I've been meaning to post this for about a year, but haven't gotten around to it, but it's important for educational purposes and keeping UW and WyoNation in compliance with the NCAA. Thanks to Jessica Kumke and Phil Wille in the UW compliance dept for passing this info along. I'll try to string this together as best I can so it makes sense. I'll post some email strings I had with UW, plus a Booster Guide.
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Hi Phil,
I run a website, http://www.WyoNation.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and I had a question regarding student athletes and fan run message boards. I saw something pop-up on a Weber State message board (http://wildcats.bigskyfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2240) where a recruit (who has signed his LOI, enrolled for fall semester) signed up as a user on the message board and gave the "Hi, I'm ____. I'm excited to be a Wildcat, how's everyone?" kind of intro, people responded, said Hi, welcome, or whatever. Anyways, a Weber compliance officer posted and said that it was a secondary NCAA violation for this student athlete to interact with "boosters" of the program. So I'm curious if this is true, and if so, what can people like myself do to help their University (in my case, UW) stay in compliance and not have to worry about a secondary NCAA violation because of what a recruit or a recruits parents do on a message board, not officially affiliated with the University. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Thanks for contacting us! There are several NCAA regulations that get at booster interaction with prospects, and Weber State is correct to be worried about message boards. I have copied Jessica Kumke (Compliance Assistant) on this email, as she is the expert in NCAA rules regarding prospects and recruiting. I’ll let her give you the details on some issues that can arise as well as some good ideas to make sure we are doing our best to stay in compliance with NCAA rules!
Thanks again for reaching out to us, that really helps us avoid any type of costly problems.
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Thank you very much for contacting us with this issue. It is always great to have boosters contact us with questions. In this case Weber State is correct. The bylaws regarding electronic correspondence (which includes email, text messages, blogs, etc) only allow for a member institution to have such contact with a prospective student-athlete. This is true regardless of whether or not the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent; the rules do loosen up a bit for institutions once they sign but not for boosters. (See bylaws 13.4.1, 13.4.1.2 and 13.4.1.21 below)
As to your questions about what boosters, such as yourself, are permitted to do, there are actually a lot of things you can do. Of course, there are also a lot of things you can’t do. Bylaw 13.1.2.4 (see below) talks about a few of the things you can and cannot do. Basically you cannot have any type of recruiting contact with a prospective student-athlete at any time. You are allowed to speak with a prospective student-athlete (including converstations on a blog or website) as long as the prospect initiated the conversation and the conversation does not involve any recruitment on your part. If you are talking with a prospective student-athlete and they ask questions about the UW athletics program, you should refer those questions to the Athletics Department.
I hope that answers your question. I have also attached our booster guide to this email as it provides some more information about what boosters can and cannot do with regards not only to prospective student-athletes but current student-athletes. You can also visit the UW Compliance website for more information (http://www.wyomingathletics.com/ot/wyo-boosters.html). If you have any other questions or want any clarification on something in this email please let me know.
Thanks again for contacting us!
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13.1.2.4 Other Restrictions, Athletics Representatives.
The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives:
(a) Telephone Conversation. An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution's athletics program to the athletics department staff;
(b) Observing Prospective Student-Athlete's Contest. An athletics representative may view a prospective student-athlete's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospective student-athlete on such occasions;
(c) Evaluation of Prospective Student-Athlete. An athletics representative may not contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospective student-athlete; and
(d) Visiting Prospective Student-Athlete's Institution. An athletics representative may not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospective student-athlete's academic eligibility or athletics ability.
13.4.1 Recruiting Materials.
In sports other than men's basketball and men's ice hockey, a member institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, to an individual (or his or her parents or legal guardians) until September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school. In men's basketball and men's ice hockey, an institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, to an individual (or his or her parents or legal guardians) until June 15 at the conclusion of his or her sophomore year in high school.
13.4.1.2 Electronic Transmissions.
Electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians) is limited to electronic mail and facsimiles. (See Bylaw 13.1.6.2.) All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited. Color attachments may be included with electronic mail correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete, provided the attachment only includes information that is not created for recruiting purposes, except for items that are specifically permitted as printed recruiting materials (e.g., questionnaires) and a media guide. In addition, attachments shall not include any animation, audio or video clips and there shall be no cost (e.g., subscription fee) associated with sending the item attached to the electronic mail correspondence.
