Philosophy

It is the purpose of the Office of Intramural and Recreational Programs at Penn State Erie to provide the students, faculty and staff an opportunity to become, and remain active in a wide variety of activities.

The program offers ample opportunity for individual, team, and coed activities. These programs have been chosen to meet the needs and desires of the student body. It is a departmental objective to aid in the development of each participant's social interaction, exercise and need for competition, and to develop carry-over attitudes and skills for life-long personal fitness.

Our goal is participation. Take advantage of all that is offered. We welcome and rely on any suggestions you may have. We are here to serve you to the limit of our staff and facilities.

The following rules and procedures are intended to promote fair and orderly competition among the participants in the intramural program. These general rules are basic guidelines for intramural activities and will be supplemented by additional regulations specific to each activity. Where additional rules are needed they can be found in the procedures for each activity. Any of these rules are subject to change at the discretion of the Intramural Staff. The Intramural Coordinator reserves the right to issue any new rules or regulations that are deemed essential to the success of the total program.

Ignorance is not accepted as a reason for someone not adhering to the rules and regulations of the Intramural Office. This handbook and all other rules are available for anyone at anytime. Please take advantage of this privilege.

ELIGIBILTY

Any current student (full or part-time, undergraduate or graduate) or employee of Penn-State Erie is eligible to participate in the intramural program.
Members of any intercollegiate team are ineligible to participate in that same activity, or in any related activity (Ex. intercollegiate baseball player may not compete in intramural softball) during the season in which they are a team member.
Intercollegiate athletes are defined as any member participating in regular practice sessions up to the date of the first contest, or a person having been a team member for one game that year.
A member of an intercollegiate team who loses member status due to injury is ineligible to participate in intramurals subject to the requirements listed in #3 above.
A student who quits a team, is cut or otherwise leaves a team prior to the first contest will be eligible to participate in that activity.
Any player quitting or leaving a team after the first intercollegiate contest may or may not be eligible for intramural play according to the discretion of the Intramural Coordinator.
The Intramural Coordinator reserves the right to rule on individual cases of previous letter winners and any instances involving eligibility.
Every effort will be made to prevent stacking of ex-intercollegiate and out-of-season athletes in an activity in which they participated in. A limited number of athletes will be eligible depending on the activity.

**The basic guideline to follow concerning #8 is that only any combination of 2 ex-intercollegiate or out-of-season athletes will be permitted on any one team. Ex-intercollegiate athletes must sit out an entire season to lose that label.
Students barred from any intercollegiate team because of professionalism are barred from the same activity or related activity in intramurals.
Any student who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate in intramurals and will be referred to the discipline system.
In league or single elimination championship playoffs, teams cannot use players who have not played in at least one regular season contest for that team.
An individual who uses an assumed name, or plays under the name of another student, shall forfeit their right to further participate in the intramural program.
Some members of club sport teams will be restricted from intramural play. Current members of the volleyball club will be considered out-of-season athletes and will be allowed only any combination of 2 club players, ex-intercollegiate or out-of-season women's varsity volleyball athletes.
Ineligible players will be dropped from intramural competition. Teams that are to be found using ineligible players shall forfeit that contest and possibly others. This will be at the discretion of the Intramural Staff.
The Intramural Coordinator reserves the right to modify or issue any new rules or regulations that are deemed essential to the total program.

