| Remember, there are many NCAA rules that apply to the recruiting process. While you were being recruited by The University of Texas (or anyone else) you should not have received cash or any other items of value from anyone associated with Texas. In addition, you should not have received promises of any of the above. You should not have received correspondence or phone calls from anyone other than the Texas staff or faculty about The University. Your family should not have been promised or given any items of value or received job promotions or new jobs based upon your decision to attend The University of Texas. Neither you nor your family should have received "free" tickets to any events other than complimentary tickets for athletics events held on campus. If any of these has occurred, or if you are unsure of something that happened during your recruitment, you should contact the Compliance Office immediately at (512) 471-7285.
Student-Athlete Handbook
Continuing Athletic & Academic Eligibility
While you are a student-athlete at The University of Texas at Austin, you are obligated to abide by NCAA, Big 12 Conference, and University rules. The Athletics Compliance Office is ready to assist you with these issues. The staff will conduct an annual rules education session with each team and periodic updates as needed during the course of the academic year. Student-athletes are encouraged to ask questions and utilize the resources available in the Compliance Office.
12-Hour Rule
To be eligible for practice, competition, and financial aid, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. If you need fewer than 12 credit hours to graduate, you may enroll in only these final hours and still be eligible for practice, competition, and financial aid. Graduate students who have eligibility remaining must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours to be considered full-time at The University of Texas.
Progress Toward Degree Requirements
The NCAA has recently revised its academic standards in an attempt to ensure the established measures increase the graduation rates of student-athletes. As a result, there are two different academic standards operating concurrently for all student-athletes. The standard that applies to you can be determined by your date of enrollment as follows:
Standard A
Initially enrolled before August 1, 2003
To maintain your eligibility, you must:
1) Complete 24 semester credits over the last two regular academic terms or an average of twelve hours per semester.
2) No more than six of the 24 hours may be earned in the summer.
3) Six hours of academic credit must be earned in the previous regular academic term of full-time enrollment.
4) Declare a major no later than the beginning of your fifth semester or third year of enrollment and, thereafter, complete the required credits in courses applicable to your declared major.
5) Complete 25%, 50%, and 75% of your degree requirements before the beginning of your third, fourth, and fifth years of enrollment, respectively.
6) Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average that is 90% of minimum GPA required to graduate (at least 1.8) at the beginning of your third year and 95% of the minimum GPA (1.9) at the beginning of your fourth and fifth years.
Standard B
Enrolled on or after August 1, 2003
To maintain your eligibility, you must:
1) Complete 24 credits prior to second year of enrollment.
2) 18 semester credits must be earned during the academic year (excluding summer).
3) Six academic credits must be earned in the previous regular academic term or full-time enrollment.
4) Declare a major no later than the beginning of your fifth semester or third year of enrollment and, thereafter, complete the required credits in courses applicable to your declared major.
5) Complete 40%, 60%, and 80% of your degree requirements before the beginning of your third, fourth and fifth years of enrollment, respectively.
6) Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average that is 90% of minimum GPA required to graduate (at least 1.8) at the beginning of your second year, 95% of the minimum GPA (1.9) at the beginning of the fourth year and 100% of the minimum GPA (2.0) the fifth year.
To Maintain Your Eligibility, You Must…
Be academically eligible to attend The University of Texas. This means you must maintain a grade point average that places you in good academic standing at The University.
The Big 12 Six-Hour & Eight-Hour Rules
A student-athlete must successfully complete at least six credit hours in a regular term (exclusive of intersession and summer credit) with a minimum grade of "C-" or pass six hours with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be eligible for competition that takes place during the next regular term of the institution. A student-athlete who fails to satisfy this rule and is in his or her last season of competition may neither compete nor be in uniform during postseason and between-term competition occurring after dates to be determined annually by the Big 12. This rule does not apply to student-athletes who have graduated with a bachelor's degree.
Please note that for first-semester student-athletes, the Big 12 requires successful completion of at least eight credit hours.
Graduate Students
Graduate students must maintain good academic standing in accordance with institutional and conference rules. Additionally, a graduate student must earn six credit hours per term to be eligible.
NCAA Five-Year Rule
The NCAA states that you have five calendar years in which to complete four years of competition in a sport. This five-year clock begins when you become a full-time student at any collegiate institution. These five years are continuous. If you are not enrolled in school at any time during these five years, you do not regain that time. In special cases, you may be granted an extension of the five-year eligibility clock.
Class Enrollment Changes
You must have approval from your Athletics Department’s Student Services Office before dropping a class. If approval is granted, you must submit changes in your enrollment (adding/dropping courses, late enrollment, instructor drops, etc.) before the published deadlines set by The University of Texas in order to ensure that your records are accurate and complete. This rule prevents you from making changes in your academic schedule that could jeopardize your eligibility status.
Transferring From Texas
Transferring from The University of Texas requires very careful thought. You must adhere to the following requirements during your decision-making process.
1. You must immediately inform your coach of your interest in going elsewhere. It is suggested that you and the coach meet with the Athletics Director regarding your decision. Before you discuss any possibilities with a potential new school, that school must first receive written permission from The University of Texas athletics department. If you or your parents contact a potential new school, that institution is obligated to let The University of Texas know that you or your parents have done so. The potential new school must first receive written permission from The University of Texas Athletics Director before having any further contact with you.
