Intramural Rules & Regulations

Mission Statement

The UAM Intramural Program is designed to provide support to the development and well-being of the members of the university community (students, faculty, and staff). Participation and involvement in UAM Intramurals and special events promotes the productive use of leisure time while providing diverse opportunities for the development of social, emotional, educational, occupational, and physical lifetime skills.

The following rules and regulations were designed to ensure fun and equitable participation.  In order to preserve this spirit of fair play, it is necessary for each participant to uphold all rules, resulting in a better Intramural program for everyone.

Intramural Eligibility Rules

A. All currently enrolled UAM students, faculty, and staff are eligible to participate  in the Intramural Program.

Exceptions:

• Current members of an intercollegiate team may not participate on an Intramural team in that sport or a related sport during that academic year.  A "current member" is defined as; any one who is currently  practicing or has practiced with the varsity team within the previous six weeks or who has participated in a game or meet during the current season.  Related activities are defined as follows:

                 Football - Flag Football
                 Basketball - Basketball, Free Throw Shooting, 3-Point Shooting
                 Cross Country - Cross Country, Track
                 Baseball/Fast Pitch Softball - Softball
                 Tennis - Tennis
                 Volley ball - Volleyball, Sand Volleyball

• Former collegiate varsity team members may not participate in their sport until one academic term has elapsed since termination of their intercollegiate participation.  No more than  two such ex-team members may participate on the same team in his/her intercollegiate sport. 
  Note: During Intramural basketball, and volleyball, only one of these individuals is permitted on the court at a time. 
  Exception: In sports involving the scoring of the top three (3) individuals per team, only one participant per team may be a former team member in that sport.  Each ex-team member must be indicated on the team roster by a "T".  
• Professionalism by a person causes loss of eligibility in that sport. Players that have participated in semi-professional leagues are considered professional.  
• An intercollegiate player who becomes ineligible, i.e.: for scholastic or  disciplinary reasons, shall not, during the period of ineligibility, participate in  his/her related Intramural sport.
  
• A woman may play for a men's team only if there are no women's teams for which she is eligible in that sport.

B. An individual may play for only one team in a sport during an academic term, i.e.: a player cannot participate for both a fraternity team and a residence hall team.  After playing in a contest with one team, a player may not transfer to another team in that sport.  Exception: When a co-recreation division is offered, participants may play on a co-recreation team and on a men's or women's team.

C. A player must play in at least one "pre-playoff" contest to be eligible to play for that team in the playoffs.

D. A complete team roster for each sport entered must be submitted to the Intramural Director before that team will be scheduled.  A complete team roster is defined as the minimum number of players required for that particular sport, e.g., Flag Football - 5.  Names may be added or deleted from the original roster until the team's last game before the playoffs begin.  All listed names must be accompanied by the individual's social security number and their signature.

E. To be in competition for the IM All-Sports Championship a team must consist of a minimum of seven (7) individuals who represent the core of the team and participate in all team events that the team enters.

F. Use of Independents:

Men's Division - maximum of two (2) independents per club/organization.  A club/organization with a membership of fifteen (15) or less is allowed four (4) independents.
Women's Division - maximum of four (4) independents, membership size has no bearing.
Exception: In sports involving the scoring of the top three (3) individuals per team, only one participant per team my be an independent regardless of club/organization size or division.

All independents must be indicated on the official team roster by an "I".

Pledges may play for their club/organization without counting as an independent.  All pledges must be indicated on the official team roster by a "P".  If an individual de-pledges, they are considered an independent.

G. When a club/organization has more than one team entered per sport, only one team may score points toward the campus championship.  The team is not required to be designated before play begins.  However:

1. A player may not play on more than one of these teams.
   
2. A player may not transfer to another team for the organization once he/she has played for one team
   
3. If one of the organization's teams forfeits out of a sport, then all the other teams for that organization may be eliminated from that sport.

H. Use of ineligible player:

1. Any individual who played ineligibly shall be suspended:

 
• From Intramural competition in the sport in which the violation occurred for the remainder of the sport season.  And/or
• From all Intramural sports for the remainder of the term in which the violation occurred.  
2. Any team using an ineligible player shall forfeit all contests in which it uses an ineligible player.  In addition, it may forfeit all points accumulated in all sports up to the time of the infraction.

