Mississippi Colege Athletics

COMPLIANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)

What if a prospect approaches/calls me with questions about playing for Mississippi College?
You should not speak with him/her in excess of a friendly greeting and explaining that NCAA rules prohibit you from talking with them further. You can tell them they will need to contact the coach and then take steps to end the conversation

What if a prospect knows I am a Mississippi College graduate and calls me with general questions about MC?
If a prospect initiates a phone call to you as a booster, you may answer questions regarding various aspects of attending the institution as long as NO discussion occurs regarding the athletics program. If a prospect asks about MC athletics, you must refer him/her to the appropriate coaching staff member.

If I have family friends with a son or daughter who is a prospect, do the rules change my relationship with them?
Not necessarily. The rules are not meant to alter relationships that started for reasons unrelated to athletics, especially prior to a individual reaching such an age or status. You may continue relationships with family friends who have a son or daughter of recruit-able age and is considered a prospect (e.g. backyard BBQs, picnics). But, you cannot encourage the PSA's participation in Mississippi College athletics or provide benefits that you were not providing before he/she became a prospect.

Can an Athletics Representative be involved in any way when a prospect is on an official or unofficial visit?
Yes. However, the Athletics Representative may only have contact on campus during the prospective student-athletes official or unofficial visit.  Off campus contact is prohibited.

May a booster call a prospect, to congratulate the prospect AFTER they have signed a National Letter of Intent?
No. A prospect remains a prospect until they enroll in school. Therefore, calling a prospective student-athlete by a booster is not permissible.

Can I contact prospects to encourage them to attend the institution?  
No. Any such contact could result in the prospect being declared ineligible to participate in athletics at Mississippi College.

May I engage in evaluation activities on behalf of the institution?  
Yes. You may view a prospect’s contest on your own initiative, provided no contact is made with the prospect or his/her family.  However, this evaluation may not take place at the request or direction of an institutional staff member, and you are not permitted to contact anyone associated with the prospect in an effort to evaluate him/her.

May I attend a public event (e.g., high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance?  
Yes, however contact with prospects or their families may not occur, and no attempt can be made to recruit the prospect.

May a booster employ or arrange for employment of a prospective student-athlete?
Yes. This is the only exception that allows a booster to contact a prospect before the prospect enrolls at Mississippi College. A booster can arrange employment before the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school. Compensation must be paid only for work performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for services of like nature.

Is it permissible for a booster to provide a prospect with summer employment transportation?
No. Although, the arrangement of employment for a prospect after their senior year in high school is permissible, providing transportation to a prospect is generally not. An institution or its boosters cannot provide free transportation to or from a summer job unless providing transportation is the employers established policy for all employees.

Can a booster employ an enrolled student-athlete during the academic year?
Yes. Enrolled student-athletes may receive earnings during the academic year, that when combined with other sources of countable aid, do not exceed the cost of attendance.

Is it permissible for a booster to pay the registration fees associated with summer sports camps for a prospect?
No. A booster may not pay any fees associated with sports camps for a prospect.

Can a booster provide a gift to the prospect, or treat a prospect to a free dinner?
No. It is not permissible to give the prospect a gift or treat him or her to a meal. After they become an enrolled student-athlete it would be permissible to invite them over for an occasional meal that must be served at the booster's home

May I provide anything to a recruit?
No. The NCAA's "extra benefit" rule (as defined above) prohibits you from providing any benefit to a prospect or his/her family or friends when the benefit is not available to the general public or all students (e.g. tickets to an athletic, institutional or community event, gift bags, “happies”).

Do the extra benefit rules also apply to enrolled student-athletes and their families and friends?
Yes. You are not allowed to provide any benefit or special arrangement to an enrolled student- athlete (e.g. tickets to a sporting event or concert, a meal or snack, an award or gift for athletic performance, special discounts). Again, the rules are not meant to alter pre-existing relationships, but note that the benefits provided must be the type of benefits that you provided prior to the student-athlete's enrollment at Mississipp.

I am a parent and would like to host my son's team at my home for a meal while they're traveling to our hometown. Is that ok?
Yes. Parents of current student-athletes can provide an "occasional meal" to their son/daughter's team.
Other types of boosters can provide student-athletes with an "occasional meal" too, BUT there are restrictions on where they can provide the meal. Boosters can provide student-athletes with a meal in their home, on campus, or at a facility that is regularly used for home competition. The meal can even be catered but it can only happen "occasionally" and with prior-approval from the compliance office. The meal cannot be at a restaurant.

Is it permissible for a booster to invite a prospect to a booster meeting or event?
No. It is impermissible to invite a prospect or an enrolled student-athlete to a booster club meeting. If a prospect, signee or enrolled student-athlete attends a meeting on his or her own they would be permitted to stay, but they must pay all fees charged for non-members to attend the meeting, including the meal.

Can a booster group place an advertisement that is targeted at local prospective student-athletes in a newspaper or other publication?
No. It is impermissible to place such an advertisement even if the advertisement does not specifically mention Mississippi College.

May a student-athlete’s name, picture, or appearance be used in a promotional activity?   
It depends on the situation.  Please contact the Compliance Officer with your specific question.