In a dramatic turn of events, the University of Massachusetts has decided to pay a student the full $10,000 prize for a halftime basketball contest after an insurance dispute called the validity of his winning shot into question.
Contest Winner Denied Prize After Review
During a women’s basketball game on Wednesday, student Noah Lee participated in a halftime challenge requiring him to complete a layup, free throw, three-pointer, and half-court shot within 25 seconds. Lee successfully sank all four shots, seemingly securing the grand prize. However, the university later announced that its insurance provider had denied the payout, citing concerns that the half-court shot was not taken from behind the designated line.
UMass Intervenes, Awards Student Directly
Following the insurance provider’s rejection, UMass took matters into its own hands. The school announced Friday that after reviewing four different camera angles, the insurer ruled Lee’s half-court attempt invalid. Unwilling to accept this outcome, the university decided to honor the prize itself.
“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 additional UMass athletics benefits,” the university said in a statement.
Insurance Company Pushes Back
In response to the university’s actions, Reno-based prize indemnification insurance provider Odds On Promotions stated that UMass had never officially filed a claim. The company asserted that its standard 30-day verification process had not yet concluded and that no final decision had been reached regarding the payout.
While the insurance dispute remains unresolved, Lee walks away with the prize money and additional perks from UMass—ensuring a victorious ending to what could have been a disappointing outcome.