From: zcjm0f@wwnv67.hou.amoco.com (CJohn Mace)
Subject: Re: Texas A&M--12th Man
Organization: Amoco Production
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 16:30:45 GMT

In article <168B8CAAF.SCHMIDT@LSTC2VM.stortek.com> SCHMIDT@LSTC2VM.stortek.com (Jon Schmidt) writes:
>In article <1992Dec8.230057.637@hou.amoco.com>
>zcjm0f@wwnv45.hou.amoco.com (CJohn Mace) writes:
>>
>>If you look at the Aggie sideline, you can usually find 10 or so
>>#12's.  Their uniforms are distinguished by the white band on the sleeve
>>and the 12th man insignia also on the sleeve.
> 
>Interesting.  What exactly is this 12th man insignia?  I wonder if the
>white band and/or insignia on the sleeve might constitute "illegal
>equipment?"  According to football rule 1-4-5, illegal equipment
>includes:
>- Tape or any bandage on a hand, wrist, forearm or elbow, unless used to
>  protect an injury and specifically sanctioned by the umpire.
>- Anything on the uniform other than a player's numbers, a player's
>  name, memorial recognition, institution, conference or game
>  identification.  No other words, numbers or symbols are permitted on a
>  player's person or tape (Exception: Game information on a player's
>  wrist or arm).
>- Jerseys that have been taped or tied in any way.

I would be surprised if A&M has not had the jersey's approved by the NCAA
before letting its players where them.  The insignia itself is just a
"12th man" isignia (thats it... it says "12th man", no pictures or anything),
and it is a trademark of the Texas A&M University System, so it might fall
under "institution" part of the rule.


> 
>>In article <00964C74.D0AB4140@BAEPV4.NCSU.EDU> mchenry@BAEPV4.NCSU.EDU (MCHENRY@BAE.NCSU.EDU) writes:
>>>
>>> Is there a rule that limits the player(s) to kickoffs only?
>>
>>nope, although they are not allowed under NCAA rules to travel with
>>the team to road games.  Any road game that A&M plays in which you see
>>a 12th man, is a game where the 12th man player paid/drove himself there.
>>(and he has to carry his own equipment)
>>
>>:-(
>>cmuck
> 
>If a 12th man isn't allowed to travel with the team to road games, it's
>not because of any NCAA rule.  The NCAA manual says:

When Jackie Sherrill was still here, there were a lot of questions about
the 12th man going to road games and bowl games.  Jackie made if very 
clear that it was against the NCAA rules for the 12th man to travel to
these games, but it was not against the rules to have an organization
or alumni sponsor the trip.

> 
>"16.8.1.2  Competition While Representing Institution.  An institution
>may provide actual and ncessary travel expenses (e.g. transportation,
>lodging and meals) to a student-athlete for participation in athletics
>competition, provided the student-athlete is representing the
>institution (competes in the uniform of the institution) and is eligible
>for collegiate competition."
> 
>The payment of travel costs to an away-game is considered to be a
>benefit incidental to athletics competition and is not "financial aid."
>Thus, travel costs can be paid by the institution for all of its
>student-athletes that will compete, regardless of whether they also
>receive financial aid (i.e. are on scholarship).
> 
>Now it is very possible that the conference, in an effort to control its
>members' costs, has implemented a rule which restricts the number of
>student-athletes whose travel expenses for an away-game may be paid by
>the institution.  However, it is very unlikely that such a conference
>rule would distinguish between scholarship student-athletes and walk-on
>student-athletes.  Therefore, I must conclude that requiring a 12th man
>to pay his own travel expenses and carry his own equipment for away-
>games is really just another atavistic A&M tradition -- a ritual where
>the 12th man must abase himself and be grateful for the privilege.

I think you will find that the term "student athlete" is for those 
players on scholarship.  The 12th man guys are walk-ons.  And there
is a rule for traveling determining the number of players that you
can bring to a road game, whether it is determined by the NCAA, 
the Conferences, or the contract between the schools, I am not sure.

> 
>-- 
>Jon_Schmidt@stortek.com  Storage Technology Corporation
>(303) 673-3581 - voice   2270 South 88th Street
>(303) 673-6039 - fax     Louisville, Colorado 80028-5209


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