[osugrad21]

This is from Goofy in the "Rumor Mill":

Immediate family is defined as parents, siblings, and spouses....the NCAA doesn't do anything to athletes that accept something from other family members with whom they've had a relationship with before they enter college. Aunts or uncles can buy gifts, they just can't get crazy about it. Athletes are told that if there is any question, go ask a coach. NCAA defines it as immediate family only, but there is leniancy...to an extent.

The rule on "friends" is, you have to have a relationship with that person before you ever set foot on a college campus. You cannot participate in recruiting, etc...if you give any money to the university, you cannot give money to an athlete regardless of your relationship with him. If you are considered one of those friends before you ever went to college, you can pretty much give that person whatever you want as long as that person stays away from the university.

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