NATIONAL JEWELRY RULE CHANGES FOR TRACK
The Nation Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has eliminated the nation rule prohibiting track and field athletes from wearing jewelry during meets, beginning with the 2015 season.
According to Becky Oakes, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field Rules Committee, the rule change was prompted by the growing sentiment that jewelry was not a significant safety concern for runners.
“Since track is based upon speed and endurance, most runners are not going to load themselves down with jewelry and not make much physical contact with other athletes, so it’s just not as much of a concern anymore,” Oakes said.
The harsh penalties for athletes wearing jewelry during meets also helped to influence the decision for a rule change.
“In track, if you are caught with jewelry on you would be disqualified. With other sports like basketball, athletes would only get a technical foul,” Oakes said. “We felt that this was way too severe [for track] and looked for ways to make it more reasonable.”
Track and field is the first sport where high school athletes are legally allowed to wear jewelry of any sorts. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) complies with the standards set by the NFHS, yet individual coaches and schools have the final say in allowing jewelry to be worn.
Roberson is one of the schools that will continue to follow the jewelry ban. Girl’s track and field coach Andy Morgan says that it is in part due to potential injuries.
“It’s something that we have always done, and the team is always good about just taking it off, so it just makes it easier to continue. We’ve never had anyone get hurt from wearing jewelry because I’ve never allowed it, and I don’t want to risk it now,” Morgan said.
Sophomore and member of the track team Madi Loftis feels an individual’s choices about wearing jewelry can have both positive and negative effects.
“Personally, I think that certain piercings can be a bit overwhelming, and I understand how some, like belly button rings, could get caught on uniforms. At the same time, I don’t want it to hold people back in expressing themselves,” Loftis said.
Oakes said that the main point is to be careful with what is worn, and not allowing it to detract from the integrity of the sport.
“We are encouraging coaches and athletes to use good discretion and remember that you are there to compete, not to get all dressed up,” Oakes said.
According to Becky Oakes, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field Rules Committee, the rule change was prompted by the growing sentiment that jewelry was not a significant safety concern for runners.
“Since track is based upon speed and endurance, most runners are not going to load themselves down with jewelry and not make much physical contact with other athletes, so it’s just not as much of a concern anymore,” Oakes said.
The harsh penalties for athletes wearing jewelry during meets also helped to influence the decision for a rule change.
“In track, if you are caught with jewelry on you would be disqualified. With other sports like basketball, athletes would only get a technical foul,” Oakes said. “We felt that this was way too severe [for track] and looked for ways to make it more reasonable.”
Track and field is the first sport where high school athletes are legally allowed to wear jewelry of any sorts. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) complies with the standards set by the NFHS, yet individual coaches and schools have the final say in allowing jewelry to be worn.
Roberson is one of the schools that will continue to follow the jewelry ban. Girl’s track and field coach Andy Morgan says that it is in part due to potential injuries.
“It’s something that we have always done, and the team is always good about just taking it off, so it just makes it easier to continue. We’ve never had anyone get hurt from wearing jewelry because I’ve never allowed it, and I don’t want to risk it now,” Morgan said.
Sophomore and member of the track team Madi Loftis feels an individual’s choices about wearing jewelry can have both positive and negative effects.
“Personally, I think that certain piercings can be a bit overwhelming, and I understand how some, like belly button rings, could get caught on uniforms. At the same time, I don’t want it to hold people back in expressing themselves,” Loftis said.
Oakes said that the main point is to be careful with what is worn, and not allowing it to detract from the integrity of the sport.
“We are encouraging coaches and athletes to use good discretion and remember that you are there to compete, not to get all dressed up,” Oakes said.