2007-2008 MIT INTRAMURAL SPORTS HANDBOOK

INTRAMURAL OFFICE
(top of page)

Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center

2nd Floor

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

Phone: 617-253-7947

_________________________

IM STAFF MEMBERS

TB – Coordinator of Intramural Sports
Bernice Ward – Administrative Assistant
_________________________

IM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
February 2008 - February 2009

Paul Blasovich - Chairperson
Chris Compean - Vice-Chairperson
Dodd Gray - Member-at-Large
Heather McDonald - Member-at-Large
Trip Vest - Member-at-Large

_________________________

Member Of

The National Intramural-Recreational

Sports Association

Last Update: September 9, 2006

INTRODUCTION
(top of page)

The MIT Intramural Sports Program involves thousands of students, both undergraduate and graduate, in a wide variety of sports. Quite large in scope, the program offers competition in more than twenty sports. To ensure every student a chance for participation, each sport consists of leagues of varying skill levels. One of the main goals of the program is to provide students the opportunity for recreation as an outlet from academic endeavors.

Students play a significant role in the administration of the Intramural Program. The Intramural Council makes policy and disciplinary decisions, student sport managers organize leagues, and other students officiate games. While some of these positions are paid, many require students to volunteer their time. Without the efforts and support of these students, the MIT Intramural Sports Program would suffer significantly.

The goal of this handbook is to provide all students with the information necessary to become an active participant in the intramural sports program. The first part of the handbook describes the organization of the program and the ways in which students may participate. The second part lists in detail the general intramural rules that govern the individuals and teams that take part in the program. Any program as large as this one must follow a set of rules in order to function efficiently and fairly. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW THESE RULES AND ABIDE BY THEM .

Additional information about the Intramural Program or specific sports can be obtained in the Intramural Office located on the second floor of the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center or on the web at http://web.mit.edu/athletics/www/intramurals/index.html . The Intramural Executive Committee encourages all students to take advantage of the opportunities for fun, recreation and friendly competition available through participation in the MIT Intramural Sports Program.

FACILITIES
(top of page)

Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center: Administrative offices, cardiovascular equipment, free weight area, cardio theater, sports medicine, 50-meter pool, 25-yard instructional pool, six international size squash courts, multi-activity court for basketball, floor hockey, indoor soccer, volleyball, and general exercise, membership desks and equipment desk.

DuPont Athletic Center: Locker facilities and equipment desk, rifle and pistol ranges, nautilus, four squash courts, one handball court and rooms for fencing, wrestling and general exercises.

Johnson Athletic Center: First floor – hockey rink, second floor – 200-meter synthetic track and multipurpose infield.

Rockwell Cage: Three basketball courts, or five volleyball courts, or eight badminton courts.

DuPont Gymnasium: Two basketball/volleyball courts and gymnastic equipment.

Briggs Field: 23 acres for football, track, soccer, rugby, softball and ultimate Frisbee.

J.B. Carr Indoor Tennis Bubble: Four indoor and twelve outdoor tennis courts.

Alumni Swimming Pool: 25-yard competition pool, smaller teaching/warm-up pool.

Pierce Boathouse (Crew): Along the Charles River opposite Burton House.

MIT Sailing Pavilion: Along the Charles River opposite Walker Memorial.

ORGANIZATION
(top of page)

The Intramural Program is run by students on the Intramural Council, a division of the MIT Athletic Association. The Council consists of the athletic chairpersons from all academic departments, activity groups, and living groups, in addition to the executive committee of five individuals. Four mandatory council meetings are held during the academic year, including two affiliation meetings at the beginning of each term during the second week of September/February and two general meetings during the first week of November/April. Additional meetings may be called if necessary. Groups failing to attend the affiliation meeting must place a forfeit deposit for each team they enter that term.

