College athletics is well into its third year of NIL. College athletes across all sports are actively benefiting from being allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness. However, there is one major opportunity that college athletes received shortly before NIL that is being largely overlooked. That opportunity is the chance for college athletes to receive what has become known as Alston Awards. Alston Awards are academic achievement awards that college athletes can receive as a result of the NCAA v. Alston case. Alston Awards are educational and financial rewards provided to college athletes directly from their school. College athletes may receive up to $5,980 annually in Alston Awards.
The Creation of Alston Awards
Former West Virginia football player, Shawne Alston and other college athletes sued the NCAA alleging that their rules limiting the amount of academic benefits athletes could receive violated federal antitrust law. The athletes argued that the NCAA could still accomplish its goal of preserving amateurism in a less restrictive manner. Specifically, the athletes argued that the NCAA could preserve amateurism by continuing to restrict non-education related benefits while allowing athletes to receive unlimited education related benefits. The United States Supreme Court agreed. With the Supreme Court's decision, college athletes' opportunity to receive Alston Awards was granted.
Alston Awards and NIL Rights are Not the Same
The first thing to understand about Alston Awards is that it is a completely separate benefit from college athletes' NIL rights. College athletes ability to enter NIL deals involve a third party providing compensation to college athletes. Alston Awards are benefits that college athletes may receive from their school. Alston Awards are education-related benefits. Education-related benefits include benefits such as musical instruments, computers, and scholarships for graduate or vocational school.
Colleges with Alston Award Programs
Since college athletes have been allowed to receive Alston Awards, several schools have developed Alston Award programs. Each university has the ability to determine if and how Alston Awards are awarded. For example, college athletes at the University of Colorado may recevie Alston Awards as long as they are academically eligible and actively participating in a sport. Specifically, Colorado athletes can earn up to $2,000.00 per semester such that amount is proportional to the athlete's scholarship equivalency.
Similarly, college athletes at Indiana University may receive Alston Awards that are proportional to their scholarship equivalency. Indiana University walk-ons may also receive $250.00 per semester. Other universities have developed similar Alston Award programs. NIL has benefited to many college athletes. However, college athletes should be sure not to overlook the opportunity to receive Alston Awards.
To assess your social media use or to assist current or prospective college athletes with preparing for NIL opportunities download my NIL Contract Checklist. Dowloading the NIL Contract Checklist will also get you access to my newsletter. For more on college athletes' name, image, and likeness rights follow me on Twitter @esquire_coach and on Instagram and TikTok @the_esquirecoach. To receive updates from The Esquire Coach Blog directly to your email please subscribe below.