Intramural Sports Handbook (Updated Spring 2008)
TEAM MANAGERS Managers play a vital role because they provide team leadership and serve as a liaison between the Campus Recreation Department and the team. Following is a list of team manager’s responsibilities. 1. Fill out appropriate entry form with all needed information. Entry forms are found on the back of all intramural flyers, which are readily available at the FAU Fitness Center, Field House, and the Campus Recreation website, www.fau.edu/campusrec. 2. Complete all Manager’s Modules and Quizzes by the deadline specified on the registration form. 3. Get his/her team registered on or before the announced closing date. 4. Keep team members fully informed of all eligibility rules and abide by them. Team managers are solely responsible for the eligibility of all their players. 5. Notify team members of the game rules and game schedules. 6. Represent his/her team at all Campus Recreation meetings in which he/she is asked to be present. 7. Maintain a high standard of sportsmanship and cooperation for his/her team. 8. Check the Campus Recreation website for any information regarding team activities and schedules. Manager’s Modules Held at the beginning of each sport season to review rules, finalize team schedules, give additional information and answer questions about intramural sports programs. These modules are mandatory! All team managers must complete the module and pass the quiz with a score of 80% or better. Module availability dates are listed on intramural flyers and on the Campus Recreation website. HOW DO I REGISTER? 1. Fill out appropriate entry form with all needed information. Entry forms are found on the back of all intramural flyers, which are readily available in the Campus Recreation Administrative Offices in the Field House or the FAU Fitness Center. Entry forms are also available on the Campus Recreation website at www.fau.edu/campusrec. 2. Entry forms must be completely filled out and turned into the Campus Recreation office prior to or by the specified deadline. 3. Late entries will be accepted only if time and space is available. ELIGIBILITY Eligibility rules for intramural sports are made to provide an opportunity for everyone to compete in a fair environment. The Department of Campus Recreation cannot assume responsibility for the eligibility of players, but will assist with questions of eligibility and interpretation of rules. A. Students, Faculty and Staff 1. Only current FAU students, faculty/staff and alumni are eligible to participate in the intramural sports program. Faculty/staff, alumni, etc. must purchase a Campus Recreation membership before participation in intramural sports. This membership must be presented before participation in every intramural contest or activity. 2. All participants are responsible for the verification of their own eligibility. 3. All participants must present a current, valid FAU ID card prior to every scheduled intramural sports contest. 4. Participants may not represent more than one team in any sport, unless CoRec activities are offered. Individuals signed in on a team's scorecard will be considered to have played on that team, and will not be allowed to participate on any other team in that sport unless CoRec activities are offered. 5. Minimum disciplinary action for a contestant playing on more than one team is suspension for the remainder of that sport. Any team that allows an ineligible player to play will forfeit the game(s) in which the ineligible player participates. B. Members of Varsity Teams 1. Current or former members of any varsity intercollegiate team at FAU are not eligible for participation in the sport in which they participated or corresponding sports; i.e. baseball and softball or basketball and slam dunk) for one calendar year from the conclusion of the semester they last competed. 2. Varsity players are considered those participating in organized practice or any type of competition. Persons classified as “red-shirts” or those working out with the varsity teams shall be treated as varsity squad members. The “red-shirt” athlete or individual working out with a varsity team for any period of time during the intercollegiate season will be considered a varsity athlete for the entire intramural year. 3. A maximum of two former intercollegiate varsity team members are allowed on any one intramural sports team provided they meet the above criteria. The Intramural Sports office will make the final decision in all eligibility cases. Sportsmanship, Team, & Player Conduct Spirit of Competition · Modern team sport activities find their origin in the basic human need for play. Winning and losing are mere outcomes of this play spirit. Abusive language, poor attitude, and manipulation of the rules to further winning are NOT just 'part of the game'. What is 'part of the game' is the simple satisfaction of playing and the interdependence of teamwork, improving fitness, and enhancing friendships. Without your opponent, you have no game, no contest, and absolutely no fun. You are indebted to your opponent as they are indebted to you. In a fundamental way, then, competing against an opponent is based on cooperation. Upholding high standards of integrity