On a varsity jacket, the bars (or stripes/chevrons) typically indicate the number of years a student has participated in a specific activity or sport after earning their initial varsity letter.Placement and Meaning The bars are usually placed on the left sleeve of the jacket, often beneath a specific sport or activity pin. First-Year Award: The first year of achieving the criteria for a specific activity (e.g., making the varsity team or band) earns the student the primary varsity letter and often a specific pin designating the sport. Additional Years: For each subsequent year the student successfully participates in that same individual sport or activity and meets the coach's or program's criteria, they are awarded an additional bar. Visual Representation: One bar equals one additional year of participation. Therefore, a student who has completed four years on a varsity team after initially lettering might have three or four bars beneath their sport pin, depending on the school's specific traditions. It is important to note that specific rules and traditions can vary by school or institution. Some common variations include: Sleeve Stripes: On traditional letterman sweaters, knit-in stripes on the left sleeve indicated each year a letter was earned. Chevron Bars: Some schools use chevron patches instead of straight bars to denote years of participation, usually placed on the right sleeve. Academic Bars: Bars can also be used to signify years of involvement in academic achievements, clubs, or other school-related activities beyond just sports. The bars, along with other patches and pins, serve as a way to fully customize the jacket and provide a visual record of a student's accomplishments throughout their high school or college career.