The following article
is in response to the NCAA meeting and debating on Boise State and all football
teams’ ability to wear uniforms that don't contrast with their football fields.
Prior I wrote an article about this topic. Following we read about how the
Mountain West Conference is now backing Boise State and their ability to wear
all blue uniforms on their blue football field. The MWC claims the restriction
is not in place to protect players or the university, but on the flip side it
hinders Boise State’s ability to recruit and function. Why is the NCAA making
so much noise about Boise State wearing contrasting uniforms on their football
field?
Mountain West, which
banned Boise State’s blue jerseys the last two seasons, now fighting NCAA’s
proposed ban
By Frank Schwab | Dr. Saturday – 1 hour 38
minutes ago
Email
(USA Today Sports
Images)
How appreciative is the
Mountain West that Boise State didn't jump ship to the Big East? Enough that it
has done a complete 180 on the Broncos' blue jerseys and is now fighting the
NCAA for Boise State to be able to continue using the uniforms on its home blue
field.
The last two seasons,
the league would not allow Boise State to wear the all-blue uniforms on its
home field. This caused a controversy. Boise State made it part of the
negotiations to remain in the Mountain West for 2013 and beyond that the
all-blue look would be allowed again. The Mountain West agreed to that, and
wouldn't you know it, the conference is now fully on board with the idea of the
all-blue look.
The NCAA is trying to
require teams wear uniforms that contrast with the playing field. While this
also would affect teams that want to wear all green, it's pretty transparent
that this rule proposal is directed right at Boise.
So the Broncos got the
indebted Mountain West to fight the NCAA on its behalf.
The Idaho Statesman
reported that Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson sent a letter to oppose
the rule. The Statesman had a copy of the letter, and here it is:
Mr. Ty Halpin
Associate Director of
Playing Rules Administration
National Collegiate
Athletic Association
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, IN
46206-6222
Ty:
Following the
recommendation of the NCAA Football Rules Committee and in advance of the
meeting of the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) next month, the
Mountain West Conference would like to provide feedback related to the proposed
change to Football Playing Rule 1-4-4 in advance of the March 1 deadline for
comments (which was also provided via the online submission process).
The MW, on behalf of
member institution Boise State University, is strongly opposed to the suggested
change which states “either the uniform pants or the jersey must clearly
contrast with the color of the surface of the field of play”. As you know,
Boise State Football is known for its signature blue turf. For a majority of
their history, they have worn blue pants and blue jerseys when playing at home.
The proposed rule is
not related to any student-athlete safety concerns. Furthermore, this
regulation could have a significant negative marketing impact for the Broncos.
It will also likely result in undesirable publicity for the NCAA, and would
most certainly be damaging to the Boise State University brand. Whatever upside
might result from this change is not worth the harmful impact it will have on
this institution.
Thanks for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Craig Thompson
We really don't see why
this is such a big deal to the NCAA or coaches who fight it. It's part of Boise
State's identity at this point, and it is a huge deal to Broncos fans. If
there's an edge gained, it has to be very minor. We do agree with Thompson in
that there's not much to be gained by fighting it, other than agitating Boise
State.
And there's sure to be
plenty of agitation to go around in Idaho if the rule comes to pass.
- - -
No comments:
Post a Comment