University of West Florida

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of West Florida provides student-athletes the opportunity to pursue academic and athletic goals in a quality educational setting. The University participates within the scope of the NCAA Division II philosophy; promoting sportsmanship, ethical conduct, student-athlete welfare and amateurism. The Athletic Department adheres to the guidelines of Title IX, the NCAA, the Gulf South Conference and the University of West Florida.

THE ARGONAUT CODE OF CONDUCT

PERSONAL PLEDGE

As Argonaut student-athletes, we pledge to:
- Pursue excellence in the classroom and in competition;
- Hold ourselves to the highest standards of sportsmanship;
- Demonstrate strong character and accountability of our conduct;
- Take pride in our University;
- Honor and uphold the traditions of what it means to be an Argonaut;
- Appreciate the privilege of wearing Blue and Green;
- Embrace the unique perspectives we each bring to the University;
- Support our fellow student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence;
- Represent the University with character and pride in the community and to our faculty, staff, fellow students, alumni, boosters, and fans;
- Lead with integrity in all of our actions.

Prospective Student-Athlete
You become a "prospective student-athlete" when:
You start ninth-grade classes; or
Before your ninth-grade year, a college gives you, your relatives, or your friends any financial aid or other benefits that the college does not provide to students generally.

Contact
A contact occurs any time a coach has any face-to-face contact with you or your parents off the college's campus and says more than hello. A contact also occurs if a coach has any contact with you or your parents at your high school or any location where you are competing or practicing.

Contact Period
During this time, a college coach may have in-person contact with you and/or your parents on or off the college's campus. The coach may also watch you play or visit your high school. You and your parents may visit a college campus and the coach may write and telephone you during this period.

Dead Period
The college coach may not have any in-person contact with you or your parents at any time in the dead period. The coach may write and telephone you or your parents during this time.

Evaluation
An evaluation is an activity by a coach to evaluate your academic or athletics ability. This would include visiting your high school or watching you practice or compete.

NCAA Contact Prohibition:

A prospective student-athlete who has signed to accept athletically-related financial aid and individuals associated with the signed prospect (e.g., family members, scholastic coaches, non-scholastic coaches, advisors) are not permitted to contact other institutions, be contacted by other institutions, or sign an aid agreement with other institutions. Contact prohibition shall only be removed due to permissible triggers (e.g. cancelation of aid, academic ineligibility).

Official Visit

PSA’s are permitted to take one official visit at an institution. The institution may pay the following expenses:
Your transportation to and from the college, lodging, meals, and reasonable entertainment expenses- including complimentary admissions to home athletic contests. Before a college may invite you on an official visit, you must provide the college with a current transcript and be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center.  

Rules Governing Agents & Amateurism

A student-athlete who loses his or her amateur status shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if:

• The student-athlete or family member negotiates, signs or enters into any written or oral agreement with an agent.

• The student-athlete or family member accepts or receives any extra benefits from an agent or anyone who wishes to represent the student-athlete.

• The student-athlete competes with a professional sports team or competes as a professional in an individual sport and receives any compensation for participation.

• The student-athlete uses his or her skills for pay or promise of pay.

Unofficial Visit

PSA’s are permitted to take an unlimited number of unofficial visits.Unofficial visits are at the PSA or parents own expense. The only expense you may receive on an unofficial visit is complimentary admission to a home athletic contest and one meal.

Verbal Commitment
This phrase is used to describe a college-bound student-athlete's commitment to a school before he or she signs (or is able to sign) a National Letter of Intent. A college-bound student-athlete can announce a verbal commitment at any time. While verbal commitments have become very popular for both college-bound student-athletes and coaches, this "commitment" is NOT binding on either the college-bound student-athlete or the school. Only the signing of the National Letter of Intent accompanied by a financial aid agreement is binding on both parties.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association