NCAA Dominion Shouldn’t Extend Into High Schools’ Pockets

Like most high school administrators, Marina Athletic Director Larry Doyle knows plenty of ways his department could spend $500.

There’s equipment to buy. Bleachers to fix. Transportation costs to offset.

But with $2.6 million in budget cuts for the next school year facing the Huntington Beach Union High School District, Doyle figured he would need to land on Fantasy Island to make any of those dreams come true.

Then came last month’s announcement from Southwest Airlines that Marina was being presented with a $500 check in the name of center Cherokee Parks. The airline had selected Parks as its “Top Flight” award winner for March.

Doyle knew Parks, bound for Duke in the fall, would not be able to accept the money personally; that would be a violation of NCAA rules regarding amateur status. So Doyle called the NCAA to ask how the school would be permitted to spend the money.

Could Marina use the money for basketballs? Backboards? Pizza all around?

The NCAA had one answer: Send it back--or jeopardize Parks’ college eligibility.

Now Doyle is wondering whether he should have made the call at all.

“Maybe I’m too ethical,” Doyle said.

Or the NCAA is too nit-picky.

The intent of the NCAA bylaw 12.1.2 (k) is to prevent individuals from passing money or valuables received to other people or groups.

It’s a good rule. Without it, boosters or other outside parties might see that a few trinkets--clothes, cash, cars--would find their way to an athlete’s family or friends.

But this case is a far cry from criminal.

Southwest Airlines is offering a cash award to a high school athletic program. As Doyle points out, it’s a little different than if a Duke booster burst in with a bundle of dough to impress potential recruits.

In telling Marina it can’t accept the money, the long arm of the NCAA is reaching too far.

Consider the cash awards presented to students for academic accomplishments. Does one become a professional student by accepting? If so, should he or she be barred from academic decathlons?

Former Saddleback High distance runner Robby Price, now a freshman at UC Irvine, is a good example.

While in high school, Price, a straight-A student and a talented runner, was awarded $1,500 by a government organization based on his academic ability. In addition, he was named the 1990 California Interscholastic Federation student-athlete of the year.

That award, sponsored in part by Reebok, included a $2,000 scholarship.

According to NCAA rules, his acceptance of such an award is fine and dandy because Price is not on a full scholarship, and the money is being used to pay tuition.

Parks, though, accepted a full ride, so donating the $500 to Duke to offset his scholarship would only help Duke’s bank account.

What’s the fun in that?

Not only will Duke get one of the best high school basketball players in the country, they could get his award money, too?

The NCAA’s philosophy of “Our Way or No Way” needs a little leeway. If the NCAA comes calling, Marina, just say the check’s in the mail.

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. Readers may reach Ludovise by her at writing The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626 or calling 966-5847.

NCAA BYLAW 12.1.2 (k)

Bylaw introduction: Forms of Pay. An individual loses his amateur standing through receipt of “pay,” which includes, but is not limited to, the following practices:

Section k: . . . An award or cash prize that an individual could not receive under NCAA legislation may not be forwarded in the individual’s name to a different individual or agency.