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Policies and Procedures

The purpose of the policies and procedures are to assure equitable participation in the Intramural Sports program for all students, faculty and staff. These rules serve as a guide for enjoyable participation by all, and should be interpreted in conjunction with the rules in the DePaul University Student Code of Responsibility handbook.

In order to preserve the spirit of fair play, it is essential that every participant uphold each and every rule. The result will be a better Intramural Sports experience for everyone.

The following classifications are utilized in intramural sports to maintain equity of competition whenever possible.  In the event there are a limited number of teams in any division, cross competition may occur. 

Open/Men’s Division - The open/men’s division is composed of currently enrolled DePaul students, faculty, and staff with current memberships. 

Women’s Division - The women’s division is composed of currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff with current memberships who are female. 

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Leagues for Competition

Availability of all leagues is based on number of teams and space available.  When these conditions do not allow these leagues to form, teams may be added to other leagues. 

Greek – Limited to those DePaul University students who are active (or active pledges of a Social Greek Fraternity or Sorority group on campus.  

Residence Hall – Limited to those DePaul University students who reside in a university-owned residence hall facility. 

Open – Open to all current DePaul University students, faculty or staff who are not active in a Social Greek Organization or who are not currently residing in a university-owned residence hall facility.

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Competitive - When entries allow, these leagues are offered to individuals or teams with more experience and higher level skills in the given sport activity. Participants in these leagues usually have either participated and/or lettered in the respective sport and/or have extensive playing experience.   

Intermediate – When entries allow, these leagues are offered to individuals or teams with moderate level skills in the given sport activity. Participants in these leagues have usually had less experience in the respective sport and/or have little organized playing experience.   Recreational - When entries allow, these leagues are offered to individuals or teams with beginner level skills in the given sport activity. Participants in these leagues have little or no playing experience in the respective sport or are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere in which to participate

Faculty/Staff – Open to all DePaul University faculty and/or staff who have and maintain a current membership with the Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center.

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A captain’s and free agent meeting will be held before play begins for each team sport. Every team must have a representative at the meeting to assure team-playing status. The meeting will cover schedules, rescheduling procedures, forfeits, inclement weather procedures, award distribution, disciplinary action, protests, and any sport specific rules. Dates, times, and sites of the captain’s meetings will be announced. Teams unable to attend may be dropped from competition.

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Captains may pick up schedules at the intramural office during the times identified at the captain’s meeting.  Schedules will also be posted on-line at the start of the season.  Captains are encouraged to duplicate and distribute schedules to each of their team members. 

The regular season of all leagues will consist of 4 games/matches. A post-season single elimination will follow for teams that qualify for the playoffs.  In order to advance to the playoffs, teams must:  Not forfeit during the regular season Have an acceptable sportsmanship rating Finish the regular season with a .500 or above average

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Championship T-shirts will be awarded for all intramural activities.  Championship awards will only be available for the number of members on your roster and only up to two times as many players required on the field/court during the activity – e.g. for 3 on 3 Basketball (6), 4 on 4 Volleyball (8), 7 on 7 football (14).  In addition, championship photos will be posted on the Campus Recreation website.  The chance to participate should be the real reward of all intramural participants. 

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The Intramural Sports Program was developed to provide competition/recreation during the academic year for currently enrolled DePaul students, faculty, and staff who do not participate in other organized sports on campus, and do not have the benefit of professional coaching, scheduling, equipment and facility use.  Some eligibility restrictions are necessary to provide fair opportunities for participation.    Individuals deemed ineligible to participate may seek reconsideration by written petition to the Assistant Director.  This must be done prior to any participation.  Violation of any eligibility rule will cause a contest to be automatically forfeited. 

1. Currently Enrolled Students: The program is open to all currently enrolled DePaul students, faculty, and staff with a valid DePaul University ID card. 

2.  Sign Activity Roster (ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY): Players must put their name, DePaul ID number, & signature on the (ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY) form before playing any intramural activity.  After the waiver is signed, they may be added to the roster for each contest in which that team plays. Teams are permitted to add eligible members throughout until the playoffs (league play) or until the semi-finals of a tournament (tournament play).  A player must have played in at least one previous game to be eligible for the playoffs (league play) or semi-finals (tournament play). 

