Guidelines

Contact Information

PURPOSE

It is the mission of the EMU Recreational Sports Program, a division of Student Life, to administrate a modern program of individual and team activities at both a competitive and recreational level to members of the campus community. Our purpose is to provide a relaxed yet structured environment while creating opportunities for participants to exercise, have fun, develop skills, and build relationships. The intramural sports program will promote leadership, integrity, and lifelong fitness in the spirit of friendly competition.

Intramural participation is a privilege, not a right. All participants, officials, and student workers are indebted to each other, and will operate in a community of cooperation while upholding the highest standards of fair play and integrity. All players are expected to exercise good judgment in caring for the safety of others as well as themselves. Competitive play is expected however, a win-at-all-costs attitude will be strongly discouraged. Participants will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values and mission of EMU.

EMU INTRAMURAL POLICY LANGUAGE

EMU recognizes and celebrates a variety of gender identities, body types, and competitive energies and abilities. These Recreational Sport Guidelines are a part of a larger community conversation seeking to align with EMU’s current Strategic Priorities, including to Diversify, “[reimagining] our university through the eyes of our increasingly diverse student body–meeting our students where they are, and valuing the contributions they make to our learning community.” These guidelines are a work in progress and represent our aspirational attempts in this direction to date. We value open conversation and feedback as we work toward inclusive excellence.

Divisions (levels of play): 

• Competitive Leagues: are intended for teams with prior playing experience in the sport or the desire to play in a more competitive atmosphere. 
• Recreational Leagues: are intended for teams that may not have prior playing experience in the sport or want a more recreational level of play. 
• Learning Leagues: are intended for students who have little to no experiences playing and would like to learn and improve their skills. 

Leagues (who):

• Open: is open to all genders and has no requirements for collegiate athletes. This league does not have gender ratio requirements or gender-specific playing rules. There may be open competitive, open recreational, and open learning divisions offered per sport.
• Mixed: is open to all genders, each team must have at least two players in play who identify with a different gender than at least two other players. See sport specific rules for athlete ratio requirements. There may be mixed competitive and mixed recreational divisions offered per sport.
• Womens +: is for all women (cisgender/transgender), or for those who, based on their identity, feel most comfortable competing in the “Womens +” division. 
• Mens +: is for all men (cisgender/transgender), or for those who, based on their identity, feel most comfortable competing in the “Mens +” division.

Transgender Individuals' Participation in Intramural and Rec Sports at EMU:

EMU Rec Sports recognizes and celebrates our transgender student population and encourages students to participate in intramural sports based on their gender identity. Gender identifiers can adjust and change as an individual identity evolves.

Participation in Intramural and Rec Sports at EMU and Religious Affiliations: 

EMU Rec Sports recognizes and celebrates the various religious affiliations represented in our student body. If a student feels they cannot compete in an intramural league due to their religious practices, we will work with that student to consider accommodations. 

 

PROCESS FOR TEAM FORMATION

1. All intramural registrations must be completed online.
2. Teams must be formed in accordance with the “Roster Guidelines and Procedures”. A captain should register the team before players are added.
3. Individuals that cannot find a team on which to play may fill out an individual registration form. The Rec Sports Coordinator will attempt to place all individual registrations but there is no guarantee of placement.
4. Players may not participate on more than one team in a league.
5. New players may be added to a roster until the midpoint of the regular season. If players are not added by this deadline they absolutely may not participate.

CAPTAIN’S RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Submit online team registration and make sure all players know how to register.
2. Scheduling and other relevant issues will be discussed at this meeting so be prepared to share any concerns with the Rec Sports staff.
3. It is the captain’s responsibility to communicate any information given to his/her team members.
4. Ensure that all team members have knowledge of and meet the eligibility requirements of the Rec Sports program.
5. Ensure all team members have signed in at the beginning of each game.
6. Team captains are the only team representative allowed to discuss rule interpretations and player eligibility with the Rec Sports staff.
7. Educate and model the importance of sportsmanship to all players and spectators associated with your team.
8. Work to create a safe and fun intramural experience for all.

