Dear Gamecock Fans:

Boosters can affect the entire athletics program in many ways. Most of the time boosters have an extremely positive affect. However, it only takes ONE to have not heard the NCAA rules message or chooses to ignore it to damage a program.

An example is clearly illustrated in the attached is an article in the Chicago Sun-Times regarding NCAA sanctions being placed on an athletics program because of the actions of ONE booster. The booster provided improper benefits totaling $2,348 to a former football player. The institution acted appropriately by immediately investigating and self-reporting to the NCAA upon discovering the potential problem. The NCAA has classified this as a major violation and handed down a one-year probation penalty to the institution.

I can’t stress enough to each and every one of you the importance of continuing to “ask before you act” in the area of NCAA rules. We have a number of materials that we produce to educate you throughout the year, including: a Guide to NCAA Rules for Fan, boosters and Friends of the University of South Carolina, and a compliance page on our official website.

Please feel free to contact me or our compliance office, if you have any questions or need any additional information about NCAA rules.

Thanks again for your continued support and attention in this area of our program.

Sincerely,

Eric Hyman
Director of Athletics University of South Carolina