Hello CSOA Members and all those interested in joining!  Welcome to the CSOA website and the 2026-27 NCAA swimming season.

I want to share with you pertinent information for the upcoming season:

1. We have made a change to the website registration process. We no longer will be using paypal.  We will be using a far friendlier application called Stripe.  It allows us to be far more flexible in receiving payments and paying invoices.
2. This is a “no-test” year for officials. You are only required to take the NCAA test if you are new to officiating.  However, there are several updates and new rules you need to be aware of for the upcoming season.
3. Please see the recent posts section for a summary of new rule changes for this season regarding logos, links to important documents including pre-season reminders, and the links section for a comprehensive Q&A on logos.  We recommend you download the revised DIGITAL 26-27 rule book to reflect the new rules.

I hope you all have a successful and fun season.  Please continue to check back on the website periodically for new information.

Brian Day

President, CSOA

RULES CHANGES, PRESEASON REMINDERS, and NEW NCAA WEBSITE

 Greg Lockard, Secretary-Editor of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, recently issued two communications in advance of the 2026-2027 season, including a revision to the rule book that is only available in digital format.

NEW NCAA WEBSITE

The new NCAA website for swimming and diving playing rules can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.ncaa.org/championships/playing-rules/swimming-and-diving-playing-rules/

This new link will be provided on the CSOA website.  Both recent memos from the Rules Committee and the revised rule book can be accessed from the new NCAA website.

RULES CHANGES

A July 30, 2026 Memorandum announced several rules changes to adopt recent World Aquatics and USA Swimming rules revisions.  In addition, new rules are provided for Division I programs concerning logos and trademarks on swimsuits, uniforms, caps, and apparel.  These changes have been incorporated into a revised NCAA rule book, dated August 15, 2026.  No additional officials testing is required as a result of these rules changes.

The revised rule book can be accessed through the NCAA website or at the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/PRXSW_RulesBook.pdf

A summary of the rules changes is provided below.  The complete July 30, 2026 memorandum can be accessed through the NCAA website or at the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/Jul302026_PRXSDRulesChanges.pdf

Summary of rules changes:

1. The finish rules for Butterfly (2-2-3-e) and Freestyle (2-2-4-d) allow the swimmer to completely submerge immediately prior to reaching for the finish.
2. In the Individual Medley, intermediate turns (2-2-5-d-1) for Freestyle require the swimmer to return to the breast before any kick or stroke after leaving the wall.
3. Positioning and use of Backstroke ledges (1-3-8-b) is restricted to 4 centimeters (approximately 1.6 inches) above or below the water level.
4. Recent NCAA legislation, applicable for all sports, allows for use of commercial and nonprofit sponsorship to generate revenue to support Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs at NCAA institutions. Three swimming and diving rules were revised regarding use of commercial or nonprofit trademarks and logos on uniforms, apparel, and equipment
   1. Pool Markings (1-3-6 permits use of commercial or nonprofit trademarks/logos on the pool bottom.
   2. Uniform and Swimsuit Customization (3-1-1-d-4 and f) permits two commercial or nonprofit trademarks/logos, not to exceed 4 square inches, on swimsuits, uniforms, caps, and apparel.  Equipment Bylaw Reference (3-1-3-a and b) were similarly revised.  Note that these two changes are limited to Division I swimming and diving programs.  There are no uniform and swimsuit customization rule changes for Division II and III programs.

On March 31, 2026 the NCAA published a lengthy question and answer document to assist NCAA membership in understanding this complex legislation.  This document is applicable to all NCAA sports and will be posted on the CSOA website on the links page.

In a discussion with Greg Lockard, Brian Day, CSOA President, confirmed that enforcement of these new Division I rules are to be handled similar to the prior manufacturer logo rules still in place for Division II and Division III programs.  Recent enforcement guidance was provided on Page 4 of the February 2023 NCAA Pre-Championships Rules Review Memorandum.

Suits and Logos: The only responsibility that a meet referee has regarding logos is to ensure that there is not more than a single manufacturer’s logo on a swimsuit and a single

post-construction institutional logo that does not exceed 9 square inches. The size of the manufacturer’s logo is no longer a playing rules issue; and while potentially a bylaw issue,

falls outside of the jurisdiction of meet officials. The meet officials have no jurisdiction over logos or markings on any other piece of apparel such as caps or warm-ups, etc. (Rule

3-1)

The complete February 2023 memorandum can be accessed through the NCAA website or at the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/2023PRXSW_PreChampionshipRulesReview.pdf

PRESEASON REMINDERS

An August 10, 2026 preseason memorandum provides reminders regarding diving notification deadlines, swimsuit waivers, rules revisions, and NCAA Championship information.  The complete revision can be accessed through the NCAA website or at the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/Aug012026_PRXSDPreseasonMemo.pdf