Table of Contents
Section 1. Introduction
1.1 Mission Statement and Values
Section 2. Intramural Sports Captains/ Chairpersons
2.1 Administrative Duties
2.2 Sportsmanship Duties
Section 3. Registration
3.1 Registration Procedures
3.2 Team Name Policy
3.3 Roster Additions
3.4 Changing Teams
3.5 Team Restrictions
3.6 How Do I Pay?
Section 4. Scheduling
4.1 Game Schedules
4.2 Individual Sports and Special Events
4.3 Playoffs
4.4 Reschedules
4.5 Canceling Activities
4.6 Forfeits
Section 5. Eligibility
5.1 Freshman Eligibility
5.2 Freshman Pledges
5.3 Upper-Class Residential Hall Eligibility
5.4 Greek Eligibility
5.5 Varsity Athlete Eligibility
5.6 Club Team Eligibility
5.7 Professional Athlete Eligibility
5.8 Ineligible Players
Section 6. Sportsmanship Rating
6.1 Sportsmanship Rating System
6.2 Rating Method
6.3 Rating Factors
6.4 Rating Scale
6.5 Special Game Situations
6.6 Team Sportsmanship & Playoff Eligibility
6.7 Playoff Tournament Sportsmanship
Section 7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
7.1 Conduct
7.2 Verbal Abuse
7.3 Physical Abuse
7.4 Probation
Section 8. Intramural Sports Suspensions
8.1 Team Suspensions
8.2 Organizational Suspension
8.3 Coach Suspension
8.4 Penalties
8.5 Spectator/Fan Behavior
Section 9. Disciplinary Procedures and Reinstatement Process
9.1 Hearings & Appeals
9.2 Protests
9.3 Special Tournament Protest
9.4 Player Eligibility Protest
9.5 Game Protest
9.6 FAR Advisory Board
9.7 Other Appeals
Section 10. Assumption of Risks
10.1 Insurance
10.2 Blood
Section 11. Facility Procedures
11.1 Facilities
11.2 Equipment Checkout
11.3 Vandalism
11.4 Alcohol and Drug Policy
11.5 Harassment Policy
11.6 Banned Equipment Policies
11.7 Additional Safety Information
Section 12. Awards
12.1 Intramural Sports Championships
12.2 Intramural Sports Points System
Introduction to Intramural Sports
1.1. Mission Statement and Values
Mission Statement
The Intramural Sports Program at the University of Oklahoma aims to provide an atmosphere in which all students, faculty, and staff can participate in fun, yet structured recreational activities. Participation in Intramural Sport activities can provide individuals with an enjoyable recreational experience, promote positive social connections and sportsmanship, provide an opportunity to increase fitness of body and mind, and help develop transferable skills.
Core Values of the Program
Teamwork Provide opportunities for all to be a part of team through participation or employment
Inclusivity Create a recreational atmosphere in which all feel welcome, included, and valued
Community Provide opportunities for all to make new connections by participating in recreational activities
Goal
The goal of the Intramural Sports Program is to encourage students to complement their academic pursuits with the social and physical benefits of recreation.
Objective
The objective of the Intramural Sports Program is to provide opportunities that are diverse in both the type of activities offered and the level of competitiveness. We wish to be able to serve many students, faculty, and staff as possible, to encourage participation in recreational activities and to provide new ideas and activities which meet the interests and desires of participants,
Section 2. Intramural Sport Captains / Chairpersons
Team Captains/Chairpersons shall serve as the liaison between the Intramural Sports Program and their team/organization. Every organization and/or team should designate Captains/Chairpersons to represent his or her team throughout the season. Everyone should remember that with the large number of entry deadlines, start dates and playing times during the year, it would be best to have a couple of people to handle the task.
2.1 Administrative Duties
1) Register your team for each/every sport or event in which you wish to participate online at www.imleagues.com. Each sport has a specific registration deadline!
2) Attend the team captain’s meeting for your sport. Captain’s meetings are mandatory. If you cannot attend, have a representative of your team attend for you. Captain’s meetings are essential to obtaining important information regarding rules, policies, and procedures for every sport.
3) Check schedules regularly for game times. All schedules are posted online at www.imleagues.com by Friday at afternoon each week. Occasionally, schedules may change due to various reasons, including but not limited to the following: facility availability changes, weather, teams forfeiting, etc.
a. Time preferences are to be submitted every Thursday by midnight during the regular season of each sport. Preferences which are not submitted or submitted late may not be honored.
4) Check www.imleagues.com often for any updated information, new game times, changes to fields, etc. The website is our most effective way to communicate information to the masses and contains almost all information related to Intramural Sports. Check out our social media pages as well for updates: Facebook.com/OUFitRec, @OUFitandRec on Twitter, and oufitandrec on Instagram.
5) Be responsible for thoroughly understanding the rules of the sport you are participating in and informing your team members of the Intramural Sports rules, policies, and sportsmanship rating system. The policies and procedures for each sport, along with specific governing-body rules, can be found online on our website as well as IMLeagues.
