I going to be running d1 as a freshman next fall. I was wondering, if I win a road race 10k in June and there is prize money for the top 5 finishers, can I claim the money? I'd like to but I won't if it will ruin my eligibility. I don't see what the problem would be though if I'm not yet a NCAA athlete. Help?
You aren't supposed to because it negates your amature status, I'll leave it at that
My friend is a college tennis player.
She accepted thousands of dollars of prize money in Europe before playing in college.
She was able to keep it by proving (simple sheet of paper), that she used all the money for Tennis (to buy rackets, pay for travel maybe).
I'm not saying you should or shouldn't, can or can't... just saying what happened to my friend :].
Ask your college-coach-to-be. S/he will probably take it up with the college's eligibility officer.
I'm aware that NCAA tennis has that "strictly expenses" loophole; I'm not sure (literally, not sure: don't know one way or the other) about NCAA running.
You will ruin your collegiate career and quite possibly your Life!
Race director can meet you behind the tent or stuff it in your pocket, that is how it usually works.
McFlounder wrote:
Race director can meet you behind the tent or stuff it in your pocket, that is how it usually works.
yeah that's all very well, but what about the money?
round the back wrote:
McFlounder wrote:Race director can meet you behind the tent or stuff it in your pocket, that is how it usually works.
yeah that's all very well, but what about the money?
Well played.
Thanks for the replies so far..so clearly I'm not an athlete of the school yet though, so what exactly is the problem with outright accepting it? Do I have to be very discreet about literally getting the money? I'd like to but I won't if it will ruin my collegiate season coming in this Fall. Obviously I will be in the results of the race, but I don't see why causes any issue if I am not a student athlete yet.
So should I accept it or not if I win?
ydrt wrote:
Well played.
+1
Seriously though, I'd explain your situation to the race director and see if you could take the money unofficially - spoken credit for gear at the running store or something like that.
Call your future school's NCAA compliance officer. NCAA rules are complex and ever changing.
There are exceptions for prize money in some sports if the money won covers expenses like travel. (From what I have read).
Also, I think the NCAA has made some rules applicable in order to keep athletes from skipping college. like the tennis prize money rule (a far more expensive sport than running).
Winner winner wrote:
Thanks for the replies so far..so clearly I'm not an athlete of the school yet though, so what exactly is the problem with outright accepting it? Do I have to be very discreet about literally getting the money? I'd like to but I won't if it will ruin my collegiate season coming in this Fall. Obviously I will be in the results of the race, but I don't see why causes any issue if I am not a student athlete yet.
So should I accept it or not if I win?
I don't think you understand how eligibility actually works. You don't just switch between professional and amateur status whenever you want. Once you start receiving money for running, you are a professional. This means you would not be NCAA eligible.
It doesn't matter that you're not a student-athlete yet. You have two choices:
1. Accept money and become professional, not allowing you to compete in the NCAA with an amateur status
2. Don't accept money and keep your amateur status, giving you the option to run in the NCAA
Now whether the NCAA would find out if you took the money is a whole different story....which is what a lot of people are suggestion in this thread. That's up to you.