Covered Individuals Policy
University of Miami Department of Athletics
Covered Individuals Policy
I. Purpose
To facilitate compliance with NCAA rules and limit distractions created by covered individuals who seek contact with University of Miami student-athletes, their families, friends, or associates.
II. Definitions
The policy defines covered individuals as outlined in NCAA Bylaw 12.02.1.1 along with anyone working in public relations for professional athletes. The University of Miami is hereafter referred to as “UM”.
12.02.1.1 – Application
An agent may include, but is not limited to, a certified contract advisor, financial advisor, marketing representative, brand manager or anyone who is employed or associated with such persons. (Adopted: 1/14/12)
III. Scope and Covered Individuals
This policy applies to all UM football student-athletes from initial enrollment at the University of Miami until the conclusion of the student-athletes intercollegiate athletic eligibility (following postseason competition).
General Rule
A football student-athlete (or his/her family member) shall not have in-person contact, telephone communication, text message communication, electronic (email) correspondence, written correspondence, communication via a social networking site, and/or contact/communication by any other means with covered individuals before the student-athlete finishes his college football eligibility. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Department of Athletics. A student-athlete seeking an exception to this rule must submit the request to the Head Football Coach. A committee including, but not limited to, the Director of Athletics (or designee), Head Football Coach (or designee), and the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance (or designee) will consider the request and render a decision.
Covered Individual meeting with family, friends, or associates on behalf of the student-athlete
Any meeting between a student-athlete, a student-athlete’s family, friends, or associates on behalf of the student-athlete and a covered individual that is permitted prior to completion of the student-athlete’s senior year of eligibility in football must occur in an Athletic Department facility. The Head Football Coach (or designee) and/or the Director of Athletics (or designee) shall attend the meeting.
Draft functions
No football student-athlete is permitted to attend draft functions designed to honor or celebrate former teammates due to the likelihood of agents, their associates, financial planners, and/or covered individuals attending the event and in some cases financing the event.
Social Functions
No football student-athlete is permitted to attend social functions (i.e., Super Bowl parties, private gatherings in hotels, bars, or restaurants) where covered individuals, agents, their associates, or financial planners are financing the function and/or will be in attendance.
Penalties for Violations of Policy
Any contact and/or communication with covered individuals whether in-person, by telephone, text messaging, electronic (email) correspondence, written correspondence, and/or via a social networking site, or by any other means before a student-athlete completes his college football eligibility (including bowl games) unless an exception is granted violates this policy.
Penalties for violating the policy include, but are not limited to:
- Suspensions from practices and/or games
- Loss of athletic scholarship
- Removal from team
- Other disciplinary measures.
Penalties will be decided by a committee that includes the Director of Athletics (or designee), Head Football coach (or designee), and the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance (or designee). Any penalties imposed by the committee are in addition to penalties imposed by the NCAA.
Enforcement
The UM Compliance Office will investigate all alleged violations of this policy. Upon finding or having reasonable belief that a covered individual has attempted to contact, contacted, and/or corresponded with a UM student-athlete without following the above mentioned procedures, the Compliance staff member will report the violation to the State Department of Professional Regulation and the police entity having jurisdiction in the area where the alleged violation has taken place. In addition, a trespass warning will be immediately issued, prohibiting the agent, employee or representative from entering any part of the UM campus.
Any covered individual attempting to contact a UM student-athlete must register with the appropriate professional league (e.g., NFLPA), the State of Florida (unless a member of the Florida Bar in good standing), and the UM Athletic Department.
A covered individual who enters into an agreement for representation with a UM student-athlete must provide written notice of the contract to the UM Director of Athletics or UM President. Any pending financial aid for underclassmen who have declared for the draft will be cancelled immediately.