6) Ensure that enough eligible participants are at the game at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of a scheduled contest. Game time is forfeit time!
2.2 Sportsmanship Duties
1) Educate your team members on the sportsmanship rating system and the consequence of poor sportsmanship for both the individual and the team as a whole. Be responsible for reading, understanding and informing your team members of the Intramural Sports Unsportsmanlike Conduct policies. Ignorance of any Intramural Sports rules and/or policies is not an excuse for violations.
2) Be responsible for the behavior of all your players and spectators by ensuring that all your team members understand and abide by all the Intramural Sports policies as posted at www.ou.edu/far
3) Inform any ejected players that they must promptly leave the facility or field in which the competition is being held, or risk forfeiture of the remainder of the game.
4) Inform any ejected players of suspensions and the procedural steps for reinstatement.
5) Only the team captains are permitted to clarify calls with the Intramural Sports Officials or Intramural Sports Supervisors at the specific game sites.
Section 3. Registration
3.1 Registration Procedures
1) Register your team for each sport or event in which you wish to participate online at www.imleagues.com. Each sport has a specific registration deadline! If a team registers late for a league, that team is subject to being excluded from the first week of competition. Teams who register late for a tournament may be subject to being excluded in the bracket(s) at the discretion of Intramural Sports staff.
2) All participants (for both individual and team events) need to have their own IMLeagues account prior to being allowed to participate in an event. Once created, participants may create and join teams.
3.2 Team Name Policy
1) It is the responsibility of the team captain to submit an appropriate team name. Names that include inappropriate language or references will be removed. In the event we need to remove a team name, we will simply change the team name to the captain’s last name and provide the opportunity for the team to change their name.
2) If a team name is not submitted, one will be assigned to the team.
3) Student organizations, both Greek and non-Greek, who register multiple teams should give their teams names which are distinguishable from each other.
3.3 Roster Additions
1) Roster additions may be submitted online at www.imleagues.com.
2) Roster additions may be made at any time.
3.4 Changing Teams
1) Once a participant has checked-in and played an official game with a team within a league, they are not allowed to switch teams.
3.5 Team Restrictions
1) Participants may play on one single gender team (Men’s Open, Men’s Residential, Fraternity, Women’s Open, Women’s Residential) and one co-ed team (Coed Open, Coed Residential) only.
3.6 How Do I Pay?
1) Payments for individual and team events should be completed online through www.imleagues.com
If unable to do so, payments for Intramural Sports events can also be made at the front desk of the Sarkeys Fitness Center. All Intramural Sports events (except golf) are FREE to those that live in University Housing. Faculty/Staff can participate in all Intramural Sports events for FREE (except golf), with special thanks to OU Wellness. The Sarkeys Fitness Center accepts the following types of payments: cash, credit cards, checks and departmental transfers. Please make checks payable to The University of Oklahoma.
Section 4. Scheduling
4.1 Game Schedules
Game schedules for team sports, individual sports and/or special events will always be posted online at www.imleagues.com. Team sport schedules are drawn up weekly and posted each Friday afternoon.
4.2 Individual Sports and Tournaments
These are posted prior to the beginning of the activity and updated regularly. Any games postponed during playoffs (except under extreme circumstances at the discretion of the Intramural Sports staff) will be rescheduled for a later date except during double elimination tournaments where time may force the cancellation of the loser’s bracket.
4.3 Playoffs
At the completion of the regular season in most team sports, teams with a .500 or better record and who have attained the required sportsmanship rating of 2.5 will qualify for postseason play. Time preferences will not be taken for playoff games. Teams will be responsible for knowing their playing dates and times.
4.4 Reschedules
Games are not generally eligible to be rescheduled. If a team cannot make a scheduled game, they should contact the Intramural Sports Coordinator. League games called due to inclement weather will not be rescheduled and all scheduled teams will be awarded a win. Tournament matches will be rescheduled, at the discretion of the Intramural Sports staff.
4.5 Canceling Activities
In the event that a regular season contest is canceled, both teams will be issued a win. If a contest(s) within a tournament is canceled due to inclement weather, brackets will be adjusted according by Intramural Sports staff.
4.6 Forfeits
In all team sport activities, teams are required to be at the scheduled field/court with the correct number of players and appropriate equipment. Game time is forfeit time! If a game is forfeited, the forfeiting team will receive a 2-sportsmanship rating.
Section 5. Eligibility
1) All students, undergraduate and graduate, who are currently enrolled, full-time or part-time, in credit courses for the current semester, are eligible to participate in Intramural Sports events.
2) Students must remain enrolled throughout the semester in order to be eligible for Intramural Sports. Failure to maintain enrollment will result in immediate suspension of Intramural Sports eligibility.
3) Participants must have proper identification in order to participate in Intramural Sports events and must present OU ID at any time it is requested by the Intramural Sports staff to determine player eligibility or check out equipment. If this cannot be shown, participants are allowed to check into a contest by showing their OU Information Technology Account Management Page by going to account.ou.edu to log in. A matching student OUID number and photo is required to check into the contest. The account.ou.edu page will not allow any participant entry into Sarkeys Fitness Center. Sarkeys Fitness Center entry policies supersede OU Intramural Sports entry policies.
