Clemson Compliance Corner

Clemson Compliance Corner - NCAA Rules Covering Extra Benefits - Student-Athlete Tickets & Special Events Access

It is important to remember NCAA rules covering student-athlete extra benefits and, specifically, the offering and/or provision of event access and/or free tickets to student-athletes. As Clemson University is a proud of member of the NCAA, our athletics staff and student-athletes are committed to the principle of athletics compliance and ensuring we play by the rules at all times. IPTAY members play a vital role in the support of our student-athletes, and it is crucial we all do nothing to jeopardize the eligibility of our student-athletes.

The basic NCAA extra benefits principle for student-athletes is that they should be treated the same as the rest of the general student population and not be receiving something extra due to their status as a student-athlete. The provision of an extra benefit can render student-athletes ineligible and require them to go through the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement process with the potential for mandated withholding from competition.

As it pertains to the offering and/or provision of event access and/or free tickets, please remember the below:

• Per NCAA rules, please do not provide event tickets to current student-athletes. For example, student-athletes should never be offered tickets to Tigers events as well as professional sporting events or concert tickets.
• Relatedly, please do not provide special event access to current student-athletes. For example, student-athletes should not be offered suite seating at Tigers events or VIP access at professional sporting events or concerts.
• The above two points also apply to a student-athlete’s family and friends. Please do not offer these benefits to anyone associated with student-athletes as this would still affect the student-athletes’ eligibility.
• Cautionary Tale:  Over the past couple years at another DI institution, the parents of a Football student-athlete received two tickets to an athletics event from a booster for the institution’s final regular season home football game. The student-athlete’s father was on a local board with an individual who was employed by the booster. The student-athlete’s father asked the booster about suite tickets throughout the season, and the student-athlete’s father was provided with two tickets for the last regular season home game. The total value of the two premium seating tickets was $150, and the student-athlete had to repay this value to regain his eligibility after he was declared ineligible by the institution.

Please continue to Ask Before You Act to avoid any type of extra benefits scenario, and always feel free to contact Clemson University Athletic Compliance Services at cuacs@clemson.edu. Thank you for your continued support of Clemson Athletics!