I thought Stanford coach David Shaw had a real interesting comment on this a month or so back:
"We're a college. It's our job to prepare these kids to make a living, not to provide them a living." He was talking about why colleges shouldn't provide additional financial aid to student-athletes, but it got me to thinking; if some of these kids really aren't making it financially while in school, then why not help them with some additional life training? I think there should be a fund dispensed at the conference or NCAA level, where the S-A has to prepare "proof of income/expense" forms, similar to tax forms, to show that there is an actual shortage of income. Then, the S-A should have to file expense reports w receipts for the purchases he makes while accepting this aid. What better way to prepare a college student for real life than with stacks of tedious paperwork?
. I kid about that part, but there is a middle ground that can be found here...