4) Norman Campus faculty and staff plus employees of the University's Research Campus can participate in Faculty/Staff Intramural Sports events.
5.1 Freshman Eligibility
All freshmen that live in University housing must play on a University Residence Hall team. You may not change teams during any single season. Freshman associated with non-Greek organizations may petition to the Intramural Sports Staff to play in the open league with a group.
5.2 Freshman Pledges
Freshman pledges may play together as a Pledge Team but must play in the Residence Hall League (Women's play may differ). Only teams consisting of all pledges may be eligible for pledge points. Pledges living in Greek Housing may play with either the member or the Pledge team if approved by the Intramural Sports staff. Freshmen living outside University Housing must play with an open team or request special permission from the staff to play for a housing or pledge team. Freshmen pledges initiated during the academic year do not become eligible to participate on a member team until the following year.
5.3 Upper-Class Residential Hall Eligibility
An upper-class student living in a Residence Hall may play on any one single gender and coed open, residence hall, or greek team with which they are affiliated. They may change teams from sport to sport but not during any one season.
5.4 Greek Eligibility
Students must be regarded as pledges/active members of an organization (overseen by Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services) in order to be eligible to compete in the Fraternity/Sorority Divisions. Students may participate on an independent team if his/her organization does not have a team, or by their choosing. All teams within the Fraternity/Sorority Divisions must consist of players only within their specified organization.
5.5 Varsity Athlete Eligibility
No current OU varsity athlete may participate in the Intramural Sport most closely related to his/her sport. A varsity athlete is any student whose name appears on or has been on the roster of any varsity team during an academic year. Additionally, any student who participated as a "walk-on" on any varsity team must clear their eligibility with Intramural Sports staff. If a “walk-on” is on a roster, they will be deemed a varsity athlete. Students who are admitted to the university under special NCAA guidelines may be subject to the Intramural Sports varsity athlete rules and must be cleared by Intramural Sport staff.
Former varsity athletes (OU or from any four-year university) may not participate in the Intramural Sport most closely related to his/her sport. Former varsity athletes shall be under this restriction no more than three years or the equal to the number of years in competition after completing their eligibility or no longer appear on a varsity roster.
No team shall have more than two varsity athletes on the same team in any sport.
5.6 Club Team Eligibility
Club team members may play the Intramural Sport closely related to their club team, but Intramural Sport teams may have a maximum of two club team members on the same team.
5.7 Professional Athlete Eligibility
Any OU student who has ever engaged in or is under contract to a professional team may not participate in the Intramural Sport most closely related to his/her sport. This restriction shall be three years from the completion or termination of the contract or playing career, whichever is most recent.
5.8 Ineligible Players
Any student found to be participating illegally shall be automatically suspended for the remainder of the sport and/or the remainder of the academic year. It is illegal to participate on more than one team under an assumed name; as a varsity athlete; or in any way that violates the eligibility rules set forth in the Intramural Sports Handbook. Players found to be participating ineligibly by the Intramural Sports staff may be disciplined at any time. Intramural Sports staff shall have the authority to overturn game results if the ineligible player is deemed to have substantially contributed to the team having won the game.
Section 6. Sportsmanship Rating
6.1 Sportsmanship Rating System
The Sportsmanship Rating System is intended to raise the level of sportsmanship using an objective scale by which teams' attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the Intramural Sports leagues and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an Intramural Sports contest is included in the rating.
The team captain is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with his/her team about the system.
A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and their spectators/fans. The team captain's efforts in assisting Intramural Sports staff to diffuse tense situations and to restrain upset teammates are keys to controlling team conduct and may have an effect on the rating of a contest.
In order to encourage proper conduct during games Intramural Sports staff shall make decisions on whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sportsmanship. These decisions are final. The Intramural Sports Coordinator will rule on further penalties as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct.
6.2 Rating Method
Each team in a contest will be rated by the Intramural Sports Supervisors assigned to that game. The authority of the supervisors’ ratings exists prior to, during, and following all contests to which that supervisor is assigned, and extends to all persons on, at, or near the playing site.
In all cases, Intramural Sports officials and the Intramural Sports administrative staff may provide input which may lower or raise your team’s rating. Supervisors may amend any rating for inappropriate conduct by a team or its spectators before, during, or after a contest. Intramural Sports administrative staff members may amend a rating at any time for inappropriate conduct, use of an ineligible player, use of a suspended player, and/or any violation of an Intramural Sports rule/policy.
Officials have been instructed not to comment to teams about ratings. Teams may inquire with an Intramural Sports Supervisor at the game site to view their sportsmanship ratings or view it on IMLeagues. A team captain may appeal his/her team's sportsmanship rating by submitting an appeal to the Intramural Sports office by noon of the next business day following the game/match. Appeals after this time will not be accepted.
