A.      Part of the philosophy of the Intramural Sports Staff is that good sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every contest. In order to promote better sportsmanship, an award is made each year to the competitive unit that most consistently displays good sportsmanship. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, supervisors, intramural managers and administrative personnel shall make decisions on sportsmanship.  These decisions are final.  The Board and/or the Intramural Sports Staff will rule on further penalties to be prescribed as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct.  The following are considered by the Intramural Sports Staff to be evidence of poor sportsmanship:

1.       Profanity;

2.       Unnecessary delay of the game;

3.       Striking or shoving an opponent or official (automatic ejection from the game);

4.       Arguing with officials concerning decisions (discussion is allowed as long as it is done in a mature manner by the team captain);

5.       Derogatory and abusive remarks toward an opponent;

6.       Any action, the intent of which is to physically injure an opponent; or

7.       Any action which shows disregard for the rules or policies of the intramural program.

B.      A team is responsible for the actions of any individual members of the team or for spectators directly related to the team.  The conduct of players and spectators before and after the game will be held responsible for conduct at these times as well as during the game.

C.      Following is a summary of the grading system that will be used by officials and/or area supervisors to evaluate the sportsmanship of teams:

1.       In order for your team to qualify for the tournament, they must have:

a.       A 2.5 average sportsmanship rating during the regular season games.

b.       Not have forfeited twice during the regular season.

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 have full control of all 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 one yellow card will receive no higher than a “B” rating.

“C”   2.0 Average Conduct and Sportsmanship.  Team show verbal dissent towards officials and/or opposing team which will merit a yellow card.  Captain exhibits minor control over 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 (1) red card will receive no higher than a “D” rating.

3.       A team must receive at least a “C” rating in each playoff game.

4.       A team which receives an “E” rating must have their captain meet with the Intramural Director and a member of the Intramural Board the following day to be eligible to play in their next game.

5.       Any player who is ejected (given a red card) will not be eligible to participate in their team’s next scheduled contest and must arrange to meet with the Intramural Director before they or their team is eligible for further competition.  Based on the ejected player’s actions, further disciplinary procedures may be taken.  Any yellow or red cards for spectator misconduct will be issued against the team.

6.       Any player receiving a yellow card must sit out until the next available substitution.  In sports where a running clock is used, the clock must run.  In softball, the person must sit out until the next half inning.  In volleyball, the person must sit out until a point is scored.

A.      Team Violation

1.       For the first "D" rating, a reprimand will be forwarded to the captain of the team which received the "D" rating.  This will be done by the Intramural Sports Staff.

2.       For any "E" rating and for the second "D" rating, the captain will be notified to appear (or send a representative to appear) before the Intramural Staff.  The Intramural Staff may enforce any of the measures listed below or any other measures that the staff feels are appropriate.  (A recommended minimum penalty is intramural probation).

3.       If a "D" or an "E" rating is received while an organization is on intramural probation, the captain will be notified to appear before the Intramural Staff hearing for the organization.  (Suspension from the current sport or sports is a recommended minimum penalty for such a case).

B.      Following is a list of possible measures to be used by the Intramural Sports Staff for  unsportsmanlike conduct.  This is not exclusive of other actions.

1.       No Action.   The Intramural Staff determines that further disciplinary action is unwarranted.

2.       Reprimand.  A reprimand is an official notice of the unsportsmanlike conduct and shall be construed as a strict warning against any further unsportsmanlike action by members of that organization.

3.       Intramural Probation. Intramural probation places a team on a probationary status which would cause a suspension from intramural participation for any further unsportsmanlike conduct.  The term of probation may be set for a particular sport, for a semester, year, or for an indefinite period.  An indefinite period would continue until a team petitioned the Intramural Staff for restoration to good standing showing sufficient reason for the staff to grant such restoration to good standing.

4.       Suspension. Suspension from intramurals prohibits the organization suspended from participating in any team or meet sports during the period of intramural suspension.  A period of suspension is automatically followed by a period of intramural probation not to be less than one full semester.  Any participant(s) which feels the Intramural Staff ruling is unsatisfactory may appeal the ruling to the Intramural Board.  After review of the situation the Intramural Board shall rule on the appeal.  Such action by the Intramural Board shall be final.