Recreational Sports
Policies
Miami University's Intramural Sports program provides the opportunity for individuals affiliated with the university to participate in a variety of activities. See player eligibility. Participants may choose from individual, dual or team activities. All activities will be offered in men, women and co-rec divisions if there is adequate enrollment in each division.
Participation & Entry Procedures |
Player Eligibility |
Program Review |
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Sportsmanship Policy |
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Contest Procedures |
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Injuries & Insurance |
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Participation & Entry Procedures
A nominal entry fee will be charged for each intramural activity in order to offer quality programs. See the events and programs for the amount of the entry fee of each activity.
- Pick-up a program registration form at the IM Sports Office (101 Withrow Court) or at the Membership Desk at the Recreational Sports Center
- Fill out the program registration form with the following information:
- Captain's name and University accepted ID number
- Captain's local address and phone number
- Captain's email address
- Activity name and activity code **
* Activity names and codes can be found in the Activity Code manual at the IM Office, Rec Sports Center, or on our website at http://www.muohio.edu/intramural/ - Submit the completed form to the IM sports office (101 Withrow Court) or Membership/Pro Shop window at the Recreational Sports Center prior to end of the posted deadline date. Registration also takes place on Intramural Sign-up Night - the first Thursday of every month at the Recreational Sports Center from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For sign-up deadlines see registration procedures.
- A form of payment will be needed with the submission of the program registration form. Payment methods include cash, bursar billing, or a check payable to Miami University. Visa/Mastercard payments are also accepted at the Membership Desk at the Rec Center
- Receive an event information sheet and team roster form (if necessary) at the time of registration.
- A representative from the team must be present at the advertised captains' meeting listed on the information sheet. See team captain's responsibilities
- Attending or finding a representative to attend the posted captains' meeting. At this meeting the following topics will be discussed:
- Information and sport specific rules
- Sportsmanship policy
- Forfeit and default policy
- Required equipment
- Instant scheduling (for league sports depending on registration amounts) - Eligibility of all team members before and throughout the program, See Player Eligibility.
- Behavior of all team members and spectators. See Sportsmanship.
- Notifying the intramural office (529-7238) when his/her team is unable to attend a scheduled contest. See forfeit and default policy. All forfeit fees ($25/game) are charged to the captain's bursar bill.
- Being familiar with all Intramural Sports rules and regulations and ensuring team members also are informed.
Program Preview
League sports typically run from 4 to 6 weeks followed by one-week divisional playoffs.
Tournament sports take place over a weekend or during the course of a week. Tournaments are single or double elimination with men, women, and co-rec divisions.
Special event programs are typically one day in length. Special event winners may receive additional prizes depending on the sponsors of the event.
Divisions for men, women, and co-rec will be offered for all programs based on enrollment.
Program divisions are typically first divided by fraternity/sorority, independent, and first year leagues and second by recreational or competitive level of play based on enrollment.
All competitive campus champions will receive championship t-shirts for all players on the roster or one-and-a-half times the number of, playing positions for the sport, whichever is less. Recreational league winners will receive gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods and team picture on the IM Website.
Player Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the intramural sports program, students must be enrolled at Miami University. Students may be asked to show student and personal identification.
To be eligible to participate in the intramural sports program, the person must be a part-time or full-time faculty /staff person at Miami University.
Varsity Athletes/Club Sport Athletes
A current member of a Miami University intercollegiate team may not compete in an intramural activity in the same sport or a sport that is very similar (i.e. varsity baseball players may not compete in intramural softball).
- A current member is any person(s) who has participated and is listed on the roster at the start of the season.
- Former varsity athletes (not currently listed on the varsity roster) shall be eligible but are considered a Club sport participant.
Persons classified as red-shirts, or those working out with varsity teams, shall be treated as varsity squad members or candidates for varsity squads.
Sport club members shall be eligible for intramural participation in the sport of their specialty. Any individual who works out with a club for three or more times, participates in any tournament, or practices or pays dues to a club sport, shall be considered a member of that sports club for the year. Any recognized organizational team, within or outside the university, is subject to the same rules as sports club members' team. A maximum of 50% of the team on the field/court can club sports members.