and fair play acknowledges this idea of cooperative competition. An intentional violation of the rules, no matter how small, is cheating and a direct offense against these principles. The goal of the FAU Intramural Sports Program is to promote lifetime skills through the venue of sports that offer meaning beyond that of a win or a loss, the memory of which quickly fades. All players are expected to play within the context of the FAU Intramural Sports Program's Spirit of Competition. Team Sportsmanship Rating System The development of team and individual sportsmanship is of fundamental importance in all intramural sports activities. The Sportsmanship Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams' attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sport contest is included in the rating. The team manager is responsible for education and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system. To encourage acceptable conduct before, during, and after intramural sports contests, officials and/or supervisors shall make decisions whether to warn, penalize, or eject persons for poor sportsmanship. Team ratings are: ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE SEASON ENDING · A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it. The team manager's efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct. Intramural sports officials and/or supervisors shall determine acceptable and unacceptable team ratings. Appeals for unacceptable ratings will not be recognized. The Coordinator for Sports and Competition will determine season ending ratings. The Intramural Sports Program staff also reserve the right to review any rating given to a team. Regardless of the division or league, teams displaying good sportsmanship and receiving an acceptable rating throughout the league and playoff seasons will be eligible for complimentary awards and discounts. 1. Acceptable Sportsmanship Rating Behavior 1. Team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship toward members of both teams, spectators, and all IM staff and officials. 2. Team captain exhibits control over his/her team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and cooperates by providing any information requested by an IM official/staff. 3. Team members participate in the spirit and intent of the intramural sport game rules and/or program policies. Team members accept judgment decisions made by the officials during the contest. 4. Respect is shown for FAU Campus Recreation facilities and equipment. 2. Unacceptable Sportsmanship Rating will be given as a result of the following: 1. Any violation of the FAU Student Code of Conduct. 2. Any player that is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. 3. Any technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct and/or multiple unsportsmanlike penalties given (three unsportsmanlike situations in one game results in forfeiture of the contest). 4. Participants/Spectators who continually complained about officials' decisions and displayed dissention. Complaints include both verbal and nonverbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators might also lead to an unacceptable rating. 5. Team captain (spokesperson) exhibited little control over his/her team and spectators, conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls and did not cooperate. Did not provide information requested by any intramural sports official/staff while performing duties. 6. Team members did not meet eligibility requirements for participation in the FAU Intramural Sports Program. See IM Articles of Eligibility. 7. Team members played with participants who were on the outstanding ejection list or had been suspended from participation in the Intramural Sports Program. 8. Public indecency, vulgarity, or obscenity. 9. Individuals/teams played after the consumption of alcohol/drugs. If the contest has begun when this is discovered, the player(s) will be immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent. 10. Physical abuse by participants/spectators in the form of fighting and/wrestling with an opponent and/or teammate which occurred before, during, or after an Intramural Sports contest. 11. Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal) to any FAU Intramural Sports or Campus Recreation employee, participant, or spectator which occurred before, during, or after an Intramural Sports contest. 12. Damage to or destruction of any FAU or FAU Campus Recreation facilities or equipment. 3. Consequences of Unacceptable Rating 1. Team is suspended until the captain/manager meets with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition. It is the captain's responsibility to call (297-1162) and schedule a meeting with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition. A team is ineligible for any intramural sport competition until this meeting occurs. 2. Regardless of the length of the season or tournament, two unacceptable ratings will be equivalent to a season ending rating, and the team will automatically be dropped from further competition. 4. Season Ending Sportsmanship Rating Behavior 1. Team was uncooperative and out of control before, during, or after intramural sports contest(s). 