IM GENERAL RULES...
[ IM General Rules PDF ]

The IM General Rules govern ALL IM events ... in addition to the IM modifications specific to each sport. The following are intended to promote safe, fair and enjoyable competition for all intramural participants. Any of these rules are subject to change at the discretion of the Intramural staff. The Intramural Director reserves the right to issue new or modify existing rules or regulations that are deemed essential to the success of the overall program.

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STATEMENT of RISK:

The intramural participant is encouraged to consider his/her personal health and physical condition prior to participation in intramural activities. Such participation involves physical exertion, fundamental skills for that sport or activity, and may involve physical contact. The participant, being aware of any conditions predisposing him/her to injury or illness, and in consideration of the inherent physical exertion and possible contact involved in intramural participation, may wish to seek the advice of a physician prior to participation or may choose not to participate at all.

INSURANCE: The intramural program carries NO INSURANCE. Therefore, participants are encouraged to purchase insurance that will cover them in the case of an injury occurring as a result of participation.

INJURIES: The intramural staff will do everything possible to provide suitable and safe playing facilities with supervision. When available, a certified athletic trainer will supervise students in athletic training who will provide emergency care as needed. In a case of serious injury, the certified trainer's recommendation will be followed.

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ELIGIBILITY:

PSU ID+Cards are REQUIRED to participate ! PSU ID+Cards will be requested for eligibility verification prior to each contest and at any given time. See "PSU ID+CARDS" for details.

PARTICIPANTS MUST BE: full-time undergraduate students, registered graduate students, or faculty & staff members of Penn State University at University Park to be eligible for any Intramural tournament.

PLAYOFF TEAMS: No new players! Teams who advance to the playoffs (league ties included) may ONLY use players who have played in at least one regular season game for that team.

CLUB SPORTS PARTICIPANTS: Limits are placed on Sports Club participants to preserve the integrity of our Intramural tournaments. Our programs are intended to serve the general student body, therefore, members of club sports will have the following limitations for intramural participation:

'INDIVIDUAL' Club Sports: Second year+ club members are either limited or restricted in IM play for the same individual activity. Refer to that sports IM registration details for limitations. (ex. Badminton, Racquetball, Squash, Tennis, Swimming, etc..)

PGM MAJORS (Professional Golf Management): are limited in the golf "team" competition ~ 2 PGM students per golf team in any division. They are NOT eligible for any individual championship.

VARSITY, FORMER VARSITY and PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES: Members of intercollegiate athletic teams may NOT compete in the same or "like" sport in intramurals. The active squad rosters on the date of the first varsity contest shall be used to determine intramural eligibility. Anyone who works out with an intercollegiate team and/or retains a locker and equipment is also ineligible for the same or "like" sport. Any student receiving athletic grant-in-aid assistance shall be ineligible to compete in intramurals in the same or "like" sport responsible for such assistance. Former Varsity letter or award winners at this or any other four-year collegiate institution must wait one full year from the date the letter was received to be eligible to participate in the same or "like" sport. Anyone who has been declared a Professional Athlete in a sport may not compete in that sport or "like" sport until one full year from the date of his or her last contest.

RESPONSIBILITY... Team Managers and IM Chairpersons are held responsible for informing all of the players on their team and abiding by these IM General Rules and the specific IM Sport Rules.

FALSE NAMES... An individual who uses an assumed name, or plays under the name of another person, forfeits their right to participate further in the intramural program.

ENFORCEMENT... Protests on eligibility must be made in writing to the Rec Sports Office within 24 hours of the game in question. See "PROTESTS" for details.

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DIVISIONS of PLAY: There are five (5) divisions for competition.

RESIDENCE HALL ~ For full-time undergraduate students living in campus Residence Halls. Any combination of males and females may participate in team and individual sports in this division. Individuals may only play on one team within a sport season.

FRATERNITY ~ For full-time members of an IFC registered Fraternity house. This includes IFC registered pledges. They may participate for that house in this division. One team (team sports) and one individual (racquet sports) may represent the Fraternity within a pointed sport. Check the specific "Special Event" for its representation limits. The team or individual(s) representing each Fraternity will score points according to the points system toward the overall Fraternity champion. ~ See IM POINT SYSTEM ~

MEN'S OPEN ~ For males who do not play in the Residence Hall or Fraternity divisions, who are full-time undergraduate students, registered graduate students or faculty/staff members.

