Q: We have a football player who was invited to a camp on May 4th. Is that allowed?
A: A reminder to our schools that invite only camps are not allowed by rule for underclass student athletes. Two rules come into play when athletes are invited to the camps:
Section 3 – All-Star Activities
A. It is the philosophy of this Association that all-star games and similar activity do not serve the best interests of high school students, because of overemphasis, exploitation, selection procedure, and/or other factors.
B. A student becomes ineligible in a sport for a maximum of one year from date of last offense for participating in an all-star game or similar activity.
Article IV – Amateur Status
Section 1 – Loss of Eligibility
A. A student shall be an amateur in all recognized sports of this Association in order to compete in any sport, and he/she shall become ineligible for all further participation in the school's interscholastic program for violation of any of the amateur status provisions. The penalty may be reduced upon request of a school on the basis of documented extenuating circumstances, when accompanied by evidence of complete restitution made by the athlete (when applicable).
B. A student shall be determined to be in violation if he/she:
1) Accepts, receives and/or directs to another, reimbursement or award in any form of (a) salary, (b) cash, (c) merchandise of any kind or amount or (d) share of game or season proceeds, for achievement in athletics.
a. Actual and necessary reimbursement for transportation, food, and lodging paid in connection with playing a contest shall not be regarded as a violation.
b. A student may receive an award which is symbolic (nonmerchandise) in nature such as badges, certificates, cups, trophies, medals, banners, ribbons, pictures, event T-shirts, event hats, game balls, unattached emblems, letters, season highlight DVD or video, or other items of no intrinsic/utilitarian value. A student may not receive such merchandise items as shirts, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, jerseys, warm-ups, equipment, balls, duffel bags, backpacks, watches, rings, billfolds, coupons, gift certificates, e.g., regardless of their value. (See Bylaws, Article XI – Awards)
Keep in mind that camp opportunities must be open to any and all interested students along with being voluntary during the school year. In addition, they must pay for any items provided unless it is part of the camp fee and given to all entrants. Student-athletes must pay for 100% of the costs for camps/clinics. There are several invite only football camps in May along with several basketball camps this spring. Students who are invited to attend an invite only camp during the school year would be jeopardizing their high school eligibility. Please provide proactive advice to your student athletes who may have been invited to a camp in any sport during the school year.
As long as there is a pathway for any and all interested athletes to get to the camp, it would be allowed.
Bellin has the general mailing to the school where the coach makes a recommendation. The coach could nominate anyone. The Nike camp with recommended by coach, from a qualifying combine try out, or sending in their own film would be allowed because any and all could attend a qualifying combine/camp, submit their own film, or be nominated.
If an athlete receives a targeted invitation to a specific camp without an open invite or qualifying combine/camp to any and all, it is not allowed. The key is that it must be open to any and all at the beginning of the process.