A. Each team is responsible for the actions of its members and fans before, during, and after any game or event. Failure of a team to cooperate with officials or to control and restrain any individual member or fan is cause for a team to be dropped from the league.

B. In the event an individual and/or spectator conducts himself/herself in an unsportsmanlike manner during any IM Sports event, the on-site staff has the complete authority to take any action deemed necessary in order to keep the game under control. Depending upon the severity of the incident, the official or IM supervisor may take the following action: give warnings, eject players from the game and area, and/or suspend the game. All disciplinary problems will be reported to the IM & Club Sports or Graduate Assistant and Coordinator for further disciplinary action.

C. Players and spectators (clearly associated with a team) who enter the playing area during a game to become involved in an altercation will be suspended immediately from participating in IM Sports. If players or spectators cannot be identified then that team will be suspended. The length of the suspension will be for a minimum of one game and may be extended in accordance with the severity of the incident. Reinstatement in the program will be made when the student or team shows a willingness to support the basic principles of the program. This decision will be left to the discretion of the IM & Club Sports Graduate Assistant and Coordinator, and the Director of Recreation Services.

D. Reports of unsportsmanlike behavior will be investigated by the IM & Club Sports or Graduate Assistant and Coordinator. In doing so, the individual(s) and/or team(s) involved will be questioned and may be required to submit a written statement of the incident. Statements will also be obtained from the officials and IM Supervisor on duty. The IM & Club Sports or Graduate Assistant and Coordinator will rule on the individual(s) and/or team(s) involved. The range of penalties include: suspension from game(s) or season, temporary or permanent probation, temporary or permanent suspension from IM Sports and loss of Recreation Services facility usage privileges.

E. Ejected players, coaches, and fans must complete the necessary paperwork and remove themselves from the area (out of sight and sound) immediately. Failure to comply within one minute (60 seconds) will result in a team forfeit.

F. Any player ejected from a game for any reason will face a minimum one game suspension and is subject to the rules set forth in the section Ejections and Disciplinary Action.

G. Any individual striking another player or official, or verbally threatening an official will be suspended indefinitely. All members of the IM Sports Staff are employees of Florida International University. Abusing an official, verbally or physically, will result in the filing of an incident report with Campus Police.

H. All Conduct Penalties will result in the Sportsmanship Rating of the offending team being reduced by 1.0 points (please refer to the Sportsmanship Rating Section below).

I. Alcohol is strictly prohibited from all intramural events and/or activities. Players or spectators found in violation of this policy will be immediately ejected/removed and suspended.

J. Smoking is prohibited at all intramural events and/or activities. Players or spectators found in violation of this policy will be immediately ejected/removed and suspended.

K. Pets are not allowed at any IM Sports site. Persons will be asked to remove their pet from the premises with the understanding that they may return to the event or activity without the pet.

SPORTSMANSHIP RATING

In sports involving officials, the Sportsmanship Rating System will be utilized. This system was developed to make participants responsible for their actions. Both teams will receive a Sportsmanship Rating based upon the scale below. The officials will rate both teams on a sliding scale based upon the following criteria:

Any team wishing to make the Playoffs will be required to maintain a 2.75 Sportsmanship Rating. Teams must continue to maintain a 2.75 Sportsmanship Rating throughout the Playoffs. If a team falls below the 2.75 Sportsmanship Rating at any point during the Playoffs, they will be removed from the tournament. The team they were scheduled to play will receive a “win by forfeit” and advance to the next level. If this is the result of the Semi-Final games, the team that should advance will be declared the Champion.

EJECTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Participants and Spectators found to be in violation of Intramural Sports Rules, Policies and Procedures are subject to ejection from Intramural contests and disciplinary action including but not limited to: probation, suspension, expulsion, revocation of Recreation Services privileges, participation in workshops,seminars and/or the completion of reflection papers. The following is the procedure that must be followed when one is ejected.

A. Participants/Spectators that have been ejected from an Intramural Sports contest will be given reinstatement information by the Intramural Sports Supervisor.

