UMass Half-Court Shot Contest Controversy Ends With Student Receiving $10,000
Noah Lee, a UMass senior, made headlines for his prowess on the basketball court. Last Wednesday, Feb. 5, Lee attended the women’s basketball game, where he was randomly selected to compete in a shootout challenge for a cash award of $10,000. Lee was required to hit a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer, and a half-court shot, all within 30 seconds.
The crowd at Mullins Center erupted in applause when Lee made his half-court shot. Although the $10,000 was initially awarded to him, UMass officials told Lee they’d share the video of the contest with the university’s insurance and benefits provider just to be safe.
A review of the video replay revealed Lee’s foot touched the half-court line, and the insurance provider determined that Lee should be disqualified. In exchange for the $10,000, UMass offered Lee a consolation offer of a four-person suite for a men’s game and courtside seats for a women’s game.
“I was getting texts from people like, ‘Oh my God. That’s incredible. Congrats.’ And then now them all texting me like, ‘Oh my gosh. That sucks! I’m really sorry!'” Lee told WBZ-TV. “It’s been a weird and very bizarre 36 hours for me.”
Following public outcry on social media, the UMass Athletics Department announced in a statement on Friday, Feb. 7, that Lee would receive the prize, despite the insurance company determining that he didn’t deserve it.
“We weren’t satisfied with that outcome and arrived at the decision to provide Noah with both a $10,000 award and a host of other UMass athletics benefits,” UMass athletics officials said in the statement.
UMass Athletics Director Ryan Bamford contacted Lee on Friday, stating that the university would honor Lee’s accomplishment and get him the money.
Lee, an operations and information management major, shared with WBZ-TV his plans to use the prize money to pay off student loans and fund a spring break trip.
