Northampton, MA — As the season gets underway, teams and players are reminded that proper eyewear is required for all college squash matches, including warmups and match play.
Standard eyewear (i.e. everyday prescription glasses) may not be worn in place of acceptable eyewear. The CSA has detailed Eyewear Rules, which includes the following language:
Approved eyewear must be worn for the entirety of a match, from the beginning of the warm-up until the match’s conclusion. Standard eyeglasses may not be worn in lieu of approved eyewear, even if the eyeglasses have plastic lenses. In the event of a player not having approved eyewear for their match, the rules for a self-inflicted injury apply. In the event that a player’s eyewear breaks during a match, the injury rule may be required to determine the result. This would only be needed in the case of prescription glasses that can not be immediately replaced. In the event of a player not having approved eyewear and a suitable replacement not being found, the player may forfeit the match.
The CSA believes it is so critical to wear proper eyewear that a match will be forfeited if proper eyewear is not worn.
Even talented squash players can injure their eyes playing squash. In 2002, Amy Boytz wrote a powerful article for Squash Magazine entitled “For Your Eyes Only?” Every squash player needs to read this article. Yale alum and multi-time CSA All-American Will Carlin, a frequent contributor to Squash Magazine, was hit in the eye with a squash ball. He required multiple surgeries and lost two years of his prime squash career.
Harrow Sports, the CSA’s official equipment supplier, has eyewear available to CSA players.
For players with glasses, prescription eyewear, such as Rec Specs, are available. An iMask fits over standard eyewear. Often, contacts and a pair of protective eyewear is an inexpensive solution.
Remember, teams and players must abide by the CSA’s eyewear policy to participate in CSA sanctioned events.
