Saluki's women's track and field 'dressed up' to NCAA uniform rules
Belly buttons are becoming an endangered species at track and field meets.
The NCAA recently changed the uniform rules for track because of improper conduct by officials and photographers. All competitors must wear an official team uniform or be disqualified. Everything on the athlete must match, all the way down to sports bras.
But the color is not as much of a problem as the size. A new rule was added stating bare midriff tops are not acceptable. When the athlete is standing in rest position, the top must meet or hang below the waistband.
"In previous years, we were allowed to wear the tank-top and speed suits," said SIU mid-distance runner Noa Beitler. "When the rule was changed, it was upsetting because we had to change everything."
During an indoor meet last season, a visiting team to SIU was in violation of the bare midriff rule. The officials waited until the athletes were in the starting blocks to pull them out of the race. SIU women's head coach Connie Price-Smith would not allow the athletes to be cut because the official did not give a warning to allow the athletes to change.
"It was a new rule and he was supposed to give the team a warning before pulling them completely from the race," Price-Smith said. "I overruled him and let the girls compete because he was being unfair."
There have been accounts of women reporting unfair rulings by officials and comments made about their body size and the way they look in certain uniforms. This is uncommon because most of the officials are older, ex-athletes themselves.
Every year, the NCAA reviews rule change requests and decides on which regulation change would be in the best interest of the athlete.
According to an article on washingtonpost.com, an official in Florida was caught ogling at a female athlete who was wearing a tank-top and briefs. When asked why, he responded, "I had never seen a young girl so well endowed."
At time of publication he had yet to be disciplined, but he has been suspended until a decision can be reached.
There have also been incidents involving photographers who were caught taking photos of obscene nature instead of full shots of the competition.
The unprofessionalism of a select few has led to requests for establishing a universal uniform for all female athletes.
"That would not be beneficial to everyone's comfort," Price-Smith. "It would not be reasonable or fair."
Price-Smith said that the biggest issue is the different body types of the women.
A big concern for some coaches is the issue of money. Many teams do not have a large enough budget to support the fast-changing uniform rules.
The Saluki women's options have widened this year. The women can now choose between shorts, tights, a speed suit or shinlets.
Many of the athletes believe this is good because all body types are not the same and all uniforms do not fit everyone. Freshman thrower Katy Ritten said she prefers to wear the loose top and shorts with biking shorts underneath.
"Obviously, I cannot wear the short tight shorts and be comfortable because my body type is different than the runners," Ritten said.
Other women decide on what they wear based on what they feel comfortable performing in.
Today, there are many universities that still allow tank-tops, but the manufacturing companies that supply schools no longer make them. Currently, it is only manufactured for professionals.
A standard uniform sounds good to many, but at this point, looks unrealistic.
"I don't think that will happen," Price-Smith said. They've already changed things. That's as unified as it can get."
Reporter Samantha Robinson can be reached at srobinson@dailyegyptian.com
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