- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Pro sprinter, Olympic bronze medalist, returns to UH to compete in NCAA
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:15 am
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:15 am
Today in the NIL NCAA Bonanza
LINK
If this holds, it would seem that athletes are capable of "pausing" their eligibility, going to the pros, then coming back to the NCAA to complete their eligibility.
LINK
quote:
Louie Hinchliffe, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Summer Olympics and NCAA sprint champion, has rejoined the University of Houston track and field program, head coach Carl Lewis told the Houston Chronicle
Hinchliffe has not competed at UH since he won the NCAA 100 meters in June 2024. Two months later, Hinchliffe won a bronze medal as a member of Great Britain’s 4X100 relay at the Paris Olympics. After his international success, Hinchliffe decided to leave school to begin a pro track career.
quote:
UH submitted Hinchliffe’s shoe contract with ASICS for review by NIL Go, the clearinghouse established by the College Sports Commission to vet outside deals between athlete and sponsor. The CSS signed off on Hinchliffe’s deal, clearing the first hurdle.
From there, Hinchliffe worked with UH’s compliance office beginning in December to fulfill a checklist of items, part of the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Process that the NCAA officially signed-off this week. He enrolled in classes at UH for the spring semester that began in mid-January. He will have two years eligibility remaining.
quote:
There is no designation for professional track, Lewis said, paving the way for Hincliffe to return to school. The definition of amateurism has become a hot topic in recent months, particularly in college basketball with some instances of former G-League and international players being granted eligibility. While some pros have been granted eligibility, Charles Bediako — who signed an official NBA contract — was ultimately denied after playing five games at Alabama.
If this holds, it would seem that athletes are capable of "pausing" their eligibility, going to the pros, then coming back to the NCAA to complete their eligibility.
10
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:32 am to Ingeniero
This seems like it’s not that big of a deal, especially in track. Olympic athletes go back to compete in college all the time
“Amateurism” isn’t real in college sports. There are probably current college athletes that have a deal with ASICS
“Amateurism” isn’t real in college sports. There are probably current college athletes that have a deal with ASICS
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:34 am to JimTiger72
quote:
Olympic athletes go back to compete in college all the time
We had a high schooler on our relay team last Olympics. If he can do that and still end up running in college, I see no difference.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:42 am to JimTiger72
quote:
Olympic athletes go back to compete in college all the time
Come on home, Mondo
Posted on 2/27/26 at 8:56 am to Ingeniero
quote:
There is no designation for professional track, Lewis said, paving the way for Hincliffe to return to school
If you are taking prize money, you are by definition a professional.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:03 am to Ingeniero
quote:
There is no designation for professional track, Lewis said, paving the way for Hincliffe to return to school.
The Olympics have never been considered a professional competition so I don't know why they threw this in there.
In the past you would have the athletes sign with agents so they could get endorsement deals which would negate their college eligibility, but that doesn't apply any more.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:03 am to usc6158
quote:
If you are taking prize money, you are by definition a professional
That's my point. If you can argue that a track athlete, getting paid to train, winning prize money, running for an organization as a professional doesn't violate NCAA rules, then no one can be denied eligibility. It seems like a pro contract doesn't forfeit the rest of your eligibility, so why not try out the big leagues then come back to school if it doesn't work out? Not just track, but any sport.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:09 am to BigBinBR
quote:
The Olympics have never been considered a professional competition so I don't know why they threw this in there.
Any competition with professional athletes is a professional competition. Pretty sure that came up when Mondo wanted to do elite pole vault in high school. He had to get a waiver
This post was edited on 2/27/26 at 9:12 am
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:15 am to chalmetteowl
quote:
Any competition with professional athletes is a professional competition
Yeah you are correct. My use of the word competition was incorrect.
My meaning was just because someone is in the Olympics does not mean they are a professional athlete.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:19 am to Ingeniero
quote:
That's my point. If you can argue that a track athlete, getting paid to train, winning prize money, running for an organization as a professional doesn't violate NCAA rules, then no one can be denied eligibility. It seems like a pro contract doesn't forfeit the rest of your eligibility, so why not try out the big leagues then come back to school if it doesn't work out? Not just track, but any sport.
You can make the argument that appearance fees and sponsorship at "NIL" and don't void eligibility, but the minute you take a dollar of prize money, you should be out. That goes for all sports.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:30 am to usc6158
quote:
There is no designation for professional track, Lewis said, paving the way for Hincliffe to return to school
quote:
If you are taking prize money, you are by definition a professional.
I would lower that bar and say if you are 'competing' for prize money then you are a professional.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:32 am to Black n Gold
quote:
I would lower that bar and say if you are 'competing' for prize money then you are a professional.
That's a little too restrictive because even local 5ks offer prize money sometimes. Of course, back when we were running we were told we couldn't accept even gift cards for winning a race. It's a different world now.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:32 am to usc6158
quote:
If you are taking prize money, you are by definition a professional.
Seems to me if you're taking money from a law firm for the sole reason of playing football, then it might be a gnat's hair difference, if that, than taking prize money.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 9:59 am to Ingeniero
quote:He’s not pausing his eligibility. NCAA gives athletes a 5 year window that begins when they first enroll as a full time student, with one redshirt season. He competed in the NCAA in 2024, so missing last year would basically be treated like his redshirt year.
If this holds, it would seem that athletes are capable of "pausing" their eligibility, going to the pros, then coming back to the NCAA to complete their eligibility.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 2:12 pm to Ingeniero
Guess this is why the LSU Track X account tweeted this as a joke yesterday.
Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 2:55 pm to JimTiger72
quote:
This seems like it’s not that big of a deal, especially in track. Olympic athletes go back to compete in college all the time
It's that whole left college to go Pro thing is why this is ridiculous!
In my opinion the NIL deal with ASICS isn't the deal breaker but instead he competed as a pro where he was paid outside of endorsement deals. In my opinion this where he loses his amateur status.
This post was edited on 2/27/26 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 2/27/26 at 3:02 pm to ragincajun03
quote:
Seems to me if you're taking money from a law firm for the sole reason of playing football, then it might be a gnat's hair difference, if that, than taking prize money.
Money from law firm is NIL which is where this mess started.
Despite our opinions endorsement deals are separate from professional compensation which is what the prize money is considered. This is like Tiger woods going back to Stanford to finish out his eligibility after his first year on the PGA Tour!
At this point its obvious the NCAA has given up and is waiting for the inevitable government to step in and fix it!
Posted on 2/27/26 at 3:02 pm to Ingeniero
From indoctrinated cult hives to basically just sports camps, safe to say the American University as a place of higher education is dead.
Posted on 2/27/26 at 3:16 pm to Ingeniero
Is there really track NIL of any value? Why would he even do this?
Posted on 2/27/26 at 5:02 pm to Jack Ruby
quote:
Is there really track NIL of any value? Why would he even do this?
He says he wants to get his degree so a track scholarship will pay for that.
He probably didn't make that much as a pro anyway. Just appearance fees for filling out the field during the track circuit. He's fast but not world class sprint medal fast, he got the bronze as part of a relay team.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News