Under NCAA Bylaw 13.02.14 (2025-26 Division II Manual), a representative of athletics interests (commonly called a booster) is any individual, independent agency, corporate entity, or other organization who is known (or should be known) by a member of the institution’s executive or athletics administration to:

• Be a member of, or have participated in, a group promoting the institution’s athletics program (including apparel/equipment companies);
• Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or an athletics booster club.
• Be assisting, or have been asked by staff to assist, in recruiting prospective student-athletes.
• Be assisting, or have assisted, in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or
• Be otherwise involved in promoting the institution’s athletics program.

�� Once identified as a booster, you remain a booster for life.

You are a booster if you have ever:

• Been a member of a Carson-Newman booster group (ex. Eagle Club)
• Donated to the athletics department or a specific sport.
• Been involved in recruiting a prospect.
• Provided benefits to student-athletes or their families/friends.
• Promoted Carson-Newman athletics in any way.
• Arranged or provided employment for student-athletes.
• Been a parent/guardian of a C-N student-athlete.
• Been a season ticket holder.

If you answer yes to any of these, you are a booster.

Per NCAA Bylaw 16.02.3, an extra benefit is any special arrangement provided to a student-athlete (or their friends/relatives) that is not generally available to the student body.

Examples include:

• Cash, gifts, meals, entertainment tickets, or clothing.
• Free or reduced-cost housing, board, or merchandise.
• Use of cars, phones, or institutional equipment.
• Typing/editing schoolwork.
• Loans of money or co-signing on a loan.
• Selling or trading complimentary admissions.
• Selling or trading awards, gear, or apparel provided for participation.

⚠️ Accepting an extra benefit jeopardizes the student-athlete’s eligibility and may subject Carson-Newman to NCAA penalties.

You may:

• Attend as many Carson-Newman athletics events as you’d like.
• Share names, clippings, or highlights of talented prospects with our coaches.
• Provide assistance when specifically requested by the athletics staff.
• Attend public athletics events where prospects are present (but without pre-arranged recruiting contact).

You may not:

• Recruit or attempt to recruit prospects to Carson-Newman.
• Contact recruits via in-person meetings, phone, email, text, or social media.
• Visit a recruit’s home, school, or competition site.
• Provide meals, housing, or transportation to student-athletes or prospects without prior approval from Compliance.
• Allow student-athletes or prospects to live in your home or borrow your vehicle.

When in doubt, always contact the Carson-Newman Compliance Office before acting. Protecting our student-athletes’ eligibility and maintaining NCAA compliance is a shared responsibility.