WOMEN'S OPEN ~ For females who do not play in the Residence Hall division, who are full-time undergraduate students, registered graduate students or faculty/staff members.

COED ~ Open to all full-time undergraduate students, registered graduate students or faculty/staff members. A 50/50 ratio of males/females is required in the game.

COMPETITION LEVELS: Team sports in the Men's & Women's Open and the Coed divisions will have two levels of competition offered. Note: when entries are low, these levels may be combined.

MINOR League ~ little organized experience at the high school or club level

MAJOR League ~ majority have experience at the high school or club level

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PLAY for "ONE TEAM"

You may PLAY for ONE TEAM within a tournament.

You may PLAY in ONE DIVISION within a tournament. (Exception: when Coed and Non-Coed divisions of the same sport are offered simultaneously, you may play for one Coed and one Non-Coed team.)

Playing in ONE game "declares your team" for the remainder of that tournament. You cannot switch teams or brackets within a tournament. See "Protests" for penalty.

PSU ID+CARDS are REQUIRED for eligibility verification at ALL intramural contests. See "PSU ID+CARDS" for details.

CAN YOU ADD PLAYERS TO YOUR ROSTER? During the "Regular Season" you may add eligible players at any regular season game. During the "Playoffs" (which includes league ties) you may NOT add any new players to your roster.

HOUSING CHANGE during a sport? Individuals who move into a fraternity must complete the sport in progress with the team that they started. They can represent their new unit in any future tournament following their transfer.

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TOURNAMENT BASICS:

SIGN-UP YOUR TEAM or YOURSELF... There are separate entry periods for each IM tournament that is offered. Most entries are made at the counter of the Rec Sports Office, Room 2, IM Bldg. Office Hours: M-F, 8am-4:30pm. A few "special events" will register ON SITE of the event. PSU ID+Cards will be required to register for any individual sports (ex. tennis, wrestling, track). Teams and individuals must be registered by 4:30 pm on the last day of the entry period. Choose Mon/Wed or Tue/Thur for nights. Entries made after noon on the last day of the entry period will be placed in "No Preference" for play nights. SPACE IS LIMITED in some events. Sign up early !!

" FREE AGENTS " ~ available players ~ Individuals who wish to play but do not have a team. A "Free Agent" list is available at the Rec Sports Office during the entry period for each tournament. This list will be made available to teams that need extra players. The Rec Sports office cannot guarantee participation

" WAITING LIST " ~ After the close of entries for a tournament a "Waiting List" will be on the office door. Some "Waiting List" teams may be entered, if the schedule permits. There is no guarantee of inclusion of late teams into a tournament.

ATTEND TEAM MANAGERS MEETINGS... Team managers (or a team representative) for ALL TEAM SPORTS will be REQUIRED to attend a MANDATORY MANAGERS meeting. If no representative is present at meeting time, the team will NOT be included in the tournament schedule.

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PICK UP YOUR SCHEDULE... A schedule is printed for each team. Team Managers will return to the Rec Sports Office to pick up a schedule within one week of the close of registration. These IM GENERAL RULES will govern all participants, as well as the specific IM SPORT RULES.

EQUIPMENT: Limited equipment will be available for all IM events except: golf clubs/balls, tennis rackets/balls, softball gloves. Protective eyeglasses are available for racquetball, and squash.

PRACTICE: Field and Court space is on a first come / first serve basis. There are no fields or courts reserved for practice time.

TEAM JERSEYS w/ numbers are REQUIRED for FOOTBALL-BASKETBALL-SOCCER ... T-SHIRTS with a 6" number on the back are REQUIRED on all players for FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL and SOCCER. The numbers should be 1 or 2 digits, may be printed, marker or spray paint (NO TAPE) and they should be at least 6" in size or larger, in a contrasting color.

PSU ID+Cards are REQUIRED... Current Penn State University ID+Cards will be required for eligibility verification at all intramural contests.

