RESPONSIBILITY OF TEAM MANAGERS

The success of the Intramural Sports program depends largely on the leadership skills and interest of the team manager. Each team MUST have a manager and alternate representative responsible for coordination between players and the Intramural Sports staff. Experience has proven that successful teams usually have dedicated and efficient team managers. Some of the team manager's duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Attend one of the scheduled Mandatory Managers Meeting for the selected (each) sport. If the manager cannot attend a team may send a capable, conscientious, responsible person to serve as the team representative. Information crucial to your team's success is made available at this time. For major team sports, entry forms can only be acquired at the mandatory meeting.

2. Submit team entry form, and team roster to the Intramural Sports Office prior to the deadline.

3. All members of the team must read and sign an assumption of risk form prior to participation. This form will also be used to establish your team roster. Individuals may be added to the roster in the office OR at the scheduled game site anytime during regular season play, prior to the tournament.

4. Be familiar with all rules (eligibility and game) and ensure that teammates abide by those rules.

5. Each team is responsible for maintaining good sportsmanship among the coaches, players, and spectators before, during, and after competition (See Sportsmanship Rating).

6. Team Managers are the only participants permitted to question an officials call and must do so in a polite and respectful manner (when play has stopped). Questioning an officials call during play is not permitted as it takes the attention of the official away from the game. If a Team manager feels the official erroneously interpreted a rule they may say, "I PROTEST" at which time play will stop (see Protests). Players other than the Team Manger who address an official may be penalized. Any participant (including team managers) who disrespectfully addresses an official may be penalized.

7. Clarify questions regarding rules, eligibility, and file any protest with the intramural sports personnel. The manager or alternate is solely vested with this responsibility.

8. Check schedule, team standing, and league standings at our web site: www.millsaps.edu/ims/ and notify team members of all scheduled game dates, times, and locations. It is the manager's responsibility to have his/her team ready to play as scheduled.

9. Check often during the regular season, and especially tournament playoffs, to assure players are eligible and all participation passes have been cleared.

10. Respond to Intramural Sports staff concerning schedule changes, tournament structure, eligible player inquiries, team conduct, etc.

11. Immediately inform the Intramural Sports staff of any changes of manager's or alternate's information.

12. If there are inclement weather conditions, call the Intramural Sports Office to receive information & share with teammates 974-1391.

HOW TO ENTER A LEAGUE

1. Entry Forms for major team sports are only available at the Mandatory Managers Meetings. For minor sports, individual and/or dual sports participants may register on-line or in person.

2. Sport fact sheets may be picked-up at the Intramural Sports Office, (HAC).

3. Entry forms and team rosters must be complete with the minimum number of players in order to be accepted.

4. Late Registration: Late entries may be accepted only if time and space are available, if acceptance to league does not inconvenience other teams.

5. ENTRIES ARE LIMITED. Even though there are 2 Manager Meetings all entries are accepted on a first-come/first served basis. If you choose to attend the second meeting please have an alternate league selection, as some may be closed after the first meeting.

LEAGUE AND DIVISION CATEGORIES

CO-ED DIVISION
a) The Co-Ed Division is open to all men and women participants who are students, faculty, or staff of the College.

b) Spouses and significant others of, faculty and staff are eligible to participate in Co-Ed division.

WOMEN'S DIVISION
a) The Women's Division is open to all women students, faculty and staff, and spouses and significant others of faculty and staff.

MEN'S DIVISION
a) The Men's Division is open to all male students, faculty and staff, and spouses and significant others of faculty and staff.

INDIVIDUAL & DUAL SPORTS

1. Some individual/dual sports competitions are divided into ability levels. When this system is used, individuals must responsibly choose their own level based on their ability and the level of competition they desire. Class A = Highly Competitive/Skilled; Class B = Less Competitive/Skilled. The goal of this system is to have players seek competition at their own ability level so players of lesser skill can, and will, participate and enjoy a measure of success. Thus, beginning players are welcomed and encouraged to participate in intramural activities.

2. It may be necessary to combine classes or leagues due to limited entries.

ELIGIBILITY

1. All students regularly enrolled in any department of Millsaps College, current faculty and staff members, as well as significant others of faculty, & staff shall be eligible to enjoy all intramural privileges and shall retain that status until they withdraw, graduate, or fail to comply with eligibility rules or other guidelines.

