A student-athlete may retain athletics apparel items (not equipment) at the end of their intercollegiate participation. Used equipment may be purchased at the same cost basis as any other individual interested in purchasing such equipment (fair market value). Equipment may be retained over vacation periods and returned.
It is not permissible for a student-athlete to receive athletics equipment, supplies or clothing directly from a manufacturer or supplier under any circumstances regardless of whether the institution has knowledge (NCAA Interp 10/27/94).
Apparel - Uniform/jersey, warm-up/practice apparel, hats, visors, swim caps, socks, jackets, rain gear, parkas. Jerseys may be retained by student-athletes at the institution's discretion as long as they are deemed not reusable (e.g., new uniforms will be purchased in subsequent years).
Equipment - Shoes, bags, wheel bags, sackpacks/backpacks, racquet bags, helmets, baseball/softball bats & gloves, golf clubs, golf gloves, umbrellas, hockey & lacrosse sticks, goggles, tennis racquets, pads, guards, catcher's gear, sunglasses, training gear(e.g., flippers in swimming). This list is not exhaustive!
What's our policy?
A student-athlete may keep a piece of equipment upon graduating/exhausting eligibility only by paying fair market value or by including the value of the equipment in the maximum annual participation award limit. It is not permissible to provide equipment that has retained value free of cost to a student-athlete even if the equipment was obtained by the university at no cost or at a discounted rate. When a team replaces old equipment (e.g., wheel bags, sunglasses), the old equipment must be returned to the equipment room or purchased before new equipment will be issued. All equipment must be recorded on the Equipment Inventory & Retrieval Form which is to be submitted to Compliance within 30 days following the completion of season ending competition.
Although shoes are consideredequipment, the NCAA allows shoes to be retained by student-athletes as they are deemed no longer usable at the end of a season (NCAA Interp 7/28/94).
How do I include the market value in the senior participation awards?
The fair market value of the retained equipment may be included in the $425 senior participation award. However, the NCAA requires that all participation awards be uniform to student-athletes across categories (e.g., all seniors). Thus, either all men's tennis senior student-athletes have their 2 retained tennis racquets valued at $10 each included in their senior award or none of them do. If uniformity isn't possible, thestudent-athletes must pay the value of the retained racquets.
How do I determine "fair market value"?
Local re-sale stores, the Internet or a depreciation percentage per year of use! eBay, UsedSports.com & others. Just search, print and attach to your records for your Equipment Retention Form.
Golf Clubs and Supplies - valueguide.pga.com; Enter the full description (including any specialized shaft) and search. Use the LOW, MID or HIGH value based on the actual condition of the club (print screen for our records). This value is either charged to the student-athlete or included in the annual participation award if the clubs are kept. Otherwise, they must be returned.
Report on the Equipment Inventory & Retrieval Form and submit toCompliance within 30 days following the completion of season ending competition.
University of Notre Dame 113 Joyce Center Notre Dame, IN 46556 574.631.9647 ncaacompliance.nd.edu