Worcester State

Intramural Manager

Brittany Rende

brende@worcester.edu

508.929.8293

Wellness 211

Office Hours by appointment

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide students, faculty and staff with the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitive recreational sports in a safe environment; to promote and provide quality service, facilities and equipment; to facilitate the opportunity for enjoyable experiences; to nurture and celebrate the wholesome and worthwhile use of leisure, healthy lifestyles and wellness; and to create opportunities for the growth and development of all stakeholders.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK/LIABILITY

Massachusetts State requires that all full-time and 3⁄4 time students (nine or more credits for Undergraduate students, 6.75 or more credits for Graduate students) attending an institution of higher education in the state must be enrolled in a Student Health Insurance Program that meets established minimum benefit guidelines.

All full-time students are required by Worcester State University to either have their own health insurance or purchase the University’s health insurance. If your insurance doesn't cover certain aspects of the bill, then the university’s insurance could potentially pick up some of the remainder

Prior to participation in Intramural sports, all students must agree to the Statement of Due Warning and Assumption of Risk through the IMLeagues system. Participants MAY NOT participate without agreeing to the Statement of Due Warning and Assumption of Risk, doing so may result in game forfeiture and ejection from the league.

Participation in any Worcester State University intramural activity is completely voluntary. Individuals assume responsibility for all injuries that result from their participation in the program. In sports, there is risk to the participants involved due to the physical nature of activities. Injuries including, but not limited to sprains, strains, contusions, fractures, head, neck, and back injuries are possible.

ALCOHOL & DRUG POLICY

As safety is our number one priority, No student will be permitted to participate in, or watch

any intramural activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any student who violates this

policy may be referred to the University’s Student Conduct Office for disciplinary action.

Worcester State University prohibits the possession or use of alcohol and/or drugs or drug

paraphernalia on university premises.

TOBACCO POLICY

Smoking, the use of other tobacco products (i.e. Dip, Chewing Tobacco, etc), and any other

nicotine delivery system (i.e. ECigs, Vapes, Juul, etc), will not be permitted during the

participation or viewing of any intramural events as it is a violation of the University’s Tobacco

Free Policy. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all employees, faculty, staff, students,

and visitors of the University.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Overview:

• Intramural sports are offered to all students, faculty, and staff at Worcester State University
• Competition is in the form of leagues, tournaments, and/or special events each semester.
• The programs are offered based on student interest and the availability of resources and facilities.
• All information in the Intramural Handbook is subject to change by the Intramural Manager
• There may be opportunities for teams to represent Worcester State University in extramural events against other colleges and universities

INTRAMURAL SPORT REGISTRATION

• Prior to each season, students will be able to register their team(s) online through imleagues.com/WorcesterState
• Teams will NOT be accepted after the registration deadline.
• To create an IMLeagues account:

1. Go to www.imleagues.com/WorcesterState
2. Enter your information, use your School email (@worcester.edu) and submit.
3. You will be sent an activation email, click the link in the email to login and activate your IMLeagues account.
4. You should be automatically joined to your school – If not you can search schools by clicking the “Schools” link

• How to sign up for an intramural sport:

1. Log in to your IMLeagues.com account.
2. Click the Create/Join Team button at the top right of your User Homepage page
                   OR
   Click on the “Worcester State University” link to go to your school’s homepage on IMLeagues.

• Click on the sport you wish to join.

You can join the sport one of three ways:

1. Create a team (For team captains)

Captains can invite members to their team by clicking the “Invite Members” link on the team page. Any invited members must accept the invitation to be joined to your team.

If they’ve already registered on IMLeagues: search for their name, and invite them

If they haven’t yet registered on IMLeagues: scroll down to the “Invite by Email Address” box, and input their email address.

2. Join a team

Use the Create/Join Team Button at top right of every page

Accepting a request from the captain to join his team

Finding the team and captain name on division/league page and requesting to join

Going to the captain’s player card page, viewing his team, and requesting to join

3. Join as a Free Agent

You can list yourself as a free agent in as many divisions within a league as you’d like. You will be visible to all members of the site and can request to join teams, or post information about yourself so teams can request to add you to their team.

