Agents, Amateurism, & Promotions
Indiana State University Athletics Department has several regulations and required forms in order to assist local organizations, charities, and other entities comply with NCAA regulations regarding ticketing, amateurism and promotions.
Additional information is provided below to assist you in requesting promotional items and donations while ensuring that the eligibility of student-athletes is not compromised. Forms required for donation requests are included on the Compliance Forms page. Please contact the Compliance Office with any questions.
Agents
In order to ensure that agents are registered as required by Indiana state law and to inform potential agents of Indiana State University policies regarding agent contact with student-athlete, any student-athlete or coach who is contacted by an agent must notify the Compliance Office.
Once the Compliance Office is contacted, it will send a letter to the agent requesting additional information and proof of licensure.
Amateurism
Prospective Student-Athletes ("PSA"):
Prior to a student-athlete’s initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept prize money based on his/her place finish or performance in an open athletics event provided that prize money is provided by the open event’s sponsor and does not exceed actual and necessary expenses for participation in that event.
An individual may not participate in activities with a professional team, receive compensation for play (or otherwise based on athletics ability), or make any sort of agreement with an agent. The eligibility impact of a student-athlete’s actions are evaluated by the NCAA on a case-by-case basis and
often result in significant penalties including permanent ineligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
All incoming student athletes must have their amateur status certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Therefore, PSAs must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at www.eligibilitycenter.org and follow the instructions on that site. Any additional questions can be addressed to the coach or the Compliance Office.
Current Student-Athletes:
Agents: A student-athlete may not agree, either orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent or organization in the marketing of his or her athletic ability or reputation until after the completion of the last intercollegiate contest, including postseason games. This NCAA prohibition includes an agreement that is not effective until after the last game. A student-athlete is also not permitted to accept any expenses from an agent for anything.
Playing and/or Marketing Contracts: NCAA rules forbid a student-athlete or anyone acting on behalf of a student-athlete from negotiating or signing a playing or marketing contract in any sport in which the student-athlete intends to compete or to market the name or image of the athlete.
NCAA rules forbid a student-athlete to ask to be placed on a professional league's draft list, whether or not the athlete withdraws his or her name before the draft, whether or not the student-athlete is actually drafted and whether or not the athlete signs a professional contract. There are limited exceptions to this regulation in the sports of football and basketball – a student-athlete considering being placed on a professional league’s draft list should consult the Compliance Office before taking any action that could adversely impact his/her eligibility.
Finally, NCAA rules forbid a student-athlete from receiving any material or tangible benefits from anyone as a result of the student-athlete's athletics reputation, skill or potential. A good rule of thumb is that the student-athlete should not accept anything that is not available to the general public or the general student body without consulting the Compliance Office. See the Extra Benefits section of this website for more information.
Promotions
The Athletics Department provides a variety of promotional opportunities for local organizations and charities. However, the NCAA has strict guidelines in place that must be adhered to in order to ensure that promotions are in accordance with national and institutional rules and regulations.
The University allows the donation of equipment and tickets to organizations, so long as the donation does not directly or indirectly benefit a prospect or high-school athletics program. In order to govern equipment and ticket donations, the Compliance Office requires all individuals or organizations to submit proof of 501(c)(3) status.
A separate form is required before a student-athlete’s name, picture, or identity is used for promotional activities. To ensure that such use is in accordance with NCAA legislation, the coach or institutional staff member must check with the Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations and Compliance Office prior to the event. The event can occur for an institutional, educational, or charitable organization and not for any for-profit endeavor and may not be co-sponsored, advertised or promoted by a commercial agency. However, the student-athlete MAY NOT miss class to participate in any activity.
For all individuals who desire to receive a student-athlete’s signature on apparel or memorabilia, they must attest that he/she is only receiving the item for personal use and will not sell the item for financial gain or transfer the item to a third-party. This protects the eligibility of all student-athletes.
