Compliance > Athletic Representatives/Boosters > Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I Use a Davidson College Student athlete's Name or Picture?
A: NO, it is not permissible for anyone to use the name or picture of an enrolled Davidson College student athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service.
Q: What is the limit of Student athlete's Involvement in Promotional Activities?
A: It is permissible for student athletes to be involved in promotional activities that are deemed institutional, charitable, educational, or non-profit provided the activity is approved by Davidson College's Athletics Compliance Office. Student athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses, and may not receive money to speak (honorarium).
Q: Who is able to recruit for Davidson College?
A: Only Davidson College coaches who have passed the NCAA Recruiting Examination may be involved in the recruitment process for any sport. Therefore, all boosters/athletics representatives who are not employed by the College are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect’s family by telephone, letter or in person on- or off-campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in Davidson College’s athletic program.
Q: What are the basic provisions of the regulation?
A: In Division I, representatives of an institution’s athletics interests are prohibited from making in person on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communications with a prospect of the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.
Q: Is Davidson College responsible for the acts of representatives/booster and booster support groups?
A: Yes. Boosters are governed by the same NCAA and institutional rules as those placed upon all institutional athletics staff members.
Q: Once an individual has been identified as a representative how long does he or she retain this identity?
A: Forever
Q: Can I entertain relatives and friends of a prospect at a site on or off Davidson College’s campus?
A: No.
Q: Is the contact rule applicable to established family, friends or neighbors?
A: No. However, it must be understood that such contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and may not be initiated by Davidson College's coaching staff members.
Q: May I invite a student athlete or team over to my house for a meal?
A: Yes. However, please note that the invitation to the student athlete may only be for a special occasion (e.g., birthday) and only you can provide the student athlete transportation if needed. In addition you may invite a team for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing away form home. The NCAA permits student athletes, as a team, to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals.
Q: May I evaluate a prospect on behalf of Davidson College?
A: NCAA legislation does not prohibit a representative from viewing a prospect's contest on his or her initiative. However, this is with the understanding that the representative may not contact the prospect.
Q: May I provide gifts or awards to a student athlete for his or her athletics performance?
A: No. All awards must conform to NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by the Davidson College athletic department.
Q: May I provide employment to a prospect or enrolled student athlete?
A: Yes. However, the prospect must have signed a National Letter of Intent or institutional financial aid agreement and cannot commence the employment until s/he has completed their senior year in high school. An enrolled student athlete must receive prior written approval from the Department prior to commencing employment. In both cases, prospects and enrolled student athletes must be paid for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar service in the community and your own business
Q: May I contact high school coaches or guidance counselors directly regarding a prospect?
A: No. Such contact would involve specific athletic recruiting and not general institutional recruiting. Further, representatives are prohibited from visiting a prospect’s educational institution to pick up game films or transcripts pertaining to a prospect.
Q: May I accompany the coach during his or her “home” visit with the prospect?
A: No. This would constitute your direct involvement in the athletic recruitment of a prospect.
Q: May I drive a prospect to a secondary school’s reception in my local area?
A: No, unless such arrangements are made for all students in attendance. Otherwise, providing such transportation would be considered an “extra benefit” and would render the prospect ineligible to play if he or she enrolled at Davidson College.
Q: What if a prospect calls an athletic representative?
A: An athletic representative may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. Such a call may not be prearranged by an institutional staff member and the athletic representative may NOT have a recruiting conversation, but may exhibit normal civility. The athletic representative must refer any questions about the Colleges's athletic program to the Davidson College Athletic Department.
Q: What if a prospect knows that an athletic representative is a Davidson College graduate and contacts him/her to ask questions about Davidson College?
A: If a prospect contacts an athletic representative, s/he may answer questions regarding various aspects of Davidson College as long as NO discussion takes place regarding the Davidson College athletic program. If a prospect asks about Davidson College athletics, refer him/her to the appropriate coaching staff.
Q: What if unavoidable incidental contact is made with a prospect by an athletic representative?
