FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 4, 2009 (Mechanicsburg, PA): The PIAA Executive Committee endorsed the NFHS approved changes to 2009-10 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rule 3-3-2 that will make the technical/performance swimsuit illegal for swimmers participating in PIAA member school swimming events.

Effective immediately, swimmers shall be limited to one swimsuit, which shall be constructed of a woven/knit textile material, permeable to water and air, constructed so as not to aid in buoyancy, and shall not contain zippers or other fastening systems. In addition, the suit shall be constructed so that the style/shape for males shall not extend above the waist or below the top of the kneecap and for females shall not extend beyond the shoulders or below the top of the kneecap, and it shall not cover the neck.

The following link to the PIAA Website contains complete information on the new swimsuit requirements, as well as the penalties for violation of the uniform rule:

http://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2009_NFHS_SW_SUIT_CHANGE.pdf

Finally, the one suit rule as referenced above applies to swimming events only. Divers may still wear more than one suit in competition.

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PIAA Contact: Melissa N. Mertz
PIAA Assistant Executive Director
Tel. (717) 697-0374 * Fax (717) 697-7721
E-Mail: mmertz@piaa.org