Syracuse University Athletics

Office of Athletic Compliance Policies
Office of Athletic Compliance; Staff & Policy Statement
Institutional Control
Representative of Athletic Interests "Boosters"
Extra Benefits to Student-Athletes
What Can I do for Student-Athletes?
Recruiting; Interaction with Prospective Student-Athletes & National Letter of Intent
Gambling Prohibition
Professional Sports Counseling Panel
Agent Policy
NCAA Guide to Recruiting
NCAA Recruiting Calendars
2002 NCAA Graduation Rates (Graduation Rate for Scholarship Student-athletes who entered SU in 1995-96)
Current Events & Newsletter
International Student-Athlete Checklist
Compliance Forms

Jamie Mullin
Director of Athletic Compliance
Email:jpmullin@syr.edu

Erlease Wagner
Assistant Director of Athletic Compliance
Email:erleasem@syr.edu

Joe Greer
Compliance Coordinator
Email:jbgreer@syr.edu

Manley Field House
Syracuse, NY
13244-5020
(315) 443-1265

The Office of Athletic Compliance (OAC) functions within the scope of the University's compliance program to coordinate, monitor and verify compliance with all NCAA requirements, and to educate the various constituencies of the University and the athletics community regarding NCAA regulations.

The OAC directs the University's compliance efforts and acts as a resource center concerning NCAA regulations and compliance issues. The primary functions of the OAC are to oversee and verify the accurate and timely completion of NCAA-required procedures. In addition, the OAC provides educational programming and interpretive support to ensure that all individuals involved with the athletics program fully understand the University's compliance expectations. It is the responsibility of the OAC to ensure that the demands of the NCAA's and the University's compliance efforts and expectations are properly supported.

Syracuse University is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of NCAA, conference and University rules and regulations. As the University strives for academic and athletic excellence, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. Involvement with our athletics program is critical to it's success however, we must emphasize that any inappropriate, even inadvertent, activity could jeopardize the eligibility of our current or prospective student-athletes and the compliance of the University with NCAA regulations.

In order to establish an environment within this University that is conducive to the NCAA operating principle of competitive equity, it is critical that everyone associated with the program (from the coaches, staff, student-athletes, and the supporters of the program) do their part. It is important to recognize that when it comes to compliance and NCAA rules everyone has a role and responsibilities and must establish personal accountability and integrity in their actions. Everyone must identify their role and their responsibilities and not be afraid to regularly communicate and demonstrate the commitment to rules compliance in their actions.

For the most part, the NCAA is a self-regulatory body which relies on the integrity and accountability of those involved in any way with the program. Win or lose, we must look at our effort as a shared responsibility. In athletics, if one person fails to do their part, it can make the difference between winning and losing. When it comes to NCAA rules, it works in much the same way.

If you have any questions regarding NCAA rules and regulations, especially those relating to interactions with prospective and currently enrolled student-athletes, please contact the Office of Athletic Compliance. Don't be afraid to ask! SU's athletics programs want and need your support; and, in addition, we need your full cooperation to ensure that SU wins the right way, both on and off the field.

Syracuse University Athletic Compliance Policy Statement
Syracuse University is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of NCAA, conference and University rules and regulations. The commitment and obligation to operate the intercollegiate athletics program in adherence to the principle of institutional control is both institutional and individual. The University's commitment is to maintain control of its athletics programs through the responsible administrators, faculty, and institutional bodies; to educate coaches, staff, student-athletes and other individuals involved with the athletics program in their institutional responsibilities under the rules; to develop operating systems within the athletics department and the University that provide guidance in how to work within the rules; and to discover and report any violations of the rules that occur.

Each individual involved in intercollegiate athletics is obligated to maintain competency in knowledge of the rules; to act within his or her realm of responsibility in full compliance with the governing legislation; and to report any violation of NCAA, conference and/or institutional rules of which he or she is aware. It is the University's policy that no violation is so minor that it need not be reported. In responding to rule violations, the University will look at such factors as whether the violation is intentional, whether any advantage is gained (e.g., recruiting, competitive or for the student-athlete involved), whether a student-athlete's eligibility is affected and whether violations are recurring. The University's goals in responding will be to encourage communication, to seek consistency and accountability and, above all, to send a strong message that the University is unequivocally committed to rules compliance.

