<strong>UNIFORMS
</strong>Athletes are required to purchase their own school-issued uniform for competition. It be within the guidelines of the MSHLS and Duluth East. These uniforms can be used for future seasons. These are to be worn only at meets. They are not to be worn at practice, in school, or at home. When you launder the uniform, please use a cold-water wash and rinse cycle.
Uniforms can be purchased for $15 with a check payable to “East Track” – Put “Athlete Name” in the memo field of the check.
<strong>IF YOUR UNIFOM IS LOST OR STOLEN YOU ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.</strong>
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<strong>COMPETETION UNIFORM RULES</strong>
Be aware of having the proper uniform while competing in a track meet. You must wear the issued and/or approved East Track & Field Uniform (tops and bottoms) to compete in the track meet. If you are in a relay, the relay team members must wear the same color spandex. For example, a relay team cannot have one athlete with black spandex and another with red spandex. It must be consistent with all of the relay team members.
<strong>PRACTICE GEAR</strong>
Practice gear is not supplied. You are expected to have gear in your locker that will allow you to practice in any weather. Expensive workout clothing is not required or necessary. With the track season occurring during the Minnesota mud season, expensive gear can easily be ruined. Also remember to keep all valuables in your locked locker or in another secure place.
<strong>SHOES
</strong>The school does not supply either training or competition shoes. For runners a quality pair of training shoes is the most important part of your uniform. The coaches can educate you on the types of shoes, and why you should choose a particular shoe over another. You can also visit a local retailer such as Athlete’s Foot, Foot Locker, or any other athletic store for professional assistance with shoe selection. Most places will give you a discount (10-15% off) if you mention you are on a high school track team.
<strong>COMPETITION SHOES (Spikes)
</strong>Spikes are a critical part of your competitive uniform. Competing in meets in training shoes is fine, but running spikes will definitely improve your performance in track events and some filed events as well. We will supply you with replacement spikes.
Athletes in the shot put and discus do not need high quality training shoes. A pair of cross trainers will work just fine. Specialty shoes are manufactured for all field events. They need to be specially ordered – so plan ahead.
<strong>JEWELRY
</strong>Jewelry, including all piercings, shall not be worn, except for religious or medical medals. Taping jewelry is not allowed, it must be removed. Please check with a meet official if there is a question regarding your uniform or jewelry situation.
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<strong>OFFICIAL MSHSL RULES ON UNIFORMS AND JEWELERY
</strong>The National Federation of High School’s Track and Field Rules book includes a rule on uniforms. Below are some excerpts for those rules:
<strong>Section 3 Competitor’s Uniform</strong><strong> </strong>
Art. 1 The competitor’s uniform shall be issued by the school, worn as intended by the manufacturer and have the following restrictions:
b. 7. The top must hang below or be tucked into the waistband of the bottom when the competitor is standing erect.
c. 4. The waistband of a competitor’s bottom shall be worn above the hips.
d. 1. Any visible garment worn under the uniform top or bottom must be unadorned and a single color.
d. 2. Visible garments worn under the top and bottom do not have to be the same color.
Art. 2. Additional restrictions for relay races.
a. In relay races, each team member shall wear the came color and desigh of school uniform although the length of the bottom may vary.
b. Any visible garment(s) worn under the top or bottom shall be a single color and the same color as those worn by other members of the relay team. Visible garments under the uniform top or bottom may vary in length.
Art. 4 Removing any part of the team uniform, excluding shoes, while in the area of competition, as defined by the games committee, is illegal.
The National Federation of High School’s Track and Field Rules book includes a rule on jewelry, 4-3-3: Jewelry shall not be worn, except for religious or medical medals. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert must be taped and may be visible. <strong>The penalty for wearing jewelry is disqualification from the event.
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Rule 3-4-8: Prior to the start of the meet, the referee shall, either by a meeting or written communication, address the following with all head coaches and team captains;
a. All team members are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship.
b. The head coach shall verify verbally, or in writing, that all of his/her competitors are properly equipped (uniform, equipment, and no jewelry) in compliance with these rules.
c. Any special circumstances, procedures and information pertaining to the meet.
While not inclusive, the following are some examples of allowed vs. prohibited items:
Legal items:
1. Watch (worn on the wrist).
2. Religious medal: medal must be taped to the body under the uniform, medical alert bracelet – taped to the wrist with the faceplate showing.
3. Insulin pump – is approved by the MSHSL.
4. Heart monitor – only with the physician’s statement documenting the need (shown to the meet referee).
5. Atomizer – only with physician’s statement documenting the need (shown to the meet referee).
6. Eye glasses.
7. Rubber bands or elastic bands to control the hair – even if the elastic band has a small piece of metal.
8. A scrunchie, rolled prewrap or a ribbon to control hair. Maximum of two ribbons in total hair.
9. A cast or brace – unless on the throwing hand.
10. Tattoo – unless objectionable.
11. Regulation headband or knit cap – must be unadorned except for school name, school nickname or school mascot.
12. Regulation “sweat band’ for the head or wrists – must be unadorned except for school name, school nickname or school mascot.
Illegal items:
1. cloth/yarn/hemp/etc., bracelets.
2. rubber band(s) on wrist/ankle.
3. earrings – even if covered with tape.
4. rings or any other jewelry, i.e.., navel rings, tongue rings, eye brow rings, and other pierced body parts.
5. barrettes or bobby pins/beads/etc.
6. face/body paint and/or stickers.
7. glitter.
8. baseball hats, scarves, bandannas, do-rags, etc.
9. pins, except to attach competitor numbers.
10. ribbons, pins, etc., attached to shoes/shoelaces.
Clerks, the meet referee, starters, and field event judges, etc., must still do preventative officiating and check all athletes before they compete. However, if an athlete competes while wearing illegal uniform/other apparel, jewelry, and/or illegal items/equipment, the athlete will be disqualified.