Religious Bracelet ...
 

3-5-7: Jewelry is prohibited. Religious and medical-alert medals are not considered jewelry. A religious medal shall be taped and worn under the uniform.

Private prep school middle school girls game yesterday. Girl wearing a soft braided bracelet approached me, the umpire, about its legality. It was braided in place and could not be removed without cutting it off. There was a language problem, as she was Asian, but she seemed to imply that the soft braided bracelet had some religious significance. I had her discuss it with my partner, the referee, and her coach. My partner allowed her to wear it as is.

Should we have, at least, had her cover it with tape?

Or possibly not allow it at all?

VB has essentially the same rule (for jewelry below the chin), but added a couple of cases this year that alter the rule. One specifically states, "Religions items shall be taped to the body and if possible worn under the uniform.

(The underlined is the new wording).

I recognize VB is not BK, but I'd consider applying that case even in BK, as long as the item, after being taped, did not pose a danger.

Always Listen To bob ...
 

Sounds reasonable.

Thanks.

Billy:

The wearing of jewelry prohibited under NFHS (NCAA Men's/Women's, NBA/WNBA, and FIBA) Rules.

NFHS R3-S5-A7: Jewlery is prohibited. Religious items shall be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert item shall be taped and may be visible.

Your partner the R, by allowing her to wear the bracelet voided both his and your liability insurance. Had any Player including the wearer of the bracelet had been hurt because of the bracelet you would have both been held equally liable for all injuries. Alan Goldberger tells every official who considers not enforcing a Safety Rule, that they need to answer the following question: "Do you want your family living in a mobile home for the next 40 years?"

MTD, Sr.

P.S. I am working on the other position paper and will have it finished tomorrow.

Religious Freedom Of Expression ...
 

I agree with Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. by the “letter of the law”.

Jewelry is prohibited. Religious … medals are not considered jewelry.

Religious medals must be taped, and worn under the uniform.

But we also have to figure in purpose and intent.

We now allow, with no documentation from the state, religious head coverings that do not present a safety hazard.

3-5-4-Exception-B State associations may on an individual basis permit a player to participate while wearing a head covering if it meets the following criteria: For religious reasons. Players may wear head coverings for religious reasons without obtaining state association approval. The head covering shall not be made of abrasive or hard materials and must be attached so that it is highly unlikely to come off during play.

Would taping over such a soft braided bracelet worn for religious purposes fulfill the purpose and intent of the rule (not a safety hazard) while also allowing for religious freedom of expression?

Due to the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) the NFHS now allows jewelry in hair.

Are we taking away a player's Civil Rights by prohibiting religious freedom of expression?

I already know what IAABO's Alan Goldberger, Esquire would say.

“The judge will ask to see the written rule in the rulebook", and I will lose my house, my car, and all of my savings and investments, as well as my valuable antique slide rule collection.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a483908f_n.jpg

What is a religious medal? Cross on a necklace? How about a WWJD bracelet? Clearly they are religious in nature but both seem like jewelry. ???

If they were planning ahead (yeah, I know, it's middle school), if the team member had entered the court wearing a legally colored terrycloth wristband, or a legally colored long-sleeved undershirt, this could have been avoided altogether.

Once a crew member observed it, the options get very limited. Could tape have been an option? Maybe, maybe not.

As I said earlier: NFHS R3-S5-A7: Jewlery is prohibited. Religious items shall be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical-alert item shall be taped and may be visible.

If the Officials see a Player wearing Jewelry then the Officials MUST check said Jewelry and inform the Player of her choices.

MTD, Sr.