6.3 Rating Factors
The following actions and behaviors by team members, coaches, spectators, and/or team followers can have a positive effect on a team’s sportsmanship rating:
· Team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship toward members of both teams, spectators/fans, officials, and all other Intramural Sports staff
· Team captain exhibits control over his/her team and spectators/fans, converses reasonably with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and cooperates by providing any information requested by Intramural Sports staff
· Team members participate according to Intramural Sports rules and/or program policies
· Team members accept decisions made by officials during the contest
· Respect is shown for all University of Oklahoma Fitness and Recreation facilities and equipment
The following actions and behaviors by team members, coaches, spectators, and/or team followers can have a negative effect on a team’s sportsmanship rating:
· Participants or spectators/fans who continually complain about officials' decisions or display dissention (discriminatory or disrespectful remarks). Complaints include both verbal and nonverbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams/spectators can also result in a lower rating
· Team captain exhibits little control over his/her team and spectators, converses in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls or does not cooperate with Intramural Sports staff
· Having any technical fouls or penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct or having a player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct
· Taunting an opponent or opposing team spectators/fans (trash talk)
· Indecency, vulgarity, or obscenity including foul or profane language and obscene gestures, incidental or intentional, non-directed or directed at an opponent, teammate, spectator/fan, or Intramural Sports staff member
· Physical abuse by participants/spectators in the form of fighting with an opponent, teammate, or Intramural Sports staff member which occurred before, during, or after a contest
· Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal) toward any University Intramural Sports or Fitness + Recreation employee, participant, or spectator which occurred before, during, or after an Intramural Sports contest
· Individuals/teams playing under the influence of alcohol/drugs. If the contest has begun when this is discovered, the player(s) will be immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent
· Purposeful damage to or destruction of any University of Oklahoma Fitness + Recreation facilities or equipment
6.4 Rating Scale
Team sportsmanship is rated following each contest according to, but not limited to, the following scale and criteria:
4 points: Excellent Sportsmanship
Players cooperate fully with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The team captain has full control of his/her teammates. Team members and spectators were respectful of opponents and officials and encouraged each other’s efforts. At no time was this team disrespectful towards participants or officials.
3 points: Average Sportsmanship
Team members and spectators are respectful of opponents and officials for a majority of the contest which may or may not merit a warning from the officials or supervisor.
2 points: Sportsmanship Needs Improvement
Team members or spectators are disrespectful of opponents or officials for a majority of the contest which may or may not warrant a penalty. Team captain exhibits minor control over his/herself, his/her teammates, or spectators/fans and does not try to assist Intramural Sports staff in diffusing situations. Teams receiving multiple warnings or having a player ejected for an unsportsmanlike act will likely receive no higher than a 2 rating. Forfeited games will receive a 2 rating.
1 point: Unacceptable Sportsmanship
Teams consistently are consistently negative to the officials and/or opposing teams from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits no control over teammates or himself/herself. Majority of individuals on this team are disrespectful of opponents and/or officials during the contest. Teams receiving multiple warnings or having multiple players ejected for an unsportsmanlike act will likely receive no higher than a 1 rating. Teams which receive a second unacceptable rating (1 point) in the same sport or activity are subject to immediate dismissal from league or tournament play.
0 points: Team Discipline Needed
Team is completely uncooperative and out of control before, during, or after a contest. The team captain exhibits poor control over self, their team, and/or their spectators/fans. Team is issued multiple ejections from blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants, fans, or Intramural Sports staff. Team fails to cooperate with Intramural Sports staff/university officials; falsely represents or withholds any requested information. Team members played after the consumption of alcohol/drugs. Teams which receive a 0 rating are subject to dismissal or suspension from league or tournament play.
6.5 Special Game Situations
A team winning a game by default or forfeit with no game played will receive a 3 rating, unless special circumstances dictate otherwise. A team that wins a game by forfeit after the game has started and game play has occurred shall receive a rating based on their sportsmanship in the game play up to the time of the forfeit.
A team losing by default will receive either a 3 or 2.5 rating (see section 3.6). A team that forfeits or no-shows their game onsite will receive a 2 rating.
Teams receiving an unacceptable (1 point) or lower sportsmanship rating in a tournament will be eliminated from further competition regardless of the contest's outcome.
6.6 Team Sportsmanship & Playoff Eligibility
A team must earn a 2.5 average, or higher, sportsmanship rating during regular season league games to be eligible for the playoffs. All games (played, defaulted, or forfeited) will result in a sportsmanship rating being awarded for both teams.
6.7 Playoff Sportsmanship
A winning team which receives a 1 sportsmanship rating in a playoff game is subject to probationary status. Team must receive a 3 or higher sportsmanship rating in all remaining playoff games.
Any team which receives a 0 sportsmanship rating during the playoffs will be immediately dismissed from further tournament play and subject to further disciplinary action as a team in subsequent sports, as individuals when appropriate, or to the team captain.
A losing team which receives a 1 or 0 sportsmanship rating in their final playoff game is subject to further disciplinary action as a team in subsequent sports, as individuals when appropriate, or to the team captain.