• Affiliated membership: Groups who are in good standing (i.e., no fines) can be affiliated members if they have been an affiliated member in good standing for one of the past two terms. Affiliated members have voting rights at Council meetings and do not have to place a forfeit deposit for the teams they enter unless otherwise specified. The Council meetings are mandatory for affiliated members.
• Provisional membership: Groups wishing to become affiliated members who haven't satisfied the requirements for affiliation may become provisional members provided they are in good standing with the IM Council. A $75 deposit at the beginning of the term will allow teams to enter a sport without having to place a deposit for each sport. Deposits for provisional memberships during the fall semester must be picked up no later than Registration day for the spring term. Deposits for provisional memberships during the spring semester must be picked up by June 15. The Executive Committee will review all provisional members at the end of the term to determine whether they may affiliate the following term. Provisional members must attend Council meetings and have voting rights just like affiliated members.
• Independent membership: Teams or groups may choose not to attend the above meetings, but must submit a forfeit deposit at entry time for each team entered in each sport. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the particular sports season less any fines incurred. See General Intramural Rules Section III, Rule B for the structure of the forfeit deposit.

The five-person Executive Committee, elected by the Council, meets monthly or as needed to handle day-to-day affairs. This committee oversees the work of the sports managers, handles protests and forfeits, and ensures that the program runs smoothly. The Council Chairperson represents the intramural sports program as a Vice-President of the MITAA.

AS A PLAYER . . .
(top of page)

Information about IM sports is available at two locations: (1) The Intramural Office on the second floor of the Zesiger Center; (2) The MIT Intramural website. Persons interested in playing for their living groups should contact their athletic chairperson.

Although many teams are formed around living groups, any organization, department, or interested group may enter a team. Anyone who wants to enter a team can obtain all the information necessary in the Intramural Office (W35-297S) or on the web; this should be done several weeks prior to the anticipated starting date of the season. Anyone who would like to receive all the intramural information so that their organization will be kept informed on the status of the various sports should stop by the IM Office or check the intramural sports program homepage regularly.

All undergraduate and graduate students and members of the faculty, subject to the eligibility requirements in Section II, Parts A & B, may compete in the intramural sports program. Any individual who is having difficulty finding a team to play with should contact the manager of that sport; the sports manager may be able to locate a team needing extra players.

AS A TEAM CAPTAIN . . .
(top of page)

The team captain is responsible for his/her team both on and off the field. The captain must obtain the schedule and serves as a liaison between the team and the sport officials. These responsibilities include preventing forfeits, fulfilling referee obligations, knowing the rules and procedures, keeping his/her team informed, and insuring that everyone participates in a sportsmanlike manner.

AS AN ATHLETIC CHAIRPERSON . . .
(top of page)

Each group/organization chooses an individual (chairperson) to act as the liaison between his/her group, the Intramural Office, and the Intramural Council. An affiliation meeting is conducted during the second week of September and February that allows attending athletic chairpersons to enter teams in upcoming sports. Failure of a group/organization to send a chairperson to this meeting will require forfeit deposits to be placed in escrow for each team which that group chooses to enter into each sport. The chairperson must attend all IM Council meetings or send a proxy, inform his/her group of entry deadlines, check the eligibility of each member on each team roster, and sign both the roster entry form indicating when their group cannot play. STOP BY THE IM OFFICE OR CHECK THE WEB DAILY!

AS A REFEREE . . .
(top of page)

Student referees are needed to officiate basketball, hockey, football, softball, soccer, volleyball and water polo. Depending on his/her competence at officiating a sport, a student can earn up to $20.00 per hour.

Anyone interested in officiating should contact the particular sport manager or the Coordinator of the intramural sports program. All potential referees are required to attend the referee clinic in that particular sport, during which all pertinent information (rules, pay scales, etc.) will be discussed.

AS A MANAGER . . .
(top of page)

The IM Coordinator and the Executive Committee appoint managers for each sport. Openings for these positions are posted in the IM Office and on the web, and are announced at the bi-monthly meetings. Anyone interested in managing a sport should contact the IM Coordinator or a member of the Executive Committee.

