Loyola University Chicago Athletics

Loyola University Chicago is committed and obligated to the principle of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of NCAA, Atlantic 10 Conference and University rules and regulations.

The commitment and obligation to operate the intercollegiate athletics program in adherence to the principle of institutional control is both institutional and individual. The University's commitment is to maintain control of its athletics programs through the responsible administrators, faculty, and institutional bodies; to educate coaches, staff, student-athletes and other individuals involved with the athletics program in their institutional responsibilities under the rules; to develop operating systems within the athletics department and the University that provide guidance in how to work within the rules; and to discover and report any violations of the rules that occur. Each individual involved in intercollegiate athletics is obligated to maintain competency in knowledge of the rules; to act within his or her realm of responsibility in full compliance with the governing legislation; and to report any violation of NCAA, conference and/or institutional rules of which he or she is aware.

It is the University's policy that no violation is so minor that it need not be reported. In responding to rule violations, the University will look at such factors as whether the violation is intentional, whether any advantage is gained (e.g., recruiting, competitive or for the student-athlete involved), whether a student-athlete's eligibility is affected and whether violations are recurring. The University's goals in responding will be to encourage communication, to seek consistency and accountability and, above all, to send a strong message that the University is unequivocally committed to rules compliance.

2024 Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Certificate | 2024 EADA Survey

***In the event of an emergency, immediate notification to the Department of Campus Safety is essential to ensure the timely response of emergency personnel.***
 

Campus Safety Dispatcher (Monitored 24/7/365)
773.508.SAFE (7233)

Campus Safety TTY/TDD Line for Hard of Hearing (Monitored 24/7/365)
773.508.7762

City of Chicago Emergency 
911

NCAA Policy
The NCAA is a voluntary membership organization dedicated to promoting and developing its core values of academics, well-being and fairness among the 1,100 member schools and more than 500,000 student-athletes who participate in college sports. Sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual and interpersonal violence violate human decency and the Association's core values.

Please click the link for more information on the NCAA’s Sexual Violence Policy.

Loyola Department of Campus Safety
The mission of the Loyola University Department of Campus Safety is to promote and maintain a safe and secure environment in which the University's educational mission can be successful. This department contributes to the University's mission through non-intrusive safety procedures that promote the intellectual, social, spiritual, physical and recreational aspects of students' lives. The Department's crime prevention and security programs nurture the personal growth of the students outside the classroom with the goal of assisting students to develop into responsible citizens consistent with the teachings and traditions of Loyola University. The Department's contract with the University community cultivates mutual trust and encourages members of the Loyola community to share in the responsibility of reducing the opportunity for criminal activity.

Please click the link for more information on Loyola’s Department of Campus Safety and Sexual Assault Policy.
 

Transfer Guidelines
The decision to transfer to another school is an important and often difficult one in your college career. Before you act, do your homework. Make sure you understand how transferring will affect you, so you don’t negatively impact your education or your chances to play college sports.

For more information on transfers and what to expect, please see the NCAA “Want to Transfer?” site.
 

For Loyola-specific information, please reach out to Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Drew Schneider.

• Email: aschneider@luc.edu

National Letter of Intent
A National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement that, once signed by a prospective student-athlete and his or her parent/legal guardian, requires the prospective student-athlete to attend the signing institution for one academic year, provided the prospective student-athlete meets all applicable university, conference, and NCAA regulations for the receipt of aid.  The NLI must be accompanied by a financial aid agreement, which serves as the institution’s commitment to provide financial aid for a designated period. 

Satisfaction of NLI Terms:
A prospective student-athlete satisfies the NLI terms by attending, full-time, the signing institution for one academic year or by graduating from a junior college (if during the NLI period, the prospective student-athlete chooses to attend a junior college).

Recruiting Ban After Signing:
All colleges and universities that participate in the NLI program are prohibited from recruiting a prospective student-athlete once he or she signs an NLI.  The recruiting ban remains in effect until the prospective student-athlete enrolls at the signing institution (once he or she has becomes a student-athlete additional NCAA legislation restricts contact from other institutions).  If the prospective student-athlete does not enroll, the ban is lifted after the signing institution’s next academic year has elapsed.

