Just one week after Connecticut’s Shabazz Napier delivered his post-championship game comment about how he goes to bed hungry every night, the NCAA has made a move to ensure no student-athlete goes to bed hungry anymore. Under the current scholarship rules, NCAA athletes are only allowed three meals per day, and, because of that whole “no compensation” thing, are left to forage for other food — just like any other poor college student.
Today, the NCAA approved a change to allow unlimited meals for athletes:
Division I student-athletes can receive unlimited meals and snacks in conjunction with their athletics participation, the Legislative Council decided Tuesday. The rule, which applies to walk-ons as well as scholarship student-athletes, is an effort to meet the nutritional needs of all student-athletes.
The provision of meals approved today is in addition to the meal plan provided as part of a full scholarship. Prior to this change, scholarship student-athletes received three meals a day or a food stipend.
Legislative Council chair Mary Mulvenna delivered a statement on the decision: “Today we took action to provide meals to student-athletes incidental to participation. I think the end result is right where it needs to be.”
The council’s recommendation will be voted on by the Division I Board of Directors April 24th.
[BSO]
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