3.  Playing on More Than One Team: A player may play on one team (open/men's or women's), and also play on one team in the co-rec division in the same sport.  However, a player may not play on more than one team in the same division even if they are in different skill levels (competitive or recreational).  Once you have played for a team, you many not switch to another team. Playing for a second team will result in that team forfeiting the contest and the player being ineligible from further intramural competition. 

4.  Signing In:  Each player must be listed (first and last name) on the scoresheet prior to his or her participation in an IM contest.  ALL names listed on a scoresheet shall be considered as participating in that contest.  

5. Assumed Name: People who participate using an assumed name are ineligible.

6. Varsity Award Winners: Students who have received a varsity award (letter) at DePaul or an institution of comparable athletic stature are not eligible to compete in that intramural sport or related sport until they have been out of that varsity sport for one full varsity season/semester and one full “off” season/semester. 

7. Intercollegiate Squad Members: Any individual who is or has been a member of a varsity, junior varsity, red shirt squad, or on an athletic scholarship at DePaul, or other institution of comparable athletic stature, is not eligible to compete in that intramural sport or related sport until they have been out of that varsity sport for one full varsity season/semester and one “off” season/semester.  Membership shall include persons practicing or working out with the team whether they play or not.  Students who try out for a varsity squad and are cut/quit are ineligible until they petition for approval to compete in that intramural activity and/or related activity.  

8. Varsity Limits:  Each team will be limited to two players (on teams of 5 or more) and one player (on teams of 4 or less) who have been out of their varsity sport for one full varsity season/semester and one full “off” season/semester.  These two players may be former varsity lettermen; former intercollegiate squad members, or individuals who have been or are currently coaching at DPU in the same sport.  This limit also applies to related sports.  (See # 9 below) 

9. Varsity Athletes in Related Sports: Current varsity athletes may participate in other intramural activities outside of their varsity sport.  However, they may not participate in that sport or its related activity, (example:  a current varsity basketball player may not participate in basketball).  Please see individual sport rules or information sheets for complete information on varsity athletic eligibility in like sports. 

10.Professional Athlete: People who, for any form of compensation/income, compete or have competed in their sport or related intramural sport are ineligible.  They may petition their eligibility. 

11.DePaul Club Sports Members: Any DePaul student who is currently a member of a sport club may participate in the intramural program (in their sport or related sport), under the following conditions:

a. In activities with both competitive and recreational skill levels the individual/team MUST participate in the competitive division.  No club members are permitted in any recreational league.

b. They are properly listed as a member of the intramural team following regular eligibility guidelines.

c. No more than two club members per team may be on a team’s roster in a contest with 5 or more players and no more than one club member may be on a team’s roster in a contest with 4 or less players.

d.  Any person who competes in scheduled contests, practices with the team, and/or is on the club roster kept in the office of the Club Sports for that academic year is considered a member of the club. 

12. Eligibility of Opponents: When questioning the eligibility of an opponent it is mandatory for the protesting player(s)/team(s)/official(s) to "announce" those questions to the opposing designated captain AND game official(s) before the game is completed.  The official and supervisors will acknowledge that the game is being played under protest.  If warranted, player(s)/team(s)/official(s) need to follow up with a written protest within 24 hours after a league contest and within one hour after a tournament contest. 

13.The IM Sports Program reserves the right to handle eligibility violations without formal protest.

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Protests are permitted in intramural sports in order to ensure fairness to a player or a team.  Protests are divided into two categories: Game Protest or Player Eligibility Protest. For each protest the appropriate form must be filled out and submitted by a team representative to the IM Office. During league play the form must be received within 24 hours and during tournament play, a written protest form must be filed in the IM Office within one hour following the completion of the contest.  Game Protest forms and Player Eligibility Protest forms are available in the IM Offices.  

