JSU RecServices

Policies and Procedures

The purpose of the policies and procedures are to assure equitable participation in the Intramural Sports program for all students, faculty and staff. These rules serve as a guide for enjoyable participation by all, and should be interpreted in conjunction with the rules in the Jackson State University Student Code of Responsibility handbook.

In order to preserve the spirit of fair play, it is essential that every participant uphold each and every rule. The result will be a better Intramural Sports experience for everyone.

Roster Limitations
All team sports will follow an unlimited roster policy. Teams may pick up players throughout the regular season if they have not already played for another team.
Roster additions and/or deletions will be accepted at the game site or at the IM office. Captains must approve all additions and/or deletions to the team roster. Changes will be allowed until the last game of the regular season. Rosters are frozen immediately after regular season play.
Every team member must present a valid Jackson State I.D. and sign in with IM staff before each game begins. The only acceptable I.D. cards are university issued student I.D. cards or a faculty/staff I.D. card. Lack of proper I.D. will prohibit the player from participating. Back to Top

Forfeits
Game time is forfeit time. The official will declare a forfeit (or double forfeit) if team (s) are not present or do not have the required number of players to begin play at game time. Teams forfeiting two games are not eligible for post-season play. A team forfeiting two games risk being automatically dropped from further regular season competition.
A team may also be charged with a forfeit due to un-sportsmanlike conduct. Back to Top

Defaults
A team unable to attend a game may default their contest if notice is given to the Assistant Director twenty-four hours in advance of the scheduled game time. Sunday games must be defaulted by Friday at 5:00pm. A default will result in a loss by the defaulting team, but will have no effect on postseason eligibility. Back to Top

Protests
Only team captains can file protests and only when a rule interpretation or a player’s eligibility is in question. Protests that are filed which have no affect on the outcome of the game will not be accepted.
Upon the intent to protest, the captain must immediately inform the official that he or she wishes to place the contest under protest. At that time, the official will notify the supervisor and they will both note the game situation in the event the protest is upheld. The supervisor and officials will make an immediate decision regarding the situation and the game will resume at that exact point where interrupted.
The protesting team captain must turn in a written protest at the IM office by 5:00pm the day following the incident. The protest must include the facts surrounding the protest (rule challenged, player in question, etc.) After 5:00pm, the protest will not be honored.
The Assistant Director, after investigating the facts and the situation surrounding the incident, will make the FINAL decision and contact all parties involved.
An official’s judgment or interpretation of a player’s action does not constitute grounds for protest. Back to Top

Disciplinary Action
The officials or supervisors will report any player ejected from a game for any reason on a player ejection form. Once reported, a player must meet with the Assistant Director before they or their team is eligible to compete again. It is the ejected player’s responsibility to schedule an appointment to meet with the Assistant Director.
Anyone ejected from an intramural contest will be automatically suspended for at least one game (possibly more based on the severity of the circumstances). Players are subject to a one game, one season or a one-year suspension for serious offenses (e.g., verbal threats and/or actual physical contact with any intramural staff member). Back to Top

Sportsmanship Policy

Sportsmanship is an important part of any game. Poor sports are no fun to compete with or against. The intramural sports program encourages positive sportsmanship from all participants at all times.
Competing in an intramural sport is a privilege. Players are expected to behave in a courteous manner towards teammates, opponents, fans, officials, and IM staff members. Individuals who do not wish to conduct themselves in a proper manner will not be allowed the opportunity to participate.

What is the sportsmanship rating system?
The sportsmanship rating system is a performance measuring guide to see how teams are behaving. Teams are rated at the end of the game by the official (s). The rating is based mostly around objective events (i.e. technical fouls, un-sportsmanlike penalties, red/yellow cards) that happen in the course of the game. This rating is then recorded with the team's wins and losses. If a team cannot achieve a suitable sportsmanship average, currently a “B” average on a five-point scale, during the regular season, the team will not be allowed to advance to playoff competition.
For playoffs, any team receiving a “C” or lower grade in a game will need to provide an explanation the following day to the Assistant Director. If the same team should receive a second rating of a “C” or lower they will be removed from the playoffs.
Each sport has a sport specific rating system. Participants should familiarize themselves with this rating scale before participation.

Who decides what is appropriate conduct?
Each official hired by the intramural sports program goes through training on what is expected from participants in terms of behavior.

