As a student-athlete, you should be aware that there are limitations on the interactions that you may have with any individual identified as a representative of athletics interests (i.e. "booster").
A representative of athletics interests is an individual or entity who is known to have promoted, assisted or contributed to an institution's intercollegiate athletics program. Once an individual has been identified as a representative of Missouri State University’s athletics interests, the individual retains that status indefinitely.
An "extra benefit" is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of athletics interests to provide a student-athlete, or a student-athlete's relative or friend, a benefit that is not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation (unless the benefit is generally available to the institution's students).
The following are examples of extra benefits that wouldÂ
not be permissible under NCAA legislation:
- Car or any use of a car or other transportation;
- Clothing;
- Haircut or other miscellaneous service;
- Gift(s);
- Money, loan(s), a guarantee of bond or signing/co-signing of a note to arrange a loan;
- Free or reduced cost meal(s);
- Telephone or credit card without charge or at a reduced cost;
- Ticket(s) for any kind of entertainment;
- Payment of long distance telephone calls;
- Free or reduced merchandise from a merchant (unless it is available to the general public);
- Free or reduced room and/or board from a booster, whether in Springfield, your home city or any other location;
- Special discounts, payment arrangements or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline tickets) or service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning).
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Examples of permissible benefits the institution may provide to you:
- Athletics scholarships
- Appropriate equipment for practice and competition
- Travel expenses for competition
- Complimentary admissions to your competitions for family and friends
- Awards to recognize your participation and achievement
- Medical treatment
- Academic support services
These are only some examples of impermissible and permissible benefits. The area of extra benefits is very complex and we do not want our student-athletes to inadvertently do something that jeopardizes their eligibility. That is why we encourage you to talk to us before accepting a benefit if you have any question about whether or not it is permissible.
Extra Benefits FAQs