A professional athlete shall be taken under consideration for eligibility for the intramural sport of his or her specialty only after written request to the Director of Intramural Sports.
Alumni or Current Regional Campus Students (MUM, MUH)
Alumni or current students of a regional campus of Miami University must be cleared for participation by the Director of Intramural Sports prior to participating.
Any other person(s) eligibility is up to the discretion of the Director of Intramural Sports. The intramural sports staff has the authority to rule on player eligibility whenever they become aware of the alleged infraction.
Protests regarding player eligibility should be made to the supervisor during the contest. If after the contest is completed a team becomes aware that their opponents used an ineligible player, eligibility protest may be filed with the intramural supervisor on the field. Eligibility protests will not be accepted unless the official and supervisor are notified immediately following the played contest, and the eligibility protest is noted on the appropriate score sheet. A team captain must fill out the appropriate form at this time and report to the intramural office no later than noon the following work day to discuss the protest with the Director or Assistant Director(s) of Intramural Sports.
No individual may participate on more than one team per sport division (Men, Women, Co-rec) regardless of the league level at the same time. Due to the separation of fraternity and men's divisions, fraternities members may play in two divisions (for example: MC and FA).
Any player using an assumed name or signing no name at all on the scorecard shall be referred to the director for appropriate disciplinary action.
If a player wants to change team rosters, the captain of each team must each submit a letter stating the change in roster prior to the change. The participant cannot play on the new roster until the Director or Assistant Director(s) has approved the change. A player may transfer rosters only once a season.
In order for a participant to play in the playoffs of an intramural sport, he/she must be listed on a game roster and participated with the team in two regular season contests.
Any team(s) playing an ineligible player shall be credited with a "loss"for each game in which the ineligible player has participated. Any ineligible player found to be playing shall be suspended from further participation and the player and team captain must meet with the Disciplinary Action Committee before becoming eligible. Future penalty shall remain up to the discretion of the Disciplinary Action Committee.
Contest Procedures
In certain sports, a team may play with less than the regulation number of players. The minimum number of players allowed to play is indicated in the rules for each sport. The team must have the minimum amount of players at the time of the scheduled game or the contest will be called a forfeit.
- Forfeits shall be assessed for the following
- An intramural sports team or individual participant not ready to play a contest at the scheduled time and location
- Use of ineligible players
- Unofficial rescheduling of a contest
- Non-appearance at a scheduled contest
- Any team, individual participant, or spectator exhibiting unsportsmanlike or disruptive behavior. Team captains and individuals will first be given a warning. The decision of the official and supervisor in such cases will be final. All forfeits will be considered a played game - Teams that forfeit and/or default more than once are not eligible for league playoffs.
- Contests that are completed prior to a team being dropped from the league shall remain official, while contests not yet played will be recorded as "wins" for the opposing team.
- In the event of a double forfeit, both teams will be given losses.
- Forfeit Fee - Teams that forfeit a game must pay a $25 forfeit fee. This fee will be charged to the team captain's bursar statement.
Any team unable to attend a scheduled contest should notify the intramural sports office by no later than:
- For Monday – Friday contests, 3:00 p.m. the day of the game
- For Saturday or Sunday contests, 5:00 p.m. Friday
The contest will be declared defaulted, a loss will be assessed, and the opposing team will be granted a win. Proper notification will avoid a forfeit fee charge.
Protests can be made when a rule or intramural policy is in question. Protests will not be considered if they are based on a decision involving the accuracy of judgment on the part of an official. The following procedure applies to all intramural sports:
- Team captains must notify game officials that the game is being played under protest immediately following the incident. Team captains should ensure that officials indicate a protest on the official score sheet.
- The officials and supervisor will attempt to resolve the protest before play continues. The team captain at the conclusion of the contest must complete a protest form.
- Protests lodged after one or more subsequent plays have elapsed will not be accepted unless there is an indication that new evidence is available that would influence a decision.
