Huntington University Guidelines for NAIA Compliance


The Huntington University Director of Athletics issued an undated letter and four additional pages late November 2007 concerning Huntington University's interpretation of the NAIA guidelines on financial aid to student-athletes.  The letter and additional pages can be accessed with the following links:

 1. Letter from Gary Turner (Director of Athletics in 2007) to HU Fans

 2. Huntington University Athletic Booster Information and Guidelines - Introduction

 3. Answers to Common Questions about Financial and In-Kind Support of Athletes - Page 1

 4. Answers to Common Questions about Financial and In-Kind Support of Athletes - Page 2

 5. Huntington University Athletic Booster Information and Guidelines - Conclusion

A strict interpretation of Section XI, Paragraph E, of the NAIA Council of Presidents Policies (see the Information and Guidelines - Introduction page) means that no individual may provide any gifts to a student-athlete's family or relatives (better check genealogy sites to stay out of trouble).  A student-athlete may receive nothing from anyone except from those upon whom he or she is legally dependent.

As written, no family members or relatives of any student-athlete may receive birthday and Christmas gifts from anyone but family members.  Student-athletes themselves are allowed to receive birthday and Christmas gifts, but only from their parents or legal guardians.  This means that dating of student-athletes will require the student-athlete to pay for his or her own meals and entertainment.  Further, this would prohibit female student-athletes from receiving engagement rings.

While these are intentionally absurd statements, they are consistent with the rules and that's the problem.  Under the self-enforcement approach to compliance, each NAIA school can make arbitrary interpretations within this framework to meet whatever goals it may have.  Instead, the NAIA should provide meaningful statements of rules and guidelines that can be uniformly applied by its members.

It's bad enough to discriminate against student-athletes, but the current approach also leads to highly inconsistent interpretations which do not produce an even-handed approach among schools.  Will the NAIA address the inconsistent application of its own guidelines?  Likely not.  As demonstrated by its handling of the NAIA D2 Tournament, equality is not a great concern.


Paul Harrington, Fort Wayne, IN
Last Page Update 12/02