This page is intended to highlight some topics pertinent to you as a representative of athletics interests (also known as a booster). It is difficult to cover every possible rule and regulation governing representatives of athletics interests. Therefore, please always contact a Compliance Office staff member before taking any action that may be contrary to NCAA rules.
What is a Booster?
Find out if you are considered a representative of athletics interests (a booster) at the University of Wisconsin. Remember that once you are identified as a "representative of the institution's athletics interests" under NCAA rules, you retain that identity forever.
To protect the eligibility of our student-athletes, it is always best to consider yourself a booster and avoid any impermissible activities when dealing with prospects or current student-athletes. Please note, all alumni are defined as boosters by the NCAA.
Permissible Activities as a Booster
Notify university coaching staff members about noteworthy prospects in the area, provided no contact with prospects occurs
Attend high school or two-year college athletic contests or other events where prospects may compete, provided no contact with prospects occurs
Continue existing friendships, but please contact the Compliance Office before providing any benefits to ensure that no NCAA rules are being violated
Impermissible Activities as a Booster
As a booster, you may not participate in any of the following benefits recruiting activities:
Contact a prospect in-person, whether it occurs on-campus or off-campus*; or contact a prospect by telephone, email, Internet, or letter*
Provide any material benefit (e.g., meals, cash) to the coach of a prospect, including high school, two-year college, AAU and summer team coaches*
Employ relatives, guardians or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the prospect's enrollment and athletics participation at a university**
Have a Twitter, Facebook, or Message Board Account?
Be careful when it comes to recruiting!
Additionally, as a booster you may not provide any of the following benefits to prospects or current student-athletes:
Provide a vehicle or transportation for a prospect and his/her relatives or guardians, or for a current student-athlete and his/her relatives or guardians**
Provide free or reduced-cost gifts or services (e.g., tickets to attend an athletic event, etc.) to a prospect and his/her relatives or guardians, or to a current student-athlete and his/her relatives or guardians**
Become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect and his/her relatives or guardians, or for a current student-athlete and his/her relatives or guardians, to receive money or financial aid of any kind**
**More information on extra benefits and preferential treatment for prospects or current student-athletes
Questions?
The Compliance staff is here as a resource for you. Please feel free to contact the Compliance Office with any questions you may have.
