The captain must submit a completed roster and a $25.00 entry/forfeit fee. If your team does not receive a forfeit, then $10.00 will be refunded (see specific section regarding FORFEITS). A "completed roster" will be defined as having the minimal number of participants needed to field a team (each sport is different), with their phone number, WCU identification number, email address, signature, and a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Checks are to be made payable to Student Services Inc. (SSI). If any of these items are not completed on the roster, or a check is not received, then the roster is not complete and it will not be accepted.

CAPTAINS' RESPONSIBILITY

Team captains play a vital role in our intramural sports program, because they provide leadership and serve as an important liaison between the team and the Office. Individuals desiring to participate in a team sport are required to select a captain. It is encouraged that members of the team select a "responsible member" of the team to serve as team captain. It is also required to select a co-captain. Both of these individuals will be the official liaison between the team and the Office. The duties and responsibilities of the captain are as follows:

1. To serve as the official liaison between the team and the Office.
2. Obtain and submit a valid team roster with all the required information, i.e., name, WCU number, email address, phone number, and signature of team members with the entry/forfeit fee by all designated deadlines.
3. Follow correct procedure for adding or deleting player/s.
4. Attend mandatory captains' meeting scheduled prior to the start of the season and other intramural sport meetings. Failure to attend scheduled mandatory captains' meeting will forfeit eligibility in playoffs.
5. Notify team members of all playing dates, times, and locations.
6. Notify team members of all general and specific rules of the intramural sport in which team has registered.
7. You are responsible for team members and spectators physical and verbal behavior, before, during and after play.
8. Become familiar with all officiating techniques as well as encouraging team members to become officials.
9. Consult Intramural Sports Policies and Procedures Handbook for information regarding rescheduling games, protests, ejections, defaults, etc.
10. Serve as a team leader and reflect the "WCU Spirit Code of Competition."
11. Contact the Office regarding team forfeiting a game. The Office will contact you if there are changes in time, day, location, etc. regarding postponement or cancellations.
12. Check team standings and inform team members of possible playoff berth.
13. Captain must inform ejected player/s that the Office will call to make an appointment with the Director. Player/s may request team captain to be present at meeting.
14. Obtain refundable forfeit fee, if any, within ten (10) business days after the final championship game in that sport.

For every intramural sport there is a mandatory captains' meeting. Either the captain or co-captain must be in attendance. The meeting will address the general and specific rules of that intramural sport, location, player eligibility, protest, etc., and that each captain must remain in constant communication with the Office. Failure to attend the mandatory meeting will result in the team not being eligible for the playoffs.

MAXIMUM PARTICIPANTS ON ROSTER

The maximum number of participants on an official intramural team roster is fifteen (20). A captain may add additional participants to the team roster between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday through Thursday (see specific section regarding ADDING/DELETING PLAYERS). NO ADDITIONS TO THE OFFICIAL INTRAMURAL TEAM ROSTER WILL BE PERMITTED AT THE GAME SITE - NO EXCEPTIONS.

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Forfeits:

An individual or team registering for league or tournament play, enters into a contract with our Office. The Office schedules games, reserves playing space, provides equipment and personnel, and notifies Public Safety. The captains' and individual participants meet their part of the contract by being ready to play at the scheduled time and by complying with the rules and regulations of play. We consider forfeiting a game, poor sportsmanship. Therefore, a team/individual will lose half ($5.00) of its forfeit fee ($10.00) after the first forfeit. Teams/individuals will lose the balance ($5.00) after the second forfeit. After a second forfeit the team/individual will be terminated from any further competition, including playoffs.

NOTE: IF A TEAM DOES NOT FORFEIT ANY OF ITS SCHEDULED GAMES, THAT TEAM IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND OF $10.00. HOWEVER, THE REFUND MAY NOT BE OBTAINED TEN BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN THAT SPORT. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Things That Constitute a Forfeit

1. Game Time: There is no "grace period." Forfeit time is game time. If the opposing captain wishes to give a maximum of ten (10) minutes, that will be permitted. However, if the opposing captain wants to receive a win by forfeit, the captain is within the rights to do so.
2. Number of Players: If a captain cannot field the required number of players to start or finish a game, that team will receive a forfeit.
3. Illegal Player/s: Any individual/s playing in a game/s prior to their name being placed on the intramural roster will be declared an illegal player/s, and the game will be forfeited. Teams found with an illegal player/s will receive a forfeit for every game that individual/s played. No individual may be added to the intramural team roster once the rosters are frozen. NOTE: All rosters will be frozen after the second game is played.
4. Assumed Name: Any individual/s playing under an assumed name will be terminated from further competition in our intramural sports program for a period of one complete academic year. The individual/s will be considered an illegal player/s and the team will receive a forfeit for every game that individual/s played.
5. Double Forfeit: If both teams fail to field the required number of players, then both teams will receive a forfeit. These games will not be rescheduled.
6. Ejected Player/s: It is the responsibility of the intramural team captain and team members to cooperate with game officials in controlling participants and spectators. All ejected players and spectators must leave the game site immediately. If in the opinion of the game official the individual/s and team captain are not cooperating, a forfeit will be issued.
7. Verbal Abuse: Consistent verbal harassment towards any official representing the Office will not be tolerated. A forfeit will be issued to either one or both teams. The decision will be based on the discretion of the Game Supervisor.

