Northern Iowa student awarded full $10,000 prize after half-court shot controversy
Dalton Hinsch is getting his full prize after all.
The Northern Iowa student who was initially denied a $10,000 prize after completing an in-game basketball shooting challenge Wednesday will, in fact, get the entire amount.
Northern Iowa athletics made the announcement Friday with a release quoting Hinsch and contest sponsor CB Seeds.
Hinsch had 24 seconds to make a layup, a free throw, a 3-pointer and a half-court shot during a timeout in the Northern Illinois-Illinois State game at McLeod Center. He seemingly completed the four-shot task in time, only to have his half-court shot ruled too late after confusion in exactly how much time had elapsed.
The contest’s rules stated a 24-second limit, but the arena emcee’s 3-2-1 countdown, audibly heard in a Twitter video, lined up with a 27-second time frame. The arena shot clock was not allowed to be used in the course of a game — only before the game or during halftime.
Hinsch previously was going to receive $2,000, a trip to the Missouri Valley tournament and apparel. He now will still receive a package to watch the Panthers at Arch Madness, which includes tickets and a hotel stay, along with the full $10,000.
“Thank you to UNI and CB Seeds for the prize,” Hinsch said in the release. “I understood the rules prior to the contest, and am truly grateful for UNI and CB Seeds going above and beyond and awarding me the $10,000. I look forward to seeing the Panthers win it all in St Louis!”