ROSTERS

• Only players who are on a team’s roster through IMLeagues are eligible to participate
• Players may be added at any point in the season, but must play in 25% of regular season games to be eligible for the playoffs
• Once a player has played in a game (forfeits do not count) that player must remain on that team for the remainder of the season

CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Select an appropriate team name and division
• Register your team
• Submit the appropriate team roster on imleagues.com/worcesterstate. Make roster changes and additions when necessary in accordance with the eligibility rules
• The captain or a team representative MUST attend the captains’ meeting which will be communicated to you upon registration. There may also be a playoff meeting for your sport.
• Schedules will be posted on IMLeagues and you will be notified via email when they are posted
• Read all emails sent by the intramural office for important changes and updates
• Notify team members of date, place and time of game or any schedule changes
• Relay all information to players, fans, coaches, etc in the handbook and rulebooks as well as any other information disseminated at the captains’ meeting
• Be knowledgeable of eligibility rules, department policies and playing rules of the sport
• Ensure enough players are present to avoid a forfeit at game time
• Captains are responsible for the actions of their teams and fans. When offending member(s) of a team cannot be identified the captain will be held responsible and could face sanctions
• Teams may choose to have multiple captains listed for contact purposes

Spectators:

Intramurals encourages spectators to attend all activities in support of their teams.

All spectators are expected to follow the policies included in the Intramural Sports Handbook

Team captains are responsible for their spectators’ behavior.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES

All players are responsible for their own conduct, some of this conduct is included but not limited to:

• Read and be familiar with department policy, the Intramural Handbook, as well as sport specific rules
• Bring your valid, Worcester State University OneCard to all games. No ID=No play
• Any participant that is ejected from a contest is responsible for contacting the Intramural Manager to set up a meeting before regaining eligibility in ALL intramural events
• Maintain a cooperative attitude with all officials and staff
• Exhibit excellent sportsmanship at all times including before, during, and after game
• Any participant or spectator who incites, commits, or aids others in committing any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures:

5. Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) toward another player, spectator, or employee.
6. Hitting or pushing another player, spectator, or employee.
7. Action(s) which could potentially cause equipment or facility damage or personal injury.
8. Failure to cooperate with staff.
9. Any person using an assumed name, or using an OneCard illegally.
10. Illegally playing for more than one team. Each team may be subject to forfeit all games in which the illegal player participated.
11. Using non-inclusive and disrespectful language.

Personal conduct situations that are not covered by the above rulings will be handled in an appropriate manner by the Intramural Manager and may be subject to judicial action.

EJECTIONS

The Intramural Staff reserves the right to eject and suspend any individual, team, or spectator that interrupts the game or the nature of the game in any manner. Ejections may occur before, during, or after a contest. Any ejected player must leave the intramural sports facility (out of sight and sound) and must leave within an appropriate time frame deemed necessary by the intramural sport staff. If the player refuses to leave within a reasonable amount of time, an intramural supervisor will assess further discipline and the game may be forfeited. Ejected participants are immediately ineligible from further participation or attendance at any intramural sport activity until the individual has met with the Intramural Manager. In order to be reinstated, the player(s) must meet with the Intramural Manager. Meetings will take place at the availability of the Intramural Sports Staff and must be scheduled appointments.

PROTESTS

There are two types of protests that may be made; one is a rule misapplication and the other is eligibility. In order to protest a rule misapplication, the supervisor on duty must be notified immediately and the time, conditions, and situation must be documented. Failure to notify staff immediately following the play will result in the inability to protest the situation. Judgement calls may not be protested. Eligibility protests may be filled out at any time during the intramural season. Rule protests must be filed on site with an intramural staff member. Eligibility protests can be filed on site or via email to the Intramural Manager. A decision will be made by the Intramural Manager in a timely manner and all involved parties will be contacted about the final ruling.

