How is a "student-athlete" defined by the NCAA?

The NCAA defines a "student-athlete" specifically as an individual who participates in intercollegiate athletics while enrolled in a college or university. This definition emphasizes the dual role of being a student, actively pursuing academic studies, while simultaneously being an athlete involved in organized collegiate sports.

This definition is important as it differentiates those who are directly engaged in college sports from general students or high school athletes who may wish to compete at the collegiate level. By focusing on the individual's enrollment and participation in intercollegiate athletics, the definition underlines the NCAA’s concern for maintaining academic standards and athletic eligibility among those in college programs.