I ran a race last month and won, and took the $100 prize money offered. I found out later that a rival coach was there and knows I took the money. I run at a D3 school and only have this upcoming outdoor season of track left. Did I just lose my eligibility?
Is there anything I can do through the NCAA to fix this?
THANKS!
It never happened
But the time there done investigating it.
Track is over
Pull a bonds/Clemens
Never happened
Thanks for the reply, but I don't think that's realistic. Any chance of doing it the "right" way, instead of lying?
According to the rule book, you automatically lose your eligibility after accepting more than $100. However, if you accept $100 or less, and they find out about it, they will allow you to donate it to charity or return it in some way. After that, its up in the air. They can either decide that you lose your eligibility or don't.
This is in the rule book on ncaa.org. The wording is pretty tricky but I'm pretty sure that the above is correct.
I sincerely doubt a rival coach would ever report this. Has this ever happened for any amount, let alone for only $100?
coopington wrote:
I sincerely doubt a rival coach would ever report this. Has this ever happened for any amount, let alone for only $100?
I would like to agree, but honestly I think he would.
What about prizes for finishing at the top. This race I am going to run in a week and change usually gives out free running gear to the winner. Do I need to refuse it if I win (I have good shot at winning).
first, you shouldn't make this about the rival coach because 1) you took the money and 2) should have known better (but if you didn't - you seem to now)...so what's the problem...if you really want to do this right thing how can you consider doing anything but reporting yourself to you school/coach (regardless of whether this coach or anyone else will report you).
sounds like you are only interested in coming clean if you suspect you might get turned in or if you are sure the punishment will be minor.
hope i'm wrong, but that's just how it sounds.
I live in New England, and Providence College is notorious for 25+ yr old freshmen from Ireland for the last 20 years. Many times these "freshmen" have accepted prize money - nothing ever happened - nothing.
Besides, by the time any investigation would proceed you'd be graduated. $100? Do you think some reps from the NCAA will waste their time? C'mon. Don't lose sleep over this.
If this is true, I hope you lose eligibility. There is a ru le book. Follow it. Don't blame the rival coach or the NCAA for your transgression.
First of all the above poster is a serious d-bag. I hate guys like you. Taking a little money for road races is something ALOT of guys do. You pay gas money to get there, pay an entry fee...etc..At the end of the day you only made a few bucks. It doesnt make him a bad person just because he wants to keep his eligibility. What are you some kind of moral compass?
But yea, you will lose your eligibility if they find out. They will most likely make you donate the money back. Dont count on him not reporting you though, some people are real d-bags in that respect.
I know it's not about the other coach. The real situation is that I wasn't planning on coming back to school this semester, but due to a variety of other instances, I'm going to be and want to use the outdoor season. At the time I accepted the money, I didn't plan on running in college again.
Thank you to most everyone for the help. I'll talk with my coach and see what happens.
Hey I can fix your problems.
I am raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, with Team in Training. You can donate the money online here, and you get receipt and everything, this way it shows you donated it to charity and your not in trouble.