Texas Tech University Athletics
Staff Expectations
Statement of Expectations for Staff and Coaches
MISSION STATEMENT – To Educate, Serve, and Grow Fearless Champions
GUIDING PRINCIPLES – Each Day our Focus is on our Student-Athletes’ Experience.
Do the Right Thing/Win Every Day/Success is Built on Quality Relationships/Respect the Past & Invent the Future
MANDATORY REPORTING – All Staff and Coaches
- You are required by Texas law to notify the Office of Student Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (formerly known as the Title IX Office) promptly upon receiving information about any possible sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or sexual/domestic violence. (Title IX / Sexual Misconduct Reporting Form or in-person at the Student Union Building, Suite 232-E)
- You are a campus security authority (CSA) and required by federal law to report allegations of Clery Act crimes to the Clery Compliance Officer. (Clery Act crimes include homicide, manslaughter, sexual assault, rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and arrests and referrals for disciplinary action for violations of weapons, drug, and liquor laws). Reports may be made through the online reporting form at Campus Security Authority (Clery) Incident Reporting Form, via email to clerycompliance@ttu.edu, or by phone at 806-834-1884. For imminent danger or active emergency situations, please call 911 or contact TTPD at 806-742-3931.
- Promptly report any issues regarding student well-being, including those involving serious physical or mental health concerns or allegations of bullying, hazing, harassment, racist or sexist behavior within athletics to the Athletic Director or Faculty Athletics Representative.
- Texas Tech University employees that work for or with athletics must disclose to Human Resources involvement in outside activities (i.e., work performed, ownership in) for review of NCAA rules and conflicts of interest.
- Employees will be expected to report any criminal convictions or any arrests that may reasonably impact the ability (or the perception of the ability) of the employee to perform their job responsibilities.
FOUNDATIONAL
- To protect the safety and integrity of our working environment, avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest, and prevent NCAA violations, Texas Tech Athletics Department Staff members are required to maintain strictly professional relationships with student-athletes. Non-professional relationships (e.g., romantic, sexual, financial, contractual, representative, shared living arrangements, and other similar relationships) between staff members and student-athletes must be promptly disclosed to the Assistant Athletics Director for Human Resources and are prohibited absent a written exception to this policy granted by the Athletic Director (Also see Texas Tech OP 10.20)
- Consensual relationships are prohibited between full-time athletics coaches/staff and student-athletes and/or student workers employed by athletics.
- Alcohol is prohibited in the presence of prospective and current student-athletes / student workers.
- Do not drive any vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Behaviors, actions, or language constituting workplace harassment or a hostile work environment will not be tolerated.
- Staff and coaches are expected to consult with the Compliance office regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL).
COMPLIANCE, REGULATORY, & POLICY
- Comply with NCAA rules (letter and spirit), attend rules education sessions, fulfill monitoring requirements, and report known or suspected rules violations to compliance staff or Faculty Athletics Representative.
- Employment of student-athletes by staff or coaches either personally or within unit/sport requires compliance with department policy. (Contact the compliance office for paperwork).
- Staff and coaches are responsible for full compliance with all published NCAA, Big 12 Conference, and Texas Tech University rules and regulations and athletic department benefit policies (e.g., tickets/parking, Adidas game apparel, and Adidas merch card program). If you don’t know the rule/policy, it is your responsibility to learn or ask.
- Athletics Communications is the only unit authorized to release/share athletics information. All athletics department information that you learn as part of your position or job should be considered confidential. Remember, you may “click” (retweet, republish, like, favorite) but not “type” (post, comment, break news).
- Social media platform activity may be viewable by anyone. Staff should remember that while using social media, they not only represent themselves, but their families, their team, and Texas Tech University. They should be mindful of their activity and are responsible for their personal posts. Non-public information shall not be shared on social media.
FISCAL
- Personally exhibit, and actively promote a culture of responsibility regarding all decisions that have a financial or budgetary impact. Ensure all expenses and charges to (or paid by) the University have a bona fide business purpose, and all purchase decisions are made with the best value to the University in mind. Maintain a financial designee within your sport or unit with a focus on advanced planning and open communication with athletics administration on decisions that affect current and future budget years.
- Staff and coaches share the responsibility of honoring our corporate sponsor partnerships, and protecting the investments made by businesses who support athletics. Endorsement, promotion, or advertisement of non-sponsors (i.e. using social media) should be avoided. We should also adhere to contractual obligations for the use and exposure of our partners’ products (i.e. in the official apparel provider and beverage categories).
WORK ENVIRONMENT/TEAM
- Aspire to be the best. Be professional in all social media interactions and consistent with the Texas Tech Athletics social media principles, strategy, and expectations.
- Problem-solve and take ownership of your current job.
- Be approachable, build good relationships, and value teamwork.
- Conduct business by being work-focused, dependable, and productive while completing tasks proficiently (meet deadlines). Notify your supervisor as far in advance as possible when you think you may not meet a deadline.
