NCAA Rules and You
Important Information You Need to Know
The University of Notre Dame is committed to full compliance with all NCAA and BIG EAST Conference rules and regulations. In addition, the University is responsible for ensuring that all of its student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff, alumni, benefactors, fans and friends are aware of NCAA rules and regulations and that these rules and regulations are adhered to.
By adhering to the letter and intent of all NCAA regulations, you will help Notre Dame maintain its long history of excellence and integrity, both academically and athletically. The loyalty and support demonstrated by our alumni, friends and fans is unparalleled. We ask that you help Notre Dame maintain its commitment to excellence by reviewing this summary of NCAA rules and regulations.
Representative of Athletic Interests
Accoring to NCAA regulations, a "representative of Notre Dame athletic interests" or booster) is any person who:
- Is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame,
- Has ever participated with or is currently a member of any athletics department fan support group (i.e., Quarterback Club, Three-Point Club, Lockerroom Club),
- Has made a donation to the University of Notre Dame,
- Is a member of a Notre Dame Alumni Club,
- Is a season ticket holder in any sport,
- Has helped arrange for summer and/or vacation employment for a student-athlete, or
- Has been involved, in any way, in the promotion of Notre Dame's athletics program.
Prospective Student-Athlete
A prospective student-athlete is any student who has started classes for the ninth (9th) grade. In addition, any student who has not started classes for ninth grade becomes a prosective student-athlete if the institution's athletics interests provides such a student (or the student's relatives or friends) with any financial assistance or other benefit(s) that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.
Recruiting
Only coaches and athletics department staff members are permitted to be involved in the recruiting process of prospective student-athletes. Representatives of Notre Dame's athletics interests are prohibited from contacting a prospective student-athlete or members of his/her family by telephone, letter or in person for the purpose of encouraging participation in athletics at Notre Dame. If you know of a prospective student-athlete who may have the interest and ability to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Notre Dame, you are only permitted to contact the appropriate Notre Dame coaching staff. That coach will then take appropriate action.
Extra Benefits
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional staff member or a representative of the institution's athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or his/her family with a benefit not specifically authorized by NCAA regulations. Extra benefits that are not authorized by the NCAA would include, but are not limited to:
- Cash or loans of any amount,
- Co-signing or authorizing a loan,
- Gifts or free services (e.g., airline tickets, restaurant meals, use of an automobile, etc.),
- Rent-free or reduced-cost housing,
- Employment of a student-athlete at a rate higher than the wages paid for similar work, or
- Payment to a student-athlete for work not performed.
We appreciate your support of intercollegiate athletics at Notre Dame. We ask, however, that you also help keep Notre Dame's tradition of athletic integrity intact by following NCAA regulations. Your assistance will ensure that the eligibility of both prospective student-athletes and currently enrolled students is protected.
If you have any questions concerning NCAA or BIG EAST rules and regulations, please contact Mike Karwoski, Director of Compliance, at (219) 631-4107.
