November 8th: Supplementing Staff Member’s Salary

The Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Ocean State University (OSU) earned his 500th win heading into the Ocean’s Eleven Conference Championship.  To help honor this incredible achievement, a prominent OSU booster would like to make a financial contribution to be provided as a bonus for this coach.

Is this permissible?

Yes with conditions.

Division I NCAA Bylaw 11.3.2.3 states that an institution may permit an outside individual, group or agency to supplement an athletics department staff member’s salary with a direct cash payment in recognition of a specific and extraordinary achievement (e.g., contribution during career to the athletics department of the institution, winning a conference or national championship, number of games or meets won during career/season), provided such a cash supplement is in recognition of a specific achievement and is in conformance with institutional policy.