All division one student-athletes will be allowed to have seconds, thirds and fourths if they so desire the next time they attend a banquet. The NCAA’s Legislative Council voted for a new rule allowing athletes to receive unlimited meals and snacks as long as they are associated with athletic activities. The rule is for all student-athletes in Division one whether they are scholarship players or walk-ons.
The NCAA will tell you this is to ensure all student-athletes meet nutritional needs, but really this is just a common sense decision to avoid further criticism in the aftermath of pastagate. The previous rule regarding food limits restricted athletes to three meals per day or food stipend as part of the scholarship.
“Today we took action to provide meals to student-athletes incidental to participation,” Council chair Mary Mulvenna said in a statement released by the NCAA. “I think the end result is right where it needs to be.”
In addition, the Legislation Council also voted for some other rules of note. Per the NCAA, members also voted to:
- Require strength and conditioning coaches to be certified from a nationally accredited certification body;
- Require a school staff member certified in CPR, first aid and arterial external defibrillation to be present at all physical, countable athletic activities;
- Reduce the penalty for a first positive test for street drugs during championships; and
- Require football players to rest for at least three hours between practices during the preseason. Film review and team meetings will be allowed during this period.
The Division 1 Board of Directors must still approve the rules. The next meeting for the board is scheduled for April 24, and this should be a simple vote.
