JONESBORO, Ark. -- Arkansas State's leading returning scorer is sitting out because he refuses to wear adidas shoes, which Indians players are obligated to wear because of a school contract.

Jerry Nichols, a 6-6 outside shooter who averaged 9.6 points per game last year, has had two knee operations and said he was wearing adidas shoes when he first hurt the knee. The school says Nichols has to dress by its rules.

"We have a contractual agreement with [adidas], and it's not

any different than any number of other contracts with other

schools. There is not any stipulation or any research that shows

any shoes are worse than any others," Arkansas State athletic

director Dean Lee told The Jonesboro Sun newspaper.

Nichols, who last year shot 41.8 percent from 3-point range, practiced over the weekend while wearing Nike shoes, placing tape to cover the brand's insignia. Nichols met with Lee on Monday, and

Nichols was told to wear adidas shoes or sit. Nichols sat.

"We've been producing outstanding quality equipment for years," said Terrell Clark, an adidas spokesman. "We take this very seriously and we are looking to handle this in a positive manner."

Nichols said he was wearing adidas shoes when he suffered a knee

injury in 2001 while playing for Walters State Community College.

"I tore my ACL in adidas in junior college back in 2001, and

I'm not comfortable wearing adidas," Nichols said.

Nichols has had two surgeries on his right knee, including one

in late March following last season. ASU's basketball team wore

Nike shoes last year but that contract has expired.

"Adidas shoes are part of our uniform," Lee said.

Lee said there is no room for compromise and that the school is

obligated to put adidas shoes on the feet of athletes football,

men's and women's basketball, baseball and track teams, along with

several other sports.

"This is not picking on any one student athlete. This goes for

all student athletes that are under that contract," Lee said.

Nichols said he may seek relief in court if the university does

not change policy.

"If I have to miss this whole senior season for some shoes, why

wouldn't I [sue]?" Nichols said. "I have done too much this

summer, working out, staying up here all summer to waste a year. So if it has to come to a legal issue then I will."

ASU coach Dickey Nutt said he wants Nichols on the court,

considering the team has its first exhibition in less than three

weeks.

"I need all my players to be at practice, but it's out of my

hands. That matter is in the administration's hands, so I'm just

referring all questions to them," Nutt said.