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OLE MISS INTRAMURAL SPORTS GUIDE TO PARTICIPATION

2007-08

THE GUIDE

The Ole Miss Intramural Sports Guide to Participation (herein after referred to as the Guide) contains the policies and procedures pertaining to the Intramural Sports and Special Events Program. All participants are expected to read and understand the contents of the Guide, and must adhere to its contents while participating in intramural activities. Any information not found in the Guide shall be referred to the M Book.

All information contained in the Intramural Sports Guide to Participation and the M Book as it pertains to intramural sports involvement is subject to REVIEW AND INTERPRETATION by the members of the Ole Miss Intramural Sports Staff.

MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CAMPUS RECREATION

The mission of Campus Recreation is to provide facilities, services, and an environment that promotes the pursuit of active lifestyles. We strive to enhance the development of students through leadership and employment opportunities.

VISION OF OLE MISS INTRAMURAL SPORTS

To build and maintain a program which is committed to being a leader within our department, at our university, across our Region, and throughout the Nation in providing students with: Exemplary Customer Service; Opportunities for Student Leadership and Development; Quality Facilities and Equipment; and Programs which Ensure Safety, Integrity and Fair Play.

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION & THE STAFF

Intramural Office: Turner 212

Telephone: (662) 915-5573

Rec Check: (662) 915-5509

Fax: (662) 915-5593

E-Mail: imsports@olemiss.edu Web Page: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/campus_recreation/intramurals/

Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs Coordinator: Traci Meredith

Graduate Assistant: Tasha Kuritz

Team Leaders:

Will Cook, Chad French, Jordan Hill, Bryan Rauch & Brian Rowell

SPORTS ASSISTANTS

All Intramural Sports and Special Events will be supervised by an appropriate number of Sports Assistants (herein after referred to as SA). Each SA is a student of the university and is trained by the Department of Campus Recreation. An SA is a participant's onsite link to the Intramural Office as well as a first responder in any medical emergency or situation.

INTRAMURAL OFFICIALS

All Intramural Officials are university students who have been trained by the Office of Intramural Sports. Intramural officials are the participant's main source for onsite rule interpretation.

Players and Teams

WHO CAN PLAY?

The Players and Teams section of the Guide explains eligibility requirements and the guidelines to participation for players as well as teams. Participants are responsible for reading this section of the guide to ensure that they are eligible to play a sport in a league, or with a team.

PLAYER ELIGIBILTY

The Intramural Sports staff reserves the right to make rulings on all participation and eligibility cases. Individuals with questions regarding intramural eligibility should stop by Turner 212 and speak with the IM staff.

Valid UM Identification:

Participants must present a valid UM ID to the appropriate intramural staff member before participating in any activity. Participants will be expected to show a UM ID to the appropriate CRS before entrance to the Turner Center.

Current Enrollment:

All currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students on the Oxford campus are eligible to participate.

Faculty/Staff:

All full-time faculty and staff members employed by the University of Mississippi are eligible to participate. If activities are being held in Turner Center, faculty and staff must have a Campus Recreation Card or utilize the Guest Pass Policy ($5.00 per person per entry when accompanied by a Turner Center member).

Spouses:

Spouses of Ole Miss students, faculty, and staff may participate in the Intramural Sports Program if they are a Campus Recreation Cardholders.

Ex-Pro Athletes:

An individual who has competed in professional athletics will be ineligible to compete in that sport for one calendar year from the date in which they last participated. He/She will be listed under the same regulations as ex-varsity athletes. An Ex-Pro Athlete is defined as a person who is or has been compensated monetarily for participation in an organized athletic activity during the past year. Teams may not have more than 2 ex-pro athletes on their roster --- 1 in basketball.

Varsity Athletes:

Varsity athletes will not be eligible to compete in the sport in which they hold varsity status or any COUNTERPARTS of that sport (i.e. flag football/football, soccer/indoor soccer). A person is considered a varsity athlete if he/she has practiced or competed with the varsity team during the regular season. For intramural eligibility purposes, the beginning of the regular season for varsity sports is defined as the team's first scheduled game.

Sport Club Members:

A team cannot have more than 3 players who are members of an Ole Miss Sport Club team in intramural sport or its counterpart. Membership is determined by appearance on a club's active roster, and/or appearance in at least two official games.

Community Members:

Community members are not eligible to participate in intramural activities.

