Uniform rule--IHSA Clarification

[JRutledge]

Did anyone get any information about the new uniform rule (meaning the color of the jersey) was going to be under review?

Our state left all officials this message.

11/7 Uniform Rule Clarification

NOTE: This message has also been posted in the Case Situation area of the IHSA Schools' and Officials' Center.

Since the advent of the basketball pre-season rule interpretation meetings, the IHSA Office has received a number of inquiries from member schools concerning the application of rule 3-4 (Uniforms) this year in Illinois. At the rule interpretation meetings, schools and officials were notified that schools who either failed to wear white uniforms as the home team in a varsity boys’ or girls’ basketball game or wore illegal uniforms should be penalized in accordance with rule 10-3-2. Schools were also told at these pre-season rules meetings that they could write to the IHSA Office for a waiver of the uniform requirement if necessary. As member schools were reminded, they were given four years to plan for this year’s emphasis on wearing proper and legal uniforms.

However, with girls’ basketball games scheduled to begin next week, the IHSA has clarified its position with respect to the uniform rule in Illinois for the regular season. It has been determined that, while the onus of responsibility for ensuring their teams are wearing legal uniforms resides with each member school and that school administrators must work, in some cases, more closely with their basketball coaches when ordering uniforms, the current penalty for wearing illegal uniforms as established by the NFHS is scheduled to be reviewed at an up-coming meeting of state association directors, and, as a result, the penalty is not to be enforced by officials. Officials are, though, required to complete a Special Report with the IHSA Office if they officiate a boys’ or girls’ varsity basketball contest in which either team is wearing what they suspect to be an illegal uniform, including an incidence of a varsity home team failing to wear white uniforms.

As a final reminder, the restrictions on home teams wearing white uniforms applies only to the varsity level.

Schools or officials with additional questions can contact Kurt Gibson or Beth Sauser at the IHSA Office.

Peace