Athletics Veritas is a weekly series aimed at helping higher education executives, faculty, and other stakeholders stay tuned in on trending national issues impacting college athletics, especially NCAA Division I. Athletics Veritas is created by senior DI athletic administrators around the nation.
Term-in-Ology: Strike Up the Band of Prospects for March Madness
With March Madness upon us, could an NCAA school hire out a marching band comprised of prospect-aged individuals to play at a post-season men’s or women’s NCAA basketball tournament game?
Drum roll please… the answer is ‘yes.’
Under Bylaw 13, an NCAA Division I institution may hire a band (e.g., marching band, pep band) comprised of prospective student-athlete-aged individuals to perform at its regular-season home contests and/or postseason home or away-from-home contests, provided the band is paid commensurate with the going rate in that locale for similar services and the organization providing the band is located within 150 miles of the competition site.
Although this recruiting exception is believed to be sporadically used and certainly niche, an NCAA school might find it easier to book a high school pep band available near the competition sight when the university’s primary pep band is double-booked (or on spring break.)
Athletics Veritas is presented for information purposes only and should not be considered advice or counsel on NCAA compliance matters. For guidance on NCAA rules and processes, always consult your university’s athletics compliance office, conference office, and/or the NCAA.
