The decision came quickly after a Colby ice hockey player sustained a serious injury while playing without a helmet during a captain's practice; and it was made without enough consideration of the ramifications.
As the age-old maxim goes, "practice makes perfect." For instance, we would never expect performers to show up the day of a performance without having rehearsed. Why should such limitation be placed on athletics and not on other extracurricular pursuits? Student athletes cannot be expected to improve in their sports or maintain their physical condition if they are not allowed to pursue their athletic interests. This is particularly important in a competitive NESCAC league.
Implicit in this rule is the College's continued effort to de-emphasize the role played by athletics. Ironically, the rule seems to encourage otherwise. To emphasize the seasonal aspect of varsity sports is to de-emphasize students' recreational pursuits of their sport as a hobby. In the enforcement of this rule, athletes who have been used to enjoying their sport and developing their skill year-round would have to restrict their practices to their season, making this time even more competitive.
Furthermore, the decision-makers can not justify the rule by expressing a concern for safety, as the rule doesn't affect sports that are not varsity. A new rule focused on preventing injuries during the off-season would logically affect both club and varsity sports.
NESCAC schools might be asking a bit much if they expect athletes to follow this rule, which has already been criticized for its marked ambiguity. Student athletes should approach the new NESCAC rule with discretion. If they agree with it, which is unlikely, they should by all means follow it. If not, they should not let themselves be governed by fear of punishment and they should do what they think is right in keeping with the spirit of athletics.