Student-Athlete Employment

Permission to work must be obtained from the head coach and the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Academics/SWA prior to beginning work.  There are no limits to the amount of money a student-athlete can earn.  However, the student-athlete must be paid a reasonable “going rate” and must complete the “Student-Athlete Employment Information Form” through the student-athlete’s personal account on ACS Athletics. The Compliance Staff will investigate any student-athlete employment arrangements that are detected to have the potential of exposing the University to risk (e.g., employment arranged by boosters) to ensure compliance with NCAA legislation.

The following NCAA Bylaws govern compensation received through employment, including private lessons.

12.4.1 Criteria Governing Compensation to Student-Athletes.
Compensation may be paid to a student-athlete:
  a. Only for work actually performed; and
  b. At a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

12.4.1.1 Athletics Reputation.
Such compensation may not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability.

12.4.2.1 Fee-for-Lesson Instruction.
A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills  or techniques in his or her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided: 
  a. Institutional facilities are not used;
  b. Playing lessons shall not be permitted;
  c. The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lesson(s) and the fee for the lesson(s) provided during any time of the year; and 
  d. The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient's family) and not another individual or entity.
  e. Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time. 
  f. The student-athlete does not use his or her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions. 

Employment rules and regulations are the same for both the regular academic year and the summer semester.  Essentially, a student-athlete may be employed as long as they notify the Compliance Office.  A student-athlete cannot be hired based on their athletic abilities or reputation in any way. 

When giving private lessons, a student-athlete must make sure the lessons are documented.  A record of when and where the lessons take place and with whom should be maintained by the student-athlete.  Lessons may not be given at UL Lafayette facilities.  Student-athletes must ensure that payments received from lessons are paid by the recipient’s family.  A student-athlete cannot use his/her name or picture to promote private lessons.

Student-Athlete Employment Policy for Camps/Clinics

Returning student-athletes are permitted to work at camps/clinics, regardless of whether they are institutional or operated by an outside organization, provided the following requirements are met:

• They perform duties that are of general supervisory character, in addition to coaching or officiating assignments;
• Their pay is commensurate with the going rate for camp/clinic counselors of like teaching ability and camp or clinic experience and may not be paid on the basis of the value that they may have for the employer because of the athletics reputation or fame they have achieved or on their level of athletics skill; and
• Their responsibilities at the camp/clinic are more than lecturing or demonstrating.