Loyola University Chicago Athletics

 

As a Loyola University Chicago student-athlete, there are several NCAA, Missouri Valley and institutional rules and regulations of which you should be aware. This section of the website provides an overview of information that affects you as a student-athlete at Loyola.

Please contact the Office of Compliance if you ever have questions or concerns regarding any of the information contained in this section.

Who is a booster?

A booster is an individual that:
• Promotes Loyola University Chicago athletics program.
• Makes a financial contribution to Loyola athletics or its booster organizations.
• Assists in the recruitment of prospects for Loyola.
• Provides benefits (e.g., jobs, occasional meals) to enrolled student-athletes.
• Has purchased season tickets for any Loyola athletics program.

It is important to remember that once an individual has been identified as a booster, he or she retains that status forever.

Academic Eligibility Standards
A student-athlete is allowed 4 seasons of eligibility within 5 calendar years from the time he or she first enrolls full-time at a collegiate institution. In general, when a student-athlete competes in any competition (including scrimmages with outside competition), whether it is for one minute or the entire contest, he or she has used a season of competition and one of his or her 4 years of eligibility.

Student-athletes must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per term to practice, receive financial aid and compete in intercollegiate athletics (exception if enrolled in final semester). If a student-athlete drops below 12 credit hours, he or she is immediately ineligible to practice or compete with the team.

Any student-athlete with a GPA under 2.0 is subject to an institutional review. If a student-athlete is a transfer student from a two-year or four-year college, he or she is not eligible during his or her first academic year in residence at Loyola unless he or she meets the provisions of one of the NCAA's transfer exceptions.

Agents and Maintaining Amateur Status
A student-athlete can lose his or her amateur status and become ineligible for competition if he or she:
• Accepts pay or the promise of pay for play.
• Enters into a professional contract.
• Plays for a professional team.
• Enters into an agreement (oral or written) with an agent.
• Accepts a benefit from an agent or runner.
• Promotes a commercial product or service, regardless of pay (allows his or her picture, name or testimonial to be used to advertise a product or service).

The prohibition for a student-athlete to enter into an agreement, either verbally or in writing, with an agent extends to both the present and the future. It is not permissible for a student-athlete to enter into an agreement to be represented by an agent in the future once the student-athlete's eligibility expires.

In addition, a student-athlete may not accept transportation or any other benefits from an athlete agent. This prohibition also applies to a student-athlete's relatives and/or friends. The term "agent" includes actual agents, runners and financial advisors.

Student-Athlete Employment
Student-athletes are permitted to earn income through legitimate employment opportunities.

A student-athlete may receive employment compensation:
• Only for work that is actually performed and useful in nature;
• Only for the number of hours actually worked;
• At a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the area.

A student-athlete may NOT receive:
• Payment for value that he or she brings the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following because of his or her athletics ability;
• Transportation to work or other benefits, unless the same benefits are available equally to all employees.

Fee-for-lesson Employment
• NCAA rules permit student-athletes to be employed on a fee-for-lesson basis under the following prescribed conditions:
• Fee-for-lesson employment may NOT take place in an institutional facility;
• A student-athlete must actually provide skill instruction; "playing lessons" are not permissible;
• Compensation must be paid by the lesson recipient or the recipient's family and not another outside individual or entity;
• Payment must be at the going rate for such services in the area;
• A student-athlete may not use his or her name in promoting or advertising the lesson.

Extra Benefits
It is an NCAA violation for a Loyola student-athlete to receive something that is not generally available to the Loyola student body. Student-athletes should NOT accept transportation, payment of food or drink, or any other benefit from someone who is not an established friend or family member.

Extra benefits can include, but, are not limited to:
• Money, gifts, clothing, tickets for entertainment, haircut, and use of a car
• Free or reduced-cost room or board anywhere.
• Free or reduced-cost merchandise or services.
• Use of Athletics Department copy/fax machines, long distance telephone services or free use of a cell phone.
• Typing or editing reports, papers, letters, etc. for a student-athlete.
• A loan of money or the consigning of a note to arrange a loan.
• The sale or trade of complimentary admissions for merchandise, services or debt repayment.
• The sale or trade of ANY items a student-athlete has received for his or her participation in athletics (e.g., gear, clothing, awards).

