National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

September 29, 1997

Legislative assistance

1997 Column No. 34NCAA Bylaw 11.3.2.9

Compensation for scheduling contests

NCAA institutions should note that staff members of a member institution's athletics department shall not accept compensation or gratuities for scheduling athletics contests or individual meet participation with another institution or sponsor of athletics competition. This specifically precludes the acceptance of compensation or gratuities from other institutions, schedule brokers or agents, and television networks or syndicators. Additionally, staff members shall not accept compensation for personal appearances (e.g., speaking engagements, clinicians) held in conjunction with the competition in which the institution's team is a participant. However, the former NCAA Interpretations Committee determined (reference: June 12, 1997, meeting) that a coach may receive a participatory gift from the sponsor of an event similar to the gift awarded to student-athletes participating in the event, provided the gift meets the applicable award limitation set forth in 16.1.4.

NCAA Bylaw 10.3

Gambling activities

NCAA institutions should note the following information as it relates to gambling, and student-athletes and athletics department personnel:

  • Governing legislation: According to NCAA Bylaw 10.3, staff members of a member institution's athletics department and student-athletes shall not knowingly:

    (a) Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;

    (b) Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;

    (c) Accept a bet on any team representing the institution; or

    (d) Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

  • Student-athlete statement: Prior to participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a statement in a form prescribed by the NCAA Management Council in which the student-athlete submits information related to eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status, previous positive drug tests administered by any other athletics organization and involvement in organized gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics competition under the Association's governing legislation.

    The following official interpretations/confirmations also relate to gambling activities:

  • Soliciting or accepting a bet for a material item: The provisions of NCAA Bylaw 10.3 preclude a student-athlete from soliciting or accepting a bet for a nonmonetary material item (e.g., shirt, dinner) that has tangible value. The Interpretations Committee noted, however, that institutions that compete against each other may agree to participate for a tangible item (e.g., governors cup), provided no student-athletes receive any tangible item.

  • Gambling on professional sports contests: The prohibition against student-athletes and athletics department staff members participating in gambling activities associated with professional sports events is applicable only to those sports in which the Association conducts championship competition, Division I-A football and emerging sports. Accordingly, the provisions of Bylaw 10.3 do not apply to other types of sports wagering (e.g., horse racing, auto racing, boxing).

  • Printing of point-spread information in institutional publications: According to the provisions of Bylaw 12.01.2 (line of demarcation), it would not be permissible for a member institution to publish in its game program an advertisement that provides specific point-spread information regarding professional sports contests.

    This material was provided by the legislative services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Richard C. Perko or Kristen L. Davis, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.