UAH Athletics

All NCAA rules and regulations are most up to date in the current NCAA manual. The manual has precedence over all policies and procedures. UAH is committed to abiding by all NCAA, conference and university policies and procedures.

UAH’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has a steadfast and enduring commitment to the observance of all regulations of the NCAA and conference membership(s). Coaches and staff have an affirmative duty to the following:

• Knowledge of all NCAA, conference and UAH policies and regulations including, but not limited to, recruiting, eligibility, amateur status and conduct of sports. This includes rules interpretations.

• Observance of all rules cited in (a) above

• Self-reporting of all known violations to appropriate administrations

• Full cooperation with the NCAA, conferences and UAH in all investigations and furnishing any of these entities with truthful and complete information concerning involvement in or knowledge of any violation of NCAA rules and regulations.

1. Oversight Responsibilities-

It is the responsibility of the President of the University to endurance adherence to all NCAA rules and regulations, and that authority has been delegated to the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics is responsible to ensure the adherence by UAH coaches and staff to the rules and policies of the NCAA and conference memberships. Additionally, the Director of Athletic Compliance has the assigned responsibility to provide the overall monitoring coordination of rules compliance. In meeting this responsibility, the Director of Athletic Compliance implements programs that further this cause, including but not limited to conducting coaches’ staff rules sessions and student-athlete educational meetings which acquaint these individuals with the rules and policies. All athletics staff members are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules.

2. Code of Conduct and Ethics of Coaches and Staff

Coaches and staff employed or associated with UAH shall deport themselves with honesty, dignity, and sportsmanship at all times.

1. Ethical Conduct- The following are examples of the standard of conduct expected of all UAH coaches and staff.

            i.    Adherence to all policies, regulations and standards of the NCAA, conference membership and UAH

            ii.    Shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with being exemplary role models for young people

            iii.    Shall not breach or countenance the breach of any of the rules or standards of collegiate athletics by any student-athlete, booster or other individual associated with the UAH program

            iv.    Shall exhibit respect for opponents and adhere to the standards that are set forth in the respective playing rules

2. Professional Responsibilities- As members of an academic community, staff and coaches must demonstrate respect for student-athletes as individuals and adhere to their role as leaders, guides and counselors to young people. Staff and coaches shall make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct in student-athletes, as well as the highest standards of sportsmanship on the athletic field. Specifically, staff and coaches are expected to avoid any exploitation, harassment or discriminatory treatment of student-athletes.   
   In meeting their responsibilities, staff and coaches shall observe the stated regulations and policies of the institution. Staff and coaches shall not incite others to disobey University rules. Staff and coaches shall not engage in unauthorized use of University resources or facilities for personal or commercial purposes.

3. Disciplinary Action- Staff and coaches who are in violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethics shall be disciplined.

4. Code of Ethics for Student-Athletes- Student-athletes at UAH are required to abide by the rules and regulations of their teams, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the University, conference associations and the NCAA, as well as federal, state, and city laws. Student-athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting representatives of UAH. The UAH student-athlete must always exercise good sportsmanship and responsible behavior. Coaches will encourage their athletes to follow the Student-Athlete Behavior Statement.

5. Student-Athlete Behavior Statement- Student-athletes enrolled at NCAA member institutions should reflect the high standards of honesty and integrity set by the NCAA for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics. As NCAA member institutions strive to fulfill their educational missions, they share a right and a responsibility to preserve order and encourage ethical, responsible behavior through the formulation of standards of conduct for student-athletes and the designation of procedures by which those standards shall be enforced. 
   Student-athletes should recognize the significance of their behavior as visible members of the campus and local communities. This same attention, however, also should inspire the institution to assure that its student-athletes receive the same treatment as students generally do in disciplinary or criminal matters. Intercollegiate athletics cannot be viewed as a refuge where student-athletes may escape responsibilities imposed on all citizens, nor should student-athletes be held to a higher standard of conduct than that imposed on the student body as a whole.