Each sport manager is responsible for scheduling, obtaining referees, updating rules, posting league standings, notifying teams of fines, and handling any problems that may arise with their sport. Managers are employees of the MITAA and are held accountable to the Executive Committee, which has the right to replace a manager who is negligent in their duties. Managers receive hourly wages depending on the amount of work necessary to run their sport.

AS AN ORGANIZATION . . .
(top of page)

Each organization is responsible for its members on and off the field (i.e. fans), and as such, can be held accountable for their actions.

GENERAL INTRAMURAL RULES
(top of page)

I. SCOPE

A. Each team and participant, in any intramural sport, is responsible for the general rules and regulations contained herein.

B. Playing rules for each sport will be determined by the manager of that sport, subject to review by the Executive Committee.

C. Any questions concerning these rules should be referred to the intramural sport manager, Intramural Council Chairperson or Intramural Coordinator in order to obtain clarification and ruling prior to participation. Only the Executive Committee may make exceptions to these rules.

II. ELIGIBILITY
(top of page)

A. All players must be:

1. A regular undergraduate or regular graduate student. A regular student is a student working toward an MIT degree and registered during the most recent Registration Day. First term registration covers IAP and terminates on the day before Registration Day of the second term.
2. A cross-registered undergraduate student (Wellesley).
3. A member of the Faculty, Instructors, Lecturers or Post Doc's
4. An alumnae who has received the appropriate permission to use MIT's athletic facilities .

B. A person shall not be eligible for intramural competition in a sport if he/she:

1. Is out for a corresponding intercollegiate or club sport. A person is out for a team if he/she has satisfied one of the following during the past calendar year:
   a. Has participated in at least one game or scrimmage for the team;
   b. Is working out regularly with an intercollegiate team, i.e., is receiving coaching and/or uses facilities during intercollegiate practice; or
   c. Is on a team roster.
2. Is a professional in that intramural sport as defined by the ECAC rules subject to interpretation by the IM Executive Committee.
3. Is a paid coach or instructor for that sport.
4. Is currently on a roster or attending practice with any club team or in any other league in that sport which makes use of the MIT facilities, such as the club teams of volleyball, water polo, Frisbee, graduate soccer, badminton and table tennis. Some sports allow a limited number of club members so be sure to check with a particular sports manager if there is any question about a player's eligibility.
5. Alumni teams will only be allowed to enter where room within a sport permits, at the discretion of the manager. One particular organization of alumni cannot field more than one team in any given sport.

C. Leagues & Teams

1. A player may play for only one team in any sport. He/she may switch teams as described in Section D Below. No roster may be changed after one-half of a particular sport season's scheduled game is over.
2. A sport will be divided into leagues (A,B,C, or D) as the IM manager deems necessary. All leagues are coed unless otherwise indicated.

D. Team rosters must be submitted by the Athletic Chairperson to the intramural sport manger.

1. A player shall be ineligible to compete for a team unless he is currently on the roster for that team. If a person plays for a team for which he is ineligible, the Manager must suspend the player for the remainder of the sport season, from all teams in that sport.
2. Rosters may be changed by submitting the changes to the sport manager before the playoff schedule for the sport is released.
3. A player who has participated in a scheduled contest may be transferred only once to a team from a lower league to a higher league or vice versa. The transfer must be in writing, addressed to the appropriate sport manager, prior to playing for the new team.

E. If an ineligible player participates in an intramural contest:

1. Their team will be assessed a $50 fine and will forfeit the game to their opponents. If it is a playoff game, their team shall be disqualified.
2. He/she shall be declared ineligible to play that sport for the remainder of the season.
3. At the discretion of the Executive Committee, additional action may be taken.
4. An ineligible player (as defined by Section B, who would otherwise be eligible to Section A-1) may be allowed to participate by mutual consent of both teams, EXCEPT IN HOCKEY. Once consent is granted, the outcome of the game will stand regardless of player eligibility. It is thus not recommended to grant consent unless it is mutually beneficial to both teams.

