Assumption of Risk & Release Statement
The Intramural Sports Office believes that participation in Intramural sports is a positive, healthy experience that fosters health benefits and provides enjoyment to our participants. All participants are strongly encouraged to have a yearly medical examination and to carry medical insurance coverage. While we strive to provide safe and well-supervised activities and facilities, there is an inherent potential for physical injury or death in all sport activities.
Injuries and Blood Born Pathogens
Participation in sporting activities may cause injury and exposure to blood borne pathogens. Blood borne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause diseases in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, Hepatitis B virus (HIV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The Intramural Sports program will make every effort to minimize exposure to its employees and participants. Intramural staff are trained and certified to respond to emergency and blood exposure situations. We ask that they be contacted immediately to respond to any injury.
- Participants will not be permitted to participate in Intramural Sports at the University if they do not agree to all of the rules and regulations.
- The University and its staff are not held responsible for any injuries incurred while participating or as a spectator in the Intramural Sports Program.
- Playing without shirts and proper shoes is prohibited. (Exception: beach volleyball).
- All injuries are to be reported to the game officials and sports supervisor. The supervisor with a first aid kit can take care of all minor injuries.
- All major injuries or emergencies will be taken care of immediately by the student supervisor in charge by calling Western Carolina University EMS . In the meantime, the supervisor will see that the participant is comfortable until help arrives. Medical expenses incurred such as ambulance, doctor bills, and x-rays will be the responsibility of the injured person.
- All injured persons must complete an accident report. This form can be obtained from the student supervisor on site.
Alcohol & Tobacco
Western Carolina University must comply with all laws concerning alcohol and tobacco use on state property . Participants who decide to drink alcohol prior to participating in intramurals are placing themselves and other players at risk, as the combination of alcohol and physical activity of any nature is extremely dangerous. It has been medically proven that alcohol will slow a person's motor skills. If a player is suspected of participating or attempting to participate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will be removed from the contest.
Tobacco (chewing or smoking) is not allowed on the intramural fields or courts. If a person is using one or the other, they will be asked to remove, dispose of, and refrain from using the product.
Web Site
Team managers and participants are responsible for checking the Campus Recreation Center website/IM Leagues for their team's schedule, schedule changes, sport rules, and team registration. The website is found at reccenter.wcu.edu and click on Intramural Sports..
Equipment
The Intramural Program will furnish standard equipment for all activities with the exception of personal items (softball gloves, shin guards, etc.). Participants may check out equipment from the Campus Recreation Center equipment cage upon presenting proper identification.
Dogs on the Field
All dogs must be attended to at all times. If an intramural participant owns the dog, then that participant is responsible for finding someone to be with the dog while they are participating. It IS NOT acceptable to bring a dog and tie it to a fence or pole while participating in intramural sports leaving it alone. Intramural Sport Staff CANNOT fill the role of dog babysitter. Dog owners are also responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Please dispose of any pet waste in the trashcans.
Sportsmanship
Every team is responsible for the conduct of its players and fans. Any conduct judged as detrimental to the participants, program, or any contest, may result in loss of the contest, suspension of the individual players, suspension of the entire team, or other appropriate action. Failure to comply with requests from the Intramural Staff will result in a forfeited contest.
Spirit of Competition
Modern team sport activities find their origin in the basic human need for play. Winning and losing are mere outcomes of this play spirit. Actions such as: Abusive language, poor attitude, and manipulation of the rules to further winning are not "just part of the game." What is part of the game are the simple satisfaction of playing and the interdependence of teamwork, improving fitness, and enhancing friendships. Without your opponent, you have no game, no contest, and absolutely no fun. You are indebted to them as they are to you. In a fundamental way, then, competing against an opponent is based on cooperation. Upholding high standards of integrity and fair play acknowledges this idea of cooperative competition. An intentional violation of the rules, no matter how small, is considered cheating and a direct offense against these principles. One of the goals of Western Carolina University Intramural Sports Program is to promote lifetime skills through the venue of sports that offers meaning beyond that of a win or a loss, the memory of which fades quickly. All players are expected to play within the context of Western Carolina University Intramural Sports Program's Spirit of Competition.
