UMass Amherst to give student $10,000 after half-court shot contest controversy
AMHERST - A UMass student who was initially denied a $10,000 prize after making a half-court shot in a halftime challenge at a college basketball game will be getting the money after all.
The skilled shot maker is Noah Lee, a UMass Amherst senior from Wayland who was attending the women's basketball game Wednesday night. He was randomly picked to compete in the shootout challenge that required him to hit a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer and half-court shot all within 30 seconds.
The Mullins Center crowd went wild when Lee drained his half-court attempt.
"I knew it kind of had a chance," Lee told WBZ-TV. "I never expected it to go in!"
Replay showed half-court shot was on the line
The celebration, however, was short-lived. UMass told Lee they'd be sharing video footage of the contest with their insurance provider.
"It was definitely kind of a sinking feeling for sure but again, to be honest, I think we were still in shock and still trying to really just cherish that moment," said Lee. "Money or not, this is a memory that I'll have for life."
The replay showed that Lee's foot was on the half-court line, and the insurance company determined that his shot was disqualified. Instead, UMass offered Lee a consolation prize package that included a suite for a men's basketball game, and courtside seats for a future women's basketball 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 said. "It's been a weird and very bizarre 36 hours for me."
UMass decides to give Noah Lee his prize
The UMass Athletics Department said in a statement to WBZ-TV Friday morning that they've decided to give Lee his prize, even though the insurance company determined he didn't earn 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 said.
Lee said he got a call from UMass Athletics Director Ryan Bamford Friday morning, saying that the school would "make it right" and get him his money one way or another.
"I give a lot of credit to the school and to him as an athletic director for taking that on," Lee said. "I'm extremely happy, I'm extremely grateful."
Lee, who is majoring in operations and information management, had told WBZ-TV he planned to use that money to pay off student loans and maybe take a spring break trip.