Accepting an extra benefit will jeopardize a student-athlete's eligibility to compete in NCAA sports.

Outside Competition
Loyola student-athletes must receive approval from the Office of Compliance prior to participating in competition as a member of an outside sports team or as an individual.

Pending Office of Compliance approval, student-athletes in all sports may compete in non-collegiate amateur competition during select time periods (e.g., summer break, official Loyola vacation periods when team it out-of-season).

During the Academic Year:
• In the sport of basketball, you cannot participate during the academic year in any organized basketball competition without losing ALL eligibility for further intercollegiate competition in the sport of basketball.
• In all sports except basketball, you cannot participate during the academic year as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition. Exception: You may represent Loyola in intercollegiate competition in accordance with permissible playing season rules in your sport (e.g., tournament play, exhibition games).
• Anytime a student-athlete wants to compete during the academic year while not representing Loyola, they must obtain prior written approval from the Office of Compliance. A Loyola student-athlete may participate unattached in an open meet where Loyola student-athletes are representing Loyola as long as the meet is open to the general public, is not held in conjunction with an intercollegiate competition, and no team scoring occurs.

The number of Loyola student-athletes on any one outside team shall not exceed the following limitations:
• Soccer -- 5
• Softball -- 4
• Basketball -- 2
• Volleyball -- 2
• Cross Country/Golf/Track & Field -- unlimited

Gambling
NCAA rules prohibit all student-athletes, coaches, and staff from wagering on any intercollegiate and professional sport, at any level, that is sponsored by the NCAA. This ban also applies to pools or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize or money.

The NCAA strictly prohibits student-athletes, coaches and staff from engaging in the following activities:
• Soliciting a bet on any intercollegiate or professional team.
• Accepting a bet on any team representing the institution.
• Soliciting or accepting a bet on any intercollegiate or professional competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value.
• Participating in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling, including pools, auctions and fantasy leagues.
• Knowingly providing information to individuals involved in any type of organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition.

Drug Policy
NCAA Banned Substance List

In addition to institutional and Missouri Valley drug testing programs, student-athletes are subject to NCAA random drug testing year-round. Student-athletes are encouraged to communicate any and all substances that they ingest with their athletic trainer.

If a student-athlete is scheduled to take a drug test and they fail to show up for the test, it is a positive test.

Consequences of a Positive NCAA Drug Test
• 1st Offense (Street Drug) -- ineligible for 50 days of season
•1st Offense (Any Other Drug) -- ineligible for 365 days, loss of 1 year of eligibility and must retest negative before return to competition
• 2nd Offense (Street Drug) -- ineligible for 365 days, loss of additional year of eligibility
• 2nd Offense (Performance Enhancing Drug) -- permanently ineligible

Charitable & Promotional Activities
Per NCAA regulations, the use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance in promotional activities is limited to educational, charitable and non-profit organizations, and the following conditions apply:
• Student-athletes may not miss class time;
• Student-athletes may only accept actual and necessary expenses related to his or her participation in the activity (and these expenses must be documented)
• All monies derived from the activity must go directly to the charitable, educational or non-profit organization; and
• Student-athlete's involvement may not include co-sponsorship, advertisement or promotion by a commercial agency other than through the reproduction of the sponsoring organization's officially registered regular trademark or logo on printed materials such as pictures, posters or calendars.

Student-athletes should contact the Office of Community Engagement prior to participating in any promotional activities.

