NCAA Twists Its Own Rules, Makes Major Exception for Gay Athlete
The NCAA is a fraudulent joke of a governing body.
Whether it’s being a tyrant over aiding Hurricane Florence victims or having to defend its asinine amateurism rules in court, the NCAA has proven itself to be a bunch of clowns who have somehow been put in charge of a multibillion-dollar entity. It’s a sick joke.
But the latest story to emerge about the NCAA is anything but funny. It shows that the governing body of collegiate athletics is made up of more than just tyrants or clowns. Its made up of flaming hypocrites.
The NCAA announced this week that cross-country runner Emily Scheck of Canisius College can accept money from a GoFundMe page.
That ruling flies directly in the face of everything the organization has ever proclaimed about the need to separate student-athletes from money for the sake of amateurism.
Scheck’s story is certainly an emotionally intense one, but that should have no influence on the NCAA’s decision-making.
The cross-country runner going to school in Buffalo, New York, was disowned by her parents after they found out she was gay, according to Yahoo Sports. Scheck’s parents found out after she had posted a photo on social media of her and her girlfriend.
Scheck’s parents reportedly gave her an ultimatum of either going through conversion therapy and leaving school or being cut off from the family completely. Scheck obviously chose the latter, leaving her with less than $20 to her name, per Yahoo.
Scheck, whose partial athletic scholarship was not nearly enough to cover all of her various school and life expenses, had friends who started a GoFundMe page to help her cover those expenses.
The college’s compliance staff self-reported the fundraising as a violation to the NCAA and told Scheck to take down the page and return the money if she wanted to remain eligible.
But the NCAA, after getting some negative press over the issue, decided she could keep the money and the GoFundMe page could remain.
Official statement on Emily Scheck eligibility and crowdfunding. pic.twitter.com/nQP3gLAKBg
— GoGriffs (@GoGriffs) November 16, 2018
Excluding all personal or ideological beliefs regarding Scheck’s situation, the NCAA has made it abundantly clear that student-athletes can’t be paid. The organization has gone to painstaking lengths to make sure amateurism is preserved.
In fact, it is currently in court over a college basketball recruiting scandal that alleges powerhouse programs bought off some of the top recruits in the nation.
Making exceptions based on things like feelings is not fair.
The NCAA released a statement about the situation, saying, “NCAA rules and waiver precedent allow a school to assist a student-athlete with a fundraiser after a significant life event occurs.”
Emily Scheck can retain her eligibility and continue to receive GoFundMe donations that assist her with living and educational expenses. pic.twitter.com/jut5EjPLnU
— Inside the NCAA (@InsidetheNCAA) November 16, 2018
This is the same organization that reportedly told Tennessee State that two GoFundMe pages for linebacker Christion Abercrombie — created after the sophomore suffered a life-threatening injury in September — could jeopardize his eligibility. The pages were soon shut down.
Again, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to help someone going through a tough time. Charity and helping those in need are important.
What’s not OK is hypocrisy.
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