Disowned Lesbian Student Athlete Allowed to Receive Fundraising Money After NCAA Changes Rules

When Emily Scheck's parents discovered she was a lesbian this summer, they issued her an ultimatum: leave school and endure therapy for her sexual orientation or be cut out of their lives.

Scheck, a 19-year-old cross country runner at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, stayed at school, The Washington Post reported.

She was working two part-time jobs to sustain herself while attending classes and running, when a a roommate started a fundraising campaign.

But last week, the NCAA issued Scheck another ultimatum. The athletic association told the 19-year-old she needed to return the more than $58,000 she had received from the crowdfunding or she would be prohibited from running.

On Friday, in a rare decision that contradicted strict rules that typically prohibit students from receiving outside funding, the sports body said Scheck she could keep the money and continue competing.

"Emily Scheck can retain her eligibility and continue to receive GoFundMe donations that assist her with living and educational expenses," the NCAA said in a statement. "NCAA staff worked with Canisius College to provide guidance that the fundraiser can continue with school monitoring and will continue to assist as needed. NCAA rules and waiver precedent allow a school to assist a student-athlete with a fundraiser after a significant life event occurs."

By Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $71,000, far surpassing its initial objective of $5,000.

Scheck told The Buffalo News "as long as I stay in Buffalo and I don't come home, they've made it clear that I'm still on my own."

The outlet reported that after Scheck's family found out she had a girlfriend through social media posts, her mother texted her "Well, I am done with you. As of right now, declare yourself independent. You are on your own. Please don't contact us or your siblings." When Scheck asked why, her mother reportedly responded "because you disgust me."

Then, her father dropped off Scheck's personal items, including childhood photos and her birth certificate.

Her father told The Buffalo News that the family accepts her sexual orientation and that Scheck was not detailing the entire story of their rift.

"It's a private family matter. We love our daughter. We accept Emily," he said, noting the claims about disowning her were intended to force her to come home.

Scheck told The Buffalo News that her family changed their stance when the GoFundMe page went up. For the first months of the school year, she barely could survive financially and considered leaving school.