The swimming and diving coaches at Ocean State University want to provide winter coats to their student-athletes as this year’s participation award. Is it permissible for the coaches to provide the coats during the season or do they have to wait until the after the final competition of the regular season?
The coaches may provide the participation award prior to the last regular season competition. With the adoption of RWG-16-1, the legislation has been deregulated with regard to the timing of a student-athlete’s receipt of an award.
NCAA Bylaw 16.1.4.1 states that awards for participation in intercollegiate athletics may be presented each year, limited in value and number as specified in Figure 16-1. Awards for participation in special events may be provided only to student-athletes eligible to participate in the competition. [R] (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02, 3/8/12, 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