NLI Penalty:
A prospective student-athlete who does not attend the signing institution or attends the institution for less than one full academic year is prohibited from representing the second institution in athletics competition until s/he completes one academic year in residence at the second institution.  Additionally, the prospective student-athlete will lose a season of competition in all sports.

Please see the NLI Website for more information.

Academic Eligibility Requirements

• Be enrolled and attending as full time student each semester (12+ credits for undergrad, 9+ for grad)
• 6 credit rule: at least 6 credits each semester that go toward your degree program
• 24 hour rule: must earn at least 24 credits to your academic program during first year
• 18 hour rule: must earn at least 18 hours in your major each academic year
• Declare major before 3rd year or 5th semester of enrollment
• *make sure all courses are applicable toward your degree program for eligibility purposes
• *beginning in third semester of enrollment, meet the GPA requirements indicated below.

Disclaimer: this lists NCAA rules and regulations and does not account for Loyola institutional policies that may be in place. Please contact your academic services team for more information on Loyola’s policies.
 

Academic Integrity
As a Division I student-athlete, you are responsible for representing yourself, your team, this university and the conference in the best possible manner. Your academic conduct is monitored by not only the Student- Athlete Academic Services staff, but also various on campus entities. It is critical to complete work within the athletic department, university, and NCAA guidelines to ensure your eligibility is never at risk.

Under current NCAA legislation, institutions are responsible for the conduct of its employees and any academic misconduct by those individuals is subject to NCAA investigation if they are associated with providing impermissible assistance to student-athletes. It should be understood by these employees, and student-athletes alike, that the NCAA constitutes Unethical Conduct and Academic Misconduct as very serious matters and individuals are expected to act with honesty and integrity in all academic matters. Please find time to review these educational links below:

NCAA Promoting and Protecting Academic Integrity
Loyola Chicago Academic Standards
 

Amateurism
College-bound student-athletes enrolling for the first time at a Division I or II school must receive a final amateurism certification before being eligible to compete. This includes transfers from junior colleges, NAIA, or Division III schools.

Every student-athletes’ situation is unique, and it is important that the student-athlete determine what kind of account they should have when registering for eligibility.

For more information on Amateurism and how to receive certification, please see the NCAA’s website.
 

Playing & Practice Season
NCAA legislation limits the number of hours that student-athletes can engage in “countable athletically related activities” (CARAs) during the academic year. Any athletically-related activity is countable if it is not “voluntary,” as that term is defined under NCAA legislation. For an activity to be voluntary (and not countable), all the following conditions must be met:

• The activity must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athlete;
• Countable coaches, volunteer coaches, graduate assistant coaches, undergraduate assistant coaches, and/or other sport-specific noncoaching staff members (e.g., directors of operation) cannot be in attendance;
• There can be no required reporting of any information related to the activity back to a coach or other athletics department staff member;
• Attendance and participation in the activity may not be recorded for the purposes of reporting such information to coaching staff members or other student-athletes; and
• Lack of participation in the activity cannot be penalized (nor can attendance be incentivized). 

NCAA practice hours rules
NCAA Bylaw 17 contains the legislation relating to “playing and practice seasons,” including all the limits that are placed on practice hours.  Much of the legislation is sport-specific and there are numerous exceptions to the general rules (which are explained below). 

Practice hour limits depend on whether a team is in its declared playing season.  Declarations of playing seasons are submitted to and maintained by the Compliance Office. 

During the declared playing season:

• No more than 20 hours of CARAs in a week;
• No more than four hours of CARAs in a day;
• Must have one calendar day off from CARAs each week; and
• No CARAs after a competition (e.g., student-athletes cannot be required to run or watch film after a loss).

