Hello I am a student at a MAC school. I wish to remain anonymous, and have taken steps to remain such.
I am working this summer, and attending classes. I live in an off campus apartment complex. Recently, an athlete, football player, moved into our building. He is a good guy, and is cool to hang out with. He told me that he is getting a break on his rent, because he is a football player. I am a student, but do not get a break on rent. Isn't this considered an extra benefit? We were discussing this, and I don't want him to get in any trouble. Probably the ignorance of the land lord, not knowing what he is dealing with. Just wanting some input on if this is indeed a violation, and what should we do to nip the problem before it gets out of hand.
I'm sorry, I will not reveal more. This is a serious question, and a serious issue.
Thanks for any help.
Does he need this "break?"
It sounds like a potential violation to me. But I'm no expert.
It does sound like a violation, if the reason for the break on rent is because he is a student athlete.
I have wondered about situations like this. I certainly don't know the answer. But isn't part of the question is the landlord a booster to the university? And isn't this a recognized position? (See some of the problems at Alabama, when a booster provided money to HS coaches in Memphis. Part of the sanctions were that individual was banned from 'Bama functions).
I say this b/c the landlord is free to charge whatever rent he pleases. Sort of. If his nephew moved in and the landlord charged less rent...no one would complain. If a landlord based rent on race or nationality he would probably be violating the Fair Housing Act.
Anyway, assuming this isn't a violation of the FHA, the landlord probably does have some leeway if he's not an official booster. Moreover, even if he is a booster it might not be of much interest ib/c the allegations would be difficult to prove: "That apt rents for less b/c it gets more noise, has old carpet, needs paint" etc.
All good points.
I don't think there is any such thing as an official booster. If one is a member of Falcon Club at BGSU, then one is a booster -- even if one only pays the minimum $100.
A factor in evaluating this case might be the degree to which the landlord is a booster. If the guy drops $5,000, $10,000 a year on Falcon Club and does other things, then it would obviously look more suspicious than it would if the guy were just a season ticket holder.
The question isn't whether this is legal. It almost certainly is. The question is whether ir runs afoul of the NCAA. Two different concepts.
I should add that I'm not assuming this is taking place in Bowling Green or any particular place. I'm just saying Falcon Club because I don't know the name of other booster clubs.
("Flying Corn Club?")
Schadenfreude Wrote:All good points.
I don't think there is any such thing as an official booster. If one is a member of Falcon Club at BGSU, then one is a booster -- even if one only pays the minimum $100.
A factor in evaluating this case might be the degree to which the landlord is a booster. If the guy drops $5,000, $10,000 a year on Falcon Club and does other things, then it would obviously look more suspicious than it would if the guy were just a season ticket holder.
The question isn't whether this is legal. It almost certainly is. The question is whether ir runs afoul of the NCAA. Two different concepts.
I agree totally w/ what you wrote SF. My understanding of a "booster" is just what you wrote, and you point out some other nuances: is a season ticket holder a booster?
I have also wondered how subtle can this get. Let's say a booster gives an occasional break to a non-athlete, leisure studies major, saying he wants to help leisure studies majors. Would this cover for giving frequent breaks to athletes who have this major?
Essentially this is what the Marshall booster did, and he cited giving overpaying jobs to other Marshall students, as a defense.
The part about being illegal and an NCAA violation is very prudent. But, when does a school tell the NCAA, "enough". Obviously there is bad PR at risk, but I find the system tenuous. I'm also curious as to the extent of how much it's exploited by both the BCS teams and the MAC.
I think the thing our Mr. Anonymous needs to do is figure out who the compliance officer is at the university in question and talk to him or her about it. If Mr. Anonymous isn't satisfied after the university (presumably) looks into it, then the next step is maybe calling the NCAA directly.
Schadenfreude Wrote:I should add that I'm not assuming this is taking place in Bowling Green or any particular place. I'm just saying Falcon Club because I don't know the name of other booster clubs.
("Flying Corn Club?")
The "Flying Corn Club" is my personal fan club :D :rolleyes: FYI-to tie in the discussion on another thread, the official fan club colors are bright yellow with green stripes.
The NIU boosters are part of the aptly named "Huskie Club".
A friendly bit of advice to the original poster; if you are interested in protecting the player in question, you may want to reconsider pursuing the matter in public forums such as a football message boards.
Excerpts from the relevant NCAA bylaws follow:
[quote]13.2.1 General Regulation
An institution
Has to be a MU player, you all know we cheat :D
Schadenfreude Wrote:I think the thing our Mr. Anonymous needs to do is figure out who the compliance officer is at the university in question and talk to him or her about it. If Mr. Anonymous isn't satisfied after the university (presumably) looks into it, then the next step is maybe calling the NCAA directly.
Agreed. If this a student-athlete, I think the school's NCAA compliance person needs to be tipped off. I doubt Mr. Anonymous' identity needs to be known. Most MAC schools take their NCAA compliance pretty seriously, and I'd hope it would be checked out. Either way, Mr. Anonymous would have done his part and the ball would be in the school's court.
:angel:
Doesn't part of a full-ride football scholarship include provisions for rent, if the player chooses off-campus housing?
Herdon Wrote:Has to be a MU player, you all know we cheat :D
This sounds strangely familiar to something I heard recently. I'm not saying that this is the same situation but if it is Herdon don't worry it is not Marshall.
To our Mr. Anonymous: You and your friend should talk to the compliance people they'll set everything straight.
Good Luck.
Doesn't look like Bill has responded to any of this...is this a hoax? Anyhow...if this were a real scenerio, I don't even think it'd bother me. The Maurice Clarett thing bothers me. Now if this guy stole my girlfriend, I'd be screaming bloody murder...hehehehe. :rolltide:
BlackNGold Wrote: Now if this guy stole my girlfriend, I'd be screaming bloody murder...
You and <a href='http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=ap-collins-assault&prov=ap&type=lgns' target='_blank'>Thunder Collins</a>