By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Athletic dept. supports policy, students prefer logos though, Livengood said
UA athletes may be able to choose whether they want to display corporate logos on their apparel if the Faculty Senate approves a new policy Monday.
The policy, presented by the University Committee on Corporate Relations, would allow University of Arizona athletes to refuse to wear corporate insignia by signing a form of consent or non-consent.
"The athletes have the right to accept or reject clothing with specific logos," UCCR Chairman Tom Davis said. "(It) gives the athletes a choice."
The athletic department supports the policy, but athletic director Jim Livengood said most athletes like wearing logos such as the Nike swoosh.
"It will have very little effect on us, if any," Livengood said. "It's not a big issue with athletics, Nike is perceived as being a quality company."
"They (athletes) love Nike," he added.
Athletes have not discussed the idea yet, because the Faculty Senate must vote at Monday's meeting, but Davis said he thinks the policy will pass.
"I think they'll be supportive of the new policy," Davis said.
While issues surrounding Nike and sweatshops have been actively discussed at the UA, this policy does not stem from these recent discussions.
"It has absolutely nothing to do with any of those issues and it is really a move to support our student athletes by giving them the right to choose," Davis said.
The policy states that "freedom of choice may be compromised where students or employees are asked to participate in or support various corporate promotions."
The consent form permits athletes and those affiliated with athletics to sign a form of non-consent, stating he or she does "not agree to wear the following corporate apparel with logos."
The athletic department does not ask student athletes to wear apparel that doesn't fit or isn't good for them, Livengood said, so the policy will not change much.
"It's trying to make sure we're being smart about corporate sponsorship," he said. "We're trying to be very careful of where we put logos, it will have very little impact on intercollegiate athletics because we're doing most of the things that are in the policy."
Davis said the policy is an excellent move by the university.
"It shows once again our commitment to our student athletes," he said.
