Intramural sports handbook

By emphasizing sportsmanship, participation, and respect the Nevada Intramural Sports Program is committed to making a positive impact on the University community by fostering a healthy and safe sports experience for all regardless of athletic skill and background. Intramural Sports is here to promote participation over competition.

• Participation in Intramural Sports is voluntary. All participants must individually sign and date the team informed consent form.
• Only players whose names appear on the team informed consent form with signature and date will be eligible to participate. The State of Nevada, NHSE, and the University of Nevada, Reno cannot and will not accept liability for injury while participating in an Intramural Sports activity.
• Participants are encouraged to provide their own accident insurance coverage as the Intramural Sports program will not provide it.

• All participants must be a University of Nevada, Reno student, staff, or faculty member.
• When competing in Intramural Sports, participants must be enrolled in at least one (1) undergraduate credit, three (3) graduate credits, or employed by the University (Faculty or Staff).
• All participants must provide a valid and current university identification (ID) card before participating in any intramural contest.
• The Sports Coordinator will make the final determination as to a player’s eligibility.
• Participants may participate in multiple divisions of play offered within the intramural sports program (men, women, or open), based on structured play rules.
• Team rosters should include the name of team members as they are printed on their university ID card. Once an individual’s name appears on a team roster scoresheet, that participant is considered a member of that team.
• Participants may only be added up until the Sunday (11:55 pm) after the first week of play. After that, no new eligible participants will be added to teams.
• After a participant has played in their first game, a participant is committed to that team.
• Participants must show a valid University ID card each time they wish to participate. FRS officiating staff will check IDs for gameplay but will not keep IDs at the table.
• Participants are responsible for keeping track of their IDs.
• Any problems with lost or misplaced IDs must be taken care of before a participant’s scheduled game. The University Wolf Card office is open from 8 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Intercollegiate student-athletes

• University student-athletes who have competed in intercollegiate sports are eligible to participate in intramural sports if they meet program player eligibility requirements. Any participant who has competed on an intercollegiate team in a regularly scheduled match or game is ineligible to compete in that sport or any associated sport (e.g. Football players can’t play flag football) for a period of one (1) year from the last eligible participation date and from the last year, they appeared on the team roster. No more than three (3) intercollegiate athletes are allowed per team.

Club sports athletes

• Club sports athletes can compete in intramural sports if they meet player eligibility requirements. Any participant who has competed on a club team in a regularly scheduled match or game within a year is eligible to compete, however, a team may not have more than three (3) club members on the roster in the same sport or associated sport. (e.g. Club Soccer members can participate however, the team can only consist of 3 members.) No more than three (3) Club Sports athletes are allowed per team in perspective sports.

Professional athlete

• Any participant who has participated on a professional sports team either in a practice, scrimmage and/or regularly scheduled game is ineligible to compete in that sport or any associated sport for a period of two (2) years.

Free agent participants (individuals looking to join a team):

• Free agency participation is available within the intramural sports program.
• Participants can register as a free agent in any division of play within a league.
• Registered free agents will be visible to all registered teams (based on the sport seeking to participate in).
• Free agents can request to join teams and post-game play experience within their designated profile.

Sportsmanship rating system

• This system is designed to help players and teams become more aware of the attitudes and actions they foster in competition towards opponents, officials, FRS staff, teammates, and spectators/fans.
• This system is in place to encourage and promote sportsmanlike conduct in all intramural sports activities. Players and teams that cannot display appropriate sportsmanship will not be allowed to compete in the current sport and are subject to ejection from further sports.
• Sportsmanship scores are given to teams by designated student staff officials and Intramural supervisors at the end of each game.
• All teams begin each contest with a 3.0.
• If a team falls below an average of “3.0” for the season, it will forfeit their potential spot in any post-season play.
• A sportsmanship score of zero (0) will result in a team’s immediate ejection from intramural sports and all FRS participation.
• The sportsmanship rating system is based on the following criteria, but not limited to:

4.0 - Excellent conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship towards members of opposing teams, spectators, and ALL fitness and recreational sports staff.
• The team captain exhibits excellent control of his/her team and spectators.
• The team captain converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations.
• The team captain cooperates by providing any information requested by an Intramural official staff member.

