Nazareth University is responsible for the control and conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program. The NCAA currently has over 1,118 member institutions.
Nazareth University is an NCAA Division III institution. This requires that Nazareth University be in compliance with all of the appropriate rules and regulations of Division III. Your involvement with our programs is critical to our success; therefore it is essential for everyone associated with the University to be properly educated on NCAA rules and regulations.
You, as an Nazareth alumni/ae, friend and/or representative of athletics interest, share the responsibility of rules compliance equally with our coaches, staff members, and student-athletes. Use this web site as a reference to many of the NCAA and Nazareth University rules, related to you as a friend of the Nazareth University Athletic Department. Keep in mind this site does not address every rules scenario, therefore, should you have any additional concerns or questions related to the program please feel free to contact the Nazareth University Athletic Administration.
Nazareth is proud to have your continued interest and loyal support in our athletic programs. Additionally, we appreciate your assistance in ensuring that the eligibility of our student-athletes is not jeopardized by inadvertent rules violations.
As always, we look forward to another great year for Nazareth University Athletics.
Please review the following information.
The Nazareth University Athletic Department and the Compliance Office thank you for your support of our programs and our goal to fulfill the academic and athletic needs of more than 500 student-athletes. Having you on our team ensures a combination that will produce champions on and off the field.
Your adherence to NCAA rules and regulations is imperative as we continue to produce athletic programs and student-athletes we can all be proud of. Nazareth University remains committed to operating its athletics programs within the principles of institutional control and in compliance with NCAA regulations. Please do not hesitate to contact the
Nazareth Compliance Office if you should have any questions related to NCAA, ECAC and Empire 8 Conference and/or Nazareth rules and regulations.
ASK BEFORE YOU ACT.
Am I a representative of athletic interests?
According to NCAA regulations, a representative of Nazareth athletic interests (or booster) is any person who:
- Is a current or former member of Nazareth University
- Has made financial contributions to the athletics department or has been involved, in any way, in the promotion of Nazareth athletics;
- Has ever assisted (or been requested by the athletics department staff to assist) in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete;
- Is assisting or has ever assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families.
Once you have been identified as a REPRESENTATIVE OF ATHLETICS INTEREST, you retain that title
forever.
Remember the recruitment of prospective student-athletes is the sole responsibility of the coaching staffs of Nazareth University. We encourage you to communicate with the appropriate coach before initiating any activities with prospects which may be considered recruiting.
As a representative of Nazareth athletics interests you MAY:
- Provide an occasional meal for our Division III student-athletes or teams at ANY location, including at a restaurant. This meal may occur in the locale of the institution OR outside the Rochester area as long as it is in conjunction with, or en route to or from, an away-from-home contest.
- Contribute funds to finance a scholarship to the University, but the decision as to how such funds are to be allocated and who receives the scholarship shall rest exclusively with the institution. Athletic ability cannot be a factor in awarding the scholarship, and the recipient must be chosen from the entire student body by a selection committee comprised of members outside the Athletic Departments.
- Notify a current Nazareth student-athlete of possible employment, provided the student-athlete obtains the position through normal employment procedures and is paid at the going rate for actual services rendered. This employment must be approved in writing in advance by the Nazareth University Compliance Office.
As a representative of Nazareth athletics interests you MAY NOT:
- Provide any type of inducement or benefit to a current student-athlete, his/her parents, relatives and/or friends. Please review the list of "Extra Benefits."
- Use the name, picture or appearance of a current student-athlete to directly advertise, recommend or promote the sales of any commercial product.
- Provide a student-athlete with compensation for work that has not been performed or at a rate higher than the going rate in your locale for similar services.
- Provide an award or gift to a student-athlete for any reason.
NCAA Definitions
Current student-athlete—A current or "enrolled" student-athlete is any Nazareth student who is a member of one of the Universities 25 intercollegiate teams. NCAA regulations apply to all student-athletes (not just those who were recruited) and they remain in effect throughout the entire year, including breaks such as summer vacation periods.
Prospective student-athlete—A prospective student-athlete ("prospect") is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual's relatives or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally.
A prospect remains a prospect until they enroll at Nazareth University and attend the first day of classes or report for practice (whichever happens earlier). All NCAA rules in regards to contact with prospects are applicable until that time.
Recruited prospective student-athlete—Actions by staff members or athletics representatives that cause a prospective student-athlete to become a recruited prospective student-athlete are:
- Providing the prospect with an official visit.
- Having an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospect or the prospect's parent(s), relatives or legal guardian(s).
- Initiating or arranging telephone contact with the prospect, the prospect's relatives or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment.
- Have any contact with a student who is enrolled at another institution about his/her interest in transferring to Nazareth University.
Remember the recruitment of prospective student-athletes is the sole responsibility of the coaching staffs of Nazareth University. We encourage you to communicate with the appropriate coach before initiating any activities with prospects which may be considered recruiting.
An extra benefit is considered to be any special arrangement to provide a prospect or enrolled student-athlete, his or her family/relatives or friends a benefit that is not expressly authorized by NCAA regulations.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Cash or loan of money in any amount.
- Special discount, payment or co-signing of a loan.
- Involvement in arrangement for free or reduced charges for merchandise, tickets, services, products or rent.
- Use of an automobile or any other personal property.
- Gift items (i.e. electronics, holiday gifts, long distance phone cards, gift certificates).
- Any financial aid other than that administered by the institution.
- Free or reduced cost housing arrangements.
- Payment of registration fees for athletic camps.
- Promise of employment after graduation.
THESE BENEFITS ARE ALL PROHIBITED.
Penalties
Penalties resulting from violations of NCAA rules have a negative effect on the prospective or enrolled student-athlete and their family, Nazareth University Athletics, and the University as a whole. Violations of NCAA rules have led to:
- A prospective student-athlete being declared ineligible to compete.
- The eligibility of current student-athletes being jeopardized.
- Penalties and sanctions placed upon the institution's team or entire athletic program.
- An institution's permanent disassociation with a representative of its athletic interest.
Financial Aid
Financial aid received by Nazareth University student-athletes is based on the financial need of each individual student and his or her family. In addition, most students receive some type of academic scholarship based on academic performance. In addition, stringent Division III rules concerning financial aid are applied, which requires the financial packaging of athletes be consistent with the established policy of the institution's
financial aid office for all students.