Information concerning violations will be forwarded to the Director of Athletic Compliance who will examine the situation and communicate with the Director of Athletics and the Senior Vice-President for Business, Finance, and Administrative Services. When it is determined by the Director of Athletic Compliance that a violation of the rules has occurred, the University will report the violation and correct the situation that led to the problem. Rule violations will be reported to the appropriate athletics governing body (i.e., NCAA, ECAC and/or the Big East Conference) with copies to the Director of Athletics, Senior Vice-President for Business, Finance, and Administrative Services, Chancellor, Faculty Athletics Representative, University Legal Counsel, the Conference Office, and any involved staff members. Back To Top

Institutional Control
As the Department of Athletics strives for academic and athletic excellence, we must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct. With your help and cooperation, we believe that we can accomplish both of these objectives. Involvement with our athletics program is critical to its success however, we must emphasize that any inappropriate, even inadvertent, activity could jeopardize the eligibility of our current or prospective student-athletes and the compliance of the University with NCAA regulations.

As someone who cares about the SU athletics program it is important to recognize that when it comes to compliance and NCAA rules everyone has a role and responsibilities and must establish personal accountability and integrity in their actions. You must identify your role and your responsibilities and not be afraid to regularly communicate and demonstrate the commitment to rules compliance in your actions. Only with your continuing help and cooperation, can we work to ensure the current and future success of all our athletic programs with integrity.

For the most part, the NCAA is a self-regulatory body which relies on the integrity and accountability of everyone involved with the program. No amount of paperwork, rules or policies and procedures can ensure accountability and despite its best efforts the NCAA can't legislate integrity. It is up to each of us and ultimately, we are all accountable for all of the rules. Win or lose, we must look at our effort as a shared responsibility. In athletic competition, if one person fails to do their part, it can make the difference between winning and losing. When it comes to NCAA rules, it works in much the same way.

Not everyone likes or agrees with the expectations, the role and/or their responsibilities associated with ensuring compliance. The rules do not always make sense and many times they seem to be contrary to common-sense and the good values that many of us were taught while growing up. Sometimes not being able to do something for a student-athlete in need can be very frustrating, particularly when we want to help, have the resources to help, and simply can't because of some rule that we think is just plain silly or down right stupid. Sometimes doing it the right way means it may take a little longer to get things done, and may put us at a disadvantage because there are people out there who are not doing it the right way.

With a new academic year already underway, we need to remind ourselves that there is a lot that we must do, all of us must do, to make sure that our program does all it can to compete with integrity both on and off the field, court and/or water. As an employee of Syracuse University who may interact with members of the University's athletic programs, you need to be aware that there are limitations on the interactions which you may have with student-athletes.

This NCAA rules and regulations overview was developed to provide you with an overview of the University's athletic compliance program as well as a quick reminder of some of the basic NCAA regulations that you should know as someone who interacts with student-athletes in the University's intercollegiate athletics programs. The information is provided to heighten your awareness of your responsibilities, the accountability to which you are held, and the University's expectations as they relate to someone who cares about Syracuse University and its intercollegiate athletics programs. Back To Top

What is a Representative of SU's Athletic Interests -- a Booster?
Syracuse University is responsible for insuring that its various constituencies (e.g., University staff and faculty, student-athletes, alumni and friends) abide by NCAA rules and regulations. NCAA rules indicate that all alumni, friends, and employees of the University are categorized as "representatives of Syracuse University's athletics interests". The NCAA stipulates that once an individual has been identified as a representative or "booster" of the University?s athletics programs, he or she retains this status forever even if the individual is no longer associated with the athletics program.