Financial Aid
Loyola University Chicago Financial Aid Office

The NCAA permits a student-athlete to receive financial aid from anyone upon whom he or she is naturally or legally dependent. A student-athlete may also receive financial aid not to exceed the cost of tuition, room, board, books and fees from:

Sources Distributed by the University:
• A student-athlete may receive institutional need-based aid based on information from his or her FAFSA. Such aid may include scholarships, grants, work-study, SEOG and PELL.
• A student-athlete may receive scholarships based on academic standing and/or athletic ability.
• The possibility of student employment either as work-study (need-based) or non work-study may be available to a student-athlete.

Sources Distributed Outside the University:
• A student-athlete may receive financial aid that is awarded on basis unrelated to athletic; or
• The aid is awarded through an established and continuing program aid to students, if the following conditions are met:
• The student-athlete's choice of institution is not restricted by the donor; and
• There is no direct connection between the donor and Loyola.
• A student-athlete MUST report all outside financial aid awards that he or she receives towards his or her college expenses.

Reduction/Cancellation of Institutional Financial Aid
If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, that financial aid MAY be reduced or canceled during the period of the award (e.g., during that academic year or term) only if the student-athlete:
• Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition, or
• Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement, or
• Commits serious misconduct which warrants a substantial disciplinary penalty (the misconduct determination must be made by the university's regular student disciplinary authority), or
• Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons. In this case, the student-athlete's financial aid may not be given to another student-athlete during the term in which the aid was reduced or canceled.
• Violates any written condition on Schedule A of the student-athlete's athletics aid agreement.

Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability MAY NOT be reduced, canceled or increased during the period of the award:
• Based on a student-athlete's ability, performance or contribution to a team's success, or
• Because injury prevents the student-athlete from participating, or
• For any other athletics reason.

Countable Athletically Related Activities
A student-athlete's participation in countable athletically related activities (CARA) shall be limited to the following:

During the playing season:
• Daily limit -- four (4) hours
• Weekly limit -- twenty (20) hours
• At least one (1) day off per week

Outside the playing season:
• Daily limit -- four (4) hours
• Weekly limit -- eight (8) hours
• At least two (2) days off per week

• A competition day is considered three (3) hours of activity regardless of the actual duration of the event (includes pre-game warm-ups, shootaround, etc.).

Coaches are required to log their team's weekly playing/practice hours through JumpForward.

Countable athletically related activities:
• Practices
• Athletics meetings with a coach initiated or required by a coach
• Competition
• Field, floor or on-court activity
• Required weight-training and conditioning activities
• Required participation in camps/clinics
• Participation outside the regular season in individual skill-related instructional activities with a member of the coaching staff
• Discussion or review of game films
• Visiting the competition site in cross country and golf

Non-countable athletically related activities:
• Compliance meetings
• Meetings with a coach initiated by the student-athlete
• Drug/alcohol educational meetings or CHAMPS/Life Skills meetings
• Study hall, tutoring or academic meetings
• Voluntary weight training not conducted by a coach or staff member
• Traveling to and from the site of competition
• Recruiting activities (e.g., student host)
• Training table meals
• Community service, promotional or public relations activities including media activities
• Physical rehabilitation

Definition of a week -- Any seven (7) consecutive days to be determined by the individual sport's discretion. Once the "week" is defined, it shall not change for the duration of the season.

Competition Day -- All competition and any associated athletically related activities on the day of competition shall count as three (3) hours regardless of the actual duration of these activities. Countable athletically related activities may not be conducted at any time (including vacation periods) following competition, except between contests, rounds or events (e.g., doubleheaders in softball).

In-Season -- The time between the team's first officially recognized practice session and the last practice session or competition. Seasons can be separated into 2 distinct segments: championship and non-championship.

Out-of-Season -- The remaining days during the academic year not included in the in-season period. Participation in up to two (2) hours of required skill instruction is permissible.

Vacation Periods and Between Terms -- Hour limitations do not apply during official institutional break periods when classes are not in session (i.e., fall, winter, spring break). This includes hour limitations during preseason practice prior to the first day of classes.

Travel Day -- A travel day related to athletics participation may be considered a day off, provided no countable activities occurred.