**It is the team captain's responsibility to be aware of all rules and regulations.

SIGNING UP FOR ACTIVITIES/FEES

Each event, its eligibility rules and deadline for entry will be advertised on the intramural bulletin boards, through RA's, team captain's and other methods.
Each activity will require a different registration form to be filled out with all names and PSU email addresses. The roster forms will be readily available to students at the Junker Center Information Desk, on this web site and the Intramural Office.
Upon entry deadline, the roster must be returned to the Intramural Office in Junker Center. the roster must be filled out completely with all names and Access ID numbers or it will not be accepted.
A $3.00 participation/registration fee will be billed to your student account for each league or activity or recreation event in which you participate or register for. This helps defray costs for officials, equipment and other expenses incurred throughout the year.
A player may play for only one team in any given activity. If a player is found playing for more than one team that player will be considered to be a member of the team on which they played first. Exception: A player may play for his or her team and an additional coed team in the same activity if it is offered.
If a team is dropped from a league because of forfeits or improper conduct, efforts will or will not be made to place individuals at the discretion of the Intramural Coordinator.
Anyone playing under a fictitious name shall be banned from intramural competition. Further, if it is proven that the team captain knowingly allowed such an action, that captain may also be banned. The team using the illegal player will forfeit their remaining games.
If a player suffers an injury during a contest and returns to play they are fully responsible for their injuries.
Rule sheets will include requirements for proper footwear and uniform in regard to safety. Supervisors and officials can deny participation to any violating the requirements.
Team captains will be responsible for knowing the eligibility rules, and checking the eligibility of all team members. Questionable cases should be referred to the Intramural Coordinator.
After receiving the team roster, complete with Access ID numbers, the captain will be notified of the date, time and place of the MANDATORY captain's meeting. The captain is responsible for communicating the schedule and rules received at this meeting to team members.

**Any team not having a representative present at the MANDATORY captains meeting will be subject to penalties, including possible removal from the tournament if there is a waiting list for teams to get into the tournament and if they do remain in the tournament and subsequently forfeit their first contest the captain will be responsible for an additional forfeit fee on top of the forfeit fee imposed for forfeiting the first contest.
Players may be added to team rosters anytime during the activity according to the rules regarding eligibility and #5 in this section. Only players who have participated in one regular season game are eligible for playoffs.
Individuals who are not part of a group or organized team are encouraged to sign up in the Intramural Office. A team of individual sign-ups will be formed or you will be placed on another teams roster.

PLAYING RULES

In most cases the playing rules will reflect the official intercollegiate rules of the particular sport.
Modifications will be made and it is the captain's responsibility that his/her players are aware of the rules of play.
The Intramural Coordinator reserves the right to waive or modify eligibility or playing rules when it can be demonstrated that such rule changes are deemed essential to the success of the total program.
Any player, coach or team member who is disqualified from a contest due to unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended from play until a ruling is made. The actions leading to the suspension will be reviewed by the Intramural Coordinator and Staff before the individual can return to play. An extension of the suspension is possible if circumstances warrant such action. Should a person be suspended they will also be referred to the discipline system.

FORFEITS

Any team or individual having two forfeits will be dropped from the league schedule and playoffs. No entry fees will be returned.
Individuals in singles competition, doubles competition and in certain four-person team competitions (such as cross country, golf and bowling teams) will be charged a $10.00 forfeit fee for each forfeit (up to two when you would be dropped from the league). This fee will be billed to the individuals student account.
Teams who forfeit will be charged a $20.00 forfeit fee for each forfeit (up to two when you would be dropped from the league). This fee will be billed to the team captain's account. It is then the captain's responsibility to get reimbursed by team members.
A forfeit shall be issued when:
a. an ineligible player is used.
b. a team is not present or prepared to begin play at the scheduled time.
c. a team does not have the necessary number of players to begin.
d. a team becomes abusive or unruly. This judgment can come from an official or supervisor.
e. a team, through expulsion or injury, does not have the minimum number of players necessary to continue.
f. if a defaulted player refuses to leave the area.
To win by forfeit, you must have the minimum number of players present. A double forfeit will be recorded when both teams are lacking the necessary number.

POSTPONEMENTS

The Intramural Coordinator will make all decisions regarding postponements, cancellations and the rescheduling of contests. These notices will be placed on the intramural board located next to the Intramural Office. Team captains will be notified of new dates and times.
No contests will be rescheduled for any reason. Be careful when signing up for activities. Make sure you check the date of the contest and choose the proper playing sequence (M/W or T/R) and/or time preference included on the entry form.
Decisions concerning postponements due to weather are made by 3:00 pm of the evening in question.