2. Team captain (spokesperson) exhibited poor control over self, the team, and/or the spectators. 3. Multiple ejections or blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants, fans, officials, or supervisors occurred. 4. Team failed to cooperate/comply with intramural sports administrative staff/University officials while performing their duties; falsely represented or withheld any requested information. 5. A team received a second unacceptable rating in the same sport or activity. 6. A season ending sportsmanship rating can not be appealed or protested. 7. Teams were unable to continue play and the contest was stopped before its scheduled conclusion. 8. Teams receiving an unacceptable sportsmanship rating in a weekend tournament will be eliminated from further competition regardless of the contest's outcome. 5. Consequences of a Season Ending Sportsmanship Rating 1. Team will be automatically dropped from any further intramural sports competition. 2. Future eligibility in the FAU Intramural Sports Program of all team players will be reviewed. Individual Player Conduct If an FAU Intramural Sports Program participant is ejected from any intramural sport contest, s/he will immediately be ineligible from further access to and competition in any intramural sports activity and other Campus Recreation programs and facilities until s/he has met with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or his/her designee. Player suspensions will be effective after the meeting with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or his/her designee (i.e., no self-imposed or conduct decision or suspensions are permitted. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or his/her designee to review the player's behavior and subsequent eligibility in the FAU Intramural Sports Program. Failure to schedule a meeting will result in the incident being forwarded to FAU Student Judicial Affairs. Any participant who commits, incites, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures: 1. Player or spectator hits, strikes, or pushes an FAU Campus Recreation employee--indefinite suspension. Player may petition for reinstatement to the Coordinator for Sports and Competition after a minimum of one calendar year. 2. Hitting or striking another player or spectator--indefinite suspension; minimum six months. 3. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) before, during, or after a contest toward a Campus Recreation employee (student or professional)--indefinite suspension; minimum one month. 4. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) before, during, or after a contest toward another player or spectator--indefinite suspension; minimum one month. 5. Verbally abusing an official or any other Campus Recreation employee--indefinite suspension; minimum one week. 6. Verbally abusing an opponent or teammate--indefinite suspension; minimum one week. 7. Action(s) which could potentially cause equipment or facility damage and/or personal injury--indefinite suspension; minimum one week. 8. Team players and managers are expected to be cooperative and honest when asked for assistance in identifying teammates or opponents who may be involved in incidents. Failure to do so may result in a team and/or individual penalty including game or season forfeiture. 9. Failure to cooperate with FAU or Campus Recreation staff (i.e., giving name, completing forms, etc.) after ejection--minimum 2 weeks and game forfeiture. 10. Any person entering/using FAU Campus Recreation facility illegally, using an assumed name, or using an FAU photo I.D. illegally will be declared ineligible for all Campus Recreation programs and/or facilities for at least 7 days (University holidays and breaks will not count toward suspension). 11. Illegally playing for more than one team--player ineligible for the remainder of that activity and each team forfeits all games in which the illegal player participated (forfeit fees lost accordingly). 12. Personal conduct situations not covered herein will be handled in an appropriate manner by the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports or his/her designee.
Ejections Policies
If an intramural participant is ejected from any intramural contest, s/he is immediately ineligible from further access to or competition in any intramural activity and other Campus Recreation programs or facilities until s/he is cleared by the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or his/her designee. Player suspensions are effective after the meeting with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or his/her designee (i.e., no self-imposed penalties). There are no appeals of ejection/conduct suspensions and decisions. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator for Sports and Competition to review his/her behavior and subsequent eligibility in the Intramural Sports Program. In addition, any unsportsmanlike conduct by players or fans may cause a team to be disqualified from further intramural competition. Any participant who commits, incites, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures: 1. Player or spectator hits, strikes, or pushes a Campus Recreation employee--indefinite suspension. Player may petition for reinstatement to the Coordinator for Sports and Competition after a minimum of one calendar year. 2. Hitting or striking another player or spectator--indefinite suspension; minimum: one month. 3. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) before, during, or after a contest toward a Campus Recreation employee (student or professional)--indefinite suspension; minimum: one month. 4. Threatening behavior or taunting(verbal or physical, can include fighting, etc.) toward another player or spectator before, during, or after a contest--indefinite suspension; minimum: one month. 5. Verbally abusing an official or any other Campus Recreation employee--indefinite suspension; minimum: one week. 6. Verbally abusing an opponent or teammate -- indefinite suspension; minimum: one week. 7. Action(s) which could potentially cause equipment or facility damage (includes spitting and snotting) and/or personal injury; minimum: one week. 8. Team players and managers are expected to be cooperative and honest when asked for assistance in identifying teammates who may be involved in incidents. Failure to do so may result in a team and/or individual penalty, including game or season forfeiture. 9. Failure to cooperate with Campus Recreation staff (i.e., giving name, completing forms, etc.) after ejection--minimum: 2 weeks and game forfeiture. 10. Any person entering/using a Campus Recreation facility illegally, using an assumed name, or using a FAU photo I.D. illegally will be declared ineligible for all Campus Recreation programs and/or facilities for at least 7 days (University holidays and breaks will not count toward the suspension). 11. Playing for more than 1 team illegally - each team forfeits and player is ineligible for remainder of that activity. Personal conduct situations that are not covered by the above rulings will be dealt with in an appropriate manner by the Coordinator for Sports and Competition or designee. Forfeit Policies If a team cannot avoid forfeiting a contest, common courtesy would require the opponent and the Coordinator for Sports and Competition be notified prior to the playing time of the contest. If a team or contestant fails to appear at the appointed place at the scheduled time, the Intramural Sports Staff will declare to the contestant or team ready to play that they can win the contest by forfeit. Game time is forfeit time, however, the team captain or contestant who is ready to play may choose to give the opponent 10 minutes. If the team or contestant is still not able to play after the 10 minute extension, a forfeit will be declared. If the 10 minute extension is granted, contest playing time will be reduced by 10 minutes or by whatever portion of 10 minutes which was used to avoid a forfeit. 1. For individual and dual contests, the winner(s) by forfeit must report the forfeit win to the Intramural Staff on site prior to leaving. Failure to do so may jeopardize the individual's or team's advancement to the succeeding round of the activity. 2. For team activities, all the participants' names of the team that is ready to play must be recorded on the proper scoresheet. This team must demonstrate to the officials and Supervisor that they have enough players to properly start a contest. Then, and only then, will the forfeit be recorded as a victory. 3. If both teams or contestants fail to arrive at the designated time and place, a double forfeit will be recorded and the contest will not be rescheduled. 4. One unexcused forfeit will eliminate that team from further competition and cause it to lose all participation points, and placement points. One courtesy call to the Intramural Sports office in advance of the forfeit will be allowed and prevent the teams removal from the league. 5. One forfeit in a single or double elimination tournament will eliminate said individual(s) or team from further competition. 6. Any player or team forfeiting a contest in a single or double elimination tournament will lose all points accumulated up to that point. If during playoffs, all playoff points will also be lost. Allowable Protests Allowable protests include: player eligibility, rule interpretation, and rule application. Official's decisions, interpretations, judgments, or applications may not be protested beyond the limits imposed by the rules of the game or event (i.e., prior to the next pitch, prior to the next serve, prior to the ball becoming live following the call in question, etc.) Decisions regarding disciplinary actions may not be protested. Protest Procedures Eligibility All eligibility protests must be brought to the attention of the on-site Intramural Sports Supervisor prior to the beginning of the scheduled activity. The Supervisor will bring the eligibility protest to the attention of the opposing team’s manager. The manager will have the choice to remove the individual in question, or allow them to play under the impression that the participant’s eligibility will be verified by the Intramural Sports office. If the individual under investigation is found to be ineligible, the team will forfeit all games/matches in which the ineligible person participated. Rule Application and Interpretations Team captains/managers must lodge their protest to the game official(s) and/or the