Hannah Hidalgo, the point guard for Notre Dame, was forced to sit out for over four minutes in a Sweet 16 game against Oregon State after being told she had to remove her nose piercing. NCAA rules prohibit players from wearing jewelry, but Hidalgo had been wearing a diamond stud in her nose all season without issue. She was initially told she could cover it, but was later instructed to remove it, leading her to call the situation “BS” and claim it disrupted her game.
Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey was also taken aback by the decision, stating that they were not given an explanation but believes it was a point of emphasis in the Sweet 16 game. Ivey expressed frustration at not being informed beforehand but acknowledged that they had to move on from the incident. Hidalgo was forced to sit out for the first four-plus minutes of the second quarter while members of the training staff worked to remove the stud, impacting her performance in the game.
Despite starting strong with a 2 of 4 shooting percentage in the first quarter, Hidalgo struggled after the incident, only making 2 of 13 shots for the rest of the game. Her 10 points and four field goals tied her season lows, highlighting the impact of the disruption on her play. Hidalgo expressed disappointment at missing crucial minutes on the court, especially when she was feeling in a good rhythm during the game.
For Ivey, a former point guard on Notre Dame’s 2001 national championship team, the stoppage of play due to the removal of the nose ring was detrimental to the team’s flow and momentum. The unexpected interruption threw off Notre Dame’s rhythm and may have contributed to their eventual loss to Oregon State. The incident raised questions about the enforcement of jewelry rules in NCAA games and the impact it can have on players’ performance.
In the aftermath of the game, Hidalgo’s frustration with the situation was evident as she criticized the decision to make her remove her nose ring. The incident served as a reminder of the strict rules that govern NCAA games, even when it comes to seemingly minor details like jewelry. Moving forward, teams and players may need to be more cognizant of these rules to avoid similar disruptions during important games like the Sweet 16.
Despite the setback caused by the removal of her nose ring, Hidalgo and Notre Dame will learn from the experience and work to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in future games. The situation highlighted the importance of clear communication between officials and teams regarding rules and regulations to prevent unnecessary disruptions during games. While the incident may have impacted the outcome of the game, it also shed light on the challenges faced by players and teams in navigating NCAA regulations on and off the court.
