Hey guys....
One of our members, mpabis525, has done a bunch of homework lately, contacting various major colleges' compliance departments and asking about their autograph policy. Below are the responses he has received. The info is useful and interesting, but as you can see, some of the colleges that say they do not allow autographs obviously have in the past, so take it for what it's worth.
Big thanks to mpabis525 for doing this work. I may try to add this to the site in a more permanent fashion sometime in the near future.
(Sorry you have to scroll so far down to get to the list...don't know why....it's there, I promise!)
9/14 update: Added Baylor, Kansas
One of our members, mpabis525, has done a bunch of homework lately, contacting various major colleges' compliance departments and asking about their autograph policy. Below are the responses he has received. The info is useful and interesting, but as you can see, some of the colleges that say they do not allow autographs obviously have in the past, so take it for what it's worth.
Big thanks to mpabis525 for doing this work. I may try to add this to the site in a more permanent fashion sometime in the near future.
(Sorry you have to scroll so far down to get to the list...don't know why....it's there, I promise!)
9/14 update: Added Baylor, Kansas
| School | Autographs OK | No Autographs | Statement |
| Baylor | y | I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. I actually just started working at Baylor so it has taken some time to get this information. The link to our autograph form is http://www.fansonly.com/photos/schools/bay/genrel/auto_pdf/donation-auto-req-form.pdf and if you complete this form you can fax it to the Baylor Marketing office at 254-710-1369. They will then either approve or deny the request and will let you know. Thanks, Anna | |
| Boston College | y | Mr. Pabis, I would encourage you to write our student athletes care of their department office. It is up to the athlete and each department to manage requests. As long as the signature is not being resold I wouldn't foresee an issue submitting the request as a fan. Hope that helps. Best wishes, Jamie | |
| Clemson University | y | Mike, Clemson Athletics does not have a policy against our student-athletes providing autographs to our fans. We do require fans to send the items along with the return postage. It is our hope that our fans are not using our student-athletes names to profit by selling the autographed items on Ebay and other web sites. To prevent that from happening we require student-athletes to personalize all autograph requests. As the compliance director I appreciate your question. Have a great day and Go Tigers!! Stephanie A. Ellison Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance Services CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Jervey Athletic Center PO Box 31 Clemson, South Carolina 29633 Phone: 864-656-7163 Fax: 864-656-1243 | |
| Colorado State University | y | Mr. Pabis, We really do appreciate your interest in CSU Athletics. However it is our strict policy to not act as a go-between for student-athletes and fans seeking autographs. If you were in town and came in to the athletic department with a football you wanted signed, we would not help you get in touch with the student-athlete either. Student-athletes are permitted to give their autographs to fans, but you have to catch them in-person on your own time, without the help of the athletic department. While I appreciate your situation of being a fan in a different state (I am not from Colorado), there isnt much I can do to help you. In the past, fans have sold autographs on E-Bay and auctioned items off for profit on their own, which are both against NCAA regulations. Therefore, CSU enacted a strict policy regarding autographs. I understand these autographs are just for you, but if we made an exception for you then we would have to make an exception for everybody. If you have any other questions, please fell free to contact me. Thanks, Matt Brewer | |
| Duke University | y | Hi Mike, Thanks for the email. We dont have a departmental policy with autographs but some teams have their own policy. Football does not so its fine if you want to send any of the players a letter (as long as there are no gifts included with the letter J ) Jamie Pootrakul, J.D Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Duke University Athletics Cameron Indoor Stadium Box 90555 Durham, NC 27708-0555 919.681.5870 | |
| East Carolina University | y | Mike, My name is Tim Metcalf, and I am the Director of Compliance at ECU.and Im also a forty-year autograph collector. It is the policy of ECU athletics not to respond to autograph collectors request for athletes autographs, as we can never be sure that the signatures will not show up on eBay or some other memorabilia sight. This is especially true for our current/undergraduate players. Thanks! Tim | |
| Florida State University | y | Mr. Pabis, There is not a NCAA rule or FSU policy that would prohibit our athletes from signing autographs. We ask our athletes to personalize the autograph to prevent the items or name bring sold for profit. The selling of an autograph could affect the athletes eligibility and opportunity to compete. Thank you for writing and your understanding. Bob Minnix | |
| Louisiana State University | y | Mr. Pabis, Thank you for your note and for your support of LSU athletics. Due to the high volume of requests and the potential of NCAA rules violations, we are unable to accommodate requests for student-athlete autographs. You may, however, request memorabilia autographed by any of our head coaches at the following Website: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=681984 I hope this information is helpful. We appreciate your interest and support of LSU athletics and please let us know if you have additional questions. Bo Kerin Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Louisiana State University (225) 578-0990 (Office) (225) 938-9392 (Cell) (225) 578-2430 (Fax) | |