6. Sports Wagering- Per NCAA rules and regulations, coaches, staff and student athletes shall not knowingly participate in sports wagering activities or provide information to individuals involved in or associated with any type of sports wagering activities concerning intercollegiate, amateur or professional athletics competition. Doing so could lead to dismissal.
   Following are excerpts from the NCAA Manuals regarding the definitions and applications of ethical conduct regarding sports wagering.
   NCAA Bylaw 10.02.1. (DI&II) Sports wagering includes placing, accepting or soliciting a wager (on a staff member’s or student-athlete’s own behalf or on the behalf of others) of any type with any individual or organization on any intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest. Examples of sports wagering include, but are not limited to, the use of a bookmaker or parlay card; Internet sports wagering; auctions in which bids are placed on teams; individuals or contests; and pools or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize.
   
   NCAA Bylaw 10.02.2. (DI&II) A wager is any agreement in which an individual or entity agrees to give up an item of value (e.g. cash, shirt, dinner) in exchange for the possibility of gaining another item of value.

3. NCAA Rules 

    a. Rules Interpretations-

    i.Steps to take for unofficial interpretation requests-

1. Address questions of NCAA rules to the Director of Compliance in person or through email. 

2. Answers will be given in general terms and are not official interpretations, but helpful to work through understanding the rules and situations that may or have occurred. They will be given verbally or through email.

    ii. Steps to take for official interpretation requests-

1.  Official interpretation requests are to be made in writing using the interpretation form in JumpForward  and submitted to the Director of Athletic Compliance.

2. Make a special note for those interpretations that need immediate answers. Lengthier and more involved questions/situations may need time for research or contacting the NCAA through the My Applications portal. Responses could take a long period of time.

3. Any pertinent information should be included, along with the actual reasons for needing the interpretation. (i.e., if an event is being organized and the legality is in question). 

4. The Director of Athletics Compliance will investigate, and if need be, review the interpretation with Director of Athletics and/or FAR and/or NCAA staff. 

5. Answers to official interpretation requests need to be viewed as a ‘process’ for arriving at the answer.

6. Responses will be given as soon as possible on the answer portion of the request sheet.

    b. Reporting Possible Violations

        i. Major Violations reporting steps-

1. Major violations are to be reported as soon as possible to the Director of Athletics.  If the Athletic Director is not available, the possible violation should be reported to the Director of Athletic Compliance. The AD will notify the Director of Athletic Compliance in a timely manner.
2. If the situation is determined to be a possible major violation, the first step taken is an internal discussion by the Director of Athletics and the Director of Athletic Compliance. 
3. Faculty Athletic Representative will be consulted and brought in for the discussion if necessary.
4. A meeting will be held to discern the facts if necessary.
5. An investigation will ensue if needed, led by the Director of Athletic Compliance (and FAR, as needed). 
6. Coaches, student-athletes, and others may submit a letter describing facts of the situation. 
7.  The Director of Athletic Compliance will compose the letter that will be sent to the NCAA & conference applicable, informing them of the possible major violations, providing back-up documentation if appropriate and any internal punishment sanctioned. 
8. The Director of Athletic Compliance will be responsible for ascertaining what steps need to be taken to resolve the issues with the NCAA. 
9. The Director of Athletics will report the violation to the NCAA via the NCAA submission online process or through a letter to the proper NCAA authorities.
10. The UAH athletic administration will take the lead on actions form that point depending on the outcome and circumstances.

