Below are the most recent guidelines issued by the UIL. Please see the further explanation below this information for IMPORTANT details!
Updated July 2010
University Interscholastic League
Booster Club Guidelines
Be they music, fine arts, academic or athletic, booster clubs should exist to enrich students’ involvement in extracurricular activities without endangering their eligibility.
| GENERAL GUIDELINES |
The role of competition Participation teaches that it is a privilege and an honor to represent one’s school. Students learn to win without boasting and to lose without bitterness.
Self-motivation and intellectual curiosity are essential to the best academic participants. Artistic commitment and a desire to excel are traits found in music participants. Physical training and good health habits are essential to the best athletes. Interscholastic competition is a fine way to encourage youngsters to enrich their education and expand their horizons.
Leadership and citizenship experiences through school activities help prepare students for a useful and wholesome life.
Plus, competition is fun!
Role of the Superintendent
Member schools make UIL rules and determine policies regarding penalties to schools, school district personnel and student participants. The superintendent is solely responsible for the entire UIL program. All school activities, organizations (including the booster club), events and personnel are under the jurisdiction of the superintendent. Booster clubs must recognize this authority and work within a framework prescribed by the school administration.
Role of Booster Clubs
Neighborhood patrons form booster clubs to help enrich the school’s participation in extracurricular activities. The fund-raising role of booster clubs is particularly crucial in today’s economic climate.
| CLUB FINANCES |
Fundraising | Spending | Stipends | Gifts to Coaches
Money given to a school cannot be earmarked for any particular expense. Booster clubs may make recommendations, but cash or other valuable consideration must be given to the school to use at its discretion.
*Fund-raising projects are subject to state law. Nonprofit or tax-exempt status may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
*Community-wide sales campaigns should be coordinated through the school administration to minimize simultaneous sales campaigns.
*Sales campaigns should be planned carefully to insure that the projects provide dollar value for items sold, and that most of the money raised stays at home. Otherwise donations are often more rewarding than letting the major part of the money go to outside promoters.
*Fund-raising activities should support the educational goals of the school and should not exploit students. Activities and projects should be investigated carefully before committing the school’s support.
*Individuals who actively coach or direct a UIL activity should serve in an advisory capacity to the booster club and should not have control or signature authority over booster club funds, including petty cash or miscellaneous discretionary funds. Coaches wish-lists should have received prior approval from school administration before submission to boosters.
*Coaches and directors of UIL academics, athletics and fine arts may not accept more than $500 in money, product or service from any source in recognition of or appreciation for coaching, directing or sponsoring UIL activities. The $500 limit is cumulative for a calendar year and is not specific to any one particular gift.
*The district may pay a stipend, fixed at the beginning of the year, as part of the annual employment contract. The amount of the stipend can’t depend on the success of a team or individual. In other words, a coach can’t receive more money if a team or individual qualifies to region or state.
*Funds are to be used to support school activities. To provide such funding for non-school activities would violate UIL rules and the public trust through which funds are earned.
| ATHLETIC BOOSTERS |
Club restrictions
Booster clubs cannot give anything to students, including awards. Check with school administrators before giving anything to a student, school sponsor or coach. Schools must give prior approval for any banquet or get-together given for students. All fans, not just members of the booster club, should be aware of this rule. It affects the entire community.
*Unlike music and academic booster clubs, athletic booster club funds shall not be used to support athletic camps, clinics, private instruction or any activity outside of the school.
*Booster groups or individuals may donate money or merchandise to the school with prior approval of the administration. These kinds of donations are often made to cover the cost of commercial transportation and to cover costs for out-of-town meals. It would be a violation for booster groups or individuals to pay for such costs directly.
*Individuals should be informed of the seriousness of violating the athletic amateur rule.
The penalty to a student-athlete is forfeiture of varsity athletic eligibility in the sport for which the violation occurred for one calendar year from the date of the violation. Student athletes are prohibited from accepting valuable consideration for participation in school athletics - anything that is not given or offered to the entire student body on the same basis that it is given or offered to an athlete. Valuable consideration is defined as tangible or intangible property or service including anything that is usable, wearable, salable or consumable. Local school districts superintendents have the discretion to allow student athletes to accept, from their fellow students, small ‘goodie bags’ that contain candy, cookies or other items that have no intrinsic value and are not considered valuable consideration.
*Homemade "spirit signs" made from paper and normal supplies a student purchases for school use may be placed on the students’ lockers or in their yards. Trinkets and food items cannot be attached. Yard signs made of commercial quality wood, plastic, etc. if not purchased or made by the individual player’s parent, must be returned after the season.