| Marshall University | y | Mike, Thank you for the email. Marshall University does not have an autograph policy. If you wish to write to a player, then you may do so. But like any other similar situation, a response is not guaranteed. I would recommend also sending a preaddressed and paid envelope for the athlete to send their response. Thanks for your support. GO HERD! Derek Gwinn Associate Athletic Director for Compliance Marshall University Shewey Building Huntington, WV 25715 Office: 304.696.5255 Fax: 304.696.3463 | |
| Michigan State University | y | Unfortunately we have a policy prohibiting our student-athletes from signing items. | |
| North Carolina State University | y | You are welcome to seek autographs from our players after practice or games. Jon M. Fagg Associate Athletics Director NC State Athletics 919-515-2902 www.gopack.com/compliance | |
| Oklahoma State University | y | Mike, I apologize for my delay in responding to your email. With school starting this week things have been a little hectic around the office. To answer your question, the department does not have an autograph policy. Each individual program implements their own policy. You would need to contact the football office to determine the availability of player autographs during the season. I would encourage your to email Sandra Swank at sandra.swank@okstate.edu or Joyce Robbins at joyce.robbins@okstate.edu. Thanks for your support. Go Pokes. Scott Williams Associate Athletic Director of Compliance Oklahoma State University Athletics 230C Athletics Center Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: (405) 744-2525 Fax: (405) 744-4535 Email: james.s.williams@okstate.edu | |
| Penn State University | y | Yes, they do allow autographs. | |
| Rutgers, State Univ of New Jersey, New Brunswick | y | Dear Mike, Thanks for your email. I appreciate you asking the question. We do, indeed, have an autograph policy which can be found on www.scarletknights.com under our Marketing Office's section (I believe that can be found under the Inside RU Athletics menu on the left). As far as the policy, what you have heard is true. We do not allow individual player autographs - except at fan-fest-type activities. For football, aside from the one we have in the fall, I believe there is usually one in the spring. As you might imagine, there are numerous compliance and other concerns we have in relation to fans seeking autographs from our student-athletes which is part of the reason we put the policy in place. Please reference the policy for additional information. Thanks for being a fan of RU!! We appreciate your support! Go RU!! Kate Hickey | |
| University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa | y | Mr. Pabis, We do not officially make our student-athletes available for autograph requests through the mail simply because of the very large number of requests that we receive. However, if you wish to write fan letters to our student-athletes, please feel free to do so and send them c/o the football office. It is possible that they would sign something for you, but I can make no guarantees. Jonathan C. Bowling Compliance Coordinator University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Box 870323 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 P: (205) 348-3615 F: (205) 348-4659 | |
| University of Arkansas, Fayetteville | y | To answer your question regarding autographs, the University of Arkansas does have any Autograph Policy. Below, Ive pasted a copy of the policy. This Autograph policy can also be found on www.hogwired.com. If you go the hogwire home page on the left side of the page it will say Athletic Dept. move your curser over that title, when the box opens look for Donation Request, all the information regarding autographs can be found in that link. Thank you, | |
| University of California, Los Angeles | y | There us no UCLA policy that I know that prohibits our football players from signing autographs, as long as the autographs are not used in any promotional way (which could create an NCAA rules issue and jeopardize the player's eligibility) Rich Herczog Director of Compliance | |
| University of Colorado, Boulder | y | Mike, Jeff forwarded your e-mail to me; we dont really have an autograph policy, players and coaches can sign whatever they wish. I think what is out there is an NCAA interpretation as it relates to players in a photograph; by rule, we cant send out an autographed picture of an individual player; there have to be two in the photo and both have to sign it. Its complicated and rather unclear; the player has to approve a solo photo of his being used for that purpose, and I cant imagine any would object to it. Hope that helps! Dave Plati Sports Information | |
| University of Connecticut | y | Mike- Thank you for asking your question and not just trying to circumvent the system to obtain an autograph. We dont have a specific policy to preclude any student-athlete from signing an autograph, but we do advise them of the risks involved. Since you promised not to sell, trade or give away any autograph received, I will forward this note to our football staff to see if they can accommodate your request. Thanks again for writing, -Bill Bill Shults Associate Director of Athletics 2095 Hillside Road U-1173 Storrs, CT 06269-1173 Phone (860) 486-1211 Fax (860) 486-2245 | |
| University of Georgia | y | Mike: UGAAA does have a policy that precludes student-athletes from autographing items that are mailed in. I have no doubt your intentions are good but our policy precludes this. Thank you for your understanding. Eric | |
| University of Illinois, Champaign | y | http://fightingillini.cstv.com/genrel/autographs.html Mr. Pabis - The link above will take you to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics autograph policy as it appears on our website. We do not facilitate requests for autographs from our student-athletes. The only way to get autographs from our student-athletes is to see them in-person. I realize that is not a convenient solution for you. I'm sorry the answer is not more favorable. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions or concerns. Thank you. Chris Peacock Assistant Athletic Director - Compliance University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (ph) 217.333.5731 (fax) 217.244.9759 (e-mail) peacock@uiuc.edu | |
