UTSA Athletics Compliance Office — Prospective Student-Athletes
Who is a prospective student-athlete?
13.02.13 Prospective Student-Athlete. A prospective student-athlete is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In addition, a student who has not started classes for the ninth grade becomes a prospective student-athlete if the institution provides such an individual (or the individual's family members or friends) any financial assistance or other benefits that the institution does not provide to prospective students generally. An individual remains a prospective student-athlete until one of the following occurs (whichever is earlier):
(a) The individual officially registers and enrolls in a minimum full-time program of studies and attends classes in any term of a four-year collegiate institution's regular academic year (excluding summer);
(b) The individual participates in a regular squad practice or competition at a four-year collegiate institution that occurs before the beginning of any term;
(c) The individual participates in required summer athletic activities before his or her initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution;
(d) The individual officially registers, enrolls and attends classes during the certifying institution's summer term prior to his or her initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution; or
(e) The individual reports to an institutional orientation session that is open to all incoming students within 14 calendar days prior to the opening day of classes of a regular academic year term.
13.11.1.1 Definition of "Prospective Student-Athlete" for Tryout-Rule Purposes -- Sports Other Than Men's Basketball and Softball.
In sports other than men's basketball and softball, for purposes of the tryout rule, the phrase "prospective student-athlete" shall include any individual who has started classes for the ninth grade and is not enrolled in the member institution at the time of the practice or test therein described.
13.11.1.2 Definition of "Prospective Student-Athlete" for Tryout-Rule Purposes -- Men's Basketball and Softball.
In men's basketball and softball, for purposes of the tryout rule, the phrase "prospective student-athlete" shall include any individual who has started classes for the seventh grade and is not enrolled in the member institution at the time of the practice or test therein described.
13.12.1.1.1 — Definition of prospective student-athlete — men's basketball and softball
In men's basketball, for purposes of Bylaw 13.12 (camps/clinics), the phrase "prospective student-athlete" shall include any individual who has started classes for the seventh grade.
Links
· Information and resources for college-bound student-athletes and parents (.pdf) 
· UTSA Admissions
· NCAA Eligibility Center
· NCAA freshman eligibility standards (.pdf)
· NCAA academic eligibility frequently asked questions
· UTSA official visit policies (.pdf)
· NCAA Graduation Rates database
· International Prospective Student-Athletes
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the compliance office at (210) 458-5493.
Recruiting
Visiting UTSA
During an official visit the college can pay for transportation to and from the college for the student-athlete, lodging and three meals per day for the student-athlete and his or her parents or guardians, as well as reasonable entertainment expenses including three tickets to a home sports event.
The only expenses a college-bound student-athlete may receive from a college during an unofficial visit are three tickets to a home sports event.
Links
· UTSA official visit policies (.pdf)
National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an institution in which the institution agrees to provide a prospective student-athlete who is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules athletics aid for one academic year in exchange for the prospect's agreement to attend the institution for one academic year. All colleges and universities that participate in the NLI program agree to not recruit a prospective student-athlete once he/she signs an NLI with another college or university. Therefore, a prospective student-athlete who signs an NLI should no longer receive recruiting contacts and calls and is ensured an athletics scholarship for one academic year. The NLI must be accompanied by an institutional financial aid agreement. If the student-athlete does not enroll at that institution for a full academic year, he/she may be subject to specific penalties, including loss of a season of eligibility and a mandatory residence requirement.
Links
· National Letter of Intent signing dates
· National Letter of Intent quick reference guide
· National Letter of Intent frequently asked questions
When Does My Five-Year Eligibility Clock Start?
NCAA Bylaw 12.8.1.1
The primary purpose of financial aid is to provide resources to students who would otherwise be unable to pursue a post-secondary education. The UTSA Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services will meet the direct costs or financial need for all eligible students until a variety of funds have been exhausted. All students are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, subject to the availability of funds, academic performance and demonstrated financial need.
Links
· UTSA Financial Aid
· Federal Application for Federal Student Aid
Employment
Student-athletes are eligible for employment during the regular academic year as well as during the University’s official vacation periods.
The athletic compliance office must keep records of all student-athlete employment records. The following rules are applicable to student-athlete employment:
- The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that area for similar services.
- The student-athlete has not been hired based on his/her athletic ability
- The student-athlete’s name, picture or likeness cannot be used to advertise, recommend or promote sales or use of a commercial product or service of any kind.
- Transportation to work for student-athletes is not provided unless transportation is provided for all other employees.
What is a booster?
A “representative of UTSA’s athletics interests,” or “booster,” is anyone who:
· Has ever participated in or is currently a member of the various athletic department support groups.
· Has purchased season tickets.
· Has made a donation to the athletics program.
· Has helped arrange summer and/or vacation employment for student athletes.
· Has been involved, in anyway, in the promotion of UTSA’s athletics program.
Extra benefits
Prospective and current student-athletes may not receive extra benefits. An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of the institution’s athletic interests to provide a student-athlete or his/her family a benefit not authorized by NCAA legislation. Extra benefits would include, but are not limited to:
· An employment arrangement for a prospect’s relatives.
· Gifts of clothing or equipment.
· Cosigning of loans.
· Providing loans to a prospect’s relatives or friends.
· Cash or like items.
· Use of an automobile.
· Any tangible items, including merchandise.
· Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type.
· Free or reduced-cost housing.
· Use of a college’s athletics equipment.
· Sponsorship of or arrangement for an award banquet for high school, prep school or two-year college athletes by a college, athletics representative or its alumni groups.
· Employment of a student-athlete at a rate higher than the wages paid for similar work.
· Payment to a student-athlete for work not performed.
Other useful links
· NCAA drug testing program
· "Don’t Bet On It"
· SAT information
· ACT information