Clemson cuts ties with new fundraising site, UBooster

UBooster, a Greenville-based website, allows college sports fans to pledge funds to their favorite school if the school signs a coveted recruit — unless the fan's favorite school is Clemson University.

UBooster launched Jan. 5. Three days later, Clemson's general counsel Chip Hood sent a cease and desist letter to UBooster founder and CEO, Rob Morgan. The letter instructed UBooster to "immediately refrain from purportedly raising funds on behalf of Clemson University directly or indirectly."

The letter declared that neither Clemson nor its athletic fundraising organization, IPTAY, would accept funds raised through UBooster. Morgan said UBooster immediately complied with Clemson's request. Clemson was removed from the list of searchable schools. Fans no longer can pledge funds in honor of Clemson's recruitment of a prospective athlete.

UBooster allows fans to set up a simple account at UBooster.org and select high school athletes who may consider attending the fan's favorite school. To support the school's recruiting efforts, the fan pledges to donate funds if that player signs with the school.

Opposing fan bases compete to show the recruits which program can generate the most support, although fans are not obligated to donate the pledged funds if the player does not sign with the fan's favorite school.

Morgan said, after its launch, UBooster sent explanatory letters to athletic directors at the 65 college programs that comprise the Power Five Conferences— Atlantic Coast, of which Clemson is a member, Southeastern, which includes the University of South Carolina, Pacific 12, Big 12 and Big Ten. Morgan said Clemson is the only one of those 65 programs that has responded with a cease and desist request.

Morgan said athletic directors at smaller schools and local high school students have contacted UBooster and requested to be added to the site.

"You see people with vision understanding where things are headed, how to use modern technology and social media and other techniques to help support and augment what they're doing," Morgan said. "At the same time, I understand Clemson's concern. They are probably trying to safely react."

In the letter, Clemson also contended that UBooster's marketing approach spread confusing messages about Clemson's affiliation with UBooster. Patrick Sapp, the UBooster corporate brand ambassador, spoke at the website's launch event in Downtown Greenville. Sapp also serves as the director of development at Clemson.

Clemson asserted that UBooster's launch immediately impacted the university's relationship with donors.

"I think people unfortunately are a little confused or concerned that we're trying to compete with existing athletic departments and fundraising efforts," Morgan said. "We're not trying to usurp the power of the booster clubs and athletic departments. We're trying to help add to what they have."

Morgan said UBooster does not recommend that any current university donor decrease his or her annual gift to the booster club. He said UBooster is designed to entice current donors to pledge additional funds, but he asserted that UBooster's primary aim is to attract fans who currently do not give.

"Expand your target audience, that's the whole business premise behind it," Morgan said. "It's not meant to offend, scare or frighten away schools or existing booster club efforts."

In its letter, Clemson also cited concerns that UBooster's model violates NCAA regulations. According to Morgan, UBooster neither gives nor promises payments to recruits. That would violate current NCAA regulations prohibiting direct compensation for players and prospective athletes.

Morgan said UBooster has scheduled meetings with NCAA representatives to discuss its model.

"We're establishing that dialogue," Morgan said. "We've been very meticulous in crafting UBooster so we can be compliant with current NCAA regulations."