NCAA & Sponsors

[Greg Harris]

I think I will be able to play college football. Will I be able to keep my sponsors?

[Sam]

Currently, under NCAA rules, you can play a college level sport as long as you are not a professional in that sport.

That said, it means that you can play major league baseball and be able to play college football or basketball or run track, etc.  You will be prohibited from playing college baseball.

I do not believe fishing is an NCAA sanctioned sport at this time.

However, go see your school's compliance officer in the athletic deprtarment for clarification.  He/she will be glad to help you clarify the situation.

I know at LSU we have had guys who played MLB in the summer and football in the winter. They play mainly A, AA and AAA ball and not the majors.  But they did play football.

Let me know what they say by PMing me.

Happy New Year.

[Sam]

And one more thought...

Colleges are very sensitive to any players receiving any benefits outside of those approved by the school and the NCAA.

Consequently, be prepared for the compliance officer to tell you to stop taking money or other items from your sponsors as an alumni could then legally give you a lot of money or other benefits as a fisherman while the money, etc. is really for playing football for your school.

Understand what I mean?

Unless you are going to the University of Alabama you may have a problem.

[basspro96]

ok fishing is a ncaa sport u just dont see it much u can keep ur sponsors i am pretty sure

[bmadd]

Being a participant of the University of Tennessee at Martin's Bass team, I can tell you absolutely that any form of fishing is NOT a NCAA sanctioned sport. There are two private, very non-NCAA related, organizations who host collegiate bass fishing events. However, I think it wise to mention to your coaches whatever benefits you receive from fishing-related sponsers just to get that out in the clear.

-Braden