13.4.1.2.1 Exception -- Electronic Transmissions After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment.
After the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to the prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by the institution with which the prospective student-athlete has signed. For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospective student-athlete who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day on which the prospective student-athlete signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
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Hi Jessica,
Thanks for providing the information, much more than I expected!
So let me play dumb here for a few minutes and toss out a scenario for you:
As I stated before, I run the WyoNation.com website, it has a message board. On that message board I have various people posting on there, from known sports journalists to UW students, as well as past UW student-athletes, and player parents. So let's say that ______ recruit (or his/her parent) signs up as a user on the message board and posts that they are ______ and they are excited to be a Cowboy. And so other posters say, "Welcome to Wyoming, hope you like it. You'll love Laramie, etc." So I assume that kind of interaction would be in compliance because recruiting is not being discussed and it was recruit initiated? But if someone says, "Oh, you should sign with UW, you'll be a Hall of Famer here!" then that would be not in compliance.. right? If I read the rules right, people can't say anything in regards to being a student athlete at UW, that has to go to the AD. What about questions like "Where's a great place in Laramie to eat?" I'm asking a lot of dumb questions here, but I can see a scenario where these kinds of mundane questions would come up on a message board full of know-it-alls.
I haven't had this issue pop-up yet, but I know it has popped up on a couple of other sites in the past, but I just want to know at what point I need to step in as the Admin of a message board and say, "Hey, you guys can't be doing this, this is a minor rules infraction according to the NCAA." It keeps my site out of hot water and in good standing with UW, as well as keeping UW in good standing with the NCAA. Thanks for your help and patience...
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I think the best policy in this case is to stay away from the topic of athletics with a prospect. So if the recruit gets on the message board and posts that they are excited to be a Cowboy I am fine with responses saying “Welcome” or “That’s Great!” but we should stay away from any comments about the recruit actually playing for us or their athletic ability. I think that is what the issue was with the Weber State post is that the response included a discussion of how they were excited to watch him play and that his is a “big time recruit.” If the recruit is asking general questions about Laramie, like you mentioned with the questions “Where’s a great place to eat in Laramie?”, there isn’t a problem with people responding to those types of questions. They have no relation to athletics and would generally fall under bylaw 13.1.2.4 (a) which allows a booster to talk to a recruit about anything non-athletics as long as the recruit is the one who initiates the conversation.
I hope that answers your questions. If you have any more questions let me know. There is definitely no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to compliance.
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And here's the Booster Guide provided by UW.. hopefully you all can see it.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1iWcoNo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... feBdOwYcwi
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And here's UWs policy on social media as dictated by the NCAA:
Social Media Madness: Leave the Recruiting to the Coaches!
Over the past two years, social media websites (Twitter, Facebook) have changed the face of recruiting. Because of the digital recruiting age, the NCAA has started to regulate how boosters can interact with prospective student-athletes on social media websites. Boosters may not initiate or accept “friend” requests of prospects, but they may “follow” them on twitter. Fan should not post on a prospect’s wall, respond to a tweet or take any other action on social media that would be considered “contacting the prospect.” While technology has changed the game, the general rules stay the same. Please leave the recruiting to the coaches!! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our compliance staff. Peter Prigge, Director of Compliance – 307-766-3795.
Social Media 101
· Boosters/fans may interact with current student-athletes on twitter/facebook, etc. Our Cowboys and Cowgirls appreciate the support!
· Boosters/fans may also interact with prospective student-athletes (recruits) via social media PROVIDED that recruit has signed a National Letter of Intent. VERBAL commitments are not enough. Boosters/fans should not reach out to recruits in attempt to persuade them to come to Wyoming. UW Coaches appreciate the support, but please leave the recruiting to the coaches!!
o Rule of Thumb – Do not attempt to contact/communicate with any UW recruits until the University of Wyoming Athletic Department has made an official announcement about a future Cowboy or Cowgirl.
· *Any recruiting solicitations from outside of the UW Athletic Department results in an institutional NCAA violation. Please see the link on a recent violation committed by the CEO of Twitter that Michigan had to file.
o http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/22931978/twitter-ceo-commits-ncaa-violation-on-twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Let me know if you have any questions. Whatever information you are putting out there, please remind everyone that if any questions arise about what they can and cannot do on twitter/facebook, anything, do NOT hesitate to contact me at 307-766-3795 or [email protected]. We always say, “Ask Before You Act!”
Thanks again!
