Be the Referee: Uniform Safety

December 13, 2018

This week, MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice explains how player uniform rules in basketball make the game safer. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen

As the basketball season comes into full swing, we want to take a quick look at some topics that have been at the forefront for schools and officials.

Our primary focus is always the safety of our student-athletes. And while some of the uniform requirements are technical in nature, a point of emphasis this year concentrates on the potential hazards that loose strings and extensions can create.

Rolled waistbands have been interpreted as legal as long as there are no exposed drawstrings and they comply with logo restrictions. Players may wear headbands composed of a soft material. These can be tied as long as any loose extensions or tails are tucked back into the headband. Because they wrap around the entire head, headbands are distinguished from hair-control devices, which have their own requirements and restrictions.

Past editions

December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15:
You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 
7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen

Title IX at 50: Best-Ever Conversation Must Include Leland's Glass

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 7, 2021

Labeling just one athlete the “greatest” of millions who have competed over a half century of MHSAA girls sports history – comparing the all-time best from multiple sports over multiple eras – is both bound to be unfair and ultimately impossible.

But Leland two-sport star Alisha Glass should be part of any related conversations.

The 2006 grad finished her Comets career with national high school career records of 3,584 kills and 937 aces, and her then-national record of 680 career blocks now ranks second. Total she continues to hold four MHSAA records, including for 48 kills during a five-set win over Battle Creek St. Philip in the 2006 Class D Final. She also earned all-state on the basketball court.

After finishing at Leland, Glass started all four of her seasons at Penn State and set the Nittany Lions to three straight NCAA championships. She was named USA Volleyball Indoor Female Athlete of the Year for both 2013 and 2014 and also was honored as the Best Setter of the 2016 Olympics after helping the U.S. to the bronze medal.

Second Half's weekly Title IX Celebration posts are sponsored by Michigan Army National Guard

Previous Title IX at 50 Spotlights

Aug. 31: We Will Celebrate Many Who Paved the Way - Read