community

>> O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S community Ohio State student-athletes are community leaders, making an impact, not just on the local landscape, but on a global scale as well. The Ohio State University adheres to the motto, “Do Something Great.” Ohio State student-athletes are passionate about that philosophy, embracing their responsibility as role models. 154 [ CARING FOR THE ] O H I O S TAT E B U C K E Y E S ncaa compliance REGULATIONS [ ] The Ohio State University Athletics Compliance Office is committed to a comprehensive compliance program that educates everyone about the importance of adhering to NCAA, Big Ten, and institutional rules. We strive to create a “compliance conscience” within the university and throughout the community. The commitment to compliance ensures institutional control over the department of athletics and furthers the mission of The Ohio State University. The existence of a successful compliance program depends on the willingness of coaches, administrators, staff, student-athletes and boosters to be cognizant of NCAA, Big Ten and institutional rules. WHAT IS COMPLIANCE? At Ohio State, the athletics compliance office works within the department of athletics and the university to ensure Ohio State’s compliance with all applicable rules. In doing so, the compliance office is charged with the following tasks: • Educating administrators, coaches, staff, prospects, student-athletes and boosters about NCAA, Big Ten and institutional rules; • Developing monitoring systems to ensure compliance with these rules. These systems are designed to monitor rules pertaining to recruiting, academic eligibility, financial aid, awards, extra benefits, ethical conduct, amateurism, agents, employment, occasional meals and the playing and practice seasons for each sport; and • Investigating and reporting violations of NCAA, Big Ten and institutional rules to the appropriate governing authority. ARE YOU A BOOSTER? You are a booster if you are or ever have: • Been a member of a booster organization that supports Ohio State athletics; • Made any financial contributions to any area of Ohio State; • Made any annual or lifetime membership commitment to a booster organization; • Been involved with the recruitment of a prospect; • Provided benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or their relatives or friends; • Been involved in promoting Ohio State’s athletic program; • Provided or helped to arrange employment for student-athletes; • Been a season ticket holder. ONCE A BOOSTER … ALWAYS A BOOSTER. According to the NCAA, once an individual has been identified as a booster, he or she retains this identity forever. If you do not meet the definition of a booster, you can still be classified as a booster if you provide benefits to prospects, student-athletes, their relatives or friends and any of the following statements are true. • The relationship between the athlete (or parents of the athlete) and the individual providing the benefits developed as a result of the athlete’s participation in athletics or their reputation as an athlete; • The relationship began only after the athlete became a prospect; • The relationship began only after the athlete had achieved notoriety because of his or her athletic ability or reputation; or • The pattern of giving increased after the athlete attained notoriety as a skilled athlete. WHAT IS AN EXTRA BENEFIT? A recruiting inducement or extra benefit is any special arrangement by an Ohio State University employee or booster to provide a prospect, a student-athlete or their relatives or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA. Examples of impermissible extra benefits include but are not limited to: • cash or any type of gifts; • loans or cosigning of loans; • vehicle or the use of a vehicle; • payment for or arrangement of transportation costs; • free or reduced cost goods or services; • free or reduced cost housing; or • concert or sporting event tickets WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES? Ohio State is responsible for the actions of its boosters. If a booster provides an impermissible benefit to a prospect, a student-athlete, or their relatives or friends, Ohio State may be subject to penalties, even if the student-athlete has completed his or her eligibility. The prospect or student-athlete who accepts an impermissible benefit jeopardizes his or her eligibility for intercollegiate competition. A booster who provides an impermissible benefit may be disassociated from the university’s athletics program. Disassociation results in a loss of all benefits or privileges offered by the department of athletics and may involve other penalties as appropriate. Athletics Compliance Office 101 D. St. John Arena 410 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, OH 43210 Phone: (614) 292-2681 Fax: (614) 292-0199 E-mail: compliance@ buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu GOT QUESTIONS? ASK COMPLIANCE. The above information is a brief overview of compliance and rules pertaining to boosters and their interactions with prospective and current student-athletes. It is not an exhaustive discussion. If you have any questions about any NCAA, Big Ten or institutional rules, please contact the Athletic Compliance Office at (614) 292-2681 or via email at compliance@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu. 155 >>