The NCAA announced on Friday that they have extended the family travel expense program for another year.
That means that the association will pay for the travel expenses for the families of the men’s and women’s basketball teams that reach the Final Four in 2016.
The reimbursements works like this: schools can pay out $3,000 to the family members of the players that reach the national semifinals and another $1,000 for the families of the players that reach the national title game.
“This program was a great benefit for the student-athletes and their families, and we want to make sure next year’s championship participants have the same family support available to them,” said Dan Guerrero, chair of the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and athletics director at the UCLA.
The schools will distribute the funds to the family members, much the way that they did in 2015.
In 2013, the NCAA opted to give preferential -- and free -- seating to family members of the players involved in the Final Four, and in 2014, they hosted a special reception for the families. Anyone that has been to a Final Four knows how expensive it can get, and ensuring that the family members of the players can afford to watch their children, brothers and/or sisters play is a good decision in every way.