Duke Compliance

As a supporter of Duke Athletics, there are several NCAA, ACC, and Duke rules and regulations to which you and must adhere.  We are here to assist you by answering your questions and helping you understand the rules.  While this siteprovides a brief overview of the rules (in the text below, as well as in the "Educational Materials" section) and provides links to other helpful sources, we encourage you to always "Ask Before You Act!".

 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact a member of Duke’s Compliance Staff.

 

 

Definition of a Booster

 

Under NCAA rules, a Duke Representative of Athletics Interests (also known as a "Booster") is any individual who has:

 

• Made any type of contribution to the Duke Department of Athletics;

• Joined the Iron Dukes or any sport-specific support group;

• Provided benefits to prospective or enrolled student-athletes or their families;

• Assisted, in any manner, in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

• Participated as a varsity student-athlete at Duke University;

• Had a child who has participated as a varsity student-athlete at Duke University; or

• Promoted the Duke athletics program in any way.

 

Note: Once someone is identified as a booster, they remain a booster for LIFE.

 

 

Permissible Activities for Boosters

 

A Representative of Athletics Interests/Booster is permitted to:

 

• Notify our coaches about prospects in their area;

• Attend high school or two-year college athletic contests or other events where prospects may compete, but cannot contact the prospect, the prospect's relatives or coach;

• Continue existing friendships with families of prospects, but cannot attempt to recruit the prospect;

• Engage in permissible pre-enrollment activities with a prospect such as summer employment, provided the prospect has already signed a National Letter of Intent; and

• Have a phone conversation with a prospect, but only if the call is initiated by the prospect and there is no recruiting conversation;

 

 

Impermissible Activities for Boosters

 

A Representative of Athletics Interests/Booster is not permitted to:

 

• Make in-person on- or off-campus recruiting contact with a prospective student-athlete and/or his or her parents/legal guardians;

• Write or telephone a prospective student-athlete and/or his or her family members/legal guardians; or

• Contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal, or counselor in an attempt to recruit or evaluate the prospect.

 

 

Extra Benefits and Recruiting Inducements

 

NCAA rules prohibit boosters from providing enrolled student-athlete any "extra benefits."  The NCAA considers any special discounts or arrangements (i.e., those not available to the general public or student body) provided to enrolled student-athletes or their family/friends to be an extra benefit.  Student-athletes receipt of extra benefits could jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility.

 

Provision of such benefits to prospective student-athletes or their family/friends is also precluded, as it would be deemed a "recruiting inducement".

 

Examples of Extra Benefits and Recruiting Inducements include, but are not limited to:

 

• Arrangement of employment for a relatives or friends;

• Gifts of clothing or equipment;

• Co-signing of loans;

• Providing of loans to relatives or friends;

• Cash or like items;

• Any tangible items, including merchandise;

• Free or reduced-cost services, rentals, or purchases of any type;

• Free or reduced-cost housing;

• Use of athletics equipment;

• Sponsorship of, or arrangement for, an awards banquet for prospective student-athletes; and

• Presentation of award to prospective student-athletes for outstanding athletics accomplishments.