Outside the declared playing season (during the academic year)

• No more than 8 hours of countable athletically-related activities each week.  Whether an activity is permissible depends on the sport:
  • In sports other than football: weight training, conditioning, and skill instruction.
• No more than 4 hours of skill instruction (all sports but football)
• Must have two calendar days off from CARAs each week.
• CARAs are prohibited one week before the beginning of final exams until their conclusion.

Outside Competition
NCAA legislation regulates Loyola student-athlete participation with non-LUC teams or as individuals (and not associated with LUC teams).

Limits on outside team participation

• Competition:  Student-athletes are not permitted to participate in any competition on an outside team during the student-athlete’s declared NCAA playing season.  Any such competition will result in the loss of a student-athlete's eligibility at LUC for the remainder of the current (if applicable) and following academic years. 
• Practice:  Student-athletes may be permitted to practice on an outside team; however, there may be limits on the number of student-athletes from LUC who may participate on any one outside team.

Limits on individual competition
Student-athletes are permitted to compete as individuals at any time.  Competition as an individual means the student-athlete is using his or her own equipment and apparel and is paying his or her own travel and entry expenses.  It also means the student-athlete is not receiving coaching from an LUC coach during the competition.

Every sport has specific regulations and/or exceptions that relate to student-athletes participation in non-LUC activities throughout the academic year and summer.  Student-athletes must consult and receive approval from the Compliance Office and their head coach before engaging in any non-LUC competition.

All outside competition must be pre-approved through the Student-Athlete Outside Competition workflow in Teamworks. Please allow five business days for review.

Student-Athlete Employment
Rambler student-athletes who wish to seek employment must complete the Student-Athlete Employment form and have their employment approved by the Compliance Office. The Student-Athlete Employment form requires the student-athlete and their employers to review and confirm their understanding of the rules surrounding student-athlete employment. The rules are summarized as follows:

• Compensation may not include any payment for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame, or other personal following that s/he has obtained because of athletics;
  • Such employment would be considered Name, Image, and Likeness and should be submitted as NIL Employment through INFLCR
• Compensation may only be provided for work actually and already performed; and
• Compensation must be at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for similar services.

Additionally, a student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or giving lessons in his or her sport. To do this, the following conditions must be met:

• LUC facilities cannot be used;
• Lessons must consist of more than simply playing against or with the student-athlete;
• Documentation of the lessons must be on file with the Compliance Office (by completing the appropriate form available here); [SM2] and
• Compensation for the lessons must be paid by the lesson recipient or his/her family and not another individual or entity.
   

Extra Benefits
Although NCAA legislation specifically defines and categorizes different types of impermissible benefits (e.g., extra benefits and preferential treatment), the prohibition is generally the same: under most circumstances, student-athletes cannot receive goods or services based on their status as student-athletes. 

The following are examples of benefits that student-athletes are not permitted to receive:  

• Cash and cost-free goods and services;
• Special discounts, payment arrangements, or credit options for products or services if the same is not available to all ASU students;
• Preferential treatment, benefits, or services based on a student-athlete’s athletics reputation, skill, or pay-back potential as a future professional athlete;
• Payment for work not performed or at unreasonable levels; and
• The purchase of items or services from student-athletes or their relatives at inflated prices.

Student-athletes who receive such benefits jeopardize their eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

Complimentary Ticket Policy for Student-Athletes
Complimentary admissions to team competitions are distributed in accordance with NCAA rules and regulations, which allow each student-athlete a maximum of four (4) complimentary admissions per regular season event in his/her sport. 

NCAA regulations do not allow the distribution of “hard tickets.”  Admission is through a pass list.  It is not permissible for a student-athlete to exchange or sell a complimentary admission for any item of value.  Student-athletes shall provide the names of the individuals who will receive the complimentary admissions to the ticket office.  Additionally, contact information for each individual on a student-athlete’s pass list shall be provided.

