In order for athletes to make it to the college level, they have to be a rare breed. There is something special about them that got them to that point- they are bigger, stronger, and faster than others. And due to their rigorous workout and game schedules, their appetites are something else too. As a result, a new rule was finalized by the NCAA on Thursday, April 24th, which allows division 1 student-athletes to receive as much food as they want at no cost to them. Up until this point, student-athletes only had 3 meals per day paid for them.

        Although not completely due to the comments of Shabazz Napier’s comments, the decision certainly came just in time. The UConn basketball player stated in an interview that he often times went to bed starving because he couldn’t afford enough food.

        These comments drew a lot of attention to the matter, and made people realize that student-athletes are not average.  They require more calories than the average person in order to maintain their weight and build muscle. This rule was put into place so that athletes are able to perform to the best of their ability, and athletes that cannot afford enough food no longer have to worry about going to bed hungry anymore.