Boosters, Friends and Alumni
We are all responsible for maintaining NCAA compliance. Boston College and our student-athletes are held responsible for the actions of donors, boosters, and other "representatives of athletic interest." We've used this page to summarize 3 key areas wherein we need you to help us maintain compliance.
RECRUITING
If you engage in any recruiting activities with a prospective student-athlete, it will be considered an NCAA violation. You are prohibited from making contact with a prospect, their coach, or relative to encourage their participation in a BC athletics program.
Examples of prohibited contact include:
- In-person conversations
- Phone calls
- Social Media engagement
- Gifts
- Contacting a prospect's coach, counselor, etc.
A prospective student-athlete is any student who has started ninth grade, regardless of athletic ability. They remain a prospect until the start of classes or until the official beginning of practice prior to the start of classes.
EXTRA BENEFITS
Any special gift or arrangement provided to an enrolled student-athlete, their relative, or friend is prohibited by the NCAA if those same gifts or arrangements aren't also available to the BC student body (or approved by the NCAA).
Examples of extra benefits include:
- Cash
- Loans
- Gifts
- Birthday presents
- Discounts
- Entertainment
- Goods & services
Please be careful not to provide an type of extra benefit to a student-athlete or their family/friends.
EMPLOYMENT
Boosters and donors may employ a prospective student-athlete after they have signed an agreement to attend BC. Employment for current student-athletes may be arranged at any point during the academic year or summer.
If you are a booster, donor, or representative of athletic interest for BC, all employment of a prospect or enrolled student-athlete must be approved by the Compliance Office prior to the start of employment.
Other guidelines include:
- PSA/SA cannot be hired based on their reputation, fame, or athletic ability
- PSA/SA must be compensated only for the work actually performed
- PSA/SA must be compensated at the going-rate for similar services
The information provided on this page is just a summary of some of the most relevant NCAA rules for our donors, boosters, friends, and alumni. This shouldn't be considered a comprehensive NCAA rules review but rather a starting point. Please contact us for more information.