*The school may provide meals for contests held away from the home school. If the school does not pay for meals, the individual parents need to purchase their own child’s food. Parents may purchase anything they wish for their own child but may not provide food for their child’s teammates unless approved by the school. The school may also provide supplies for games and practices and transportation for school field trips. Students should pay admission fees during school field trips.
*Parties for athletes are governed by the following State Executive Committee interpretation of Section 441 of the UIL Constitution & Contest Rules.
Official Interpretation of the UIL Athletic
Amateur Rule, section 441 of the
UIL Constitution and Contest Rules:
(a) VALUABLE CONSIDERATION SCHOOL TEAMS AND ATHLETES MAY ACCEPT:
1. Pre-Season. School athletic teams may be given pre-season meals, if approved by the school.
2. Post-Season. School athletic teams may be given post-season meals if approved by the school. Banquet favors or gifts are considered valuable consideration and are subject to the Awards and Amateur Rules if they are given to a student athlete at any time.
3. Other. If approved by the school, school athletic teams and athletes may be invited to and may attend functions where free admission is offered, or where refreshments and/or meals are served. Athletes or athletic teams may be recognized at these functions, but may not accept anything, other than food items, that is not given to all other students.
(b) ADDITIONAL VALUABLE CONSIDERATION THAT SCHOOL TEAMS AND ATHLETES MAY ACCEPT
Examples of additional items deemed allowable under this interpretation if approved by the school, include but are not limited to:
1. meals, snacks or snack foods during or after practices;
2. parties provided by parents or other students strictly for an athletic team
Local school district superintendents continue to have the discretion to allow student athletes to accept small "goodie bags" that contain candy, cookies or other items that have no intrinsic value and are not considered valuable consideration.
What You Can Do:
Parents
*Remember: The classroom comes first!
*Help conduct fair and equitable competition: adhere to rules, uphold the law and respect authority.
*Remember that officials are human. Respect their decisions.
*Delegate authority to the school, then support its decisions.
*Set standards by which you expect children to conduct themselves, and live by those standards yourself.
*Be aware of capabilities and limitations of young people. Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
*Allow your children to live their own lives.
*Be involved in areas in which your own child is not involved, thus contributing to school unity and spirit.
*Show respect to the opponents of your children.
*Praise. Don’t criticize. Urge others to do the same.
*Help your children and their friends develop integrity through the intensity of competitive activity.
Work with the administration
*Positive and direct communication can prevent most problems. Keep the superintendent informed of all activities.
*Make sure your local administration has a copy of all club publications.
*Invite administrators to all booster club meetings.
*Have an officer meet with the school administration regularly.
*Have a chain of command for communication with the administration.
*Clear all activities through your administration.
Coaches and Fine Arts directors
*Be sure your booster club wish list has been approved by your supervisor before it goes to the booster club.
*Work with your administration to determine what your club can provide.
*Make your request to the club benefit as many students as possible.
*Attend the booster club meetings and/or know what the club is doing.
*Understand that your advisory role to the boosters is without vote.
*Support other programs within your district.
*Meet with parents regularly and make them aware of relevant rules.
*Involve your staff with your booster club. Let the booster club know who your staff is and what duties they perform.
www.uil.utexas.edu
University Interscholastic League
Booster Club Guidelines
Be they music, fine arts, academic or athletic, booster clubs should exist to enrich students’ involvement in extracurricular activities without endangering their eligibility.
| GENERAL GUIDELINES |
The role of competition Participation teaches that it is a privilege and an honor to represent one’s school. Students learn to win without boasting and to lose without bitterness.
Self-motivation and intellectual curiosity are essential to the best academic participants. Artistic commitment and a desire to excel are traits found in music participants. Physical training and good health habits are essential to the best athletes. Interscholastic competition is a fine way to encourage youngsters to enrich their education and expand their horizons.
Leadership and citizenship experiences through school activities help prepare students for a useful and wholesome life.
Plus, competition is fun!
Role of the Superintendent
Member schools make UIL rules and determine policies regarding penalties to schools, school district personnel and student participants. The superintendent is solely responsible for the entire UIL program. All school activities, organizations (including the booster club), events and personnel are under the jurisdiction of the superintendent. Booster clubs must recognize this authority and work within a framework prescribed by the school administration.
