with which you have pre-established relationships, as longs as the contacts are not recruiting related.

• If desired, arrange employment for prospective student-athletes, as long as the employment begins after high school graduation, and pay is commensurate with the "going rate."

• Accept a phone call from a prospect, as long as the prospect initiates the call. All questions regarding the institution's athletics department should be directed back to the athletics department.

• Check with the Office of Compliance before you do anything that may jeopardize a current or prospective student-athlete's eligibility.

DONT's
• Provide a prospective student athlete, his/her parents, relatives, friends, or coaches with any material benefit.

• Make recruiting presentations to groups of prospective student-athletes.

• Make in-person on or off-campus recruiting contact, telephone calls, or establish written correspondence with prospective student-athletes.

• Entertain or provide awards or gifts for a current student-athlete, or his/her family and friends.

• Pay a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.

• Use a student-athlete's name, picture, or appearance to promote sales or advertise the use of a commercial product or service.

• Pay or offer to pay for registration fees for summer sports camps for a prospect.

FAQ
What is a "booster" (that is, a representative of the institution's athletics interests?
Bylaw 13.02.12 defines a booster. An abbreviated version of this regulation is set forth below: A "Booster" is any individual who is a member of the institution's athletics booster club, has ever made any donations to the club or athletic department, is involved in any manner of recruiting prospects or in providing benefits (summer jobs) to enrolled student-athletes, or is otherwise involved in promoting the institution's athletics' program.

Once an individual has been identified as a booster, how long does he or she retain that status?
Forever.

Is the institution responsible for the acts of boosters and booster support groups?
Yes. Boosters are governed by the same NCAA rules and regulations as those placed upon all institutional staff members.

Can boosters entertain relatives and friends of a prospective student-athlete at any site off-campus?
No.

Can a booster make contact with a prospective student-athlete and his or her legal guardian on an official visit to campus?
No.

Is it permissible for a booster to transport, pay or arrange for the payments of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete to visit the campus or elsewhere?
No.

Is it permissible for a booster to employ, or arrange for the employment of, a prospective student-athlete before the completion of the prospect's senior year of high school?
No.

Is it permissible for a booster to pay in whole or in part registration fees associated with summer sports camps?
No. But bylaw 13.2.4.1 permits an institution to arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete that begins after the prospect's senior year in high school. After a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, it is permissible for a booster to contact concerning summer employment arrangements.

May a booster engage in evaluation activities on behalf of the institution?
The legislation does not preclude a booster from viewing a prospect's contest on the booster's initiative, subject to the understanding that the booster may not make contact with the prospect. The booster, however, is prohibited from contacting the prospect's coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, as well as from visiting the prospect's educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic or athletic ability.

Is it permissible for a booster to extend funds to entertain a student-athlete and friends?
No.

Is it permissible for a booster to provide summer employment to a student-athlete?
Yes, but compensation must be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

Is it permissible for a booster to provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her academic performance?
No, all awards must conform to the NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by the institution.

Is it permissible for a booster to provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement?
No. Student-athletes may receive only necessary travel expenses when speaking for educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the institution.