Section 7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
7.1 Conduct
Unsportsmanlike Conduct is defined as improper behavior that may include verbal abuse, physical abuse, mental harassment, or other unsportsmanlike acts such as obscene gestures or actions.
An individual or a team displaying unsportsmanlike behavior may forfeit the opportunity to participate in the Intramural Sports Program. An individual or group may also be subject to being charged under the University Student Code and/or by the Office of Student Conduct.
Any person ejected from a contest must leave the entire playing area within one minute of notification or the game may be forfeited. Any ejected player is responsible for contacting the Intramural Sports Coordinator to set up a meeting to determine their eligibility.
Any Intramural Sports staff member has the authority to make decisions before, during, and after a contest to warn, penalize, or eject coaches, players, and/or spectators/fans in order to encourage proper conduct. Ejections of players, coaches, or fans by Intramural Sports Officials or Supervisors are final. Game ejections, including pre or post game, are not eligible to be appealed. However, subsequent penalties may be subject to appeal by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.
7.2 Verbal Abuse
Any language deemed discriminatory, vulgar, or disrespectful to any Intramural Sports staff member will result in automatic ejection from a contest. Persons ejected for verbal abuse shall be automatically suspended for a minimum of one (1) game. If the verbal abuse is deemed to be harassment, a player, coach, or fan, may be ejected for the remainder of the sport. Persons ejected for verbal abuse more than once during the year may be suspended from all activities for the remainder of the academic year. Any type of derogatory and/or inflammatory statements by anyone associated with or supporting a team may cause the team to forfeit the game.
7.3 Physical Abuse
Any player, coach or fan shall not physically abuse or attempt to physically abuse another player, coach, or fan. The act and/or the attempt shall be penalized according to the severity of the act. Persons ejected for hitting or striking another individual, pushing, shoving, grabbing and/or throwing and/or kicking an object at another individual will be automatically suspended for a minimum of one (1) game and may be suspended for the remainder of the academic year. Persons involved could be subject to judicial review by the Office of Student Conduct.
Persons who in any way physically abuse or attempt to physically abuse any Intramural Sports staff member by hitting, striking, pushing, shoving, grabbing, throwing and/or kicking an object shall be automatically suspended from the Intramural Sports program for the remainder of the year and shall be subject to charges under the student code. Persons involved will be subject to judicial review by the Office of Student Conduct.
7.4 Probation
Unsportsmanlike incidents not directly resulting in ejections or other disciplinary problems otherwise outlined in the Handbook will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Individuals, teams, and/or organizations may be placed on probation for the sport or for the academic year if Intramural Sports staff determines they were behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner. Notification of probation will be given outlining the infractions. Probationary status shall not restrict the individual, team, or organization from further participation. However, if further incidents occur and probation is violated, suspension will result. Probationary status is not subject to appeal.
Section 8. Intramural Sport Suspensions
8.1 Team Suspensions
Teams shall be responsible for the conduct of their players, coaches and fans. Teams may be suspended from a major team sport for excessive misconduct by their players, coaches and fans. Should a team have four ejections during a team sport, the team will be suspended for the remainder of the team sport.
Teams may also be suspended for:
· Players participating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
· Players participating in brawls where individuals cannot be readily identified
· Players inciting others to participate in a brawl
· Repeatedly using ineligible players
· Players, coaches, or fans failing to leave a playing area once requested to do so by Intramural Sports staff
8.2 Organizational Suspension
An organization is responsible for monitoring and controlling its members, pledges, and/or fans in terms of sportsmanlike conduct during Intramural Sports contests. Unsportsmanlike behavior including player ejections and/or other acts shall directly reflect on the organizations continued eligibility. In effect, the actions of one team or one individual may cause the entire organization to be suspended.
8.3 Coach Suspension
Any coach ejected from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be suspended from coaching for the remainder of the season and may also risk suspension from playing.
8.4 Penalties
The sixth player ejection of an organization in an academic year will result in an automatic suspension of the organization for the remainder of the academic year. Fighting by two or more team members twice in a year will result in automatic suspension of the organization for the remainder of the year. The use of four ineligible players by an organization during an academic year will result in organizational suspension for the remainder of the academic year. Unsportsmanlike fan behavior by an organization will result in organizational suspension for the remainder of the academic year.
8.5 Spectator/Fan Behavior
Spectators/Fans are the responsibility of the team and/or organization. If spectators/fans behave in an unsportsmanlike manner (verbal abuse, etc.), the team may be penalized under the rules of the game and the team captain shall make an appeal to the crowd to cease such behavior. Repeated unsportsmanlike behavior by the crowd shall cause the team to receive a forfeit. Such behavior at subsequent games for the same or other teams could cause the teams and/ or organizations involved to be suspended from further participation.
Any time a team's fans enter the field/court of play before, during, or following a contest, the game may be forfeited, and the organization suspended for the remainder of the year. Post-game cheers and/or celebrations shall be allowed unless the Intramural Sports staff directs otherwise. All team supporters are subject to the same Intramural Sports rules and regulations as players. Penalties may be imposed on individual students or student groups.