2. Only players whose names are on the roster/score sheet and who can show their valid Millsaps-ID or completed Participation Pass, with a valid photo ID are eligible to play.

PARTICIPANTS WHO FORGET THEIR MILLSAPS-ID:

a) Only players whose names appear on the roster/score sheet, have signed the Release Form, and who can show their valid Millsaps ID are eligible to participate. Players forgetting their Millsaps ID must complete a Participation Pass and present a valid driver's license or photo ID to the supervisor. This pass must be taken and presented to the game official with proper ID.

b) Any contest in which an ineligible player was used will be forfeited, the team will be eliminated from the tournament and the last team playing against the disqualified team will advance.

REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY

Regular season with tournament: Individual players may be added to the roster at any time during the regular season. Players may add their name and Student Box Number to the scheduled game score sheet or come to the Intramural Sports Office. Players may NOT be added to the roster/score sheet once tournament play has started. In order to be eligible for the play-offs participants must have been added to the roster at or prior to the last regular season game.

WHO GOES INTO THE PLAY-OFFS? Teams that have a winning record (.500pct or better) and at least a 3.0 Sportsmanship Rating are eligible for the play-offs.

Single and double elimination tournaments. Individuals must be listed on the roster before the tournament begins. Players may not be added to the roster/score sheet once the tournament begins.

3. One Team Rule
The first team a participant plays for is the team that person is committed to for that sport. A player who has been listed on a contest score sheet cannot switch teams for the remainder of that sport, league, or tournament (exception: first team forfeits immediately and person did not participate in any contest). Participants may play on one same sex team and one Co-Ed team.

4. Assumed Name.
Anyone who participates under an assumed name or uses someone else's ID is ineligible and may be suspended for the remainder of the season. All games in which the person participated will be counted as forfeits. If an ineligible player is detected in the play-offs, the team will be eliminated from the tournament and the last team playing against the disqualified team will advance.

5. Minimum Player Rule.
A team may begin play with fewer players than the official rules specify for that particular sport without forfeiting the contest. Each sport will have a minimum requirement stated on the information sheets. If you need additional players the Intramural Sports Office may have a list of individuals seeking to play on a team.

6. Varsity Athletes.
a) VARSITY: Membership on a varsity team in the season of that sport makes a player ineligible for that same or like sport during the same school year.
b) VARSITY LETTER WINNER: Any participant who is awarded a varsity letter at Millsaps or any other four (4) year college or university is ineligible in that sport or related (like) sport in which that award was earned. Letter winners are ineligible for 1 year from the term the last letter was earned. It is the duty of any person who has won a letter at another school, in conjunction with the team manger, to check on their eligibility status with the Intramural Staff before participating
c) REDSHIRTS: Those players, who are designated by the coaching staff as not participating in varsity games, but still have status as a squad member, are ineligible for intramural play in that sport or a related (like) sport.

7. Semi/Professional: A person who has competed professionally in a sport will be ineligible for five (5) years from the date of the last professional participation in that sport or related (like) sport.

8. Sport Clubs: Members are eligible to participate in Intramural team sports; however, all Divisions are limited to only 2 club members for sports that require 6 or more players and limited to 1 club member for sports that require 5 or less (in the same or like sport) per roster. Club members are encouraged to participate in the more competitive leagues of the related sport. Club members are those persons who have: participated in practices and/or games with the team during the current academic year; are dues paying members; listed as a member of the club on the Sport Club Roster.

9. As a guide, "like sports" are defined as follows, this list is not meant to be inclusive:
Baseball/Softball - Softball & Home Run Derby
Basketball - Basketball, 3 on 3, & Free Throw
Soccer - Indoor/Outdoor Soccer
Tennis - Tennis, Team Tennis
Volleyball - Volleyball (including sand & doubles)
Track/Cross Country - Cross Country Meet

10. The intramural sports program will share the responsibility for the eligibility of players. Each player and team manager is responsible for checking their eligibility and that of their team members. The IM Office will also assist the team managers and individuals with their questions of eligibility and interpretation of rules. Inquiring about eligibility questions in advance of contests preludes delays and potential protest(s).

