1. Student-Athlete Employment Regulations
  2. Extra Benefits
  3. Outside Competition Regulations
  4. Sports Wagering
  5. Time Management Plan Policy
  6. Drug Testing
  7. NCAA Drug Testing Program

STUDENT-ATHLETE EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS

A student-athlete may earn legitimate on- or off-campus employment income during the semester or any vacation period during the year. Compensation earned by the student-athlete must be at the going rate and for work actually performed. Additionally, compensation cannot include any remuneration for the value, utility, publicity, fame etc. that the student-athlete may provide. Student-athletes may wish to provide fee-for-lesson instruction of skills or techniques in his or her sport. For activities such as these to be permissible, the following criteria must be adhered to:

 

  • Institutional facilities cannot be used;

  • Playing lessons shall not be permitted (i.e., student-athlete is compensated to play 1-on-1 basketball with a lesson recipient);

  • The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lesson(s) and the fee for the lesson(s) provided during any time of the year;

  • The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient’s family) and not another individual or entity;

  • Compensation charged is not more than the going rate;

  • Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time;

  • The student-athlete does not use his or her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for lesson sessions.

 

EXTRA BENEFITS

No student-athlete, either prospective or enrolled, may received an extra benefit. An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institution employee or a booster to provide a student-athlete, prospect, or their relatives or friends a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.

EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

  • Receiving financial aid other than that provided by the University of Iowa, established scholarship funds or parents/guardians;

  • Receiving cash or loans in any amount;

  • Receiving free services of any kind (transportation, reduced or free rent for housing);

  • Receiving special discounts for goods or services. (e.g., car rental, legal services, haircuts);

  • Receiving rewards for athletic performance;

  • Receiving an honorarium for a speaking engagement;

A benefit is not considered a violation if it is one that is generally available to students determined on a basis unrelated to athletic ability.

 

OUTSIDE COMPETITION REGULATIONS

Many student-athletes wish to participate in outside competition both during and outside of the academic year. Many times this is permissible, but prior approval must be received from the Director of Athletics. In individual sports, anytime a member of a University of Iowa team wishes to participate in a competition while not representing the University of Iowa, the student-athlete is competing unattached. An unattached competitor cannot:

  • Wear/Use University of Iowa apparel that includes any University identification;

  • Receive expenses from The University of Iowa;

  • Receive medical care from a University of Iowa Athletic Trainer; or

  • Receive instruction from a University of Iowa coach.

In team sports other than basketball, a student-athlete may compete outside of the declared playing and practice season as a member of an outside team in any noncollegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period at The University of Iowa. In the sport of basketball, a student-athlete may not compete in any organized competition except when representing The University of Iowa in intercollegiate competition (except Certified Summer Leagues).

 

SPORTS WAGERING

NCAA Bylaw 10.3 prohibits student-athletes from participating in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate or professional athletics. Any activity in which an individual must pay a fee to enter with the chance of receiving a prize is in violation of NCAA rules and can result in ineligibility for the student-athlete. Three important things to remember:

  • Gambling activities that do not involve the outcome of contests are also not permitted (e.g., fantasy leagues, picking the top scorer);

  • Cash is not the only prohibited item to be used as a wager in gambling. It is not permissible to bet with any other item that has tangible value, such as a shirt or a meal;

  • Providing information about a student-athlete to individuals involved in organized gambling activities is considered participation in a gambling activity and is prohibited.

 

TIME MANAGEMENT PLAN POLICY

PREFACE

In conjunction with an annual playing season declaration, every sport program must develop a time management plan (TMP) to provide student-athletes with greater predictability and transparency in their athletic schedules for the upcoming academic year. TMPs are intended to provide student-athletes adequate advance notice of future athletically-related activities in order to effectively plan their academic and non-athletically related activities. All TMPs must, at a minimum, include the following:

  • All countable athletically-related activities (practice, film, weights, conditioning, etc.);

  • All required athletically-related activities (institutional promotions, media activities, community service, student host/recruiting duties, etc.);

  • One (1) day off per week during the playing season;

  • Two (2) days off per week outside of the playing season;

  • One (1) day off per week during preseason and vacation periods;

  • Seven (7) days off immediately after the end of the championship playing season;

  • Fourteen (14) additional days off during the academic year while classes are in session or during breaks that occur within the playing season; and

  • Continuous eight-hour overnight period when no required activities can take place. An annual end-of-the-year review and report to the president of all TMPs is required.

 

DRUG TESTING

All University of Iowa student-athletes will be subject to periodic unannounced drug screening examinations during their participation in intercollegiate athletics. This is done to help discourage the use of illegal substances and the misuse of alcohol and other illegal drugs. If a student-athlete is not present during the random team testing or supervisory testing without an excused absence, the Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) will notify the coach and Athletic Director of his/her absence and the athlete will be suspended from practice and competition until another unannounced test can be completed. Additionally, all University of Iowa student-athletes are subject to Big Ten Conference and year round NCAA random drug testing. Please see the link below for more information on the NCAA Drug Testing program.

 

NCAA DRUG TESTING PROGRAM

To protect student-athlete eligibility, it is important that both agents and student-athletes adhere to both NCAA rules regarding agents and University of Iowa policy. Under NCAA Bylaw 12.3, a student-athlete may not agree verbally or in writing to be represented by an athlete agent in the present or in the future for the purpose of marketing the student-athlete’s ability or reputation. Further, a student-athlete may not accept any type of benefit from an agent (or a representative of an agent). If the student-athlete enters into such an agreement or accepts a benefit, the student-athlete becomes ineligible for intercollegiate competition.