Team Conduct Rating System
The team conduct rating system is intended to be an objective scale by which each team’s attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sport contest is included in the rating. The team manager is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system. To encourage acceptable conduct before, during, and after intramural contests, officials and/or supervisors shall make decisions whether to warn, penalize, or eject persons and/or teams for poor sportsmanship.
Team Conduct Ratings:
A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and their spectators. The team manager's efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are the key to controlling team conduct. At the conclusion of every game the Intramural sports officials and/or supervisors shall determine the team conduct ratings. Conduct ratings given at the game site ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. Teams must carry a minimum cumulative 2.5 Conduct Rating in order to be eligible for playoffs. Teams that do not have the minimum conduct rating WILL NOT be entered into the playoff bracket. The Intramural Sports Program staff also reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.
4 (Excellent)
1. Team members cooperate with and demonstrate excellent sportsmanship toward members of teams, spectators, and all intramural officials and staff.
2. Team captain exhibits control over his/her team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and cooperate by providing any information requested by any intramural sports official/staff.
3. Team members participate in the spirit and intent of the intramural sport game rules and/or program policies. Team members accept judgment decisions made by the officials during the contest.
4. Respect is shown for Intramural Sports facilities and equipment.
3 (Above Average)
1. Little to no incidents of poor sportsmanship demonstrated towards members of teams, spectators, and all intramural officials and staff.
2. Team captain exhibits decent control over his/her team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and shows decent cooperation by providing any information requested by any intramural sports official/staff.
3. Team members accept judgment decisions made by the officials during the contest displaying little to no argumentative stances.
4. Respect is shown for Intramural Sports facilities and equipment.
2 (Average)
1. Minor incidents of poor sportsmanship displayed throughout the game towards members of teams, spectators, and all intramural officials and staff.
2. Team captain exhibited little control with players and spectators; conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls. Team captain showed decent cooperation in providing information requested by any intramural sports official/staff.
3. Poor behavior was limited to individual/s, not the entire team.
4. General respect is shown for Intramural Sports facilities and equipment.
1 (Below Average)
1. Participants/spectators who continually complain about officials' decisions and display dissension. Complaints include both verbal and non-verbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators may also lead to this unacceptable rating.
2. Multiple technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct and/or multiple unsportsmanlike penalties given.
3. Team captain (spokesperson) exhibited little control with players and spectators; conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls. Team captain did not cooperate in providing information requested by any intramural sports official/staff.
4. Poor behavior was limited to individual/s, not the entire team.
5. Frequent use of profane and/or vulgar language
6. Little to no respect is shown for Intramural Sports facilities and equipment.
0 (Poor)
1. Participants/spectators who continually complain about officials' decisions and display dissension. Complaints include both verbal and non-verbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators may also lead to an unacceptable rating.
2. Team captain (spokesperson) exhibited no control with players and spectators; conversed in an overly dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls.
3. Physical abuse by participants(s)/spectator(s) in the form of fighting and/or wrestling with an opponent and/or teammate which occurred before, during, or after an intramural sports contest.
4. Team members did not meet eligibility requirements for participation in the Western Carolina University Intramural Sports Program.
5. Team members played with participants who are currently suspended from participating in intramural sports (i.e., on the Outstanding Ejection List) or the Intramural Sports Program.
6. Public indecencies, vulgarity, or obscenity.
7. Individuals/teams played after the consumption of alcohol/drugs. If the contest has begun when discovered, the player(s) will be immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent.
8. Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or non-verbal) to any intramural sports employee, participant, or spectator, which occurred before, during, or after an intramural sports contest.
9. Damage to or destruction of any Intramural Sports facilities and/or equipment.
10. Any violation of the Western Carolina University Student Code of Conduct.
Consequences for Poor Rating
1. Teams will be notified by the Intramural Program of their 0 Conduct Rating the day after their game.
2. Team is suspended until the captain meets with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports. It is the captain's responsibility to call and schedule a meeting with the Assistant Director. A team is ineligible for any intramural sport competition in this activity until this meeting occurs.