1. GAME PROTEST:   The only acceptable reasons for a game protest are:
   1. Misinterpretation of a playing rule
   2. Failure of an official to apply the correct rule to a given situation
   3. Failure of an official to impose the correct penalty for a given violation
2. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY PROTEST: A protest concerning a player(s) eligibility must be announced prior to the completion of the contest.  A team in violation of any eligibility rule will cause the contest to be automatically forfeited.

PROTEST SOLUTION   

Game Protests will be checked for validity (one of the three acceptable reasons, shown to directly affect the final outcome & meets the procedural guidelines established).  If deemed valid, an automatic roster check of both teams will take place.  Player Eligibility Protests will lead to a review of eligibility of both teams involved in the contest.

Decisions to accept/deny and the solution implemented by the IM Program shall be final with no appeal process.  Protest is reviewed by the Associate Director, and/or Sport Coordinator(s).  Individuals may be asked to provide additional information.  During tournament play, protests will be reviewed before the next scheduled contest, generally the next day. 

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GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME.  Game time is determined by the supervisor's watch/clock on each field/court.  The minimum "start number" for the sport must be present in order to avoid forfeiting the contest. 

If one team is not ready to play at game time the following occurs: 

1.  The team ready to play will win the game by forfeit.

2.  The team can choose to grant their opponents a 10-minute grace period. If the required minimum number of players arrives within the 10 minutes, the game will be played and recorded as an official game.  NO EXCEPTIONS ARE PERMITTED TO THE 10-MINUTE GRACE PERIOD.  Length of game will be shortened according to the lateness of the new start time. (See game rules for exception in Volleyball.) 

If neither team has the minimum number ready to start at game time a double forfeit is declared. 

If both teams are ready to play at the designated start time, but due to a previous game running long or the court/field is not ready for play, the starting time will be adjusted so that the teams receive a full allotment of time.  Game time begins as soon as the field/court is available for play. 

Regardless of the reason(s), after a team forfeit, they are immediately dropped from any further competition.  A team may default (see below) to avoid forfeiting.

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If a team knows they cannot make a game and will not be able to show, they may call or email the intramural sports office a minimum of ONE WORKING DAY BEFORE THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED CONTEST to default the game.  They MUST talk to or leave a message for the Assistant Director.  If a team elects to default, they will be charged with a loss but not assessed a forfeit.

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In those instances when a team cannot play one of their regularly scheduled games, the IM Program provides some opportunity to reschedule the game.  Space & time are limited but the IM Program will try to accommodate requests whenever possible.  A rescheduling form must be completed and then approved by the opposing manager and the IM Program.  The reschedule process must be completed AT LEAST ONE WORKING DAY BEFORE THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED CONTEST.  Rescheduling requests for Saturday & Sunday games must be completed by 11:00 PM on Thursday.  Rescheduling requests for Monday must be completed by 12:00 p.m. on Friday.  Teams are encouraged to reschedule games as soon as a conflict is discovered.  If a reschedule space is available, both teams must agree on the new time and confirm with the Intramural Office before the game will be moved.

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TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP RATING SYSTEM

The development of team and individual sportsmanship is of fundamental importance in all intramural activities.  The sportsmanship rating system is intended to provide an objective scale in which teams are judged on attitude and behavior throughout the intramural league and playoff season.  Behavior before, during and after an intramural contest will be included in the rating.  The team manager is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with their team about the system.  In order to encourage acceptable conduct before, during and after an intramural contest, officials and/or supervisors shall make decisions whether to warn, penalize or eject individuals/teams/spectators/ organizations for poor sportsmanship.   

The four different team ratings are:

Acceptable Sportsmanship Rating

1. Team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sportsmanship toward members of both teams, spectators and all intramural officials and/or staff.

2. The designated game captain exhibits control over their team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls and cooperates by providing any information requested by any intramural official/staff.

3. Team members participate in the spirit and intent of the intramural game rules and/or program policies.  Team members accept judgment decisions made by the officials during the contest.

4. No flagrant unsportsmanlike penalties or red cards are issued and/or no player/spectator ejections occur before, during or after the intramural contest.  A team (players/spectators) does not receive three yellow cards or warnings.

