Murray State University Athletics
Compliance Information
Are you a “Representative of Murray State University’s Athletics Interests”?
As a member of the Racer Club, you are a “representative of Murray State University’s athletics interests,” which is more commonly known as a “booster.” Once your booster status is established, you are considered a booster FOREVER. Murray State Athletic Department staff and coaches are committed to upholding the standards and rules given to us by the NCAA and MVC. Therefore, it is important that Murray State boosters work with the Athletics Compliance Office to ensure that the eligibility of both current student-athletes and prospective student-athletes, does not come into jeopardy.
What are the general rules surrounding recruiting and boosters?
Boosters should not be involved in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. A prospective student-athlete is anyone who has started classes for the seventh grade for men’s basketball and softball, eighth grade for women’s basketball, and the ninth grade for all other sports, regardless of whether they participate in high school sports. Boosters should not attempt to contact a prospect or influence their decision to attend Murray State. This includes messaging prospects on social media, both publicly and privately.
What is an “extra benefit” and why do I need to know this term?
An extra benefit is anything that is provided to a student-athlete or a student-athlete’s family and friends by an institutional staff member or a booster that is not available to the general student body or general public. Providing anything considered an extra benefit to one of our student-athletes or their family and friends jeopardizes their eligibility to compete for Murray State.
The following are some examples of items considered to be “extra benefits:”
The following are some examples of items considered to be “permissible” given that you work through the compliance office and other proper channels:
For additional questions, please contact the Athletics Compliance Office
Matt Kelly, Executive Senior Associate AD
(270) 809-4424, mkelly@murraystate.edu
As a member of the Racer Club, you are a “representative of Murray State University’s athletics interests,” which is more commonly known as a “booster.” Once your booster status is established, you are considered a booster FOREVER. Murray State Athletic Department staff and coaches are committed to upholding the standards and rules given to us by the NCAA and MVC. Therefore, it is important that Murray State boosters work with the Athletics Compliance Office to ensure that the eligibility of both current student-athletes and prospective student-athletes, does not come into jeopardy.
What are the general rules surrounding recruiting and boosters?
Boosters should not be involved in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. A prospective student-athlete is anyone who has started classes for the seventh grade for men’s basketball and softball, eighth grade for women’s basketball, and the ninth grade for all other sports, regardless of whether they participate in high school sports. Boosters should not attempt to contact a prospect or influence their decision to attend Murray State. This includes messaging prospects on social media, both publicly and privately.
What is an “extra benefit” and why do I need to know this term?
An extra benefit is anything that is provided to a student-athlete or a student-athlete’s family and friends by an institutional staff member or a booster that is not available to the general student body or general public. Providing anything considered an extra benefit to one of our student-athletes or their family and friends jeopardizes their eligibility to compete for Murray State.
The following are some examples of items considered to be “extra benefits:”
- Providing cash or loans in any amount or signing/ co-signing for a loan
- Giving gifts of any kind, including birthday/holiday gifts and “Get Well Soon” cards
- Offering free or reduced-cost rent or housing, and other services such as meals, haircuts, automotive repairs, etc.
- Giving tickets to athletic or community events, even if you received the tickets for free
- Employing relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete as an inducement to attend Murray State
The following are some examples of items considered to be “permissible” given that you work through the compliance office and other proper channels:
- Boosters inviting current student-athletes or teams to their home for an occasional meal, given that the booster received prior approval from the Athletics Compliance Office and head coach of that sport.
- Boosters may employ a student-athlete provided they make the proper arrangements through the Athletics Compliance Office.
For additional questions, please contact the Athletics Compliance Office
Matt Kelly, Executive Senior Associate AD
(270) 809-4424, mkelly@murraystate.edu
