Athletes’ fund is a relief for families

I respectfully take exception to David Fredericks’ Monday letter “Families should not get more money for trips.”

The decision by the NCAA, the Big Ten Conference and Ohio State University’s athletic director, Gene Smith, to provide families with assistance for travel costs was appropriate, timely and consistent with the purpose of the Special Assistance Fund. More importantly, it recognizes the unique circumstances presented by this inaugural playoff format.

The Special Assistance Fund at Ohio State, like those at other NCAA member schools, is funded annually by the NCAA. It is not funded through a school’s athletic operations. The purpose of the Special Assistance Fund is simple but has great impact: to provide direct benefits to studentathletes or their families as determined by the respective conference.

Although there are limitations, schools have discretion when distributing this money to student-athletes. Many of them will use it for travel to and from home, course supplies, medical and dental costs, glasses, psychological counseling and costs associated with family emergencies.

A review of OSU’s use of its Special Assistance Fund would reveal similar uses by student athletes from each of its 36 teams.

The creation and annual funding of the Special Assistance Fund recognizes that student athletes and their families come from diverse backgrounds and may encounter personal and financial challenges while a student athlete is away from home. An award from the Special Assistance Fund provides student athletes and their families some relief from these challenges.

Should additional money be allocated to OSU and other schools to allow all parents to travel to championships? When the NCAA holds its convention this month, I would expect to see this discussed, along with other issues that have a bearing on the financial stability of student athletes, no matter the sport they play.

Regardless of victory or defeat at any championship event, we should not begrudge any student athlete’s parents the opportunity to share an exciting championship moment with their child.

MARK WILSON Former director of Camps and Clinics Ohio State University Department of Athletics

New Albany