2. According to NCAA regulations, you must complete one year of residency at your new institution before you are eligible to participate in athletics there, unless you meet the requirements of an NCAA transfer exception. The most common NCAA transfer exception is the one-time transfer (see below). In most instances, this exception is not offered to football or basketball players.
3. You may be granted a one-time exception to the above-mentioned NCAA one-year residency requirement under certain circumstances in sports other than football, basketball, and men's ice hockey. Being granted this exception means that you may be immediately eligible to compete at your new institution. The following conditions are required for an NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception:
• You compete in a sport other than Division I football, basketball, or men's ice hockey.
• It is your first transfer from one four-year college to another.
• You are in good academic standing at The University of Texas and would be eligible if you returned to UT.
• The University of Texas athletics department certifies in writing that it does not object to the NCAA granting an exception to the one-year residency requirement.
The University of Texas does not grant permission for you to discuss transfer possibilities with a potential new school, and if you are denied a "release" to waive the one-year residence requirement, you can still transfer. If you do this, you will be ineligible to compete or receive athletic aid in your first academic year of residence at the new institution. You may request a hearing. If you have any questions about these policies, feel free to talk to your coach and the Compliance Office.
Extra Benefits
Accepting extra benefits or illegal aid, knowingly or not, is a serious violation of NCAA rules. You could lose your eligibility, your scholarship, and your right to compete in intercollegiate athletics if you accept extra benefits from any source.
Examples of extra benefits include, but are not limited to:
• Gifts or loans of clothing, stereo equipment, compact discs, food, beverages
• Transportation
• Use of an automobile
• Low interest or interest-free loans, telephone cards, credit cards, charge accounts, etc.
• Exceeding the allotted number of complimentary admissions
• Money from selling complimentary admissions
• Special discounts on products or services
• Special payment arrangements on personal purchases
• Material benefits that are not available to the general student body
Student-athletes are only allowed to receive benefits that also are offered to the general student population. Be extremely careful of "free" or "special" benefits that you may be offered. If any of these items or services have been offered to you by someone other than a family member, notify the Compliance Office immediately. If you have any questions about whether something might be considered illegal aid, ask your coach or the Compliance Office.
Vehicle Registration
All student-athletes are required to complete a vehicle registration form for a vehicle you use for personal transportation.
» If your personal vehicle changes at any time, you are to notify the Compliance Office and update your vehicle registration form. You also are obligated to notify any lending institution/agent that they have your permission to release information on the lien/lease of such vehicles to The University of Texas Athletics Departments if requested.
» The department verifies that all automobiles with title or lien/lease NOT registered in the name of the student-athlete or other family member are not owned by a representative of athletics interest.
» NCAA rules prohibit The University or any representative of its athletics interests from providing (via gifts, co-signing a loan or lease, etc.) a motor vehicle or any other benefit to enrolled or prospective student-athletes.
Employment
Prior approval is required for any employment arrangement to ensure you do not jeopardize your eligibility. Please contact Director of Career Development Mike Sanders at (512) 471-1362.
Work Opportunities
The University of Texas provides a Student-Athlete Employment Program to help you find a job during the academic year, vacation periods, and the summer months. The program is open to all student-athletes. It complies with all applicable NCAA, Big 12, and University of Texas rules and regulations. Contact Mike Sanders, director of career development, if you would like to learn more about this program.
It is extremely important that the conditions of your employment comply with NCAA bylaws. Infractions could jeopardize not only your own athletics eligibility, but that of your team. Before beginning employment, whether or not you are on an athletics scholarship, you and your employer must sign a written statement for the Compliance Office which verifies that:
• You obtained the employment through established hiring protocol.
• You are not receiving payment based on any publicity, reputation, fame, or personal following you have gained from your athletic ability.
• You are compensated only for work you have actually performed.
• Your rate of pay is the normal rate of pay for the duties performed.
• You are only paid for hours you have actually worked.
• You are not paid in advance for hours to be worked.
• If you are provided with transportation to work, such transportation is available to all employees.
At all times during your athletics eligibility, you and your employment must comply with all University of Texas, UT Athletics, Big 12, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Fee-for-Lesson
Fee-for-Lesson form
12.4.2.1 Fee-for-Lesson Instruction
A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques in his or her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided:
( a ) Institutional facilities are not used;
( b ) Playing lessons shall not be permitted;
( c ) 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; and
( d ) The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient's family) and not another individual or entity.
( e ) 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.
( f ) The student-athlete does not use his or her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions.
HIPPA Notice of Privacy Practices
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
HIPAA PRIVACY RULES REQUIRE THAT WE FURNISH YOU WITH THIS NOTICE.
I. Purpose: The Division of Athletic Training/Sports Medicine of Intercollegiate Athletics at The University of Texas at Austin and its professional staff, employees, and volunteers follow the privacy practices described in this notice. The Sports Medicine Division maintains your medical information in records that will be maintained in a confidential manner, as required by law. However, the Sports Medicine Division must use and disclose your medical information to the extent necessary to provide you with quality health care. To do this, the Sports Medicine Division must share your medical information as necessary for treatment, payment, and health care operations.
II. What Are Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations? Treatment includes sharing information among health care providers involved in your care. For example, your treatment provider may share information about your condition with other treatment providers in the Sports Medicine Division in order to make a diagnosis. The Sports Medicine Division may use your medical information as required by your insurer to obtain payment for your treatment. We also may use and disclose your medical information to improve the quality of care, e.g., for review and training purposes.
