DSU Fans (Boosters) Do's and Don'ts
Delaware State University, by virtue of its membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), is responsible for ensuring complete compliance of all constituencies (i.e. university staff, student-athletes, alumni, fans, boosters and friends) with all NCAA and MEAC rules and regulations. Under NCAA rules, parents, alumni, fans and friends may be categorized as “representatives of athletics interests.”
Delaware State University strives for academic and athletic excellence. Pursuant to that goal is an on-going commitment to ethical conduct by all members of its staff and supporters. Even the simplest, inadvertent actions on the part of a booster or supporter may jeopardize the eligibility of student-athletes and/or prospects and the compliance of the university with NCAA or MEAC regulations.
A Compliance Checklist – For More Information, call 302-857-6038
Extra benefits (as defined by the NCAA) – “any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interest to provide a student-athlete a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Receipt of such a benefit in not considered an NCAA violation if that same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students or their relatives and/or friends or to a particular segment of the student body determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.”
WHAT YOU CAN’T DO:
- A booster is prohibited from making in-person, on-or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephone communication with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.
- In addition, a booster is prohibited from contacting any enrolled student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to Delaware State University and participation in its athletics program. If a prospect approaches a DSU booster regarding the athletics program, please explain that NCAA rules prohibit such a discussion and suggest to the prospect that he/she contact the head coach of the sport for more information.
- A booster is prohibited from contacting the prospect’s coach, principal or counselor for the purpose of obtaining information about the prospect.
- A booster is prohibited from picking up film or transcripts from the prospect’s educational institution.
- A booster is prohibited from entertaining a prospect and/or relatives and friends of a prospect at any site, either on-or off-campus.
- In addition, a booster is prohibited from providing tickets at no or reduced cost to any Delaware State home or away athletic or non-athletic event for prospects, their relatives or friends. Only the DSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics can provide complimentary admissions to prospects and only for HOME events.
- A booster is prohibited from paying or arranging for transportation for a prospect and/or relatives and friends of a prospect to visit campus. While it is permissible for a friend or neighbor to transport a high school or community college student who is NOT an athlete to the campus, NCAA regulations prohibit the activity for a prospect.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- A booster is permitted to send newspaper clippings or any other information regarding a prospect to the respective Delaware State coaching staff.
- A booster is permitted to attend high school or community college athletic(s) events. You simply cannot have any contact with prospects or relatives and/or friends.
- A booster is permitted to continue established family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contact with sons and daughters of these families is permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes.
- A booster is permitted to have a telephone conversation with a prospect ONLY if the prospect initiates the call. However, the booster is not permitted to have a recruiting conversation with the prospect and an institutional staff member cannot prearrange the call.
EMPLOYMENT RULES
Delaware State University and its Director of Athletics asks that all boosters, prior to employing or arranging for the employment of a prospect or enrolled student-athlete, check first with the Delaware State Athletics Department. The department is permitted to make arrangements for summer employment for prospects prior to their enrollment as freshmen and to enrolled student-athletes during summer and semester breaks. Accurate record keeping must be maintained regarding employment. Therefore, the Department of Athletics asks for your cooperation.
Regarding employment
- A booster is prohibited from providing employment transportation for prospects or student-athletes unless such transportation is available to all employees.
- A booster is permitted to pay student-athletes employed for work actually performed and at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the community or business.
WHOM DO I CONTACT?
It is of significance that all individuals associated with Delaware State University and its athletics department, including alumni, parents, and boosters, have an awareness and understanding of NCAA rules and regulations. Should you, at any time, have a question please do not hesitate in directing inquiries to:
Office of Athletics Compliance
Delaware State University
1200 N. duPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
