Most Commonly Asked Questions

NCAA Rules and Regulations

Once an individual has been identified as a booster, how long does he or she retain this identity?
Forever.

Are boosters allowed to entertain relatives and friends of a prospective student-athlete at any site off campus?
No.

May a booster pay in whole or in part registration fees associated with summer sports camps for a prospect?
No.

Is the contact rule applicable to established family friends or neighbors?
No. However, it must be understood that such contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and may not be initiated by the institution’s coaching staff members.

May a booster buy a prospect or an enrolled student-athlete a gift for a special occasion (i.e. birthday)?
No.

May a recruit call a booster?
Yes, as long as the recruit initiated the conversation and an institutional staff member did not prearrange the call. The call must pertain to interests outside of the university and athletic programs. A booster must refer any questions about the institution’s athletics program to the athletics department staff.

May a booster attend a public event at which prospects are in attendance?
Yes, but any contact with the prospect may not be prearranged by an athletics department staff member, and no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect.

May a booster engage in evaluation activities on behalf of Long Beach State?
A booster may view a prospect’s contest on his or her own initiative as long as there is no contact with the prospect. The booster is also prohibited from contacting the prospect’s coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, as well as from visiting the prospect’s educational institution to pick up film or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect’s academic or athletics ability.

May a booster contact a prospective student-athlete and his or her legal guardian on an official visit to the campus?
No.

Are boosters allowed to provide free admission to Long Beach State’s away-from-home contests to prospects, their friends or relatives?
No.

May a booster expend funds to entertain student-athletes and friends?
No.

May a booster pay or provide the actual and necessary expenses incurred by friends or relatives to visit an enrolled student-athlete?
No.

May a booster provide gifts or awards to a student-athlete for his or her athletic performance?
No. The NCAA outlines specific awards legislation, therefore all awards must be approved by the institution.

May a booster provide enrolled student-athletes with professional services for personal reasons?
No. Professional services provided at less than normal or at no expense to a student-athlete are considered extra benefits.

During an official visit to campus, may a booster entertain, buy a complimentary meal for or expend any funds on the prospective student-athlete, his or her legal guardian, relatives or friends?
No. On an official visit to campus the prospect may only be entertained by the athletic department. The prospect may not be entertained by boosters. Absolutely no funds may be expended by boosters for the purposes of entertaining a prospect on his/her official visit.

May a booster have a meal at a restaurant with an enrolled student-athlete’s parent if each party pays for his/her own meal?
Yes.

Any more? Contact Compliance Director Mary Ann Tripodi at (562) 985-8947 or mtripodi@csulb.edu