Rules of Conduct and Sportsmanship

A. Misconduct: Any player or manager found cheating will be immediately suspended from IM participation.  Furthermore, the person may be disqualified from Intramural participation for the remainder of his/her university career or any part of it.  Teams whose players/managers have cheated will forfeit the  contest(s) in which the misconduct occurred.  The team may also forfeit all points accumulated in all sports up to the time of the infraction.  Examples of such infractions.

1. Playing on more than one team in the same division in the same sport. 
2. Including more than two former collegiate team members on a team in his/her respective or related sport. 
3. Misrepresenting a score. 
4. Playing after having been suspended from competition. 
5. Defacing or destroying Intramural property. 
6. Violating any other Intramural rule or procedure.

B. Any individual who is fighting and/or directs abuse (verbal or physical) towards officials, Intramural/University Center employees, and/or fellow participants during an Intramural contest, or in related pre or post game activities will be immediately suspended from all Intramural activities and must leave the area.  The incident shall be reported to the Intramural Director.

Resulting Action for Individuals

• Persons who behave in a manner described above will be suspended (Suspended definition - participating and being a spectator)  pending review of the incident report.  Such individuals will remain suspended until they have been officially reinstated by the Intramural Director.
• The IM Director may decide that the incident requires a Disciplinary Hearing.
• Persons who behaved in the manner above will also be charged (at the discretion of the Intramural Director) in the University's Judicial System.

Resulting Action for Teams

• The Intramural Department requests and expects the full cooperation of team managers and members in enforcing rules and investigation of incidents.  In the event of lack of cooperation the Intramural Director may take similar action against a team, a manager, or any of its members or all three, until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.  Incidents will be investigated by the Intramural Director.

C. Officials: In the event there are not enough qualified student officials available for a sport, each team will be responsible for providing a qualified individual to  officiate games in which their team is not playing.

D. Sportsmanship: Unsportsmanlike conduct creates an unenjoyable Intramural sports experience for participants, officials, supervisors, spectators and staff.  The following Sportsmanship Rating System was introduced during the 1991-92 Intramural Program and remains in effect.

Yellow/Red Card System
A yellow/red card system will be used to control player, coach and bench personnel unsportsmanlike conduct and improper behavior (persistent infringement of any rules of the game).  When cautioning a player, coach or other bench personnel, the official shall display a yellow card and indicate the person concerned.  The second card displayed on the same person in the same contest for any unsportsmanlike conduct shall be a Red Card.  When ejecting a player, coach, or other bench personnel the official shall display a Red card and indicate the person concerned.  A player, coach or other bench personnel receiving a Red Card shall be ejected from the game and shall not be allowed to compete in the next scheduled contest.  The Intramural Department may also enforce additional penalties against such persons.

1. If a participant receives two yellow cards in the same sport over the course of the semester, that participant shall not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled contest.  The yellow cards do not have to occur in the same contest.  Additional penalties may be levied against that person by the Intramural Council or Intramural Director.  
2. Team captains are responsible for the conduct of their players, sidelines, and spectators.  If a player is Red Carded and refuses to tell his/her name, the captain may be Red Carded if he/she will not reveal the name.  Team captains who cannot or will not control their sidelines and/or spectators will be issued a caution (Yellow Card), and ejection (Red Card) if necessary.  
3. The Red/Yellow card system will take the place of yardage penalties for non-contact unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Examples include:

 
• Abusive or insulting language.
• Any acts of unfair play.
• Intentionally kicking at the ball, other than during a legal kick.
• Spike the ball into the ground.
• Throw the ball high into the air.  
4. Red/Yellow cards may be issued to any player for undue roughness on a contact personal foul in addition to the yardage penalty.

Sportsmanship Ratings
Each team in each game will be given a sportsmanship rating by the game officials.

