Divisions of play:
There are three divisions of play for intramural events at the individual and team level: Men’s, Women’s, & Co-Rec.

League Breakdown:
Competition within divisions is broken down into the following leagues: Competitive and Recreational.

Entry Days:
Entry Days are the specific days/times that Roster Cards are due to the Recreational Sports Office for all intramural events.

Roster Cards and Roster Addition Cards:
Blue Roster Cards are the forms that must be completed in order to participate in intramurals. These cards are available in the Recreational Sports Office (TRAC 1008) and must be turned in on each sport’s respective due date. Roster Cards received after the Entry Day will be placed on a waiting list. If spots open up within a league/tournament, participants/teams on the waiting list may be placed into the open slots, time and space permitting. To ensure a participant/team gets into a league/tournament, Roster Cards should be turned in on Entry Day, even if signatures are still needed on the back of the form.

All players must sign the Roster Card before participation is allowed. Recreational Sports personnel will have each team’s Roster Card available at events to help verify participation. Only those people already listed on the Roster Card will be allowed to participate that night or sign the card. Players must present a valid i-card before being allowed to sign a Roster Card. Roster additions will not be allowed on-site.

Green Roster Addition Cards are the forms used to add someone to a team’s roster once the Entry Day has passed. These cards are available in the Recreational Sports Office. All additions must be approved by Recreational Sports Personnel before the addition to the roster is made. Players approved to rosters must still sign the Roster Card before participation will be allowed. In leagues followed by post-season play, roster acquisitions will not be allowed after each respective team’s last regular season game.

Distribution of Schedules and Changes to Schedules:
Teams are responsible for securing all scheduling information regarding the games for their team.  Once scheduling has been completed for a specific sport, team/individual packets will be available.  It is ultimately the responsibility of the team representative (or individual in an individual sport) to secure their packet.  These packets are first available at the Captains’/Players’ Meetings.  The Recreational Sports Office is not responsible for packets not secured before play begins.  Master copies of all intramural schedules will be kept in the Recreational Sports Office.

Occasionally schedules change to due unforeseen situations. Captains will be notified of any changes. It is the responsibility of each team to check the web site for changes. Be sure to provide accurate contact information on the Roster Card, and to alert the Intramural staff if this information changes.

Eligibilty:
University Status:

• Currently enrolled UIS fee-paying students and Rec Center Members are eligible to participate in intramurals.

Professional Athletes:

• Any student who is barred from any intercollegiate sport because of professionalism shall not be eligible for that intramural sport or any corresponding sport.

Intercollegiate Athletic Affiliation:

• Squad members of any college varsity or junior varsity team are ineligible to participate in intramurals for that sport or corresponding sports for the given academic year, regardless if in season or not (see next section for corresponding sports).

• If an individual is cut from a varsity squad before the first game of that sport’sintercollegiate schedule, the individual will not be considered a squad member and therefore is eligible to participate in intramurals.

• Any student receiving financial aid based on athletic eligibility shall not be eligible for participation in intramural events of that sport or corresponding sports while the grant is in force.

Corresponding Sports:

Basketball– Basketball, Co-Rec Basketball, 3-Point Shootout, Free Throw Contest, 3-on-3 Basketball

Golf– Golf, Best Ball, Scramble

Tennis– Tennis singles, Tennis doubles, Mixed Tennis doubles

Volleyball– Volleyball, Co-Rec Volleyball, Sand Volleyball, Outdoor Volleyball

Soccer– Indoor Soccer, Outdoor Soccer, 5-A-Side Soccer

Softball– 12″ Softball, 16″ Softball, Co-Rec Softball

Baseball– 12″ Softball, 16″ Softball, Co-Rec Softball

Assumed Name :
Any participant competing under an assumed name will be barred from intramural participation for one (1) calendar year beginning the day the discrepancy is first noticed.

Ineligible Player:
The use of an ineligible player (as defined in the “Eligibility” section above) in any intramural contest will result in forfeiture of the game by the team/individual using the ineligible player. Further action may be taken following examination of all contests in which that team/individual was involved.

Teams/participants who are found using an ineligible player receive a maximum Sportsmanship Rating of a “2″ for each contest the ineligible player participated.  The ineligible player will be suspended from all intramural activities for a minimum of six (6) calendar months.

Team Membership:

• A player participating in an activity with a given team may not transfer to another team during the same sports season.

• No player can participate on more than one team within the same division during the same sport.  This includes simultaneously participating in a competitive league and a recreational league within a particular division.  Players may, however, simultaneously participate on either a Men’s or Women’s team and a Co-Rec team.

