NCAA Bylaws regarding Amateurism and competition in Pro Beach Volleyball tournaments. NOTE THAT IT REFERENCES 2 PERSON BUT NOT 4 OR 6 PERSON.
DO NOT RELY ON THIS FOR LEGAL ADVICE NOR FOR NCAA OR HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY ADVICE. IT MAY NOT BE ACCURATE OR CURRENT. EACH ATHLETE OR PARENT SHOULD DIRECTLY CONTACT THE NCAA Eligibility Center 877-262-1492 AND CIF AND RELY ENTIRELY ON THAT.
9/14/12 10:30am - I called the NCAA Eligibility Center and was transferred me to Courtney in the Legislative Dept. He confirmed that playing in TWO PERSON pro sand volleyball tourneys does not affect amateurism status, as long as the student-athlete does not take payment of any kind. Partner can be a professional, provided the professional is not being paid by a professional team or league to play as a member of that team. Bylaws confirming this are 12.2.3, 12.2.3.2, 12.2.3.2.1, 12.2.3.2.2.
12.2.3 Competition.
12.2.3.1 Competition against Professionals. An individual may participate singly or as a member of an
amateur team against professional athletes or professional teams. (Revised: 8/24/07)
12.2.3.2 Competition with Professionals. An individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics
in a sport if the individual ever competed on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.4) in that sport. However, an individual may compete on a tennis, golf, two-person sand volleyball or two-person synchronized diving team with persons who are competing for cash or a comparable prize, provided the individual does not receive payment of any kind for such participation.
(Revised: 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 1/14/97, 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02)
12.2.3.2.1 Exception—Competition Before Initial Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment—Sports
Other Than Men’s Ice Hockey and Skiing. In sports other than men’s ice hockey and skiing, before initial full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may compete on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.4), provided he or she does not receive more than actual and necessary expenses to participate on the team. (Adopted: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10; applicable to student-athletes who initially enroll full time in a collegiate institution on or after 8/1/10)
12.2.3.2.2 Professional Player as Team Member. An individual may participate with a professional on a team, provided the professional is not being paid by a professional team or league to play as a member of that team (e.g., summer basketball leagues with teams composed of both professional and amateur athletes).
For more info on rules see section below.