3. Depending on severity, one team Zero rating could result in a team being dropped from a league.
4. Regardless of the length of the season or tournament, two Zero (Poor) ratings will result in a team being automatically dropped from any further competition.
5. Teams receiving a Zero (Poor) sportsmanship rating in a weekend tournament are eliminated from further competition regardless of the outcome of the game.
Season Ending Conduct Examples:
** Below are examples of conduct issues that will end a player and/or teams’ season:
1. Team was uncooperative and out of control before, during or after intramural sports contest.
2. Team manager (spokesperson) exhibited poor control over self, the team, and/or the spectators.
3. Multiple ejections’ or blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants’ fans, officials, or supervisors occurred.
4. Any physical contact with any Intramural Sports employee.
5. Team failed to cooperate/comply with Intramural Sports administrative staff/University officials while performing their duties; falsely represented or withheld any information requested.
Individual Player Conduct
If an intramural sports participant is ejected from any Intramural Sports contest, he/she is immediately ineligible from further competition in any Intramural Sports activity until the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports clears him/her. Player suspensions are effective after the meeting with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports (i.e., no self-imposed penalties). There are no appeals of ejection/conduct suspensions and decisions. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports to review his/her behavior and subsequent eligibility in the Intramural Sports Program.
Team players and managers are expected to be cooperative and honest when asked for assistance in identifying teammates who may be involved in incidents. Failure to do so may result in a team and/or individual penalty including game or season forfeiture.
Any participant who commits, incites, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures:
1. Player or spectator hits, strikes, or pushes an Intramural Sports employee.
2. Hitting or striking another player or spectator.
3. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) before, during, or after a contest toward an Intramural Sports employee (student or professional) player or spectator.
4. Verbally abusing an official or any other Intramural Sports staff.
5. Action(s), which could potentially cause equipment or facility damage and/or personal injury.
6. Failure to cooperate with Intramural Sports staff (i.e., not giving name, not completing forms, etc.) after an ejection.
7. Any person using an assumed name, or using a Western Carolina University photo I.D. illegally.
8. Illegally playing for more than one team. Each team may be subject to forfeit all games in which the illegal player participated.
9. The Assistant Director for Intramural Sports will handle personal conduct situations that are not covered by the above rulings in an appropriate manner.
Note: All intramural ejections carry an indefinite suspension until the ejected person has met with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports. In this meeting, an appropriate suspension will be handed down. All ejections will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Due Process
Any participant, team, or organization suspended from intramural activities due to violations of Intramural Guidelines or sport rules will have the opportunity to participate in due process to insure protection of rights. The Assistant Director for Intramural Sports will hear information from all involved parties and make an appropriate decision. Any appeal that is made regarding the Assistant Director’s decisions shall be made with the Director of Campus Recreation & Wellness.
Acts Relevant to Fighting - The Intramural Sports Program and Western Carolina University will not condone fighting or any actions that may encourage violence. Such acts include, but are limited to, taunting, trash talking, verbal and physical harassment, fighting or attempting to fight.
1. Any individual that is involved in a fight will be subject to an automatic ejection from the game and could result in team suspension. Individuals involved will be ineligible to compete in any further intramural activities and must make an appointment to meet with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports.
2. Any bench personnel including spectators that enter the field/court during a fight or potential conflict will receive an automatic ejection from the program. These individuals will follow the same guidelines as stated above.
The Intramural Sports Program has policies and procedures for handling fighting and harassment as stated above; however, Campus Police may be called to assist if necessary.
IM Supervisors' Authority
The Intramural Supervisors have the authority to rule on any situation not specifically covered in the rules as deemed necessary to ensure the safety and well being of the participants and of the Intramural Sports program. This includes but is not limited to issuing warnings, stopping the game and making weather decisions.