Sept. 3, 2004

In light of the very public NCAA eligibility case of Mike Williams from USC, we thought that a review of the amateur legislation would be appropriate. Please note that the NCAA is comprised of amateur athletes in their respective sports. The following are ways in which an athlete could lose their amateur status:

• Taking pay (or promise of pay) for playing
• Entering into any agreement (verbal or written) with an agent or a representative of an agent
• Using athletic skill for pay in any form
• Promoting a commercial product (or by allowing their name or picture to be used regardless of pay)
• Accepting payment for work not performed or receiving pay at a higher rate
• Playing on any professional athletics team as defined by the NCAA in the athlete’s sport
• Playing on any team in which members of that team are being paid as professionals

Again, thank you for your interest and commitment to rules compliance. Note that it is a “shared responsibility” to protect and preserve the eligibility of our student-athletes at Notre Dame.

Please call with any questions.
Athletics Compliance Office
631-8090