The University of Arkansas is proud to have your loyal support, dedication and enthusiasm for Razorback Athletics. As we strive for continued excellence, we always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct and compliance with all NCAA, SEC and institutional rules. Complying with these rules is the responsibility of everyone from student-athletes to administrators to boosters. The information and links below are intended to provide you with a basic understanding of the rules and regulations that you, as a booster, may encounter.
The NCAA defines a “booster” as an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who is known to:
· Hold, or have ever held season tickets for any sport at the University of Arkansas;
· Have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the Razorbacks athletics program (e.g., University of Arkansas Alumni Association, sport booster groups, etc.);
· Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or an athletics booster organization of the institution (e.g., A-Club, Razorback Foundation, booster groups, etc.);
· Have assisted, be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospects;
· Have assisted or be assisting in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families. These benefits include, but are not limited to, financial assistance, use of a car, use of a cell phone, etc.;
· Provide allowable benefits (e.g., summer jobs) to enrolled student-athletes; or
· Promote Razorback Athletics in any other way.
Important reminders for Razorback fans and boosters:
1. Once identified as a booster, an individual remains a booster for life.
2. Do not provide anything to prospective or enrolled student-athletes (or their families) without prior approval from the Compliance Office. If a student-athlete or his/her family accepts any benefits of special consideration (e.g., transportation, meals, money, etc.) based on his/her athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose his/her eligibility and the University of Arkansas will be subject to NCAA penalties.
3. Boosters are permitted to host occasional meals for student-athletes at their home, on campus, or at a facility that is regularly used for home competition, but these meals must be preapproved by the Compliance Office. Boosters may provide transportation to the meal only if it takes places at the booster’s home.
4. Boosters are prohibited from any involvement in recruiting activities. Razorback coaches and athletics department staff members are the only individuals permitted to be involved in the recruiting process.
5. Boosters may not make contact with Razorback prospects or their relatives, coaches, teachers or school administrators for the purpose of recruiting. Boosters may only speak with prospects (or their families) if it is unavoidable, incidental contact, and the discussion does not include anything related to Razorback Athletics.
6. A prospect remains a prospect even after he/she signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or financial aid agreement to attend the University of Arkansas. The prospect does not lose his/her prospect status until the start of classes at the University of Arkansas or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes (whichever occurs earlier), at which time he/she becomes an enrolled student-athlete.
For more information about what you may or may not do as a fan or booster, please review the Razorback Compliance Booster Guide and the NCAA FAQs.
Booster Forms
• Booster Pamphlet
• Booster Regulations
• Letter to Local Businesses
• Booster Occasional Meal Form
