All-Star College Eligibility

[WorkToWin]

I asked this in the trinity vs cheerupdates thread but it didn't really receive much of a response. It's no secret that different gyms have been "buying athletes" and giving out "scholarships" for cheerleaders to cheer with their program. Does this by definition make that athlete a "pro"? Maybe not discounted/reduced tuition, but actually paying athletes? Does that mean IF college cheer were to legally become a sport in the near future, would these athletes not be eligible because they were once paid for cheering?

 

[Ashley]

I don't think scholarshipping an athlete would make them "pro" - neither would giving them free stuff. But if you're paying athletes to cheer or they're making money from a clothing line I could see that counting as pro. But would that make then ineligible in the future? I'm not sure - can the NCAA penalize an athlete for something they did before the rule was in place? Since cheer isn't an NCAA sport yet, I don't know that what they did now would hurt against them in the future if it were to become one.

 

[Nothanks]

I don't think scholarshipping an athlete would make them "pro" - neither would giving them free stuff. But if you're paying athletes to cheer or they're making money from a clothing line I could see that counting as pro. But would that make then ineligible in the future? I'm not sure - can the NCAA penalize an athlete for something they did before the rule was in place? Since cheer isn't an NCAA sport yet, I don't know that what they did now would hurt against them in the future if it were to become one.

So Maddie and Cami, with clothing lines, technically shouldn't be receiving scholarships? (I know Cami isn't in college yet, but when she is...)

 

[Ashley]

So Maddie and Cami, with clothing lines, technically shouldn't be receiving scholarships? (I know Cami isn't in college yet, but when she is...)

College cheerleading isn't governed by the NCAA, so it doesn't matter what they do. If cheer was an NCAA sport, then their clothing lines would qualify them as professional athletes I believe. And then I'm not sure if it's just a matter of scholarships - are "professional" athletes allowed to play in college at all (trying to think of gymnastics here)?

 

[Nothanks]

College cheerleading isn't governed by the NCAA, so it doesn't matter what they do. If cheer was an NCAA sport, then their clothing lines would qualify them as professional athletes I believe. And then I'm not sure if it's just a matter of scholarships - are "professional" athletes allowed to play in college at all (trying to think of gymnastics here)?

Oh, I know it's not, I guess it was more speculation about if it became one. Forgot to put that down haha. But I'm not sure about professional gymnasts either. I know some of them DO go to collegiate, but I'm not informed enough about scholarships/any monetary winnings of their, etc. I just know they can't have endorsements.

 

[newcheerdad]

I asked this in the trinity vs cheerupdates thread but it didn't really receive much of a response. It's no secret that different gyms have been "buying athletes" and giving out "scholarships" for cheerleaders to cheer with their program. Does this by definition make that athlete a "pro"? Maybe not discounted/reduced tuition, but actually paying athletes? Does that mean IF college cheer were to legally become a sport in the near future, would these athletes not be eligible because they were once paid for cheering?

The NCAA's definition of having "amateur status" (which allows you to be eligible to compete in an NCAA-sanctioned sport) is laid out here:

Remaining Eligible - NCAA.org

Getting free tuition or gear? Probably ok. Drawing a salary or getting other benefits-in-kind, including endorsements and the like? Not ok.

Google Jeremy Bloom - he's the prime example of a guy who couldn't take endorsements to compete in a completely different sport than the one he wanted to participate in during college.

Of course, all of this means nothing if the sport you're competing in isn't NCAA-sanctioned.

 

[CheerDadof2]

1) if it ever became NCAA governed it would have to be from that point forward

2) If I'm not mistaken, as long as that money was put into a college fund or in trust for them to use at a later point in life then they weren't actually paid for it.

I'm no tax expert but in order for them to get PAID wouldn't the check have to be made payable in their name and to their SS. If it goes into a trust then they never got paid and its a non issue.

Considering how many all-stars currently have endorsement deals out there I have to assume this or some other work around would be available. As an example - I'm pretty sure the Knowlins (forgive if I misspelled) are making sure their daughter is eligible for anything considering her powertumbling etc...

 

[BowsnBling]

So Maddie and Cami, with clothing lines, technically shouldn't be receiving scholarships? (I know Cami isn't in college yet, but when she is...)

No , because its not considered a sport. Now if these girls wanted to do acro /stunt would it make a difference? I am not sure, especially because Cami's line has nothing to do with cheer.

 

[David]

I asked this in the trinity vs cheerupdates thread but it didn't really receive much of a response. It's no secret that different gyms have been "buying athletes" and giving out "scholarships" for cheerleaders to cheer with their program. Does this by definition make that athlete a "pro"? Maybe not discounted/reduced tuition, but actually paying athletes? Does that mean IF college cheer were to legally become a sport in the near future, would these athletes not be eligible because they were once paid for cheering?

According to 8 USCS § 1182 (Title 8, Aliens and Nationality; Chapter 12, Immigration and Nationality Immigration; Admission Qualifications For Aliens; Travel Control of Citizens and Aliens), the term "professional athlete" means “an individual who is employed as an athlete by--
(aa) a team that is a member of an association of 6 or more professional sports teams whose total combined revenues exceed $ 10,000,000 per year, if the association governs the conduct of its members and regulates the contests and exhibitions in which its member teams regularly engage; or
(bb) any minor league team that is affiliated with such an association.”

 

[ScottyB]

If cheer ever receives any more status with the NCAA, STUNT/Acro or some other way, then it will be illegal for clothing lines sponsors etc.

Just look at NCAA basketball, sponsors are kept far away from future stars to keep them from ruining their 1 year of NCAA eligibility before they go pro.

If they do a trust, like many college athletes do with book deals, it cannot be touched or used until graudation/completion of school. And cannot be used to promote the team or the athlete until then either