Role of Booster Clubs
Neighborhood patrons form booster clubs to help enrich the school’s participation in extracurricular activities. The fund-raising role of booster clubs is particularly crucial in today’s economic climate.
| CLUB FINANCES |
Fundraising | Spending | Stipends | Gifts to Coaches
Money given to a school cannot be earmarked for any particular expense. Booster clubs may make recommendations, but cash or other valuable consideration must be given to the school to use at its discretion.
*Fund-raising projects are subject to state law. Nonprofit or tax-exempt status may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
*Community-wide sales campaigns should be coordinated through the school administration to minimize simultaneous sales campaigns.
*Sales campaigns should be planned carefully to insure that the projects provide dollar value for items sold, and that most of the money raised stays at home. Otherwise donations are often more rewarding than letting the major part of the money go to outside promoters.
*Fund-raising activities should support the educational goals of the school and should not exploit students. Activities and projects should be investigated carefully before committing the school’s support.
*Individuals who actively coach or direct a UIL activity should serve in an advisory capacity to the booster club and should not have control or signature authority over booster club funds, including petty cash or miscellaneous discretionary funds. Coaches wish-lists should have received prior approval from school administration before submission to boosters.
*Coaches and directors of UIL academics, athletics and fine arts may not accept more than $500 in money, product or service from any source in recognition of or appreciation for coaching, directing or sponsoring UIL activities. The $500 limit is cumulative for a calendar year and is not specific to any one particular gift.
*The district may pay a stipend, fixed at the beginning of the year, as part of the annual employment contract. The amount of the stipend can’t depend on the success of a team or individual. In other words, a coach can’t receive more money if a team or individual qualifies to region or state.
*Funds are to be used to support school activities. To provide such funding for non-school activities would violate UIL rules and the public trust through which funds are earned.
| ATHLETIC BOOSTERS |
Club restrictions
Booster clubs cannot give anything to students, including awards. Check with school administrators before giving anything to a student, school sponsor or coach. Schools must give prior approval for any banquet or get-together given for students. All fans, not just members of the booster club, should be aware of this rule. It affects the entire community.
*Unlike music and academic booster clubs, athletic booster club funds shall not be used to support athletic camps, clinics, private instruction or any activity outside of the school.
*Booster groups or individuals may donate money or merchandise to the school with prior approval of the administration. These kinds of donations are often made to cover the cost of commercial transportation and to cover costs for out-of-town meals. It would be a violation for booster groups or individuals to pay for such costs directly.
*Individuals should be informed of the seriousness of violating the athletic amateur rule.
The penalty to a student-athlete is forfeiture of varsity athletic eligibility in the sport for which the violation occurred for one calendar year from the date of the violation. Student athletes are prohibited from accepting valuable consideration for participation in school athletics - anything that is not given or offered to the entire student body on the same basis that it is given or offered to an athlete. Valuable consideration is defined as tangible or intangible property or service including anything that is usable, wearable, salable or consumable. Local school districts superintendents have the discretion to allow student athletes to accept, from their fellow students, small ‘goodie bags’ that contain candy, cookies or other items that have no intrinsic value and are not considered valuable consideration.
*Homemade "spirit signs" made from paper and normal supplies a student purchases for school use may be placed on the students’ lockers or in their yards. Trinkets and food items cannot be attached. Yard signs made of commercial quality wood, plastic, etc. if not purchased or made by the individual player’s parent, must be returned after the season.
*The school may provide meals for contests held away from the home school. If the school does not pay for meals, the individual parents need to purchase their own child’s food. Parents may purchase anything they wish for their own child but may not provide food for their child’s teammates unless approved by the school. The school may also provide supplies for games and practices and transportation for school field trips. Students should pay admission fees during school field trips.
*Parties for athletes are governed by the following State Executive Committee interpretation of Section 441 of the UIL Constitution & Contest Rules.
Official Interpretation of the UIL Athletic
Amateur Rule, section 441 of the
UIL Constitution and Contest Rules:
(a) VALUABLE CONSIDERATION SCHOOL TEAMS AND ATHLETES MAY ACCEPT:
1. Pre-Season. School athletic teams may be given pre-season meals, if approved by the school.
2. Post-Season. School athletic teams may be given post-season meals if approved by the school. Banquet favors or gifts are considered valuable consideration and are subject to the Awards and Amateur Rules if they are given to a student athlete at any time.
3. Other. If approved by the school, school athletic teams and athletes may be invited to and may attend functions where free admission is offered, or where refreshments and/or meals are served. Athletes or athletic teams may be recognized at these functions, but may not accept anything, other than food items, that is not given to all other students.