3.5-Above average conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship towards members of opposing teams, spectators, and ALL fitness and recreational sports staff.
• The team captain exhibits good control of his/her team and spectators.
• The team captain converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations.
• The team captain cooperates by providing any information requested by an Intramural official staff member.

3.0 - Average conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members somewhat cooperate with sportsmanship towards members of opposing teams, spectators, and ALL fitness and recreational sports staff.
• The team captain has control of his/her team and spectators.
• Team members have minimal verbal complaints about some of the decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissensions, which may or may not merit an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
• Teams must maintain a 3.0 during tournament play as well. If a 3.0 is not received by the team at the end of gameplay, the team may be removed from tournament play and will not be administered a refund.

2.5 - Below average conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members somewhat cooperate with sportsmanship towards members of opposing teams, spectators, and ALL fitness and recreational sports staff.
• The team captain has some control of his/her team and spectators.
• Team members have constant verbal complaints about some of the decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissensions, which may or may not merit an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

2.0 - Acceptable conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members show verbal dissent toward officials and/or opposing team, which may or may not result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
• The team captain exhibits minor control over the team/spectators but is in control of him/her.
• The team is unable to produce a team at game time, resulting in a forfeit.

1.0 - Poor conduct and sportsmanship:

• Team captain and team members constantly complain to the officials and/or opposing team from the field/court/sidelines.
• The team captain exhibits NO control over the team/spectators or him/herself.
• Team members fail to appear at their scheduled contest or are unable to produce enough players to field a team according to the rules of the involved sport.
• Teams that have one or more players ejected will receive no higher than a “1.0” rating at the end of the contest but can be further evaluated by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.

0.0 - Unacceptable conduct and sportsmanship:

• The team is completely uncooperative.
• The team captain has NO control over the team, spectators, or him/herself.
• Teams play with ineligible participants or withhold any information requested.
• Damage or destruction of any campus recreation facility/equipment.
• Multiple player ejections or causing a contest to be forfeited for any reason other than not having enough players will receive a “0.0” rating.
• Any threatening behavior (verbal/nonverbal/physical) towards any player, spectator, or campus recreation employee.
• Play will be forfeited at any point where play constitutes a “0.0” rating.

• Structured league play typically consists of four (4) weeks of regular season play.
• Each team will play one night per week, and one game per week. Exceptions can be made for make-up games due to cancellations, condensed leagues, and/or weather-outs.
• Tentative schedules may be available at the captain’s meetings and final schedules will be posted on IM Leagues.com the Friday before competition week begins.
• It is the responsibility of the team to check the posted online schedule.

Post-season play

• Depending on time and facility space, every attempt is made to schedule an end-of-season single elimination bracket of play.
• Teams that produce winning records and have the appropriate code of conduct sportsmanship score average (3.0 average) will advance to post-season bracket play.
• Exceptions can be made with regards to record to fill a bracket and will be done so at the discretion of the Intramural Sports Coordinator.
• Every attempt will be made to include all eligible teams in the post-season. However, teams are not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
• Post-season schedules will be posted at least one day before the start of the playoffs.
• Post-season games may take place any day and at any time. It is the team’s responsibility to check the playoff schedule for game day and time. Intramural Sports will not call teams in advance to inform them of game times and/or days. Schedules will be posted online on IM Leagues.com.
• A code of conduct sportsmanship score of at least “3.0” must be maintained in each postseason game to progress in the postseason.
• Sportsmanship scores will be evaluated at both halftime and the end of the game. If at half time a team has not been able to maintain at least a score of 2.5 or higher the game will be called, and the other team will advance. If neither team can maintain a 2.5 sportsmanship score by halftime, both teams will be eliminated.