B. Should any ejected person not be compliant with the IM Sports Supervisors, Graduate Assistant, and/or Coordinator, the team captain will be responsible for supplying the required information. In the circumstance that neither party is compliant, the game may be forfeited. Public Safety may also be called.

C. All ejected persons are self suspended until they have met with the IM & Club Sports Graduate Assistant and Coordinator to review the incident.

D. Any attempts to participate or spectate prior to this meeting or in violation of disciplinary action that has been levied will result in additional action being taken.

E. An appointment to meet with the IM & Club Sport Coordinator can be made by calling (305) 348-7530 The IM Sports Graduate Assistant my also be contacted in such instances by calling (305) 348-1054or by coming into the Intramural Sports Office located in SFC 204. Appointments will not be made on the day of the next game or at the game site.

F. Any person who does not agree with a disciplinary sanction may file a written appeal. If the written appeal is deemed acceptable by the IM Sports Department, a hearing will be arranged.

POSTPONEMENT/CANCELLATION DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

The IM Staff has sole responsibility for postponements/Cancellations in case of inclement weather. The safety of participants, spectators, and IM Staff will be the main concern. Two factors will be taken into consideration: field and weather conditions.

A. Each team captain is responsible for contacting the IM Office for information regarding cancellations and the rescheduling of postponed games. If the weather is questionable, a first decision will be made by 5:00pm and a message will be recorded on the IM Office voicemail at (305) 348-1054.

B. Upon notification that a game is still scheduled to be played, further decisions will be made on an hourly basis by the IM supervisor on duty if inclement weather persists or develops. Updates will be made as necessary to the IM Hotline.

C. Every effort will be made to reschedule any games cancelled due to poor weather and/or field conditions. This does not guarantee the games will be rescheduled, only that the attempt will be made.

FORFEITS, DEFAULTS & RESCHEDULING

The philosophy of IM Sports is to involve members of the FIU Community in an active recreational sports program. If a team forfeits a game, the objectives of the program are not met and participants are deprived of active involvement. This procedure is designed to minimize the number of forfeits.

A. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME! All games shall be played on the date and hour scheduled (including playoff games). Games lost by forfeit will not be rescheduled. Forfeits will result in a 0.0 Sportsmanship Rating (please refer to the section on Sportsmanship Ratings).

B. If a team forfeits 2 games in a league or one game in a tournament, it will be removed from further competition.

C. Teams must have at least the minimum number of players required present and ready to play as indicated by the specific rules for that sport to avoid a forfeit.

D. Teams which anticipate a hardship in fielding a team for a game which has already been scheduled and cannot be changed should call the IM Sports Office no later than 5:00pm the day of the game to default. A Default loss will be recorded but a forfeit will be avoided. Defaults will result in a 2.0 Sportsmanship Rating (please refer to the section on Sportsmanship Ratings). To default a game scheduled on a weekend the team must call by 5:00pm, Friday afternoon.

E. A team's second default will equal a forfeit.

F. A default/forfeit in a single-elimination tournament is recorded as a loss and results in the team being removed from the tournament. A forfeit in a double-elimination tournament is recorded as a loss and results in being removed from the tournament. A default in a double-elimination tournament is recorded as a loss.

G. Rescheduling of games is possible, but is limited by time and facility space available. If a team wishes to reschedule a game, it is the responsibility of that team's captain to notify the Intramural Sports Office by 5:00pm the business day before the originally scheduled contest. The Intramural Sports Office will assist in finding available dates and times, but it is the responsibility of the team captain to make arrangements with the captain of the other team.

GAME PROTESTS

The IM Sports Staff realizes that, on occasion, an official may incorrectly interpret and/or enforce a rule. The purpose of a protest is to insure an equal opportunity for victory. A protest can be avoided through intelligent and constructive conversation among the team captains and IM Sports Staff.

A. Protests will only be allowed for incorrect interpretation/enforcement of a rule and/or use of an ineligible player if it affects the outcome of the game.