Peter Prigge - Director of Compliance
Wyoming Athletics
P: 307-766-3795
[email protected]/ Athletics Website
EXCELLENCE • PRIDE • TRADITION
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Hi Phil,
I run a website, http://www.WyoNation.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and I had a question regarding student athletes and fan run message boards. I saw something pop-up on a Weber State message board (http://wildcats.bigskyfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2240) where a recruit (who has signed his LOI, enrolled for fall semester) signed up as a user on the message board and gave the "Hi, I'm ____. I'm excited to be a Wildcat, how's everyone?" kind of intro, people responded, said Hi, welcome, or whatever. Anyways, a Weber compliance officer posted and said that it was a secondary NCAA violation for this student athlete to interact with "boosters" of the program. So I'm curious if this is true, and if so, what can people like myself do to help their University (in my case, UW) stay in compliance and not have to worry about a secondary NCAA violation because of what a recruit or a recruits parents do on a message board, not officially affiliated with the University. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
=====
=====
Thanks for contacting us! There are several NCAA regulations that get at booster interaction with prospects, and Weber State is correct to be worried about message boards. I have copied Jessica Kumke (Compliance Assistant) on this email, as she is the expert in NCAA rules regarding prospects and recruiting. I’ll let her give you the details on some issues that can arise as well as some good ideas to make sure we are doing our best to stay in compliance with NCAA rules!
Thanks again for reaching out to us, that really helps us avoid any type of costly problems.
=====
=====
Thank you very much for contacting us with this issue. It is always great to have boosters contact us with questions. In this case Weber State is correct. The bylaws regarding electronic correspondence (which includes email, text messages, blogs, etc) only allow for a member institution to have such contact with a prospective student-athlete. This is true regardless of whether or not the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent; the rules do loosen up a bit for institutions once they sign but not for boosters. (See bylaws 13.4.1, 13.4.1.2 and 13.4.1.21 below)
As to your questions about what boosters, such as yourself, are permitted to do, there are actually a lot of things you can do. Of course, there are also a lot of things you can’t do. Bylaw 13.1.2.4 (see below) talks about a few of the things you can and cannot do. Basically you cannot have any type of recruiting contact with a prospective student-athlete at any time. You are allowed to speak with a prospective student-athlete (including converstations on a blog or website) as long as the prospect initiated the conversation and the conversation does not involve any recruitment on your part. If you are talking with a prospective student-athlete and they ask questions about the UW athletics program, you should refer those questions to the Athletics Department.
I hope that answers your question. I have also attached our booster guide to this email as it provides some more information about what boosters can and cannot do with regards not only to prospective student-athletes but current student-athletes. You can also visit the UW Compliance website for more information (http://www.wyomingathletics.com/ot/wyo-boosters.html). If you have any other questions or want any clarification on something in this email please let me know.
Thanks again for contacting us!
=====
=====
13.1.2.4 Other Restrictions, Athletics Representatives.
The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives:
(a) Telephone Conversation. An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution's athletics program to the athletics department staff;
(b) Observing Prospective Student-Athlete's Contest. An athletics representative may view a prospective student-athlete's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospective student-athlete on such occasions;
(c) Evaluation of Prospective Student-Athlete. An athletics representative may not contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospective student-athlete; and
(d) Visiting Prospective Student-Athlete's Institution. An athletics representative may not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospective student-athlete's academic eligibility or athletics ability.
13.4.1 Recruiting Materials.
In sports other than men's basketball and men's ice hockey, a member institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, to an individual (or his or her parents or legal guardians) until September 1 at the beginning of his or her junior year in high school. In men's basketball and men's ice hockey, an institution shall not provide recruiting materials, including general correspondence related to athletics, to an individual (or his or her parents or legal guardians) until June 15 at the conclusion of his or her sophomore year in high school.
13.4.1.2 Electronic Transmissions.
Electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete's parents or legal guardians) is limited to electronic mail and facsimiles. (See Bylaw 13.1.6.2.) All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited. Color attachments may be included with electronic mail correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete, provided the attachment only includes information that is not created for recruiting purposes, except for items that are specifically permitted as printed recruiting materials (e.g., questionnaires) and a media guide. In addition, attachments shall not include any animation, audio or video clips and there shall be no cost (e.g., subscription fee) associated with sending the item attached to the electronic mail correspondence.
13.4.1.2.1 Exception -- Electronic Transmissions After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment.
After the calendar day on which a prospective student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to the prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by the institution with which the prospective student-athlete has signed. For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospective student-athlete who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete or his or her parents or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day on which the prospective student-athlete signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
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Hi Jessica,
Thanks for providing the information, much more than I expected!