Section 9. Disciplinary Procedures and Reinstatement Process
9.1 Hearings & Appeals
Any student or student group charged with violating any part of the Intramural Sports Handbook shall be notified within two school days of the incident personally. Notification may be made during or following an Intramural Sports contest. Every effort should be made by the student or group Chairperson to contact the Intramural Sports Coordinator about any problems in order to expedite the matter.
At no time during regular season play should the appeal process be allowed to interfere with the continuation of play in an Intramural Sports activity.
HEARINGS: Once a student or student group has been officially notified, he/she must arrange an administrative hearing with the Intramural Sports Coordinator within two school days. The student must sign a statement that he/she has received a copy of the charges.
APPEALS: In matters concerning suspensions for verbal or physical abuse where time is not a major factor, a student or organization shall have three school days to file a written petition to the Intramural Sports Coordinator for reinstatement. A meeting will be called within a reasonable amount of time. If Judicial Services ruled upon the actions of involved persons, Intramural Sports staff will have no process for appealing the sentence determined by the Office of Judicial Services.
On matters where a time factor could affect an individual, team’s, or organization’s continued participation; a written petition must be filed within one school day to the Intramural Sports Coordinator. The request will be forwarded to the Fitness and Recreation Advisory Board and a hearing will be scheduled within four school days.
9.2 Protests
All protests must be registered immediately with a supervisor on site. A valid protest must either concern player eligibility or a misapplication or misinterpretation of a sport rule. Intramural Sports staff will attempt to resolve all disputes immediately. Matters involving an official’s judgment are not a basis for protest. The Intramural Sports program reserves the right to rule in any matters not covered in this handbook. The Intramural Sports program will apply rules and fairness in all situations. The decision of Intramural Sports staff to eject a player or spectator for any unsportsmanlike conduct (be it verbal or physical) will be firmly upheld by the Intramural Sports program.
Intramural sports staff will rule upon game protests made in accordance with the rules at the time they are lodged, and all decisions shall be final. Players, teams or organizations suspended from play must personally seek reinstatement by 10:00am the following day with the Intramural Sports Coordinator. An administrative decision will be rendered at that time. If the parties wish to appeal the decision, staff will convene before the next scheduled playing time and irrevocably rule on the matter. Under no circumstances can a protest delay Intramural Sports scheduled play from progressing.
9.3 Special Tournament Protest
During special tournaments, designed to be played over a short period of time, Intramural Sports staff has exclusive responsibility to rule on all protest and suspensions. Due to time constraints, protests during the playoffs and/or any specials tournaments will be decided by the Intramural Sports Coordinator or Intramural Sports supervisor on-duty. Once ruled upon, the decision is final and may not be overturned or appealed to a higher authority. While special tournaments are not considered in the same category as the regular season, suspensions from the regular season may not be served in special tournaments. Ejections and suspensions from special tournaments may jeopardize continued participation in other Intramural Sports activities. Such actions may be appealed to staff, but any rulings may not be made retroactive in such a way as to affect the administrative decisions made during the special tournament.
9.4 Player Eligibility Protest
Eligibility protests must be made to the supervisor assigned to the game prior to the end of any contest and/or before the scorecard is turned in. The protesting party must identify the person in question to the supervisor before he/she departs the playing area. Once the game has officially ended, a team forfeits the right to file a protest that will impact the game in question. Intramural Sports staff may remove an illegal player at any time or forfeit a game without protest from a team.
9.5 Game Protest
Teams may protest any rule misinterpretation or misapplication during a game provided the team captain lodges the protest with the game official prior to resumption of play after the first dead ball. Judgment calls are not allowed to be protested. The game official and/or supervisor will make every attempt to rectify the protest at the time it occurs. If the protest cannot be resolved, the team must file a typed version of the protest by 4:00 p.m. the following school day with the Intramural Sports Coordinator. Intramural Sport staff will review the protest and issue a ruling within 24 hours. The protest may not be appealed to a higher body. If you disagree with the on-site decision, you may appeal the decision with the Intramural Sports Coordinator. A protest is not complete until a typed version of the protest is available to the Intramural Sports Coordinator by 4:00pm of the day after the game in question. Otherwise, it will be discarded.
9.6 FAR Advisory Board
The Fitness and Recreation Advisory Board is a self-governing body established to ensure that students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to appeal administrative actions taken by the Intramural Sports staff toward an individual, team and/or organization in team sport activities. The Director of Fitness and Recreation shall serve as the chair of the council. The board has the authority to hear appeals related to policies and procedures as set forth in this publication. Game rules governing team sports are not subject to appeal to the council. All advisory board decisions are final. Specific information on how to file appeals of administrative decisions and rules as to how the appellate hearing will be handled are available to all students, faculty and staff in the Intramural Sports office.
9.7 Other Appeals
Persons charged with Intramural Sports policy violations not associated with team sports shall be subject to the same rules and regulations outlined in this handbook. Appeals of administrative decisions on matters not related to team sports may be made to the Director of Fitness and Recreation or his/her appointed delegate who has not been in the disciplinary process.
