IHSA Board Modifies Basketball Uniform Rules

Basketball uniforms were the main subject of December's Illinois High School Association meeting of its Board of Directors.

The Board voted to modify three NFHS basketball uniform rules for this season. The IHSA follows all NFHS rules, but has the power to modify them if needed.

Action was taken after many school's basketball teams were still in violation of the NFHS uniform rule. Uniforms became a “point-of-emphasis” for this season, and more officials have cracked down on the compliance of uniforms.

Reports of non-compliant unforms have come up in the area already this season. Before each game, uniforms are supposed to be inspected by IHSA game officials to ensure they are compliant by NFHS standards. If a team is not compliant, they are issued a technical foul before the game starts.

“Over the past few years, we have come to the realization that a large percentage of our member school basketball teams are in violation of the NFHS uniform rules,” IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson stated in a press release. “We have unsuccessfully tried to make some changes to the uniform rules at the national level, which led to the decision by our Board to provide a remedy for the majority of our schools with illegal uniforms.”

NFHS Rule “3-4-1e” was modified so that the side inserts (trim, piping, accent color) cannot extend into either the front or back torso of the jersey to a point closer than one inch of any number. Previously, the side inserts had to be a maximum of four inches, two inches on each side of the seam.

Rule “3-4-4b” was modified to make the first and last letters of arched lettering on jerseys extend to the mid-point of the number. Previously, arched lettering above the number could not surpass the horizontal plane of the top of the number. Likewise, arched lettering below the number could not surpass the horizontal plane of the bottom of the number.

Rule “3-4-4d” regarding the one-inch spacing of lettering and numbers was modified to include the decorative accent in identifying names or decorative accents not part of an identifying names.

“Traditionally, we follow the NFHS Rulebook without exception, so this is certainly rare that we ask the Board of Directors to grant a rule modification,” IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman stated in the press release. “However, we believe that this change makes sense and will make the lives of our coaches, student-athletes and officials easier, while also maintaining the integrity of the uniform.”

When a team is found non-compliant with the NFHS uniform rule, it can apply for a waiver from the IHSA. With this rule change, teams that have been granted waivers already are no longer required to present it to game officials before a game.

The IHSA Board only made the changes to the rule for this season. If the alterations to the rule are not renewed after this season, the previous uniform rules will apply.

Rules regarding the torso of a jersey being a single solid color, as well as the requirement that home teams must wear white jerseys are not altered with today's changes. Technical fouls can still be issued if teams are non-compliant with the revised uniform rules.

“It’s important to note that today’s changes do not uniformly eliminate illegal uniforms,” added Gibson. “Rather, they allow exceptions to common, but illegal, uniform styles that we believe do not hinder the ability of the game officials and game administration to recognize the uniform number.”

The NFHS recommends that schools ensure that legal uniforms are being ordered and purchased from manufacturers and distributors.


Other IHSA Actions

*The Board sustained the ruling on the eligibility of Auburn boys basketball player Marcus Posley, who was declared ineligible for non-compliance with the IHSA's student transfer by-law on Oct. 12 after his move from Winnebago over the summer.

*State Final Softball starting times have been moved to a 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. structure. Recent state final tournaments have been marred with weather delays. The altered times push games earlier and gives more room for delayed games to be played in time.

*Fully-automated timing (FAT) machines are now required at every Track and Field sectional, and no manual times will be considered. If, for any reason, a sectional site without a fully-automated timing machine is chosen, then only the top two finishers from each running event will advance. The seeding of these particular runners at the State Final Meet in such a scenario has yet to be determined. The IHSA will make every effort to find sectional sites with fully-automated timing machines.

*The yearly alteration of several State Final Meet qualifying standards in Track and Field were also made.

*Language in Bass Fishing Meet rules was clarified to explain the role of captains and coaches (drivers) of each boat. They cannot fish, tie lures, net fish, handle fish, or handle fishing gear. However, if a boat only has one fisher, then the captain or coach can net fish only if asked by the fisher.

*Hole sitting (saving fishing spots on the lake) by non-competing Bass Fishing boats at the state and sectional levels is now prohibited. Likewise, schools are limited to putting in the water only the number of boats entered or qualified. No additional boats from schools will be allowed into the water.

-Cody