King University and NCAA Compliance

King University is committed to complying with all NCAA rules and regulations in the management and conduct of its intercollegiate athletic department.  The University acknowledges its responsibility for monitoring all aspects of its athletics programs to ensure NCAA compliance and to identify and report to the NCAA any areas in which the institution fails in that obligation.  King University will fully cooperate at all times with the NCAA and take appropriate and recommended actions as necessary.

The University acknowledges that the responsibilities listed above are a collective endeavor of the institution and that effort is shared by the athletic department staff, student-athletes, individuals, institutional staff and groups representing the athletic interests of the institution.  While acknowledging the collective effort the University also emphasizes that it is the individual's responsibility to practice a positive and ethical attitude toward NCAA compliance.

Important Information for Parents, Fans and Alumni

As a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II member, King University is responsible for the actions of all persons and organizations engaged in activities that promote King's athletic interests.  Therefore the University must ensure that its coaches, student-athletes, faculty and staff, alumni, donors and friends abide by all NCAA regulations.  It is especially important to note that recruitment of prospective student-athletes is the sole responsibility of King University coaches.  Representatives of our athletics interests (boosters) cannot be involved in the recruiting process.

We therefore need your cooperation to ensure our full compliance with NCAA rules.  Violations of NCAA rules could affect the eligibility of prospects or current King student-athletes, result in penalties being imposed on King by the NCAA, and lead to restrictions on your involvement with King's athletics programs.  Here is some important information that you should know.

Who is a Representative of Athletics Interest (Booster)?

A representative of athletics interests is any individual, group or organization who has:

  • Made any type of financial contribution to the King University athletics department or any "booster" organization.
  • Assisted in recruiting a prospective student-athlete in any way.
  • Participated in or is a member of any agency or organization promoting the institution's athletics program.
  • Assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families.
  • Been involved in any other way in promoting the institution's athletics program.

It is important to know that once booster status is established, you retain that identity indefinitely.

What is a Prospective Student-Athlete?

A prospective student-athlete is any student who has either begun classes in the 9th grade or who has received benefits that the institution does not generally provide to all prospective students. This definition includes junior college student-athletes as well.

What is an "extra benefit"?

An extra benefit is any special arrangement by a representative of athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or their relatives/friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.  Boosters are not permitted to provide enrolled student-athletes and prospective student-athletes, or their relatives/friends with any "extra benefits."

Examples of extra benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • Providing cash or loans in any amount or signing/co-signing for a loan.
  • Giving gifts of any kind, including birthday/holiday gifts.
  • Any free or reduced-cost services, including entertainment or admission to professional events.
  • Providing use of an automobile, or rides anywhere.
  • Free or reduced-cost rent or housing.
  • Employment arrangements for a student-athlete or a prospect's family/friends.
  • Entertaining a prospect or their friends and families.
  • Payment for work not performed or at a rate above the going rate.
  • Payment of fees or expenses to attend camps/clinics.

You may provide the following:

  • Provide an occasional family home meal to a student-athlete or entire team.  This meal must take place in a home, not a restaurant and may be catered.  Requests for these meals must be approved in advance by the compliance office.
  • Employ a student-athlete under certain circumstances with prior approval from the athletics department.  Both the student-athlete and the employer must sign a written statement prior to employment during the academic year and compensation can only be for work actually performed at a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services.

What are representatives of athletic interest (boosters) permitted to do?

  • You may notify coaches about prospects in their area but you may not contact the prospects.
  • You may attend high school or 2-year college athletic contests or events where prospects may compete, but you cannot contact prospect or their relatives/guardians in any way.
  • You may continue pre-existing relationships with prospects provided no recruitment takes place. Questions from the prospect about the athletic program should be directed to King coaches or the King Athletics Department.
  • You may have a phone conversation with a prospect only if the prospect initiates the call. Such a call may not be prearranged by any staff member or booster. 

As a booster you are not allowed to:

  • Use the name or picture of a student-athlete to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service.
  • Provide extra benefits to a student-athlete or their family.
  • Provide free or reduced rate housing for a student-athlete or family. Student-athletes are especially not allowed to house-sit for boosters. 
  • Contact prospects or their families in any way (in person, by phone, or in writing). This includes e-mail, message boards, or any messenger service.
  • Provide prospects or their family/friends with any extra benefits.
  • Send any materials to prospects, including newspapers, media guides, posters, programs, e-mails, etc.
  • Contact a prospect's school in order to evaluate a prospect.

If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Salyer at jwsalyer@king.edu or call 423-652-6017