Section 10. Assumption of Risks
Students, faculty, and staff are advised that participation in the Intramural Sports program through the Department of Fitness and Recreation involves physical risk. Participation in Intramural Sports is strictly voluntary. There is a possibility that a participant may injure him/herself or others during Intramural Sports activities. Players should understand that despite precautions, accidents and injuries can and do occur. By voluntarily participating in Intramural Sports, participants acknowledge and assume all responsibilities related to the activities including death, injury, illness or loss from accidents, theft of or damage to personal belongings, and all related costs.
Players agree to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others by following applicable rules and procedures and limiting personal participation to reflect the individual’s fitness level. Further, players agree to notify an Intramural Sports staff member immediately if safety and/or the health and well-being of a participant become a concern. In order to protect all participants, Intramural Sports staff reserves the right to remove and/or restrict any individual from any activity when, in their reasonable opinion, continued participation might cause harm to the individual or others.
The University of Oklahoma encourages participants to obtain and maintain health insurance coverage for accidents and injuries. For information regarding insurance through the Student Health Plan, visit http://hr.ou.edu//studenthealth/NormanStudentHealth.asp.
The Intramural Sports program encourages players to arrive early at an event site in order to have enough time to adequately warm-up. Participants should complete a physical exam with their physician prior to playing Intramural Sports or engaging in any strenuous physical activity. Further, participants should seek assistance from certified fitness and/or medical professionals regarding information on conditioning and injury prevention.
10.1 Insurance
As a comprehensive state University, the University of Oklahoma offers a variety of Intramural Sports programs to students, faculty, and staff. Some of these physical activities are more strenuous than others, and since participation in the program is on a volunteer basis, the University of Oklahoma does not accept responsibility for injuries sustained while participating in Intramural Sports contests or in the general recreation program.
Each student, faculty, and staff member should have a thorough, periodic physical examination before participation in an Intramural Sport. This is the student’s responsibility and, while the university cannot compel routine, comprehensive physical examinations as a condition for participation, it strongly recommends that each participant do so on a voluntary basis.
Because of applicable state law, the university as a public corporate body does not have liability insurance to protect participants in the Intramural Sports or general recreation program. As a constitutional state agency, the university is protected against tort liability for its governmental actions. Thus, participants are urged to have adequate health insurance to protect against unforeseen accidents and misfortune, which could seriously delay or even destroy a student's academic career. Goddard Health Center has options for student insurance. The Goddard Health Center may be contacted at (405) 325-4611.
10.2 Blood
There is a risk for blood borne infectious diseases to be transmitted from one player's wounds to another. Recognizing the concerns this risk creates for our Intramural Sports participants, Intramural Sports staff has established the following policy:
· When an official or Intramural Sports staff member observes a player who is bleeding, has an open wound, or has an excessive amount of blood on his or her clothing, the official will temporarily stop the game in the same manner as the official would have temporarily stopped the game for an injured player, except that the bloody player must leave the game.
A removed player is expected to receive appropriate treatment on the sidelines before returning to the game. The player involved shall not return to the contest until the bleeding has stopped, the open wound is covered, or an excessively bloody piece of clothing is changed and disposed of properly. Once play has stopped under this rule, the player may not re-enter the game until the official declares the player eligible. This includes running of the clock, one “play” run in flag football, a substitution opportunity in soccer, a volley in volleyball, etc.
Section 11. Facility Procedures
11.1 Facilities
The Intramural Sports program utilizes a variety of facilities for activities. All indoor activities are held at Sarkeys Fitness Center. Participants must have proper identification in order to gain admittance to this facility. Spectators and guests wishing to enter the facility may be required to present proper identification at any time.
Other Intramural Sports contests or activities are held at various other locations on campus and around the city of Norman. Outdoor activities are held at the Recreation Fields with the exception of the following:
Softball- Reaves Park
Tennis - OU Recreation Tennis Courts
11.2 Equipment Checkout
Equipment for Intramural Sports activities is generally available at the event site for the scheduled events. Participants may check out equipment using their OU ID with Intramural Sports staff. Practice equipment may be checked out at Sarkeys Fitness Center. Reservations for outdoor sports practice equipment should be made at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability.
11.3 Vandalism
Deliberate destruction of university property and equipment, public property, or personal property of individuals will not be tolerated, and will be reported to the Office of Judicial Services and OUPD.
11.4 Alcohol and Drug Policy
If any member of your team is suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol by the supervisor or official on duty, the entire team will be penalized by the assessment of a game forfeit. The team captain must meet with the Intramural Sports Coordinator before the team can be considered for reinstatement. The player(s) involved will also need to meet with the Intramural Sports Coordinator to discuss their individual reinstatement.
11.5 Harassment Policy
The Intramural Sports program reaffirms that it does not condone harassment directed toward any person or group within its community--students, employees, or visitors. Every member of the university shall refrain from actions that intimidate, humiliate or demean persons or groups, or that undermine their security or self-esteem.
