USC's new 'enhanced fueling plan' includes $1M in snacks for athletes

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

USC has a new perk to offer its student athletes -- snacks, and lots of them.

The university, which recently said it would offer four-year scholarships in three major sports, has announced a new "enhanced fueling plan" for its more than 650 student-athletes at a cost of more than $1 million. The plan includes offering high-protein foods at "protein stations" on campus, smoothie stations and "snack bags" high in antioxidants.

USC's move stems from the NCAA's decision earlier this year to allow for the expansion of meal allowances for student-athletes, providing universities the opportunity to offer "unlimited" meals and snacks. The move came eight days after UConn guard Shabazz Napier complained during the Final Four that he sometimes went to bed "starving" because he couldn't afford food.

Previously, schools had been allowed to provide three meals per day or a stipend for those meals, but only to scholarship athletes. The new policy applies to walk-ons, as well.