University of Central Arkansas Athletics Compliance

Welcome! University of Central Arkansas is committed to conducting its overall intercollegiate sports program according to the official rules and regulations of the NCAA and the ASUN Conference. These rules and regulations impact the operations of the intercollegiate athletics program in three main areas: the playing of the athletic contests, most matters affecting student-athletes, and the administrative and financial operations of the Department of Athletics.
The Compliance Office coordinates, monitors, and verifies compliance with all NCAA requirements and educates the various constituencies of the University and the community regarding NCAA and ASUN Conference regulations. The compliance office is also dedicated to providing educational programs and interpretive support to all individuals involved with the Athletic Department.
We must monitor our program to assure compliance and to identify and report to the NCAA instances in which compliance has not been achieved. In any such instance, ASUN shall cooperate fully with the Association and shall take appropriate corrective actions.
What is the role of the University of Central Arkansas Compliance Office?
To ensure institutional control and uphold the integrity of the Department, the Compliance Office is charged with the following tasks:

Education
Compliance education programs are conducted for all coaches, administrators, staff, student-athletes, and boosters with the goal of familiarizing these individuals with applicable NCAA, ASUN Conference and institutional rules and reducing the risk of a rule’s violation. This education is provided through individual sport team compliance meetings for all student-athletes, monthly coaches' meetings, regular staff meetings, presentations to alumni and booster groups, articles in institutional and local publications, and mailings to season-ticket holders, booster groups, and various alumni, fans and friends of UCA.
Monitoring
The Compliance Office creates, implements, and oversees systems to monitor recruiting, academic eligibility, financial aid, awards, extra benefits, ethical conduct, amateurism, agents, employment, occasional meals, and playing and practice seasons for all sports. These monitoring systems are intended not only to discover violations that have occurred, but to deter violations from occurring.
Enforcement
While it is a goal of the Compliance Office to reduce the number of rules violations that occur, it is important that when violations occur, appropriate actions are taken. It is the responsibility of the Compliance Office to determine how the violation occurred and how to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future. The Compliance Office then reports the violation to the NCAA or ASUN Conference and self-imposes appropriate penalties.

What is institutional control?
Institutional control requires the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of formal policies and procedures designed to prevent violations. Even though individuals involved in violations are always responsible for their actions, the institution is considered to be in "control" of its program when appropriate policies and procedures are in place, resulting in prompt detection, investigation, and reporting of violations.
The University of Central Arkansas is responsible for the actions of its coaches, administrators, staff, student-athletes, alumni, fans and friends. Even inadvertent violations can result in penalties for our student-athletes and the institution.
Please remember to Always Ask Before You Act!
The above information is a brief overview of compliance. It is not an exhaustive discussion. If you have any questions about any NCAA, ASUN Conference or institutional rules, please contact any member of the Compliance Office staff for assistance.

Click here for Compliance Forms

Click here for the ABC's of Compliance

The University of Central Arkansas is a fully accredited institution located in the growing community of Conway, Arkansas, population 66,000, just 30 minutes from Little Rock. The University is affiliated with NCAA Division I and competes in 18 varsity sports as a member of the ASUN.

College Bound Student Athlete 2023-24

2022-23 NCAA Division I Manual

Eligibility Guide
International Eligibility Guide

2021-22 NCAA Banned Substances

Student-Athlete Handbook

Central Arkansas Athletic Department Manual

Compliance Manual

Distribution Form

NCAA 2-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE
NCAA 4-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE

Guide To NCAA Rules For Boosters And Friends Of The University of Central Arkansas

Agent Registration Form

If you have any questions, please contact us at:

University of Central Arkansas Athletic Department
PO Box 5004
Conway, AR. 72035
501-450-3150

Dr. Brad Teague
Director of Athletics
501-450-3150

Natalie Shock
Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA
501-450-3212

Darrell Walsh
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance
501-450-3255

New Academic Requirements, effective 2016
New Academic Standards for Students (2013)
New Academic Requirements Document (2013)
Initial Eligibility Brochure
Eligibility Center Quick Reference Sheet
Your Path to the Student-Athlete Experience (2012-13)
2013 College-Bound Student-Athlete

Important Terms for Prospective Student-Athletes

Prospective-Student Athlete- Any student who has started classes for the ninth grade.

Official Visit- A visit to a university campus paid in whole or in part by the university. Official Visits can be no longer than 48 hours. A prospective student-athlete is limited to five official visits (no more than one per university). A prospect may only make an official visit to a university campus after the start of his/her senior year of high school.

Men's Basketball Exception- In the case of men's basketball, a prospect may not make an official visit before January 1 of his junior year in high school. Additionally, no official vists are permitted during the summer between the prospect's junior and senior years in high school.

Unofficial Visit- A visit made to a university campus at the prospect's expense. The university may provide transportation to view off-campus practice or competition sites within a 30-mile radius. Unlike official visits, a prospect may make an unofficial visit to a university campus anytime during their high school career and there is no limit on the number of unofficial visits a prospect can make.

National Letter of Intent- The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is an official document usesd by universities to establish a prospective student-athlete's commitment to attend a certain university.

Recruiting Contact- Any face-to-face, off-campus encounter between a prospect, prospect's parents (or legal guardian) or relative and a university staff employee or athletics representative, if the conversation goes beyond a greeting.

Please note that coaches are NOT allowed to return your call until after July 1 (except football and basketball) prior to your senior year in high school. However, you may call the coach at your expense anytime. A coach may not write or e-mail you until September 1 of your junior year in high school, but you may write them at anytime.

Recruiting Evaluation- Any off-campus activity designed to assess a prospect's academic qualifications or athletic ability. Examples of an evaluation include reviewing transcripts on the high school campus or watching practices and/or games.

Eligibility- Click here for a quick reference to eligibility. Click here for an eligibility worksheet.

Helpful Links
The NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete- This website is a great tool for all high school students who wish to participate in collegiate athletics. It will answer your questions regarding academic eligibility standards, financial aid, recruiting guidelines and many other topics. Click here for the guide.
National Letter of Intent- This website will provide information that all prospective student-athletes should know before signing the National Letter of Intent (NLI).
NCAA Clearinghouse- All high school students who wish to participate in collegiate athletics at the Division I level must certify their eligibility through the NCAA Clearinghouse. When you are ready to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, this website will guide you through the process.
UCA Admissions- This page will help a potential student-athlete start the admissison process to the University of Central Arkansas.

General questions regarding your eligibility can be directed to Natalie Shock, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, at (501) 450-3212 or natalies@uca.edu.

We thank you for your interest in UCA Athletics. Go Bears! Go Sugar Bears!

University of Central Arkansas Athletics Compliance

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