Northern Illinois University Athletics

Student-Athlete Parents

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is proud of its great tradition in intercollegiate athletics. We are committed to achievement in the classroom, adherence to all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Mid-American (MAC) Conference rules, and a rich and rewarding college experience for your student-athlete.

This letter is intended to provide you with some pertinent information you need to know about the rules which affect you and the eligibility of your student-athlete to participate in intercollegiate athletics. The scope and complexity of NCAA rules preclude us from addressing every possible situation in a short letter like this. However, additional information about NCAA rules may be found on the NIU, MAC, or NCAA websites. Should you or your student-athlete become aware of an actual or potential violation of NCAA, MAC, or NIU rules, you should immediately report the matter to the Huskie Athletic Compliance Office (HACO).

Below are some basic guidelines that you should be aware of throughout the recruitment process and while your student-athlete is enrolled at NIU:

• Student-athletes must be certified as a final qualifier with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to arriving on campus for full-time enrollment. To achieve this, all official transcripts must be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center upon graduation.
• Student-athletes have a pre-existing relationship with their parents, guardians, and other family. This means that parents or guardians, who are also athletics boosters, or representative of NIU's athletics interests, are recognized by the university as a parent first and booster second.
• You and/or your student-athlete may request information from a professional team or league regarding your student-athlete's potential draft status.
• You and your student-athletes may not enter into an agreement with an agent during any time that the student is a member of an NIU athletics team.
• Student-athletes, parents, relatives, or guardians may not receive any extra benefits from an agent or anyone associated with an agent. Doing so could jeopardize the student's eligibility.
• Student-athletes may not receive any extra benefits due to their participation while a student-athlete at NIU.

NCAA Bylaw 10 - Ethical Conduct

Gambling

The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering, which carries the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community. Sports wagering demeans the competition and competitors alike by a message that is contrary to the purposes and meaning of "sport." Because of this, the NCAA has adopted specific rules prohibiting athletic department staff, conference office staff members and student-athletes from engaging in gambling activities as they relate to any institutional practice or any amateur , intercollegiate or professional competition in any NCAA sanctioned sport (e.g., football, baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, bowling, etc.). Your student-athlete is prohibited from engaging in the following activities:

• Any gambling activities involving sports sponsored by the NCAA. Your student-athlete may not participate in any gambling activities involving any sport (regardless of the level of competition) sponsored by the NCAA.
• Providing information to non-authorized individuals. Your student-athlete may not provide any information on the status of any NIU team or student-athlete (e.g., injuries, eligibility) to non-authorized individuals.
• Wagering money or other items of value in a tournament bracket or fantasy league. Any time your student-athlete wagers something of value (e.g., cash, dinner, tangible item) in return for the possibility of winning a prize (e.g., cash, dinner, tangible item), it is considered gambling. As such, it would not be permissible to participate in a fantasy league, tournament bracket (or pool) contest if they pay to enter the contest or league and a prize is given to the winner.

Academic Honesty

Student-athletes must complete their own work. You may not complete a student-athlete's work for him or her. In addition, you may not arrange for another individual to complete a student athlete's academic work (e.g., tutor, classmate). The same prohibitions are true for prospective student-athletes. NIU also has a Student Code of Conduct that addresses academic honesty expectations. Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct could lead to discipline by the University, including receipt of a failing grade in a course or dismissal from the University.

Investigations

Any student-athlete involved with an investigation by the institution, the conference or NCAA, must provide truthful answers as well as all information relevant to the matter. Failure to do so may result in the loss of eligibility and financial aid as well as severe sanctions from the conference or NCAA. From time to time, HACO staff may have to ask you, your student-athlete or other family members for sensitive information that is relevant to an investigation. Please understand that these requests are necessary to determine the eligibility status of your child. If there is ever a situation where we must request additional information to assist in our investigation, we ask that you join us in maintaining institutional control and cooperate with the request for information.