III. What Are Other Ways the Sports Medicine Division May Use Your Medical Information? Your medical information may be used, unless you ask for restrictions on a specific use of disclosure, for the following purposes:
•Appointment reminders.
•To inform you of treatment alternatives or benefits or services related to your health. (You will have an opportunity to refuse to receive this information.)
•To carry out health care treatment, payment, and operations functions through business associates, e.g., to install a new computer system.
•Alcohol and drug abuse information has special privacy protections. The Sports Medicine Division will not disclose any information identifying an individual as being a student-athlete or provide any medical information relating to a student-athlete's substance abuse treatment unless: (i) the student-athlete consents in writing; (ii) a court order requires disclosure of the information; (iii) medical personnel need the information to meet a medical emergency; (iv) qualified personnel use this information for the purpose of conducting scientific research, management audits, financial audits, or program evaluation; or (v) it is necessary to report a crime or a threat to commit a crime, or to report abuse or neglect as required by law.
•Worker's Compensation. (Your medical information regarding benefits for work-related illnesses may be released as appropriate.)
•Health oversight activities, e.g., audits, inspections, investigations, and licensure.
•Certain research projects.
•To prevent a serious threat to health or safety.
•Law enforcement (e.g., in response to a court order or other legal process; to identify or locate an individual being sought by authorities; about the victim of a crime under restricted circumstances; about a death that may be the result of criminal conduct; circumstances relating to reporting information about a crime).
•Disaster relief agency if injured in a disaster.
•National security and intelligence activities.
•Protection of the President or other authorized persons for foreign heads of state, or to conduct special investigations.
•Lawsuits and disputes. (We will attempt to provide you advance notice of a subpoena before disclosing the information.)
•As required by law.
IV. Your Authorization Is Required for Other Disclosures. Except as described above, we will not use or disclose your medical information unless you authorize the Sports Medicine Division in writing to disclose your information. You may revoke your permission, which will be effective only after the date of your written revocation.
V. You Have Rights Regarding Your Medical Information. You have the following rights regarding your medical information, provided that you make a written request to invoke the right.
•Right to request restrictions. You may request limitations on your medical information we use or disclose for health care treatment, payment, or operations (e.g., you may ask us not to disclose that you have had a particular treatment), but we are not required to agree to your request. If we agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency services.
•Right to confidential communications. You may request communication in a certain way or at a certain location, but you must specify how or where you wish be contacted.
•Right to inspect and request a copy. You have the right to inspect and request a copy of your medical information regarding decisions about your care. We charge a fee for copying, mailing, and supplies. Under limited circumstances, your request may be denied; in that instance you may request review of the denial by another licensed health care professional chosen by the Sports Medicine Division. The Sports Medicine Division will comply with the outcome of the review.
•Right to request amendment. If you believe that the medical information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment, which requires certain specific information. The Sports Medicine Division is not required to accept the amendment.
•Right to accounting disclosures. You may request a list of the disclosures of your medical information that have been made to persons or entities other than for health care treatment, payment, or operations in the past six years, but not prior to April 14, 2003. After the first request, there will be a charge.
•Right to a copy of this notice. You may request a copy of this notice at any time, even if you have been provided with an electronic copy.
VI. Requirements Regarding This Notice. The Sports Medicine Division is required by law to provide you with this notice. We will be governed by this notice for as long as it is in effect. The Sports Medicine Division may change this notice and these changes will be effective for medical information we have about you as well as any information we receive in the future.
Each time you register with the Sports Medicine Division for health care services, you may receive a copy of the notice in effect at the time.
VII. Complaints. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Sports Medicine Division, with The University's Privacy Officer through the Office of Institutional Compliance, or with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized or retaliated against in any way for making a complaint to the Sports Medicine Division or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Contact: Call the Office of Institutional Compliance at (512) 232-7055 if:
•You have a complaint.
•You have any questions about this Notice.
Call the Sports Medicine Division at (512) 471-4916 or 471-5513 if:
•You wish to request restrictions on uses and disclosures for health care treatment, payment, or operations.
•You wish to obtain forms to exercise your individual rights described in paragraph V.
Student –Athlete Insurance Coverage
Insurance Coverage Maintained by UT Athletics
UT Athletics maintains an insurance policy that provides "excess" coverage only. This coverage is considered secondary to all other collectible medical insurance policies carried by your parents or guardians. The department's excess insurance policy covers medical expenses resulting from injuries that you sustain while participating in intercollegiate athletics after the primary policy (usually your family's policy) has reached its limits of coverage. This coverage also applies to an injury sustained while traveling directly to or from scheduled practices and games sponsored by UT Athletics.
Who Is Eligible For Insurance Coverage?
Scholarship Athletes and Recruited Walk-Ons:
All returning scholarship student-athletes, new incoming scholarship student-athletes, and recruited walk-ons who have been preregistered as student-athletes are automatically covered under the departments' excess insurance policy the first day they arrive on campus.
Non-Recruited Walk-On Participants:
Any UT student who requests to try out for an athletics team in the hope of making the team and attaining varsity status may train only after having shown proof of physician clearance and insurance coverage. Tryout participants may obtain excess insurance coverage through UT Athletics only if they make the team and are added to the roster.
