NCAA rules severely limit how a college basketball player can use money that was raised for him after his parents, a niece and a nephew died in a house fire.
Someone set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Colorado State basketball player Emmanuel Omogbo after his family members’ tragic deaths. The account has raised more than $50,000.
NCAA rules require that the money can only go to direct expenses such as medical bills. The rest must be donated to charity according to the Colorado State athletic department.
Money raised for Colorado State’s Emmanuel Omogbo can only go towards direct expenses. Rest of $ donated goes to charity, not Omogbo.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 21, 2016
If Omogbo wasn’t an athlete, he would be able to keep 100% of what was donated to him. Because he is, NCAA says $ has to only be expenses — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 21, 2016
This isn’t the first time NCAA rules have halted good deeds after tragedies. The NCAA was originally going to stop LSU star running back Leonard Fournette from selling his game jersey to raise money for victims of flooding in South Carolina. (VIDEO: Star College Football Player Told By NCAA He Couldn’t Auction Off Jersey For Charity, Now Says He Can)
The NCAA eventually reversed its decision, and allowed the jersey to be sold for charity. Hopefully common sense prevails and Omogbo can use that money to rebuild his life.