By BILL WARD
wward@tampatrib.com
Published: November 5, 2009
Updated: 11/05/2009 09:57 am

TAMPA - It might be acceptable for adults at the gym, in road races and in triathlons. But high school girls in sports bras and boys with bare chests violate thedress code of Hillsborough County's public schools and officials are once again attempting to enforce the rule - no matter how hot it is.

County athletic director Lanness Robinson said the issue re-emerged at last week's Hillsborough County Cross Country Championships, where he said he heard complaints from parents and school officials about girls wearing sports bras and boys running shirtless before and after the race.

As a result, Robinson informed the athletic directors of all of the county's public schools they must remind coaches in all sports that even thoughsports bras are designed to be worn as outer garments, they must be covered with at least a singlet (sleeveless T-shirt) and boys cannot go shirtless.

Robinson said the dress code applies to workouts and training sessions year-round - at or away from the school - as well as at any competition or event. He says the rule also goes for all sports and extracurricular school activities, not just cross country.

"There are people who have strong feelings about this one way or the other but in a situation like this, we have to go with our (school) board-adopted policy," Robinson said.

"It's not to punish anyone. It's just a standard set for all of our student-athletes."

Plant girls cross country coach Roy Harrison, who has guided the Panthers to a state-record eight state titles in his 27 years on the job, says he is fed up with what he calls an "outdated" policy for runners. The county has attempted to enforce the dress code several times in the past 10 years with limited success.

Harrison says that, because of his concerns for the safety of his athletes, he again will not follow the mandate.

"We train all through August and September, when the heat index is 103, 105, 107 degrees outside even in the evening and to me, it's asafety issue not letting boys run without their shirts and girls in sports bras," Harrison said. "I have girls drop all the time because they overheat. Now I have to tell them they have to put on another layer on top of it that covers up their midsection?

"I guess I'll just have to get fired as cross country coach. I'm not making my girls follow" the dress code.

Robinson argues that if girls and boys can wear tank tops in races without overheating, then they can do it in training. Coaches, however, contend their athletes are training for much longer periods than they are competing, and therefore reach higher core body temperatures for sustained periods of time.

A competitive high school girl completes a 5-kilometer race in about 20 minutes, while competitive boys cover the distance in about 17 minutes. Their long training runs or track workouts, however, can last from 60 to 90 minutes.