Final Exam Period -- When in-season, limitations do apply during final-examination periods and preparatory days leading up to final exams. When out-of season, all athletically related activities are prohibited one (1) week prior to the beginning of final exams through the conclusion of each student-athlete's exam.

Safety Exception -- A coach may be present during voluntary activities (non-countable) in a practice facility when students are using equipment in the track (field events only).

Voluntary Activity -- All of the following conditions must be met:
• Student-athletes are not required to report back to a coach any information related to the activity. Staff members observing activities may not report back to a coach any information related to the activity.
• Activity must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athlete.
• Attendance and participation in the activity (or lack thereof) may not be recorded for the purpose of reporting to coaching staff or other student-athletes.
• Student-athletes may not be subjected to penalties should they not participate and no recognition or incentive may be awarded based on attendance or performance.

Complimentary Admissions
If the sport in which a student-athlete participates charges admission for home contests, each student-athlete will be provided a maximum of four (4) complimentary admissions for each home contest.

All admissions are by a pass list and require the student-athlete's guests to provide proper identification and a signature.

The sale or exchange of a student-athlete's complimentary admissions for any item of value is a violation of NCAA regulations and places a student-athlete's eligibility in jeopardy.

Complimentary admissions may not be provided to tutors.

Student Assistance Fund
The NCAA provides institutions with the use of annual funds for student-athletes' special or emergency needs. The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is managed by the Compliance Services Office and is not included when calculating permissible grant-in-aid or cost-of-attendance figures.

Student-Athletes wishing to request funds from SAF should contact their coach or sport administrator, who can initiate a request for funding. Submitting a request does not guarantee that the request will be fulfilled.

Permissible uses of the fund may include:
• Clothing and/or travel from campus to home and other essential expenses.
• Academic course supplies (e.g., notebook and pens) and books or equipment which are recommended but not required for all students enrolled in the course.
• Medical and dental costs not covered by another insurance program.
• Costs associated with student-athlete or family emergencies. Air travel arrangement may be handled through athletics for cost benefit purposes.

Non-permissible uses of the fund:
• Institutional grant-in-aids for student-athletes (tuition, fees, books, room and board) during the academic year.
• Salaries
• Capital Improvements
• Outside athletics development opportunities for student-athletes (camps or clinics, private instruction, etc.)

Social Media Guidelines
Representing Loyola University Chicago and the athletic department is an honor and a privilege provided to a select group of individuals. Along with that privilege comes a set of expectations and responsibilities as a Loyola student-athlete or staff member. You are held to a higher standard and are recognized both locally and nationally because you choose to represent this University and your respective sport.

Through social media, you are now being monitored by more individuals than ever before, including Loyola fans, fans of opposing teams, and members of the media. Everything you do in these forums should positively represent Loyola University Chicago. Used responsibly, social media can be a great way to interact with friends, fans and the public and promote your sport and the University. Used irresponsibly it can be a quick way to destroy your reputation in 140 characters or less! This resource provides some tips and suggestions for using social media responsibly and effectively.

• DO set your security settings so that only your friends can see your account.
• DON'T accept friend or follow requests if you are not sure who they are coming from.
• DO understand that who you have listed as Followers or Friends is a reflection on you.
• DON'T put anything on social media that you would not want your family, your future employers, those reading the front page of the paper, or the whole world to see.
• DO think before you post, tweet or retweet -- Will this positively reinforce my brand?
• DON'T post offensive language, personal attacks or racial comments.
• DO talk to your sports information director about how to use social media to your advantage.
• DON'T post when you are emotional, like right after a game. You are more likely to say something you will regret.
• DO be familiar with the department's social media policy and the consequences for violating it.
• DON'T post anything about a recruit, even if it is someone you know, as this will result in an NCAA rules violation.
• DO ask questions if you are not sure what you are doing is ok.
• DON'T post anything that could be construed as an endorsement or promotion of a business product or service, even if the business is owned by a relative or friend.
• DON'T post or tweet anything during a class.
• DON'T publicize information about your team, the athletic department or the University that is not considered public knowledge.