A: An unavoidable incidental contact with a prospect is permissible provided the contact is not prearranged by the athletic representative or an athletic staff member, does not take place at the prospect's educational institution or at the sites of organized competition and practice involving the prospect, is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect, and involves only normal civility.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to telephone a prospect once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent and congratulate them?
A: No. Even if the purpose of the call is only to congratulate the prospect, s/he is still a prospect and the same contact rules apply after committing or signing that applied before. Do not contact a prospect without first checking with the Compliance Office, unless the prospect is a relative.
Q: During recruitment, or prior to an individual's enrollment, can an athletic representative be involved directly or indirectly in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relative, or friends to receive money, financial aid, or equivalent inducements?
A: No. Furthermore, it would not be permissible to make such arrangements for current student athletes at Davidson College.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to bring to Davidson College's attention outstanding prospects from the representative's local area?
A: Yes, and we would encourage you to do so. An athletic representative may not, however, get involved in the actual evaluation of the talent 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 at Davidson College and ultimate participation in athletics.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit campus?
A: No.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to entertain high school, preparatory, or junior college coaches at any location?
A: No. However, Davidson College may provide two complimentary admissions to the coaches to home athletic contests.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to provide transportation to or from campus or free admission to an athletics event on or off Davidson College campus to prospects, their friends or relatives?
A: No. Only the Davidson College Athletics Department can provide complimentary admissions and only to home athletic events for those coaches.
Q: What are considered other types of inducements?
A: Other types of inducements that are prohibited include, but are not limited to the following: cash or loans; promise of employment after college education; special discounts or payment arrangements on loans; employment of relatives or friends of a prospect; involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for professional or personal services, purchases or charges; signing or co-signing a note for a loan; the loan or gift of money or other tangible items (e.g., clothes, cars, jewelry); purchase of items or services from a prospect or prospect’s family at inflated prices; and providing directly or indirectly transportation to enroll in classes at the College.
Please Note: Davidson College encourages all representatives of Davidson College athletic interests to contact the Athletic Department if there is doubt concerning their contact with potential or enrolled student athlete.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!
A: NO, it is not permissible for anyone to use the name or picture of an enrolled Davidson College student athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service.
Q: What is the limit of Student athlete's Involvement in Promotional Activities?
A: It is permissible for student athletes to be involved in promotional activities that are deemed institutional, charitable, educational, or non-profit provided the activity is approved by Davidson College's Athletics Compliance Office. Student athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses, and may not receive money to speak (honorarium).
Q: Who is able to recruit for Davidson College?
A: Only Davidson College coaches who have passed the NCAA Recruiting Examination may be involved in the recruitment process for any sport. Therefore, all boosters/athletics representatives who are not employed by the College are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect’s family by telephone, letter or in person on- or off-campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in Davidson College’s athletic program.
Q: What are the basic provisions of the regulation?
A: In Division I, representatives of an institution’s athletics interests are prohibited from making in person on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communications with a prospect of the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.
Q: Is Davidson College responsible for the acts of representatives/booster and booster support groups?
A: Yes. Boosters are governed by the same NCAA and institutional rules as those placed upon all institutional athletics staff members.
Q: Once an individual has been identified as a representative how long does he or she retain this identity?
A: Forever
Q: Can I entertain relatives and friends of a prospect at a site on or off Davidson College’s campus?
A: No.
Q: Is the contact rule applicable to established family, friends or neighbors?
A: No. However, it must be understood that such contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and may not be initiated by Davidson College's coaching staff members.
Q: May I invite a student athlete or team over to my house for a meal?
A: Yes. However, please note that the invitation to the student athlete may only be for a special occasion (e.g., birthday) and only you can provide the student athlete transportation if needed. In addition you may invite a team for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing away form home. The NCAA permits student athletes, as a team, to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals.
Q: May I evaluate a prospect on behalf of Davidson College?
A: NCAA legislation does not prohibit a representative from viewing a prospect's contest on his or her initiative. However, this is with the understanding that the representative may not contact the prospect.
Q: May I provide gifts or awards to a student athlete for his or her athletics performance?
