Western Carolina University

Intramural Participant Guidelines

Assumption of Risk & Release Statement

All participants are strongly encouraged to have a yearly medical examination and to carry medical insurance coverage. Student health insurance is available for purchase. Please visit www.studentinsurance.com for more information. While we strive to provide safe and well-supervised activities and facilities, there is an inherent potential for physical injury or death in all sport activities.

                The Intramural Sports Office believes that participation in Intramural sports is a positive, healthy experience that fosters health benefits and provides enjoyment to our participants. Consuming alcoholic beverages before participating, during participation, or on site after participation is a violation of University policy. Individuals or teams who violate this policy will not be eligible to participate.

Injuries and Blood Born Pathogens

Participation in sporting activities may cause injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Blood borne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause diseases in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B virus (HIV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

                The Intramural Sports program will make every effort to minimize exposure to its employees and participants. Intramural staff are trained and certified to respond to emergency and blood exposure situations. We ask that they be contacted immediately to respond to any injury.

1.        Participants will not be permitted to participate in Intramural Sports at the University if they do not agree to all of the rules and regulations.

2.        The University and its staff are not held responsible for any injuries incurred while participating or as a spectator in the Intramural Sports Program.

3.        Playing without shirts and proper shoes is prohibited. (Exception: beach volleyball).

4.        All injuries are to be reported to the game officials and sports supervisor.  The supervisor with a first aid kit can take care of all minor injuries.

5.        All major injuries or emergencies will be taken care of immediately by the student supervisor in charge by calling Western Carolina University EMS. In the meantime, the supervisor will see that the participant is comfortable until help arrives. Medical expenses incurred such as ambulance, doctor bills, and x-rays will be the responsibility of the injured person.

6.        All injured persons must complete an accident report. This form can be obtained from the student supervisor on site.

ALCOHOL & TOBACCO

                Western Carolina University must comply with all laws concerning alcohol and tobacco use on state property.  Participants who decide to drink alcohol prior to participating in intramurals are placing themselves and other players at risk, as the combination of alcohol and physical activity of any nature is extremely dangerous. It has been medically proven that alcohol will slow a person’s motor skills. If a player is suspected of participating or attempting to participate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will be removed from the contest.

                Tobacco (chewing or smoking) is not allowed on the intramural fields or courts. If a person is using one or the other, they will be asked to refrain from using it at that particular site.

WEBSITE

                Team managers and participants are responsible for checking the Intramural Sports website for their team’s schedule, schedule changes, sport rules, and team registration. The website is found at http://www.wcu.edu/studentd/intramurals. Team managers and participates should also familiarize themselves with the Intramural Sports Handbook.

Equipment

The Intramural Program will furnish standard equipment for all activities with the exception of personal items (softball gloves, shin guards, etc.). Participants may check out equipment from the Reid Gym equipment cage upon presenting proper identification.

Forfeits

1.        Allowing an ineligible player to participate. The team loses all games in which that person participates and that person is barred from that activity.

2.        Participants not appearing on the field or court ready to play at their scheduled time for the contest.

3.        Continued unsportsmanlike conduct or unnecessary roughness may result in forfeiture of the contest. Referees or supervisors have the authority to forfeit games.

4.        In the event that a team forfeits, that team will be dropped from all further competition in that sport and will lose all participation points. Also, all team members will be ineligible to participate for any other team in that sport. If a team wishes to continue their season they must inform the intramural office by 12:00pm the following day that they wish to continue play. The Intramural Office reserves the right to determine whether or not to reinstate the team. If the team does not ask to be reinstated, then they will be dropped and other games will be rescheduled in that time slot.

5.        A team must have a full compliment of players to begin a contest as determined by the intramural rules. Each player’s name should be listed in full on the score sheet prior to the start of the game. Names may be added once the game starts and that person will be added to the official roster the following day. Official rosters may not be changed once playoffs begin.

6.        If a team knows they will have a forfeit they can let the intramural office know before 3:00pm on the day of the game in order to be excused.

7.        There is a 5 minute grace period at the start of the actual game time for all team sports. Once these 5 minutes have passed, a forfeit will be declared.

8.        Teams that forfeit twice will be dropped from further competition.

Protests

It is the strong belief of this department that contests should be won or lost on the field of play, not through the technicalities of rules. The Director of Intramural Sports will immediately resolve all disputes.

1.        Types of Protests:

a)        Judgment Decisions: Players or managers may not protest Official’s judgment calls. Attempted protest(s) lodged on judgment may be penalized by assessing a time-out to the protesting team.

b)       Player Eligibility: Protest may be made at any time by the IM Staff or any participant. Any team or individual protesting the eligibility of a player must furnish proof that the player is ineligible. In case of an obvious violation of eligibility rules, a protest may be granted. To ensure honest sport competition, protests of alleged eligibility violations should be made prior to games to the supervisor rather than waiting to determine the outcome of the contest.

c)        Rule Interpretation: A coach, manager, or captain may lodge a protest on an official’s or scorekeeper’s rule interpretation, but must do so at the time of the incident. If a protest is going to be lodged, a coach, manager, or captain must first call a time-out and then say “ I PROTEST” and, when necessary, complete the proper paperwork.

