In the aftermath of the national tragedy September 11, many member institutions have inquired about the use of memorial patches for athletics uniforms.

* Football

The American flag on the jersey is a legal insignia. As such, it may not exceed 16 square inches in area (that is, rectangle, square, parallelogram), including any additional material (for example, patch). This is in Rules 1-4-3-b and c on page FR-27.

The American flag either on the helmet or anywhere else on the uniform is not restricted to 16 square inches or 1 1/2 inches in diameter as mentioned in Rule 1-4-4-g. If a school chooses to display the flag other than on the jersey, it is expected that it will do so within reason.

There essentially are two different rules regarding the size of a memorial insignia.

If a memorial insignia takes the shape of a patch or decal with the words World Trade Center/Pentagon, images of the structures, the numbers of the four flights or some other appropriate recognition, it would be designated as legal on the jersey in Rules 1-4-3-b and c. Consequently, it falls under the 16 square inches in area restriction.

Such an insignia also would be legal elsewhere on the uniform with no size restriction. It is expected, however, that anything placed elsewhere would be done reasonably.

If a memorial insignia focuses on one individual, Rule 1-4-4-g is in order and the insignia should not exceed 1 1/2 inches in diameter. If the insignia contains numbers, it should be placed where it cannot be confused with the uniform numbers on jerseys, helmets or pants.

Rule 3-5.7: A commemorative/
memorial patch or ribbon is permitted within the 4-inch side insert of the game jersey, anywhere on the game pants, anywhere on warm-up suits or on the shoulder strap of the game jersey. If the commemorative/memorial patch or ribbon is on the shoulder strap of a game jersey, it shall be sewn on or attached with Velcro. No restriction is placed on what such a patch may say, its shape or its size.

* Men's and women's soccer

Rule 4-1-a: A commemorative patch may be permitted on a jersey or shirt. The entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (that is, rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2 1/4 square inches.