| University of Kansas | y | Mr. Pabis, Thank you for your interest in and support of our Kansas Jayhawks. We feel fortunate to have some of the very best collegiate sports fans in the country supporting our athletics teams. It is individuals like you that have made Kansas the special place that it is. I am sharing your request with Matt Baty, Marketing Coordinator for Kansas Athletics. Matt handles these types of requests for our department and will be able to provide you with further information. I will reiterate to you that NCAA rules prohibit the use of a student-athletes name (autograph), picture, image or appearance in the sale of or promotion of an item or commercial agency. This includes auctions and bidding sales through ebay or other website providers. Thank you again for your support of Kansas Athletics. We appreciate your cooperation in abiding by NCAA rules and regulations. Take care, Theresa | |
| University of Memphis | y | Mike, Unfortunately the information you have is correct as it relates to our policies. As you may know the NCAA prohibits a players name or picture from being sold, as a matter of fact it can jeopardize his eligibility. I am certain that you would not put us in that position however there are certainly those out there that may not be as honorable. For that reason we have put a policy in place that restricts autographs provided by our current players. Once a players eligibility is complete we dont have the same issue. I wish I had better news for you but we have to protect the players eligibility. Sincerely, Lynn Parkes Associate AD | |
| University of Michigan | y | Mike, I hope you can understand that we ask out student-athletes to be students first and then athletes. As you know, this is very time consuming for them and in turn we are obligated to protect the free time they do have by limiting requests such as yours. From this perspective, you would not believe how many requests of this nature our football and basketball programs receive. If student-athletes fulfilled all requests, it would almost be a full-time job for them. So, you can send your request by mail to the football building if you desire, but I would not be optimistic for any action in response. It is not that we do not care, it is just that it is not always practical. Thanks so much for your support and understanding. Michigan's national fanbase is a the envy of many institutions and we are thankful for each and every person like you. Best wishes, Matt Stolberg | |
| University of Nebraska, Lincoln | y | Mike, It is permissible for you to write student-athletes to ask for an autograph; however, we have no control over whether or not you will receive a response to your letter(s). Another option is for you to purchase an autographed item at Huskers Authentic (http://www.huskers.com/sellnew/SellHome.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=100). The store has several autograph/memorabilia items that are not shown online so you should call Gregg at (402) 472-3633 for additional information. Thank you for your concern regarding NCAA compliance. Sincerely, Patty Patricia Ferree Compliance Assistant University of Nebraska One Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE 68588-0219 (402) 472-4617 (402) 472-4609 fax ppeterson@huskers.com huskers.com | |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | y | Dear Mike: I wish we could accommodate your request, but due to several factors, including NCAA legislation and compliance issues, the increased unauthorized use and sale of autographed items, and the volume of requests, we have instituted some policies for obtaining autographs. We've modeled our policies after those of a number of other peer schools across the country. I've attached a copy of our new autograph policy. Should you be interested in obtaining one of the autographed items, click on TarHeelBlue.com for details. Thanks for being a great fan, especially all the way out there in Arizona. Steve Kirschner Associate Director of Athletics for Communications University of North Carolina (office) 919-962-7258 (home) 919-968-1531 (mobile) 919-475-2695 (fax) 919-962-0612 stevekirschner@unc.edu TarHeelBlue.com University of North Carolina Autograph Request Policy, 2007-08 University of North Carolina student-athletes and coaches are pleased to sign autographs for Carolina fans of all ages. However, due to several factors, including NCAA legislation and compliance issues, the increased unauthorized use and sale of autographed items, and the volume of requests, the athletic department has followed suit of many other universities across the country and instituted guidelines for obtaining autographs. Coaches and student-athletes will continue to sign autographs at games, team events, Meet the Tar Heels events, Fan Appreciation Days, etc. Items signed on these occasions should be personalized (signed specifically to the name of the person requesting the autograph or the name of the person for whom the requestor is getting the autograph). Several teams have an additional limited number of autographed items available for personal use or for a charitable organization. They may be obtained by filling out the following form (link). Please note that these are the only items available through these respective teams. The funds raised through autographs from the mens and womens basketball and football teams, including those items signed by coaches Roy Williams, Sylvia Hatchell and Butch Davis, will be donated after expenses to local charities chosen by the respective teams. Past recipients of the funds include the North Carolina Childrens Hospital, the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, the Ronald McDonald House, the Inter-Faith Community Center and the UNC General Scholarship Fund. UNCs baseball and womens soccer teams also have