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Are you a member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association?

Membership in the Alumni Association is separate from membership in our local club, the Philly Buckeyes. Ohio State alumni find many ways to stay connected to the university they love.The very best way to extend this connection to make Ohio State stronger is through membership in the Ohio State Alumni Association - a powerful network of 130,000 alumni whose collective energy strengthens the university's academic achievement. Visit the Ohio State Alumni Association website to join today. Stay connected and make Ohio State stronger.

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Ohio State Booster Club Presidents and Members,

The Ohio State University Athletics Department strives to be the best athletics department on and off the field—a goal that can only be realized with the outstanding support of all of the individuals who are part of Buckeye Nation! In order to ensure that the Best Fans in the Land are also the most informed fans in the land, the Ohio State Athletics Department periodically provides updates to supporters of the University such as the following:

Top 10 Things Fans & Friends of The Ohio State University Athletics Should Know About NCAA Rules:

1. The NCAA holds Ohio State accountable for the actions of its fans and friends.

2. You may not be involved in recruiting prospective student-athletes on behalf of Ohio State. A prospective student-athlete is defined a student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above.

3. You may send newspaper clippings and other information about talented prospects to Ohio State coaching staff members.

4. You may not become involved in arranging for a prospect, an Ohio State student-athlete or an Ohio State student-athlete’s friends or family to receive money or financial assistance of any kind.

5. You may not provide transportation to a prospect, student-athlete or their friends and family.

6. You may not spend funds to entertain prospects, student-athletes or their friends and family.

7. You may not use a photo or name of a student-athlete for commercial purposes or sell student-athlete memorabilia.

8. You may continue established relationships with friends and neighbors whose children are prospects or current student-athletes, provided the relationship pre-dates high school and is not based on their status an athlete.

9. Breaking NCAA rules can render prospects and student-athletes ineligible for competition at Ohio State University.

10. Always ask before you act!

Please feel free to contact the Athletic Compliance Office at (614) 292-2681 with any questions related to recruitment of prospective student-athletes, or any other questions you may have. Thanks again for your support of Ohio State Athletics—GO BUCKS!

Chris Rogers

Assistant Athletics Director

101B St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Drive

Columbus, OH 43210

Ph: 614/292-6917 Fax: 614/292-0199

E-mail: rogers.621@osu.edu

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Contacting Prospective Student-Athletes

Ohio State Alumni Club Members,

The Ohio State University Athletics department strives to be the best athletics department on and off the field—a goal that can only be realized with the outstanding support of all of the individuals who are part of Buckeye Nation! In order to ensure that the Best Fans in the Land are also the most informed fans in the land, the Ohio State Athletics Department periodically provides updates to supporters of the University such as the following:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION #1:

With the NLI Signing Date coming up on February 3, 2010, may our Alumni Club group throw a NLI Signing Party or celebration event for a local prospect who is going to become a Buckeye?

ANSWER #1:

No. Under NCAA Bylaws 12.1.2.1.6 and 13.2.1, it is not permissible for boosters or booster club groups to provide any type of preferential treatment, benefits or services to prospects or their friends or family. The provision of a NLI signing party or even simply providing the platform for a prospect to publicize his or her self-funded NLI signing party would be considered impermissible benefits and inducements, resulting in a NCAA violation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION #2:

A prospect has signed his/her NLI—is it OK for me to have contact with them and congratulate them on becoming part of the Buckeye family?

ANSWER #2:

No. Under NCAA Bylaw 13.01.4, boosters and supporters of The Ohio State University are prohibited from making in-person, on or off-campus contacts or phone calls with prospective student-athletes. An individual is a prospect while enrolled in grades 9-12 or is a varsity award winner. After a high school prospect verbally commits (and even after a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent or accepts admission to OSU), the individual retains their status as a “prospect” until the first day of regular season practice or the first day of fall classes—whichever comes first. As a result, it is not permissible for boosters and supporters to have interaction with prospective student-athletes regarding their attendance at The Ohio State University, even if the prospect has verbally committed, signed a National Letter of Intent, or been admitted to the institution.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION #3:

Is it permissible for our OSU Alumni Club to invite prospective student-athletes to a “senior send-off” event, where our Alumni Club honors local students who are departing for OSU?

ANSWER #3:

Yes. As cited above, under NCAA Bylaw 13.01.4 boosters are typically prohibited from contacting prospective student-athletes. However, in the case of a “senior send-off” event where all individuals from the local area who will be attending OSU in the upcoming academic year are honored, it would be permissible for prospective student-athletes to attend based on their status as a future OSU student—the same as all other students who will be attending the event.

If you have any questions:

Please contact: Mandi Bucceroni <mbucceroni@gmail.com>

PART 2

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO:

Joe Buckeye is a booster for The Ohio State University (OSU). Joe is a big basketball fan and regularly attends local high school games. The basketball coaches at OSU told Joe that they are highly interested in Jump Shot and Bank Shot, two local prospects who are cousins. The coaches ask Joe to go watch their next game and to introduce himself. Joe introduces himself to Jump and Bank after their next game and asks for their phone numbers. The next day, Joe called both Jump and Bank and strongly encouraged them to sign National Letters of Intent with OSU next month.

QUESTION: Which of the following is true?

Joe Buckeye, on his own initiative, can attend a prospective student-athlete’s game
Joe Buckeye can have contact with prospects at their game
The coaches at OSU can ask Joe Buckeye to attend a certain prospective student-athlete’s game
Joe Buckeye can telephone prospective student-athletes encouraging them to enroll at a particular institution

ANSWER: The answer is A.

NCAA Bylaw 13.1.2.4 states that the following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives:

(a) Telephone Conversation. An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution's athletics program to the athletics department staff;

(b) Observing Prospective Student-Athlete's Contest. An athletics representative may view a prospective student-athlete's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, subject to the understanding that the athletics representative may not contact the prospective student-athlete on such occasions;

(c) Evaluation of Prospective Student-Athlete. An athletics representative may not contact a prospective student-athlete's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospective student-athlete; and

(d) Visiting Prospective Student-Athlete's Institution. An athletics representative may not visit a prospective student-athlete's educational institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospective student-athlete's academic eligibility or athletics ability.

Ohio State University Official Athletic Site
The Ohio State University

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