Introduction
The Sparks Foundation is a 501c(3) organization that provides need-based scholarships up to full tuition for Sparks rowing camp programming.
Compliance
NCAA bylaw 13.12.1.7 is known as the 'open to any and all rule.' It states that everyone must pay the same price for camps unless clearly posted guidelines are provided that are open to any and all within the scope of the guidelines. This rule exists to prevent collegiate programs (notably those in 'revenue sports' - football, basketball, etc.) from providing discounted or free admission to sport camps to athletic recruits of interest. However, the bylaw has an unintended consequence: the 'open to any and all rule' prevents efforts at diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This is particularly important for what some term "non-revenue country club sports." The Dartmouth Lightweight and Stanford men's rowing programs were cut in 2020 partially as a result of their lack of contribution to their universities' admissions initiatives.
Working together with IceMiller, LLP - an NCAA compliance law firm based in Indianapolis - and contacts at the NCAA itself, Sparks has devised a first-come, first-serve, objectively evaluated camp scholarship scheme in order to provide rowing camp access to a small number of individuals who contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the sport of rowing.
Scholarship Criteria
1. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first serve basis established at the time of registration submission.
2. Applicants are given two weeks from the time of scholarship registration submission to submit the qualifying paperwork in order to receive a rowing camp scholarship.
3. Qualifying paperwork and number of scholarship slots shall be specific to the camp, but comprises the following:
- Proof of Free or Reduced Lunch
- Self-identification of race/ethnicity that has been historically under-represented in the sport of rowing (ie., non-caucasian).
- Submission of an essay (graded on an objective rubric)
Donate
Please contact us in the right corner to discuss donation and tax receipt.
