Telephone Conference No. 7
March 17, 2004

Acting for the Division I Management Council, the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Legislative Review/Interpretations issued the following interpretation.

Amateurism/Preferential Treatment

1. Nonathletics Educational Programs Conducted by Foundations or a Nonprofit Organization. The subcommittee recommends that the Division I Management Council amend a previous Council-approved official interpretation [Reference: 2/1/96, Item No. 2] to specify that before initial collegiate enrollment, a prospective student-athlete is permitted to participate in a nonathletics educational program (even if the prospect is selected based on athletics ability or reputation) provided:

The program is conducted by a foundation or a nonprofit organization and does not include any athletics activities;

The focus of the program is nonathletic and educational (for example, tutoring, test preparation, financial aid advice, leadership or character development) in nature;

The foundation or the organization conducting the program is limited to providing the prospective student-athletes actual and necessary expenses;

Any tangible items provided to the prospects are of nominal value and relate directly to the activities of the program;

The foundation or organization conducting is not involved in marketing any individual's athletics ability or reputation; and

A member institution, its staff members or any collegiate coaches association are not involved in providing funding for or selecting prospects to participate in the program.

[References: NCAA Bylaws 12.1.1.1.6 (preferential treatment), 13.2.1 (offers and inducements) and 13.16.1 (prohibited expenses) and a 2/1/96 official interpretation, Item No. 2.]