GENERAL NCAA DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
Extra Benefit (Bylaw 16.02.3)
Per NCAA Bylaw 16.02.3 an extra benefit is defined: “…any special arrangement by an institutional employee
or a representative of the institution’s athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s
relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by studentathletes or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation, if it is demonstrated that the same
benefit is generally available to the institution’s students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment
of the student body (e.g. international students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics
ability.
Advertisements and Promotions Following Enrollment (Bylaw 12.5.2.1)
After becoming a student-athlete, an individual shall not be eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics,
if the individual:
(a) Accepts any remuneration for or permits the use of his or her name or picture to advertise, recommend
or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind;
(b) Receives remuneration for endorsing a commercial product or service through the individual’s use of
such product or service.
Agents and Amateurism (Bylaw 12.3)
A student-athlete shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if he/she has ever:
- Taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport;
- Agreed (orally or in writing) to compete in professional athletics in that sport;
- Played on any professional athletics team as defined by the NCAA in that sport;
- Used his/her athletics skill for pay in any form in that sport (except that prior to collegiate enrollment, an
individual may accept prize money based on place finish or performance in an open athletics event from the
sponsor of the event if the amount of prize money does not exceed his/her actual and necessary expenses to
participate in the event); or
- Accepted money, transportation or other benefits from an agent, or agreed to have an agent market his/her
athletics ability or reputation in that sport.
In addition, a student-athlete shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in any sport if he/she has:
- After becoming a student-athlete, accepted any pay for promoting a commercial product or service, or allowed
his/her name or picture to be used for promoting a commercial product or service; or
- Because of his/her athletics ability, been paid for work not performed, or paid at a rate higher than the going
rate in the community, or paid for the value an employer placed on his/her reputation, fame or personal
following.
NCAA Banned Drugs and Substances (Bylaw 10.2)
A student-athlete who tests positive for an NCAA banned drug immediately becomes ineligible to participate in
intercollegiate athletics competition for one calendar year, and is charged with the loss of a minimum of one
season of competition in all sports. A second positive drug test could result in the loss of all remaining
eligibility in all sports. Therefore, it is imperative that all student-athletes become familiar with the list of
NCAA banned drugs and avoid taking these substances. Student-athletes should also note that many nutritional
supplements which are available over-the-counter at retail outlets and through the internet contain substances
banned by the NCAA. Student-athletes who have questions about the NCAA banned drug list or nutritional
supplements should contact their athletic trainer or team physician.
Gambling (Bylaw 10.3)
The NCAA prohibits athletics department personnel and student-athletes from participating in any gambling
activities that involve intercollegiate or professional athletics. NCAA Bylaw 10.3 stipulates that these
individuals shall not knowingly:
- Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate
athletics competition;
- Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
- Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
- Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has
tangible value; or
- Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a
bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.
NCAA's Position on Sports Wagering
The following excerpt from the NCAA website states the association's official position on sports wagering:
"The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. Sports wagering has the potential to
undermine the integrity of sports contests, and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate
athletics community. Sports wagering demeans the competition and competitors alike by a message that is
contrary to the purposes and meaning of "sport." Sports competition should be appreciated for the inherent
benefits related to participation of student-athletes, coaches and institutions in fair contests, not the amount of
money wagered on the outcome of the competition.
For these reasons, the NCAA membership adopted NCAA Bylaw 10.3 prohibiting athletics department staff
members and student-athletes from engaging in gambling activities as they relate to intercollegiate or
professional sporting events."
Please note that the prohibition of sports wagering also applies to engaging in “fantasy sports” companies.
Student-athletes, coaches, and athletics personnel may not participate in a fantasy league that has a paid entry
fee with the opportunity to win a prize (e.g. Fan Duel and Draft).
Student-Athlete Employment (Bylaw 12.4)
Student-athletes are allowed to earn legitimate on and off campus employment income during both the regular
academic year and official vacation periods. However, the following guidelines must be followed:
- The student-athlete's compensation shall not include any remuneration for value or utility that he or she may
have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that the student-athlete
has obtained because of athletics ability.
- The student-athlete shall be compensated only for work actually performed.
- The student-athlete shall be compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in the locality for similar
services.