1. A team must have a "B" (3.0 points average) or better sportsmanship rating during the regular season to be eligible for the playoffs regardless of win/loss record.  The average sportsmanship rating will be calculated similarly to the grade point-game ratio.  
2. Sportsmanship ratings will be based on the following criteria:

 
• "A" 4.0 EXCELLENT CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP: Players cooperate fully with the officials and other team members.  The captain calmly converses with the officials about rule interpretations and calls.  The captain also has full control of their teammates.
• "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 Yellow Card.  Teams that receive 1 Yellow Card will receive no higher than a "B" Rating.
• "C" 2.0 AVERAGE CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP:  Team shows verbal dissent towards official and/or opposing team which will merit a Yellow Card.  Captains exhibits minor control over their teammates, but is in control of themselves.  Teams receiving multiple Yellow Cards will receive no higher than a "C" Rating.
• "D" 1.0 BELOW AVERAGE CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP: Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines.  The team captain exhibits little control over teammates or themselves.  A team which receives one Red Card will receive no higher than a "D" Rating.
• "E" 0.0 POOR CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP: Team is completely uncooperative.  Captain has no control over teammates, and/or themselves.  Any team causing a game to be forfeited, other than by not showing or receives multiple Red Cards shall receive an "E" Rating.  
3. Special Game Situations

 
• Contests which are not rescheduled due to rainouts, power failure, etc.--both teams will receive an "A" Sportsmanship Rating.
• A team winning a game by forfeit or default will receive an "A" Rating.
• A team losing a game by forfeit will receive no rating.  
4. A team which receives an "E" Rating must have their team captain meet with the Intramural Director the following day to be eligible to play their next contest.  Any team receiving an "E" Rating may lose their eligibility    for the playoffs.
   
5. Any player who is ejected (Red Card) will not be eligible to participate in their team's next scheduled contest.  Any Yellow or Red Cards on the spectators will be issued against the team captain of the team involved.  Based upon the ejected player's actions, further disciplinary procedures may be taken.

Intramural Managers' Meetings

A. Team Managers: Each team must have a manager/team captain.  A team manager is a vital part of the Intramural Program.  He/she is responsible for:  attending either an ‘A' or a ‘B' managers' meeting for each sport, scheduling the team, ensuring the eligibility of the team members, team's timely attendance at all scheduled contests, game change requests, protests and behavior of the team members, etc.

B. Managers' Meetings: A team manager, captain, or designated team representative is required to attend either an "A" or a "B" managers' meeting prior to participation in sports where indicated.  Lack of attendance will result in the team not being scheduled for play.  Scheduling procedures, roster changes, protests, and Intramural Rules and Regulations are explained and dispersed.  These meetings are extremely important for an enjoyable and successful season.

C. A complete listing of required Manager's Meetings for each semester is available from the Intramural Office at the beginning of each semester.

Intramural Council

The Intramural Council establishes an avenue for student and faculty/staff input into the Intramural program.  The major purpose of the Intramural Council is to provide general guidance and assistance to the Intramural Director.  The major functions of the Intramural Council include:

1. Advising the Intramural Director.
2. Assisting with policy formation.
3. Interpreting the program to students, faculty, and staff.
4. Serve on Protest Board and Disciplinary Board as needed.

The Intramural council will consist of three students and one faculty/staff member.  If a faculty/staff member is not available, that position may be filled by another student.  The time requirement will be kept to a minimum, with meetings once a month or as necessary.

Volunteers or recommendations of individuals who are or plan to be involved in the Intramural program and would like to provide their input to ensure an enjoyable program for all students, faculty and staff at UAM are requested at the start of each fall semester.

If you would like to become a member of the Intramural Council or if you know of someone you think would be interested and capable, contact the Intramural Director.

Disciplinary Procedures

In case of cheating, fighting, and/or abuse of employees, and/or participants, a Discipline Board Hearing may be called for those individuals involved. Otherwise, the Intramural Director will render a decision based upon information collected.  The specific procedures are as follows:

A. Membership: The Intramural Director acts as Disciplinary Board Chair person.  The Chairperson acts in a non-voting advisory capacity.  Three members of the Intramural Council comprise the Disciplinary Hearing Board . Up to  two Intramural managers of the activity in which the incident occurred may be used if Intramural council members are not available.

B. Notification: If a hearing is called, individuals will be notified in writing of the charges against them, and the date, time, and location of the hearing.  In addition, individuals will be suspended from participating and being a spectator in Intramurals pending the outcome of the hearing.

1. Should the involved party plead guilty or no contest, he or she will be given the option of waiving the right to appear before the Disciplinary Board.  
2. For incidents involving Disciplinary Board hearing waivers, the parties involved will meet with the Intramural Director to discuss the incident and possible disciplinary actions.  A form will be signed, indicating for the record that the hearing was formally waived and the disciplinary action decided upon the Intramural Director was understood and accepted.