NCAA Bylaw 12 - Amateurism

Amateur Status

In order to maintain their amateur status, prospective and current student-athletes may not receive compensation for the use of their athletics skill in their sport. To maintain their amateur status, athletes may not do any of the following:

• Accept pay or the promise of pay for their athletics participation.
• Sign a contract or other commitment to play professional sports
• Receive a salary, expenses, or other forms of financial assistance from a professional sports organization (except as expressly permitted in the rules)
• Compete on any professional athletics team, even if no pay is received
• Enter into a professional draft (except as permitted by the rules
• Enter into an agreement (verbal or written) with an agent

Agents

During your student-athlete's collegiate enrollment, they may be contacted by a sports agent, financial advisor or "runner." A sports agent is someone who may want to represent your student-athlete in contract negotiations or for commercial endorsements if they show the potential to be a professional athlete in a particular sport.

Agents or their representatives may have contacted your student-athlete already. This is an attempt to gain an advantage over other individuals who may want to represent your student-athlete once their collegiate eligibility has expired. Many times, these individuals will not represent themselves as agents, but as individuals interested in your student-athlete's overall welfare and athletics career. These individuals also may attempt to provide gifts or benefits to you, your student-athlete, and your family.

Your student-athlete will be ineligible for intercollegiate competition if you or your student-athlete agrees (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent while in high school or college, regardless of whether the agreement becomes effective immediately or after their last season of collegiate eligibility. The receipt of any benefits or gifts by you, your student-athlete, your family or friends from an agent or runner will also jeopardize your student-athlete's eligibility in that sport. If an individual attempts to contact you or your student-athlete regarding the marketing of your student-athlete's athletics ability in any manner, be careful. If you have concerns regarding a sports agent, please contact the coach, the HACO, or the NCAA national office for assistance.

Please visit the Agents tab for more information.

Promotional Activities

Student-athletes may only participate in promotional activities involving NIU, charitable, educational, or nonprofit entities. It is not permissible for student-athletes to promote or endorse any commercial entity, service or product, including family businesses. All promotional activities requests must have prior written approval from HACO.

Employment

It is permissible for student-athletes to work during the academic year and vacation periods (including summer) either in traditional employment or internship roles as well as engaging in fee-for-lesson opportunities with younger athletes. However, student-athletes who are working may be paid only for work actually performed and at a rate comparable with the going rate in the locale for the type of work performed. A student-athlete's compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that they has obtained because of athletics ability. Student-athletes may not receive any special discounts or services from their employer unless they are provided to all employees. Student-athletes may not receive transportation to and from work, health benefits, vacation/sick time, bonuses, etc. unless the same benefits are available to all employees.

Student-athletes planning to work during the academic year and/or vacation periods should notify the HACO in advance, as paperwork must be completed by your student-athlete and the employer before employment may begin. Student-athletes should keep records of all employment (e.g., time sheets, pay stubs) as the HACO staff may request such documentation to ensure compliance with NCAA and institutional rules.
 

NCAA Bylaw 13 - Recruiting

Permissible Recruiters

Only designated countable coaches who have passed the coaches' certification exam are permitted to participate in off-campus recruiting activities (e.g., contacts, evaluations). All recruiting coordination functions (except clerical tasks) must be performed by the head coach, or one or more of the assistant coaches who count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4. This includes activities involving athletics evaluations, selection of prospects and making phone calls to prospects or their parents, legal guardians or coaches.

Inducements & Pre-College Expenses

Institutional staff members and boosters are strictly prohibited from offering any benefits or inducements to a prospect or their relatives or friends. In addition, staff members and boosters are prohibited from offering, providing or arranging financial assistance to pay any costs of a prospect's educational or other expenses. It is not permissible for NIU to assist with fundraising activities that will benefit a high school. For example, the institution may not donate any items (e.g., equipment, apparel, tickets) that will be used to raise funds for high schools. In addition, it is not permissible for an institutional staff member to autograph an item to be used to raise funds for a high school, even if the high school pays for the item.