PROTESTS

1. Protests, other than those concerning eligibility, shall be made at the time of the dispute and before play is resumed. The clock will be stopped during the discussion.
2. The protest is first lodged with the official. If not settled, the Rec. Sports Staff on duty may be consulted. If still not satisfied, the Rec. Sports Coordinator will evaluate the protest.
3. Both contestants and officials in charge shall be permitted to present their versions of the case before a decision is made.
4. Protests concerning eligibility must be made within five days of the infraction.

NOTE: NO PROTEST OF JUDGMENT CALLS WILL BE ALLOWED.

POSTPONEMENTS

1. A scheduled contest will not be postponed without just cause. A contest may be postponed if inclement weather creates an unsafe environment for participants.
2. Contests postponed due to inclement weather will be made up at the discretion of the Rec Sports Coordinator.

FORFEITS

1. Game time is forfeit time. Teams should prepare to be on site 15 minutes before the scheduled game time in order to sign in. There will be no warnings.
2. Participants in individual sports or matches who are unable to contact their opponent must report to the Rec. Sports Office two days before the deadline for play. A forfeit will be declared if the match is not played by the designated deadline and the individual reporting to the Rec. Sports Office will be declared the winner. If neither person reports, both participants will be forfeited.
3. Two forfeitures (failure to show) automatically eliminates a team from further competition in the sport in which the offenses were committed. All games previously played and all future games will be counted as wins for their opponents.

MISCELLANEOUS GUIDELINES

1. The first team listed on the schedule will be the home team and wear white shirts. Gray shirts of any shade will not be permitted.
2. There will be no new players added to a team beyond the mid-point of the season.
3. A player will lose eligibility for the entire season if involved in a physical fight.
4. Teams will be removed from a league if they receive two poor sportsmanship rating during any season.
5. Once the game time has arrived teams must begin play if they have the required number of players. They are not allowed to wait for a full team.
6. Misconduct on the field or threatening/intimidating of rec sports staff or opposing players will not be tolerated. One warning will be given, and the second is cause for dismissal.
7. Anyone dismissed from a game must apply for re-instatement with the Coordinator of Rec. Sports before playing another contest.
8. If a player participates in two different leagues within the same sport, s/he is not eligible for second t-shirt if both teams win the championship.
9. Bloodborne Pathogen Policy – Any player who sustains an injury where bleeding or oozing occurs must leave the field. The bleeding must be stopped and the area completely covered before the individual is allowed to reenter the game. The Recreational Sports Staff person must clear the individual before s/he resumes play. If the uniform has become contaminated with blood, it must be changed before the player reenters the game.

OFFICIALS

1. The Recreational Sports Office will supervise referees, umpires and judges for all team sports and other contests as needed.
2. If an official cannot make a scheduled game, they must find a replacement from the approved list and notify the Recreational Sports referee coordinator by noon of the day of competition.
3. If an official misses a game without notifying the Recreational Sports Staff, they will be warned and put on probation. After a second missed game, it will be assumed that they no longer wants to participate in the program.
4. Referees and Recreational Sports Staff reserve the right to dismiss players from the game site for disruptive conduct after adequate warning has been given.

STUDENT SUPERVISORS

Student Recreational Sports Supervisors are among the most important people in the Recreational Sports Program. They serve as assistants to the professional staff and make all final on-site decisions.
Additional duties include:

1. Be at the assigned area at least 10 minutes prior to game time.
2. Have all necessary equipment ready and on hand.
3. Have a list of qualified officials to call upon in case an assigned official fails to show.
4. Evaluate officials.
5. Make note of any misconduct on the score sheet.
6. Have a working knowledge of the rules.
7. Collect all equipment and score sheets at the end of the contest.
8. Tally forfeits.
9. Publicize Recreational Sports.
10. Assist in the administration of the program.
11. Function as an appeals committee for students penalized for major violations.