As a student-athlete at American University, you have certain
responsibilities to uphold and you should be aware that more is
expected of you than a normal student. Essentially, all eyes are on
you all of the time. Consequently, we ask that you always think
before you act and ask questions whenever in doubt.
Please take time to read this website and familiarize yourself
with all rules and regulations. We understand there are always
questions that will arise as a result of specific situations. If
you feel unclear about how to operate within the NCAA guidelines,
please contact the Compliance Office at (202) 885-3039.
Academic
Eligibility
For all student-athletes that initially enrolled in college
after August 1, 2003:
• You must be enrolled full-time, which is a minimum of 12
credits, at all times during the semester.
• You must successfully complete at least 24 credits towards
your designated degree program during the fall, spring, and summer
to be eligible next year. A minimum of 18 credits must be earned
during the regular academic year.
• You must pass at least 6 hours each semester to remain
eligible.
• By beginning of year 2 must have 90% of minimum GPA needed
for graduation.
• Must designate degree by beginning of year 3.
• By beginning of year 3 must have 40% of degree completed
and 95% of minimum GPA needed for graduation.
• By beginning of year 4 must have 60% of degree completed
and 100% of minimum GPA needed for graduation.
• By beginning of year 5 must have 80% of degree completed
and 100% of minimum GPA needed for graduation.
• You are allowed 4 seasons of eligibility within 5 calendar
years form the time you first enrolled full-time in a collegiate
institution.
Benefits from
Boosters
• As a student-athlete, you need to be aware that there are
limitations on the interactions, which you may have with
individuals the NCAA identifies as a booster.
• The NCAA stipulates that once an individual has been
identified as a "representative" of American University's athletics
programs he or she retains this status forever. You, friends or
relatives may not receive an "extra benefit" from any individual
that is being given directly or indirectly due to the fact that you
are a student-athlete at American University.
• The following are a sample of extra benefits or services
that are prohibited under NCAA legislation:
• Car or any use of a car or other transportation
• Clothing
• Haircut or other miscellaneous service
• Gift(s)
• Money, loan(s), a guarantee of bond or signing/ co-signing
of a note to arrange a loan
• Ticket(s) for any kind of entertainment
• Payment of long distance telephone calls
• Free or reduced merchandise from a merchant (unless it is
available to the general public)
• Free or reduced meals at a restaurant
• Free or reduced room and/or board from a booster (This
includes in the Washington, DC area, your home city or any other
location)
• Members of the athletic department staff (including tutors)
may not type reports, papers, letters, etc...
• Special discounts, payment arrangements or credit on a
purchase (e.g., airline tickets) or service (e.g., laundry, dry
cleaning) Agents
• You are not eligible in a sport if you have ever accepted
money, transportation or other benefits from an agent or agreed to
have an agent market your athletics ability or reputation in that
sport.
• You may NOT sign a contact with an agent or agree verbally
to be represented by an agent until after your eligibility has
expired.
• Any questions regarding agents should be directed to the
Compliance Office.
Agents/Amateurism/Gambling
Amateurism
• In order to maintain your amateur status and remain
eligible for intercollegiate competition, you cannot receive any
type of pay for play, either directly or indirectly.
• All awards or cash prizes that you are not allowed to
receive under NCAA regulations cannot be given in your name to
another individual or agency.
Gambling
• You may NOT knowingly provide information to individuals
involved in organized gambling activities concerning
intercollegiate athletics competition.
• You may NOT solicit a bet on ANY intercollegiate team or on
ANY professional team.
• You may NOT accept a bet on any team representing American
University or participate in any gambling activity that involves
intercollegiate athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any
other method employed by organized gambling.
• Any violation of the above regulations may be sanctioned as
follows: If the gambling activity involves American University, you
may lose all remaining eligibility in all sports. If the gambling
activity involves any other team aside from American University,
you may be ineligible for a minimum of one year, at which time we
may elect to seek reinstatement for you. Any subsequent violation
may result in the loss of all remaining eligibility in all
sports.
• Any student-athlete who engages in activity designed to
influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest (i.e., point
shaving), shall permanently lose all remaining eligibility in all
sports.
General
Employment
All employment during the academic year must be pre-approved by
the compliance office. Failure to do this could result in your
ineligibility to compete or forfeiture of contests.
• You may only get paid for work actually performed.
• You may only get paid at the going rate of pay.
• You may not use your reputation as an athlete to benefit
your employer.
• You CANNOT work in a local sports club in which your coach
is involved during the academic year.
Fee for Lesson: A student-athlete may receive compensation for
teaching or coaching sports skills or techniques in his or her
sport on a fee-for lesson basis, provided the following conditions
are met:
• Institutional facilities are not used;
• To simply "play" against the student-athlete is not
permitted (e.g., playing lessons);
• Must have prior approval by the Compliance Office and
student-athlete must keep on file documentation of the recipient of
the lesson(s) and the fee charged for the lesson(s) provided during
any time of the year; and
• The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the
recipient's family) and not another individual or entity.
Vehicles
All student-athletes must register their automobiles with the
American University Office of Public Safety. New vehicles obtained
during the academic year must be registered as well.
Complimentary
Admission
• If the sport in which you participate charges admission
for home contests, you will be provided a maximum of FOUR
complimentary admissions for each home contest.
• All admissions are by a pass list and your guest MUST
provide proper identification and a signature to be honored.
• The sale or exchange of your complimentary admissions (by
you or your designated recipient) for any item of value is a
violation of NCAA regulations and places your eligibility for
intercollegiate athletics in jeopardy.
Outside
Competition
Outside Competition
• You cannot participate during the academic year as a member
of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition.
• You are allowed to participate as an individual in outside
competition during the academic year, as long as you represent only
yourself and are not representing any team or club or receive
expenses or compensation from any team or club.
• In all sports, no cash prizes for any team member and all
awards should conform to the regulations of the recognized amateur
organization associated with the event.
• Some exceptions that are available in all sports are: High
School Alumni Games, Olympic Games, Official Pan American Tryouts
and Competition, US National Teams, and Official World
Championships.
Promotions
• You cannot allow your name, picture or personal appearance
to be used to advertise or promote any commercial products,
services, jobs or employers regardless of whether compensation is
offered.
• You cannot allow a commercial business to use your name or
picture in a "name-the-player" contest.
• You can be involved in a promotional activity (e.g.,
half-court basketball shooting contest, involvement in a golfing
money scramble) provided all members of the general public or
student-body are eligible to participate and selected at
random.
• Charitable organizations often request assistance from
student-athletes in fund-raising activities. Permission to
participate in such activities must be obtained from the Compliance
Office to ensure that no violation occurs.
• Any approved charitable appearance must occur without your
missing any classes.
• Any questions about permissible activities should be
directed to the Compliance Office and your coach of the activity,
so as not to jeopardize your eligibility.
