ELIGIBILITY/PARTICIPATION RULES AND REGULATIONS
The BASIC PURPOSE of the eligibility rules is to provide an equitable program for South Dakota State University students. The rules are not specifically designed with the Intent to “expose and punish violators.” It is hoped this negative procedure will not be necessary. The rules have been drawn as a guide to enjoyable participation. The “Spirit” of the rules is most important. To apply a positive approach it is important that every student abide by these rules and enlist the support of all members of the team. The net result will be a more positive leisure experience for all students.
1. a. All undergraduate students regularly enrolled (must have paid the full student activity fee) students in the University are automatically eligible to enjoy all Intramural and Sports Clubs privileges and shall retain that status until they withdraw from school or violate any of the eligibility rules as stated elsewhere. Participation is entirely voluntary.
b. Graduate students are eligible to participate in all Intramural and Sports Clubs activities approved by the Council. Any doubt concerning the eligibility of a player should be referred to the Intramural Office for a ruling.
2. a. Any student who has participated at the varsity level will be ineligible for competition in that sport for one full year once they are no
longer a member of the varsity team. Example: A varsity football player quits the team in the fall of 2007 would not be eligible to compete in Intramural flag football until the fall of 2009. This would be the case for any varsity level athlete who would want to compete in an intramural sport that is similar to their varsity sport. Another example would be a varsity baseball player wanting to play softball would also need to wait one full calendar year before competing in either men’s softball or co-rec softball.
b. Any student that would transfer from another school that was a varsity athlete would also need to follow (2.a) as far as when they would be eligible to play the intramural sport that is similar to their varsity competition.
3. An Intramural team roster may not include more varsity athletes than would total one-half the number of players necessary to start a given contest. Example: Basketball has five starters, the roster could include three varsity athletes; volleyball has six starters, the roster could include three varsity athletes.
4. A squad member of any current varsity sport is ineligible for Intramural competition in that sport or related sport. i.e. Basketball and Free Throw Contest, Baseball and Homerun Contest.
a. A squad member is any student that is listed on the varsity squad at the time the first intercollegiate contest in that sport is played or has equipment checked out by a varsity coach, and works out regularly with the varsity squad.
5. Scholastic eligibility does not affect a student’s eligibility for Intramural participation.
6. Disciplinary probation does not affect a student’s eligibility for Intramural participation, unless the disciplinary committee or Vice President for Student Affairs restricts such participation while a student is on probation.
7. A player after entering one contest with a given team may not transfer to another team. If a player does transfer from one team to another after one game has been played such a player shall be declared ineligible for that sport for the reminder of the season. Teams playing an ineligible player shall forfeit all contests in which the ineligible player participated.
8. Deadline for signing players to team rosters is two weeks following the starting date of the activity. No player may compete on two teams in any given activity.
9. SDSU student ID’s will be required of all participants as the Intramural Supervisor’s check team rosters and hand out colored wrist bands indicating eligible players for competition.
10. Any one who has played professionally in any sport shall be ineligible for those activities of the Intramural program in which he/she has broken their amateur standing.
11. Two leagues may be available for some sports. These leagues will be differentiated as: Competitive and Highly Competitive Leagues. If the Highly Competitive Leagues are available, they will be governed solely under 1. a. & 1. b. of the Eligibility/Participation Rules and Regulations.
12. There are no restrictions on the number of varsity athletes that can be on a roster in the Highly Competitive League as long as they continue to be a student at South Dakota State University. The Competitive League will continue to follow the Eligibility Rules listed under numbers 1. through 10.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR ELIGIBILITY
1. The Intramural Office is not responsible for checking over eligibility of all students competing in the various activities. The team managers need to check over the roster of their opponents with an Intramural Supervisor and report any student who may be ineligible to compete according to these rules.
2. Experience always proves that teams contending for top honors have alert and efficient managers. Team managers must understand and interpret all eligibility rules to their team and organization.
DUTIES OF TEAM MANAGERS
Each team shall appoint a team manager who will be responsible for matters that concern the Intramural Program. This person should be interested in sports and willing to assist in the promotion of the Intramural Sports Program. There is a correlation between the teams that are successful in the program and the efficiency and interest of their Intramural representative. The student should know the eligibility rules, administration and the activities program. The team manager should be responsible for the following duties.
1. Enter their team for competition promptly when the announcements are made for a given activity. Keep informed about the progress of the activity in season.