A: No. All awards must conform to NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by the Davidson College athletic department.
Q: May I provide employment to a prospect or enrolled student athlete?
A: Yes. However, the prospect must have signed a National Letter of Intent or institutional financial aid agreement and cannot commence the employment until s/he has completed their senior year in high school. An enrolled student athlete must receive prior written approval from the Department prior to commencing employment. In both cases, prospects and enrolled student athletes must be paid for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar service in the community and your own business
Q: May I contact high school coaches or guidance counselors directly regarding a prospect?
A: No. Such contact would involve specific athletic recruiting and not general institutional recruiting. Further, representatives are prohibited from visiting a prospect’s educational institution to pick up game films or transcripts pertaining to a prospect.
Q: May I accompany the coach during his or her “home” visit with the prospect?
A: No. This would constitute your direct involvement in the athletic recruitment of a prospect.
Q: May I drive a prospect to a secondary school’s reception in my local area?
A: No, unless such arrangements are made for all students in attendance. Otherwise, providing such transportation would be considered an “extra benefit” and would render the prospect ineligible to play if he or she enrolled at Davidson College.
Q: What if a prospect calls an athletic representative?
A: An athletic representative may have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. Such a call may not be prearranged by an institutional staff member and the athletic representative may NOT have a recruiting conversation, but may exhibit normal civility. The athletic representative must refer any questions about the Colleges's athletic program to the Davidson College Athletic Department.
Q: What if a prospect knows that an athletic representative is a Davidson College graduate and contacts him/her to ask questions about Davidson College?
A: If a prospect contacts an athletic representative, s/he may answer questions regarding various aspects of Davidson College as long as NO discussion takes place regarding the Davidson College athletic program. If a prospect asks about Davidson College athletics, refer him/her to the appropriate coaching staff.
Q: What if unavoidable incidental contact is made with a prospect by an athletic representative?
A: An unavoidable incidental contact with a prospect is permissible provided the contact is not prearranged by the athletic representative or an athletic staff member, does not take place at the prospect's educational institution or at the sites of organized competition and practice involving the prospect, is not made for the purpose of recruitment of the prospect, and involves only normal civility.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to telephone a prospect once the prospect has committed to or signed a National Letter of Intent and congratulate them?
A: No. Even if the purpose of the call is only to congratulate the prospect, s/he is still a prospect and the same contact rules apply after committing or signing that applied before. Do not contact a prospect without first checking with the Compliance Office, unless the prospect is a relative.
Q: During recruitment, or prior to an individual's enrollment, can an athletic representative be involved directly or indirectly in making arrangements for a prospect, the prospect's relative, or friends to receive money, financial aid, or equivalent inducements?
A: No. Furthermore, it would not be permissible to make such arrangements for current student athletes at Davidson College.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to bring to Davidson College's attention outstanding prospects from the representative's local area?
A: Yes, and we would encourage you to do so. An athletic representative may not, however, get involved in the actual evaluation of the talent 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 at Davidson College and ultimate participation in athletics.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit campus?
A: No.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to entertain high school, preparatory, or junior college coaches at any location?
A: No. However, Davidson College may provide two complimentary admissions to the coaches to home athletic contests.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletic representative to provide transportation to or from campus or free admission to an athletics event on or off Davidson College campus to prospects, their friends or relatives?
A: No. Only the Davidson College Athletics Department can provide complimentary admissions and only to home athletic events for those coaches.
Q: What are considered other types of inducements?
A: Other types of inducements that are prohibited include, but are not limited to the following: cash or loans; promise of employment after college education; special discounts or payment arrangements on loans; employment of relatives or friends of a prospect; involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for professional or personal services, purchases or charges; signing or co-signing a note for a loan; the loan or gift of money or other tangible items (e.g., clothes, cars, jewelry); purchase of items or services from a prospect or prospect’s family at inflated prices; and providing directly or indirectly transportation to enroll in classes at the College.
Please Note: Davidson College encourages all representatives of Davidson College athletic interests to contact the Athletic Department if there is doubt concerning their contact with potential or enrolled student athlete.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!