• If a player is found to be on two teams, he/she is considered to be ineligible.  The player will be asked to choose which team to continue participating for.

ID Policy :
All participants must bring a valid UIS i-card to each and every activity.  Supervisors and officials may request an i-card at any time to verify participation.  UIS i-cards are also required to enter facilities such as TRAC.

If any participant does not have a valid UIS i-card he/she will be ineligible to participate.

NO ID = NO PLAY!

Jewelry Policy:
The Department of Recreational Sports places great emphasis on the safety of its participants. With this in mind, Recreational Sports supervisors, officials, and other personnel will enforce the following:

1. Jewelry shall not be worn. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Earrings

• Wedding rings or bands

• Other rings

• Necklaces

• Bracelets

• Rubber Bands

• Lance Armstrong bracelets (or similar style)

• Metal barrettes

• Bandannas

• Baseball caps

• Headgear with a bill or other hard outer surface

2. Certain apparel will be considered illegal.  This includes, but is not limited to:

• Bare feet (participants must wear footwear- an exception is made for sand volleyball)

• Sandals

• Work boots

• Metal or screw-in spikes

• Street/dress shoes

3. The only exception to the above is for a religious item that, in the discretion of the supervisor, cannot easily be removed, and a medical alert bracelet or necklace.  In either case the item must be approved by the supervisor present then taped and worn under the uniform.

4. If a participant refuses to remove jewelry or illegal apparel he/she will not be allowed to participate.

5. Any player in a game/match found wearing illegal jewelry or apparel must immediately be replaced by a substitute.  The player may not re-enter the game/match until all jewelry or illegal apparel has been removed and he/she has been given approval by the supervisor present.

6. If there is no substitute available, the offending player cannot re-enter the game/match until the next substitution opportunity.

7. Continual violation of the jewelry and apparel policy may result in a technical foul/unsportsmanlike penalty/yellow card/red card charged to the violating player and/or violating team.

8. Supervisors should be consulted regarding any jewelry and apparel that may be in question.  Supervisors will always rule on the side of safety and make decisions on-the-spot.  Supervisors’ decisions are final.

Sporting Behavior:
The Department of Recreational Sports places great emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to rules, and the basic joy of play.

Player Ejections:
When participants behave in an unsportsmanlike manner, they may be ejected from the program site. When ejected, a participant must leave the facility or playing field immediately. Each time a player is ejected, an Ejection Form shall be completed. See “Rules of Conduct and Suspensions” for information on violations of sporting behavior and the suspensions associated with each. In addition to possible probation and suspension, an individual’s participation points are forfeited upon each ejection.

Protests and Appeals:
Only protests based on questions of player eligibility and rule interpretation (when misinterpretation affects the outcome of the game) will be accepted.  Protests which challenge the accuracy of a judgment call made by the officials or Intramural Supervisors will not be accepted.

The team captain must make any protest involving rule interpretation to the Intramural Supervisor at the time of which the incident in question occurs.  Once a situation has passed, however, it is no longer subject to change or protest.  The Intramural supervisor in charge will be called over to rule on the disagreement.

Any team protesting the eligibility of a player(s) must furnish the player(s) in question’s full name, as well as the team name for which the charged offender played (in cases of playing for more than one team).

• Any individual that violates eligibility rules shall be suspended from intramural competition for a minimum of six (6) calendar months.

• Any team that uses an ineligible player shall default that contest and any other games he/she may have played.  Teams/participants who are found to use an ineligible player receive a Sportsmanship Rating of a “2″ for each contest the ineligible player participated.

Once a decision has been made by the intramural staff, the individual(s) involved may appeal this decision to the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming. This appeal must be in writing and brought to the Recreational Sports Office before 12noon the next business day.  If an Appeal is made, the individual(s) involved will not be allowed to participate until a final decision has been determined.

Defaults:
A default is contest that is recorded as a loss but is not considered a forfeit.  Teams desiring to default do so by the following procedure:

• Team Captain stops by the Recreational Sports Office during regular business hours (M-F 8:30am-5:00pm) and notifies an Intramural staff member that they are unable to play the contest.  The Captain must stop by the Recreational Sports Office no later than 12:00 pm. for weekday games to inform us of their inability to play and no later than 2:00 pm. on Friday to tell us if they cannot participate for Sunday’s games.  This way we have enough time to make the necessary schedule adjustments.

Requests from teams notifying Intramural staff after the designated times outlined above will not be granted, and the game in question will either be declared a forfeit at that time by an Intramural staff member, or the game will be played as originally scheduled. 

For contests not already in progress, teams/participants who default a contest will receive an automatic loss and a Sportsmanship Rating of a “3″.  Teams/participants who win by default in this manner will receive an automatic win and a Sportsmanship Rating of a “4″.

