South Carolina State University Athletics

Information for Boosters

The South Carolina State University (SC State) Athletics Department takes great pride in following National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rules and regulations. For the benefit of the many alumni, fans and State Club members who are so active in encouraging and supporting SC State, we would like to remind everyone of a few definitions and rules that apply to all fans and supporters of South Carolina State Athletics.

What is a "Booster"?

The formal term for "Boosters" by the NCAA is Representatives of an Institution's Athletics Interests. SC State is responsible for ensure that Boosters follow all NCAA Rules. If Boosters break an NCAA rule, SC State can be penalized for their actions.

A Booster is any individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer, bank) or other organization who is known (or who should have been known by SC State to:

• Have participated in or to be a member of any organization that promotes SC State’s athletics program;
• Have made financial contributions to the SC State athletics department or the State Club;
• Be assisting or to have been requested by SC State staff to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
• Be assisting or have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families (e.g. provide an occasional meal to a team, provide summer employment to a student-athlete); or
• Have been involved otherwise in promoting SC State’s athletics program.

Some additional examples of Boosters include: season ticket holders, SC State students, alumni, faculty and staff.

How long does someone remain a Booster?
Once an individual or organization is identified as a Booster, that person or group retains that designation forever.

Booster Interaction with Prospects
A prospective student-athlete (prospect) is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. Only NCAA certified SC State coaches are permitted to recruit prospects.


NCAA Regulations DO permit the following:

• Contacting an SC State coach and discuss particular prospects.
• Attending high school and junior college competitions and banquets, provided no contact with prospects or the families of prospects occurs.
• Continuing existing relationships with an established family friend or neighbor provided any contacts are not made for recruiting purposes.

NCAA Regulations DO NOT permit the following:

• Take part in recruiting activities, such as on- or off-campus contact (face-to-face encounters) with a prospect or his/her parents or legal guardians, e-mails, letters, phone calls, text and instant messages, or correspondence on prospects’ personal Web sites (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, etc.).
• Providing gift items (i.e. cash and jewelry), the use of an automobile or free transportation, giving a loan or helping to secure a loan, free or reduced cost discounts on services (i.e. dry cleaning and car repair), or providing free or reduced cost discounts on purchases (i.e. drinks, meals, clothing and airline tickets).
• Assisting in arranging for a prospect's future financial aid; or
• Entertaining or providing tickets to a high school, prep school or junior college coach.

Fan Interaction with Recruits via Social Networking Sites
Please remember that only coaches and Athletics Department staff members may be involved in the recruiting process. All boosters and fans are prohibited from contacting prospects or members of a prospect's family by any means for the purpose of encouraging the prospect's participation in South Carolina State University's athletics program.

Question: May I post messages on a prospective student-athlete's Facebook page or similar site and try to convince him/her to attend SC State?
Answer: No. A booster may not e-mail or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospective student-athlete.

Question: May I create an online group dedicated to convincing or encouraging a prospect that we want them to attend SC State if the group members do not directly contact the prospect?
Answer: No. This is considered a recruiting activity by boosters, so this would not be permissible.

Question: What if I do not urge a prospect to come to SC State, may I contact them just to tell them about all the great things SC State has to offer?
Answer: No. This is still considered to be recruiting.