LEAGUE ELIGIBILITY

Teams/Individuals should choose the appropriate league:

Greek:

Designed for direct competition within Greek Organizations. Only students who are registered members with Panhellenic/IFC/NPHC or Greek lettered honor societies registered with the Dean of Students Office can compete in this league. Each Greek affiliated team can only register two teams in the Greek league,additional teams must play in the Independent league under a name different than the Greek organization.

Independent:

Designed for competition between teams that do not qualify to be Greek. Independent women's teams will be placed in the Greek/sorority league if there are not enough teams in their league.

Co-Rec:

Designed to give males and females the opportunity to participate together in a team or dual activity.

ALL-CAMPUS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The all-campus championship will be conducted in the four major sports, including Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball, and Softball for the men and women's leagues. The Independent and Greek champions will advance to the All-Campus Championship.

FREE AGENTS

Anyone who has a desire to participate in any Intramural Sport or Special Event but does not have a team to play with may come to the IM Office (Turner 212) and ask to be placed on the Free Agent List. This list includes all participants who want to play but do not have a team to be affiliated with. The Intramural Staff will give the free agents' names and phone numbers to team captains. In some cases the will be enough free agents to make their own team. In this case, the IM staff will contact the individuals who have expressed interest in being the team's captain and this individual will contact all other free agents and form their own team.

MEDICAL WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY INFORMATION

Participation in the programs offered by the Department of Campus Recreation (DCR) is voluntary on the part of each individual. Therefore, the DCR will not assume the burden of doctor bills, hospital costs, etc., for person injured while participating in any of the programs. Participation in activities sponsored and organized by the DCR at The University of Mississippi involves the risk of serious injury, which could result in paralysis or death. Before participating in an intramural activity sponsored by the DCR, the individual must sign a Waiver and Release of Liability for Campus Recreation activities. The assigned Campus Recreation staff member(s) will ask all participants to sign such a document prior to the start of each intramural sport. Individuals that do not sign the waiver will not be permitted to participate. Failure of a player to sign the waiver results in that player being an illegal participant for that team and appropriate consequences will apply. Each participant is encouraged to undergo a thorough physical examination each year. It is also recommended that each participant carry medical insurance. Such insurance is available through the Student Health Center at Ole Miss.

Campus Recreation staff are trained and equipped to handle first aid situations that arise during intramural events. These staff members will serve as first responders in any medical emergency.

Note: If ambulance transportation is needed, the fee will be the responsibility of the individual involved.

ONE TEAM PER EVENT

If a participant signs a team's waiver, they are on that team EVEN IF NO GAMES HAVE BEEN PLAYED. If a participant is discovered to be on two different waivers it will result in a forfeit of games played for (for the team whose waiver was signed second) as well as suspension of offending player. All penalties will be the decision of the IM Sports staff.

A person may compete for only one team per event. Once you have participated for a team, you are not eligible to transfer to another team for any reason. However, you may play for a men's or women's team as well as a Co-Rec team.

RESPONSIBILITY OF TEAM CAPTAINS & COMMUNICATION

Whose Responsibility Is It?

Each team captain must be aware of his or her responsibility with the Office of Intramural Sports. This section outlines those responsibilities as well as the avenues of communication with the Intramural Staff.

Intramural Team Captains:

Each team entered in any intramural activity must have a designated Team Captain who will act as the official liaison between the team and the DCR. The Team Captain holds a very important position within the Intramural Sports and Special Events Program. Team Captains have the responsibility of upholding the philosophy of Ole Miss Intramural Sports, and ensuring that their teams reflect the values that are promoted through participation in Intramural Sports. Team Captains are looked to for leadership and communication issues as they pertain to each individual team.

Team captains must accept the following regulations:

• Reflect positive attributes of sportsmanship and fair play at all times.

  . Communicate regularly with Intramural Sports Staff regarding team sportsmanship issues. Read and thoroughly understand all policies and procedures listed in the Guide to Participation.

  . Make sure that all of the members of the team are eligible to participate in Intramural play.

  . Refrain from verbally or physically abusing officials and Intramural Sports staff. . Play each game as scheduled, refrain from forfeitures and communicate to the Intramural Sports staff when the team is unable to play as scheduled.

  . Being held responsible when your team forfeits. The forfeit fine can be paid in the IM Office. If not paid by the appropriate time, a hold will be placed on the captain's account with the Dean of Students and will not be removed until the fine has been paid. (Fines may be paid in Turner 212).

