The University of Tennessee is responsible for the actions of the student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, friends, and booster/donors. Tennessee is rich in tradition and this would not have been possible without the support of you. Do nothing to jeopardize the tradition we have all worked hard to achieve. Together and in compliance we can ensure The University of Tennessee will remain at the forefront of integrity and sportsmanship.

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the information below. If you have any questions regarding the information presented or any other question, please contact the compliance office.

What is a Representative of Athletic Interests (Booster/Donor)?

NCAA rules indicate that all alumni, friends, and employees of the University are categorized as "representatives of athletics interests". The NCAA stipulates that once an individual has been identified as a representative or "booster/donor" 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. Furthermore, the NCAA states that it is possible to be a representative of athletics interest at more than one university at the same time.

A representative of athletics interest is anyone who has ever:

· made any type of contribution to the athletics department or to a booster club

· joined the institution's booster club or any sport specific support group

· provided or helped arrange employment for a student-athlete

· provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families

· assisted in any manner in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes

· promoted the institution's athletics program in any manner.

As a representative of athletics interests (booster/donor), you may not:

• contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an effort to evaluate a prospect
• visit the prospect's institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic eligibility or athletic ability
• contact a prospect, his/her parents, legal guardians or spouse on or off campus
• contact a prospect by telephone or by letter

· make special arrangements for entertainment for recruiting purposes

· provide extra benefits to a prospect, student -athlete at UT or another institution or to the parents, family and/or guardians of the prospects or student athlete's.

Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete?

NCAA rules stipulate that a prospective student-athlete is a person who has started classes for the ninth (9th) grade, regardless of his/her athletics ability and /or participation.

• A prospective student-athlete remains a prospect even after he or she has signed a National Letter of Intent or accepts an offer of financial aid to attend an institution.
• The prospect remains a prospect until he/she reports for the first day of classes for a regular term (fall or spring).

Don't forget about the Transfer Student!

As a representative of athletics interest you are not permitted to contact any student-athlete or the family member/guardian of a student athlete who is or has enrolled at another institution for the purposes of recruiting and/or to determine the possibility of transferring to UT. The same rules apply to these students as they do for prospective student athletes.

What is an "Extra Benefit"?
The NCAA defines an extra benefit as any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interest ("booster/donor") to provide a student-athlete (or a student-athlete's relative or friend) a benefit that is not generally available to other UT students and their relative and/or friends. Therefore, please be aware of the following:

1. A student-athlete cannot accept anything from an employee of UT or athletic booster/donor (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 UT employee or booster/donor of UT's athletic programs. This includes in on or off campus, 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 UT employee or booster/donor of UT'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/donor or an employee of UT.

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 UT or an athletic booster/donor 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 UT or athletic booster/donor.

8. Members of the Department of Athletics staff or an athletic booster/donor 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 UT or an athletic booster/donor.

10. An UT employee or a booster/donor 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 UT athletic department.

12. An UT employee may provide a student-athlete only reasonable and occasional local (i.e., within a 30 mile radius of the UT campus) transportation. However, an UT employee may not utilize a University vehicle for purposes of assisting a student-athlete's move from one residence to another

Student -Athlete Appearances & Promotions

Student -athletes are prohibited from being involved in the advertisement, promotion or endorsement of sales or use of any commercial product or service.

Student-athletes are permitted to be involved in charitable, educational and non-profit promotional activities in as much prior approval has been granted by the CHAMPS Life Skills Coordinator. For additional information please call (865) 974-7642.

Gambling

The NCAA has prohibited all gambling activities for it member institutions student-athletes, coaches and athletic administration staff.

Student-athletes, and administration are educated and warned against any involvement with sports wagering. All student-athletes, coaches and administration sign an affidavit annually affirming the "gambling policy."

Notes:

In July of 1998, UT Athletics hosted a nationwide "Gambling Summit" in cooperation with the NCAA and the FBI.

In March of 2002, UT Athletics has served a panel member for a gambling seminar for the University population

What are the consequences of NCAA violations?

• A currently enrolled student-athlete being declared ineligible to participate.
• The eligibility of a prospective student-athlete(s) being jeopardized.
• Violations of NCAA regulations and sanctions placed on the University and the athletics programs.

What are the consequences to athletic representatives (boosters/donors) for NCAA violations?

The University of Tennessee is required by the NCAA to notify boosters of consequences regarding rules violations. Boosters found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including but not limited to disassociation from the University of Tennessee and/or loss of ticket privileges.

Remember one rule: ASK, BEFORE YOU ACT