Delta State University

Representative of Athletics Interest
A representative of athletics interest is an individual who, has participated in promoting the athletic program in any manner, has made financial contributions to the department or its booster organizations, assists with (or has been asked to assist with) the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, or assists with providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; a representative of athletics interest designation is retained indefinitely.
 
Representatives of athletics interest include but are not limited to boosters, alumni, and fans.
 
Recruitment
Representatives of athletics interest may not make in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospective student-athlete or his/her parents/guardians. This includes e-mail, faxes, telephone calls, letters, or in-person contact.
 
Furthermore, representatives of athletics interest:
MAY NOT contact high school coaches, principals, or counselors in an attempt to evaluate prospective student-athletes.
MAY NOT visit prospective student-athletes' schools to pick up transcripts or films.
MAY NOT provide any transportation to prospective student-athletes.
MAY NOT provide prospective student-athletes or their parents/guardians with tickets to DSU athletic events.
MAY NOT entertain or contact prospective student-athletes during official visits.
MAY NOT pay or arrange payment of transportation costs incurred by relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete visiting campus.
MAY NOT contact an enrolled student-athlete at another institution for the purpose of encouraging transfer to DSU and participation in its athletics program.
 
However, representatives of athletics interest:
MAY attend prospective student-athletes' games or contests on their own initiative, but they cannot have in-person contact.
MAY speak to prospective student-athletes on the telephone ONLY IF the prospective student-athlete initiates the call which is not for recruitment purposes. RAIs should refer questions about the athletics program to the athletic department staff.
MAY continue a relationship with an established family friend or neighbor, with the understanding that contacts are not made for the purpose of recruitment.
MAY write or telephone a DSU coach with information concerning a prospective student-athlete.
 
One way you can assist coaches in their recruitment efforts is by providing them with names or newspaper clippings of talented student-athletes in your area. If you know a prospective student-athlete who may be interested in attending DSU, you are encouraged to contact that sport’s coach.
 
Extra Benefits
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interest to provide a student-athlete or his/her relatives/friends a benefit that is not generally available to other students and their relatives/friends.
 
Specifically, representatives of athletics interest:
MAY NOT provide cash or equivalent, merchandise, or gift certificates to currently enrolled student-athletes.
MAY NOT treat student-athletes to a meal at a restaurant or to entertainment services.
MAY NOT provide student-athletes with transportation or access to an automobile.
MAY NOT arrange for a special discount, payment plan, or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) for student-athletes.
MAY NOT loan money, arrange for a loan, guarantee a bond, sign or cosign a note with an outside agency for student-athletes.
 
However, representatives of athletics interest:
MAY provide employment at regular rates of pay for similar employees during the summer or other permissible work periods.
MAY provide a team or student-athlete an occasional family home meal provided the meals take place in the representatives' home and they are restricted to special occasions.

Sponsor Families
Representative of Athletics Interest MAY NOT serve as a “sponsor” or “family” for enrolled student-athletes at Delta State since there is not currently a program for all students at the institution.