    ii. Secondary Violations reporting steps- 

1. Report all secondary violations to the Director of Athletic Compliance.
2. The DofAC will write up a report on the NCAA online reporting system.
3. The Dof AC will determine the nature of the violation.
4. If Level I secondary it will be reviewed by the AD, and if need be the FAR.
5. The FAR has access to the online NCAA reporting system to view write up.
6. The DofAC will send the report to the applicable conference and/or NCAA, depending on the  nature of the violations (Level I or Level II).
7. Stated penalties in the manual will be followed, if applicable, or penalties from NCAA or applicable conference
8. If it is an eligibility issue that involves reinstatement, the student-athlete(s) in question will be deemed ineligible at that point until the situation is resolved. 
9. The Director of Athletic Compliance will take the lead on secondary violations from beginning to end, and be responsible for their resolution, working with the coach if applicable.

    iii. Violations that may involve administration-

    iv. Violations that may involve an assistant coach that does not fulfill his/her responsibility by reporting the violation to the head coach-

1.  Report all violations to the Director of Athletic Compliance.
2.  The DofAC will discuss with the AD and proceed with investigation
3.  The Dof AC will determine the nature of the violation.
4.  The DofAC will send the report to the applicable conference and/or NCAA, depending on the  nature of the violations (Level I or Level II).
5.  Stated penalties in the manual will be followed, if applicable, or penalties from NCAA or applicable conference

    v. Violations that may involve student-athlete reinstatement-

1. The Director of athletic compliance will complete the reinstatement request using the NCAA RSRO electronic forms.
2. The DoAC will continue to work through the reinstatement until complete.

4. NCAA Rules and Regulation Education-

The Director of Athletic Compliance will conduct a minimum of six 30-90 minute reviews each year of NCAA rules and regulations, including updates and changes of by-laws. The majority of these reviews are typically conducted in the first half of the academic year. At least one is conducted after the NCAA convention and focuses on new legislation. Attendance at these seminars is mandatory for the UAH coaching staff and open to all other staff members. In addition, each head and assistant coach is required to attend at least one student-athlete eligibility session per year when student-athletes review regulations other NCAA information, and ask questions they may have regarding NCAA eligibility forms, including the NCAA Drug Testing Form, NCAA Student-Athlete Statement, NCAA Injury Surveillance Waivers and other mandated NCAA forms. The SA sessions are held three times a year; twice in August and one time in January, both prior to the new applicable semester.

Steps for Rules Education-

1.  DoAC conducts a minimum of six compliance educational opportunities a year. They will be a combination of in person sessions with the DoAC and/or and speaker, or/and online learning modules.
2.  It is mandatory for all head and paid assistant coaches to attend. Other staff is invited to attend. Volunteer and other assistants are encouraged to attend.
3.  A schedule is given at the start of the academic year at the all staff meeting. Staff is reminded of sessions through email from the DoAC.
4.  Coaching staff signs an attendance sheet for sessions. DoAC will provide the attendance sheets.
5.  DoAC will give an opportunity for questions and concerns from coaches during the sessions.
6.  Make ups will be offered as time permits, but coaches are encouraged to be present and not require a make up.

5. NCAA and Conference Coaching Exams-
The Faculty Athletic Representative will administer and proctor NCAA and Conference Coaching Exams (if applicable) as mandated by NCAA and conference membership legislation. All head and assistant coaches are required to take and pass these tests on a yearly basis and prior to August 1 of the academic year. These tests are typically available around April the Spring before. In the event of a mid-year hire, the newly hired coach will have his/her previous institution supply results of a test already passed, or take the exam upon being hired. Results of these tests are communicated by the FAR to the Director of Athletics and Director of Athletic Compliance.

Steps to take for NCAA Coaching Exam-

1.  No coach is allowed off campus to recruit or participate in countable athletic related activities until they take and pass their appropriate sport NCAA recruiting exam for the recruiting year beginning on August 1 of the year.
2.  A coach who needs to take the coaching exam will contact the FAR through email or phone.
3.  The FAR will set up a place and time for the coach to take the exam and will serve as proctor for the exam. The DoAC will act as a back up for the FAR to assist coaches in taking their exam.
4.  The FAR will notify the DoAC of the results of exams taken.
5.  Mid-year coaching hires will start the process immediately upon employment.