  . Personally understand and ensure that teammates and team spectators understand and adhere to the Intramural Sports zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol and other drugs (See Alcohol and Drugs Policy).

Captains must understand that once the playoffs begin, the schedule will change from day to day. Be prepared to play on days/times other than those of your regular season schedule.

Communication:

There are several avenues of communication within the Intramural Sports and Special Events program designed to give participants the information they need regarding intramural activities. Participants are encouraged to maintain an open dialogue with the Intramural Sports staff in order to effectively communicate issues that may be important to them.

Meetings:

There will be several required meetings each semester that participants (generally Team Captains) must attend. These meetings will be held in order to give participants an opportunity to receive important information regarding each particular sport, as well as to obtain information regarding the general Intramural Sports program.

Email:

Team captains can email the intramural sports department at imsports@olemiss.edu for any questions, comments or concerns.

Rain Outs:

Postponement of games may be required due to weather or field conditions. Teams should contact Rec Check (915-5509) after 3:00pm for daily updated game status, and continue to monitor Rec Check throughout the afternoon and evening to receive game status updates.

Rec Check:

Team Captains and intramural participants should call Rec Check (915-5509) on a daily basis to receive the following information:

• Daily game schedules
• Weather, field conditions
• Registration information
• Upcoming Sports
• Sports Club matches
• Other IM information

Schedules:

Schedules for intramural activities may be obtained in Turner 212. In an effort to conserve resources, only 1 hard copy of schedule per team (for team/dual sports) and 1 copy of a schedule per participant (for individual sports) will be made available. Schedules will also be posted outside the Intramural Sports Office on the bulletin board in the Turner Center.

It is a general policy not to give scheduling information out over the telephone. Please refrain from calling the IM Office to receive this information.

POLICIES AND GENERAL INFO

Accommodation Policy:

It is the goal of the Intramural Sports Staff to accommodate our participants' needs whenever and wherever we possibly can. Intramural Sports exists for the students of Ole Miss, and the students are the ones who drive the program. Wherever possible, the Intramural Sports staff will accommodate participants' requests and needs. If our staff can accommodate a request without sacrificing safety, integrity, or fair play, we will do our best to work out a solution. (See Reschedules for more information)

Reschedules:

Because teams are generally able to pick the time and day their team will play their games, the need for rescheduling contests should not be prevalent. Under certain circumstances, however, the Intramural Sports staff will allow teams to reschedule game for TOTAL team conflicts.

• Acceptable circumstances are at the discretion of the IM staff.

(Acceptable circumstance: In a playoff situation, a Co-Rec and a Men's Team have been scheduled to play at the same time - with the majority of the male players participating on both teams- this NOT applicable in a playoff draw situation.)

(Unacceptable circumstances: Class or fraternity or sorority conflicts)

Team captains who would like to reschedule a game should follow these steps:

1. Contact the Intramural Sports staff at least 48 hours in advance of the regularly scheduled contest and request permission to reschedule.
2. If permission to reschedule is granted, the Intramural Sports staff will propose the team manager with a list of open fields and times to reschedule the game.
3. It will be the responsibility of the team captain who wishes to reschedule the game to contact the opposing team captain to arrange for a new game time based on available field space. Games will be rescheduled ONLY if the opposing team's captain agrees to move the game.
4. It is the responsibility of the team captain who wishes to reschedule to contact the Intramural Sports staff with the opposing team's response at least 24 hours prior to the regularly scheduled game in order to find staff for the event.
5. The Intramural Sports staff will then confirm information with the opposing team captain. Only then will rescheduling be official. If rescheduling is not possible and a team still cannot play, a default will be issued to the team requesting the reschedule.

FORFEITS VS. DEFAULT

Forfeits:

A forfeit results in any contest that is not played on the day and time of the scheduled contest. Forfeit time is game time (however, a 5 minute grace period will be allowed). All team members MUST be checked in and be ready to play by this time, or a forfeit will be called. Intramural Sports staff will work with teams to avoid forfeits, if possible. The DCR is obligated to pay contest officials and staff and uphold facility reservations regardless of the fact that teams do not show up to play. To offset this expense, there will be a $25 forfeit fine. After one forfeit a letter will be sent to the team captain describing the fine and where to pay it. All teams that forfeit a game will not be permitted to play in the playoffs. A second forfeit will result in the team being dropped from their league, regardless of their regular season record. Forfeit fines not paid will be turned over to the Dean of Students Office where a hold will be placed on the student's record until the fine is paid. Teams that forfeit one game will receive a zero in sportsmanship points. A forfeit weighs heavier against a team than a loss. For example: if Team A has a tied record with Team B, but Team A has a forfeit and Team B has a loss, Team A will not advance to the post season before Team B. Teams who win by forfeit MUST sign in all players and have enough to field a legal team in order to record a win.