How is the policy carried out?
If before, after, or during the course of an intramural contest an official or staff member observes improper behavior they will take appropriate steps to correct the behavior and inform the appropriate individuals. For example, a participant directing vulgar language at an opponent, or taunting an opponent, or inappropriate comments directed toward an official will draw penalties associated with the game. In some cases the action may result in ejection from the contest.

What happens after an incident?
Depending on the situation several levels of response can be started. If the incident is considered minor, the game can continue and verbal warnings or game penalties can suffice. If the incident is major, the response can range from a single player being ejected to the game being forfeited. If the incident is major then several other steps are started.

Who is responsible for participant behavior?
First and foremost every individual is responsible for their own behavior. Every intramural participant is expected to behave in a manner that is respectful to other participants and staff, and present conduct that is not demeaning or harmful to another person. If a person is involved in a major incident, that person will be responsible for clearing up their situation. If the person chooses not to take care of the situation in a timely manner, (i.e. 2-3 days) the captain of the team, and/or the entire team can be held responsible for the individual’s conduct. Back to Top

Suspensions
Individuals found responsible for major incidents should expect to be suspended from intramural participation for a minimum of one game. Depending on the severity of the situation the individual could expect anything from a one game suspension to a season suspension or more.
Major incidents
If a participant is ejected from a sport contest, an IM staff member will complete an incident/ejection report. The player will then need to leave the area, in a quiet and orderly fashion. In order to rectify the situation the individual must then follow the following steps: (1)They must make an appointment to meet with the Assistant Director (2)They must submit a written document detailing what happened during the incident, including who did what, what was said, and any other pertinent information. This written statement must be submitted before an appointment will be set. Once a meeting is held, the Assistant Director will determine a suspension to be served. Once the suspension is served the individual will be eligible to compete again. Back to Top

General Rating Scale
A - Excellent
Outstanding sportsmanship. No verbal warnings. No instances of excessive physical contact. Captain is in full control of players. Teams that win by forfeit will receive an "A".
B - Good
Players kept positive attitude during most of the game. Emotions were kept under control. Limited complaints or disagreements with officials calls. No instances of excessive physical contact. Verbal warning may have been given. One un-sportsmanlike infraction may have been given. A team that receives one un-sportsmanlike penalty, a technical foul or a yellow card can get no better than a “B” rating.
C - Average
Few instances of negative comments towards opponents and/or officials. Few instances of excessive physical contact. Captain has minimal control over players. Several verbal warnings and no more than one ejection from a team. Teams with a player that receives two un-sportsmanlike infractions can receive no higher than a "C" rating. A team that fails to show up for a game causing a forfeit will receive a “C” rating.
D - Poor
Direct confrontation (s) with officials and/or trash talking of opponents. Captain has no control over teammates. Excessive physical contact, multiple un-sportsmanlike infractions, or an ejection. Teams committing multiple un-sportsmanlike infractions or receiving more than one player ejection can receive no higher than a "D" rating. Teams that forfeit due to un-sportsmanlike acts will receive a "D" rating.
F - Unacceptable
Total disregard for authority of officials (including verbal or physical threats). Fights with or threats towards opposing team. Multiple ejections causing game forfeiture. Teams with multiple ejections can only receive a "F" rating. Back to Top

Participant Conduct
Vulgar, obscene, abusive, derogatory and demeaning comments and/or gestures are not consistent with the environment Jackson State University or Recreation Services desires. Such comments and behavior create a hostile environment, generate ill will, place unnecessary pressure on participants and staff, and contribute to a negative recreational experience. Such actions will not be tolerated. Violators will face suspension or expulsion from the program. Serious incidents or repeat offenses will subject involved parties with sanctions under the Jackson State University Student Code of Responsibility Handbook. Back to Top

Spectator Policy
Recreation services wants spectators to know they are part of the game, an important part in fact. Please keep in mind however, that it is still just a game. Spectators should have fun and encourage their own team, rather than discouraging their opponent or harassing the officials. Spectators must remain in their designated areas and may not enter the playing fields or courts. Spectators violating these guidelines or exhibiting un-sportsmanlike conduct will be asked to leave the playing facility and their “teams” may be assessed additional penalties. Back to Top

Injuries and Insurance
Everyone participating in the Intramural Sports program is doing so voluntarily and at his or her own risk and is therefore responsible for his or her own dental, medical and vision insurance. The Offices Recreation Services encourages all participants to carry adequate health insurance. Any injury sustained during intramural activities should be reported immediately to intramural staff on duty. Full cooperation is necessary regarding proper conduct, use of equipment and facilities, and adherence to safety rules for a particular activity. These rules have been established to lessen the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Back to Top

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