All eligible student-athletes on an official sports roster whose events require paid admission receive complimentary admissions to their sport contests based on the following guidelines:

• Home Events
  • Official Roster Student-Athletes – 4
  • Student Managers – 2
• Away Events
  • Travel Roster Student-Athletes – 4
  • Student Managers – 2
  • If extra tickets are needed in addition to the contracted allotment for student-athlete, student manager or coaches’ guests at away events, these tickets will be paid for out of that team’s budget.
• Post Season Events
  • Travel Roster Student-Athletes – 6, based on availability
  • Student Managers – 2, based on availability
  • If extra tickets are needed in addition to the contracted allotment for student-athlete, student manager or coaches’ guests at away events, these tickets will be paid for out of that team’s budget, based on availability.
     

Gambling
While sports gambling is legal under Illinois law, all coaches, staff, and student-athletes are bound by NCAA gambling rules:

• NCAA legislation prohibits SDA student-athletes and staff members from gambling or wagering on any sport (amateur, professional, or otherwise) in which the NCAA conducts a championship or bowl game. The legislation defines wagering as any arrangement in which an individual agrees to give up anything of value (e.g., cash, shirt, meal) in exchange for the possibility of gaining another thing of value.  Thus, the NCAA gambling prohibition would apply to pools or fantasy leagues that require fees to enter and provide entrants opportunities to win prizes or money.  Additionally, SDA student-athletes and staff members are prohibited from:
• Providing any information (e.g., reports concerning team morale, game plans, or injuries to team members) to individuals involved in organized gambling activities (including informal pools) concerning intercollegiate athletics.
• Engaging in any activities designed to illegally influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest (e.g., point-shaving).

**An individual's failure to abide by this legislation can result in serious penalties such as permanent ineligibility for student-athletes and loss of employment for staff members**

NCAA Don't Bet On It
Illinois Gambling Helpline
Illinois Sports Wagering Act

Agents & Maintaining Amateur Status
To ensure continued eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics at Loyola, student-athletes must maintain their amateur status. 

In May 2022, Illinois passed House Bill 1175 which allowed intercollegiate athletes to earn compensation for use of their Name, Image, and Likeness. NCAA Bylaw 22.3.1 permits student-athletes to obtain agent representation for Name, Image, and Likeness activities. All agreements must be consistent with other agreements between the provider and prospective or current clients while also aligning with industry standards.

 In an effort to protect student-athletes’ interests, the NCAA is actively compiling a directory of service providers. For more information on best practices in relation to athlete representation, see here.

+ Adherence with NCAA legislation as it relates to agents and advisors is of utmost importance to Loyola and its Athletic Department. NCAA rules regarding agents prohibit student-athletes from having any agreement, verbal or written, for representation either now or in the future. NCAA rules also prohibit student-athletes, their relatives or friends from receiving any benefits from an agent. It is our expectation that our student-athletes and any agents who seek to contact them will adhere to these rules.

+ The Loyola Office of Compliance asks that agents (1) register with the Office of Compliance prior to having any contact with a student-athlete or their families so that we can ensure that they are properly educated regarding NCAA rules; and (2) copy us on any correspondence with our student-athletes. We are frequently asked to verify that contact which may have taken place between a student-athlete and an agent did not violate NCAA rules, so it is helpful to know what contact has occurred. If you wish to send correspondence for student-athletes to our offices, we will be happy to pass it along to them.

+ We want our student-athletes to have the opportunity to make well-informed and educated decisions about their future; however it is critical that we protect our institution and the eligibility of our student-athletes. We appreciate your cooperation in this regard. Should you have any questions please feel free to Shannon Brett, Associate Director of Athletics, Compliance at sbrett1@luc.edu or 773-508-2894.

NCAA REGULATIONS
12.3.1 - General Rule
• An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she ever has agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.

12.3.1.1 - Representation for Future Negotiations
• An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she enters into a verbal or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after the individual has completed his or her eligibility in that sport.

12.3.1.2 - Benefits from Prospective Agents
• An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she (or his or her relatives or friends) accepts transportation or other benefits from: (Revised: 1/14/97)

A. Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of his or her athletics ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or
B. An agent, even if the agent has indicated that he or she has no interest in representing the student-athlete in the marketing of his or her athletics ability or reputation and does not represent individuals in the student-athlete's sport.