- Respond to requests for assistance and other inquiries in a timely manner. Timely manner is defined as the same or the next business day.
- Work attire should be professional, well maintained, and appropriate for your job duties and representative of Texas Tech Athletics. If you have specific questions, please visit with your supervisor.
ATTESTATION OF COMPLIANCE
NCAA rules require the Athletics Director to annually certify that all athletics department staff members (full-time, part-time, and volunteer) are aware of their obligation and personal responsibility to act ethically and follow all rules and policies.Please review the following information to confirm you understand your obligations as a Texas Tech Athletics employee. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Compliance Office.
What do the NCAA rules require?
- Staff, student-athletes, and other individuals or groups supporting Texas Tech Athletics must adhere to NCAA rules.
- Texas Tech Athletics must develop policies/procedures to ensure rules are followed and identify when rules are not followed.
- Employees must report any rules violations and cooperate fully in any investigation or in the NCAA Enforcement process.
- Texas Tech Athletics must report any identified rules violations to the NCAA.
- Texas Tech Athletics must take action to correct instances when rules are not followed.
What is my responsibility as a Texas Tech Athletics staff member to ensure rules compliance?
- Act ethically.
- Seek guidance on rules, policies, or applicable regulations – Ask before you act!
- Participate and actively engage in education and training programs as requested by Texas Tech University or Texas Tech University Athletics.
- Comply with policies and rules of Texas Tech University, Texas Tech Athletics, NCAA, and the Big 12, as well as applicable state and federal laws.
- If you have knowledge or have reason to believe a violation of policies or rules of the university, Big 12 or NCAA or of state or federal laws may have occurred, you must promptly report the information.
- Fully cooperate with any investigation or NCAA enforcement process.
EXPECTATIONS SPECIFIC TO COACHES MANDATORY REPORTING
- You are responsible for reporting, to your sport administrator, any misconduct that involves a student-athlete, per the Texas Tech Student-Athlete Discipline policy.
- The head coach is responsible for recruiting student-athletes who enroll at Texas Tech University and is required to conduct a thorough background review through the exercise of reasonable due diligence to identify PSA misconduct issues per the Texas Tech PSA Serious Misconduct policy.
STUDENT ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
Texas Tech Athletics strives to create and maintain an environment committed to: (1) Elevating the SA’s academic and athletic experience; (2) Supporting the SA’s physical and mental health; and (3) Strengthening relationships with our SA’as.ACADEMICS - Promote an environment of academic progress and success through effective communication with the Marsha Sharp Center staff while adhering to all NCAA, Big 12, and TTU policies and procedures.
STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - Uphold and endorse the principles of leadership and personal development by utilizing the University and Athletic Department’s resources within the areas of career development, personal development, leadership development and community outreach.
HEALTH and WELLNESS
- Promote a culture of Physical and Mental Health by recognizing the Sports Medicine Staff’s (Medical Director, Team Physician, Athletic Trainer) unchallengeable authority to make all medical decisions regarding a student-athlete’s participation and return to play decisions.
- Refrain from initiating, circumventing, or interfering with a student-athlete’s medical care (including mental health care).
WELL-BEING
- Promote an environment that is free from bullying, hazing, harassment, racist, or sexist comments or behavior.
- Promote adherence to the time management plan, quality relationships, and SA feedback.
- Clearly communicate expectations for the conduct of current student-athletes, to include team rules / Student-Athlete Expectations, Title IX and Code of Student Conduct.
- Confidential student-athlete information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis. We have a responsibility to protect the privacy of student-athletes’ academic and medical records. Further, access to student-athletes’ and prospective student-athletes’ passwords, usernames and banking or other financial information is prohibited.
SPORT PROGRAM
Establish athletic performance expectations from everyone in the program that focus on consistent improvement, with goals of competing for championships and establishing/maintaining national relevancy.University Policies and Additional Sources of Information
As an Athletic Department employee, it is your responsibility to read, understand, become familiar with, and comply with all relevant laws, guidelines, policies, and procedures. Sources to assist in achieving this expectation are:- Texas Tech University System Regents’ Rules and Policy Statements: Regents' Rules
- Texas Tech University System Regulations: Texas Tech University System Regulations
- Texas Tech University Operating Policies and Procedures: Texas Tech University Operating Policies and Procedures
- Texas Tech University Athletics Compliance Manual (in Teamworks on the dashboard)
- Texas Tech University Athletics Policy Manual: Athletics Staff Policy Manual.pdf
- Texas Tech University Office of Student Conduct: Office of Student Conduct
- Texas Tech Athletics Social Media Principles, Strategies, and Expectations: Social Media Policy.pdf
Internal Procedure:
- HR reviews this document with new staff member as part of onboarding process.
- Expectations are reviewed annually at a department staff meeting.
- Direct Supervisors review expectations with employees annually.
- Full-time benefits eligible staff members acknowledge form by signature via Teamworks.
- Expectations specific to coaches are reviewed by the Athletic Director and scheduled accordingly.