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Defaults:

Playoff Participation Requirement

Individuals listed on the official intramural team roster, must have played in at least half of the scheduled regular season games, in order to qualify for playing in the playoffs.

Adding/Deleting Players

Only the team captain or co-captain may add or delete a player/s from the official intramural team roster. This can be accomplished at the end of the Captains' meeting or Monday through Thursday from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Office of Recreational Services. It must be done it person; nothing will be accepted over the phone. Once the captain adds a player/s, then that player/s must complete the items on the roster in the Office between the hours listed above. NOTE: Even if the captain adds a player/s name to the team roster in the Office, that player/s cannot complete the items at the game site. Any player/s listed on a team roster will need to be released by the captain or co-captain of that team, prior to playing for another team. Our staff will not delete a player from a team, unless we have permission from the captain. Note: All rosters will be frozen after the second game played.

Participation Without Entering a Team

If you do not have your own team you may enter as an individual. You will need to complete an Individual Entry Form. The Office will attempt to form teams from the individual entries if a sufficient number register, however, there is no guarantee. If enough individuals do register, then the individuals will be notified by our Office regarding their playing status. This newly formed team will have to select a team captain and a co-captain, and submit a $25.00 entry/forfeit fee. The captain or co-captain of the newly formed team must attain the captains' meeting. In the event that not enough individuals register, then a list of these individual entries and their phone numbers will be made available. Individual entries not placed on a team must attend the captains' meeting.

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Participation Behavior Statement:

A fundamental principle, which is strictly enforced in our intramural sports program, is "Good Sportsmanship"; it is vital to our program. The positive behavior exhibited by the participants is an important goal of our program. Hence, it is through the adherence of our regulations and the "Student Code of Conduct", that our goals are achieved. The team captain is responsible for the physical and verbal behavior of all team members and respective spectators. Any player/s who is ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike behavior, receives an automatic one game suspension. The ejected player/s will be contacted by the Office in order to schedule an appointment with the Director. The ejected player/s will not be eligible for any further participation until such meeting occurs. All ejected players must leave the building or the field of play. Due to the severity of some exhibited unsportsmanlike behavior, the following criteria has been established by the Office.

   A. Assaulting a Game Official (i.e., Supervisor, Referee, Scorekeeper)

     First Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for a period of at least one academic semester but, not to exceed one academic year
     Second Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for the remainder of that student's academic career

   B. Unaccepted physical contact, commonly known as fisticuffs, to another participant during a game

     First Offense - suspension from participation for one game
     Second Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for one full academic semester
     Third Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for the remainder of that student's academic career

   C. Unaccepted profanity/harassment toward Game Official, (i.e., Supervisor, Referee, Scorekeeper) another player, or a spectator.

     First Offense - suspension from participation for one game
     Second Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for remainder of that semester
     Third Offense - suspension from participation in any intramural sport for one full academic year

Yellow Card/Red Card System

A "yellow card and red card" system will be implemented to assist in controlling un sportsmanlike behavior, rough play, and improper behavior, i.e., consistent disregard and infringement of any rules of the game. The "cards" will be issued to coaches, players, bench, sideline, and spectators. When cautioning any of the previously named individuals, the Official will issue a Yellow Card and indicate the person/s involved. If the same person/s is involved in another situation during the same game, that person/s will be issued a Red Card. When ejecting a player/s, coach, bench/sideline personnel, or spectator, the Official will issue a Red Card and indicate the person/s involved. If the person/s indicated is a spectator, in addition to leaving the building, that team's captain will receive a "yellow card" warning. If another spectator is issued a Red Card, the captain will be ejected from the building. A player, coach, or bench/sideline personnel receiving a Red Card will be ejected from the game and must follow reinstatement procedures.

Captains' are responsible for the conduct of their players, bench/sideline personnel, and spectators. If a player is Red Carded and refuses to give name, the captain will be Red Carded. Captains' who cannot or will not control their bench/sideline personnel, or spectators will be issued a caution (Yellow Card) and ejection (Red Card) if necessary.

