Stipends were given back at a time BEFORE Title IX came along. (Everybody forgets that little detail).
Is it just me or do they not still receive these stipends? I thought I remember a story about Demeco Ryans possibly getting some players together to donate their stipend money to Hurricane Katrina. I could be way off about player or event, but I had heard that and thought stipends were still the case.
My $0.02: terrible idea. Yes, a lot of money comes into the sport for the powerhouses. However, a small minority of colleges nationwide are in the black at the end of the year overall. Just like others have said, can't pay a starter more than a backup. Can't pay a football player more than a baseball player, etc.