What You Need to Know about NCAA Compliance
Mission Statement
Rider University recognizes the importance of and places great emphasis on compliance with the rules governing the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (“MAAC”). In order to establish and maintain a certifiable compliance program, it is necessary to educate and monitor in an effective, comprehensive, organized, and understandable manner all effected persons and programs.
Intercollegiate athletics is an essential part of the institution and the student-athletes are an essential part of the student body. Therefore, there shall be a total commitment by the University, its President, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and all internal and external influences of Rider to both the letter and the spirit of all NCAA, MAAC, and university regulations in regards to compliance and institutional control. At the same time, Rider shall do all things necessary to effectively ensure its commitment to the principles of fair play by educating the whole person and offering guidance and assistance to the whole Rider family. Rider Athletics enhances a student-athlete’s overall college experience by providing a comprehensive compliance awareness and creating an environment that promotes respect, personal growth, and ethical conduct, that enables student-athletes to be productive in their academic, social and spiritual and personal endeavors.
Purpose Statement
Rider University compliance, pursuant to current NCAA and MAAC guidelines, has chosen a proactive role in the critical area of NCAA rules adherence. In that regard, it is essential that the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics educate and monitor coaches, administrators, staff, prospective and enrolled student-athletes, faculty, donors, boosters, and alumni as efficiently and consistently as possible. Institutional control must be maintained in all aspects of Rider Athletics.
Each appropriate individual will be continually educated and are expected to understand and abide by the NCAA and MAAC rules and regulations that govern them. Coaches will have regular meetings and trainings; administrators will be educated so rules and regulations are extensively understood; student-athletes will be constantly monitored and educated to adherence; and prospective student-athletes will be notified of rules and regulations pertaining to recruitment and initial eligibility.
NCAA Principles of Institutional Control
In accordance with the NCAA constitution, Rider University has a responsibility to control its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in compliance with the NCAA rules and regulations. Rider is responsible for the actions of all its staff members and for the actions of any other individual or organization engaged in activities promoting the athletics interests of the institution. The Athletic Director is responsible for the administration of all aspects of the athletics program.
As a member of the NCAA and MAAC, Rider will comply with all applicable NCAA and MAAC rules and regulations. Rider is responsible for monitoring its athletics programs to assure compliance for identifying and reporting all instances in which compliance has not been achieved.
Therefore, the two main functions of the Athletic Compliance Office will be to educate and monitor. The Compliance Office meets regularly with coaches and student-athletes to provide information and materials on the applications of the complexities of the NCAA Bylaws, and at the same time, provide as much information as possible to the Rider Community.