Supervised Sports: Valid PSU ID+Cards must be presented to the IM Official or IM Supervisor prior to the start of the contest. Late arrivals must first present their valid PSU ID+Card to the IM Supervisor for approval and then may participate.

Unsupervised Sports: Valid PSU ID+Cards must be presented to opponent prior to each match - Honor System.

WAIVER for LOST or STOLEN ID+Cards: A waiver is available from the Rec Sports Office PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION. Report to the Rec Sports Office with [1] a picture ID and [2] proof of current student status (class schedule) or current faculty/staff employment (letter from immediate supervisor). A waiver is only valid for one contest. NOTE: Waivers CANNOT be granted "at the event".

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FORFEITS and DEFAULTS... to better serve the majority of teams that arrive before game time the following policy has been adopted...

GAME TIME is FORFEIT TIME !!! If a team does not have the minimum number of players at the scheduled game time, the game will be called and either a default or forfeit will be recorded.

FORFEITS: Teams that have NO PLAYERS present on the field/court at game time will lose the game by forfeit. 1 forfeit = team disqualification from that tournament.

DEFAULTS: Teams that have some, but not enough players to compete at game time will lose the game by default. Teams may also inform the Rec Sports Office (865-5401) by 4:00 pm on game day to receive a loss by default. 2 defaults = 1 forfeit, and will result in the team disqualification from that tournament.

CAN WE RESCHEDULE A GAME ??? ...

TEAM SPORTS (supervised): Your team has a choice of play nights (typically M/W or T/R) as you enter your team. Check your schedule carefully, select wisely, and plan accordingly. Several IM tournaments will overlap; it is suggested that you choose alternate play nights. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reschedule any IM regular season games. Due to the size of our tournaments and the limited facility space, it is the policy of the Rec Sports office NOT to reschedule any regular season games.

RACQUET SPORTS (unsupervised): When there is mutual consent of those involved, matches may be rescheduled, provided they do not delay the advancement of the whole tournament. The Rec Sports office MUST be notified of any postponements and the Rec Sports staff must approve the rescheduled date.

PLAYOFFS: Any night of the week may be used for playoff games. A "reasonable" effort will be made to avoid conflicts when playoff games are scheduled. Teams involved in several sports should inform the Rec Sports office of possible IM conflicts as soon as possible.

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SUBSTITUTIONS: (see also the specific IM Sport Rules) PSU ID+Cards are required from any substitutes.

Team Sports (Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball) ~ substitutions are permitted in accordance with the substitution rules of that particular sport.

Racquet Sports (Badminton, Racquetball, Squash, Tennis) ~ substitutions may only be made prior to the first scheduled contest. Fraternities may substitute for their player to prevent delays in the progress of the tournament.

Special Events (Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Track & Field, Wrestling) ~ Team Qualifiers may be substituted (ex. 4x100m relay, golf teams) ~ Individual Qualifiers cannot be substituted (ex. 100m dash, wrestlers)

IT'S RAINING ~ What should we do??? Rainout/Cancellation decisions are made no earlier than 4:00pm on game day. Team Manager should call RecSports Office (865-5401) AFTER 4:00pm.
A message will be on our answering machine IF games have been cancelled, then notify your teammates. Cancellations will result in WINS for both teams. NO rescheduling of regular season games will take place. Check specific sport rules for games cancelled while in progress.

OFFICIATING??? Want a job ? ... We hire student officials for basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball and wrestling. Pre-season meetings are scheduled to aid your training to become a competent official. Any individual wishing to become an intramural official should contact the Rec Sports office during the entry period of that sport at 865-5401 or stop by Room 2, IM Building. The current starting pay rate is $7.00 per hour.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS ! Awards are given to the champion in each sport as follows:

Individual Sports: each individual champion will receive the traditional Penn State IM award block. T-shirts will also be awarded, when available.

Team Sports: all contributing members of a championship team (50%+ participation in the regular season) will receive the traditional Penn State IM award block. T-shirts will also be awarded, when available.

