why are gloves gray

Question
why did the ncaa make gray gloves mandatory in 1999? i can't seem to find the
reasoning behind this anywhere.

Answer
David,

Good question and I have been going through my NCAA bulletins all morning to get you the exact reason. I tossed out the bulletins from 1999, 2000, 2001.  I only keep 5 years worth.  From my notes  the rules for gray gloves was to assure a contrasting color.

The gloves could not be the same or similar color as:
1. the ball or
2. the uniform.

Also there has been a move in the NCAA since 1996 to have team uniforms worn properly and uniformity.  Too many players would have different ancillary uniform accouterments (i.e. gloves, towels, shoe laces, socks, writing on tape, etc.)  As part of the movement the NCAA wanted to make gloves a standard color.  But a color that was not the same as a uniform or ball.

Thus gray was the color selected because no teams wore gray uniforms. There were silver uniforms that were much lighter in shade or color than the gray gloves.

If the gloves are the same color as the ball there are situations where it is difficult to see the ball come loose or to determine if the ball was caught by the ground.  Also when gloves are the same color as uniforms, it is difficult to determine if a hold is occurring.  

I hope this helps.  This comes from my notes from various clinics, classes and study groups over the past 15 years.  The rational was release in an NCAA Bulletin some years ago.