Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question:
Every now and again, a coach will ask if his/her student-athletes can get some "outside help" in terms of their skill or fitness instruction. There are various ways that this can and can't be done, so read on!
Q. Can my team get someone else to coach them right now?
Answer:
A. As is often the case, the answer is "it depends".
1. Basically, if the criteria included in the interp pasted below and attached up top are satisfied, then YES, a student-athlete who instigates the request, pays regular price and doesn't do this on our campus can receive some outside private help.
2. This cannot be mandated at any time - especially in summer when everything athletically related is voluntary. It is up to the student-athlete.
3. The SA must pay the going rate for these private sessions. No freebies, or reduced cost preferential treatment. Such extra benefits are never OK.
4. Coaches and other IU staff should NOT be setting this up or getting involved with it.
Official Interpretation
Student-Athletes Seeking Instructional Assistance from Individuals Outside the Institution
Date Published: October 5, 1995
A student-athlete in any sport may receive assistance from an individual outside the institution (e.g., consultant, professional instructor) without the individual being counted in the institution's coaching limitations, provided the institution is not involved in any way in arranging for such activity, institutional coaching staff members do not observe such activity and such activity does not occur at the institution's facility (either during voluntary workouts or during regular institutional practice sessions). Further, the student-athlete(s) must pay all the fees (at the going rate) associated with the activity and may not receive preferential compensation arrangements (e.g., discount rate, deferred payments) not available to the general public.
Also:
-Your program may (with the necessary administrative and financial approval) seek assistance from outside consultants from time to time for various reasons. None of these individuals used by IU may coach your team in any manner - they can consult with you outside of practice, generally observe open practice and can set up certain types of sessions (non-coaching) with your student-athletes, but this would need careful vetting by the compliance office. Plus, such activities, if required, would be countable. See rule below.
-And because we have many such consultants "in-house" now, such outside help isn't really necessary, is it. But what do I know?!
11.7.1.1.1.4 Use of Outside Consultants.
An institution may use or arrange for a temporary consultant to provide in-service training for the coaching staff, but no interaction with student-athletes is permitted unless the individual is counted against the applicable coaching limits. An outside consultant may not be involved in any on- or off-field or on- or off-court coaching activities (e.g., attending practices and meetings involving coaching activities, formulating game plans, analyzing video involving the institution's or opponent's team) without counting the consultant in the coaching limitations in that sport. (Adopted: 1/10/92, Revised: 3/10/04).
Bottom line is: if you're considering using any outside help, let us know so we can help walk you through it - if your idea is permissible. We also strongly recommend that if any of your student-athletes are getting outside coaching (per the guidelines above), then they share info that with us too. No point getting better over summer only to be ineligible for the season, right?! This is similar to us all needing to be aware of, and to know about what our SAs are doing training and benefit-wise at this time of year. The NCAA Agent, Gambling and Amateurism staff (AGA) often warn of the dangers of summer training centers and special arrangements being made for elite athletes. Who is paying? What professional entities are involved? As always with this thing we have chosen - ignorance is no excuse. Of this I am reminded daily, being ignorant and all.
Question:
Every now and again, a coach will ask if his/her student-athletes can get some "outside help" in terms of their skill or fitness instruction. There are various ways that this can and can't be done, so read on!
Q. Can my team get someone else to coach them right now?
Answer:
A. As is often the case, the answer is "it depends".
1. Basically, if the criteria included in the interp pasted below and attached up top are satisfied, then YES, a student-athlete who instigates the request, pays regular price and doesn't do this on our campus can receive some outside private help.
2. This cannot be mandated at any time - especially in summer when everything athletically related is voluntary. It is up to the student-athlete.
3. The SA must pay the going rate for these private sessions. No freebies, or reduced cost preferential treatment. Such extra benefits are never OK.
4. Coaches and other IU staff should NOT be setting this up or getting involved with it.
Official Interpretation
Student-Athletes Seeking Instructional Assistance from Individuals Outside the Institution
Date Published: October 5, 1995
A student-athlete in any sport may receive assistance from an individual outside the institution (e.g., consultant, professional instructor) without the individual being counted in the institution's coaching limitations, provided the institution is not involved in any way in arranging for such activity, institutional coaching staff members do not observe such activity and such activity does not occur at the institution's facility (either during voluntary workouts or during regular institutional practice sessions). Further, the student-athlete(s) must pay all the fees (at the going rate) associated with the activity and may not receive preferential compensation arrangements (e.g., discount rate, deferred payments) not available to the general public.
Also:
-Your program may (with the necessary administrative and financial approval) seek assistance from outside consultants from time to time for various reasons. None of these individuals used by IU may coach your team in any manner - they can consult with you outside of practice, generally observe open practice and can set up certain types of sessions (non-coaching) with your student-athletes, but this would need careful vetting by the compliance office. Plus, such activities, if required, would be countable. See rule below.
-And because we have many such consultants "in-house" now, such outside help isn't really necessary, is it. But what do I know?!
11.7.1.1.1.4 Use of Outside Consultants.
An institution may use or arrange for a temporary consultant to provide in-service training for the coaching staff, but no interaction with student-athletes is permitted unless the individual is counted against the applicable coaching limits. An outside consultant may not be involved in any on- or off-field or on- or off-court coaching activities (e.g., attending practices and meetings involving coaching activities, formulating game plans, analyzing video involving the institution's or opponent's team) without counting the consultant in the coaching limitations in that sport. (Adopted: 1/10/92, Revised: 3/10/04).
Bottom line is: if you're considering using any outside help, let us know so we can help walk you through it - if your idea is permissible. We also strongly recommend that if any of your student-athletes are getting outside coaching (per the guidelines above), then they share info that with us too. No point getting better over summer only to be ineligible for the season, right?! This is similar to us all needing to be aware of, and to know about what our SAs are doing training and benefit-wise at this time of year. The NCAA Agent, Gambling and Amateurism staff (AGA) often warn of the dangers of summer training centers and special arrangements being made for elite athletes. Who is paying? What professional entities are involved? As always with this thing we have chosen - ignorance is no excuse. Of this I am reminded daily, being ignorant and all.