Tech Addresses NCAA Eligibility Issues
Because of NCAA rules and regulations, the Virginia Tech Athletics
Department has been keeping track of unofficial internet sites who continue
to use photos of current Tech athletes. These sites have been selling ads
to make money, thus using current Tech athletes as a way to make money. As
a result, this puts Tech athletes in jeopardy of losing eligibility.
According to NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.2, "a student-athlete (or the institution
acting on behalf of the student-athlete) is required to take steps to stop
any activity where ... the student-athlete's name or picture appears on
commercial items or is used to promote a commercial product." This must be
done "in order to retain his or her eligibility for intercollegiate
athletics."
The compliance office at Tech has or will send out letters to
administrators of these websites, warning them to immediately remove the
images of current student-athletes at Tech. Failure to do so could result
in loss of eligibility for the student-athlete involved.