Every attempt will be made to have various divisions of play in every major sport based on participation and sign-ups. The Intramural Sports Office will help counsel teams and team captains to help determine which division they should sign up to participate in during the team registration payment process. The designated program coordinator has the discretion to move registered teams to appropriate divisions of play in a sport. This helps support competitive balance play levels within intramural sports to maintain a safe play environment.

Competitive

Designed for highly skilled competitive teams and individuals. The Competitive/Division A of participation has been structured for skilled athletes who have played the sport at a high level (i.e. high school, club, city league, etc.).

Recreational

Designed for average skilled competitive teams and individuals. The recreational division has been structured for all participants that have basic fundamental skills. The level of play is fairly intense, and all players have a clear understanding of the rules.

Open

Open play has been structured to allow beginner to advanced participation for the student population. There will be no gender specificity or restrictions for team construction. Competitive play balance will vary in this division.

Sport team generation will take place online at IM Leagues.com. Team captains will sign up their teams online, not at the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center. Participants will need to individually sign up on www.imleagues.com/nevada. More specific information about team registration and sign-up is available through the website www.unr.edu/fitness.

Team name creation

• It is the responsibility of the team captain to submit an appropriate team name for their Intramural Sports team. The following restrictions are enforced:
  • No vulgar language.
  • No reference to alcohol or other drugs.
  • No discriminatory references (race, gender, religion, color, national origin, or sexual orientation).
  • The sports coordinator reserves the right to censor and change team names.
  • In the event the sports coordinator changes a team name, the team can change the name and submit the change for approval in IM Leagues.com.
  • If the team name is re-submitted for approval, and isn’t appropriate, the team may not be considered for league or tournament play for violating the rules for team name requirements.

Uniforms

• Intramural Sports will provide basic scrimmage jerseys for indoor and outdoor sports. However, if teams would like to wear their own there are particular guidelines that need to be followed. Those guidelines are:
  • Numbers must be printed on at least the back of the shirt/jersey.
  • Each team member participating in gameplay and sitting on the bench must have the same color shirt.
  • Team jerseys or team shirts may not display vulgar language or reference to alcohol or other drugs. No discriminatory references (race, gender, religion, color, national origin, or sexual orientation).
  • Team jerseys or team shirts may not be excessively ripped on any part of the garment.

Identification (University ID/Wolf Card)

• Prior to the game of the season that a player participates in, it is imperative that they present their valid University ID card.
• If a student participant does not have a university ID/wolf card for the game they are scheduled to participate in, they will not be allowed to play until they can present a valid University ID card.

• Each officially organized team will provide one (1) captain and one (1) co-captain for that sport.
• Team Captains are responsible for the conduct of themselves and of their players and spectators. Team captains are therefore subject to the same disciplinary action as their players and fans.
• Only the team captain is eligible to discuss rules and decisions with the official and then only during timeouts or between periods and in a non-aggressive manner.
• Registration of team on the IM Leagues.com website
• Paying the team forfeit fee in person at the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center front desk at least two days before next scheduled game.
• Being present at the mandatory sport specific captain’s meeting, this takes place on the Thursday before the start of the season.
  • If a team representative does not show to the meeting, the team will be dropped from the competition.
• Managing the team roster and completing team roster by the roster deadline date.
• Responsible for the disbursement and compliance of all rules, regulations, and game times.
• If the captain is unable to attend a game, then the team co-captain will serve as the team captain for that game.
• Ensure that all players appear on time at scheduled contests with the proper photo identification and are prepared to play.
• Ensure cooperative and positive conduct of all involved with the team, including fans.
• To keep team members informed of eligibility standards, promptly file protests if needed, and inform team members of forfeits and postponements.

Team creation does not guarantee entrance into a league or tournament.

