Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Some Rules and Stuff

What is against the rules?
Extra Benefits
Definition: Extra Benefit (Bylaw 16.02.3) – An extra benefit is any special arrangement
by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletic interests
(including fans) to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relative or friend a
benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA legislation. Extra benefit regulations
pertain to prospects as well.
According to Bylaw 16.01.1, receipt by a student-athlete of an award, benefit, or expense
allowance not authorized by NCAA legislation renders the student-athlete ineligible to
compete while representing the institution in the sport for which the improper award,
benefit, or expense was received. If the student-athlete receives an extra benefit not
authorized by NCAA legislation or an improper award or expense allowance in
conjunction with competition that involves the use of overall athletic skill (e.g.,
“superstar” competition), the individual is ineligible for all sports
Exception for Benefits Available to Other Students (Bylaw 16.01.3) – The receipt of a
benefit by a student-athlete or his or her friends that is not authorized by NCAA
legislation is not a violation if it is demonstrated that the same general benefit is available
to the institution’s students, their relatives, and friends determined on a basis unrelated to
athletics ability.
Some Guidelines:
• You may not provide a prospect of a current student-athlete with money, gifts,
loans, flowers, etc.
• You many not pay prospects of current student-athletes a fee for speaking
engagements, give them free or reduced costs for professional services, pay fees
for sports camps, or provide discount merchandise.
• You may not allow prospects of current student-athletes the use of an automobile,
provide them tickets to athletic or community events, or provide favorable
housing arrangements, reduced rent or lodging of any kind.

     The lines appear to be clear cut.  An athlete or an athlete's parents or friend can not get free stuff from anyone.  A full ride to the university is viewed to be enough for our college athletes.  But what about the students that aren't on a full ride but have to commit the majority of their day to practice, workouts, game prep, and media obligations? This probably leaves little time for a job outside of class.  
     Student athletes are considered amateur, and giving athletes free stuff is looked at as ridding them of their amateur status.  Even if an athlete is providing a service, they are not to be compensated for it.  But what if an athlete, instead of working a job, started their own business? Can an athlete not start a profitable lemonade stand and receive cash for their service? I am curious to review the past violations and analyze how the limits are being pushed further and further in order to get ahead in recruiting tomorrows athletes. 

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