Yellow Card Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

1. Profanity towards an opponent
2. Taunting opponent: physical or verbal
3. Obscene gestures 
4. Excessive arguing with Official's call
5. Captain continually questions Official's call
6. Acts that cause a delay of game, i.e., slamming the ball
7. Unnecessary physical contact
8. Profanity from bench, sideline, spectator (card issued to Captain)
 

Red Card Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

1. Illegal player/s participation
2. Flagrant foul/conduct
3. Profanity toward an Supervisor, Official, Scorekeeper
4. Fighting
5. Repeated Yellow Card misconduct (on second yellow card)
 

NOTE: Ejected individuals will be subject to disciplinary action as stated in the "Student Code of Conduct". Physical assault or abuse, and verbal threats of physical abuse are major violations in the "Student Code of Conduct". The Office will prosecute to the full extent of the WCU judicial system. Any participant exhibiting behavior that shows a total disregard for the rules and regulations of the our program will be liable for suspension. Only the team captain may act as the spokesperson to the Game Official during play. The Game Official's (Supervisor) responsibility includes the authority to eject any player, coach or team spectator from the game or area. This also includes the authority to forfeit a game.

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SPORTSMANSHIP RATING SYSTEM:

For a team to qualify for the playoffs, they must accomplish the following:

1. Have the team captain or co-captain attend the Captains' Meeting for that sport.
2. Not forfeit two scheduled games in that sport.
3. Finish the regular season in that sport with at least a "B" average in the Sportsmanship Rating.

Sportsmanship Rating will be based on the following grading scale:

"A"/4.0 - Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship:

Players cooperate fully with the Rec. and Leisure Staff about rule interpretation and calls. The captain also has full control of team and spectators.

"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 warrant a yellow card. Teams that receive one yellow card will receive no higher than a "B" rating.

"C"/2.0 - Average Conduct and Sportsmanship:

Team shows verbal dissent toward officials and/or the opposing team which may or may not warrant a yellow card. Captain exhibits minor control over self, team, or spectators. Teams receiving multiple yellow cards will receive no higher than a "C" rating.

"D"/1.0 - Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship:

Team constantly comments to officials and/or opposing team from the bench, field, or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over self, team, or spectators. A team which receives one red card )player ejected) will receive no higher than a "D" rating.

"F"/0.0 - Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship:

Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control. A team causing a game to be forfeited due to this type of behavior, or receives multiple red cards, will receive an "E" rating.

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Protests:

The only protest that will be permitted and recognized by the Office is one involving player/s eligibility for participation in an intramural sport. The protest must be registered with the Game Supervisor immediately during the game. The game will continue and that team's roster will be checked the following day. If it is determined that the player/s is ineligible, then that team will receive a forfeit and lose half or the remainder of their forfeit fee. Judgment calls are not protestable. Questions that arise on the court or field of play concerning rules and interpretations are decided immediately by the Game Supervisor on duty. The decisions of the Supervisor are final.

The Supervisor is not an official. The Officials are in control of the game. When significant questions arise, the team captain may request the Officials to hold play so the intramural Supervisor may be consulted. Players and spectators are not to assault the Supervisor with questions and complaints. Rule clarification must be handled through the Officials by the team captain. Officials are instructed to consult with the Supervisor whenever they are unsure of an intramural rule. Once a situation has passed, however, it is no longer subject to change or protest.

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Inclement Weather:

During inclement weather, decisions on postponements or cancellations of games/matches, will be made by the Office at 2:00 p.m. NO DECISIONS WILL BE MADE PRIOR TO 2:00 p.m. Captains' may call the Office at 2:00pm. However, the Office will make every attempt to notify the captains' scheduled for play that day.

During the Course of a Game/Match

If a game is stopped due to weather or darkness in the first half or prior to four complete innings, the game will be replayed from start. If a game is stopped at half time, the Office will schedule the second half at a later date. If a game is stopped in the second half or after four complete innings, the game will be determined as official and the score will be recorded.

If a match is stopped due to weather or darkness, match scores will be recorded at that time and will be scheduled to complete at a later date.

Under no circumstances will a game or match be played if the field or court is deemed too dangerous for play by the Office. If individuals agree to play among themselves under such conditions, then they do so at their own risk. The event will not be sanctioned by the Office.

