Western State Colorado University Intramural Sports

Western State Colorado University
Intramural Sports

Student Participant Handbook

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mission……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
Purpose of this Handbook…………………..………………………………………………………. 2
Assumption of
Responsibility………………………………………..………………………………………………. 2
Program
Opportunities………………………………………………………………………………………... 2
Captains………………………………………………………………………………………….…. 2, 3
Entry Information……..……………………………………………………………………………. 3
Eligibility……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3, 4
League
Play…………………………………………………………………………………………………... 4
Conduct &
Sportsmanship…………………………………..…………………………………………………. 5, 6
Protest &
Appeals……………………………………………………..……………………………………….. 6
Awards…………………………….………………………………………………………………… 6
Employment
Opportunities…………………….…………………………………………………………………. 7
Recreational
Staff………………..………………………………………………………………………………… 7

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Contact Info:

Intramural Sports Office: Control Desk @ Mountaineer Field House
Operating/Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
12:00pm - 3:00pm

*Closed during School Holidays

Intramural Sports Office Phone: 970-943-2767
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Intramural Sports Professional Director: Duncan Callahan ([email protected]) (970-943-3061)
Intramural Sports Program Director: Rachel Francis ([email protected]) (719-244-2624)

MISSION

The mission of the Western State Colorado University Intramural Sports Program is to provide students
with the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive recreational sports in a safe environment.
We aim to provide quality service and facilities. It is our goal to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness.

The Intramural Sports Program is one of the most popular student activities at Western State Colorado
University. The program is dedicated to providing all students, regardless of age, gender, skill level or
past experience, opportunities to participate in recreational events in a fun and safe environment while
promoting physical fitness and competition, social interaction and student involvement. Annually, the
program offers a wide range of team, dual, and individual leagues and tournaments designed to meet the
needs and interests of the diverse campus population. Activities offered include flag football, co-rec
softball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, indoor volleyball, indoor soccer, billiards, horseshoes,
dodge ball, softball, floor hockey, ultimate Frisbee, and much more.

Intramural Sports is a structured program that allows Western students to participate in organized team
competitions right here on campus. These sports provide a great opportunity for physical activity while
promoting wellness, healthy competition and friendship. Participation is not required, and an individual
does not have to be highly skilled to participate. Activity and participation for all who are interested!

PURPOSE OF THE HANDBOOK

This handbook was created to inform participants of the general policies and procedures pertaining to all
activities sponsored by the Campus Recreation Department. Please note that it is the responsibility of
each participant to know and understand these policies and procedures. The Intramural Sports staff
reserves the right to modify this handbook at any time, if deemed necessary. If any addition, deletion, or
modification occurs, it will be posted on the Intramural Sports web site. If you have any questions,
comments, or suggestions concerning the Intramural Sports Program, please feel free to contact our staff
by email at [email protected] or by phone at (970) 943-2767.

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ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY

Participation in Western State Colorado University Campus Recreation Programs is voluntary and
individuals use facilities at their own risk. Participation in any physical activity involves inherent risk and
even when safety precautions are utilized, injuries and accidents can occur. The Campus Recreation
Department would like to encourage each individual to consult their physician and obtain adequate
personal health/accident insurance prior to participation in our programs. Western State Colorado
University does not provide personal health of medical insurance for participants.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

The Intramural Sports Program provides opportunities for men and women to compete in various skill
levels against other students and student groups. The Intramural Sports Program also offers participate in
individual, dual, or team activities.

Western Intramural Sports provides a healthy environment that promotes growth and development of
leadership, social, and interpersonal skills.

CAPTAINS

Captains provide a very important link between teams and the Intramural Sports Department. The
successful flow of our program greatly depends on the abilities of the captains. Team captains’
responsibilities include:

 Reviewing the Intramural Sports Handbook and becoming familiar with all procedures/policies.

 Turning in a complete entry form online with all participants’ names, captains contact
information, and ensure that all team players also register with their team online.

 Check in with Supervisors before each game.
 Maintaining contact with the Intramural Sports office. The Intramural Sports office will

communicate information via email such as schedules, tournament information, game
cancellations, and additional game opportunities.
 Informing team about rules, eligibility, forfeit and sportsmanship policy, and games.
 Be the spokesperson as well as control team during participation, this includes maintaing a
respectable attitude at all times, even if the team of the captain is up in arms, the captain must
remain professional.

ENTRY INFORMATION

All entries and team rosters must be submitted on the official Intramural Sports website during the
designated registration period online. The roster must have at least the number of field players per sport
listed on the roster when the entry form and waiver is turned in to the Intramural Sports office.

Keep in mind, only the individuals listed on the roster online from the start of the season will be
eligible to receive championship prizes.

Registrations will be taken on a first come first serve basis until the league is full. Only completed
registrations will be accepted.

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You cannot change your team name once the schedule is posted, however inappropriate
names will be changed without input from the team. The team will be contacted about the
change so there is no confusion of when the team will play.

**When turning in an entry form, the team captain should notify Intramural Sports Staff of conflicting
schedules (days & times) that will prevent a team from playing certain times if these conflicts are to be
considered when the Intramural Sports office is making the schedule.

ELIGIBILITY

All full fee paying students and members of the University are eligible to play Intramural Sports.

All participants must have their Western ID Card at every game to check-in. No card = No play!

All players must fill out a waiver online before participating in any Intramural Sports
activities. Players only need to fill out one waiver per year.

Players may only play on one team per sport. However you may play on a Men’s or Women’s
team and a Co-Rec team in the same sport. If a player is playing on more than one team, the
second team that he/she is playing for could be dropped from competition and the player
will be ineligible for the rest of the semester in that sport.

Players that are participating under an assumed name will be suspended from all Intramural
Sports indefinitely until he/she meets with the Intramural Sports Advisor. Minimum suspension is
six school weeks. The team may also be dropped from competition.

Players may be added to the roster at the game site as long as they have their WSCU id with them
and are not or have not played for another team as well as filling out a waiver form. A player is
not official on a roster until they play a game on that team. A player must play in one of the
league play games to be eligible for the playoffs even if their name is on the original roster.

It is the player’s responsibility to check-in for every game. Failing to check-in for a game is a
possibility that the player may not be eligible for the tournament.

All teams qualify for tournament play except teams that have below a 3.0 sportsmanship rating.

If a team is not able to field a full team during playoffs they may petition to add players to their
roster. This must be done before the game is played and must be approved by the Intramural
Sports Director.

Professional Athletes

Current professional athletes are not eligible to participate in Intramural Sports Programming in their
sport or any related sport. A professional player or athlete is defined as one who has received monetary
compensation for his/her athletic services. Former professional players may participate in their sport if
approved by the Intramural Sports Director.

NCAA Athletes

Current NCAA athletes are not eligible to participate in Intramural Sports Programming during their main
competitive season. An intercollegiate athlete is any individual participating in intercollegiate contests

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attending regular practice, whose name appears on the official squad list, or who has won a letter at a
recognized senior University. Varsity, red shirts, junior varsity players, and freshmen are all considered
intercollegiate athletes. You are considered an intercollegiate athlete for one entire school year unless you
have been dropped from the squad before the first intercollegiate contest and no longer playing or
practicing with the team.

LEAGUE PLAY

Re-schedules: The Intramural Sports office does not reschedule league play or tournament games once
the schedule has been posted. If your team is unable to make a game please email the Intramural Sports
Office at [email protected]. If a one week notice is given for the schedule conflict, the
Intramural Sports Staff will contact other teams that may be able to take your game time.

If the game cannot be rescheduled with other teams the game will count as a forfeit.

Honest Effort Forfeits (HEF): An Honest Effort Forfeit will be given to a team if part of a team shows
up and is able to participate in a scrimmage game. Each sport has a minimum number of players needed
per sport to be given an honest effort. Any team that accumulates 3 Honest Effort Forfeits will not
advance into the tournament.

Forfeits: A team will receive a forfeit if they do not have the minimum number of players needed for an
Honest Effort Forfeit. Any team that forfeits their first game will be dropped from the league. Any team
that forfeits 2 regular season games will be dropped from the league.

Players Required For Each Sport

Sport # of Players Needed # of Players Needed To # of Players for # of Players for a

Start Game HEF Forfeit

Men’s Basketball 5 4 3 Less than 3
Women’s Basketball 4 4 3 Less than 3
Co-Rec Basketball 4 (2 e/ gender) 4 3 Less than 3
Co-Rec Dodge ball 6 (2 e/ gender) 5 4 Less than 4
Flag Football 4 4 3 Less than 3
Floor Hockey 6 5 4 Less than 4
Indoor Soccer 3 3 2 Less than 2
Outdoor Soccer 6 5 4 Less than 4
Co-Rec Softball 9 (At least 3 e/ gender) 7 6 Less than 6
Co-Rec Ultimate 7 5 4 Less than 4
Table Tennis 1 1 1 Less than 1
Doubles Table Tennis 2 2 1 Less than 1
Co-Rec Volleyball 6 (3 e/ gender) 5 4 Less than 4
Inner Tube Water Polo 7 (At least 3 e/ gender) 5 4 Less than 4

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CONDUCT & SPORTSMANSHIP

All Intramural Sports participants are expected to display good sportsmanship and conduct. Any
participant or spectator associated with attempts to commit, or aid others in committing, any acts of
misconduct will be subject to disciplinary procedures by the Student Affairs Department. Severe cases of
misconduct will be referred to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

The use of alcohol or drugs is not permitted before or during Intramural Sports Programming of any kind.

Any participant or spectator under the use of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the premises. If the
person does not leave willingly, campus security will be called. If the incident is severe or the Intramural
Sports Programing occurs off campus, the Gunnison P.D. will be contacted.

Any player that has been ejected from a game for any reason will result in immediate suspension
from the league ejected from, and will only be allowed to participate in future Intramural Sports
leagues with reinstatement from the Intramural Sports Director. The ejected individual is responsible
for contacting the Intramural Sports Director in order to set up an appointment to discuss reinstatement.
Call (970) 943-2767 or email [email protected] in order to schedule an appointment with the
Intramural Sports Director and Advisor.

Please remember that any ejection from an Intramural Sports contest immediately suspends that player
from all Intramural Sports activities indefinitely until the matter is resolved by meeting with the
Intramural Sports Director and Advisor.

The following is a list of infractions against the expected conduct with the possible minimum suspension
unless otherwise decided by the Intramural Sports Director or Advisor. Here is the list:

Infraction Minimum Suspension

Individual playing on more than one team One Game
Unsportsmanlike Behavior One Game
Verbal abuse towards player One Game
One Game
Verbal abuse towards official One Game
Physical Contact - pushing, grabbing, bumping

Fighting - Striking and Swinging Six Academic Weeks
Threatening verbal abuse towards official Six Academic Weeks
Threatening physical abuse towards official Six Academic Weeks
Individual Playing under an assumed name Six Academic Weeks

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Sportsmanship Rating Rubric

All teams below 3.0 Sportsmanship rating average will not be allowed to participate in playoffs:
4 – Perfect Conduct and Sportsmanship – There is no problems with team members and the game
carries on perfectly.

3 – 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 technical foul. Teams that
receive 1 technical foul will receive no higher than a “3” rating.

2 – Average Conduct and Sportsmanship - Team shows verbal dissent towards officials and/or the
opposing team, which may or may not merit a technical foul. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her
teammates, but is in control of him/her. Teams receiving multiple technical fouls will receive no higher
than a “2” rating.

1 – Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship – Teams constantly comment to the officials and/or
opposing team from the fields and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over
teammates and/or himself/herself. A team which receives and ejection can receive no higher than a “1”
rating.

0 – 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 ejections shall receive a “0” rating.

 A team that receives a “0” rating must have their captain meet with Intramural Sports Coordinator
and Student Director the following day to be eligible to play their next contest.

 A team must have a 3.0 or better sportsmanship rating to be eligible to participate in playoffs.

 A team winning a contest by forfeit or honest effort forfeit will receive a “4” rating.

Sportsmanship Ratings during the Tournament:
If a team receives a “0” rating they will be eliminated from the playoffs

If a team receives a “1” rating, the captain must come into 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 a “4” or “3” rating for the remaining playoff games.

Teams that forfeit a game will get a rating of “0”

Teams that are given an Honest Effort Forfeit will still be rated during their scrimmage.

Protests and Appeals

Judgment calls cannot be protested or appealed. Whenever a matter of a protest arises, the team captain
must notify one of the officials and the opponents before the next live ball. If the protest is not lodged it
voids the protest. Once the protest is noted, the official will suspend play. The captain will then state the
basis of the protest. The official will then explain the basis of the decision. If the captain would like to

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appeal this decision he must request that the sport supervisor review the decision before play resumes.
The supervisor will give the final decision.
For an eligibility protest contact the Intramural Sports office within 24 hours. The final decision will be
made by the Intramural Sports Advisor and Director. The following information must be provided:

Date, time, place, and level of game
Names of the teams
Names of the ineligible player
Reason why player is ineligible

Awards

Intramural Sports Championship t-shirts will be awarded to all tournament winners in all leagues for
individual and team sports. The number of t-shirts is limited to the number of players on the roster.
Additional t- shirts may be purchased.

Employment Opportunities

The Intramural Sports Department hires student officials, scorekeepers, and supervisors. All students
interested must attend all training clinics provided by the Intramural Sports program. Those interested
should complete an application available outside the Intramural Sports Office and also turn it in to the
office. No experience is required. Training focuses on rules of the games, mechanics, and on court
situations.

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