Importance Of Getting NCAA Athlete Representation

Posted by athletedefendermia on October 13th, 2022

Getting into a top-notch college is a challenge that a student of ordinary merit cannot even begin to consider. Winning a scholarship is extremely tough as not all students are scholars of the first rank either. No worries! Most schools provide another type of scholarship for aspirants, namely sports-related financial aid that requires the student to compete on the field and in the classroom. Sure, it is a little difficult, but the student-athlete can manage to do it in most cases. Striving hard at work and games is advised to such individuals as slipping in others could result in revoking of scholarship after the end of the present season. The coach wields authority here and may violate the NCAA norms as well. The concerned student needs to get in touch with a competent lawyer and resolve the issue once and for all.

Severe misconduct by the coach, fellow student-athletes, or the NCAA can be taken to court, where the legal representative for the student-athlete files NCAA sports litigation. Settling personal grievances without any basis can be troublesome for the concerned student. Moreover, the lawyer may not want to be associated with a case that is as good as being lost. On the other hand, many schools, sports teachers, head coaches, and athletics personnel try to manage the risks as best as possible.

Some of the common legal grievances that have been filed against school authorities and the NCAA by student-athletes include the following:-

Concussion Management- Head injury is common in field sports, especially in a game that involves close physical contact. Severe injuries on the field may result in concussions on those surfaces months or years later, leaving the student-athlete helpless and hospitalized. There is a concussion act applicable to all 50 states now. The following steps must be taken by the authorities failing which the student or the parents are free to consider legal action against the administrators or coach.

· The student-athlete suspected of head injury& concussion must be removed from the field immediately

· The athlete should not be asked to play on the same day

· The student can participate in the sport after being cleared by a licensed healthcare professional.

Social Media Posts- Many schools have been found sanctioning student-athletes for posting inappropriate content on social media against the school. There have been innumerable court cases related to such instances. However, the ruling has not been totally in favor of the school or the students. It has been sharply divided, with a few judges endorsing the student-athletes by stating that it is a matter of free speech. The others have upheld the school sanctions stating that such posts lead to disruption and commotion on campus

Suspension of Student-Athlete - Student-athletes have been suspended for violating the code of conduct within the team or athletic department. Lawsuits filed by the students claim that the authorities have violated the constitution & civil rights of the student.

It is not advisable to go into litigation immediately. NCAA athlete representation is essential to understand the regulations of the contract.