Wyoming law sets amateur rules for high school athletes

Students must be amateurs to represent a Wyoming high school in a covered sport or activity. A violation makes them ineligible in that sport or activity. These rules cover students representing a Wyoming high school in a sport or activity sanctioned by the Wyoming High School Activities Association. A student loses amateur status for taking pay to compete, receiving an award over the association’s limit, accepting money or valuable items for using their sports fame, or signing a professional playing contract. A student may sign a college letter of intent if they receive no compensation while participating. The rules take effect July 1, 2026.

Students may receive certain support without losing amateur status, including limited awards, necessary travel costs, and approved pay for time at unsanctioned events. These exceptions apply to students covered by the amateur-status rules. Pay for time at an unsanctioned event must stay within the association’s limit and cannot depend on a student’s or team’s finish, performance, or goal. It cannot be paid for association-sanctioned events or competing for a Wyoming high school. If prize money is available, the student and, when applicable, a parent or guardian must declare in writing before the event that they will not accept prize money and will accept only awards within the association’s limit. Other exceptions include family support, nominal pay for youth sports instruction or officiating, certain program fees, team benefits, fundraisers without performance-based rewards, and scholarships paid directly to a college after graduation. Any required written declaration must be completed before the competition.