The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
RMCS: Donors, Alumni and Fans
Have questions about NCAA rules? Please refer to our donor guide, the Longhorn Foundation website, or contact us at compliance@athletics.utexas.edu for more information.
What is a "booster"?
Under NCAA rules the individuals that we generally refer to as "boosters" are also known as Representatives of an Institution's Athletics Interests. These individuals, as the name implies, are considered representatives of the athletics departments and The University of Texas at Austin is responsible for making sure that they follow all NCAA rules.
How does someone become a booster?
According to NCAA rules, a booster is any individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration to:
(a) Have participated in or to be a member of any organization that promotes the institution's intercollegiate athletics program;
(b) Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;
(c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
(d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
(e) Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.
Some examples of boosters are: fans, undergraduate students, graduate students, all university faculty, staff and other employees and alumni. These are just a few examples; anyone who meets the criteria above is a booster.
How long do I remain a booster if I meet one of the criteria above?
Forever. Under NCAA rules, once an individual, independent agency, corporate entity or other organization is identified as a booster, that person or group retains that identity indefinitely.
So if I am a booster, can I help with recruiting prospective student-athletes to come to The University of Texas at Austin?
No. The NCAA has very strict rules about who can recruit prospective student athletes. Boosters are prohibited from any involvement in any recruiting activity. If a prospective student-athlete contacts you for information about the UT Athletics program, please refer them to a member of the coaching staff!
Are there any restrictions on a booster providing benefits to current student-athletes?
Benefits provided to a student-athlete by boosters or fans of our programs may be considered "extra benefits," which are impermissible under NCAA rules. Extra benefits are generally defined as any benefit, gift or service that is provided to a student-athlete but not otherwise available to other UT students or members of the public.
Specific examples include, but are not limited to:
- Cash
- Co-signing or arranging for a loan
- Gifts or free services (ex: airline tickets, restaurant meals, gift cards, use of a car or boat)
- Rent-free or reduced cost housing
- Employment of a student-athlete at a rate higher than the normal average for that position and type of work
- Promise of employment or payment after college graduation
Although we recognize that some donors may have preexisting relationships with student-athletes through family and friends, please contact our staff prior to providing any benefit to a current student-athlete. Many times our staff can work with the NCAA to confirm that a benefit is permissible, but it is important that the nature of the relationship and proposed benefit is disclosed in advance to ensure the student-athlete’s eligibility is not jeopardized. Please contact our office at (512) 471-7285 or compliance@athletics.utexas.edu with any questions.