Defaults:

If a team knows that they will be unable to play a regularly scheduled game and there is no possibility for rescheduling the contest (see "Reschedules" section for rescheduling procedures), teams should contact the Intramural Sports staff before 3:00pm on the day of the originally scheduled contest. These teams will receive a "default" with the official record being designated as a "loss". These teams will not be subject to the Forfeit Policy (exception: weekend tournaments). Teams receiving defaults will receive one Sportsmanship Point for the game, and will still be required to average at least 2 points per game to be eligible for the post-season. Teams that arrive at the event with half the number of players needed to participate, but not enough to start the game will receive a default.

WRITTEN REPORTS

Special Report Form:

Teams utilize this form to receive feedback regarding their concerns, complaints, or suggestions. Participants will have the option of rating game officials, Intramural Sports staff, and even programming through the use of the Special Report Form. The Special report Form may be obtained on the play site by asking an Intramural Sports staff member, or teams may obtain the form by stopping by the Intramural Sports office (Turner 212). These reports will be used to help rate programs, services, and employees. A Special Report may be filed at any time. Participant will receive a response within 48 Hours of the report from an IM staff member.

Protests:

Participants may file a protest ONLY ON MISINTERPRETATION OF THE RULES OF A GAME OR PLAYER ELIGIBILITY. Each protest carries different requirements. Note: No protest can be made on an officials' judgment. Participants wanting to comment on an officials' judgment can use a Special Report Form but no change in the outcome of the game will occur.

Rule Interpretation Protests:

All rule interpretation protest must be made by the protesting team's captain in the presence of the officials, Campus Recreation staff present, and the opposing team's captain at the time and place of the incident. The protest must be made IMMEDIATELY following the incident. If a resolution is not accomplished at this time, the Intramural Sports staff will be called at the earliest time for a meeting to rule on the protest.

Player Eligibility Protests:

The protests MUST be filed by noon on the following day of the contest in questions or before the next game in tournament or play situations. Teams wishing to protest player eligibility must fill out the Intramural Protest Form, either at the event site or in the Intramural Sports office (Turner 212).

It is the responsibility of all intramural teams and team captains to monitor the eligibility of their team as well as their opponents.

• During regular season play, all contests in which an ineligible player participated will be recorded as a forfeit win for the opposing team.
• During the playoffs, the last contest in which the ineligible player participated shall be recorded as a forfeit win for the opposing team.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG POLICY

Ole Miss Intramural Sports and Special Events is an alcohol and drug free program. The Intramural Sports staff has a ZERO TOLERANCE for alcohol and drug use during organized play. Teams, spectators, and individual players may not have alcohol or other drugs on ANY Intramural playing site. Any display of alcohol or other drugs by teams, spectators, or individual players will result in the removal of the individual(s) from the play site. If a team is drinking or using drugs on site, or if the Intramural Sports staff suspects a team has been drinking or using other drugs (i.e. shows up to game site in an intoxicated state), that team will forfeit its scheduled game and will be suspended from Intramural competition until a meeting is set up with the Program Coordinator. The policy is solely at the discretion of the Intramural Sports staff. Intramural Sports staff has been instructed to call the University Police Department (UPD) any time there is alcohol or other drugs on any intramural playing site, as this is a violation law. Any team, spectator or individual player not complying with the authority of the Intramural Sports staff member on site will be referred to UPD for further action.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION SUMMARY

Intramural contests are very important to the participants but this should not outweigh good sportsmanship during these contests. Intramural participants and fans will be held responsible for their conduct as outlined in the M-Book. In addition, the Campus Recreation Staff, Game Officials and Team Leaders may cite any participant with acts of unsportsmanlike conduct and may link spectators for the purpose of assessing penalties. Participants or spectators in violation can/will be ejected from the game and/or facility. A Disciplinary Action Report will be completed and filed with the Intramural Sports office.