12.3.1.3 - Exception -- Career Counseling and Internship/Job Placement Services
• A student-athlete may use career counseling and internship/job placement services available exclusively to student-athletes, provided the student-athlete is not placed in a position in which the student-athlete uses his or her athletics ability

Thank you for your continued tremendous support of Loyola Chicago Athletics. Loyola's responsibilities related to the NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference regulations extend beyond entities within the Athletics Department. Your adherence to all applicable NCAA rules and regulations is essential as we strive to continue to be the successful.

Please explore this website to learn more about NCAA rules and regulations that effect you as a booster, alumni or fan.

Top Five Things Every Loyola Fan Should Know:

1. You may not have recruiting conversations with prospect or their families. A prospect is any student who has begun classes for the 9th grade (7th grade for men's basketball). This includes in-person contact on or off Loyola's campus, by telephone or in writing (e.g., email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

2. You may not provide benefits to a student-athlete, a prospect or their family/friends, unless such benefits are available to the general public or all Loyola students. Examples include: transportation, cash, gifts, meals, clothing, use of unadvertised discounts, etc.

3. You may not use a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance in a commercial advertisement, business promotion or product endorsement.

4. You may not purchase game tickets, apparel, equipment or awards from current student-athletes.

5. You may not sell any memorabilia using the name or image of a current student-athlete, including items that have been autographed by a current student-athlete.

If you have questions whether you are considered a booster of Loyola Athletics or if you have questions about what you may or may not do as a booster, please feel free to contact the Office of Compliance at 773-508-2894.
 

Who Is A Booster?
A booster is an individual that:
• Promotes Loyola athletics program.
• Makes a financial contribution to Loyola athletics or its booster organizations.
• Assists in the recruitment of prospects for Loyola.
• Provides benefits (e.g., jobs, occasional meals) to enrolled student-athletes.
• Has purchased season tickets for any Loyola athletics program.

Once a booster.....Always a booster. It is important to remember that once an individual has been identified as a booster, he or she retains that status forever.

What is an extra benefit?
Fans and boosters may not provide anything to prospects or currently enrolled student-athletes (or their families) without prior approval from the Office of Compliance. If a student-athlete and/or his or her family accepts any benefits of special consideration (e.g., transportation, clothing, money, meals, etc.) based on his or her athletic skill, the student-athlete will lose his or her eligibility and Loyola will be subject to NCAA penalties.

Extra benefits can include, but, are not limited to:
• Money, gifts, clothing, tickets for entertainment, haircut, and use of a car.
• Free or reduced-cost room or board anywhere.
• Free or reduced-cost merchandise or services.
• Use of Athletics Department copy/fax machines, long distance telephone services or free use of a cell phone.
• Typing or editing reports, papers, letters, etc. for a student-athlete.
• A loan of money or the consigning of a note to arrange a loan.
• The sale or trade of complimentary admissions for merchandise, services or debt repayment.
• The sale or trade of ANY items a student-athlete has received for his or her participation in athletics (e.g., gear, clothing, awards).

This list is not exhaustive. Please refrain from offering prospects and/or current student-athletes and their families and friends anything that is not available to all students or the general public.

Who is a prospect?
A prospect is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In men's basketball, a student who has started classes for the seventh grade is considered a prospect.

How long does an individual remain a prospect?
An individual remains a prospect until one of the following occurs (whichever takes place earliest):
• The individual registers and enrolls in a minimum full-time program of studies and attends classes in any term of four-year institution's regular academic year (excluding summer); or
• The individual participates in a regular squad practice or competition at a four-year institution that occurs before the beginning of any term;
• The individual officially registers and enrolls and attends classes during the summer prior to initial enrollment and receives athletics financial aid.

