Looks like change is coming to the NCAA
FWIW - when I was a scholarship athlete I was not allowed to take a paid internship IN MY FIELD OF STUDY (engineering) b/c it would violate NCAA rules - don't know if that particular rule has changed or loosened, but it struck me as stupid/counterproductive to the concept of "student-athlete". Scholarship did not cover even all academic expenses - at least for me - book allowance was $120/qtr and my engineering books were well over $400/qtr - if we wanted to go out to eat, buy clothes, etc it was on our dime (remember you can't work to earn more money), housing allowance didn't cover all of rent, etc etc. To me - no wonder there are violations, the rules are ripe for it. Not complaining, but trying to be factual about the constraints put on scholarship athletes. I had teammates (some from LA, Seattle, and Montana) whose parents really couldn't afford to make up the difference, and truly struggled to get by.
What doesn't seem right example: The twins who play bball for Fresno State could be making six figures a year on their TikTok vids are NOT ALLOWED to make any money, b/c NCAA. This has NOTHING to do with amateur athletics. IMHO neither does restricting student-athletes from taking a paid internship in their field of study.
to clarify: the NCAA didn't prohibit jobs during the "off season" - but try to get an internship or other job for six weeks in June/July (winter workouts and spring practice are 'in season') that makes up the $$ difference from other NCAA restrictions - doesn't happen often. Also, partial scholarship and no aid athletes can work during the season, BUT are not allowed to earn more than the value of a full scholarship. Hope I'm not dating myself too badly, these may be old rules, but still point out NCAA perspectives.
I think change needs to come.
