Compliance > Athletic Representative/Boosters > Contacts With Enrolled Student Athletes
Contacts with Enrolled Student-Athletes
The NCAA defines a student athlete as one whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of Davidson College athletics interests with a view toward the student's ultimate participation in the Davidson College intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student becomes a student athlete only when the student reports for a Davidson College athletic team.
With this in mind, here are some basic do’s and don’ts with regard to contacting enrolled student athletes…
DO NOT provide student athletes, their family or friends any special benefits or arrangements. The NCAA specifically prohibits any extra benefits for student athletes. Such benefits include transportation, room, board, entertainment, loans or any other tangible item.
DO NOT pay for travel expenses or lend an automobile to a student athlete to return home or go to any location for any reason.
DO NOT provide room, board or transportation costs to the friends or family of a student athlete to visit campus or attend an away contest.
DO NOT spend money to entertain student athletes, or their friends or relatives. You cannot even buy them a soda or a slice of pizza.
DO NOT use the name or picture of an enrolled student athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Doing so will render the student athlete ineligible for competition. All charitable, educational and nonprofit promotional activities involving student athletes must have prior approval from the Department of Athletics. Please contact the Compliance Office for more information.
DO NOT provide an honorarium to a student athlete for any speaking engagement. Student athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance and coordinated by the Department of Athletics.
DO NOT mail items to student athletes for them to sign and return to you.
DO NOT use any item (i.e., poster, ball, etc.) signed by a Davidson College coach, student athlete or staff member in an auction, raffle or any other type of fundraising activity to raise money, specifically for a high school project. The Department of Athletics must give approval for such items to be used.
DO NOT provide gifts or awards to a student athlete for his/her athletic performance. All awards must meet NCAA guidelines and, therefore, must have prior approval from the Davidson College Department of Athletics.
DO NOT allow student athletes, or their friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free long distance calls.
DO, however, assist the Davidson College athletics program in the following ways:
DO invite a student athlete or team to your home for a home-cooked meal. The meal may be catered and must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions (e.g., birthday, holidays). Approval for such meals MUST come from the Department of Athletics so please inform the head coach or Compliance Office if you would like to provide a meal to a student athlete or team.
DO invite a team to meet alumni for dinner when the team is on the road for an away contest.
The NCAA permits student athletes as a team to accept certain special benefits. Once again, please contact the Davidson College Department of Athletics first to ensure all applicable NCAA rules are being followed.
DO make donations to a particular team through the Fast Break Club, DAF, or the Department of Athletics.
DO contact Davidson College’s development and promotional staff to inquire about promoting Davidson College Athletics.
As a parent of a student athlete what are the restrictions?
In general, all the rules mentioned with regard to enrolled student athletes (other than your son or daughter) MUST be followed. Please note the following two important reminders:
DO NOT speak to prospects or their parents about the team or the athletics program especially if they are on an official visit as representatives, DO NOT have any contact with them.
DO invite team members out for an occasional meal at any location. However, please contact
the Davidson College Department of Athletics first to ensure all applicable NCAA rules are being followed.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!
The NCAA defines a student athlete as one whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of Davidson College athletics interests with a view toward the student's ultimate participation in the Davidson College intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student becomes a student athlete only when the student reports for a Davidson College athletic team.
With this in mind, here are some basic do’s and don’ts with regard to contacting enrolled student athletes…
DO NOT provide student athletes, their family or friends any special benefits or arrangements. The NCAA specifically prohibits any extra benefits for student athletes. Such benefits include transportation, room, board, entertainment, loans or any other tangible item.
DO NOT pay for travel expenses or lend an automobile to a student athlete to return home or go to any location for any reason.
DO NOT provide room, board or transportation costs to the friends or family of a student athlete to visit campus or attend an away contest.
DO NOT spend money to entertain student athletes, or their friends or relatives. You cannot even buy them a soda or a slice of pizza.
DO NOT use the name or picture of an enrolled student athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind. Doing so will render the student athlete ineligible for competition. All charitable, educational and nonprofit promotional activities involving student athletes must have prior approval from the Department of Athletics. Please contact the Compliance Office for more information.
DO NOT provide an honorarium to a student athlete for any speaking engagement. Student athletes may only receive necessary travel expenses when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance and coordinated by the Department of Athletics.
DO NOT mail items to student athletes for them to sign and return to you.
DO NOT use any item (i.e., poster, ball, etc.) signed by a Davidson College coach, student athlete or staff member in an auction, raffle or any other type of fundraising activity to raise money, specifically for a high school project. The Department of Athletics must give approval for such items to be used.
DO NOT provide gifts or awards to a student athlete for his/her athletic performance. All awards must meet NCAA guidelines and, therefore, must have prior approval from the Davidson College Department of Athletics.
DO NOT allow student athletes, or their friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free long distance calls.
DO, however, assist the Davidson College athletics program in the following ways:
DO invite a student athlete or team to your home for a home-cooked meal. The meal may be catered and must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions (e.g., birthday, holidays). Approval for such meals MUST come from the Department of Athletics so please inform the head coach or Compliance Office if you would like to provide a meal to a student athlete or team.
DO invite a team to meet alumni for dinner when the team is on the road for an away contest.
The NCAA permits student athletes as a team to accept certain special benefits. Once again, please contact the Davidson College Department of Athletics first to ensure all applicable NCAA rules are being followed.
DO make donations to a particular team through the Fast Break Club, DAF, or the Department of Athletics.
DO contact Davidson College’s development and promotional staff to inquire about promoting Davidson College Athletics.
As a parent of a student athlete what are the restrictions?
In general, all the rules mentioned with regard to enrolled student athletes (other than your son or daughter) MUST be followed. Please note the following two important reminders:
DO NOT speak to prospects or their parents about the team or the athletics program especially if they are on an official visit as representatives, DO NOT have any contact with them.
DO invite team members out for an occasional meal at any location. However, please contact
the Davidson College Department of Athletics first to ensure all applicable NCAA rules are being followed.
Davidson College appreciates your support. Remember…always ask before you act!