Intramural Supervisor prior to the next pitch, serve, play, etc. following the call in question. The Supervisor and/or official(s) must then notify the opposing team captain/manager that the game is under protest. The game official(s) will contact the Intramural Supervisor for a ruling on site. If, after the Intramural Supervisor has given his/her ruling, the captain/manager still wants to protest the call, the manager must tell the Intramural Supervisor that the team is playing the remainder of the game under protest. The game should be stopped immediately to record important basic information. The team then has until 1:00 pm the day following the game to file a written protest to Campus Recreation.. Winning teams may not file written protests concerning rule applications or interpretations. Written Protest Written protests should contain the following basic information: A. Name, address and phone number of person filing the protest. B. Specific information concerning the incident (i.e., eligibility restriction violated, names of players involved, rule misapplied, etc.). Be sure to inform the Intramural Supervisor on-site that the protest will be filed. Upon receipt of the protest by the Intramural Sports Program staff, the information contained in the protest will be clarified and sufficient time, not to exceed 24 hours, will be allowed for contacting other involved personnel (i.e., officials, supervisors, and members of the opposing team or the individual in violation). When the staff is satisfied that the necessary information has been gathered, an administrative decision will be made as to whether or not the protest is upheld or denied. Protests (except eligibility) which occur during weekend tournaments will be settled on site by the Intramural Sports Supervisor whose decision(s) is final. If protest is upheld... 1) If a protest is upheld and a game is re-played, all eligible players on the team's roster may participate in the game; 2) If the game is a play-off game, the players must meet the eligibility requirements under the Articles of Eligibility. INJURIES AND INSURANCE 1. Participation in the FAU Intramural Sports program is completely voluntary. The participant registered in the activities provided by the Campus Recreation Department understands that participation may subject the participant to a certain degree of risk of injury, and that Campus Recreation at Florida Atlantic University will not be held liable for medical expenses or other claims for damages based upon any property damage or personal injury as a result of these activities. 2. The Campus Recreation Department does not carry accident or injury insurance to cover participants in Intramural Sports activities. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that all participants have a satisfactory health status and appropriate personal accident insurance coverage for any injury which might occur during intramural sports. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY 1. Possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs is prohibited at any Campus Recreation Department facility or program at ALL times. Additionally, if Campus Recreation staff suspect someone being under the influence of these illegal substances, they will NOT be allowed to participate and will be required to leave the facility. 2. Each team is responsible for enforcing this policy with team members and their spectators. Teams who have individuals that cause problems while this policy is being enforced before, during, or after a contest, shall forfeit that contest. Violators are also subject to disciplinary action in accordance with university policy. RAINOUTS Contests that are rained out will be replayed, if at all possible, at a time that is convenient for all teams affected. Decisions on rainouts will be not be made until 3:30pm. Postponements due to inclement weather are made to protect the participants and the intramural sports fields. If there is inclement weather approaching and has not arrived at the playing field, all teams will be warned that any game that has reached more than halfway through the contest becomes an official game and would not be replayed at the point of disruption if all remaining games are cancelled for the day. LIGHTNING When lightning is visible from the playing area, there will be a mandatory twenty five (25) minute delay to allow the lightning to pass through the area. If after the initial delay additional lightning is visible, an additional 25 minute delay will take place. The safety of all participants is the number one priority of the Campus Recreation department FREE AGENT PROGRAM Interested in participating in an intramural sport but don’t know anyone or have enough players? FAU has just what you need. The “FREE AGENT PROGRAM” helps individuals become part of the intramural sports program by posting their names and telephone numbers on a free agent list. Teams needing players can then choose from this list or new teams will be formed from the available free agents. The list will be updated on a regular basis. Sign up information is available at the Campus Recreation website. For more information contact the Intramural Sports Office at 561.297.4512 or campusrec@fau.edu |