The NCAA does an excellent job of reimbursing teams at regional and national championships, except in the category of local ground transportation. Regardless of the distance involved from the airport to the motel to the game site, visiting teams need ground transportation.

Under the current guidelines established in the NCAA Travel Handbook, a team must provide its own ground transportation unless the campus or site is more than 50 miles round-trip from the airport.

I don't understand the logic in the ground-transportation rule, as teams must have ground transportation in order to meet their commitments. The cost of local ground transportation has increased immeasurably regardless of the distance traveled; therefore, monies derived from participating in these events must be absorbed by the institution or by the participating student-athletes in the form of per diem.

Personally, I don't understand the NCAA's rationale in this matter. I'm very confident that other coaches share my concern and would appreciate the subject of ground transportation being discussed at a future budget committee meeting, with the results made public concerning their feelings and course of action.