5. Respect shown for intramural facilities/equipment. 

Unacceptable Sportsmanship Rating

Any one of the following will lead to an unacceptable rating:

1. Three or more yellow cards or unsportsmanlike penalties in any one contest towards one team (players/spectators).
2. A flagrant unsportsmanlike or red card issued and/or player/spectator ejection(s) occur before, during or after the intramural contest.
3. Technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct, multiple unsportsmanlike penalties given and/or any excessive celebration/taunting.
4. Participants/spectators complain about official’s decisions and/or show dissension.  Complaints may be voiced verbally or "non-verbally".  Arguing between opposing teams/spectators may also lead to an unacceptable rating.
5. The designated game captain does not control their team and spectators, converses in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls and does not cooperate or provide information requested by any intramural official/staff while performing their duties.
6. Team members do not meet eligibility requirements for participation within the program because of club sport, former varsity/varsity, and/or professional status within same/related sport.
7. Team members are playing with participant(s) who are currently suspended from participating on their IM team, and/or Intramural Program.
8. Any participant who plays under an assumed name.
9. Public indecency or obscenity.
10. Individuals/teams playing after the consumption or suspicion of consumption of alcohol/drugs.  If the contest has begun, player(s) will immediately be removed from the contest.  (Refer to Alcohol/Drugs, p. 11)
11. Verbal or physical abuse and/or the threat of, by participant(s)/spectator(s) in the form of fighting, baiting, and/or wrestling with an opponent and/or teammate before, during or after an intramural contest.
12. Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or non-verbal) towards any intramural employee before, during or after an intramural contest.
13. Damage/destruction of facilities/equipment.
14. Any violation of DePaul policies and procedures governing the conduct of students.

The safety of all that participate in the program is of utmost importance to the organization and administration of each activity.  Procedures to minimize the inherent risks to participants, spectators and personnel have been established.  Such procedures include scheduling, sport rule modifications, trained personnel, player control, and acknowledgment of risk forms.  The physical environment is ever changing.   

In an effort to maintain a safe playing area all participants are to adhere to the following BLOOD RULE: Blood is defined as any exposed blood on a person, apparel, or surface; or any unknown body fluid that may be blood.  Any player who is bleeding must be substituted for until the bleeding stops.  An intramural/sport club staff member or game official has the authority to remove the player.  If by removing the player who is bleeding, the team falls below the minimum number necessary to play (sport specific), the following will apply: The game clock will stop and a maximum of five (5) minutes will be allowed for the player to stop the bleeding.  Either an intramural/sport club staff member or game official must approve the player to re-enter.  If the bleeding is not stopped within the allotted five (5) minutes the team will forfeit the game.  THE ALLOWANCE IS ONLY FOR PLAYERS WHO ARE BLEEDING, AND THE TEAM CANNOT CONTINUE TO PLAY WITHOUT THEM. 

In all supervised activities, a staff member will be available to assist a bleeding player and determine whether the individual may resume play.

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FOOTWEAR

In all sports players must wear athletic type shoes which cover the foot completely.  Sandals, boots, and open toe shoes are NOT allowed.  For outside sports cleats are strongly recommended and are limited to studs or projections which do not exceed ½ inch in length and are made with nonabrasive rubber or rubber-type synthetic material which does not chip or develop a cutting edge. 

CLOTHING

While participating in flag football, players may not wear clothing with pockets, tear-a-way pants, hoods or exposed knots on their outer layer.  For example, a player wearing sweatpants with pockets would only be able to wear these pants during the game if a pair of shorts/pants without pockets was put on over the pocketed pants.   

JERSEY CHECK-OUT

For flag football and soccer, jerseys will be made available on the courts.  All players must return the jerseys to the supervisor after the completion of the game. 

For basketball, captains must check-out jerseys at the Ray Meyer equipment check-out area.  All jerseys must be returned after the completion of their game (captains will need to count jerseys to the Entrance Attendant on duty).  The individual checking out the jersey will be charged $35 for any jersey not returned at the end of the evening.

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