Air Force Academy NCAA Compliance

    A Quick Reference To NCAA Rules

         As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Air Force Academy is responsible for ensuring that various groups abide by NCAA legislation. We sincerely appreciate the interest and loyal support of all staff and faculty, alumni, and friends; however, inappropriate behavior or unintentional actions could jeopardize the eligibility of our athletes or prospective student-athletes.
       The information provided below provides some basic guidelines for you to follow. As we strive for excellence in athletics, we must always seek the highest standards of ethical conduct. With your assistance and cooperation, we can continue to accomplish all of our institutional goals.

    YOU ARE CLASSIFIED AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF
    ATHLETICS INTERESTS IF YOU:

    • Have participated in or are a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program;
    • Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;
    • Have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
    • Have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
    • Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution’s athletics program.

        It is very easy to meet one of the above criteria. As a result, most of our fans can be classified as representatives of our athletics interests.
        Further, the NCAA stipulates that once you have become an athletics representative, you retain that identity forever, even if you no longer contribute to the athletics program.

     

    Key Rule Concerning Cadet-Athletes:

        A representative may not provide any EXTRA BENEFIT to a cadet-athlete or his/her family.

        The NCAA defines an extra benefit as any special arrangement made by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletics interests ("booster") to provide a prospect or a currently enrolled student-athlete (or their relatives or friends) a benefit which is not generally available to other students.

    Types of extra benefits that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Cash or like items
    • Employment of relatives or friends
    • Gift of clothing or equipment
    • Any tangible items, including merchandise
    • Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type

    SIMPLY PUT, YOU MAY NOT TREAT A CADET-ATHLETE ANY DIFFERENTLY THAN A CADET THAT DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS.

     

    Key Rule Concerning Prospects:

        Representatives of athletics interests are prohibited from making in-person recruiting contacts (on- or off-campus) or written or telephonic communications with a prospect or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians.

    A prospective student-athlete is a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade.

    Recruiting is any solicitation of a prospect or a prospect’s relatives by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution’s athletics interests for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.

    Only coaches and staff members can be involved in the recruiting process.

    Any inducements to attend the Air Force Academy or any other extra benefits are prohibited.

     IF YOU KNOW OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE WHO MIGHT WANT TO ATTEND THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY, THE MOST APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY FOR A REPRESENTATIVE IS TO CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE AFA COACH.

    Should you need further information you may contact:

    Lt. Col Linda Huggler
    NCAA Compliance Coordinator
    U.S. Air Force Academy
    2170 Field House Drive
    U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840
    Phone    : 719.333.3088
    e-mail     Linda.Huggler@usafa.af.mil

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