Fredonia University

(AKA:  Athletic Boosters)
 
In accordance with NCAA rules and regulations, Fredonia State is responsible for the control and conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program. This responsibility includes accountability for the acts of “athletic representatives,” who are also known as boosters or donors.

Bylaw 20.14.6.2 Representatives of Athletics Interests.  An institution's "responsibility" for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program shall include responsibility for the acts of individuals when a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration has knowledge or should have knowledge that such an individual:

1. Has participated in or is a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program;
2. Has made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;
3. Has been requested by the athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes or is assisting in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;
4. Has assisted or is assisting in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes; or
5. Is otherwise involved in promoting the institution's athletics program.

 
Once an individual has been identified as a booster, they retain that identity forever and is governed by the same NCAA and University rules and regulations as athletic staff members. Any violation of these rules could result in loss of eligibility.
 
Extra Benefits
 
Bylaw 16.02.3 Extra Benefit.  An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete's relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution's students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability.
 
Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Cash or loan of money in any amount.
• Special discount, payment or co-signing of a loan.
• Involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for merchandise, tickets, services, products or rent.
• Use of an automobile or any other personal property.
• Gift items (i.e. electronics, holiday gifts, long distance phone cards, gift certificates).
• Any financial aid other than that administered by the institution.
• Free or reduced cost housing arrangements.
• Payment of registration fees for athletic camps.
• Promise of employment after college graduation.

 
You could lose your eligibility, and your right to compete in intercollegiate athletics if you accept extra benefits not authorized by NCAA legislation.

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