GUIDANCE ON CANCER AWARENESS ACTIVITIES

As many schools are participating in breast cancer and other awareness activities in multiple sports, information regarding legality of certain uniforms, games balls, and other product information is included in this email.

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) began the WBCA Pink Zone, formerly known as "Think Pink," in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses, and in communities.  The idea has caught on at the high school level as well, with numerous schools and communities participating to raise awareness about breast cancer and other types of cancer.  The WBCA has put together a list of product ideas that you may find suitable to an event at your school.  Please click here to view the list. 

Effective immediately, IGHSAU written permission to wear pink uniforms for special event games involving students in grades 7-12 is no longer required - with a few caveats.  First, please remember that this pink uniform exemption is being allowed for special occasions.  This could be a one-night event, or perhaps an "awareness week" where one home event at each competition level participates.  If teams overuse the uniforms, the message and meaning behind the pink uniforms will be lost.  Also, no pink uniforms will be allowed during regional or state tournament competition.  In all sports, if your team is planning to wear pink uniforms, communicate that with your opponent.  If both teams are wearing pink uniforms, the visiting team uniform should be a distinctly darker shade of pink than the home uniform.

There are some fundamental uniform and game ball requirements to remember in certain sports.

Volleyball:

Uniforms - The libero must wear a uniform top that is immediately recognized from all angles as being in clear contrast to and distinct from her teammates.  Her shorts must be like-colored to her teammates.

Game Balls - All panels of the ball shall be solid white or a maximum combination of three colors (with each panel being a solid color) and of which at least one-third of the panels shall be solid white.  The NFHS authenticating mark is required, and there are NFHS-approved game balls with pink panels available.

Soccer:

Uniforms - The home team shall wear white or light-colored jerseys and stockings.  The visiting team shall wear dark-colored jerseys and stockings.  Jerseys and stockings of opposing teams shall be contrasting colors.  The jersey of the goalkeeper shall be distinctly different from that of any teammate or opponent, except the other goalkeeper.  The shorts and stockings of the goalkeeper are not required to be the same color as her teammates.

Game Balls - The NFHS authenticating mark is required, and there are NFHS-approved game balls with pink panels available.

Basketball:

Uniforms - If pink uniforms are worn by the home team, the opposing team should wear their white uniforms.  

Game Balls - Game balls must bear the NFHS authenticating mark.  Pink game balls are illegal.

Softball:

Uniforms - Uniforms among teammates must be of the same color and style.  Contrasting uniforms between opponents are not required.

Game Balls - Game balls must be optic yellow and must bear the NFHS authenticating mark.  Pink game balls are illegal. 

Officials may use pink whistles at their discretion.  Pink and black striped shirts will not be allowed at this time.

The IGHSAU wholeheartedly thanks you and supports your school's efforts to raise awareness about this terrible disease.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Joel Oswald

Assistant Director