Fifth-Year Student-Athletes on Scholarship:
Student-athletes who have completed their athletics eligibility, are enrolled in classes, and are on athletics scholarship are covered under UT Athletics' excess insurance plan. All such participants must complete departmental medical and release forms required of active student-athletes. Insurance benefits for fifth-year student-athletes are considered only in circumstances where an injury was sustained as a direct result of performing duties specific to an event sponsored by UT Athletics.
Managers and Student Athletic Trainers:
Students who are affiliated with UT Athletics in either of these capacities are covered under the excess insurance policy. Insurance benefits for this group of participants are considered only in circumstances where an injury was sustained as a direct result of performing duties specific to an event sponsored by UT Athletics.
UT Students or Former Student- Athletes Who Are Training With A Member Of The Coaching Staff and/or Practicing with Athletic Teams:
Athletes classified in this category are not eligible for coverage under the UT Athletics’ basic medical insurance plan. Prior to working out with athletics teams, participants must show proof of possessing their own medical insurance and sign all appropriate medical release forms.
Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance
NCAA Special Assistance Fund
The NCAA provides a fund to assist student-athletes with special financial needs. You may be eligible to receive money from the NCAA Special Assistance Fund if you:
• Are a Pell Grant-eligible student. This includes student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility or cannot participate in athletics because of medical reasons. This does not include non-qualifiers in their initial year of residence.
• A student-athlete who receives countable, athletically-related financial aid, and who has a demonstrated financial need.
• A foreign student-athlete who has need. The Office of International Affairs must certify in writing that you have sufficient need.
If you are eligible to receive money from the NCAA Special Assistance Fund, you may use the funds for the following expenses:
• Essential purchases, such as clothing and shoes (entertainment is not included in these expenses).
• Supplies for academic courses (general school supplies such as notebooks and pens) and rental of equipment (such as cameras, computer time) that are required for all students enrolled in a particular course.
• Medical and dental treatment not paid for by your insurance coverage (premiums for optional medical insurance, hearing aids, vision therapy, psychological counseling).
• Travel and other costs due to family emergencies.
These funds are available if you meet the qualifications. If you think you are eligible to receive aid from the NCAA Special Assistance Fund, contact Karen Jenke in the Office of Student Financial Services located on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Building, or by phone at (512) 475-6398.
NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund
Bylaw 15.01.7.2 Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund
The receipt of money from the NCAA Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund for student-athletes is not included in determining the permissible amount of financial aid that a member institution may award to a student-athlete. Member institutions and conferences shall not use money received from the fund to finance salaries, grants-in-aid (other than summer school) for student-athletes with remaining eligibility, capital improvements and stipends.
Policy and procedures are pending.
Additional Financial Assistance
Before accepting any financial assistance in addition to your partial or full athletics grant-in-aid, talk to the athletics financial counselor. You must report all forms of financial assistance, including outside grants, scholarships and loans. All funding must comply with Big 12 Conference and NCAA rules and regulations. Your additional financial assistance may count toward team scholarship limitations as established by the NCAA, so be sure to contact Karen Jenke at the Office of Student Financial Services, (512) 475-6398.
» FASFA
» Outside Scholarship Form
Drug Testing
Institutional, Conference and NCAA Drug Testing
Texas is a member of the Big 12 Conference, which conducts drug tests of selected student-athletes each fall and spring semester. Additionally, the NCAA requires drug testing at selected NCAA certified bowls and national championship events.
The University also has a testing program that is conducted independent of, and in addition to, the Big 12 and NCAA testing programs.
All student-athletes are notified of the procedures and protocols for Big 12 and NCAA drug tests at the beginning of each academic year. A more detailed description of the institutional drug education and testing program follows.
UT's Drug Education and Testing Program
Philosophy:
UT Athletics is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages student-athletes to avoid the use of alcohol, unauthorized controlled substances, and performance-enhancing drugs, as well as tobacco products. While the primary purpose of this program is education (and support-oriented), the serious nature of substance abuse requires development of sanctions as a deterrent to drug use. Student-athletes should be assured that the program is designed to insure their continued mental and physical health and well being.
The objectives of the drug testing and education program are:
• To maintain the integrity of the athletics program by emphasizing abstinence from the use of unauthorized drugs, tobacco, and alcohol;
• To educate student-athletes on the physical, psychological, social, and legal consequences of illegal drug use and the abusive use of alcohol;
• To provide an early detection system for potential drug and/or alcohol abusers, as well as recreational and addicted drug and/or alcohol users;
• To offer rehabilitation and counseling services for any student-athlete who may have a drug or alcohol problem; and,
• To abide by all University, Big 12 and NCAA policies and procedures.
Staff Responsibility
All athletics staff members must be aware of, and committed to, The University's drug education and testing program. In that regard, no athletics staff member shall encourage or advise any student-athlete to take performance enhancing or non-therapeutic drugs and further, they shall not issue or assist the student-athletes in obtaining any performance enhancing/non-therapeutic drugs. Additionally, staff members must actively advise and educate student-athletes against these types of substances and report the use, or suspected use, of performance enhancing/non-therapeutic drugs by a student-athlete to the respective athletic director. All staff members shall direct any student-athlete who desires to use supplements to the Sports Medicine Director and/or the team physician for clearance. Any staff member found to be in violation of this policy is subject to dismissal.
Drug Education
The University, through the Compliance Office, Life Skills Program staff members, Academics Affairs and Academics Services staff members, Sports Medicine Directors and strength and conditioning coaches is responsible for educating student-athletes with regard to the hazards of non-prescription drugs and alcohol.
