But its crap like this happening some things very minor (like buying a kid a meal) that get programs into trouble. Fans, friends and boosters need to really need to have limited access to players. Let them have access to coaches and administrators and keep them away from the kids.
In my experience NU does a good job with this. Usually when there is access to players, lots of coaches, media, etc are there as well. Sure I suppose some back alley stuff could always happen but when there is even a suspicion of it the university is usually all over it. Instead they do get boosters with coaches, TO, trainers, etc. I think people just want to feel like they are are part of the program and there are two ways to do it. The kids. . .or the University paid employees. We try to do it with the latter.