How does the NCAA define "amateurism"?

The NCAA defines "amateurism" as the status of a student-athlete who participates in sports without receiving financial compensation beyond scholarships. This concept is foundational to the NCAA's eligibility rules, which aim to preserve the integrity and spirit of college athletics.

By maintaining amateur status, student-athletes can compete at the collegiate level while benefiting from educational opportunities, including scholarships for their academic pursuits. This definition underscores the distinction between being an amateur athlete and a professional athlete. In the context of the NCAA, amateurism ensures that student-athletes do not receive direct monetary compensation for their athletic abilities, except for scholarships that cover tuition and education-related expenses. This promotes fairness and equality among student-athletes and aligns with the NCAA’s mission to support educational values in athletics.