C. Attendance: All parties involved will be asked to attend the hearing.

D. Decisions: After the hearing, the Board will meet privately to determine its action.  After a decision has been reached by the Board, the chairperson will distribute a written report of the hearing to the parties involved.  A simple majority vote will determine the Board's decision.

E. Appeals: Decisions of the Board may be appealed.  Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Intramural Director within two days.  The Intramural Director will notify the appealing person(s) in writing of the decision.

Postponements/Game Changes

The Intramural Director is willing to cooperate with teams in extraordinary circumstances by allowing an occasional game postponement.  However, due to the number of entries, the comparatively short playing season, and limited playing facilities, these must be kept to a minimum.  A scheduled contest may be postponed  only by agreement of both team managers and the Intramural Director.  This must be done by 4:00 pm on Thursday, at least one week prior to the scheduled contest.

Forfeits

A. Individual/Dual Sports

1. If a contestant fails to appear at the appointed place within five minutes after the scheduled time, the contest shall be forfeited.  This forfeit must be officially declared by the Intramural Director or a designated tournament supervisor/official at the tournament site.  
2. Participants will be immediately dropped from the tournament, if they forfeit their first contest, upon discretion of the Intramural Director or designated tournament   supervisor/ official.

B. Team Sports

1. When a team fails to appear at the appointed place within five minutes of the scheduled contest or is not ready to start play that team forfeits the game. 
   Exception : Sports in which game time is designated as forfeit time.  If neither team shows on time, both forfeit.  
2. A score sheet must be completed and officially designated as a forfeit by the Intramural official and team representative of team present.  
3. When a team forfeits two games in any sport, the team is automatically dropped from the league and may not receive participation points.  
4. If an organization has two or more teams and one of these teams forfeits out of the league, the other team(s) risks dismissal from the league.

Protests

A. Protests based on the judgment of an official(s) will not be considered under any circumstance.

B. All rule interpretation protests must be made by the team captain to the head official of the game at the time the dispute occurs and before play continues.  The rule interpretation will be explained at this time.

C. If the team is still dissatisfied with the ruling, a formal protest may be filed.  At this time, the officials will notify both teams that the game is being played under protest and will so state on the scorecard indicating time remaining, score and possession at time of protest.

D. Any protest concerning eligibility must be filed by 1:30 pm on the next working day following participation of the player in question.

E. All protests must be made in writing on the official protest form and submitted at the Intramural Office before 3:00 pm on the next working day, accompanied by a receipt from the Cashier's Office for a five dollar ($5.00) protest fee.  Fee will be refunded if protest is upheld

F. UNLESS THE ABOVE PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED THE PROTEST WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

G. In the event of a rule interpretation protest being upheld, the contest will be replayed at a date and time to be determined by the opposing team managers in conjunction with the Intramural Director, and shall be replayed from the point of dispute, with the same participants.  Team members not participating in the original protested contest may not play in the rescheduled contest.

Intramural Protest Board

The Intramural Protest Board consists of the Intramural Director and at least three members of the Intramural Council.  The Intramural Director acts in a non-voting advisory capacity.

A. The Protest Board will investigate the protest and render a decision.

B. After a decision is made, the Intramural Director will notify the parties involved of the decision of the Protest Board.

C. An appeal of the decision made by the Protest Board must be made in writing and submitted within one day to the Intramural Director who will rule on the appeal and notify those involved of the decision.  There is no further appeal.

Alcohol and Illicit Drugs

According to the UAM Student Conduct Code, the "possession, use, manufacture, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs is prohibited."  Contests will be forfeited and not played if alcohol or other drugs are present.  This policy includes spectators who are present at the contest.  Participants who appear intoxicated due to alcohol or drug use will not be permitted to participate in Intramural sports or Special Events.

Accidents/Injuries

The University of Arkansas at Monticello does not provide medical insurance to students.  Intramural participants should be aware that there is a risk of injury in participation in Intramural sports due to the inherent nature of the activity and the grounds.  Individuals are highly encouraged to have a physical examination and obtain adequate health and accident insurance prior to participating in Intramural activities.  Neither the IM staff nor the University assume responsibility for injuries sustained by participants before, during, or after Intramural contests.  Individuals participate in Intramural programs at their own risk.