The Intramural Sports program is in constant vigilance to ensure an environment that is free of abusive behavior directed toward an individual or group because of race, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical or mental disabilities. Any harassment toward University employees or participants will subject the individual and/or team to university disciplinary procedures.
11.6 Banned Equipment Policies
The officials and supervisors on duty have the authority to disallow any participant from wearing any equipment, jewelry, or apparel which in their judgment is dangerous or disadvantageous to other participants. This is a rule for the safety of all participants, including the wearer of such apparel, and applies to any and all dangerous equipment and jewelry.
JEWELRY POLICY
Jewelry is not allowed to be worn by any participant during an Intramural Sports event. This includes any rings, watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and any other such similar jewelry. Medical bracelets are permissible but must be secured and covered. No exceptions will be made for jewelry which is made to be permanent or that is unable to be removed. Taping over or using a band-aid to cover restricted jewelry is not permitted as it may not secure the jewelry in question.
SHOE POLICY
Each sport/event has rules that govern shoes and equipment based upon the facility being used. All participants must wear proper shoes. A shoe shall be considered proper if it is made with either canvas or leather uppers or similar material. Sandals are not allowed. Intramural Sports staff has the authority to disallow any type of dangerous footwear. Please check with the Intramural Sports staff if you have questions about footwear. Cleats are allowed in certain team sports (please see specific sport rules) – however, metal cleats are never allowed in any intramural contest.
HEADGEAR POLICY
Headgear is not allowed to be worn by any participant during an intramural contest. For indoor sports, this headgear consists of any hats, bandanas, baseball caps, winter/wool hats, and any other such similar headgear. This also applies to outdoor sports with the following exception: in cold weather, wool hats are allowed. Intramural staff on duty have the authority to disallow any participant from participating that they feel would endanger the person wearing the headgear or their opponents until it is removed.
11.7 Additional Safety Information
None of the following are allowed to be worn by any participant during an intramural event:
• Street pants (jeans, khakis, etc.)
• Bare feet
• Baseball Hats - except during softball games or by goalies in soccer
• A guard, cast or brace made of hard and unyielding leather, plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance - even if covered with soft padding - when worn on the elbow, hand, finger, wrist or forearm
• Bandanas (Except a headband made of nonabrasive, unadorned cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather or rubber may be worn. Rubber/cloth (elastic) bands may be used to control hair)
• Sunglasses (except at your own risk in Intramural Softball)
Players and teams that are found to be in violation of this policy, and thus endangering the safety of all the participants, will be penalized in accordance with the rules and assessed to the violating player and their team. The player will be removed until the equipment or jewelry in question is removed.
Section 12. Awards
12.1 Intramural Sports Championships
We will recognize the winners from each league and/or division per sport. Winners will receive an Intramural Sports Champion t-shirt for each team member that appears on the official roster. We will award up to a maximum of 15 shirts per team. Team members not present at distribution must come to the Intramural Sports Office to receive an Intramural Sports Champion t-shirt.
12.2 Intramural Points System
The Intramural Sports Point System is designed to promote participation in all activities, on all levels. It is also utilized as a method to recognize student organizations that promote, organize and consistently participate in all areas of the program.
Intramural sports staff shall be responsible for assessing points for each activity; only Intramural Sport programmed events will be considered in the point system.
Below is a description of how points will be awarded. The Intramural Sports staff retains the right to assess and/or withhold points based on type and number of entries per event and sportsmanship rating. Poor sportsmanship by a team may cause the organization to forfeit any points. Staff decisions regarding these matters are not eligible to be appealed.
Contact the Intramural Sports Staff at 405.325.3053 or imsports@ou.edu with any questions.
Point System
5A SPORTS
REGULAR SEASON FLAG FOOTBALL
REGULAR SEASON BASKETBALL
1st= 50, 2nd= 40, 3rd= 30, 4th= 20
4A SPORTS
6-on-6 VOLLEYBALL
8v8 SOCCER
SOFTBALL
SAND VOLLEYBALL
BATTLESHIP
1st= 42, 2nd= 34, 3rd= 26, 4th= 18
3A SPORTS
3-on-3 BASKETBALL
DODGEBALL
1st= 30, 2nd= 24, 3rd= 18, 4th= 12
2A SPORTS
1st= 20, 2nd= 16, 3rd= 12, 4th= 8
1A SPORTS
TENNIS
SPIKEBALL
TABLE TENNIS
PICKLEBALL
BADMINTON
RACQUETBALL
(Singles, Doubles, Coed)
1st= 10, 2nd= 8, 3rd= 6, 4th= 4
PARTICIPATION POINTS
TRIATHLON
PUNT, PASS & KICK
3-POINT SHOOTOUT
1st= 8, 2nd= 6, 3rd= 4, 4th= 2
(1 point to each individual per organization with a maximum of 15)
Each organization may receive 5 total points for Intramural Sports Officials in Flag Football and 5-on-5 Basketball
