University of Oklahoma Athletics
Compliance Corner: April 2010
April 26, 2010 | Athletics
With summer quickly approaching, and many Sooner sports camps about to take place, the Athletics Compliance Department would like to take this opportunity to remind the friends of Sooner Athletics about the NCAA's restrictions regarding paying for a prospect to attend a camp or clinic.
The NCAA expressly prohibits any representative of OU's athletics interests from paying for a prospective student-athlete's expenses to attend a Sooner sports camp.
If a prospective student-athlete is attending a camp or clinic other than one owned or operated by an OU coach it would still be contrary to NCAA regulations for a representative of OU's athletics interests to pay the costs for the individual to attend a non-OU camp.
Specifically, covering a prospective student-athlete's expenses for a camp or clinic may also constitute an offer/inducement or a precollege expense. NCAA rules prohibit any representative of OU's athletics interests from providing an offer or inducement to, or covering precollege expenses for, a prospective student-athlete.
Who is a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete is a student in the ninth grade or above or someone who is attending a prep school or two-year college, regardless of their athletic talent and whether OU is recruiting that individual.
Family Member Exception:
This restriction is, of course, not applicable to parents paying for their prospect-aged child to attend OU camps or clinics or any other camp or clinic. It is certainly permissible for a parent to cover his or her child's expenses. This exception may also be extended to allow for other relatives, such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, or siblings, to cover a prospect's camp or clinic expenses.
Please remember that paying for a prospective student-athlete, other than a relative, to attend an OU camp or clinic is a violation of NCAA rules and places the prospective student-athlete's eligibility, as well as the OU Athletics Department, in jeopardy.
Acceptance of an offer or inducement by a prospective student-athlete is a violation of NCAA rules and places the prospective student-athlete's eligibility, as well as the OU Athletics Department, in jeopardy.
We hope you find this information helpful and as always, contact the Athletics Compliance Department at (405) 325-7004 with any questions. We appreciate your support of OU Athletics and your help in ensuring we operate within NCAA rules and regulations.
Related Links: OU Compliance Online