A representative of SU's athletics interests (i.e., a booster) is an individual or a business that:

• Is or ever has been a contributor to the Orange Pack or any of the sport specific support groups under the Orange Pack umbrella; is or ever has been an employee of SU; has ever made a donation of any kind to the SU men's or women's athletic programs.
• Has ever purchased season tickets for any of SU's athletic programs; is the spouse of an employee of SU; has ever helped to arrange or to provide summer employment for enrolled student-athletes or for prospects who have signed a NLI.
• Has ever contacted (by letter, telephone or in person) a high school student, grades 9-12, for the purpose of encouraging the student to participate in any of SU's athletic programs; has ever assisted in providing any benefit to enrolled student-athletes or their families; has ever been involved in anyway with any of SU's athletic programs.

1. A student-athlete cannot accept anything from an employee of SU or an Orange athletics booster (e.g. , use of a car, hair cut, clothing, gifts, money, tickets for any kind of entertainment, payment of long distance telephone calls).
2. A student-athlete cannot accept free or reduced cost room and/or board from any SU employee or booster of SU's athletic programs. This includes in Syracuse, in the student-athlete's home city or any other location. This would preclude a student-athlete from "house sitting" without paying rental costs at a comparable rate for similar housing in that locale.
3. A student-athlete may not accept free or reduced cost storage room for personal belongings for the summer months from any SU employee or booster of SU's athletic programs.
4. A student-athlete cannot accept free or reduced merchandise or services from any merchant unless that free or reduced cost item is also available to the general public.
5. A student-athlete cannot eat at a restaurant as the guest of an athletic booster or an employee of SU.
6. On infrequent, special occasions (e.g., a birthday, Thanksgiving, etc.), a student-athlete may accept an invitation to the home of an employee of SU or an athletic booster for a meal.
7. A student-athlete cannot use a Department of Athletics copy machine, fax machine or make long distance phone calls using departmental equipment or the long distance access code of an employee of SU or athletic booster.
8. Members of the Department of Athletics staff or an athletic booster are not permitted to type reports, papers, letters, etc., for a student-athlete.
9. A student-athlete cannot receive a special discount, payment arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing), or service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an employee of SU or an athletic booster.
10. An SU employee or a booster cannot provide a student-athlete with a loan of money, a guarantee of bond, the use of an automobile or the signing or co-signing of a note to arrange a loan, or pay or provide other compensation for work not performed or at unreasonable levels for work performed.
11. A student-athlete may not accept frequent traveler miles for trips which are financed by the SUAD.
12. An SU employee may provide a student-athlete only reasonable and occasional local (i.e., within a 30 mile radius of the SU campus) transportation. However, an SU employee may not utilize a University vehicle for purposes of assisting a student-athlete's move from one residence to another. Back To Top

• A currently enrolled student-athlete being declared ineligible to participate for SU.
• The eligibility of a prospective student-athlete(s) being jeopardized.
• Violations of NCAA regulations and sanctions placed on the University and the athletics programs.
• Restrictions placed upon your involvement with SU's athletics program.
• Disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in both University policy and the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures. Back To Top

NCAA Rules Concerning Interacting With Prospective Recruits
All of SU's respective coaching staff's are actively engaged in recruiting prospective student-athletes for next year. Many times, fans and supporters of the athletic program have an interest in being involved in recruitment process of a prospect they may be aware of or know personally. Naturally, like the coaching staff, you may believe the prospect could help an SU program and you might like to see the prospect eventually attend the University. Additionally, you may wish to provide the prospect and/or the prospect's family or friends with a show of support in an effort to influence or congratulate the student for his or her decision to attend the University.

You can assist the coaching staff in the recruiting process by notifying them of any student(s) you think would be a strong addition to the University and to the athletics program. Feel free to send to the SU coaching staff any newspaper clippings or other information about prospects which you think would be of interest. Your assistance in this way is very helpful.

However, it is important for anyone associated with any of SU's programs in any capacity (e.g., as fans or representatives of SU's athletics interests), to remember that NCAA rules prohibit any individual other than the coaching staff from making in-person contact with a prospective student-athlete for the purposes of recruitment, either on or off the SU campus. In addition, only coaching staff members can write or telephone a prospect or the prospect's relatives, legal guardians or coach.