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UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: of your Players, Coaches, & Spectators

YELLOW / RED CARD SYSTEM: Physical and/or verbal abuse directed toward officials, players, or supervisors will not be tolerated. Unsportsmanlike conduct, rough play, and improper behavior (persistent infringement of the rules) will be controlled through this yellow/red card system. Your Players, Coaches, and Spectators will answer to the guidelines of this system. They are as follows:

Yellow Card ~ (verbal abuse) a yellow card will be issued when cautioning an individual. The cautioned person must identify him/herself, present PSU ID+Card, and will be subject to a cooling off period. Additionally, two yellow cards results in a red card suspension.

Red Card ~ (any physical abuse, or verbal abuse directed toward an official) a red card will be issued immediately (i.e. without a prior yellow caution) when the offense so warrants. When a red card is given to an individual, he/she must identify him/herself, present PSU ID+Card, and is ejected from the present contest. The individual is also suspended from the next game.

RESULT: When an individual is issued two yellow cards in the same contest, he/she will be ejected from the present contest, and will be suspended for the next scheduled game. When an individual accumulates two yellow cards in different contests, the person will be suspended from the game immediately following the issuance of the second yellow card.

ACCUMULATION OF CARDS: Any individual accumulating three yellow cards or the equivalent thereof (i.e. 1 red and 1 yellow card), in a particular academic year, will be suspended from intramural activities for a period of one year. They will also be subject to review by the Rec Sports Department before being reinstated the following year. Any team accumulating three or more yellow cards (or equivalent thereof) in a particular tournament will be disqualified from that tournament and will be subject to review by the Rec Sports Department.

COMPLIANCE: After being issued a yellow/red card, the individual must furnish his/her Penn State ID+Card to the IM Supervisor/Staff. Failure to do so will result in further disciplinary action against their team (i.e. tournament disqualification). If a carded player refuses to divulge his/her name, a team manager or representative will be required to do so. If the manager does not comply, the contest is forfeited and the team is barred from further competition until the necessary information has been supplied.

SUSPENDED INDIVIDUALS: Before any suspended individual can be reinstated, he/she, accompanied by the house president (fraternity division) or team manager (all other divisions), must appear for review before the Tournament Director in Room 2, IM Building. This person must make an appointment at the convenience of the director. Additional sanctions may be enforced against any person(s) receiving a card. Action may also be taken against said individual's team.

APPEALS: (Student Advisory Board) Suspended individuals and teams may appeal decisions made by the Rec Sports department. Appeals will be made in writing only! Forms may be obtained at Rec Sports Office, Room 2, IM Bldg.

Note: All suspensions stand until a board review occurs. The student board may:

• Repeal all/part of the decision.
• Let the decision stand.
• Strengthen the suspension

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PROTESTS: Eligibility and Rule Protests

INELIGIBLE PLAYER Policy: Penn State ID+Cards will be required for eligibility verification prior to each contest and at any given time. Refer to the "ELIGIBILITY" and "ONE TEAM" sections for details on eligibility.

The use of "ineligible players" will result in...

1. Default of Game* involved.
2. Ineligibility of Player from future IM play within that tournament.
3. Ineligibility of both Teams for playoffs within that tournament.

* Note: Eligibility violations discovered after the 24-hour limit will NOT result in game default, however, #2 & #3 will still apply.

If you suspect an ineligible player AT GAME TIME... Make your game official aware of the situation as soon as possible. The official should ask for assistance from the supervisor on duty.

If you suspect an ineligible player AFTER THE GAME HAS ENDED... You have a 24 hour limit from game time to submit a written protest to the Rec Sports Office to receive a "Win by Default". Teams found to involve ineligible players will be dealt with according to the above policy. Provide the players name (if possible), team name, the game date, time and location, and why you believe they are ineligible, to assist with verification.

RULE PROTESTS: Must be handled immediately following the play or decision on the field.

If you believe a rule has been interpreted or applied incorrectly by your game official... Keep your Cool !!! Ask for an "Officials Time-Out" to discuss the rule with the official or a supervisor. Refuse to play if the official does not grant the time-out. The supervisor will make a final ruling on your field. Note: Judgment calls by an official cannot be protested.

Unsupervised Sports: like tennis, racquetball, golf etc. are on the Honor System. Opponents should discuss the rule and make a mutual decision or declare a "replay". Questions may be directed to the Rec Sports office for future clarification.

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AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-4700; (814) 865-1150/TTY. (1/16/07)

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