NCAA Sports Litigation & Student Athletes

Whether it is a high school or college, students of an educational institute often revere sports persons.  Admiration turns to envy when they share the same classroom with a student-athlete who they perceive as individuals enjoying the best of both worlds. The truth is considerably different, though. Most student-athletes feel that they were given a raw deal. Many of them fail to understand the terms & conditions of the contract offered by the NCAA. It certainly makes sense to get in touch with an experienced legal professional to obtain NCAA athlete representation to eliminate the difficulties that are bound to occur while balancing academics and sports equally well.

 

The said attorney would be knowledgeable about the rules and take pains to explain the contract's terms to the student correctly. The dos and don'ts will form a significant portion of the discussion. The professional will collaborate with the concerned people, including the school/college authorities, coaches, and NCAA administration, to provide justice to the hapless student-athletes.

The concerned student is advised to turn to the legal representative to obtain assistance when any of the following occur:-

 

· Cancellation or reduction of Scholarship- It is most important to check the NCAA Bylaw 15. It allows the NCAA institutions to reduce the financial aid to student-athletes in certain circumstances. Sure, the student will be shocked when hearing such news, but this is no reason for losing hope. Contacting the lawyer will enable proper representation at the student athlete's hearing and ensure a smooth process of hearing appeals.

 

· Student Transfer- The law governing the said institution plays the prime role when a student-athlete asks to be transferred. The legal representative is definite to have experience dealing with non-qualifiers, 2-4 qualifiers, 4-4, 4-2-4, and graduate transfers. The attorney will keep the client informed about the options available and check all academic issues related to a transfer.

 

· Eligibility- There is a minimum academic achievement needed for a student to earn an athletic scholarship. The eligibility to practice and compete on behalf of the institution during the first year of enrolment is also stated in the NCAA Bylaw 14.3. The NCAA can, however, consider a waiver even with several academic discrepancies such as low scores. A student-athlete representative will be qualified to review the scores and academic accomplishments along with athletic prowess to assess the possibility of obtaining a waiver.

 

· Well-being & Improper Conduct- A young student may face discrimination based on race, gender, and build. It is the responsibility of the hired legal professional to give a patient hearing to the lean about the student athlete's troubles and ensure physical wellness and mental stability within the campus.

 

Hence it is a must for students to hire a lawyer with experience in NCAA sports litigation if they ever find themselves in any of these situations.