We are watching NC State vs Fla State tennis on ESPN and the commentators are mentioning how a number of the players (all foreign of course) played professionally before going into the NCAA. Can someone explain to me how that’s allowed?
And also golf perhaps??
There are some things athletes can receive money for (Olympic medals, teaching) and that doesn’t make them a pro.
The Olympic swimmers couldn’t take advertising money and still remain eligible for NCAA swimming.
Maybe if varies by sport?
Top american college prospects play professional tennis tournaments too. You can play professional tennis events as an amateur and take prize money to cover your expenses for the tournament. These are low-level events and prize money are minuscule, they hardly cover expenses. I believe recently they allowed to earn up to 10K/year before college and still be NCAA eligible. It is very expensive to play professional tennis because of the travel involved.
I’ve heard of this as well in squash. Because its such a small sport, the top level athletes max out the junior circuit, and their only serious competition is at the pro level. I’ve heard of several high schoolers who have played on the pro squash tour as an amateur. They are supposed to turn down any prize money in excess of their travel expenses.
However note that squash is not governed by NCAA, so the rules might be a little different.