The following information is provided by the Western New Mexico Athletic Department for current and prospective student-athletes.

INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) declares that each institution (WNMU) is responsible for the control of its intercollegiate athletics program and compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA. This control includes the conduct and actions of all staff members and other individuals or agencies that promote the athletic interests of WNMU.

KEY COMPLIANCE DEFINITIONS

Prospective Student Athlete: A student who has started classes for the ninth grade or above, including students in prep schools and junior colleges, and individuals who have officially withdrawn from four-year schools. Any student not yet in ninth grade becomes a prospect if an institution provides the student with any financial aid and/or benefits that are generally not provided to prospective students. Click here for the NCAA Guide to College Bound Student Athletes.

Contact: Any face-to-face encounter between a prospect or the prospect’s parent/legal guardian, and a WNMU staff member or representative of athletics interest (booster) during which any dialogue occurs.

Recruiting: Any solicitation of a prospect or a prospect’s family member/legal guardian by a WNMU staff member for the purpose of securing the prospect’s enrollment and ultimate participation in WNMU intercollegiate athletics program.

Extra Benefit: An extra benefit is any special arrangement by a WNMU employee or a representative of athletics interest to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s representative, friend or family with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.

National Letter of Intent (NLI): An official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and utilized by subscribing member institutions, including WNMU, to establish the commitment of a prospective student-athlete to attend a particular institution. Click here for more information on the NLI.

NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse: A central clearinghouse that certifies athletics eligibility for Division I and II student-athletes. The Clearinghouse uses high school courses and test scores (ACT/SAT) to determine freshman athletics eligibility. Click here for more information on the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse will include an amateurism certification section that will be used to determine the amateur status of domestic and international freshman and transfer prospective student-athletes initially enrolling at NCAA Divisions I and II member institutions on or after August 1, 2007.  Click here for more information on amateurism.

If you have any more questions, please contact the WNMU Compliance Office.