If a student-athlete's drug or alcohol abuse is evident, he or she is required to take a drug education course and/or enter a rehabilitation program. Before the start of the playing season, each student-athlete receives a list of banned drugs along with a copy of The University's drug education and testing program description. Additionally, a thorough discussion of UT Athletics' rules regarding substance use and drug testing is contained in the Student-Athlete Manual.
Student-athletes are instructed to avoid use of any over-the-counter drugs and supplements without first consulting team physicians and athletic trainers. (Over-the-counter, as well as prescription drugs, can result in "false" positive drug tests and may also have a detrimental effect on the student-athlete's performance.) Student-athletes are also instructed to report the use of prescription drugs to their athletic trainers.
Institutional Drug Testing Notification
Each student-athlete receives a written copy of The University's drug education and testing program description. Also included is a consent form on which the student-athlete, through his/her signature, acknowledges receipt and indicates understanding of the program and provides voluntary consent to the urinalyses. The consent form also provides release of the testing results to a limited and pre-defined number of individuals. Signing of the consent form is a pre-condition for participation in UT Athletics.
Method of Institutional Testing
All student-athletes are subject to drug screening urinalyses to permit testing for any or all of the substances that appear on the NCAA list of banned drugs (see NCAA drug testing regulations list in this section). Additionally, all student-athletes are subject to testing for "cause" at any time. The collection of urine samples from the athletes shall be made under the supervision of an independent drug collection team. This team follows all guidelines listed in NCAA and NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) regulations for the preparation of the collection site and the actual collection of the urine specimen. Every step is taken to insure the integrity of testing procedures and maintenance of the accuracy and confidentiality of the test results. Upon collection of a urine sample by the drug collection team, the specimen is individually numbered. By signing a master list of numbered names, the student-athlete certifies that his/her numerical designation corresponds to that on the specimen bottle he/she submitted. The numbered samples (no names on the sample) are immediately sent to an independent laboratory commissioned to perform the tests. The results will be returned to the designated IAM/IAW team physician who, as the only person capable of matching the test results with the master list of names, reviews the results to determine which, if any, are positive (i.e., a result indicating the presence in the urine of one or more banned substances).
The drug collection team adheres to a series of custody procedures to account for the integrity of each urine specimen by tracking the handling and storage from the point of collection to final disposition. Such procedures are designed to disclose evidence of specimen tampering. The drug collection team has the authority to recollect any sample submitted by the student-athlete that is considered either altered (e.g., via dilution) or appears to be improperly collected by the student-athlete. If the collection team leader determines that the initial urine sample submitted is not adequate for testing, he/she may request that the student-athlete remain in the testing area until a second sample is collected. Both samples are sealed and submitted for laboratory analysis in separate containers and with separate ID numbers. Therefore, the student-athlete has his/her name and two ID numbers on the master list that is submitted to the designated UT Athletics team physicians.
Reaction to Positive Tests
First positive test during the student-athlete's enrollment at UT: When any positive test is received, the designated team physician arranges for the result to be confirmed by a repeat analysis of a retained portion of the original sample. If positive, the team physician notifies the Athletics Director of the test results, and the Athletics Director and/or the team physician informs the student-athlete and arranges for initial counseling. The student-athlete is re-tested on a schedule determined by the team physician. Because of the variable half-life of marijuana and anabolic steroids, on any retest, the team physician shall assess whether or not the detection of the agent within the specimen is simply a continued presence of the original drug taken, or a new positive test. The Athletics Director, in consultation with the team physician, may inform the head coach and parents of the positive test.
Second positive test during the student-athlete's enrollment at UT: The team physician informs the Athletics Director, who then arranges for a meeting between the team physician, student-athlete, the head coach, and the Athletics Director. The student-athlete is required to inform his/her parents of the second positive drug test by telephone with the team physician, the Athletics Director, and the head coach present during the call. The student-athlete is required to undergo professional counseling and evaluation as a condition of continued athletics participation.
Third positive test during the student-athlete's enrollment at UT: The team physician informs the Athletics Director, who then informs the head coach that the student-athlete is suspended from all athletics participation (practice and competition) until the successful completion of a required rehabilitation program and a negative retest following completion of that program. Upon the occasion of a negative retest, the Athletics Director, in consultation with the team physician and the head coach, determines whether the student-athlete receives athletic financial aid in any subsequent semester.
Fourth positive test during the student-athlete's enrollment at UT: Subsequent rehabilitation is the student-athlete's responsibility. The student-athlete is permanently suspended from the athletics program and his/her financial aid based on athletics ability is permanently terminated effective the subsequent semester.
Response for Unexcused Absence
In the event that a student-athlete is unable to attend a drug test, the athlete shall contact the Testing Coordinator who determines if the absence is excusable. If the absence is unexcused, the following protocol shall be followed:
Unexcused Absence #1: The student-athlete's head coach is notified with disciplinary action to be determined by the head coach. A "make up" test is scheduled by the Testing Coordinator and the student-athlete is subject to more frequent testing, as determined by the team physician.
Unexcused Absence #2 and more: The Testing Coordinator notifies the Athletics Director, who arranges for a meeting between the student-athlete, the Testing Coordinator, the team physician, Athletics Director, and the head coach. The student-athlete is suspended from all athletics competition and practices for a period of time to be determined by the Athletics Director.