III. ENTRIES
(top of page)

A. An intramural sport may be entered by emailing the sport manager a completed ‘Official Roster Entry Form' by the deadline. A hand-copy must also be delivered to the IM Administrative Assistant. Rosters must be submitted via email by the deadline; no late entries will be accepted.

B. Every team not sponsored by an organization affiliated with the IM Council as defined by the IM Constitution and outlined in this handbook, must put up a forfeit deposit of $75 for the larger sports (Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball) and $50 for all other sports except Bowling, Hockey, and Octathon. Bowling, Hockey, and Octathon have entry fees as set by the manager each season. Deposits for sports ending in the fall semester must be picked up by the end of the last day of exams for the fall semester, unless the season ends within the last three weeks of the school term, in which case, the deposit must be picked up no later than Registration day for the spring term. Deposits for sports ending in the spring semester must be picked up by the end of the last day of exams for the spring semester, unless the season ends within the last three weeks of the school term, in which case, the deposit must be picked up no later than June 15. The end of a season is defined as the last day a game was played for that particular sport, be it a playoff final if that particular sport has playoffs, or the last game of the regular season if no playoff occurs.

C. No new entries will be allowed from groups owing fines .

IV. REQUIRED REFEREES
(top of page)

A. Managers may require teams to provide referees. A team missing a “required referee assignment” will be fined and will incur a forfeit and may be disqualified from further play and/or playoff opportunity (manager discretion).

V. GAME DISPUTES
(top of page)

A. Current official rules (as designated by the sport manager and modified to comply with intramural play) will apply to all contests and will be used to settle all disputes.

B. Only the team captain may enter into a discussion with an official concerning an official's ruling. This must be done in a sportsmanlike fashion; otherwise, the captain risks a game suspension.

C. In the event that the team against whom the decision was made still disputes the ruling made by the official, the game may be played under protest from the point of dispute. Only a disputed rules interpretation may be used as grounds for such a protest. The team captain must inform the official at the time of the dispute that his team will continue to play the game under protest . Unless these stipulations are fulfilled and the requirements of Rule VII, Section A are met, no protest may be filed.

VI.  SPORTSMANSHIP
(top of page)

A. A game official may eject a player, coach, or spectator from a game in compliance with the sport's rules (Rule V, Section A) or for unsportsmanlike conduct. The game may be forfeited if, after the official notifies the team captain, the ejected person fails to leave the playing area.

B. The following are evidences of poor sportsmanship.

1. Excessive arguing, derogatory or abusive remarks, or profanity toward an opponent or official will result in ejection from the game and suspension for the following game.
2. Any flagrant unsportsmanlike contact with an opponent during a game will result in ejection from the game and suspension for the season.
3. Any unsportsmanlike intentional physical contact with an opponent outside the context of the game (i.e., player coming off the bench or sideline) will result in ejection from the game and suspension for the sport season.
4. Threatening, shoving, striking, or attempting to strike a game official, or any action, the intent of which is to physically injure an official or opponent, will result in ejection from the game, and suspension from the intramural program for the remainder of the school year.

C. A player ejected from a game under Rule B is automatically suspended from the next scheduled game. A player ejected under Rule B, Section 2, 3, or 4 will be required to appear before the Executive Committee before further participation will be allowed . Spectators involved in fights will also be subject to Executive Committee actions.

D. A player ejected from two games during a contact sport season or one game in a non-contact sport season will become ineligible to compete in that sport for the remainder of the season; he/she will also be brought before the Executive Committee and a further step may be taken and his/her team/organization may incur an additional fine based upon the severity of the incident.

E. A team is responsible for the conduct of its players, coaches, and spectators. Persistent unsportsmanlike conduct by a team or spectator may result in the suspension of that team from further participation in the intramural program for the season.

F. Referees must report in writing any ejection to the sport manager within 72 hours.

G. The Executive Committee may take further action under any of the above rules, including additional fines, permanently barring a player from participating in the Intramural Program, or actions against an organization.

