A collegiate cross country athlete in Minnesota shared that he was prevented from participating in his final season after receiving a $6,000 donation from community members to help cover tuition costs.
The NCAA has ruled that Mohamed Bhatti, a senior and two-time national runner-up at Augsburg University, will not be allowed to compete during the indoor or outdoor track seasons, a decision he announced recently.
The 26-year-old nursing student expressed he faced significant financial struggles last semester at his Division III institution in Minneapolis.
He almost had to leave school before the community stepped in to support him financially.
“People contributed around $6,000 to help with my tuition that semester. It was just love and support, and I’m genuinely thankful — it wasn’t something corporate or complicated, just folks helping me out,” he remarked.
However, the NCAA found out about the donation and ruled it a breach of their policies since it wasn’t tied to name, image, and likeness (NIL) branding or sponsorships.
According to NCAA rules, Division III schools cannot offer athletic scholarships, and financial aid must be merit-based or through FAFSA.
Division III athletes are also prohibited from accepting external financial support for tuition unless it aligns with existing financial aid policies or NIL guidelines.
“I really think some of the NCAA rules don’t seem fair to everyone,” Bhatti commented in a post titled “Night Run.”
“They view my community’s support as a violation, which means I can’t run this year,” he added.
While acknowledging he breached NCAA regulations, Bhatti emphasized there was no ill intent behind his actions.
“They said the people who helped pay for my school broke the rules. I get it, but I don’t think they understand the full story. Many seek help during tough times. Sometimes, it’s just about surviving,” he wrote.
“It’s unfortunate that this generosity is viewed negatively rather than as community love. I’m not being paid or receiving anything outrageous; they just helped keep me in school. Accepting that I can’t run because of this is difficult. I’ve invested so much time and effort. I genuinely wanted to create memories in my final year with my teammates,” he expressed.
Despite this setback, Bhatti remains grateful for the community’s support and views it as a challenge he can overcome.
He was determined to maintain a rigorous schedule during his senior year, working overnight at a nursing home before attending classes and fitting in lengthy training runs.
Throughout his collegiate career, Bhatti achieved notable success, including multiple conference championships and achieving a personal best, placing second in a significant race.
His exceptional performance in a recent marathon secured him a spot in prestigious upcoming races, demonstrating his resilience and enduring passion for running despite the obstacles he faces.
