September 17, 2008 All reports had been that the NCAA was the only organization taking a step to deny these suits' use absent further testing. The only thing on the NFHS website about attire/uniforms the past several years seems to be about jewelry.

Checking the NCAA's 2008 rules (pp. 37-38, copied below), apparently the legal advice is that maintaining the integrity of the sport is not as important as the clause that says the NCAA rules committee "is not responsible for testing or approving playing
equipment for use in intercollegiate swimming."

From what I can tell, all we've seen the last decade is the swimsuit manufacturers pushing the boundaries of integrity as much as they can get away with. Teflon patterns on jammers have gradually given way to full-bodied, rubber coated tights. As mad as I want to get at some of the marketers (especially the ones with world class swimming experience), selling product is their jobs. It's FINA and other governing bodies that have to draw the line.

But now they've allowed swimming in balloons, so what's next? Some team swims with webbed gloves and says the NCAA/USMS/NFHS can't stop them because the governing bodies have given up their right to defend themselves due to this kind of rule interpretation? I'm only half kidding.


RULE 3 - Competitors
SECTION 1. General Uniforms

ARTICLE 1. a. Competitors' uniforms should be characterized by conformity to recognized standards of propriety.
b. In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 12.5.4, an institution's uniform or any item of apparel (e.g., bathing suits and warm-ups) that is worn by a student-athlete while representing the institution in intercollegiate competition shall contain only a single manufacturer's or distributor's logo or trademark on the outside of the apparel (regardless of the visibility of the logo or trademark). The logo or trademark must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (i.e., rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2¼-square inches. Such an item of apparel may contain more than one manufacturer's or distributor's logo or trademark on the inside of the apparel provided the logo or trademark is not visible.
c. If an institution's uniform or any item of apparel worn by a student-athlete in competition contains washing instructions on the outside of the apparel or on a patch that also includes the manufacturer's or distributor's logo or trademark, the entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (i.e., rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2¼-square inches.
d. The restriction of the size of a manufacturer's or distributor's logo is applicable to all apparel worn by student-athletes during the conduct of the institution's competition, which includes any pregame or postgame activities (e.g., postgame celebrations or pre- or postgame media conferences) involving student-athletes.

Artificial Aids
ARTICLE 2. No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or foreign substances to help his or her speed, pace or buoyancy in competition. Pulling on a lane line to assist motion is not permitted. Temporarily applied adhesives shall not be used to assist the backstroke start; however, host institutions are encouraged to have all end walls and touch pads finished with a permanent or semipermanent nonslip surface. Goggles may be worn and rubdown oil may be applied if not considered excessive by the referee.

New Equipment
ARTICLE 3. The NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committee is responsible for formulating the official playing rules for the sport. The committee is not responsible for testing or approving playing equipment for use in intercollegiate swimming.
Equipment manufacturers have undertaken the responsibility for the development of playing equipment that meets specifications established by the committee. The NCAA urges manufacturers to work with the various independent testing agencies to ensure the production of safe products. Neither the NCAA nor the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming Committee certifies the safety of any swimming equipment. Only equipment that meets the specifications stated in the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Rules may be used in intercollegiate competition.
While the committee does not regulate the development of new equipment and does not set technical or scientific standards for testing equipment or the approval or disapproval of specific playing equipment, the committee may provide manufacturers with informal guidelines as to the equipment-performance levels it considers consistent with the integrity of the sport. The committee reserves the right to intercede in order to protect and maintain that integrity.
The NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committee suggests that manufacturers planning innovative changes in swimming equipment submit the equipment to the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committee for review before production.
Submitted by: Charlie

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