For contests already in progress, teams/participants who default a contest will receive an automatic loss and a Sportsmanship Rating based upon sportsmanship to that point.  Teams/participants who win by default in this manner will receive an automatic win and a Sportsmanship Rating based upon sportsmanship to that point.  **ONE EXCEPTION: Teams who are found to use an ineligible player will receive a Sportsmanship Rating of a maximum “2″ for each contest the ineligible player participated.

Forfeits:
Game time is forfeit time.  Each team/participant is responsible for arriving at the playing area with their UIS i-card and ready to play at least 15 minutes before scheduled time of the contest.  If a single team member is not present at the time the contest is scheduled, the Intramural Supervisor in charge shall declare the contest a forfeit by that team.  The team/participant receiving the win must fulfill the requirement for a legal team/participant to begin a contest and has no option to play the other team/participant should they show up late.  If the playing conditions are deemed safe, the team may use the site to practice until 15 minutes prior to the next contest. A forfeit will be declared if:

• A team who fails to contact the Intramural staff regarding the inability of their team to play.

• A team arrives at the contest site without the number of players needed to begin the contest.

• A team begins a contest but drops below the number of players needed to resume play.

• A team uses an ineligible players in an intramural sports contest.

Teams/participants who forfeit 1 contest for any reason will be dropped from the league, and are ineligible for playoffs.  Teams forfeiting during the playoffs are also removed from the rest of the playoffs.

Rules of Conduct and Suspension:
Section 1. Rules of Personal Conduct: Any person who commits, attempts to commit, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures by the Recreational Sports Office. Team captains, managers, or coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators, and are therefore subject to the same disciplinary actions as their players. It is the responsibility of the offender(s) to initiate the coordination of the meeting, when applicable.

A. Player or spectator makes physical contact in a threatening manner toward an official- indefinite suspension, minimum of one (1) calendar year, effective immediately, probationary status for six (6) calendar months upon reinstatement.

B. Player strikes another player- indefinite suspension, minimum of three (3) calendar months, probationary status for three (3) calendar months upon reinstatement.

C. Any individual playing on one or more than one team (exception: participants may play on on either a Men’s or Women’s team and a Co-Rec team) will receive a minimum suspension for the remainder of that sport.

D. Team members and/or spectators who leave benches/viewing areas to participate in any isolated altercation- indefinite suspension for team, minimum of six (6) calendar months, effective immediately, probationary status for six (6) calendar months upon reinstatement.

E. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) toward an official, staff member, or participant- indefinite suspension, minimum of one (1) calendar month, probationary status for six (6) calendar months upon reinstatement.

F. Player verbally abuses an official, staff member, or participant- indefinite suspension until that player meets with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming, suspension for a minimum of one (1) game, probationary status for six (6) calendar months upon reinstatement.

G. If a player is ejected from a game, he/she is suspended indefinitely from all intramural competition, pending a meeting with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming who shall determine the length of suspension period. It is the responsibility of the ejected player and team captain to initiate the arranging of the meeting with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming.

H. Theft (caught in the act or found to have previously committed)- indefinite suspension until the violator/suspect meets with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming, who shall determine the length of suspension (minimum of one (1) calendar year), replacement and/or repair costs will be billed to violators at-cost.

Section 2. Forfeiture: A team or individual may be suspended from intramural competition for repeated incidents of forfeiture. Teams that register participants for competition are responsible for any forfeits by those individuals and repeated offenses of forfeiture may result in the loss of intramural eligibility for a minimum of one sports season for the individual or team. League rules indicate that a second forfeit by an individual or team in league play or one forfeit in tournament play makes them ineligible to participate for the remainder of that league or tournament.

Section 3. Use of an Assumed Name or other Fraudulent Act:

A. The use of an assumed name in any manner in the Recreational Sports program shall constitute a violation of the rules.

B. Fraudulent acts shall be defined as misrepresentation of a score, playing while ineligible or under suspension, allowing an individual to use your UIS I-card for intramural participation, or signing another participant’s name on a Roster Card.

C. Should a participant, team captain, or team manager be guilty or responsible for the use of an assumed name or fraudulent act, he/she will be disqualified from all intramural activities pending a meeting with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming, who shall determine the length of suspension period (minimum six (6) months). The team for which he/she played may be dropped from further competition in that sport.

Section 4. Probationary Status:

A. Individual probation means an individual may continue his/her participation in that sport season with the full understanding that any further reports of unsportsmanlike conduct will result in stricter penalties including suspension of a minimum of six (6) calendar months.

