Athletic Department Policy Regarding Department Endorsement Activities

Scope

The balance of this policy applies to all University of Nebraska employees, as well as all Husker Athletics staff, coaches, sport programs, and student-athletes.

Policy Statement

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents prohibits University employees from engaging in personal endorsements of commercial goods, services or businesses when such endorsements may be perceived as endorsements by the University (See RP-3.3.9 in Board of Regents Policies).

The Athletic Department extends this prohibition to its staff, coaches, sport programs and student-athletes as follows:  They may neither endorse nor be perceived to be endorsing a commercial good, service or business unless University and UNL policy provide authorization, and the endorsement or conduct perceived to be an endorsement is allowed by both the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA.

The Athletic Department further prohibits its staff, coaches, sports programs, and student-athletes from endorsing specific charitable or non-profit organizations except as authorized below (see Fundraising at University of Nebraska Facilities) or as approved by the Director of Athletics as activities that support the mission and purpose of the department or the University and/or are supported by the Big Ten, NCAA, or national governing bodies such as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

The Athletic Department may support and participate in national awareness activities at home and away athletic contests (such as breast cancer awareness), but may not promote a particular foundation or specific charitable organization (such as the “Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Fund”). Such awareness type activities will be limited to one (1) home event per year per sport.

Except for promotional activities at athletic home contests as outlined above, nothing in this policy shall prohibit staff and student-athletes from participating in NCAA-approved community service and/or Life Skills activities.

Fundraising at Nebraska Athletic Facilities: No fundraising is permitted inside or outside Nebraska Athletic facilities with the following exceptions: (a) the American Red Cross is permitted to solicit financial contributions inside Memorial Stadium during one (1) home football game per football season and inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center during one (1) women’s volleyball match per season in exchange for providing first aid services at all home football and women’s volleyball games (b) other groups closely associated with the mission and purpose of the Department and the University may occasionally be allowed to solicit funds with the approval of the Director of Athletics.

Reason for Policy

This policy is meant to guide University of Nebraska employees and Husker Athletics regarding endorsements and fundraising efforts.

Related Information

• Board of Regents Policies

History

• This policy was reformatted for posting in October 2021. No content edits were made.