<p>A friend, a prospective student-athlete, just won an event that has a prize of a voucher. I told him that it would be in violation of NCAA rules to accept it. I looked on the NCAA website for the specific rule but can't seem to find it. Is my advice correct?</p>
<p>call a coach</p>
<p>The guiding principle is that the athlete may not profit from participating in any sporting event. Not only may he not be paid to compete, but he cannot be compensated or rewarded with merchandise if the value of the merchandise exceeds the necessary costs to compete. Let’s take the example of a road race. If the monetary value of the prize, let’s say a voucher, exceeds that of the amount the athlete had to spend to enter the race, then he may not accept it if he wishes to maintain his NCAA amateurism status. For example, my daughter ran a community 5K, whose entry fee was a holiday toy donation. She spent $20 on the toy, but won a prize of a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant. She had to politely refuse the prize.</p>
<p>Thanks GFG. I spoke with my friend who did call someone at the NCAA and got the same answer. He also received a case number that he could refer to if the acceptance f the prize was questioned. The prize was less than the necessary cost to compete so he was able to accept it.</p>
<p>Lesson learned from this is it is best to go straight to the NCAA for answers. A coach advised my friend that he could accept up to $750 in prizes. That was innaccurate info.</p>