Where to find a team
Intramural teams are created through common bonds or associations at Buena Vista University. These bonds include:

1. Friends
2. Residence Halls
3. Campus Organizations (clubs)
4. Alternate Athletic Programs
5. Intramurals Office

A printable version is also available.

1. Contact the office and give your name, phone, email and desired sport.
2. Attend the captain’s meeting; there will be a free agent roundup to fill team rosters.
3. Go to some intramural games and ask around; be proactive. Schedules will be posted on the intramurals web site.

1. Obtain a registration form from.
2. Fill the registration form out completely.
3. Bring in the completed registration (and deposit if necessary) by the specified deadline.
4. Attend the captain’s meeting to receive rules and information on policies and procedures.

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Responsibilities of captains
The success of the intramural program at Buena Vista University is dependent upon the representatives who serve as captains for each participating team. These persons have the important function of serving as a direct line of communication between their teams and the Intramurals Office. Each team entered in an intramural event must have a designated captain who will act as a liaison between the team and the Intramural Office. Communication between the Intramurals Office and the captain will occur by e-mail, so captains will need to have this capability. The team captain is responsible for:

1. Submitting the entry form during the sign up period and filing the entry fee (if needed).
2. Attending the captains’ meeting or designating a teammate to represent the team.
3. Knowing deadline dates, mandatory meeting times, the rules governing the sport in which your team is participating, as well as being familiar with the Intramural Policies and Procedures with regards to forfeits, defaults, sportsmanship, postponement, etc.
4. Keeping the team informed as to game site, time, opponent and other information.
5. Ensuring that all team members are eligible for participation.
6. Submitting protests if necessary.
7. Promoting and developing good sportsmanship (teammates and fans) before, during and after all intramural contests.
8. Assisting the intramural staff with an ejected teammate and referring that teammate to the Intramurals Office after the incident.
9. Ensuring that the team does not forfeit!

Captain's Meeting
These meetings will be held to discuss rules and logistics for the sport in question. If the captain is unable to attend, then a designated representative can attend in his/her place.

Forfeit Fees
Some sports require a forfeit fee. This is used as a deterrent against teams that want to forfeit. Forfeit are to be turned in to the Intramurals Office and will be kept by the Director of Intramurals. At the end of the season, the team captain may pick up this deposit once a list of teams/captains eligible for deposits is submitted. The Intramurals Office will instruct all team captains on how to obtain the returned fee. If a team has forfeited any games, playoff or regular season, during the session then the forfeit fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. The Intramurals Office will also set a time limit for forfeit fee pick-up. Once this time period has passed, fees are NONREFUNDABLE. There may be special cases concerning forfeit fees. The Intramurals Office reserves the right to make decisions regarding special forfeit fee situations.

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General eligibility
It is the responsibility of the captain to ensure that members of his/her team are eligible. Any questionable case should be brought to the Intramurals Office so that an official ruling can be obtained. Rosters will be checked throughout the season. Eligibility definitions and rules for participation in any intramural event are as follows.

1. Each player must meet the following eligibility requirements:
   • Full-time student at Buena Vista University with a valid student ID card.
   • Part-time and graduate students must have a valid student ID card.
   • Faculty/Staff members with a valid BVU ID card.
2. Buena Vista University Intercollegiate Athletes are ineligible to compete in any related sports in the intramural program (e.g. current baseball players may not play baseball or softball).
   • Any individual whose name appears on a Buena Vista University team roster will be classified as an intercollegiate athlete for one academic year.
   • A student who begins an intercollegiate sport season on a roster but does not finish as a member of that team will be considered an intercollegiate athlete for one academic year.
   • Practice players and players who participated in tryouts are not considered current intercollegiate athletes.
3. A limit of one (1) ex-intercollegiate athlete is eligible to be on an intramural team’s roster for each sport in which the student participated. This rule includes ex-intercollegiate athletes who have participated at a university or senior college other than Buena Vista University (this does not apply to faculty/staff teams).
4. Current professional/elite athletes are ineligible to compete in that sport or related sports.

Organizational Eligibility
We offer three divisions at Buena Vista University Intramurals: Men’s, Women’s, and Coed.

1. Men's Division: All Buena Vista University male undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff are eligible to participate in this division.
2. Women’s Division: All Buena Vista University female undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff are eligible to participate in this division.
3. Coed Division: All Buena Vista University male and female undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff are eligible to participate in this division.

1. Participants have been properly added to the roster before the end of the regular season.
2. Participants have played at least one (1) game for their team during the regular season.

Ineligible player
If the use of an ineligible player is confirmed at any time, including playing on more than one (1) team, the player will automatically be suspended immediately.

• During league play, all contests in which an ineligible player participates may be recorded as a forfeit win for the opposing team and the ineligible player will be suspended for the remainder of that sport. This decision may be made at the discretion of the Intramurals Office.
• During the playoffs, the last contest in which an ineligible player participated shall be recorded as a forfeit win for the opposing team.

Roster restrictions
An individual may not under any circumstances play on more than one (1) intramural team in the same division in each sport. However, an individual may participate in both men’s/women’s and Coed division.

