UI: Hawkeyes at Trump rally didn't violate NCAA rules

University of Iowa officials say they are confident no NCAA rules or university policies were violated when members of the University of Iowa football and wrestling teams joined Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on stage Tuesday night.

"University of Iowa student-athletes are encouraged to participate in the political process as individuals," UI athletics director Gary Barta said in an email statement Wednesday. "However, like any endorsement by a student or faculty member, their participation should not be considered representative of the entire team or university. In recent months, candidates from both parties representing a spectrum of ideals have visited Iowa City. We will continue to support this approach without influencing particular political choice or agendas."

Trump had met privately with some members of the football and wrestling team before Tuesday's rally at the UI Fieldhouse in Iowa City. After taking the stage, however, the presidential candidate asked that members of football team join him.

"Where's my football team? Get over here, football team," Trump said. "The football team, come on! University of Iowa. ... Come on up here. Come on up, right? Get up! What a team, what a team. And they were so nice: They endorsed Trump. They like Trump, and I like them. I love you guys. Look at the size, how big and strong. That's what we like. Thank you, fellas."

Twelve football players went on stage, and the crowd began to chant, "Let's go, Hawks!"

Trump then called seven members of the wrestling team on stage.

"But you have an undefeated team, so get the wrestlers up here," Trump said. "C'mon, fellows. Where are they? Where are they? These guys, I'm not messing with them."

Concerns about Trump's use of the student athletes on stage Tuesday had been raised on the blog The Daily Caller and in messages sent to athletic department officials.

The NCAA does allow student athletes, acting on their own, to endorse a political candidate, but the association's Advertising and Promotional Guidelines prohibits the use of student athletes in ads or associations that "endorses a political candidate or party" or "advocates a viewpoint on controversial issues of public importance."

"We are confident that no violations of NCAA rules and regulations have taken place," Barta said.

A spokesperson for the NCAA Compliance Office deferred to the university's statement.

Before Trump spoke, Hawkeye tight end Peter Pekar spoke to the crowd and displayed a black and gold football jersey that read "TRUMP" and "1" on the back.

"The jersey presented to Mr. Trump was not an official Iowa football jersey," Barta said. "No candidate has asked for, or received, any official Iowa athletic equipment or apparel."

Athletics officials also say that no coaches or other university employees were involved with organizing the players' meeting with Trump.

Experts on NCAA compliance consulted by the Press-Citizen disagree about whether the Trump's use of the Hawkeyes might constitute a violation of conference rules.

Geoff Silver, of the Indianapolis-based law firm Jackson Lewis, said older conference interpretations, applicable to all Division I institutions, have held that student-athletes could be involved in the endorsement of a political candidate, "provided the student-athletes receive no remuneration for their involvement and are not obligated to make any time commitments."

But B. David Ridpath, an associate professor of sports business at Ohio State University, said he views the athletes' appearance as a potential violation.

"In this case ... I would agree that it is a minor violation," Ridpath said via email. "The athletes can be there, and I am certain he can even mention them, but pulling them on stage is likely problematic according the rule."

Ridpath said the situation reminded him of an incident in 2000 when then presidential candidate George W. Bush wanted to attend a Buckeyes football practice. He said he was told at the time that the school could not advertise Bush coming nor appear in any way to endorse him.

"If he just showed up — he was friends with our president — that would be fine, but it could not be a campaign style event," Ridpath said.

"I also wonder if (Trump's) controversial positions run afoul of the policy — such as what he has said against immigrants, pro-choice, etc.," Ridpath said. "As I understand it, the NCAA does not want athletes associated with controversy either."

UI policy requires that a student group must sponsor the attendance of a candidate on campus and that student group and candidate must pay for the use of the facilities.

Tuesday's event was sponsored by UI's College Republicans.

Reach Jeff Charis-Carlson at 319-887-5435 or jcharisc@press-citizen.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffcharis.