Eligibility

Eligibility/Participation Rules

ELIGIBILITY/PARTICIPATION RULES AND REGULATIONS

For Competition in Intramurals at South Dakota State University

The BASIC PURPOSE of the eligibility rules is to provide an equitable program for South Dakota State University students. The rules are not specifically designed with the Intent to "expose and punish violators." It is hoped this negative procedure will not be necessary. The rules have been drawn as a guide to enjoyable participation. The "Spirit" of the rules is most important. To apply a positive approach it is important that every student abide by these rules and enlist the support of all members of the team. The net result will be a more positive leisure experience for all students.

1. a. All undergraduate students regularly enrolled (must have paid the full student activity fee) students in the University are automatically eligible to enjoy all Intramural and Sports Clubs privileges and shall retain that status until they withdraw from school or violate any of the eligibility rules as stated elsewhere. Participation is entirely voluntary.

b. Graduate students are eligible to participate in all Intramural and Sports Clubs activities approved by the Council. Any doubt concerning the eligibility of a player should be referred to the Intramural Office for a ruling.

2. a. Any student who has participated at the varsity level will be ineligible for competition in that sport for one full year once they are no longer a member of the varsity team. Example: A varsity football player quits the team in the fall of 2007 would not be eligible to compete in Intramural flag football until the fall of 2009. This would be the case for any varsity level athlete who would want to compete in an intramural sport that is similar to their varsity sport. Another example would be a varsity baseball player wanting to play softball would also need to wait one full calendar year before competing in either men’s softball or co-rec softball.

b. Any student that would transfer from another school that was a varsity athlete would also need to follow (2.a) as far as when they would be eligible to play the intramural sport that is similar to their varsity competition

3. An Intramural team roster may not include more varsity athletes than would total one-half the number of players necessary to start a given contest. Example: Basketball has five starters, the roster could include three varsity athletes; volleyball has six starters, the roster could include three varsity athletes.

4. A squad member of any current varsity sport is ineligible for Intramural competition in that sport or related sport. i.e. Basketball and Free Throw Contest, Baseball and Homerun Contest.

a. A squad member is any student that is listed on the varsity squad at the time the first intercollegiate contest in that sport is played or has equipment checked out by a varsity coach, and works out regularly with the varsity squad.

5. Scholastic eligibility does not affect a student’s eligibility for Intramural participation.

6. Disciplinary probation does not affect a student’s eligibility for Intramural participation, unless the disciplinary committee or Vice President for Student Affairs restricts such participation while a student is on probation.

7. A player after entering one contest with a given team may not transfer to another team. If a player does transfer from one team to another after one game has been played such a player shall be declared ineligible for that sport for the reminder of the season. Teams playing an ineligible player shall forfeit all contests in which the ineligible player participated.

8. Deadline for signing players to team rosters is the last week before the start of the tournament for that sport. Players may be added to a team as long it is completed by noon of the day that team plays. No player may compete on two teams in any given activity.

9. SDSU student ID’s will be required of all participants as the Intramural Supervisor’s check team rosters and hand out colored wrist bands indicating eligible players for competition for that game or competition.

10. Any one who has played professionally in any sport shall be ineligible for those activities of the Intramural program in which he/she has broken their amateur standing.

11. Two leagues may be available for some sports. These leagues will be differentiated as: Competitive and Highly Competitive Leagues. The Competitive Leagues will continue to be governed primarily by rules 1 through 10. Highly competitive leagues will be governed solely under rule number 12 of the Eligibility/Participation Rules and Regulations.

12. There are no restrictions on the number of varsity athletes that can be on a roster in the Highly Competitive League as long as they continue to be a student at South Dakota State University.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ELIGIBILITY

1. The Recreation Programs Office is not responsible for checking over eligibility of all students competing in the various activities. The team managers need to check over the roster of their opponents with an Intramural Supervisor and report any student who may be ineligible to compete according to these rules.

2. Experience always proves that teams contending for top honors have alert and efficient managers. Team managers must understand and interpret all eligibility rules to their team and organization.

DUTIES OF TEAM MANAGERS

Each team shall appoint a team manager who will be responsible for matters that concern the Intramural Program. This person should be interested in sports and willing to assist in the promotion of the Intramural Sports Program. There is a correlation between the teams that are successful in the program and the efficiency and interest of their Intramural representative. The student should know the eligibility rules, administration and the activities program. The team manager should be responsible for the following duties.

1. Enter their team for competition promptly when the announcements are made for a given activity. Keep informed about the progress of the activity in season.

2. When properly notified, team managers, or their representative, must attend all meetings called by the Recreation Programs Office.

3. When in doubt concerning any eligibility rule, playing rule or anything pertaining to the program inquiries should be directed to the Recreation Programs Office, and or website

4. Indicate team name, team manager’s name, e-mail address, and telephone number on rosters.

5. Choose a team name that does not have a vulgar, discriminatory, or distasteful meaning and would be appropriate in representing South Dakota State University.

6. Keep their team members informed concerning the time and place of all scheduled contests. Notify all team members of any schedule change.

7. Cooperate fully with the Intramural Supervisor in charge of the contest, with regard to lineup, score, equipment and any other information pertinent to the contest.

8. Cooperate fully with the Recreation Programs Office in the handling of rescheduled contests, protests and other problems that might arise.

9. Be sure that all team members are ready to play at the scheduled time.

10. Be alert for improvement that could be made in the Intramural Program.

11. All records and standings are kept on file in the Recreation Programs Office. The official information concerning individuals or teams may be obtained on request.

12. Each manager is responsible for designating a scorekeeper for the intramural basketball game they are involved with. There must be a scorekeeper from each team at the score sheet throughout the entire game.

13. Inform each team member of the sportsmanship system and team conduct policy and have each member print and sign their names before they can compete.

14. Valid SDSU ID cards must be shown at each activity to be allowed to participate.