B. Protests will NOT be considered if they are based on a decision involving the accuracy or judgment on the part of an official.

C. If a team wishes to protest player eligibility of an opponent, they must do so before the start of the game, or once the player has officially signed in to the game. Eligibility Protests made after these two situations will not be considered.

D. Whenever a matter of protest arises during a game (other than player eligibility), the captain of the protesting team shall notify the official or IM Supervisor before play continues. Once play has resumed protests will not be heard.

E. The IM Supervisor will attempt to resolve the protest. If the protest cannot be resolved the IM Supervisor will provide the protesting team captain with a protest form.

F. The IM Supervisor will complete the top portion of the form. The team captain must complete the necessary information and submit the form to the Intramural Sports Office by 12:00 (noon) the next business day along with the $10 protest fee.

G. If the protest is upheld the fee will be refunded and the necessary measures will be taken to correct the error.

G. Protests will not be accepted if the protesting team won the contest.

TIE-BREAKER CRITERIA

The following criteria will be used to break a tie for playoff seedings.

• Sportsmanship Rating
• Head to head results
• Point differential
• Points Allowed
• Division Placement
• # of Forfeits
• # of Defaults
• Coin Toss

IM GREEK SPORTS CUP LEAGUES

The IM Sports Cup Leagues will be administered by UP Recreation Services in conjunction with the Department of Campus Life, and run annually August through May. Participating organizations must adhere to policies and procedures in this handbook, as well as IFC , National Panhellenic and Panhellenic constitutions, policies, and rulings. Eligible Greek organizations are those approved as such by the Office of Campus Life.

AWARDS

The most significant awards for active participation and success in IM Sports are not material. Each individual and team champion will receive a t-shirt in acknowledgment of their efforts. Additional awards are given out annually at the Recreation Services Award Celebration. These awards include:

• IM Supervisor of the Year
• IM Sports Official of the Year
• IM Sports Rookie of the Year

Participants are encouraged to nominate candidates to the IM Sports Office.

SAFETY

A. Proper attire should be worn for each activity. For your protection, as well as other participants, all jewelry and non-appropriate headgear must be removed before participating in an activity. Persons wearing casts or wrapped/padded appendages will not be allowed to participate if, in the judgment of Intramural Sports personnel, they are deemed to be hazardous of if they are specifically prohibited by the rules of a specific sport. Individuals will be required to obtain prior approval from the IM supervisor for the use of orthopedic devices essential to protect an injury.

B. The following is the UP Recreation Services' Policy for bleeding during IM Sports activity.

1. If an IM Sports participant is bleeding, he/she will be removed from the contest immediately.
2. If an IM Sports participant has blood on his/her clothing, he/she will be removed from the contest upon detection. The blood may or may not be his/her own blood. Even a participant who has someone else's blood on their clothing will be removed from the contest. The participant is ineligible to re-enter the contest until the contaminated clothing has been removed.
3. Before any participant re-enters the contest, all bleeding must be stopped and any open wound or laceration covered.

PROFESSIONAL DISCRETION

The IM & Club Sports Coordinator and the Recreation Services Director will use professional discretion when necessary to make adjustments and exceptions to any Recreation Services or IM Sports policy, procedure, and/or rule in the best interest of the entire program.

THE SPIRIT OF PLAY

Team sport activities find their origin in the basic need for the spirit of play. Winning and losing are mere outcomes of this play spirit. Abusive language and manipulation of the rules are not a part of the game. What is part of the game is the pure satisfaction of participation, getting fit and enhancing friendships. Without your opponent, there is no game, no contest, no memories, and no fun. You are indebted to them as they are to you. The spirit of play is then based upon cooperation. Upholding high standards of integrity and fair play acknowledges this idea of cooperative competition. All players are encouraged to use good judgment in caring for the safety of others as well as themselves. The goal of lifetime sports for all players may have more meaning that that of a win or loss, the memory of which often fades quickly. All players are asked to participate within the context of this SPIRIT of PLAY.