Controversy Surrounding the Removal of Hannah Hidalgo’s Nose Ring During Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 Loss

During Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 game against Oregon State, freshman All-American, Hannah Hidalgo, was forced to remove her nose ring by game officials due to the NCAA rule prohibiting jewelry during games. Despite having worn the nose ring throughout the entire season, Hidalgo was suddenly told to take it out or risk not being able to play in the game. This decision came as a surprise not only to Hidalgo but also to her coach, Niele Ivey, and other members of the Notre Dame team.

Initially, one official told Hidalgo that she could wear the nose ring as long as she covered it up. However, after the first quarter, she was instructed to remove it immediately. The athletic trainers on the sidelines struggled to take out the ring, causing Hidalgo’s nose to bleed. This turn of events left Hidalgo feeling frustrated and confused, as she was given no explanation for the sudden change in enforcement of the rule during the game.

After the game, the NCAA released a statement citing Rule 1, Section 25, Article 7, which states that head decorations, headwear, helmets, and jewelry are illegal during games. If a player is found to be wearing jewelry, they must remove it at the first dead ball and cannot return until after it is removed. While the rule itself was clear, what was perplexing to Hidalgo and Ivey was the specific enforcement of it during the game, especially after Hidalgo had been allowed to wear the nose ring all season without any issues.

The forced removal of the nose ring seemed to have an impact on Hidalgo’s performance during the game. She tied a season-low with 10 points, shooting 4-of-17 from the field. This performance, coupled with the time spent on the bench due to the removal of the nose ring, left Hidalgo feeling out of her element. When asked about her shooting struggles, Hidalgo expressed uncertainty, stating that the shots she took were open but simply did not fall.

Oregon State coach, Scott Rueck, was unaware of the situation with Hidalgo during the game. However, he credited his players for their disruptive defense, which led to Hidalgo’s shooting woes. Rueck highlighted the team’s length and discipline in staying in front of Hidalgo as key factors in their success against her, similar to how they have defended other top shooters throughout the season.

The controversy surrounding the removal of Hannah Hidalgo’s nose ring during Notre Dame’s Sweet 16 loss to Oregon State raised questions about the enforcement of NCAA rules and their impact on players. The lack of communication and explanation during the game left both Hidalgo and Coach Ivey frustrated and confused. Moving forward, it is essential for both players and coaching staff to be aware of the rules and any potential points of emphasis to avoid similar situations in the future.