Psychological and Substance Abuse Counseling
Psychological therapy and substance abuse counseling are available to the student-athlete through the Counseling and Mental Health Center on campus (471-3515). The University of Texas has one of the finest counseling, learning and career service programs in the nation. If you are ever having a problem and need to speak with a counselor, use the 24-hour free telephone counseling and referral service -- just call 471-CALL. Telephone counseling offers assistance with personal and relationship problems, crisis consultation, information about The University, and referrals to medical personnel in the Austin community. Use of these services does not require notification of a student-athlete's coach or any member of the athletics staff.
If you would like a referral to alternate sources of help or guidance in choosing a counseling service, you may request help through the sports medicine staff.
Equipment/Varsity Awards
In order to receive an athletic award, a student-athlete must be of amateur standing and eligible for athletic participation as defined by the NCAA, unless given prior permission, in writing, by the representative of The University of Texas at the time of competition.
Student-athletes must meet specific standards in order to be eligible to receive an award. These standards have been established by the Athletics Department and take into consideration a student-athlete's academic standing, attention to college regulations, observance of training rules, sportsmanship, and conduct, in addition to athletic performance. All athletes must first be recommended by their head coaches for meritorious service. The recommendations must be approved by the Athletics Director, who in turn submits the recommendations to the Athletics Council.
The NCAA restricts the types of awards given to items which can be personalized with the appropriate institutional insignia or letter. These include sweaters, blankets, rings, etc. Items such as gift certificates, appliances and television sets may not be awarded.
Letter Awards
Award Value Limitations: The total value of a single participation or "letter" award received in a year by a non-senior student-athlete may not exceed NCAA limitations. Multiple awards may be presented only if the total value of all participation awards received during a particular academic year by an individual, non-senior, student-athlete does not exceed established NCAA award values.
Multiple awards may be presented to a senior student-athlete only if the total value of all participation awards presented during a particular academic year to a senior student-athlete does not exceed the NCAA award value limits in each sport in which the student-athlete participates.
Student-athletes may receive awards in recognition of Conference or national championships from The University, the Big 12 Conference or an approved organization. The total value of any single award may not exceed the maximum limits for a Conference championship or for a national championship, except for awards purchased and presented by the NCAA to student-athletes for participation in NCAA championship events.
For bowl games or all-star games, student-athletes may receive awards within the NCAA guidelines from the sponsoring agency and additional awards from the institution subject to a separate NCAA limitation. Award limitations are found in Bylaw 16 of the NCAA Manual.
The departments present letter awards to those student-athletes designated as deserving of such by their respective head coach and approved by the Athletics Councils. Letterwinners receive their awards in the following sequence:
First year: Letter jacket
Second year: Watch
Third year: Desk clock
Fourth year: Blanket
Upon graduation, a letterwinner in any sport may receive free of charge a standardized "T" Ring in the place of an approved senior letter award. If the graduate prefers, he or she is permitted to pay for either the senior letter award or the "T" Ring so that he or she may receive both the senior letter award and the "T" Ring upon graduation. Former letterwinners who have graduated but not received a "T" Ring may purchase one.
Big 12 and National Championships Awards
Item: A standardized Big 12 Conference ring or watch or a National Championship ring or standardized plaque is awarded to all letterwinners on a Big 12 Conference or National Championship team. If a team wins a National Championship, the head coach may design a ring for his/her sport with the cost of this ring or single award not exceeding $300.00. Award values are governed by the maximum dollar amount listed in the Big 12 or NCAA manuals for the school year of the team or individual championship. National Champions in individual sports may receive only one National Championship ring or standardized plaque per sport season, regardless of the number of individual championships won. It is permissible for an awardee that loses a ring to pay the replacement cost and receive a duplicate.
Eligibility: The Big 12 Conference or NCAA Championship (team or individual) award(s) is restricted to the year of the championship. The following individuals receive rings or plaques as Big 12 Conference or NCAA Champions (team or individual):
1. All athletes (letterwinners) on the team who are listed on the Big 12 and NCAA eligibility affidavit;
2. Head coach and assistant coach(es);
3. Manager(s) who have lettered and are assigned to the championship team;
4. Head trainer(s) assigned to the championship team;
5. Individual members of the Athletics Council receive a ring, charm, or plaque for a team Big 12 Championship and/or NCAA National Championship. However, no member may receive more than one Big 12 Championship and one NCAA National Championship Award during his/her term.
6. Players, managers, and trainers may be recommended by a coach to the Athletics Director for a Special Merit Award on the basis of their contribution to the championship team.
7. Administrative and athletics staff members and friends of The University may be recommended by the Athletics Director for Athletics Council approval.
In each case, the individual may receive a ring, charm, or plaque. However, only one Big 12 ring, charm, or plaque and one NCAA National Championship ring, charm, or plaque may be received during their employment by The University.
In special cases, the Athletics Director may recommend that administrative and athletic staff members be awarded more than one Big 12 Championship ring, charm, or plaque and/or more than one NCAA National Championship ring, charm, or plaque.
Lettering Criteria
Each sport has different criteria for "lettering," as described in the following list. In cases of extenuating circumstances, criteria may be waived by the head coach.
Baseball: A player must participate in 20 or more games, with conference and/or equivalent grade schools. Pitchers must appear in a minimum of ten games, or pitch a minimum of 25 innings.
Basketball - Men's: A player must participate in at least 220 minutes in the aggregate of at least six conference games or games with schools of equivalent grade.
Basketball - Women's: Any basketball player who has fulfilled all the following minimum requirements:
• Demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship, and exemplary conduct.