As with most rules, there are some exceptions. For example, it is permissible for an established family friend or neighbor of a prospective student-athlete to have normal contacts with a prospect provided the contacts are not made for the purposes of recruiting and are not initiated or arranged by a member of Syracuse University's coaching staff. Also, any unavoidable incidental contact with a prospect that a fan or representative of SU's athletics interests may have would not be against NCAA rules provided the contact is not prearranged by the individual or the coaching staff, does not take place at the prospect's high school and it is not for recruitment purposes.

Therefore, while there are many things you can do to support the SU's program, we must ask that you to leave the recruitment of prospects to the various coaching staffs. This will insure that we continue to attract top student-athletes to Syracuse University the right way. Thank you for your loyalty and continued support of all of our athletic programs and the compliance efforts of the University.

Recruiting Regulations

NCAA Regulations & the National Letter of Intent
In November, February and April, the hard work of the coaches and staff of the respective programs is evidenced by the signing of worthy high school seniors who announce their intentions to pursue their academic and athletic endeavors on the SU Hill and commit to the University by signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI).

The NLI is a document that binds the student to attend the University provided they are officially admitted and meet the NCAA's initial academic eligibility requirements and, essentially ends the recruitment process.

As fans and supporters of the athletic program you may wish to provide the prospect and/or the prospect's family or friends with a show of support in an effort to congratulate the student for his or her decision to attend the University and to indicate your commitment and pride in the University and, in particular, the athletics programs. However, please be aware that with respect to you, as a friend of the program, the NCAA still considers a student to be a prospect even after signing a National Letter of Intent to attend an institution, and both the institution and the prospect continue to be governed by the NCAA's recruiting regulations.

In this regard, please be reminded that specific NCAA recruiting regulations remain in effect subsequent to a prospective student-athlete's signing of a NLI. These regulations include, but are not limited to:

• Contacting Prospects. Only coaching staff members can make recruiting contact with a prospective student-athlete. No on- or off-campus contact (including correspondence and telephone calls) may be made by a representative of the SU's athletics interests with the exception of making arrangements for summer employment.
• Summer Employment. NCAA rules permit SU to arrange employment for a prospective student-athlete that begins after the prospect's senior year in high school or after a two-year college prospect has officially withdrawn from or has completed requirements for graduation at the two-year college. Subsequent to a prospect signing a NLI, it is permissible for a booster to contact (telephone, write, face-to-face) the signed prospect concerning summer employment arrangements. However, keep in mind that SU's arrangement of employment for a prospect is permitted, provided that the employment does not begin prior to the completion of the prospect's senior year in high school.
• Loans to prospects. Please be aware that NCAA rules prohibit representatives of SU's athletics interests from arranging or co-signing loans for prospects or their parents.
• Summer housing for prospects. NCAA rules do not allow representatives of SU's athletics interests to make special housing arrangements for prospects.
• Precollege expenses. SU or representatives of its athletics interests shall not offer, provide or arrange financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part) the cost of the prospect's educational or other expenses for any period prior to his or her enrollment, even for those prospects who have signed a NLI, or an institutional offer of admission or written tender of financial assistance.
• Extra Benefits. As a reminder, SU athletics representatives cannot provide an "extra benefit" or special arrangement to a prospect. The same prohibitions that exist for currently enrolled student-athletes apply to all prospects regarding extra benefits.

Any inappropriate, even inadvertent, activity on your part could result in a violation of NCAA regulations and may place the student-athletes eligibility in immediate jeopardy. We take this opportunity to remind you that while there are many things you can do to support the SU's program, we must ask that you leave the recruitment of, and contact with, prospects to the various coaching staffs. This will insure that we continue to attract top student-athletes to Syracuse University the right way. Thank you for your loyalty and continued support of all of our athletic programs and the compliance efforts of the University. Back To Top

Gambling Prohibition

1. A student-athlete or an employee of the SUAD may not knowingly provide information to individuals involved in any type of gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition.
2. A student-athlete or an employee of the SUAD may not solicit a bet on any intercollegiate or professional team, accept a bet on any team representing Syracuse University, or participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method of gambling.
3. An SUAD employee may not solicit a bet on any intercollegiate or professional team or accept a bet on any team representing Syracuse University or participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method of gambling. Back To Top