• A tentative schedule may will be available to view at the captain’s meeting. It is the responsibility of the captain to let the Intramural Sports Coordinator know at that time if there is a conflict with game times.
• The only time a change in game times will only be considered is during the captain’s meetings. After the conclusion of the captain’s meeting, switching of game times will be DENIED. The team captain must still notify the Intramural Office when their team has a conflict with the game schedule.
• Every attempt is made to ensure full participation of all teams. However, sometimes the intramural sports program is not able to make every concession for every team.
• There may be a tentative schedule of what time teams will play available at the captains meeting (night of play, game time play, etc.). If there is a conflict it will be up to the captain to let the Intramural Sports staff know at that time. After the captain’s meeting the final schedule will be posted, and rescheduling will be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Exceptions: weather and/or facility maintenance postponements.

Rescheduling

• Due to the number of teams, the comparatively short playing season, and busy playing facilities, rescheduling will be kept to an absolute minimum.
• A game may be rescheduled only with permission from the Sports Coordinator.

Postponements

• Never assume that a game will be canceled because of weather; check with the Intramural Sports Office first.
• If games are postponed, the Intramural Office will reschedule them for alternate days and times (most often on Fridays or as doubleheader games on a weekday).
• Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that all postponed league games will be played, if this happens the game will be considered a “no-contest”.

Forfeits/defaults

• Forfeit fees will be made in the event of a forfeit and will need to be paid at least two days prior to next scheduled match.
  • Failure to pay will result in removal from the league and hold on IMLeagues account and reported to University Finance to be placed on the account of the captain.
• A forfeit is issued when a team or individual fails to be present for a scheduled game/match and does not notify the Intramural Sports Office in advance. Forfeits are recorded as a loss and a 0.0 sportsmanship rating will be administered to the team.
• Teams that forfeit the equivalent of two games will be dropped from competition without the possibility of reentry in the sport they forfeited in.
• A default may only be claimed in League Sports. A default is an un-played game that is recorded as a loss and a 3.0 sportsmanship score is administered to the team rather than a forfeit.
• This results when the defaulting team captain notifies the Intramural Sports Office that they will not show up to play a contest by noon on the Business Day (Monday through Friday) of the scheduled game.
• Teams may only default once per sports season. A second default in the same season will be recorded as a forfeit.
• Game time is forfeit time! Teams with one person checked in will be given a 5-minute grace period to present a team after the 5 minutes has expired game will be called.

Weather-out

A game will be considered official if it is stopped at or after the halfway point of the contest due to inclement weather.

Holidays

No intramural contest will take place on/or during holiday hours at any of the campus fitness and recreational facilities.

• Any individual or group who commits any act that violates the spirit and intent of the Intramural Sports Program will automatically be suspended from further participation.
• If a participant has been suspended from intramural participation that participant must make an appointment to meet with the Sports Coordinator to discuss options of reinstatement.
• Along with removal from intramural sports play, participants will not be allowed to participate in any Fitness and Recreational Sports (FRS) (use of membership, drop-in class participation, pool use, etc.) until you have met with the coordinator. Any further participation in any FRS programs will be determined after sanctions have been communicated to the violator.
• Intramural student conduct meetings will be held the week or following week of when a participant committed a violation of the participation policy.

Major infractions and sanctions

• The possession or consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs is prohibited at any Intramural Sports activity at all times (includes Players and Fans).
• If the Intramural Sports Program suspects any individual of being under the influence, that person will not be allowed to participate or enter the facility and will be asked to leave.
• Each team captain is responsible for enforcing this policy with team members and spectators.
• Violators will also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with University policy.
• Fans/spectators must not leave the bleacher area during any escalated game situations.

Alcohol use – players and spectators:

• Oftentimes, issues of player and fan misconduct involve alcohol.
• If suspected, the supervisor has the right to stop participation of any player or team suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
• Captains are responsible for the conduct of their team members and fans and must strongly discourage drinking prior to or during an Intramural sports contest.
• Failure to do so will result in a minimum of a forfeit for the team for that contest and can extend to further sanctions such as player/fan/or team removal from the league.