11. Other participants, or the Intramural Sports staff, at anytime can initiate ineligible player inquiries.

POSTPONEMENTS & RESCHEDULING

1. Games will not be postponed because of social engagements, organization meetings, etc. If a player or team knows of potential conflicts, notify the professional staff in advance so conflicts can be minimized.

2. Whenever possible, the Intramural Sports Office will reschedule games canceled because of the weather.

3. Rescheduling of contests for other reasons is sometimes difficult due to limited time, staff and space during the season.

4. Teams wishing to reschedule must:
a. Contact the Intramural Sports Office to obtain approval and a list of available rescheduling times.
b. Contact the opposing manager and, if the opposing team is willing, a mutually convenient date/time should be agreed upon. Both managers must contact the Intramural Sports Office with the new date/time. If both managers do not contact the office, the game will NOT be rescheduled.

Please Note: the opposing manager does not have to agree to reschedule the contest. If a new date/time cannot be agreed upon, the game will not be played and the team wishing to reschedule will receive a default (not a forfeit).

FORFEITS & DEFAULTS

1. If a team is not present and ready to play at game time of the scheduled starting time of a contest a default or forfeit will be declared.

2. In order to claim a default or forfeit, the opposing team must have present and ready to play the number of players required to start a game.

3. Forfeits due to ineligible players or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a loss for the offending team (the forfeit fee does not apply to this type of situation).

Defaults:
A default is an unplayed game that is recorded as a loss rather than a forfeit. This results when the defaulting team manager notifies the Intramural Sports Office that they will not show up to play a contest or if a team shows up with at least one player to start a game. Two defaults in the same sport season equal one forfeit

Forfeits:
A forfeit is a played or unplayed game that is recorded as a forfeit because a team failed to show up for its scheduled contest or displayed unsportsmanlike behavior.

If a forfeit is issued to a team who did not show up for a scheduled contest then that team manager will be assessed a $20 forfeit fee. A Team that forfeits the equivalent of two games will be dropped from competition without the possibility of reentry.

Forfeit Fee:
Any team that defaults two games, or forfeits one game, will pay the $20.00 forfeit fee.

Teams that forfeit only once are still eligible for the play-offs consideration.

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 professional staff 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 of 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:
A protest concerning rule interpretations must be lodged with the official and supervisor at the time of the incident. The officials will stop play and gather with the team manager and student supervisor for the correct ruling. The student supervisor will act as the arbitrator and make a decision. In circumstances where an individual feels a protest should be filed, s/he must notify the supervisor that a protest is being registered and the protest form must be completed and submitted in writing to the Intramural Sports Office by 12:00pm (noon) the day after the incident in question (Monday for weekend games). Protests lodged after this time will not be considered.

If the protest is valid the time-out will be charged to the Official(s), if the protest is not valid the team protesting will be charged the time-out.

SPORTSMANSHIP

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 player, suspension of the entire team, or other appropriate action.

1. Player Conduct (ejected player procedures):
Striking, fighting or other inciteful action, whether physical or verbal, may result in automatic suspension of the player(s) and may result in team suspension. Additional sanctions may be imposed pending investigation of the incident. Suspension of a long duration is possible. Individuals who have been ejected (red carded) from a contest will not be eligible to participate in any intramural sports program until they have met with the Intramural Sports professional staff prior to their next scheduled game. Physical or verbal abuse of a student employee of Millsaps or fellow participant may result in an automatic suspension. A team must maintain control of its members. They must also exhibit a high standard of sportsmanship for their group that is expected at an institution of higher education.

2. Any participant 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 intramural professional staff will hear information from all involved parties and make an appropriate decision based on that information.

3. Each team will be given a sportsmanship rating for each game by that game's officials. The rating will be given on a point scale. Teams must have a "B" average (or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) to be eligible to participate in the playoff tournament. Teams must maintain a "B" average during the playoff tournament or face possible elimination.

4. The following sportsmanship rating system will be used for all intramural league sports:

A (4.0) Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship = Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. Players are under control and not excessively fouling or contacting one another. No verbal warnings issued to the players by the officials. The captain calmly converses with officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates. "A"s are given when no comments are made, and a team displays total cooperation with the officials.

