Western Carolina University

Section 1. Sportsmanship Philosophy

Team sports activities find their origin in the basic human need for play. Winning and losing are mere outcomes of this play. Abusive language toward officials, supervisors, other participants, and manipulation of the rules are not "part of the game." This negative sport behavior distracts from the satisfaction of competing, exercising, and enhancing friendships.

Intramural Sports supervisors, officials, and staff jurisdiction is in effect from the time a team arrives at the playing site until the time the team leaves. Incidents outside of these limits may be examined as well. Thus, the Manager and other players should be ready to act and prevent misbehavior and/or unsportsmanlike conduct of teammates.

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, referral to Student Community Ethics, or other appropriate action. Failure to comply with requests from the Intramural Staff will result in a forfeited contest.

Section 2. Participant, Coach, and Spectator Conduct

1. Participants, coaches, and spectators are subject to all sportsmanship policies from the time they arrive at the game site until the time they leave. Participants may be sanctioned for any harassment of staff or other participants that takes place off Campus Recreation & Wellness premises/time if reported by staff members or other participants who provide proof, including electronic form of harassment (ex. Facebook, text messages).
2. Any participant, coach, and spectator who commits, incites, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures by the Intramural Sports Program.

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.

Section 3. Ejections

1. If a participant is ejected from any Intramural Sports contest, he/she is immediately ineligible from further competition in any Intramural Sports activity.
2. All ejections carry an indefinite suspension until the ejected person has met with the Assistant Director of Intramural Sports. It is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director to review his/her eligibility. All ejections will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
3. Player suspensions are effective after the meeting with the Assistant Director (i.e., no self-imposed penalties). There are no appeals of ejection/conduct suspensions and decisions. 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.
4. Managers and teams are responsible for their players. All ejections will affect the teams conduct rating. One ejection results in a 2 rating and 2 ejections result in a 0.

Section 4. Suspensions and Probation

Any person ejected from a game or game site must leave the game site immediately and will be suspended from participating in any intramural competition. Length of suspension will depend on the severity and repeats of the action that resulted in the ejection.

1. Physical Contact with Intramural Sports Staff Member

1. Player or spectator makes physical contact in a threatening manner (battery) toward an official or supervisor. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of one semester, effective immediately. Further, appropriate charges may be filed with the Dean of Students Office.

2. Physical Contact with Another Player

1. Player strikes another player. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of rest of season, effective immediately. Further, appropriate charges may be filed with the Dean of Students Office.

3. Leaving the bench area to participate in an altercation

1. Team members and/or spectators who leave benches/viewing area to participate in any isolated altercation. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of one game, effective immediately.

4. Threatening Behavior Toward a Staff Member, Opponent, or Patron

1. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) toward an official/supervisor/participant. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Effective immediately.

5. Verbal Abuse of a Staff Member, Opponent, or Patron

1. Player verbally abuses an official/supervisor/participant. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Effective immediately.

6. Violation of Eligibility Standards

1. Individual playing on more than one team in any intramural activity and/or in violation of established eligibility rules. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum one game, effective immediately.

7. Use of an Assumed Name or Other Fraudulent Act

1. Fraudulent acts shall be defined as misrepresentation of a score, playing while ineligible or under suspension, using another person's ID, or allowing an individual to use your ID for intramural competition. Should a participant, team Manager, chairperson or other associate be guilty or responsible for the use of an assumed name or fraudulent act, he/she will face an indefinite suspension from all intramural activities.

Section 5. Alcohol, Drug, and Tobacco Use

Western Carolina University must comply with all laws concerning alcohol, drug and tobacco use on state property. Participants who decide to use alcohol or drugs prior to participating in intramural sports are placing themselves and other players at risk, as the combination of each and physical activity of any nature is extremely dangerous. It has been medically proven that alcohol and drugs will slow a persons motor skills.

1. Tobacco (chewing or smoking) is not allowed on the Intramural fields or other activity areas as well as 50 feet from any structure on campus per university policy 45. If a person is using one or the other, they will be asked to refrain from using it at that particular site.
2. The use of alcohol and/or drugs is strictly prohibited
3. The Intramural Sports Staff assigned to the playing contest have the authority and responsibility in making decisions regarding individuals who are not permitted to participate based on:

1. A student's breathe smells of alcohol.
2. A student's actions and language are unacceptable.
3. Other players or staff have noticed a student under the influence

4. If a player is suspected of participating or attempting to participate while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they will be ejected from the contest and will be asked to leave the playing area and facility.
5. Any player or manager who participates in any activity under the influence of alcohol/drugs will be suspended from ALL Intramural Sports activity indefinitely. Such violation may also be subject to prosecution under the terms of the Code of Student Conduct.
6. It is the responsibility of the team Manager to be sure that all players and spectators are not violating these rules. Failure to do so may cause team to be penalized or possibly forfeit the game.

Section 6. Team Conduct Rating System

The team conduct rating system is intended to be an objective scale by which each teams 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.

1. At the conclusion of every game the Intramural sports officials and/or supervisors shall determine the team conduct ratings
2. Conduct ratings given at the game site ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.
3. 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.
4. During playoffs teams must maintain at 2.5 Conduct Rating in order to continue play. Anything below a 2.5, the team will be ineligible until the manager meets with the Assistant Director for Intramurals.
5. The Intramural Sports Program staff also reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

Team Conduct Ratings:

4 (Excellent)

1. Team members cooperate with and demonstrate excellent sportsmanship toward members of teams, spectators, and all intramural officials and staff.

2. Team Manager 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.

5. Team winning forfeit or default

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 Manager 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.
5. Default

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 manager exhibited little control with players and spectators; conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls. Team Manager 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.
5. Forfeit

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 manager (spokesperson) exhibited little control with players and spectators; conversed in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls. Team Manager did not cooperate in providing information requested by any intramural sports official/staff.
4. Ejected player
5. Poor behavior was limited to individual/s, not the entire team.
6. Frequent use of profane and/or vulgar language
7. 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 managers (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. Two ejected players
11. Any violation of the Western Carolina University Student Code of Conduct.

Section 7. Consequences for a Zero (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 manager meets with the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports. It is the Manager'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, playoffs, or tournament.
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:

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.