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Health Insurance and Injuries:

Since participation in our Recreational Sports program is on a voluntary basis, neither West Chester University nor the Office of Recreational Services will accept responsibility for injuries sustained while participating in any aspect of our program. The program includes, but is not limited to, 1) intramural sports, 2) extramural sports, 3) informal recreation, 4) aerobics, 5) special events, 6) outdoor recreation, and 7) sport clubs. Medical costs are constantly increasing and the expense of an unforeseen accident, can seriously jeopardize an individual's academic and/or professional career. The Office of Recreational Services hopes that all participants are protected against such a misfortune and strongly recommends that individual's not currently covered by an health insurance policy, obtain such coverage as soon as possible. A low cost health insurance plan is offered by West Chester University to all full time students. The policy can be purchased through the Health Center. For more detailed information regarding specific coverage, contact Health Center, 436-2509.

It is the responsibility of every participant to ascertain whether any health conditions make it inadvisable to participate in any given sport or activity. The Office of Recreational Services does not assume that responsibility. It is strongly recommended that you obtain a medical release from your family physician or consult the Health Center.

When an individual signs an official intramural team roster or an individual/dual entry form for any sport or activity, that participant releases West Chester University and all officers or agents of West Chester University of any and all responsibility or liability, claims or demands from injury or personal property damage of others caused by a participant during or because of participation in an intramural-recreational sport or activity. Recreational Services student staff members are not certified in CPR or Basic First Aid. In the event of any serious or life threatening injury, the Office of Public Safety will be contacted immediately. There is no cost for injury assessment. An ambulance may be dispatched for transportation to the hospital. Cost for ambulatory transportation is the injured student's responsibility. The majority of injuries sustained by participants are of a minor nature; these participants are referred to the Health Center. The Office of Recreational Services must be notified of any or all injuries sustained while participating in our recreational sports program. An accident/injury report will be completed at the time of the injury and kept of file.

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Alcohol and Drug Policy:

As stated in the Student Code of Conduct, possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs on the University campus is strictly prohibited. Appropriate action will be taken by the Office of Public Safety, which could result in judicial proceedings and having sanctions levied, including suspension from the University. A participant may be prohibited from playing in or ejected from a intramural game or recreational sports activity, for consuming alcoholic beverages either at the game site, or in sufficient quantity prior to the scheduled event which significantly impairs safe play in that intramural game or recreational sport. The decision to prohibit or eject a participant will be made by the Game Supervisor or official representative from the Office. The decision will be based solely on the judgment of the official representative and will not be considered grounds for a protest. It is the responsibility of the intramural team captain and team members to cooperate with game officials in controlling participants and spectators. A forfeit will be issued if in the opinion of the Game Supervisor such cooperation is not evident.

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Ethnic Intimidation Statement:

This office will not tolerate any individual displaying a wanton act of "malicious intent" towards a particular race, color, religion, or national origin of another individual or group. If an individual displays such behavior, the individual will be processed through the University Judicial System. Any student impacted by this statement should immediately report the incident to the recreation staff.

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Transportation:

Bus shuttle service between North Campus and South Campus is provided for intramural sports participants, Monday through Thursday from 3:45 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Scheduled departure times are posted in each residence hall, and on bulletin boards throughout the campus. Buses depart and return to North Campus from University Ave. & Church St., and Rosedale Ave. & New St. Departure and arrival at the Health & Physical Education Center on South Campus is from the main lobby entrance. In the evening, bus drivers are permitted to make additional selected stops upon request at Sanderson Circle, Lawrence Center, and Church Street.

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All WCU Points System:

Greek "A" teams, Residence Hall teams, and Independent teams participating in the intramural sports program will receive participation points, points for a win, playoff berth points, and final championship points. Working collaboratively with the Inter Fraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Residence Hall Association, and the Independent teams, the Office will record and tabulate all points awarded. Any team wishing to compete in the All-University points competition must notify the Office prior to the start of the league. In order to accumulate points throughout the entire academic year, teams must maintain their same name. The champions of each will receive recognition on their specific plaque which we be displayed in our Wall of Fame.

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Awards:

Intramural Champions will receive T-shirts. Individual team members must participate in at least one-half of the team's scheduled games to be eligible for a T-shirt. Cups and plaques will be awarded to those teams which accumulate the most points within our WCU Point System.

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Recreation and Leisure Advisory Board:

The Recreation and Leisure Advisory Board is composed of interested students who participate in the our recreation and leisure programs. The Board considers cases of unsportsmanship; assists in the formulation and modification of intramural policies and procedures; development of the intramural sports calendar of events; and is an excellent source of input for all aspects of the university recreation and leisure program. Members of the Board include representation from the Greek system, Residence Hall, Student Government, Council of Off-Campus and Commuter Students.

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Reserve Clause:

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Programs reserves the right to rule and make judgment on all interpretations pertaining to intramural sport rules and regulations, eligibility, or disciplinary action.

-revised July, 1996

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