B (3.0) Good Conduct and Sportsmanship = Team members verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissension which may or may not merit a technical foul, or yellow card. A team that receives one or two technical fouls (for unsportsmanlike behavior) or one yellow card, cannot receive higher than a B. "B"s are given to teams when some unsportsmanlike conduct is displayed and some complaints of officials' judgements are made. In most cases, teams that win by forfeit or default will receive a B rating

C (2.0) Average Conduct and Sportsmanship = Team that show verbal dissent towards officials and/or opposing team or teammates which merit technical foul(s), yellow card(s), multiple penalties or an ejection (due to unsportsmanlike conduct) may not receive higher than a C. A "C" rating must be given to a team when there is at least two yellow cards and/or at least one unsportsmanlike conduct ejection.

D (1.0) Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship = Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing team from the playing surface or sidelines. At least one unsportsmanlike conduct ejection has taken pace and multiple unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, technical fouls, and/or yellow cards given. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. A "D" rating is given to a team when members persist in arguing with an official, profane language is used, and the captain does not control the actions of his/her team, fans, and/or spectators. Teams that receive a "D" Rating MUST meet with the Director of Intramural Sports prior to their next game or be disqualified.

F (0.0) Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship = Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control over teammates and/or himself/herself. Any team causing a game to be stopped, or forfeited other than by not showing, or receives multiple ejections/red cards shall receive an "F". An "F" is given when multiple "unsportsmanlike penalties" are issued to a team, two or more ejections are issued, a team fails to assist in removing an ejected player from the playing area, warnings by the officials of unsportsmanlike play are ignored, there is a fight or attempted fight, or if a player(s) make unnecessary contact with an official. Teams that receive an "F " Rating MUST meet with the professional staff prior to their next game or be disqualified.

SPECTATOR POLICY: Spectators are welcome at all games and activities. However, team managers are responsible for their spectator's behavior. Fans are expected to follow the sportsmanship policy explained within the Intramural Guidelines. Team managers are responsible for educating their spectators on these guidelines.

TO THE SPECTATOR: "Our goal and responsibility is to provide and create a healthy atmosphere for all participants, officials, scorekeepers, supervisors, and spectators. We ask for your cooperation as spectators to help develop a positive atmosphere. It is the responsibility of each spectator to do everything possible to ensure that the game atmosphere is friendly and good natured."

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

The Intramural Sports program provides awards in all activities for the winners of the various divisions. In team events, individuals listed on the team roster and who have competed in at least one game on the winning team will receive an Intramural Championship T-shirt.

1. Teams participating in an officiated team sport will be given up to 12 awards based on the number of team members.

2. Unofficated team sports winners will receive up to 6 awards in that sport.

3. The team must pay for any number needed beyond the allocated amount. T-shirts may be purchased for additional players (at cost) at the Intramural Sports Office. Contact a professional staff member for additional information.

4. Additional awards may be made in categories deemed deserving by the Intramural Sports program. Sportsmanship awards may be given to individuals and teams that exhibit outstanding sportsmanship before, during, and after competition.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK & RELEASE STATEMENT

All participants are strongly urged to have a yearly medical examination and to carry medical insurance coverage. 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.

Maintenance of good physical health and appropriate financial planning in form of insurance in the event of a physical mishap can give you more peace of mind while participating.

The Intramural Sports program believes that participation in recreational sports is a positive, healthy experience that provides enjoyment to our participants. To foster health benefits and maximize enjoyment for participants, spectators, and student staff, consuming alcoholic beverages before participating, during participation, or on site after participation is a violation of Millsaps policy. Individuals or teams who violate this policy may not be eligible to participate.

ALL-CAMPUS INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The All-Campus Intramural Championship Series was established to encourage participation in all aspects of intramural activities and to offer incentives beyond the desire to excel in just one activity.

1. The Intramural Sports Office will recognize one team from the Women's and Men's division as All-Campus Intramural Champions, per year.

2. The winner in each division will be determined by a point system. All points scored by a team shall be credited to their team if the name of the team is listed on the entry form. Teams must use the same team name year round.

3. Teams that display unsportsmanlike behavior, as determined by the Intramural Sports professional staff, or forfeits more than once may not receive points for that sport.

4. The point system shall be administered by the Intramural Sports Office and any interpretation or ruling not previously covered will be resolved at the discretion of the Intramural Sports professional staff, whose decision is final.