The severity of the incident will determine the punishment, which will be set in the mandatory meeting with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs or the Graduate Assistant of Intramurals. Intramural Staff has the right to adapt the penalties to fit the incident. Penalties can be carried over into other activities.

1. Ejection from any intramural activity = Suspension from all intramural activity for that day and minimum 1 game suspension (To be set at your meeting) from the activity which ejected.
2. Two ejections during the same activity = Suspension of play for that activity
3. Unsportsmanlike behavior with malicious intent = Suspension of play and/or possible ejection of participants/team
4. Fighting = Suspension of play for the entire team, ejection for league and possible semester/year suspension of participation in Intramural Sports

Those who threaten or physically abuse Intramural Officials or Campus Recreation Staff will be suspended form participation in the Intramural Program and referred to the Judicial Council. Participants are also responsible for intentional damage to personal or University property and risk suspension from all Intramural Sports and the Thomas N. Turner Center.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND POINTS SYSTEM

Sportsmanship is vital to the success of each and every program we offer to the University community. Team captains are responsible for the sportsmanship of the team. Game officials and Intramural Sports staff have been granted authority to make decisions to warn, penalize, or eject participants for acts of poor sportsmanship. All ejected participants must report to the IM Sports office (Turner 212) before their next scheduled game. Failure to do so will result in automatic suspension of playing privileges until such requirement is met.

SPORTSMANSHIP SYSTEM

Regular Season:

In an effort to improve sportsmanship in Intramural Sports by making team leaders more accountable for the actions of their teammates, a Team Sportsmanship System has been developed. Under this system, game officials will rate each team's sportsmanship based on a set of criteria for each game that is played. The officials who work the game (not scorekeepers or event personnel) will rate each team. Teams will receive between 0-3 sportsmanship Points per game. Teams must average at least 2 points per game to make the post season.

Post Season/Tournaments:

In post season, winning teams must obtain at least 1 sportsmanship point in a game in order to advance to the next round. If a team does not advance based on Sportsmanship points, the team's opponent will advance. Sportsmanship points are left entirely up to the discretion of game officials and are not debatable in any way.

Sportsmanship Scale:

• 3 Points: Acceptable sportsmanship no sportsmanship-related infractions, no ejections, or win by forfeit.
• 2 Points: Accumulation of one sportsmanship-related infraction, excessive complaining, trash-talking, or team warnings (official's discretion).
• 1 Point: Accumulation of two sportsmanship-related infractions by a team, a default, or one player ejection.
• 0 Points: Stopped game, accumulation of three or more sportsmanship-related infractions by a team, more than one player ejection, or a forfeited game.

PLAYOFFS

All Teams whose records qualify, meet the Sportsmanship criteria and do not have any forfeits during the regular season will be eligible for the playoffs (single elimination tournament). Prior to the first round of playoffs, a mandatory playoff captain's meeting will held to discuss rule clarifications and to pick your team's sport for the tournament. This format will occur with all major sports. Captain's must look through the bracket and make sure all possible game times and days are satisfactory with their players schedules. Once the tournament begins, teams must be ready to play on days and times other than those of their league schedule.

INTRAMURAL POINT SYSTEM

The Intramural Point System allows groups in the university community to compete in intramural sports throughout the school year in a variety of activities for the Overall Intramural Championship.

POINT SYSTEM BANNER

The point system banner, which is located above Court Three in the Turner Center Gymnasium, is not just for fraternity and sorority competition. ANY organization, Residence Hall or organized team, is eligible to enter the point race. Each organization must report their intent to become involved in the point race one day before scheduled intramural activity. These organizations must keep the same team name and a majority of the same players throughout the Intramural season.

POINT SYSTEM REGULATIONS

Organizations may enter an unlimited number of teams in all activities, but only one team will earn points for the organization. The team accumulating the most points, including points earned through participation, will be the organizational representative for that sport. If a team forfeits a game they will not receive participation points for that activity. If a team is dropped from the league they will not receive ANY points.

• Fraternities and sororities cannot have more than two teams in a division.
• There will be several required Intramural Sports Meeting throughout the semester. Teams involved in the point race will receive 50 points for sending a representative (a different representative must be sent for EACH team in the organization). Players that attend these meetings must sign in at the meeting and be on the team's waiver. If they are not, the team will not receive any points