Reaction Light Systems get NCAA approval

ANGOLA - (06/19/2017) — The NCAA has approved the use of LED lighting systems like the Swimming Reaction Lights System produced at Trine University to start races for swimming competition.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) approved the recommendation that had been made by the NCAA Swimming & Diving Rules Committee to allow the use of any lighting system in conjunction with required verbal and hand commands to start races - as long as the lighting system is fully integrated into electronic timing systems.

The rule will go into effect Sept. 1, when the new NCAA Swimming & Diving Playing Rules are published. The rule permits the use of lighting systems, but does not require them.

A Reaction Light System was used in an NCAA-sanctioned championship meet Feb. 17-19, at the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships.

Reaction Light Systems also have received permission to be used to start events sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations, the YMCA and USA Swimming.

The product, which is used to start an increasing number of high school meets, was originally developed by Nick Santino, a Newark, New York, resident and owner of Reaction Lights of New York LLC, and has now been accepted for swimmers at all competitive levels. Santino, a 1965 Trine alumnus, contacted the Innovation One business incubator at Trine University to refine and commercialize the systems.

Innovation One now manufactures and ships the systems.

"We are proud and gratified that the NCAA has recognized the benefit of Reaction Light Systems for starting swimming events," said Jason Blume, executive director of Innovation One. "Reaction Lights the opportunity for a better start for all competitive swimmers."

Reaction Light Systems are installed on all starting platforms and use colored light tubes to signal the start of each event. The lights turn flashing red followed by a steady red to signal swimmers to get ready, blue to take their mark, green to go, and white showing all touch pad activations

To learn more about Reaction Light Systems, visit innovation1.org or reactionlights.com.

Join the conversation, #TrineU.

Trine University, an internationally recognized, private, co-educational, residential institution, offers associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, Ketner School of Business, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences and Rinker-Ross School of Health Sciences. Trine is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 23 varsity sports (introducing men's and women's ice hockey, bowling, esports and women's triathlon in fall 2017). Its golf program includes the university-owned 18-hole championship Zollner Golf Course. Founded in 1884 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org), Trine operates a 450-acre main campus in Angola, Indiana, and education resource centers throughout Indiana and Michigan.

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