Could uniforms have a different look this season? The NCAA has opened the door for that to be possible. They announced this along with other rule changes and waivers surrounding the events and movements that have been witnessed in 2020.Â
In regards to the social justice campaigns, the NCAA is changing their rules and will now allow student athletes two places on the uniform. One on the front and one on the back, where athletes can express support and voice their opinions.
The patch that will be allowed on the front, which most sports already allow, as authorized by the school or conference, can be a commemorative/memorial patch (names, mascots, nicknames, logos and marks) intended to celebrate or memorialize people, events or other causes. This patch is not to exceed 2.25 square inches and must be placed on either the front or the sleeve of the player’s uniform. Even though not all team members will be required to wear the patch, they must be identical for those who do choose to wear them.
The second location will be located on the back of the uniform where the player‘s name is traditionally located and, as authorized by the school or conference, will allow names/words intended to celebrate or memorialize people, events or other causes. These names or words may vary by team member.
According to the NCAA, football team areas will be expanded to the 15 yard lines. This is being done in order to give the teams more room for social distancing. The current rule had each team area located between the 25 yard lines.
Another rule change in football deals with the coin toss. The new rule says that the coin toss participants will be limited to two officials and one captain from each team. The current rule allowed up to four game captains and additional people such as media members or ceremonial captains to be in proximity of the coin toss.
There were some rule changes for other sports as well. These rule changes were in regards to both men’s and women’s soccer along with women’s volleyball. As far as men’s and women’s soccer, players ejected for spitting at an opponent will have to serve a two game penalty. This is changed from the current rule that called for an ejection and a one game suspension. As for women’s volleyball, the teams will remain on the same bench during the entire match rather than switch benches after each set.
