COMPLIANCE

University at Buffalo 2007-08 Student-Athlete Handbook

INTRODUCTION
The University at Buffalo Student-Athlete handbook was developed for the exclusive use of the UB Division of Athletics. All Student-Athletes are expected to become familiar with the information provided. The handbook will be available in online format only, not in hardcopy, for the 2006-2007 year. Be sure to read each policy carefully, as ultimately, adherence to Division of Athletics and University policies is your responsibility.

Good luck and congratulations on being a UB Bull!!!

THE MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE (MAC)
The University at Buffalo joined the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 1998 in all sports, except football, and became a playing member for football in 1999. The MAC consists of twelve schools and is broken down into two divisions—East and West—for competition in six mandated sports. The East consists of Akron, Buffalo, Kent, Miami of Ohio and Ohio. The West includes Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan. UB competes for division and MAC championships in football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. UB also competes for MAC championships in soccer, cross country, wrestling, tennis, track and field and swimming and diving.

The MAC is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious conferences having been founded in 1946. The conference is located in Cleveland, Ohio and participates in the Motor City Bowl each season, with the winner of the MAC football title representing the conference. The MAC has been in the forefront of the national legislation that has enhanced the academic integrity of intercollegiate athletics. The MAC strengthened academic standards, established an academic progress rule and set increased grade point average requirements long before the National Collegiate Athletic Assocation (NCAA) adopted or discussed implementing such academic standards.

The MAC was the first and is still the only Division I conference to have its own Hall of Fame. Over its 56 years, the MAC has produced a long list of great athletes and administrators from all corners of the sports world. A list that includes Olympic gold medal winners, Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Professional Golfers’ Association standouts and national caliber game officials, as well as coaches and players from various Hall of Fame.

For more information about the MAC, go to the conference website at http://mac-sports.ocsn.com.

STUDENT-ATHLETE RULES & REGULATIONS
In order to participate in intercollegiate athletics, each student-athlete is personally responsible for maintaining his or her own athletic and academic eligibility. Your coaches, the entire Division of Athletics’ staff, the Faculty Athletic Representative and the President of the University work together to ensure adherence to all NCAA and Mid-American Conference rules and regulations.

The NCAA and the Conference rules may seem complicated, however, they are in place to ensure all teams play according to the same rules, with no team having an unfair competitive advantage. Great effort is made by the university administration to see that you and all staff members are familiar with these rules and that you also understand that any deviation from them, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is not condoned by the Division of Athletics or by the university.

NCAA bylaws require that, prior to participating in intercollegiate athletics each academic year, a student-athlete must sign the Student-Athlete Statement, which provides information relating to eligibility, and must also sign a Drug Testing Consent Form. These forms are administered each year by the Division of Athletics and kept on file.