Note to Message Board Users
Under NCAA rules, SMU Athletics representatives (e.g., boosters, fans, supporters) are not permitted to have recruiting contact with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete’s relatives or legal guardians. Recruiting contact includes in-person, face-to-face contact; telephone calls; or written correspondence.
Further, NCAA rules generally define an athletics representative as anyone who has been involved in promoting the university’s athletics program. In most cases, registered users of messages boards that are primarily dedicated to SMU Athletics (e.g., PonyFans.com) will be considered representatives of SMU Athletics. Additionally, NCAA rules stipulate that once an individual is identified as an athletics representative, he/she retains that identity indefinitely (i.e., once a booster, always a booster).
Finally, SMU Athletics is responsible for the actions of its fans, boosters, and supporters. As a result, SMU boosters may not communicate or correspond with prospective student-athletes or their relatives or legal guardians. Thus, PonyFans.com members may not engage an individual who has identified himself/herself as a prospect or the relative or legal guardian of a prospect.
A violation under this section of NCAA rules would render the prospect ineligible for participation in athletics at SMU, unless and until the prospect is reinstated by the NCAA.
Thank you for "Asking Before You Act." If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to call (214-768-4051), write (
[email protected]), or visit (Loyd All-Sports Center 304D). Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
The above note was originally drafted by Kyle Conder, Counsel for SMU Athletic Department.