UNIFORMS

Teams should make an effort to be dressed in consistent wear, especially shirts. Teams should wear clothing, especially footwear, that is safe for the activity. No metal or removable cleats are allowed for any intramural activity.
Penn State Behrend will not supply uniforms or uniform parts. It is recommended that to promote the spirit of team play that teams become innovative in uniform selection and design, with good taste in mind.
The Intramural Coordinator reserves the right to ask teams not to wear uniforms distasteful or offending.

PROTESTS

All protests must be reported to the game officials by the team captain. The game official will then notify the supervisor on duty. Action should be stopped and nothing should occur until the protest is reviewed. If play has begun again the opportunity to protest is eliminated.

**It is the team captain's responsibility to follow protest procedures. Do not let any official or supervisor deter you from any protest. No excuses will be accepted.
Only protests involving player eligibility will be considered by the Intramural Office. They must be submitted to the supervisor on the field during the contest or in writing or in person within 24 hours of the contest in question.
Questions that arise on the field of play concerning rules and interpretations, officiating procedures, etc... will be decided immediately by the supervisor on duty. NO PROTESTS ON THESE DECISIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE FACT. The decision of the supervisor on all protests WILL BE FINAL.
The Intramural Coordinator reserve the right to decide a protest at the playing site if no further information is needed.

THE ROLE OF TEAM CAPTAIN

Obtain a roster from the Intramural Office or the bulletin board.
Fill out and submit the roster, complete with full names and social security numbers.
Bring your team roster to the Intramural Office prior to the deadline.
Captain's meetings are MANDATORY. These meetings are called to insure understanding of rules and regulations of each activity and so league schedules may be passed out. If you are unable to attend a meeting be sure to send a representative.

**Any team not having a representative present at the MANDATORY captains meeting will be subject to penalties, including possible removal from the tournament if there is a waiting list for teams to get into the tournament and if they do remain in the tournament and subsequently forfeit their first contest the captain will be responsible for an additional forfeit fee on top of the forfeit fee imposed for forfeiting the first contest.
It is the captain's responsibility to communicate rules and regulations to team members.
Hand out team schedules and communicate postponements and new dates and times.
Insure that your team is at the game site and prepared to begin at the set time. Be sure to have enough players to avoid forfeits. Remember, the team captains account will be charged in case of a forfeit.
Familiarize yourself with the Intramural Handbook, especially sections dealing with player eligibility.
Fill out score sheets with complete names and add social security numbers for those not on the original roster.
Be responsible for the conduct of your players. Do not allow abusive behavior by your team of officials or others.

INJURY/INSURANCE

Penn State Erie assumes no responsibility for injuries occurring while participating in intramural activities or informal play.
Students are urged to enroll in a personal health and accident plan unless parental insurance covers you. Penn State does have such a plan available to students.
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.

EMERGENCY PROCECURES

In the event of an emergency on campus involving another student, please contact police and safety at x6231. Be sure to indicate that it is an emergency and be prepared to describe the situation and location. The officer(s) will arrive and determine the need for transportation. While waiting for the officer(s), contact the site supervisor. Take note of the circumstances involved.

If the emergency is LIFE THREATENING and every moment counts, do not hesitate to call 898-6231 for an ambulance. Please follow-up by calling campus Police and Safety to inform them of the incident and the steps that were followed.

LOCKER ROOM USE

Lockers are available in Erie Hall and the Junker Center in both the men's and women's locker rooms.
Personal locks may be placed on the lockers and left during the time you use the locker room. However, because of the limited amount of lockers, locks cannot be left all day or over night; such locks will be cut off.
Locks found attached over vacation breaks will also be cut off.

AWARDS

Winners of individual play and members of winning teams and winning point system teams will be awarded Intramural Champion T-Shirts. In addition, winning teams and individuals will have their picture placed on the Intramural Wall-of-Fame.

OFFICIALS

Capable officials are always needed.
Pre-season clinics and demonstrations will be held for all officials, to review rules and positioning. These clinics are MANDATORY and those who do not attend will not officiate.
Officials will be paid on an hourly basis. Those officials who have worked the particular sport for the Intramural Office before will receive a higher wage than those who have not.

**If you are interested in officiating stop by the Intramural Office in Reed Building or call ext.....6280.