• Earns a place on the traveling squad of fifteen players or less as selected by the coaching staff.
• Participates in all practices unless ill or injured.
• Participates in all team activities throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury or circumstances beyond the player's control.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if the above stated requirements are not fully met.
Cross Country - Women's: Any cross country runner who has fulfilled all of the following requirements and has demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship, and exemplary behavior shall receive a letter award:
• Must participate in practice throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury, or similar extenuating circumstances beyond the participant's control.
• Participate in the NCAA national championships, OR the Big 12 Championship meet, OR place in the top 50 percent of total runners in the Big 12 Conference Championship meet.
• Participate in 75 percent of the season's scheduled meets.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if all the above requirements are not fully met.
Diving - Women's: Any diver who has fulfilled the following requirements and has demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship and exemplary behavior:
• Participates in 80 percent of practices, and
• Participates in 50 percent of competitive events, and
• Scores points at the Big 12 Conference Championships, or
• Qualifies for the NCAA National Championships, or
• Wins an event in dual competition.
• Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if the above stated requirements are not fully met.
Football: A player must participate for at least 65 minutes in the aggregate of three or more games with conference schools or schools of equivalent grade.
Golf - Men's: A letter award is given to any contestant who has achieved any of the following:
• An individual winner or runner-up in the Big 12 Championship,
• An individual winner of the Massingale Cup (University championship);
• An individual winner or runner-up in the NCAA Championship; or
• Played in 1/5 of the competitive rounds listed on the golf schedule.
Golf - Women's: Any golfer who contributed to the team's success through cooperation, dedication, loyalty, academic achievement, and exemplary behavior, and who has met the following requirements:
• The golfer must participate in at least one official collegiate tournament.
• The student-athlete must participate in practice throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury or similar extenuating circumstances beyond the participant's control.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if the above requirements are not fully met.
Rowing: Any rower who has fulfilled all of the following minimum requirements:
• The individual must participate in all practices and team meetings unless prevented by illness, injury, or other extenuating circumstances.
• Contribute to the team's success through cooperation, loyalty, academic achievements and exemplary behavior.
• Participate as a member of the team in at least two official Spring Regattas.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if none of the above requirements are fully met.
Soccer: Any soccer player who has fulfilled all of the following minimum requirements:
• Demonstrated service to team, spirit, scholarship, and exemplary conduct.
• Participates in all practices and at least eight regular season games unless ill, injured or excused by the coach.
• Participates in all team activities throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury or circumstances beyond the player's control.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances even if the above stated requirements are not fully met.
Swimming/Diving - Men's: A swimmer must make the 20-member conference team or participate in the NCAA's team championship. An exception may be made by the head coach for a swimmer who becomes ill and is unable to participate in either the Big 12 or NCAA team, as long as the total number of letters awarded does not exceed 24.
Swimming - Women's: Any swimmer who has fulfilled the following minimum requirements and has demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship and exemplary behavior:
• Participation in all practices and a minimum of 50 percent of all regular-season meets unless ill or injured and qualify for Big 12 or NCAA Championship or achieve NCAA time standards.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances even if the above requirements are not fully met.
Tennis - Men's: A letter award is given to any contestant who has accomplished any of the following:
• Represented The University in the NCAA Championships in singles and/or doubles;
• Represented The University in the Big 12 Championships in singles and/or doubles;
• Represented The University for the Big 12 Team Championship against at least three conference opponents; or
• Represented The University against at least 50 percent of the Big 12 and/or non-conference schools of comparable class played.
Tennis - Women's: Any tennis player who has fulfilled any of the following minimum requirements and has demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship, and exemplary behavior:
• A member of a team that participates in the NCAA National Championships.
• A member of the Big 12 Championship team.
• Winner or runner-up in any tournament.
• Participate as a member of the team in at least two official regular season tournaments.
• The student-athlete must participate in practice throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury or similar extenuating circumstances beyond the participant's control.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if the above requirements are not fully met.
Track/Cross Country - Men's: Any contestant qualifies who has achieved any of the following accomplishments:
• Placed first, second, or third in the Big 12 Conference meet.
• Placed among the top five Texas finishers when the team:
- Wins the Big 12 Championships,
- Places first or second at the NCAA District 6 Meet; or
- Places in the Top 20 at the NCAA National Championships.
• Any individual scoring 10 or more points in a season based upon the following:
Place 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-25
a. Three teams or fewer 2 1
b. Four to eight teams 4 5 2
c. Nine or more teams 5 4 3 2
d. Big 12 & District 6 10 5 4 3
e. NCAA All-American or finishes in the Top 50 in the NCAA National Championship.
Track & Field - Men's: Any contestant qualifies who has fulfilled any of the following requirements:
• Scored in an individual event, or was a member of a relay team that placed in the top three places in the Big 12;
• Scored an accumulation of 18 points in dual, triangular, quadrangular, five-way meets, conference, relays, or other major sectional meets. In cases where the team is split between major and minor meet, the point scoring for the minor meet is at one-half the normal scoring as listed below:
a. Scoring in individual events is based upon the following:
Conference Meet 10-8-6-4-2-1
Dual Meet 5-3-1
Triangular Meet 5-3-2-1
Quadrangular Meet 5-3-2-1
Five-way Meet 6-4-2-1
Relays ~ Major Sectional Meets 10-8-6-4-2-1
b. Scoring in relay events is based upon the team score as follows:
Number of Teams 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
2 5 0
3 5 3 0
4 5 3 2 0
5 6 4 3 2
6 10 8 6 4 2
7+ 10 8 6 4 2 1
The individual scoring for relay events under this rating system is divided by four.