a limited number of autographed balls available. The funds raised supplement the baseball and womens soccer teams operating budgets. These items are limited in number and available on a first-come, first-served basis. One autograph request per sport per year is permitted; receipt of an item for a charitable purpose in no way guarantees subsequent donations by UNC Athletics. All requests for personal use and for charitable organizations will be screened by the Department of Athletics Compliance staff. Requests not permitted by NCAA legislation will be returned. Autographed items cannot be sold or used for fundraising efforts that directly or indirectly benefit high school (grades 9-12), prep school or 2-year college prospective student-athletes. Autographed items cannot be provided to a high school, high school coach or staff member. Autographed items cannot be provided to a high school student-athlete or the parents/relatives of a high school student-athlete. Autographed items cannot be provided to a high school booster club. UNC Athletics will not fulfill requests for autographs of individual student-athletes for personal or charitable use. Because of NCAA compliance issues, we ask that fans please do not send items to UNC Athletics to be autographed by either coaches or student-athletes. Items to be autographed may no longer be accepted by the respective coaches offices, the Rams Club, ticket office, etc. UNC Athletics reserves the right to request the return of any item that may appear for sale or is being used in any way that may be considered an NCAA violation. INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING AUTOGRAPH REQUESTS If you wish to obtain an autographed item, you may do so by using the order form that is available at www.TarHeelBlue.com. A complete list of items and the specific charitable amounts for which these items are available are included on the form. These items include: Baseball Baseball autographed by the coaches and student-athletes Mens Basketball team photo with pre-printed signatures Roy Williams autographed photo Roy Williams autographed basketball (charitable organizations only) Basketball autographed by the coaches and student-athletes (this item available beginning October 1, 2007) Womens Basketball team photo with pre-printed signatures Sylvia Hatchell autographed photo Basketball autographed by the coaches and student-athletes Football football with pre-printed signatures Butch Davis autographed photo Butch Davis autographed football Butch Davis autographed mini helmet Butch Davis autographed helmet Womens Soccer Soccer ball autographed by the coaches and student-athletes | |
| University of Notre Dame | y | Dear Mr. Pabis Unfortunately, we do not facilitate autographs by our student-athletes, due to the time demands it would place on the student-athletes as well as our athletics staff members (i.e., to ensure that we are acting in accordance with NCAA rules and regulations). Please feel free to contact me with additional questions and concerns regarding our policy. Thank you for your support of the University of Notre Dame and our athletics program. - Lisa Deibler | |
| University of Oklahoma | y | Dear Mike, Unfortunately, due to NCAA rules, student-athletes arent allowed to sign autographs for individuals other than during an institutions promotional activities (thus why theyre allowed to sign during OUs fan day) or for a non-profit, charitable or educational organization. I believe fully that you are only going to use the autographs for personal use, but again, NCAA rules preclude us from providing such autographs. We appreciate your support, and Im sorry that I had to deliver you bad news. We also appreciate you checking with Compliance first. Thanks, Josh Miller Director of Compliance University of Oklahoma 180 W. Brooks, Rm. 3552 Norman, OK 73019 405-325-0059 millerj@ou.edu | |
| University of Pittsburgh | y | Hi Mike, I checked with our staff person in charge of donations and as it turns out we do have a policy prohibiting the donation of player autographs via mail. If you would like to contact our coaching staff to seek an autograph, please feel free to. All the information you need can be found at www.pittsburghpanthers.com. Thanks, Daniel Bartholomae Director of Compliance University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics 3719 Terrace Street Office 3063 Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Phone: 412-648-8452 Fax: 412-648-8115 | |
| University of Tennessee, Knoxville | y | Mr. Pabis, Thank you for your e-mail. You are more than welcome to write the current players and we are happy to fulfill your autograph request. We request for you to direct all correspondence and autograph requests to the following address: P.O. Box15162, Knoxville, TN 37901-5162. The primary condition is that the all autographs are personalized. If you have any questions concerning this procedure please contact Judy Jackson jjackson@utk.edu. GO VOLS! Kevin Avery | |
| University of Virginia | y | Mr. Pabis, I am copying Football personnel in response to your e-mail. They will use this e-mail from you as their official request for an autograph and to have on hand your guarantee that you want the autograph(s) for your personal pleasure and will not be selling them on Ebay, etc. It's always a pleasure to know that we have UVA fans around the country, and we are always happy to hear from you and to assist you in keeping up with what's going on in Cavalier Country! Thanks again for writing, best of luck with your requests, and please don't hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance. Sharon K. McCauley Compliance Office | |
| West Virginia University | y | Mike- Our Assistant Athletic Director forwarded me your email in regards to athletic autographs. http://www.msnsportsnet.com/content/CharityRequest-prior.doc Please see the above link and complete the necessary paperwork. Your request is not guaranteed to be approved, but there is no autograph policy from our office. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks. |
