This page is intended to provide Thomas More University alumni and friends with a basic understanding of the NCAA and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference rules and regulations. While this does not include all applicable provisions, it includes a number of items that often arise.

Compliance with NCAA and Great Midwest rules is of the highest priority for our athletic program and institution. As a member of the NCAA and Great Midwest, Thomas More University is responsible for your actions whether on campus or off.

Thomas More University is proud to have such loyal support from its alumni, boosters and fans. It is imperative that all parties understand and adhere to the NCAA and Great Midwest bylaws regarding benefits for our student-athletes. There is no doubt that we can make this a positive experience for all by working together to ensure this occurs.

What is a Representative of Athletics Interest?

You are considered to be a Representative of Athletics Interest (booster) if you: 
- Have been a member of any organization promoting Thomas More University athletics. 
- Have ever made a donation to the Athletic Department, athletic team or the All Saints Club.
- Have ever assisted in evaluating or recruiting prospects. 
- Have ever assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes, prospective student-athletes or their parents or relatives. 
- Participated in the Thomas More University athletics program.

Once you become a "Representative of Athletics Interest," you retain that identity indefinitely.

Rules Governing Enrolled Student-Athletes:

DO NOT provide an "extra benefit" or special arrangement to an enrolled student-athlete. The extra benefit rule for student-athletes, their relatives or friends state that you:

- MAY NOT give them cash or loans in any amount. 
- MAY NOT employ a student-athlete at a rate of pay that is higher than the going rate for other employees. 
- MAY NOT give them gifts of any kind or free services. 
- MAY NOT provide special discounts for goods or services. 
- MAY NOT provide them transportation within or outside of a campus area. 
- MAY NOT entertain or contact a prospect or his/her family on or off campus. 
- MAY NOT provide rent free or reduced-rent housing. 
- MAY NOT provide tickets to an athletic, institutional or community event. 
- MAY NOT provide promise of financial aid for postgraduate education. 
- MAY NOT provide promise to a student-athlete of employment after college.

Rules Governing Prospective Student-Athletes:

Only coaches and athletic department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. This rule states that you:

- MAY NOT telephone, write, email, text or make in-person contact (on or off campus) with a prospective student-athlete for the purpose of soliciting his/her participation in Thomas More University athletics. 
- MAY NOT contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect, and do not visit the prospect's high school to pick up transcripts or films. 
- MAY NOT provide free or reduced price tickets to any Thomas More University home or away contest to prospects, their relatives or friends. 
- MAY NOT employ, or promise to employ, relatives or friends of a prospect as an inducement for his/her enrollment at Thomas More University.

For Enrolled student-athletes and prospective student-athletes, it is permissible to:

- Continue normal contact with prospective student-athletes with which you have pre-established relationships, as long as the contacts are not recruiting related. 
- Attend games where prospective student-athletes are competing as long as no contact is made with the prospect or the prospect's parents or legal guardians.

Questions:

- If you have any questions regarding prospects, student-athletes, or NCAA rules and regulations, please contact Assistant Athletic Director - Compliance, Cory Blackson at (859) 344-3672 or via e-mail at cory.blackson@thomasmore.edu.