Publicity

It is not permissible for NIU athletics department staff members to make public comments about a prospect prior to that individual signing an NLI with NIU. The only permissible public comment is a confirmation of the institution's recruitment of the prospect. Media may not be present during any recruiting contact, and if a member of the media approaches a prospect during a campus visit, athletics department staff members are required to take steps to prevent the contact or stop it if the contact occurred before the staff member arrived.

Boosters

Because of your relationship with an NIU student-athlete, you should be aware that the NCAA has imposed limitations and boundaries on the kinds of interactions you may have with people whom the NCAA defines as "representatives of the NIU's athletics interests" or boosters. A booster is an individual who is a member of an organization that supports and promotes NIU athletics; made any financial contributions to the athletics department; been involved in promoting NIU's athletics program; been a season ticket holder; or provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their relatives or friends.

Once an individual has been identified as a booster, they retain that status forever. This is true even if the person no longer contributes to NIU's athletics program. While your student-athlete is enrolled at NIU, it is a possibility that you may befriend a person who is defined per NCAA regulations as a booster. If this occurs, please be aware that your friendship with a booster does not change their status and your responsibility to adhere to NCAA rules. In general, these individuals may not provide benefits to you or your student-athlete.

In summary, NCAA rules would not allow a student-athlete to receive benefits from persons who have come to know the athlete as a result of their achieved status, reputation or participation as an athlete. Please contact the HACO prior to accepting anything from a booster.

NCAA Bylaw 14 - Eligibility

Seasons of Competition - Five-Year Clock

Student-athletes may not engage in more than four seasons of competition in any one sport within five calendar years. A student-athlete's five-year clock starts when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies (12 credit hours) and attends his/her first day of classes for that term.

A student-athlete uses a season of competition if he/she participates in any competition, regardless of the length of time, during a season. For example, if an athlete plays in one minute of one game, he/she has used a season of competition in his/her sport. There is one exception to this rule. In some sports, during a student-athlete's initial year of enrollment at a four-year institution, he/she may compete in preseason exhibition contests and preseason practice scrimmages without counting such competition as a season of competition. 

A student-athlete who does not compete at all during one of his/her seasons will not use a season of competition. This is commonly referred to as a "redshirt" year. An athlete only receives one "redshirt" year within his/her five-year clock.

Eligibility for Practice and Competition

Once a student-athlete begins taking classes at NIU, he/she will be expected to maintain certain academic standards in order to be eligible for practice and competition. NCAA legislation requires that student-athletes maintain progress toward a degree in order to maintain their academic eligibility. In addition to NCAA requirements, student-athletes are required to meet NIU and MAC requirements.

In general, to be eligible to participate in practice and competition, a student-athlete must be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies (i.e., 12 credit hours). As student-athletes progress through each term they are required to meet additional academic requirements.

*Student-athletes who fail to meet NCAA and/or NIU academic requirements will be rendered ineligible for competition until their academic deficiency has been corrected.

Continuing Eligibility

Once a student-athlete begins taking classes at NIU, he or she will be expected to maintain certain academic standards to be eligible for practice and competition. The NCAA implemented progress-toward-degree (PTD) requirements that all student-athletes must meet in order to be eligible for competition. The Registrar's Office in conjunction with Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) must certify that each student-athlete has met the appropriate academic requirements prior to the student-athlete participating in any countable athletically related activities.

Transfer Eligibility

If a student-athlete wants to transfer from NIU to another NCAA institution he/she must first receive written permission from the NIU Director of Athletics before the second institution may speak with the student-athlete. If permission to contact the second institution is not granted, the other institution's coach may not have any written or verbal contact with the student-athlete, directly or indirectly (e.g., via parents, high school coach, friends).

The general rule regarding transferring from one Division I institution to another Division I institution is that the student-athlete must serve one academic year in residence at the second institution before being eligible for competition. There are some limited exceptions to this rule, and the HACO staff can answer your questions or you can review the Transfer Guide on the NCAA Web site.

