The University of San Diego, as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, is responsible for insuring that its various constituencies (e.g. student-athletes, alumni, friends, boosters, coaches, staff, and faculty) comply with NCAA rules and regulations. The University of San Diego is committed to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner that is consistent with the letter and spirit of NCAA, conference and university rules and regulations. The information contained in this site is provided to offer a general overview of key NCAA rules.
Freshman Students
General Requirements – To practice or play during your freshman year, you must meet the provisions of NCAA Bylaw 14.3, which include:
- graduating from high school
- achieving a minimum cumulative grade point average in a successfully completed core curriculum of at least 14 academic courses, and achieving a corresponding minimum combined score on the SAT, or a minimum sum total score on the ACT as determined by an initial eligibility index
- you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse as soon as possible
The Clearinghouse must certify all incoming freshmen student-athletes as being academically eligible by meeting the provisions of (a) and (b) above. You may contact the NCAA Clearinghouse at:
2255 North Dubuque Road
Iowa City, IA 52243-4043
Phone: (319) 339-3003
Fax: (319) 337-1556
Web Site: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
Transfer & International Students
The NCAA has separate rules for both transfer and foreign student-athletes. For a comprehensive guide to its academic and general eligibility requirements as well as recruiting regulations please visit www.ncaa.org or call (317) 917-6222.
Any questions regarding recruitment or initial/transfer/international eligibility may be directed to fink@sandiego.edu
CURRENT USD STUDENT-ATHLETE INFORMATION
The University of San Diego strives to provide its student-athletes with a proactive approach to NCAA compliance. We encourage our student-athletes to ask questions on any of the following issues:
- Eligibility Requirements
- Gambling Information
- Drug Testing
- Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct
- Summer Employment
- Camp/clinic Employment
- Financial Aid
- Academic Year Employment
- Summer Competition
- Awards and Prizes for Summer Competition
- Benefits from Booster/Representatives and Amateurism/Agents
Student-Athletes should contact Mike Matoso with any compliance related questions. Remember, THERE ARE NO BAD QUESTIONS and ASK BEFORE YOU ACT!!
USD FAN, FRIEND, BOOSTER, & ALUMNI INFORMATION
Who is considered a representative of USD’s athletics interests?
According to NCAA regulations, a representative of USD’s athletics interests (“booster”) is any person who:
- Has ever been a member of any USD Athletic Department Fan Support Group
- Has ever made a financial contribution to the Department of Athletics or any of our Athletic Fan Support Groups
- Is or has ever been a season ticket holder in any sport
- Has ever helped arrange employment for, or employed a current or prospective student-athlete
- Or has ever been involved, in any way, in the promotion of USD’s athletics program
 --PLEASE NOTE-- Once you become a representative of USD’s athletics interest, you retain that identity indefinitely. |
Rules Governing Contacts and Benefits for Student-Athletes
In addition to regulating contact of representatives of athletic interest with prospects, the NCAA also regulates contact with current USD student-athletes, as well as their relatives and friends.
In general, you may not provide anything or make special arrangements for student-athletes and prospective student-athletes that are not available to the general student population.
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of athletics interest to provide a student-athlete, prospect, or their relatives or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
Examples of prohibited extra benefits not allowed by NCAA rules include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Providing cash or loans in any amount, or signing or co-signing for a loan.
- Providing gifts of any kind, including birthday cards and holiday gifts.
- Providing special discounts for goods and services (e.g., car repairs, legal services, meals, etc.).
- Providing free rent or reduced rent, housing.
- Purchasing complimentary admissions from a student-athlete.
- Providing an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement.
- Providing loans based on earnings potential as a professional athlete.
As a representative of the institution's athletics interest, you are permitted to:
- Invite a student-athlete or entire team into your home for an occasional meal (including transportation) but please coordinate such activity with the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and the respective Head Coach.
- Provide summer employment for enrolled student-athletes.
- Provide tickets to a professional sports contest to an institution for entertainment of student-athletes involved in an away-from-home athletics contest.
- Provide a summer job to a student-athlete as long as it is at a normal rate of pay for that position and the student-athlete is paid for work actually performed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can an athletics representative be involved in any way when a prospect is on an official or unofficial visit?
A: No. Athletics representatives are precluded from all recruiting activities.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletics representative to provide summer employment for student-athletes?
A: Yes. Please remember that compensation must be paid only for work actually performed. The rate must be commensurate with the going rate in that locality for services of like character. Such employment should be arranged through the athletic department.
Q: May a student-athlete's name or picture be used to directly or indirectly advertise, recommend, or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service?
A: No. Such activity would jeopardize the eligibility of the student-athlete. The NCAA membership has always maintained that student-athletes not be involved in the promotion of a commercial product.
Q: Is it permissible for a booster to reimburse the coach of a prospect for expenses incurred in transporting a prospect to visit the campus?
A: No.
Q: Is it permissible for a booster to pay in whole or in part registration fees associated with sport camps?
A: No.
Q: Is the contact rule applicable to established family, friends, and neighbors?
A: No. However, it must be understood that such contacts may not be made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by a member of the institutions coaching staff.
Q: May a booster attend a public event (e.g., high school award banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance?
A: Yes. Please remember that an athletics department staff member may not prearrange contact with a prospect, and no attempt may be made to recruit the prospect.
Q: Is it permissible for an athletics representative to provide enrolled student-athletes a home cooked meal?
A: Yes. Provided it is on an "occasional" basis and any such meal is not at a restaurant.
*Please note: All requests must receive prior approval from the athletics department.
Q: When does a prospect become considered a student-athlete?
A: A prospect becomes a student-athlete when he or she reports for regular squad practice or attends classes in any term.
Q: May a student-athlete make a public appearance at a business establishment for any purpose such as signing autographs, etc.?
A: No. Such appearances can be construed as a direct or indirect endorsement of the commercial establishment, thus jeopardizing the eligibility of the student-athlete. It should be noted that student-athletes may make appearances at schools, hospitals, or other non-profit or charitable organizations provided they do not receive compensation (other than expenses) and the athletic department authorizes such activities.
WHO TO CONTACT
-NCAA Compliance-
Shaney Fink, Associate AD for Compliance and Student Services/SWA
University of San Diego Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492
Phone: (619) 260-4755
E-mail: fink@sandiego.edu