2.        Procedure for Protesting:

·         Protest based on judgment calls of officials will not be considered under any circumstances.

·         Protest must be made on the field of play at the time of the incident before the next live ball situation. The team should first notify the head official, the scorekeeper, and then the supervisor. When possible, the Intramural Supervisor(s) with consultation of officials will try to resolve the protest immediately. The protest should be written down completely upon the score sheet with all the details concerning the time of the game, score, players involved, etc. The rest of the game should be played. Also, the team should turn in a typewritten protest within 24 hours of the game to the Intramural Office completely explaining the situation. Protest not following this procedure will not be considered.

Exception: Any discovery on listing of participant using a false name will result in immediate forfeit of game.

·         The Intramural Director will check out the officials’ stories and rule on the protest. If the team losing the protest disagrees with the Director’s decision they may appeal formally by submitting a $5.00 protest fee within 24 hours of notification. The protest will then go before a committee of five people composed of faculty or students who will make the final decision. If the protest goes against the team, they lose the money; if good, the money is returned. The decision is final.

·         If a protest is upheld, the contest will be replayed from the point at which the protest occurred, as determined by the score sheet. Date and time will be set by the Intramurals Department, or as determined by the Intramural Protest Appeals Board.

·         The Intramural Department does not assume the responsibility for checking on the eligibility of participants. However, any cases called to the department’s attention by written protest will be dealt with according to eligibility rules.

·         The Director shall have the authority to establish special rulings whenever deemed necessary. Sometimes exceptional situations do occur. The option to appeal a protest is still in effect.

Sportsmanship

                Team Managers are responsible for controlling the actions of their players and their fans. Teams interested in progressing to the playoff tournament must have an acceptable rating. Once in the playoffs teams must maintain an acceptable rating or risk being disqualified. Any team that receives an unacceptable rating may be ineligible for further competition until they meet with the Director or Assistant Director of Intramural Sports. 

Team Guidelines

                Every team is responsible for the conduct of its players and followers. Any conduct judged as detrimental to the participants, program, or any particular contest, may result in loss of the contest, suspension of the individual players, suspension of the entire team, or other appropriate action. Failure to comply with requests from the Intramural Staff will result in a forfeited contest.

Due Process

Any participant, team, or organization suspended from Intramural activities due to violations of Intramural Guidelines or sport rules will have the opportunity to participate in due process to insure protection of rights. The Director or Assistant Director of Intramural Sports will hear information from all involved parties and make an appropriate decision. Any appeal that is made regarding the Director or Assistant Director’s decisions shall be made with the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

Acts Relevant to Fighting

The Intramural Department and Western Carolina University will not condone fighting or any actions that may encourage violence. Such acts include, but are limited to, taunting, trash talking, verbal and physical harassment, fighting or attempting to fight.

1.        Any individual that is involved in a fight will be subject to an automatic ejection from the game and could result in team suspension. Individuals involved will be ineligible to compete in any further intramural activities and must make an appointment to meet with the Director or Assistant Director of Intramural Sports.

2.        Any bench personnel including spectators that enter the field/court during a fight or potential conflict will receive an automatic ejection from the program.  These individuals will follow the same guidelines as stated above.

The Intramural Sports Program has policies and procedures for handling fighting and harassment as stated above; however, Campus Police may be called to assist when and if necessary.

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 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. One of the goals of Western Carolina University 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 Western Carolina University 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 each team’s attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, 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 contests, officials and/or supervisors shall make decisions whether to warn, penalize, or eject persons and/or teams for poor sportsmanship. 

      Team Ratings:  Acceptable      Unacceptable      Season Ending

                A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and their spectators. 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 supervisors shall determine acceptable and unacceptable team ratings. Appeals for unacceptable ratings are not accepted. The Director of Intramural Sports will determine season ending ratings. The Intramural Sports Program staff also reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

Acceptable

1.     Team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship toward members of both teams, spectators, and all intramural officials and staff. 

2.        Team captain exhibits control over his/her team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and cooperate by providing any information requested by any intramural sports 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 Intramural Sports facilities and equipment.

Unacceptable

1.     Any player that is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

2.     Multiple 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 non-verbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators may also lead to an unacceptable rating.

4.     Team captain (spokesperson) exhibited little control with players and spectators; conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls. Team captain did not cooperate in providing information requested by any intramural sports official/staff. 

5.     Team members did not meet eligibility requirements for participation in the Western Carolina University Intramural Sports Program.

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 immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent.

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 Intramural Sports facilities and/or equipment.

12.   Any violation of the Western Carolina University Student Code of Conduct.

Consequences for Unacceptable Rating

1.     Team is suspended until the captain meets with the Director or Assistant Director of Intramural Sports. It is the captain's responsibility to call and schedule a meeting with the Director or Assistant Director. A team is ineligible for any intramural sport competition in this activity 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 any further competition.