ELIGIBILITY

• All current Worcester State University students, faculty and staff are eligible to participate
• Must have your OneCard present at all games. No ID=No Play
• Any students who have been on the NCAA roster during the current academic year may not participate in a corresponding sport during that academic year (ie Varsity Basketball may not play 5x5 or 3x3 Basketball)
• Any team that is using an ineligible player will result in a forfeit in all the games the ineligible player participated in, including situations where participants are found to be playing on multiple teams within a league

SPORTSMANSHIP

After every game/match each team/individual will be rated on their sportsmanship by the intramural staff. Spectators associated with you or your team can also affect a team/individual’s conduct rating and will be held accountable for their conduct as well.

The following rating system will be used:

• 5-Excellent Conduct: Teams/individuals demonstrate excellent behavior and maintains attitude of complete cooperation with all officials and opponents. The captain calmly converses with officials about the rules and also has full control over teammates. (No technical fouls, disqualifications, penalty cards, etc)
• 4-Above Average Conduct: Teams/individuals verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor dissension. Example: a technical foul, 5-minute major or yellow card would automatically drop your rating. (One yellow card, one technical foul, one unsportsmanlike penalty, etc)
• 3-Average Conduct: Teams/individuals are chippy with each other or officials. Continually questioning calls or lack thereof but without hurting the flow of the game. (One yellow card, one technical foul, one unsportsmanlike penalty, etc)
• 2-Below Average Conduct: Teams/individuals show verbal dissent towards officials and/or opposing teams/individuals. Captain exhibits minor control over teammates. (2 Technical fouls, 2 yellow cards, one red card, ejected player, multiple 5-minute majors, etc)
• 1-Poor Conduct: Teams/individuals constantly comments to the officials and/or opposing team/individuals from the field, court or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates. (Multiple offenses, technical fouls, personal fouls, yellow cards, ejections, multiple 5-minute majors, etc)
• 0-Flagrant Conduct: Team/individual cause game to be stopped by staff early or fighting will automatically result in a 0.

Any team receiving below a 3 sportsmanship rating must meet with the Intramural Manager prior to their team’s next game. Teams must maintain a 3.0 average throughout the regular season to be eligible for playoffs. Any team receiving a 3 during playoffs will be automatically removed. Any spectator who violates the conduct rules are subject to the same disciplinary action as participants. Any acts of physical abuse in a game may result in a suspension from Intramurals, the Wellness Center, and/or may be referred to student conduct.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

• In the event of inclement weather or uncontrollable circumstances games may be cancelled or postponed
• It is the responsibility of the captain to communicate cancellations with their team
• Information regarding game cancellations will be publicized as early as possible through IMLeagues and social media
• Do not assume games have been cancelled unless you have heard otherwise

FORFEITS

• A forfeit is awarded if the opposing team is not ready to play at game time
• A double forfeit will be awarded if neither team is ready to play at game time
• Teams must communicate at minimum 48 hours in advance to attempt to reschedule a game
• Teams must communicate with the Intramural Manager 24 hours in advance of scheduled game time if they will not be able to make their scheduled game time. In this circumstance an auto-loss will be awarded
• Any teams that forfeits twice during the regular season will be removed from the league and ineligible for playoffs

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will be held to determine an overall league champion. The playoff structure will be determined by the number of entries and facility availability. Seeding will be based on overall record.

SPORT RULES

Any rules not covered by the Worcester State University rulebook for a specific sport will be covered by the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) rulebook or the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

ATTIRE/JEWELRY

The following items are considered illegal apparel:

• Street or dress clothes and shoes
• Metal or screw-in cleats
• Bare feet
• Sandals/Boots
• Hats
• Any jewelry-any exceptions that need to be made to this rule need to go through the Intramural Manager 48 hours in advance of game time.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In case of emergency, immediately inform the intramural supervisor and contact campus police at 508-929-8911

FIRE ALARM- If there is an alarm pulled or if a detector goes off, you should evacuate the building until fire department/university police clear you for return.