Adding players to rosters
Teams may add players to rosters at any point during the sport’s regular season. Teams must follow this procedure:

1. Players must submit a signed consent form to the Intramurals Office.
2. Players then sign a game roster to officially be on a team.

Team affiliations
While teams are allowed to add players at any time during the regular season, once a player has chosen to play on a team, he/she becomes affiliated with that team and cannot play on any other team in that same sport for that league. This includes all levels of play.

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General information

1. Proper attire should be worn for each activity. For your protection, as well as for that of other participants, all jewelry and non-appropriate headgear (e.g. baseball hats in flag football) must be removed before participating in an activity. Persons wearing casts, braces with metal or hard plastic coverings, or wrapped/padded appendages will not be allowed to participate. Individuals will be required to obtain prior approval from the field supervisor for the use of orthopedic devices essential to protect injury.
2. No alcohol is allowed at any intramural site. Teams and their spectators found in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the game site immediately and may face immediate suspension.
3. Illegal apparel - NO bare feet, sandals or work boots, metal or screw-in spikes, street/dress shoes, jewelry of any kind, hats/visors.

Health accidents and insurance
Participation in intramurals is voluntary. Some recreational sports can be quite strenuous, others are only moderately so. The health of individuals participating in the intramural program is their responsibility. Physical examination and physician’s approval are not required by the university in order to participate, however, it is strongly recommended that participants be aware of their limitations. The Buena Vista University Intramurals Office will not be held liable for injuries sustained by individuals participating in the intramural program. All participants are advised to have proper medical coverage and accident insurance before participating. Any person who is injured is required to notify the intramural supervisor for assistance so that appropriate action may be taken.

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Level of play
Whenever possible, different levels of competition in each division will be available: A= Competitive, B= Recreational, C= Beginner

Game time procedures
This section gives pre-game guidance for both intramural staff and the participants. Without these policies, intramurals would not be able to maintain consistent, fair and organized team sports.
Jerseys - All teams must supply their own jerseys. Jerseys are recommended for most team sports. A jersey may simply be all team members wearing similar shirts, just as long as your team is distinct from your opponent’s team. Pinnies are available for teams to check out.
Signing in/rosters - All participants are required to sign in and show BVU ID to sports supervisors prior to play. Participants failing to show proper BVU ID will not be allowed to participate until he/she can produce the proper ID.
Time limits -

1. Teams should arrive at least ten (10) minutes prior to game time.
2. There is a five (5) minute grace period for a team to obtain the minimum number of players needed.
3. When the five (5) minutes expire, the team/contestant present has the following options:
   • Take the win by forfeit. No contest will be played.
   • Choose to wait and compete upon arrival of opponent. However, the official game clock will start running as scheduled. The game will commence upon the arrival of the opponent with whatever time running on the clock. Additional penalties will be assessed depending on the sport. The outcome of the game is official.

Forfeits and defaults
Forfeits - Forfeits are detrimental to the entire program and are an injustice to participants who want to play. Players looking forward to playing become disappointed when opponents fail to show up. Therefore, a forfeit fee policy has been instituted to eliminate forfeits.

1. If a team forfeits, the team will not receive its deposit at the end of the season.
2. If a team forfeits more than twice, it will be dropped from the league.
3. Games lost by forfeit will not be rescheduled.
4. Teams found to have ineligible players in the game or on the game roster will receive a forfeit. In addition, disciplinary action will follow.

1. Teams that anticipate hardship in fielding a team for a game which has already been scheduled and cannot be changed should call or e-mail the Intramurals Office at least one (1) day in advance of the game. With both calls and e-mails, the team representative must provide an explanation as to why a default is needed. A default/loss will be recorded but a forfeit will be avoided.
2. A second default will be a forfeit.
3. Defaults will not be rescheduled.

Tie breaking procedure
Ties between 2-3 teams will be settled in the following way:

1. Overall record
2. Head-to-Head
3. Point differential

Game protests
The purpose of a protest is to ensure an equal opportunity for victory. Judgment calls may not be protested.

1. Protests will only be allowed for incorrect interpretation/enforcement of a rule and/or in use of an ineligible player or equipment.
2. Protests will NOT be considered if they are based on a decision involving the accuracy or judgment on the part of an official.
3. Whenever a matter of protest arises during a game (other than player ineligibility) the captain of the protesting team shall notify the officials and field supervisor that a protest is being initiated after the play in question ends and before the next play begins. The field supervisor or scorekeeper will document the score, time and rule in question. The formal protest must be typed and presented to the Intramurals Office before 5pm the following business day. If this procedure is not followed, the protest will be invalid. If the team protesting a rule wins the game then a written protest is not necessary. If the protest is upheld the contest may be replayed entirely or from the point of protest to be determined by the Intramurals Office.
4. Any team or player that does not agree with the protest may file a written appeal. If the Intramurals Office deems the appeal acceptable, a hearing will be arranged with the Director of Intramurals, Head Sport Supervisor, and Official.

