The Immortal Debate: Shirts vs. Skins

A group of "skins" watch drills Wednesday inside the Burns Arena.

Walk into the Burns Arena in the afternoon. Likely, members of the Dixie State men’s basketball team will occupy the playing floor.

Of those playing a casual pick-up game, half will be sans shirt, following the long-standing hoops tradition of shirts vs. skins.

But, does the easiest way to determine pick-up teams lead to flashes of modesty from the players?

Derek Owen, a junior biology major from St. George, doesn’t think so.

Sophomore forward Dalton Groskreutz attempts a free throw

“For us guys, at least, it’s normal,” he said. “It’s just like going swimming: Most guys won’t wear tops.”

Another factor is tradition. Landon Clegg, a junior business major from Cedar Hills, said he had been playing shirts vs. skins since he was a kid.

“That’s just the way it is,” Clegg said. “I don’t think any of us are ever uncomfortable.”

In a few weeks, the Dixie State men’s basketball team will trade in unofficial sessions of shirts versus skins for the rigors of real team practice. Head coach Jon Judkins begins working diligently with his squad beginning Oct. 15.