Due to strict NCAA regulations regarding the use of student-athletes' names, likeness and appearances, the high demand for staff and student-athletes' time, and State of Iowa laws, the University of Iowa athletics department has implemented the policies, procedures and approval processes listed below. Please contact us if you have questions or requests.

Charitable Donations, Memorabilia & Autograph Requests

The Department of Athletics handles a high volume of requests for donations, memorabilia and autographs. Some of these requests must be approved by the Compliance Office. Requests are typically of three types: (1) request for cash or in-kind donation (e.g., tickets), (2) autographs on items either supplied by the requester or the University, and (3) apparel items. The Compliance Office is part of the approval process for charitable donations because of the implications of NCAA recruiting and extra benefit legislation.

UI as a State Institution: Cash and Ticket Requests

As a state institution, the University of Iowa is not authorized to donate state funds to any outside entity. Regardless of how worthy the cause may be, it is not appropriate that cash contributions of any kind be made in response to requests for charitable contributions from outside entities. Athletic tickets are owned by the Athletic Department and have monetary value. Donations of event tickets may only be given at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.

The NCAA: Donations and Prospects

The NCAA prohibits staff members acting independently of the institution and boosters from providing or arranging financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part) the costs of the prospect's educational or other expenses for any period prior to his or her enrollment. Donations that support a prospect's activities will generally be prohibited, including in-kind gifts such as UI athletics tickets. This includes:

• Funding of a high school athletics program, directly or indirectly, (including support of sports sites utilized by a community's high school sports teams);
• Fundraising activities for high schools (e.g., athletics, sport team, proms, band, special events);
• Fundraising for a prospect's team, club or organization;
• Donating athletics equipment. Contact the Compliance Office for clarifications and possible exemptions.

The NCAA: Donations and Current Student Athletes

Student-athletes are precluded from any special arrangement by an institutional employee or booster which is not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. In general, institutions (including coaches as individuals) may not donate to an outside team that includes one of its student-athletes as a participant.

Autograph Request Policy

Effective September, 2003, the U of I athletics department's autograph policy was revised to better protect student-athletes' names and likeness. Teams may choose to promote themselves with pre or post-game autograph signings managed in conjunction with Marketing and Event Management. However, in regard to other requests made of the staff, team, or individual student-athletes, the following principles will be in effect:

• Origin of Item: All items to be autographed must be provided by the person or organization making the request;
• Personalization: All items must be personalized. If the item cannot be personalized at the time of the request (e.g., auction item), a certificate will be issued instead which can be redeemed at a later date once the recipient has been identified;
• Statement of Permissible Uses: All autographed items will include a statement of pertinent NCAA and Big Ten rules;
• No fees: No fee should be charged for coach or student-athlete autographs;
• Student-Athlete Signatures Need Preapproval: Student-athletes may not sign items except for those during official promotional events, on their personal time, or that have been preapproved by the Compliance Office.

With regard to autographed items, the recipient must guarantee that the item:

• Will not be used to raise money, directly or indirectly, to benefit any high school program, including athletics; or
• Will not be used to provide financial assistance to a prospect age (9th grade and above) individual.

To request autographs and/or memorabilia, please see the following links:

Football Autograph Requests

Men's Basketball Autograph Requests:

Sports other than Football and Men's Basketball:

U of I Student-Athlete and Athletics Staff Appearances

Student-Athlete Appearances

The time demands of our student-athletes are monumental when considering the combination of their academic, athletic and social lives. When student-athletes are asked to make public appearances, the U of I evaluates each situation to insure that they are allowed to maintain a balanced schedule. The screening process is as follows:

Permissible Activities for Student-Athletes

• Charities: A non-institutional charitable, educational or nonprofit agency may use a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance to support its charitable or educational activities, provided that certain conditions are met and the event is not located at and sponsored by a commercial business. Please contact the Compliance Office.
• Schools: Educational appearances are restricted to grades 8 and lower. High school appearances must be approved by the Compliance Office.

Non-Permissible Activities for Student-Athletes

• Commercial: A student-athlete may never make an appearance on behalf of a commercial entity or in a charitable activity at the location of a commercial establishment if the activity is cosponsored by a commercial business. If you are unsure, please contact the Compliance Office.
• High School: With the exception of speaking at his/her former high school, a student-athlete may not make a high school appearance until the Compliance Office outlines the parameters of permissibility.

Appearances by Coaches or Departmental Staff

Athletics department staff members are not restricted in appearances like student-athletes. Staff members may support for-profit or nonprofit activities through appearances, speaking engagements, promotions or autographs. However, athletics staff will be restricted if the situation involves prospect-age individuals (e.g., high schools or sport clubs).

Have questions? E-mail The University of Iowa Athletics Compliance office at compliance@hawkeyesports.com