- All written protests must be printed on an official intramural protest form, obtainable from the intramural supervisor at the field/court site. This protest must be submitted to the intramural supervisor before leaving the playing area.
- Members of the intramural sports staff will rule on all protests. Protest rulings will take into consideration all circumstances surrounding the protested incident.
- All decisions made by the intramural sports staff will be final.
- In most cases, protests concerning a discrepancy or rule misinterpretation which are upheld by the intramural sports staff will be replayed from the beginning of the preceding break in the game or from the exact time in the game that the discrepancy occurred if such time can be ascertained. Special arrangements for replaying protested games would be made by in the intramural sports staff.
- Upheld protests concerning player eligibility will result in the contest being forfeited by the offending team.
In the case of inclement weather, it is the team captain's responsibility to contact the intramural hotline at 529-2350 after 3:00p.m. on weekdays and 11:00 a.m. on weekends concerning the status of play for the date in question. The intramural sports office reserves the right to postpone a contest if circumstances warrant such action. In case of continuous bad or severe weather, games will not be rescheduled, and consequently league play will be incomplete. A league winner may not be determined due to canceled games. The office staff, at their discretion, will determine teams who will advance using either league record, common opponents records, or a coin toss.
Contests will only be rescheduled in the event of an intramural sports staff scheduling error, weather cancellation by the Intramural Office or school closing. In the event of a weather cancellation, the team captains are responsible for making contact with the each other to reschedule the game. A list of available times will be posted on the IM Web site. All rescheduled information will be posted to the IM Web site.
- The Department of Intramural Sports provides most equipment for intramural team sports. However, individual participants are responsible for supplying most equipment in dual sports.
- Individual participants are also responsible for providing the proper footwear for all intramural sports events:
- Regulation tennis shoes are required on the university tennis courts and the handball/racquetball courts.
- Absolutely no exposed metal cleats or spikes shall be allowed. Any team playing with prohibited cleats or spikes will automatically forfeit the contest. - Participants may not wear jewelry of any kind during intramural sports contests. Participants must remove all jewelry before continuing to play. Religious items may be removed and taped to the participant's heart.
- Participants may not wear any headwear, except for elastic headbands to restrain hair.
- Equipment that is issued to participants for use in intramural sports is subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to equipment which is issued for informal sports usage. Equipment that is damaged, lost, or not returned by players or teams will result in a fine being assessed to the team captain's bursar bill.
- Individuals must provide their own gloves for softball. Effective 3/20/09 all personal bats must be certified by the game umpire or supervsior prior to all softball games. If participate play with their own bats they must be ASA certified and have no visible damage. If a players bat fails to meet these requirements it will be prohibited. If the team doesn't have a certified alternative the team will be required to use an IM bat for play.
- Personal athletic equipment may be used provided the equipment meets official standards, has the approval of the officials, and is agreed on by both teams. Certain sports will be limited to use of intramural equipment only. The judgment of the officials about personal equipment will be final.
- Damaged Equipment - Any player who attempts to destroy or damage intramural equipment will be expelled from the game, eliminated from competition in that sport, and assessed the full cost of repairs or replacement.
Sportsmanship Policy
Part of the philosophy of the Miami University intramural sports program is that good sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, supervisors, and administrative personnel will make decisions whether to warn, penalize, or eject persons, teams, or displaying poor sportsmanship. In order to improve sportsmanlike behavior in intramural sport contests, recreational sports has adopted a sportsmanship code developed by Dr. Bruce Maurer of Ohio State University. The intramural sports program staff, supervisors, and officials will strictly enforce the code. It is our goal to conduct games in an amiable manner. It is the responsibility of each player to do everything possible to insure that the game atmosphere is friendly and in good nature. The following rules of sportsmanship will be enforced:
No player, coach or team follower shall:
- Use abusive language, threaten or abuse any other player or intramural employee before, during, or after the game.
- Participate in a game for which he/she is ineligible.