2. When properly notified, team managers, or their representative, must attend all meetings called by the Intramural Office.
3. When in doubt concerning any eligibility rule, playing rule or anything pertaining to the program inquiries should be directed to the Intramural Office, and or Intramural website at www3.sdstate.edu/studentlife/intramurals
4. Indicate team name, team manager’s name, e-mail address, and telephone number on rosters.
5. Choose a team name that does not have a vulgar, discriminatory, or distasteful meaning and would be appropriate in representing South Dakota State University.
6. Keep their team members informed concerning the time and place of all scheduled contests. Notify all team members of any schedule change.
7. Cooperate fully with the Intramural Supervisor in charge of the contest, with regard to lineup, score, equipment and any other information pertinent to the contest.
8. Cooperate fully with the Intramural Office in the handling of rescheduled contests, protests and other problems that might arise.
9. Be sure that all team members are ready to play at the scheduled time.
10. Be alert for improvement that could be made in the Intramural Program.
11. All records and standings are kept on file in the Intramural Office. The official information concerning individuals or teams may be obtained at the Intramural Office on request.
12. Each manager is responsible for designating a scorekeeper for the intramural basketball game they are involved with. There must be a scorekeeper from each team at the score sheet throughout the entire game.
13. Inform each team member of the sportsmanship system and team conduct policy and have each member print and sign their names before they can compete.
14. Valid SDSU ID cards must be shown at each activity to be allowed to participate.
TEAM ROSTERS
All team rosters and individual participation in Intramural Sports must be made on an Official Intramural Roster Forms. These forms are available at the Intramural Office. Please complete your entry accurately. Blank entry forms containing the team name only will not be accepted. Team names that are inappropriate are subject to be changed or rejected by any member of the Intramural Staff (Duties of Team Managers number 5). No entry is acceptable without the team roster information and signed sportsmanship policy sheet. Accuracy is most important because all entries become permanent Intramural records. Inaccurate and incomplete information will cause your entry to be withheld from participation.
All entries must be submitted at the Intramural Business Office, PEC 123.
This office is open Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.
FORFEITS
1. Any team or individual that fails to be ready for play at the scheduled time of the contest will forfeit to their opponent. If both teams or individuals fail to be ready, both will be charged with a forfeit. To obtain a contest victory by forfeit, the team receiving the forfeit must have a full lineup present and be ready to play.
2. Forfeited contests will not be rescheduled.
3. After a team or individual forfeits two contests in a sport, or if any team should voluntarily drop out of their scheduled competition, their remaining contests, as well as those contests already played, will be withdrawn from the league standings. The team involved will lose all points granted for that sport.
4. The Intramural Staff may declare a contest forfeited immediately upon discovery or recognition of an ineligible player in competition.
5. A contest may be started by a team having one less player available than required by the given sport. Rule. Example: Volleyball-five.
6. When a team must forfeit the Intramural Office should be notified as early as possible in order that the playing field or court may be reassigned.
PROTESTS
Where a dispute arises over the interpretation of a rule or the eligibility of a player on the opposing team, the Team Manager should notify the Intramural Supervisor in charge at that time. If the dispute is not resolved the game may continue “under protest,” unless it is a tournament game and a decision needs to be made immediately for the tournament bracket to continue. All protests must be presented in writing to the office of the Coordinator of Intramurals no later that 12:00pm following the day after the contest in question.
POSTPONEMENTS
Because of the intensive and extensive nature of the activities schedule, it has been found necessary to eliminate postponing schedule contests. Postponed games, or games not played for any reason within a league will be considered as unscheduled contests. Leagues standing will be decided on a percentage basis. In tournament play a postponement will be rescheduled.
RISK STATEMENT
NOTICE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS: I am aware of the dangers involved in participating in Intramural activities. Per my signature I agree to hold harmless and indemnify the State of South Dakota, the South Dakota Board of Regents. South Dakota State University, their officers, agents or employees from and against any and all actions, suits, damages liability or other proceedings that may arise as a result of its performance of this contract. Nothing herein requires the Facility (User) to be responsible for any action suit, damage, liability or other proceeding that may arise as a result of the negligence, misconduct, error or omission of the State of South Dakota, the South Dakota Board of Regents, and South Dakota State University, their officers, agents or employees.
