Information for Current Student-Athletes

Extra Benefits - What Is An "Extra Benefit"?

The NCAA defines an extra benefit as any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution's athletics interest (i.e., a "Representatives of Athletics Interests") to provide a student-athlete (or a student-athletes relative or friend) a benefit that is not generally available to other Winston-Salem State University students and their relative and/or friends, unless expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Therefore, please be aware of the following:

You cannot accept anything from an employee of WSSU athletics department or a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests (e.g., use of a car, hair cut, clothing, gifts, money, payment of long distance telephone calls, etc.).

You cannot accept free, or at a reduced cost, room and/or board from an employee of the WSSU athletics department or Representatives of Athletics Interests of WSSU's athletics programs. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the free or reduced room and/or board is provided in Kansas, in your home city or any other location.

You cannot accept free or reduced-cost merchandise or services from any merchant unless that free or reduced-cost item is also available to the general public.

You cannot receive a special discount arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing), or service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning) from an employee of the WSSU athletics department or a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests.

You cannot eat at a restaurant as the guest of a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests or an employee of the WSSU athletics department.

On infrequent, special occasions (e.g., a birthday, Thanksgiving, etc.) you may accept an invitation to the home of an employee of the WSSU athletics department or a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests for a meal.

You cannot use a Department of Athletics fax machine and/or make long distance phone calls using departmental equipment or the long distance access code of an employee of the WSSU athletic department or a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests.

Student-athletes may use the athletic department copying machine with the assistance from an athletic department staff member.

Staff members of the WSSU athletics department or a WSSU Representative of Athletics Interests are not permitted to type reports, papers, letters, etc., for you.

An employee of the WSSU athletics department or Representatives of Athletics Interests cannot provide you with a loan of money, a guarantee of a bond, the use of an automobile or the signing or co-signing of a note to arrange a loan.

You may accept frequent traveler miles for trips, which are financed by the Department of Athletics.

An employee of the WSSU athletics department may provide you only reasonable and occasional local (i.e., within a 30-mile radius of the WSSU campus) transportation. However, an employee of the WSSU athletics department may not utilize a University vehicle for purposes of assisting your move from one residence to another.

How Does This Impact Me?

During your enrollment at WSSU, you may befriend individuals or families in the community who might wish to provide you with a more "home-like" atmosphere. Please be aware that becoming "friends" with a representative ("Representative of Athletics Interests") and/or an employee of the WSSU athletics department does not change their status as far as NCAA regulations are concerned.

A Representative may not provide extra-benefits to a currently enrolled student-athlete (or the student-athlete's family or friends). The acceptance by a student-athlete of any extra benefit is a violation of NCAA regulations and places the student-athlete's eligibility for intercollegiate competition in immediate jeopardy. The University is responsible for ensuring that all student-athletes and representatives of the University's athletics interests abide by NCAA rules and regulations. Any inappropriate, even inadvertent activity on your part could result in:

A currently enrolled student-athlete being declared ineligible to participate for WSSU. The eligibility of a prospective student-athlete being jeopardized. Violations of NCAA regulations and sanctions being placed on the University and the athletics programs. Restrictions being placed upon your involvement with WSSU's athletics program.

Student-Athletes Do's And Don'ts

Do's

On special occasions (e.g. a birthday, Thanksgiving, etc.), you may accept an invitation to the home of an employee of the WSSU athletic department or Representative of Athletics Interests for a meal. Student-athletes are allowed to accept transportation to the home.

A student-athlete may return home at his or her own expense to attend a recognition event and receive an award from any hometown group (e.g., alumni club) that is not the institution's local Representative of Athletics Interests group.

Don'ts

A student-athlete cannot eat at a restaurant as the guest of a Representative of Athletics Interests or an employee of the WSSU athletics department.

A member institution, its Representatives of Athletics Interests club or any other organization may not pay the expenses of any student-athlete returning home to receive an award for athletics accomplishments or for other personal purposes.