VII. PROTESTS
(top of page)

A. All protests must be filed in writing with a manager of that sport within 72 hours after the contest in question by the offended team's captain or athletic chairman, or with the Executive Committee by the manager of that sport. Exception : If new evidence is discovered, eligibility protest may be filed with the Executive Committee at the time during the season (the season ends 72 hours after the final game)

B. The Executive Committee shall hear and judge all protests. They will hear all pleas for rule revisions, for judgment on playing field disputes, for transfer for personnel from one roster to another and for any other justifiable cause. No member shall vote on a protest involving his/her own group or organization.

VIII. FORFEITS
(top of page)

A. Failure of either team to commence play at game time will cause either or both of them to be charged with a forfeit. Games forfeited under Rule VI will be assessed a regular forfeit fine. Specific rules to decide what constitutes a forfeit will be determined by the individual sports manager.

B. If a team forfeits an intramural contest, it will be fined according to the following guidelines based on the sport:

1. Large Sports (Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball) AND HOCKEY
   a. First Infraction: $75
   b. Second Infraction: $100
   c. Third Infraction: $125 and removal from the league
2. Small Sports EXCEPT Bowling and Octathon
   a. First Infraction: $50
   b. Second Infraction: $75
   c. Third Infraction: $100 and removal from the league
3. Bowling and Octathon
   a. As determined by the manager

C. Missing “Required Referee assignments”, as assigned by the IM Manager, will be fined according to the following schedule:

1. First infraction: $20
2. Second infraction: $35
3. Each subsequent infraction: $50 each

D. Anytime after the second forfeit infraction has occurred, a team may notify the manager requesting to be dropped from the league.  Fines will continue to be assessed for any matches scheduled to start within 48 hours after notification. Any additional matches will be canceled without a fine.

E. Anytime after the second forfeit infraction has occurred, a manager may elect to remove a team from a league and cancel its remaining matches.  The manager should give the team notice at least 48 hours prior to its next match.  No fines can be assessed to a team for matches scheduled after the manager's notification.

F. Teams/organizations with excessive forfeits may be subject to suspension from all intramural sports.

IX. POSTPONEMENTS/CANCELLATIONS
(top of page)

A. Forfeit fines may be waived at the sport's manager's discretion, usually with at least 72 hours notice. Follow the instructions given by your sport's manager regarding postponements and cancellations.

X. INJURIES
(top of page)

A. Each individual participating in intramural sports assumes the risk for any harm or injuries caused by any negligence or any unintentional acts. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that each individual have sufficient health insurance coverage, whether it is through the Institute system or on a personal or family plan.

B. Students injured in intramural contests should be taken to the MIT Medical Center for emergency treatment.

C. An official may halt any contest at any time in the event of an injury.

XI.  MANAGER'S DUTIES
(top of page)

A. Managers are responsible for planning and organizing the season.

B. Issuing a letter or e-mail through the IM Office detailing the deadlines and requirements for participating in the sport.

C. Scheduling all games and obtaining referees.

D. Regularly updating the IM Coordinator and Executive Committee of all changes.

E. Attending IM Council meetings while their sport is in season.

F. Keeping schedules, referee assignments, and league standings up-to-date and posting these on the IM Bulletin Board, the IM Office, and on the web.

G. Notifying teams of forfeits as they occur.

H. Submitting fine cards in a timely manner.

I. Submitting a written report to the IM Coordinator within one ( 1 ) month of the completion of the season.

J. Attending the Pre-Season Manager Meeting with the IM Executive Committee and IM Coordinator.

XII. CAPTAIN'S DUTIES
(top of page)

A. Attending any special captain's meetings and assigning referees to attend referee clinics.

B. The captain's duties include informing the team of the schedule and rules.

C. Finding knowledgeable/competent referees when a team is required to provide them.

D. Keeping the team organized to prevent forfeits and delays.

E. Checking the intramural web page weekly.

F. Checking the eligibility of all participants on every roster.

G. Knowing IM Eligibility Rules.

XIII.  ATHLETIC CHAIRPERSON'S DUTIES
(top of page)

A. Acting as liaison between the IM Council and the group of people he/she represents.

B. Checking new announcements on the intramural sports web page daily.

C. Attending Intramural Council Meetings or send a proxy ($15 fine for missing a meeting).

D. Checking the intramural bulletin board frequently.

E. Checking the eligibility of all participants on every roster.

F. Signing and returning all rosters before the given deadlines.

G. Informing team captains of any schedule changes.

XIV. PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
(top of page)

Unless the manager requests special conditions, the following guidelines will be used in all IM sports for determining qualifications for playoffs.