- Argue or talk back to the game official. Only the captain may address (courteously) the game official concerning the interpretation of a rule.
- Intentionally strike, push, trip, or any other unsportsmanlike conduct towards another player or employee of the Office of Intramural Sports.
- Mistreat the facility, equipment, or supplies of Miami University.
One or more of the following penalties may be assessed depending on the severity of the incident. Penalties are not necessarily issued in the order in which they are listed:
- Individual
1. Warning
2. Suspension for one or more games
3. Suspension, for remainder of specific season
4. Suspension from all intramural sports for one calendar year or remainder of the participants tenure
5. Referral to the Miami University Judicial Board for further disciplinary action - Team
1. Warning
2. Forfeiture of contest in question
3. Probation
4. Disqualification of the team or organization from further competition
5. Referral to the Miami University Judicial Board for further disciplinary action - Physical Assault of Intramural Personnel
1. Suspension from all intramural sports for one calendar year
2. Suspension from all intramural sports for the remainder of his/her academic tenure at Miami University
3. Referral to the Miami University Judicial Board for further disciplinary action
Under no circumstances will fighting be tolerated. Participants involved in any fighting shall be immediately removed from the contest and subject to further disciplinary action. Any "team" fight (more than one of the team members or spectators involved) shall result in an immediate end of the contest. The Disciplinary Action Committee shall determine the result of the contest. The captain and possibly each individual shall be given a disciplinary action report. Future action shall be determined at the disciplinary action meeting.
Team captain(s) are responsible for his/her own spectators, fans, and equipment. Spectators are subject to the policies and regulations of the Office of Intramural Sports and all recreation sports.
Verbal abuse of intramural personnel will not be tolerated. The Office of Recreational Sports and Miami University policy specifically prohibits the use of grossly abusive language that insults, taunts, or challenges another person. This language includes swearing, obscenities, epithets directed at an individual's race, color, ethnic identity, religion, sex or that which is personally abusive, degrading, and insulting. Penalty will be immediate suspension from the game on hand, and if further disciplinary action is warranted the Director of Intramural Sports or Assistant Director(s) responsible for the program will render a decision based on the severity of the incident.
- Alcoholic beverages and drugs are not permitted on or around the playing area. Contests will not be played and will be forfeited if alcohol or drugs are present.
- Participants who are considered under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate in intramural sports contests.
- The official or intramural supervisor assigned to the game has the authority and responsibility in making decisions regarding students who are not permitted to participate based on: student's breath smells of alcohol; student's actions and language/ gestures indicate probable drug or alcohol consumption.
- Teams/individuals/spectators suspected of alcohol or drug consumption will be asked to leave the playing area and may be barred from further participation. The goal of disciplinary decisions is to encourage responsible behavior, maintain social order, and protect the rights of others.
The Director of Intramural Sports reserves the right to put into immediate effect any new ruling regarding intramural sports and unsportsmanlike behavior.
- A yellow/red card system will be used to control unsportsmanlike conduct of players, coaches and bench personnel, rough play and improper behavior (persistent infringement of, any rules of the game.)
- The second card displayed on the same person in the same contest for any unsportsmanlike conduct shall be a red card. The individual receiving a red card shall be ejected from the game, is not allowed to compete in the next regularly scheduled contest, and must meet with the Director or Assistant Director(s) of Intramural Sports prior to competing again. The Office of Recreational Sports may enforce additional penalties against such persons.
- Team captains are responsible for the conduct of their players, sidelines, and spectators. Team captains who cannot or will not control their sidelines and/or spectators will be issued a caution (yellow card), and ejection (red card) if necessary.
- In the case of extreme misconduct, the Intramural Director as deemed necessary may impose additional penalties.
Sportsmanship ratings are given to teams/ individuals after each contest by intramural officials/ supervisors. These ratings reflect behavior before, during, and after the contest. In order for a team to qualify for the post-season playoffs, that team must have a "B" (3.0) average sportsmanship rating during regular season round robin league play. Sportsmanship ratings will be based on the following criteria:
"A" - Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship: Players cooperate with the officials and other team members. The captain calmly, converses with officials about interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates (4 points).