• An athlete makes "All-American" in the NCAA national meet.
Track & Field - Women's: Any competitor who has fulfilled all of the following requirements and demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship, and exemplary behavior shall receive a letter award:
• Must participate in practice throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury, or similar extenuating circumstances beyond the participant's control.
• Qualify for the NCAA National Championships or be a scorer in the Big 12 Championship Meet.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if the above requirements are not fully met.
Volleyball: Any volleyball player who has fulfilled all of the following minimum requirements:
• Demonstrated service to the team, spirit, scholarship and exemplary behavior.
• Attends all scheduled practices unless excused by the coach.
• Earns a place on the traveling squad as selected by the coaching staff.
• Participates in all team activities throughout the entire season unless prohibited from doing so by illness, injury or similar extenuating circumstances beyond the player's control.
Special consideration for lettering awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if all the above requirements are not fully met.
Athletic Trainers: Student athletic trainers who have fulfilled the following minimum requirements are eligible for awards:
• Participated in the student-trainer program throughout the entire academic year.
• Demonstrated skill in athletic training techniques.
• Demonstrated responsible judgment in the treatment of the athletic injuries.
• Demonstrated an adequate time commitment to student-trainer responsibilities.
Special consideration for awards may be made in unusual circumstances, even if all of the above requirements are not fully met.
Managers - Men's and Women's: In recognition of their valuable service, managers are awarded at the discretion of the head coach.
Special Merit Award: Any athlete who has not fulfilled the above requirements for a Varsity "T" Award may be granted a special merit award by the vote of the Athletics Council, if in the opinion of the coach he or she is deemed worthy of such an award. Very few of these awards are presented. This award is only given to a senior or a student-athlete in the following situation(s):
• Eligibility will expire;
• Has been injured, ill, continued to work-out regularly for the entire four years, and contributed to the spirit of the team; or
• Has changed from a regular position to best serve the team.
T-Cards: A letterwinner in any sport who has completed intercollegiate eligibility, whose last year of competition was at UT, and who is recommended by the head coach, may receive a T-Card. This card serves as identification of the letterwinner for any activities/benefits associated with the card, which could include access to T-Association tickets in accordance with ticket policies. Exceptions to this policy may be made by a head coach's recommendation and approval of the Directors of Athletics and Athletics Councils.
Gambling
NCAA regulations prohibit student-athletes and the athletics department's staff members from engaging in the following:
a) Providing information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
b) Soliciting a bet on any intercollegiate team;
c) Accepting a bet on any team representing the institution;
d) Soliciting or accepting a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g. cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value; or
Participating in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling.
Promotional/Charity Appearances for Student-Athletes
We receive many requests from the public for student-athlete appearances. The NCAA amateurism legislation regulates the manner in which student-athletes may participate in promotional activities. Any use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support The University of Texas or a charitable, educational or nonprofit organization requires prior approval by the Compliance Office under NCAA legislation. Failure to obtain prior approval could affect a student-athlete's eligibility.
Procedure for Approval
All requests for a student-athlete at The University of Texas appearance must be approved though the following procedure:
1. If a student-athlete is requested to make an appearance at any event, please contact the Compliance Office at 512.471.7285 or print and fax the Student-Athlete Appearance Form to (512) 232-4361.
2. Upon receipt of the request form, our office will review and determine if appearance is permissible under NCAA legislation.
3. If approved, the Compliance Office will contact the entity or organization and inform them of the decision made on the Student-Athlete Appearance Form and provide a contact name for scheduling the appearance.
Please do not allow a student-athlete appearance to be made unless you receive approval from the Compliance Office.
Athletic Autographed Items Request
We receive many requests from the public regarding autographed memorabilia (balls, bats, helmets, etc.) with student-athletes' signatures. The NCAA amateur legislation regulates the manner in which a student-athlete may use his or her name. Any use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support The University of Texas, charitable, educational, or nonprofit activities requires prior approval by the Compliance Office.
All requests for an autograph from a student-athlete at The University of Texas must be approved through the following procedure:
1. Administrative Assistants/other staff members should direct all requests from individuals or entities for autographed items to Administrative Associate for Compliance Mindy Thompson at (512) 471-7285.
2. The Administrative Associate for Compliance issues the Student-Athlete/Coach
Autographed Item Request form to the requestor. The requestor completes and returns the form to the Compliance Office.
3. The Administrative Associate for Compliance reviews then forwards form to the sport for initial approval or denial.
a. If agreeing to fill the request, the sport signs the request form and returns it to the Compliance Office.
b. If denying the request, the sport returns the request form to the Compliance Office. The Administrative Associate for Compliance notifies the individual or organization of the decision.
4. The Administrative Associate for Compliance forwards sport-approved forms to Compliance Coordinator.
5. The Compliance Coordinator either approves or denies the request based on NCAA legislation.
a. If approved, the Administrative Associate for Compliance copies the sport and forwards an autographed item disclaimer form to the individual or organization.
b. If denied, the Administrative Associate for Compliance copies the sport and notifies the individual or organization of the decision.
6. The sport handles the distribution of the requested items. |