So let me play dumb here for a few minutes and toss out a scenario for you:
As I stated before, I run the WyoNation.com website, it has a message board. On that message board I have various people posting on there, from known sports journalists to UW students, as well as past UW student-athletes, and player parents. So let's say that ______ recruit (or his/her parent) signs up as a user on the message board and posts that they are ______ and they are excited to be a Cowboy. And so other posters say, "Welcome to Wyoming, hope you like it. You'll love Laramie, etc." So I assume that kind of interaction would be in compliance because recruiting is not being discussed and it was recruit initiated? But if someone says, "Oh, you should sign with UW, you'll be a Hall of Famer here!" then that would be not in compliance.. right? If I read the rules right, people can't say anything in regards to being a student athlete at UW, that has to go to the AD. What about questions like "Where's a great place in Laramie to eat?" I'm asking a lot of dumb questions here, but I can see a scenario where these kinds of mundane questions would come up on a message board full of know-it-alls.
I haven't had this issue pop-up yet, but I know it has popped up on a couple of other sites in the past, but I just want to know at what point I need to step in as the Admin of a message board and say, "Hey, you guys can't be doing this, this is a minor rules infraction according to the NCAA." It keeps my site out of hot water and in good standing with UW, as well as keeping UW in good standing with the NCAA. Thanks for your help and patience...
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I think the best policy in this case is to stay away from the topic of athletics with a prospect. So if the recruit gets on the message board and posts that they are excited to be a Cowboy I am fine with responses saying “Welcome” or “That’s Great!” but we should stay away from any comments about the recruit actually playing for us or their athletic ability. I think that is what the issue was with the Weber State post is that the response included a discussion of how they were excited to watch him play and that his is a “big time recruit.” If the recruit is asking general questions about Laramie, like you mentioned with the questions “Where’s a great place to eat in Laramie?”, there isn’t a problem with people responding to those types of questions. They have no relation to athletics and would generally fall under bylaw 13.1.2.4 (a) which allows a booster to talk to a recruit about anything non-athletics as long as the recruit is the one who initiates the conversation.
I hope that answers your questions. If you have any more questions let me know. There is definitely no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to compliance.
=====
And here's the Booster Guide provided by UW.. hopefully you all can see it.
https://docs.google.com/open?id=1iWcoNo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... feBdOwYcwi
=====
And here's UWs policy on social media as dictated by the NCAA:
Social Media Madness: Leave the Recruiting to the Coaches!
Over the past two years, social media websites (Twitter, Facebook) have changed the face of recruiting. Because of the digital recruiting age, the NCAA has started to regulate how boosters can interact with prospective student-athletes on social media websites. Boosters may not initiate or accept “friend” requests of prospects, but they may “follow” them on twitter. Fan should not post on a prospect’s wall, respond to a tweet or take any other action on social media that would be considered “contacting the prospect.” While technology has changed the game, the general rules stay the same. Please leave the recruiting to the coaches!! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our compliance staff. Peter Prigge, Director of Compliance – 307-766-3795.
Social Media 101
· Boosters/fans may interact with current student-athletes on twitter/facebook, etc. Our Cowboys and Cowgirls appreciate the support!
· Boosters/fans may also interact with prospective student-athletes (recruits) via social media PROVIDED that recruit has signed a National Letter of Intent. VERBAL commitments are not enough. Boosters/fans should not reach out to recruits in attempt to persuade them to come to Wyoming. UW Coaches appreciate the support, but please leave the recruiting to the coaches!!
o Rule of Thumb – Do not attempt to contact/communicate with any UW recruits until the University of Wyoming Athletic Department has made an official announcement about a future Cowboy or Cowgirl.
· *Any recruiting solicitations from outside of the UW Athletic Department results in an institutional NCAA violation. Please see the link on a recent violation committed by the CEO of Twitter that Michigan had to file.
o http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/22931978/twitter-ceo-commits-ncaa-violation-on-twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Let me know if you have any questions. Whatever information you are putting out there, please remind everyone that if any questions arise about what they can and cannot do on twitter/facebook, anything, do NOT hesitate to contact me at 307-766-3795 or [email protected]. We always say, “Ask Before You Act!”
Thanks again!
Peter Prigge - Director of Compliance
Wyoming Athletics
P: 307-766-3795
[email protected]/ Athletics Website
EXCELLENCE • PRIDE • TRADITION
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