NCAA Bylaw 15 - Financial Aid

Renewal, Reduction or Cancellation of Athletics Aid

If a student-athlete is receiving an athletics scholarship, the NCAA rules require that they be notified by July 1 of each year whether the athletics scholarship will be renewed for the following year. The official notification will come from the financial aid office and not from the athletics department. If the athletics department decides not to renew your child's athletics scholarship for the upcoming year, he or she will be provided a hearing opportunity (on request) from a group outside of the athletics department. Athletics aid can be reduced or cancelled for ANY reason at the end of the term of that scholarship.

During the period of the award, a student-athlete's athletics aid may only be cancelled or reduced if the student-athlete:

• Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;
• Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement;
• Is found to have engaged in serious misconduct by NIU's student disciplinary authority; or
• Voluntarily withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons.

The student-athlete must be notified in writing of his/her opportunity for a hearing when his/her athletics aid is cancelled or reduced either during the period of the award or for the next academic year.

NCAA Student Assistance Fund

Funds are available to assist student-athletes with a variety of costs (e.g., dental bills, course supplies, emergencies). Student-athletes should contact HACO or Student-Athlete Academic Support Services to learn more about the funds available and any requirements to qualify for its use.

Elements of Financial Aid

A full grant-in-aid is defined as tuition, fees, room, board and required course-related books. Cost of attendance is calculated by the NIU Office of Financial Aid, using federal regulations, and includes the total cost of tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, transportation and other expenses related to attendance.

• Tuition and Fees - An institution may provide a student-athlete the actual cost of tuition and required institutional fees. A student-athlete may be awarded financial aid that covers the payment of fees for a course in which the student-athlete is enrolled, if the course is part of the institution's regular curriculum, and the institution pays these same fees for other students enrolled in the course who receive fees as part of a grant-in-aid.
• Room & Board - An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that includes the cost of room and board, based on the official allowance for a room listed in the institution's official publication and a board allowance that consists of three meals per day.
• Non-Institutional Room & Board Stipend - If a student-athlete lives and eats in noninstitutional facilities, they may be provided an amount equal to the students living on campus. A meal plan calculated based on the cost of attendance for all students may also be provided, excluding those meals provided as part of the training table.
• Books - A member institution may provide financial aid that covers the actual cost of required course-related books. There is no dollar limit for books, but the books must be required for the course in which they are enrolled.
• Student-athletes may receive athletics aid or educational expenses awarded by the US Olympic Committee or national governing body up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid unrelated to athletics ability up to the cost of attendance.

Awards

NIU may provide awards (e.g., trophy, pictures, plaques, jackets, rings, watches) to student-athletes for their participation on the team or for winning conference or national championships or special awards (e.g., Heisman). Student-athletes are not permitted to contribute to the cost of the award in order to get an award that is above the limitation set by the NCAA. Student-athletes, their relatives, or someone on their behalf may not sell awards received for participation, conference or national championships or special achievements. Selling or exchanging the award for another item or service is considered an extra benefit.

Extra Benefits

An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an NIU employee, booster, or outside entity to provide a student-athlete and/or their family and friends with a benefit that is not provided to the general public. Extra benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Use of car
• Free or reduced products (e.g., food, clothing, phones, etc.)
• Free or reduced services (e.g., lodging, haircuts, tattoos, etc.)
• Free or reduced tickets to sporting events
• Any form of payment

The receipt of a benefit not authorized by NCAA regulations by a student-athlete or their parents, relatives or friends will immediately place the student-athlete's eligibility for intercollegiate athletics competition in jeopardy.

As a family member or a close friend of a student-athlete, you are permitted to provide a meal to a student-athlete and their team members at your home, on campus, or at a facility regularly used for home competition, on an occasional basis (e.g., post-game tailgate, etc.). Please remember that if a prospective student-athlete is present, they may not accept the meal. This would constitute an impermissible benefit and they will be rendered ineligible until reinstated. If you wish to provide an occasional meal to your student-athlete and their teammates, you must obtain approval before doing so, please follow the links below to locate the appropriate form.

Complimentary Admissions

NIU, at its discretion, may provide four complimentary admissions per home or away athletics events to a student-athlete in the sport in which the individual practices or competes. A maximum of six complimentary admissions may be provided for postseason events (e.g., conference championship, NCAA championship, bowl game).