INJURY RESPONSIBILITY
Since participation in the Intramural Program is on a voluntary basis, neither the University, Intramural Office, nor the Student Association Department will accept responsibility for injuries sustained with participating in the Intramural Sports Program. However, all injuries should be reported to the Intramural Supervisor in charge at the time of the accident for record keeping. Medical attention is provided by the Student Health Service, through which every regularly enrolled student is covered.
It is strongly recommended that every participant in Intramural Activities be covered by a health and accident insurance policy. This suggested coverage may be parent’s health and accident insurance or the insurance plan offered through the university by the Guarantee Trust and Life Insurance Company. Health and accident insurance is available to every student through the Guarantee Trust and Life Insurance Company at the time of registration.
DEADLINE
It is impossible to schedule contests unless we adhere strictly to the deadline on entries, Entry deadlines will be announced through the student newspaper “Collegian,” Plasma screen advertisements, Intramural Bulletin Boards, bulletin boards in residence halls, and Intramural posters across the campus.
SPORT AND CONTEST RULES
The Intramural rules are listed on the website. www3.sdstate.edu/studentlife/Intramurals. It is the manager’s responsibility to inform their team of the rules.
SUPERVISORS
The direct responsibility for supervision shall be with the Coordinator of Intramural and Sport Clubs. Contest supervisors shall be the Intramural Staff Supervisors assigned for activities in season. Equipment Managers are the Intramural Staff Supervisors. Referees are undergraduate and graduate students paid an hourly wage per contest.
SPORTSMANSHIP
A. 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. The use of 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 are 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 them as they are 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 considered cheating and a direct offense against these principles. The goal of the SDSU Intramural Sports Program is to promote lifetime skills through the venue of sports that offers meaning beyond that of a win or a loss, the memory of which fades quickly. All players are expected to play within the context of the SDSU Intramural Sports Program’s Spirit of Competition.
B. 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, during and after an intramural sport contest is included in the rating. The team manager is responsible for educating 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 and/or teams 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 the key to controlling team conduct. Intramural sports officials and/or staff assistants shall determine acceptable and unacceptable team ratings. Appeals for unacceptable ratings are not accepted. The Coordinator of Intramurals and Sport Clubs, Student Administrative Assistant and the Intramural Council will determine season ending ratings. Any team receiving an unacceptable rating will be required to talk with the Intramural Coordinator before being allowed to participate in the next game. After receiving a second unacceptable rating, the team will be brought up to the Intramural Council for further review. 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 season will be eligible for complimentary awards.
A team will receive an unacceptable Sportsmanship Rating as a result of the following:
1. Any player that is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
2. Any technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct and or multiple unsportsmanlike penalties given.
3. Participants/ spectators who continually complain about officials’ decisions and display dissension. Complaints include both verbal and/or non-verbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators may also lead to an unacceptable rating.
4. 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 their duties.
5. Team members did not meet eligibility requirements for participation in the SDSU Intramural Sports Program. See Intramural Eligibility Rules located on the Intramural Sports website at:
http://www3sdstate.edu/Studentlife/Intramurals
or call the Intramural Office at 688-4724.
6. Team members played with participants who are currently suspended from participating in intramural sports (i.e., on the Outstanding Ejection List) or the Intramural Sports Program.
7. Public indecency, vulgarity, or obscenity.
8. Individuals/teams played after the consumption of alcohol/drugs. If the contest has begun when discovered, the player(s) will be ejected and immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent. An incident form and unacceptable sportsmanship form must be completed.
9. Physical abuse by participants (s)/spectator(s) in the form of fighting and/or wrestling with an opponent and/or teammate which occurred before, during, or after an intramural sports contest.
10. Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or non-verbal) to any intramural sports employee, participant, or spectator, which occurred before, during, or after an intramural sports contest.
11. Damage to or destruction of any Campus Recreation facilities and equipment.
12. Any violation of the SDSU Student Code of Conduct.
C. Team Identification Check-In
All teams and individual players of teams will be required to check in before each night at the supervisor’s table. Each player intending on playing for that evening will be required to show proof of student identification with a validated SDSU Student ID card. Team rosters will be checked for the name of the person having the SDSU ID card and when their name is found on the roster will be issued a colored wrist band to wear during the night’s competition. Any player not wearing a colored wrist band during competition will be ejected from the contest for not checking in with the IM Supervisors. Teams with players found ineligible will be given an unacceptable rating and will have to talk to the Intramural Coordinator and/or the Intramural Council before they will be allowed to continue competition. If a team does not have the minimum amount of eligible players needed they will take a forfeit.
