This should have been common sense.
From ESPN: The NCAA's legislative council approved a proposal Tuesday to expand the meal allowance for all athletes.
The move occurred eight days after Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier complained during the Final Four that he sometimes went to bed "starving" because he couldn't afford food.
The proposal would allow Division I schools to provide unlimited meals and snacks to all athletes, including walk-ons. The measure still must be approved by the board of directors, which meets April 24.
"I think the end result is right where it needs to be," committee chairwoman and America East assistant commissioner Mary Mulvenna said in a statement released by the governing body.
The proposal has been debated for months, but Napier's comments following last week's national championship game brought attention to the topic. Napier was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament, leading Connecticut to its fourth men's title.
Schools have been allowed to provide three meals per day or a stipend for those meals to scholarship athletes. The new rule would allow walk-ons to receive the same allowances and would allow schools to provide more meals and snacks, too.
Previously, the NCAA had a bylaw allowing schools to offer bagels, fruits and nuts to athletes. But according to an interpretation, spreads like cream cheese were prohibited, according to a February report by the Los Angeles Times. The NCAA eliminated that interpretation last year. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/10787521/ncaa-legislative-council-approves-expanded-meal-allowance
I doubt Napier went to bed hungry because I am sure he could have found a way to get a meal or snack. He does go to school and probably has eaten at a school cafeteria, so he knows the concept of bringing food home from the cafeteria. And he could not affford a Big Mac? They are selling 2 for $4.44 right now.
But this rule change is common sense but why it took months to talk about it is beyond me. Athletes, no matter what sport, have different diet needs, especially if they need a high calorie diet.
Of course, gymnasts and wrestlers are different as they need to control their weight by sharing a corn flake with 3 of their teammates.
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