Playoffs
Playoffs for intramural activities will begin immediately following the end of the regular season. It is the CAPTAIN’S responsibility to prepare his/her team for playoffs by informing participants of playoff game times. The Intramurals Office will determine the amount of teams eligible for playoffs and will inform teams of playoff expectations. Brackets for playoffs will be posted/sent to captains following the end of regular season.

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Clearly, sports are important to the participants, but that importance should not become so overriding that players lose sight of civilized behavior. Good sportsmanship is a requirement of all participants, players and fans. The playing field/court is not a venue for physical or verbal abuse! Teams are responsible for the actions of individual members and for spectators directly related to their team. Teams/organizations will be held responsible for their groups’ conduct.

Disrespect towards staff and officials
Any individual addressing a staff member or official in an unsportsmanlike, discourteous and/or threatening manner will be immediately disqualified and ejected from the game/event. Any attempt to physically contact an official or staff member will result in the maximum penalty. Abusing an official or staff can also result in the filing of an incident report with public authorities. Suspension: minimum of two (2) games, maximum of 365 days.

Dangerous/harmful behavior
Anyone engaging in behavior that may cause physical harm to another will be disqualified immediately. In addition, the individual will be suspended from competition for a minimum of their next scheduled contest. Teams, team members, captains, coaches or spectators may be asked to leave the playing area. Suspension: minimum of two (2) games.

Fighting
Anyone engaging or becoming involved in a fight will be disqualified immediately. If the instigator(s) can be identified, they will be suspended from that sport. “She/he hit me first” or “I was just defending myself” are not acceptable excuses for fighting. Suspension: minimum of the remainder of that sport to 365 days.

Team member/spectator participation in altercations
Team members and/or spectators who leave the benches/viewing area to negatively engage or participate in any isolated altercation will be suspended. “I was defending my team/teammate” is not an acceptable excuse for leaving viewing/bench areas. Suspension: minimum two (2) games for players involved, or remainder of the sport for team/organization.

Disruptive behavior from spectators
Spectators engaging in behavior that persistently disrupts or threatens the well-being of any games or its officials or participants will be asked to leave the site immediately. Refusal to leave can result in a forfeit by the team affiliated with said spectator. Teams are responsible for their spectators even if they do not know the spectators themselves. Players refusing to assist in the control of their team’s spectators or encouraging spectators to continue/increase disruptive behavior will result in an immediate forfeit and the player’s immediate suspension from the sport. Suspension: Forfeiture of game, suspension for remainder of the sport for those involved.

Fraudulent acts
Any individual who is found to have engaged in any fraudulent act will be disqualified from Intramurals. The team will forfeit all its games in which the illegal player participated. Some examples include, but are not limited to: misrepresentation of a score, playing while ineligible or under suspension, participation under an assumed name, playing on more than one team, violating any eligibility rules. Suspension: minimum of the remainder of that sport to 365 days.

Alcohol or drug use
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are not permitted on or around the intramural playing areas. Students who appear impaired due to alcohol or drug use will not be permitted to participate. The officials and staff assigned to the game have the authority to make the decision and will always rule on the side of safety. All team/individuals guilty of alcohol infractions will be asked to leave the intramural playing area and may be banned from further participation. The use of alcohol and/or drugs may also result in the filing of an incident report with public authorities. Suspension: minimum of two (2) games to 365 days.

Destruction of property
Any person/team that willfully causes destruction of or damage to equipment/game site shall assume full responsibility for the damage and will be assessed the full cost of repairs or replacement. Suspension: minimum of the remainder of that sport.

Ejection
All ejected players must leave the playing area/facility when ejected. If the player refuses to leave within two (2) minutes, the game will be forfeited and Public Safety may be called to remove the ejected player. The team manager/captain and players will be held responsible for the ejected player’s actions. In cases occurring late in the sport season or the academic year, a suspension may carry over into the next sport or next intramural year. The Intramurals Office can address specific/unique issues within each sport and authorize special penalties relating to the situation at any given time.

Reinstatement
Captains or players removed from a contest must meet with the Intramurals Office before the next scheduled contest to discuss the incident. The players will remain ineligible until this appointment is completed. After reinstatement, anyone involved in a second major offense during the course of the intramural year will be banned from participation for 365 days. Depending on the severity of the incidents, the individual may be banned from all programs and services offered by the Intramural Department.

NOTE: The decision of an official or intramural staff member to eject a player for unsportsmanlike conduct (be it verbal or physical) will be firmly upheld by the Intramurals Office. Protests of this type will not be accepted. Absolutely no exceptions!

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The Intramurals Office has several opportunities for student involvement through employment. These positions with the Intramurals Office can offer student an array of skills and mechanics that can be carried over into real world applications. Many employers today are looking for people who can operate in a team environment, effectively communicate with consumers, manage a given program, and can learn to identify and resolve disharmony in a situation. All of these skills will be used by an individual who seeks to become a part of the intramural staff. No experience is necessary; we will provide all the training! You can work and play, we schedule around your schedule. Work-study students are encouraged to apply. The following positions are available: Sport Official, Sport Assistant Office, Assistant Supervisor.

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