Profanity/gestures/verbal abuse – players and spectators:

• Players or spectators who use verbal profanity and /or obscene or profane gesturing toward other players or officials will experience a penalty ranging from a warning to ejection from the game being played and a one (1) game suspension, which may lead to a more punitive sanction, depending on the case.
• If the conduct continues a player or team may be dropped from the participation.
• Verbal abuse includes but is not limited to:
  • derogatory comments, trash talk, comments about race, religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, athletic ability, and sarcasm.
• This infraction will result in first a warning, followed by ejection from the game being played and a 1 game suspension, and possibly more.
• Any act committed outside of competition, such as in class, around campus, before or after a game, etc. that is connected to Intramurals will carry the same sanctions as the during competition rules state.

Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) – players and spectators:

Any threatening behavior towards opponents, fellow players, fans, or any FRS staff (officials, building staff, etc.) will result in a minimum of ejection from game and suspension of one semester from all FRS facilities and programs.

Involved in a fight – players and spectators:

• This includes player-to-player contact outside of regular game contact (pushing, bumping, and grabbing).
• Minimum will be ejection from game and a suspension for one semester from all FRS facilities and programs and may be increased to a permanent suspension.
• Additional sanctions may be imposed at the discretion of the Sports Coordinator and FRS Administrators.
• Final decisions on sportsmanship are left to the discretion of the Sports Coordinator.

What can be protested:

• Ineligible players
• Rules of the game
• Protests based solely on a decision that relates to an official’s judgment will not be considered.
  • An initial protest must be made immediately following the play in question, prior to the play becoming ‘live’ again.
  • If either captain believes the ruling to be in error, he/she may request that the officials consult with the sport supervisor on duty. The Sports Coordinator will make a decision and the game will continue to completion.
  • During playoffs the protested rule will be resolved on the field or court at the time of protest.
  • The burden of proof rests with the party filing the protest.

Injured players and blood rule

A player with a bloody injury or blood on his/her uniform must leave the game. The player may not return to the game until the wound is no longer bleeding, the wound is covered, and the uniform is changed.

In the event of any head injury, Emergency Medical Services will be called, and the player must sit out the rest of the game (possible the rest of the season).

In all other injuries, the person injured is required to sit out at least one play, and/or at the official’s discretion.

The sports coordinator or supervisor on duty has the discretion to not allow a player to return due to injury.

Concussions

• The University of Nevada Intramural Sports program is committed to the health and safety of our participants; therefore, we have developed this information and consent form to educate you about concussions.
• A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or body that can be from contact with another player, the ground or a piece of equipment. It can change the way your brain normally works and can range from mild to severe. It can look different for each student athlete and can occur during practice or competition.
• You do not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion.

Steps you can take to help prevent a concussion:

• Do not initiate contact with another player with your head or helmet. You can still get a concussion if you are wearing a helmet.
• Avoid striking an opponent in the head with your body or with your equipment.
• Follow the game rules for the sport and the safety rules.
• Practice good sportsmanship at all times.

Signs and symptoms of a concussion:

• Amnesia (loss of memory)
• Confusion
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or fuzzy vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Nausea (feeling that you might vomit)
• Feeling sluggish, foggy, or groggy
• Feeling unusually irritable
• Slow reaction time
• Problems with concentration or memory

If you think you have a concussion, don’t hide it and don’t ignore it. Get checked out by a healthcare provider.

If our staff sees you with any signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion you will be removed from practice or competition and you cannot return to activity for the remainder of that day.

If you think you have sustained a concussion you should be evaluated by a health care professional.

If you are diagnosed with a concussion, your brain needs time to heal. You should not return to practice or play until cleared by a health care professional.

Informed consent and acceptance of responsibility for reporting signs of concussion

• I have read the information on concussions and the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
• I accept full responsibility for reporting any signs and symptoms of a concussion to a healthcare provider.

Student Office Supervisor Hours: Varies

Office hours are extended on registration deadline days.

IM Office Direct Phone Line: (775) 784-1897

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