B. Team probation places a team on probationary status. Any further reports of unsportsmanlike conduct by the members of the team (or individuals present to support teams) will result in suspension of the team from any intramural participation.

Section 5. Off-Campus Events:

A. Participants for any off-campus events must ride the bus/van if transportation is provided by the Department of Recreational Sports.

Section 6. Good Reason Clause: A team or individual, for good reason not covered in Sections 1 through 5, may be suspended from intramural competition by the staff member in charge at the time of the incident.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal/Controlled Substance Policy:
The use and/or possession of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal/controlled substances are not permitted on or around recreational sports programming areas.  Supervisors, instructors, and officials assigned to each activity have the authority and responsibility to make decisions based upon participant and spectator actions, language, and sensory observations.  The use and/or possession of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal/controlled substances will result in the filing of the appropriate incident reports–further action may also be taken in accordance with the university Code of Conduct.

For Participants:

• Participants who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal/controlled substances will not be permitted to participate and will be asked to leave the contest site immediately.  Further, said participants will be indefinitely suspended from participation in recreational sports programming until he or she has an appointment with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming. 

• Teams that fall below the required number of participants to field a team will forfeit the contest.

• Participants found to be using or possessing any form of tobacco (including smoking and chewing tobacco) will be asked to dispose of such items immediately.

For Spectators:

• Spectators who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal/controlled substances will be asked to leave the contest site immediately.  Further, said spectators will be indefinitely suspended from attending recreational sports programming until he or she has an appointment with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming.

Postmonements and Cancellations:

• Postponement and cancellation of scheduled intramural sports contests occasionally result from inclement weather, loss of facility space due to changes in University schedules and other unforeseen circumstances. Whenever possible, the Recreational Sports Office will reschedule contests having to be postponed. Certain factors, however, such as relatively short playing seasons and limited space and time restrictions often prevent contests from being rescheduled. These contests are therefore cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

• It is the policy of the Department of Recreational Sports to make decisions regarding postponements and cancellations by 2:00pm on the day of the scheduled contests. If a decision has not been reached by 2:00pm, any decision to postpone or cancel the day’s contests will be made at the game site. When the decision has been made to postpone or cancel a contest, the Recreational Sports staff will contact, via telephone, the captains of those teams that are scheduled to play- it is important that phone numbers are correct on Roster Cards.

Rescheduling Contests:
Notification of rescheduled contests will be made via the Recreational Sports web site (when time permits) or by telephone to the team captain as soon as possible after the decision to postpone (or cancel) has been made.

Sportsmanship Rating Guide:
The Intramural Program expects all participants to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. During and after each contest, Intramural staff evaluates and issues sportsmanship ratings to all teams. The rating guide is as follows:

4 – Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship- Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly converses with officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates, bench, and spectators. Teams that win by forfeit will receive a “4”. Teams that receive 1 verbal warning for use of profanity cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.

3 – 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 yellow card (soccer, volleyball, softball), unsportsmanlike flag (flag football), or technical foul (basketball). Teams that receive 1 yellow card (soccer, volleyball, softball), unsportsmanlike flag (flag football), or technical foul (basketball) cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.

2 – Average Conduct and Sportsmanship- Team shows verbal dissent towards officials and/or the opposing team, which may or may not merit a yellow card (soccer, volleyball, softball), unsportsmanlike flag (flag football), or technical foul (basketball). Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates, bench, and spectators, but is in control with him/her. Teams receiving multiple yellow cards (soccer, volleyball, softball), unsportsmanlike flags (flag football), or technical fouls (basketball) cannot receive higher than a “2” rating.

1 – Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship- Team consistently comments to the officials and/or the opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates, bench, spectators, and/or himself/herself. A team which receives one red card (soccer, volleyball, softball) or an ejection (flag football, basketball) cannot receive higher than a “1” rating.

0 – Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship- Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control over teammates, bench, spectators, and/or himself/herself. Any team causing a game to be forfeited, other than by not showing, or receives multiple ejections will receive a “0” rating.

During Regular Season Play:

• A team that receives a “0” rating must have their captain meet with the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports- Programming the following business day to be eligible to play their next contest.

• A team must have a 3.0 average or better sportsmanship rating to be eligible to participate in playoffs, regardless of record.

• A team winning a contest by default will receive a “4” rating.

• A team winning a contest by forfeit will receive a “4″ rating.

• A team losing a contest by default will receive a “3” rating.

Sportsmanship Ratings During the Playoffs:

• If a team receives a “0” rating they will be eliminated from the playoffs.

• A player receiving an ejection will be disqualified from all remaining playoff games.