(b) ADDITIONAL VALUABLE CONSIDERATION THAT SCHOOL TEAMS AND ATHLETES MAY ACCEPT
Examples of additional items deemed allowable under this interpretation if approved by the school, include but are not limited to:
1. meals, snacks or snack foods during or after practices;
2. parties provided by parents or other students strictly for an athletic team
Local school district superintendents continue to have the discretion to allow student athletes to accept small "goodie bags" that contain candy, cookies or other items that have no intrinsic value and are not considered valuable consideration.
What You Can Do:
Parents
*Remember: The classroom comes first!
*Help conduct fair and equitable competition: adhere to rules, uphold the law and respect authority.
*Remember that officials are human. Respect their decisions.
*Delegate authority to the school, then support its decisions.
*Set standards by which you expect children to conduct themselves, and live by those standards yourself.
*Be aware of capabilities and limitations of young people. Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
*Allow your children to live their own lives.
*Be involved in areas in which your own child is not involved, thus contributing to school unity and spirit.
*Show respect to the opponents of your children.
*Praise. Don’t criticize. Urge others to do the same.
*Help your children and their friends develop integrity through the intensity of competitive activity.
Work with the administration
*Positive and direct communication can prevent most problems. Keep the superintendent informed of all activities.
*Make sure your local administration has a copy of all club publications.
*Invite administrators to all booster club meetings.
*Have an officer meet with the school administration regularly.
*Have a chain of command for communication with the administration.
*Clear all activities through your administration.
Coaches and Fine Arts directors
*Be sure your booster club wish list has been approved by your supervisor before it goes to the booster club.
*Work with your administration to determine what your club can provide.
*Make your request to the club benefit as many students as possible.
*Attend the booster club meetings and/or know what the club is doing.
*Understand that your advisory role to the boosters is without vote.
*Support other programs within your district.
*Meet with parents regularly and make them aware of relevant rules.
*Involve your staff with your booster club. Let the booster club know who your staff is and what duties they perform.
www.uil.utexas.edu
Further Explanation:
Hopefully you have read the above UIL Booster Club Guidelines. If you think they might be confusing, you are right. These guidelines are a "fluid document", meaning the UIL has changed them several times over the years - sometimes actually "reversing" them. What has remained constant is the underlined information: If you violate the amateur athletic rule, the penalty is loss of eligibility for the varsity athlete for one year!!! The most recent change is the addition of the "Official Interpretation" section above. That section was actually ADDED, however it can seem to conflict with decisions already in place. Therefore, the Spartan Athletic Club contacted Ed Stidham, the director of compliance with UIL to make sure we had the "right" interpretation. His directive was that the UIL has "gotten out of the meal business". Rules regarding food are at the discretion of the club and the district administration.
The Spartan Athletic Club and Coach Geller have agreed upon the following guidelines:
- Booster clubs continue to NOT be able to provide any items of valuable consideration (awards, gifts, t-shirts, goodie bags containing anything beyond candy/cookies of no intrinsic value, etc.) to individual athletes.
- Booster clubs MAY provide funds (through the school or directly to a source(restaurant, etc.)) to pay for LIKE food items for any athletic team in conjunction with an event (practice, tournament, game, trip). ALL members of the team should be provided with a similar amount of funds based upon the location/type of event. ALL such events shall be planned in cooperation and with the knowledge and approval of the team coach.
- Parents acting singularly or in cooperation with a booster club may provide parties or events where players are provided food items without personal expense. In such cases, athletes MAY NOT be provided any items other than food items that could be considered valuable consideration. Individual team coaches should be aware of ANY such team functions.
- ***Note that these policy updates apply only to FOOD related items. Hotel rooms, transportation costs, and/or ANY items of any valuable consideration must be contributed TO THE PROGRAM, not the individual athlete. The Program (in cooperation with booster club recommendations only) will determine how to use/distribute items or funds provided to an individual program.
- THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE AMATEUR RULE CONTINUES TO BE THE FORFEITURE OF VARSITY ELIGIBILITY OF THE STUDENT FOR 12 CALENDAR MONTHS. DO NOT PLACE OUR STUDENTS IN JEOPARDY.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER ANYTHING IS ALLOWABLE, CONTACT YOUR COACH OR BOOSTER CLUB LEADERSHIP.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER ANYTHING IS ALLOWABLE, CONTACT YOUR COACH OR BOOSTER CLUB LEADERSHIP.