The Compliance Office wanted to remind our friends and fans of the rules related to representatives of athletics interests. The NCAA's definition of a representative of the University's athletics interests is very broad and encompasses many, if not all, of the people who are regular attendees at our sporting events.

According to the NCAA, a representative of the institution's athletics interests' is an individual, independent agency, corporate entity or other organization who is known by a member of the institution's executive or athletic administration to: a) have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletic program; b) have made financial contributions to the athletic department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution; c) be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletic department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects; d) be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; e) have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.

If you fall into any of these areas, there are a number of activities regarding contact with student-athletes and recruits that could put WSU at risk for NCAA sanctions. These activities may include:

As an Athletics Representative, you may NOT provide any benefits or special arrangements to an enrolled student-athlete, his or her parents, relatives, or friends. If a student-athlete receives an extra benefit from an Athletics Representative, he/she will have to repay the amount of the benefit and will jeopardize the student-athletes' eligibility.

As a representative of athletics interests you may:

Athletics Representatives may provide an enrolled student-athlete or an entire team with an occasional family meal. The occasional meal may be catered, must be provided in the individual's home, and must be restricted to infrequent or special occasions. Transportation may be provided for the student-athlete(s) ONLY if the meal function is at the home of that representative. Arrangements for these events must be made in advance with the head coach and the Compliance Office.

Athletics Representatives may provide employment for enrolled student-athletes. Compensation must be based on work actually performed and at the rate commensurate with services in your locale. It would not be permissible to provide any benefits for student-athletes that you employ (e.g., transportation) unless the benefits are provided for all other employees. Please keep in mind that student-athletes must have approval from the Compliance Office prior to beginning any employment.

Remember, once you become a representative of WSU's athletic interests, you retain this status FOREVER. As a representative of Cougar Athletics, you are bound by NCAA, Pac-10 Conference, and Washington State University rules. WSU is responsible for your actions!

Extra benefits and other NCAA and Pac-10 rules can be quite confusing. For your benefit, a booster guide can be found on the WSU Athletic Department website HERE. Please do not hesitate to contact the Compliance Office if you have any questions regarding WSU, Pac-10, or NCAA rules and/or regulations.

Do you have a question for the Compliance Office? Please contact the WSU Athletics Compliance Office at (509) 335-2006 or via email at compintern@wsu.edu.