When does a prospect become a recruited prospect for Loyola?
A prospect becomes a recruited prospect for Loyola when any of the following occurs:
• Loyola provides the prospect with an official visit;
• A Loyola staff member or booster has an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with a prospect or the prospects parent(s), relative(s) or legal guardian(s);
• A Loyola staff member or booster initiates or arranges a telephone contact with a prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or

• Loyola issues a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or an institutional written offer of athletically-related financial aid to the prospect. Issuing a written offer of athletically-related financial aid to a prospect to attend a summer session prior to full-time enrollment does not cause the prospect to become recruited.
 

BOOSTERS & PROSPECTS

Who Is A Prospect?
A prospect is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. In men's basketball, a student who has started classes for the seventh grade is considered a prospect.

What Role Can Boosters Play in Recruiting Prospects?
• Fans and boosters are prohibited from any involvement in recruiting activities. Loyola coaches and athletics department staff members are the only individuals permitted to be involved in the recruiting process. Thus, a booster cannot make in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, and they cannot write or telephone prospects, their relatives, or legal guardians. Boosters may only speak with prospects (or their families) if it is unavoidable, incidental contact and the discussion does not include anything related to Loyola athletics.

• If a recruit contacts a booster, the booster may speak to the prospect, however, the booster must refer all questions about Loyola Athletics to the Athletics Department staff. In addition, boosters may not contact prospects' coaches, principals or counselors in an attempt to evaluate prospects, and they cannot visit prospects' schools to pick up transcripts or films pertaining to evaluation of the prospects' academic or athletic ability.

• It is impermissible for boosters to contact prospects via social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter. For more information concerning rules regarding social media, click on social media on the left side of this page.

• A prospect remains a prospect even after he or she signs a National Letter of Intent (NLI) or financial aid agreement to attend Loyola. The prospect does not lose his or her prospect status until the start of classes at Loyola or the beginning of official team practice prior to the start of classes (whichever occurs earliest), at which time they become an enrolled student-athlete.

BOOSTERS & CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETES
As a booster, below are examples of what you may and may not do when dealing with enrolled student-athletes:

You May:
• Employ a student-athlete in the same manner as the general public. Compensation must be commensurate with the going rate for similar services and only for work actually performed.
• Provide a student-athlete an occasional meal in your home or on Loyola's campus. Occasional meals must be pre-approved by the Office of Compliance.

You May Not:
• Provide gifts, free or reduced cost services including meals, drinks, clothing, laundry, haircuts, legal fees, or other benefits to student-athletes and their relatives or friends.
• Provide tickets to any athletic, institutional, or community event for a student-athlete or their relatives or friends.
• Provide cash, entertainment, use of your home, or other items of value.
• Provide the use of an automobile.
• Provide rent free or reduced cost housing for any length of time.
• Provide student-athletes with special discounts, payment arrangements (e.g., co-sign a loan), credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket, clothing), or services (e.g., dry cleaning, transportation).
• Use student-athletes for the purpose of advertising, endorsing, or promoting commercial products or services.
 

SOCIAL MEDIA
Only coaches and Athletics Department staff members may be involved in the recruitment of prospects. All boosters are prohibited from contacting prospects or members of a prospect's family by any means for the purpose of encouraging a prospect's participation in Loyola's athletics program.

This prohibition extends to social media websites, such as Facebook or Twitter.

Below are a few questions to help you understand the rules and regulations regarding boosters contact with prospects via social media websites.

Q: May I post messages on a prospect's Facebook page or similar site and try to convince him or her to attend Loyola?
A: No, you may not. An athletics representative may not email or post messages on the webpage or website of any prospect.

Q: May I create an online group dedicated to convincing or encouraging a prospect to attend Loyola, even if the group members do not directly contact the prospect?
A: No, this is considered a recruiting activity and would not be permissible.

Q: What if I do not urge a prospect to come to Loyola, may I contact them just to tell them about all the great things Loyola has to offer?
A: No, once again this is another form of recruiting.

MISCELLANEOUS
Agent Registration 
Alumni Practice Assumption Of Risk
Declaration Of Pre-Existing Relationship
Donation Request Form
Promotional & Charitable Activity 
Release From Liability

PERSONNEL
Non-Coaching Staff Agreement
Student Manager Agreement