Seattle Pacific University works daily to ensure that all enrolled student-athletes, prospects, coaches administrators, boosters and fans comply with NCAA rules and regulations. Maneuvering the rules maze can sometimes be difficult. The links and information below are designed to provide standard information regarding current student-athlete eligibility, prospective student-athlete regulations & processes and booster activity.

Please feel free to contact Erin O’Connell, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance (206) 281-2973, with questions regarding this information or other NCAA rules and regulations.

Important Documents for Current Student-Athletes:

2006-07 SPU Student-Athlete Handbook

Seattle Pacific University Intercollegiate Athletics Social Networking Policy

NCAA Banned Drug List

Insurance Form Letter

Medical History Form

Medical Insurance Questionnaire

Medical Policies

Preparticipation Physical Evaluation

Information for Prospective Student-Athletes:

• You are a prospective student-athlete if you have started classes in the ninth grade or if SPU has provided you (or your relatives or friends) any financial assistance or benefits not otherwise provided to students generally.
• You become a recruited prospective student-athlete when SPU or an SPU booster:

  (a) Provides you with an official visit;
  (b) Has an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with you or the your relatives or legal guardian(s);
  (c) Initiates or arranges a telephone contact with you, your relatives or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or
  (d) You are issued a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of athletically related financial aid.

• Telephone calls and in-person contacts:
  Phone calls and in-person off campus contacts to prospects by an institution’s coach may begin on June 15th of the prospect’s senior year. Telephone calls by the prospect to the institution’s coach may be made at ANY TIME. If you are not a senior prospect and you leave a voicemail for a coach, do not expect a call back because it is an NCAA recruiting violation.
• “Official” recruiting visits may be financed and arranged by SPU athletics after the opening day of classes of the prospect’s senior year in high school.
• “Unofficial” visits to SPU may be made at the prospect’s expense at ANY time.

Links for Prospective Student-Athletes:

NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

NCAA Amateurism Clearinghouse information

National Letter of Intent Program

SPU Athletics Tryout Release Waiver (PDF)

Information for Falcon Athletics Boosters and Fans:

“Representatives of Athletics Interests” is the NCAA terminology for an individual who supports collegiate student-athletes in their quest for excellence in academics and athletics. Another term for these individuals is “boosters.” The NCAA maintains strict regulations for what boosters can and can’t do for enrolled student-athletes.

Seattle Pacific University is responsible for the actions of our athletics boosters. Please familiarize yourself with the below statements regarding SPU booster behavior.

BOOSTER DO’s & DON’Ts

Under NCAA rules, a booster MAY…

• Provide an enrolled student-athlete with an occasional meal.
  A booster may provide an enrolled student-athlete or an entire team with an occasional home meal. The occasional meal must:
  • Take place in the locale of SPU;
  • Be provided in the booster’s home (i.e., no restaurants);
  • Be restricted to infrequent or special occasions (e.g., one per quarter).
  • Be reported to the Compliance Office before the meal occurs.

  NOTE: It is permissible for the meal to be catered. Also, local transportation to attend the meal may be provided to the enrolled student-athletes, but only by the institution or the booster who is hosting the meal.

• Employ an enrolled student-athlete.
  A booster may employ an enrolled student-athlete during the summer or the academic year, provided the student-athlete:
  • Is compensated only for work actually performed at the going rate in that locale for similar services;
  • Is not hired based on publicity, reputation or fame obtained due to athletics ability;
  • Is not provided with any benefits not enjoyed by all other employees.
• Have contact with an enrolled student-athlete.
  The rules that preclude a booster from having any contact with a prospect do not apply to enrolled student-athletes. It is permissible for a booster to speak with an enrolled student-athlete before or after a game, at a banquet or at any other location.
• Contribute money or make donations in-kind.
  A booster may contribute money to an athletics team, provided the funds benefit the team in general and are not earmarked for a particular student-athlete. In addition, a booster may make donations in-kind for the benefit of a team (e.g., equipment, practice/competition apparel).

Under NCAA rules, a booster may NOT…

• Provide an enrolled student-athlete with any extra benefit.
  A booster may not provide to an enrolled student-athlete or the student- athlete’s relatives/friends any benefits or special arrangements which are not expressly authorized by NCAA rules, unless such benefits are generally available to all SPU students and their relatives/friends.
  
  The list of impermissible benefits for enrolled student-athletes includes, but is not limited to:
  • Providing cash or loans in any amount.
  • Co-signing a loan.
  • Providing gifts of any kind, including birthday or holiday gifts.
  • Providing free or reduced-cost housing.
  • Providing meals (except for occasional home meals as noted above), clothing, transportation or the use of an automobile.
  • Providing special discounts for goods or services (e.g., discount car repairs, legal services, haircuts).
  • Providing an honorarium for a speaking engagement.
  • Involve student-athletes in commercial advertising.
• NCAA rules do not permit a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to be used to advertise, recommend or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind.
• Under certain specified conditions, however, a student-athlete may be involved in charitable, educational and non- profit promotional activities. Any such activities require the prior approval of Erin O’Connell.
• NCAA regulations do not permit individuals/families outside Seattle Pacific University to serve as “Sponsors” or “Sponsor Families” to enrolled student-athletes. This is due to the fact that there is no standard program in place available to ALL SPU students.

For any questions or concerns, please contact:

Erin O’Connell
Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator
(206) 281-2973