Equality patch

Some athletes at the University of Arkansas will wear jerseys that include the word “equality” stitched into the uniform top this season.

UA Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek told the school’s board of trustees on Thursday that representatives from the Razorbacks’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and African-American Athlete Leadership Council requested to wear the patches. The patches also will include the Razorback logo and the outline of the state of Arkansas.

The NCAA passed legislation earlier this year that allows players to express viewpoints on the front or back of their jerseys, similar to the NBA.

“What I asked our student leadership groups to do was to come forward to me with something that was not divisive, not controversial, and I think they nailed it,” Yurachek told the trustees. “How they defined equality: Equality is about ensuring every individual — regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs or sexual orientation — has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives or talents.”

According to the NCAA, patches on the front of a jersey cannot exceed 2¼ square inches. Athletes are not required to wear the patches, but patches that are worn must be identical throughout a team.

Yurachek said the patches will first appear on the Razorbacks’ men’s and women’s cross country uniforms during today’s meet at LSU, and on the soccer team’s uniforms for today’s home game against LSU.