Complimentary admissions shall be provided only through a pass list. The individuals using the complimentary admission must present their identification in order to receive a ticket stub identifying the specified seating area.

Neither the student-athlete nor the individual designated to receive the complimentary admission may receive payment from any source for the complimentary admissions and may not exchange or assign them for any item of value. Receipt of payment for complimentary admissions by such designated individuals is prohibited and considered an extra benefit.

NCAA Bylaw 17 - Playing & Practice Seasons

Countable athletically related activities (CARA)

CARA is defined as any required activity with an athletics purpose (e.g., meetings, practice, conditioning) involving student-athletes at the direction of or supervised by one or more of NIU's coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches). Administrative activities (e.g., academic or compliance meetings) are not counted toward the daily and weekly limitations. Student-athletes may not miss class time for any CARA, except in conjunction with a competition or if NIU is hosting a MAC or NCAA championship.

Hour limitations DURING the declared playing and practice season:

• Maximum of 20 hours per week.
• Maximum of four hours per day.
  • Exception - Golf practice rounds may exceed four hours per day, but must stay within 20 hours per week.
• Required one day off per week.
• Multisport Participants are limited to 20 hours per week in all sports.

Hour limitations in the OUT OF SEASON period:

• Maximum of eight hours per week with not more than two hours of individual skill instruction (film review in football).
• Required two days off per week.
• Only required weight training, conditioning and individual skill instruction permitted.
• No CARA permitted during vacation periods.

The following principles apply when computing and recording time limitations:

• Competition day equals three hours.
• Does not apply to preseason or vacation periods. Football has exceptions during the acclimatization period.
• Travel day may be considered day off, provided no CARA take place.
• No CARA (including meetings or film review) after competition.

Use of Outside Consultants/Personal Coaches

A student-athlete may receive assistance from an individual outside of NIU (e.g., consultant, professional instructor) without the individual being counted in the institution's coaching limitations, provided all of the following occur:

• NIU is not involved in any way in arranging for such activity;
• NIU coaches do not observe such activity; and
• NIU's facilities are not used (either during voluntary workouts or during regular institutional practice sessions).

In addition, the student-athlete must pay all the fees (at the going rate) associated with the activity and may not receive any preferential arrangements (e.g., discount rate, deferred payments) not available to the general public. Records of all payments made (e.g., copy of checks, receipts for payment received) to the private coach should be kept, as the Compliance staff may request at any time to ensure compliance with NCAA rules.

MAC Time Obligations Policies
 
The Mid-American Conference has instituted the following policies regarding student-athlete time obligations.
 
Two-Weeks Off Following the Completion of the Season
Establish a two-week time off period from required athletics activity following the end of a championship season segment.

• This is a 14 calendar days following the completion of the championship season.
• This is in addition to the legislated one-day off in-season and two-days off out-of-season.
• Emergency/Weather changes will be necessary and permitted.
• It is not time off of study table hours, rehab, non-coach meetings (i.e. academics, compliance, etc.). Coach mentor sessions are still permitted, as long as not CARA related. Post-season evaluation meetings are still permitted during this off period.
• Track & Field/Cross Country time off will be less than two-weeks, the most time off possible between the seasons possible will be an off-period.
• For individual sports, the time off will be based on each individual on the team.

 
Flex Seven-Days
Coaching staffs, administration and student-athletes will determine seven days at any time in the academic year when classes are in session, to be off-days.
 
Eight-Hours Off Between 9:00pm and 6:00am
Prohibit athletics obligations for at least eight-hours between 9:00pm and 6:00am every day.
 
Weekly Schedules Posted to Student-Athletes
Require practice schedules be shared with student-athletes weekly and followed by coaching staffs, and, if changed are required, they should be known by student-athletes 24 hours prior to the scheduled practice time.

Northern Illinois University relies on the continued support of members of the community in order to maintain high standards of excellence.

If you have any questions regarding this information please feel free to contact us at niurules@niu.edu.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter,

HACO