"B"- 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 (3 points)
"C"- Average Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team shows verbal dissent towards officials and/or the opposing, team which may or may not merit a yellow card. Captains exhibit minor control over his/her teammates, himself/herself. Teams receiving multiple yellow/red cards will receive no higher, than a ''C" -rating (2 points)
"D"- Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship: Teams constantly commenting to the officials and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or himself/herself. (1 point)
"E"- Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no control over teammates, and/ or himself/herself. Any team causing a game to be forfeited, other than by not showing, or receives multiple red cards shall receive an "E" rating (0 points).
Penalties for "E" sportsmanship ratings:
- Any team/individual that receives an "E" rating will automatically be suspended for the next scheduled game and the suspended game will be counted as a loss.
- Any team/individual that receives an "E" rating during the play-offs will be eliminated from further play-off games.
- If a team/individual receives an "E" rating during the All-Campus championship game, the team receiving the "E" rating will NOT be awarded the championship.
- Any team/individual receiving an "E" rating during play-offs will be subject to an alternative form of disciplinary action.
- Individuals on a team receiving an "E" rating must meet with the intramural director.
- The intramural director will rule on further penalties to be described as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct. If any individual is ejected from an intramural activity for unsportsmanlike conduct, they will be disqualified from that game plus at least one more contest.
A. Teams are required to have a "B" (3.0) average sportsmanship rating to be eligible for playoffs.
B. Teams playing in the playoff tournament must meet the following criteria:
- If a team receives an "E" rating, they will be eliminated from the playoffs.
- If a team receives a "D" rating, they must come to the intramural sports office the following day to discuss the rating. A decision will be made as to whether the team will continue to participate in the playoffs. If they do continue in the playoffs, they must receive an "A" or "B" rating for remaining playoff games.
- Any player receiving a red card will be disqualified from all remaining playoff games
Disciplinary Action Reports & Appeals
- Any player/team, which is reported on a disciplinary action form for unsportsmanlike conduct, cannot participate in any further-competition until the disciplinary action is resolved.
- In cases that have resulted in a disciplinary decision by the director indicating suspension or dismissal from participation in intramural sports of a student or team for a period of one semester or longer, that team or student shall have the option of a hearing by the University Judicial Board.
- A request for Disciplinary Board action by the Office of Intramural Sports or by a student(s), team member, or student organization must be made, in writing, within three working days of the decision. The granting of an appeal, however, is not automatic. Individuals or groups requesting an appeal hearing should recognize that penalties might be increased as well as upheld or reduced. (See the Student Handbook for more specific guidelines regarding university disciplinary procedures.)
- When administrative action by the intramural director involves penalties of less than a one semester suspension or dismissal from participation in intramural sports, the Director of Recreational Sports serves as the appellate body. This appeal must be made, in writing, within three working days of the decision.
- Disciplinary decisions that are made during intramural sports playoffs are binding for the playoffs in process and cannot interrupt or delay the playoff process.
Injuries & Insurance
Participation in Miami University's intramural sports program is a voluntary activity and may involve the risk of injury and even the possibility of death. The Office of Recreational Sports accepts no responsibility and shall not be responsible for any injury resulting from participation in any activity or by use of any recreational facility used by intramural sports. All students should discuss with the Student Health Service medical staff any known physical problems, which may limit their participation in the intramural sports program. The intramural sports program does not carry accident or injury insurance to cover participants. All participants are encouraged to possess their own or the university's health insurance prior to participation. In case on injury during an intramural contest please notify the intramural supervisor on duty so he/she can make arrangements for transportation to the Student Health Center or McCullough-Hyde Hospital. The intramural supervisor will give only immediate first-aid care.
Intramural supervisors have the authority to decide if an, injured participant may re-enter the contest. If the student is advised not to re-enter, the official and team captain will be notified, and the player will not be permitted to play. If the player does not cooperate, the game will declared a forfeit and a win will be given to the opposing team.