A. Divisional games only will be used in scoring.

B. Failure to officiate assigned “required referee” slots may jeopardize playoff participation.

C. Points will be given as follows:

1. For sports with ties such as soccer: 4 points for a win, 2 points for a tie, 1 point for a loss, 0 points for a forfeit.
2. For sports without ties such as team tennis: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a loss, 0 points for a forfeit.
3. Or according to the Manager's Pre-Season Rules.

D. Playoff Seeding Tiebreakers

1. Total points
2. # of Wins
3. Head-to-Head Result
4. Goal Differential
   a. For sports like soccer: Goals for minus Goals against.
   b. For sports like team tennis: Games won minus Games lost.
   c. For sports like basketball: Goal Differential is Not possible. Continue to next step.
5. Greater Number of Goals for or Games Won
6. Coin toss

Changes to IM Handbook
(top of page)

These changes are listed in order that they appear in the IM Handbook. Changes are effective starting 09 September 2006. Changes were made on the 2005-2006 IM Handbook.

Organization, Section B - Provisional Affiliations: Semester Deposit is a one-time deposit of $75 (up from $70)

Organization, Section C - Independent Teams: Deposit per team is now either $50 or $75 - See Section III, Rule B of the General Intramural Rules for more details.

General Intramural Rules

Section II, Rule E.1.

If a team plays with an ineligible player, the fine is $50 (up from $30) and forfeiture of the match.

Section III, Rule A.

An intramural sport may be entered by emailing the sport manager a completed 'Official Roster Entry Form' by the deadline. A hand-copy must also be delivered to the IM Administrative Assistant. Rosters must be submitted via email by the deadline; no late entries will be accepted.

Section III, Rule B

Every team not sponsored by an organization affiliated with the IM Council as defined by the IM Constitution and outlined in this handbook, must put up a forfeit deposit of $75 for the larger sports (Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball) and $50 for all other sports except Bowling, Hockey, and Octathon. Bowling, Hockey, and Octathon have entry fees as set by the manager each season.

Section VIII

A. Failure of either team to commence play at game time will cause either or both of them to be charged with a forfeit. Games forfeited under Rule VI will be assessed a regular forfeit fine. Specific rules to decide what constitutes a forfeit will be determined by the individual sports manager.

B. If a team forfeits an intramural contest, it will be fined according to the following guidelines based on the sport:

1. LARGE SPORTS (Soccer, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball) AND HOCKEY
   a. First Infraction: $75
   b. Second Infraction: $100
   c. Third Infraction: $125 and removal from the league
2. SMALL SPORTS EXCEPT Bowling and Octathon
   a. First Infraction: $50
   b. Second Infraction: $75
   c. Third Infraction: $100 and removal from the league
3. BOWLING AND OCTHATHON
   a. As determined by the manager

C. Missing "Required Referee assignments", as assigned by the IM Manager, will be fined according to the following schedule:

1. First infraction: $20
2. Second infraction: $35
3. Each subsequent infraction: $50 each

D. Anytime after the second forfeit infraction has occurred, a team may notify the manager requesting to be dropped from the league.  Fines will continue to be assessed for any matches scheduled to start within 48 hours after notification. Any additional matches will be canceled without a fine.

E. Anytime after the second forfeit infraction has occurred, a manager may elect to remove a team from a league and cancel its remaining matches.  The manager should give the team notice at least 48 hours prior to its next match.  No fines can be assessed to a team for matches scheduled after the manager's notification.

F. Teams/organizations with excessive forfeits may be subject to suspension from all intramural sports.