Northwestern College Athletics

INTRODUCTION
This handbook was created in the interest of those who have and will participate in the intramural sports program at Northwestern College. The following information will present details regarding intramurals and the sports that are offered through this program. Intramurals is a department that is run by the students for the students, faculty, and staff. Our goals are: to provide maximum participation, build good character qualities, promote recreation, socialization, relaxation, and fellowship with one another. Enjoy what intramurals has to offer.

The intramural Staff also wants to stress that we are people of God and that we need to glorify Him in all we do, including playing intramurals. We will not allow any swearing, trash talk, or bad sportsmanship. We are here to have fun glorifying God!

ELIGIBILITY
In order to take part in any competition of intramural sports, an individual must adhere to the following rules:

1. All Northwestern College students (registered and currently taking at least one class), faculty and staff, are eligible to participate in the Northwestern College Intramural Sports Program.  (Must be on written contract to be considered staff.)

2. No individual may compete on more than one team in a given sport during one season.

3. No collegiate athlete may compete in a similar intramural sport during his/her intercollegiate season. Examples of this are women’s volleyball players playing IM fall volleyball, men’s or women’s basketball players playing winter IM basketball, and men’s baseball or women’s softball players playing IM spring softball.

4. A player’s name must appear on the team’s roster or roster addition sheet before he/she is eligible to participate. Roster additions must be turned into the intramural office by closing time of that day and before the end of the first three weeks of the season.

LEAGUES
The following leagues are currently associated with intramurals:

1. Co-ed flag football (Fall)
2. Co-ed volleyball (Fall)
3. Men’s and Women’s 3-on-3 basketball (Fall)
4. Men’s and Women’s 5-on-5 basketball (Winter)
5. Co-ed Broomball (Winter)
6. Co-ed draft league basketball (Spring)
7. Co-ed softball (Spring)
8. Co-ed volleyball (Spring)
9. Singles tennis tournament (Spring)
10. Doubles tennis tournament (Spring)
11. Co-ed kickball tournament (Spring)

TOURNAMENTS
Tournaments will decide a league champion in all sports. Throughout the year the intramural department may put on other tournaments such as: whiffle ball, bowling, or tennis.

FORFEITS
Any team who fails to appear at on the court or field of competition ready to play within ten minutes of starting time will forfeit that game.  The official or supervisor present will make the final decision taking into account the circumstances.

Two forfeits result in a team being dropped from league play; teams with two forfeits are ineligible for playoffs.

POST-PONEMENTS
Any scheduled league game may be postponed with the approval of the intramural staff. Tournament games may not be postponed except in the cases of emergency, inclement weather, or loss of facilities. The decision to postpone games due to inclement weather will be posted the day of the game outside the intramural office.

Postponements due to inclement weather or other unavoidable circumstances that are in the realm of the responsibility of the college rather than the teams shall be rescheduled as soon as possible.

MANAGERS
Each team must have a manager who is a student, faculty, or staff member. The intramural office will be notified in writing (usually on the team roster) who this person will be. All information will be forwarded to this individual. Managers are responsible to see that their team members follow all rules and regulations. They will also take part in the rescheduling of postponed games.

Periodically, there will be managers’ meetings to discuss any rule changes or to confer on decisions that might affect their teams. Managers must attend these meetings or have one of their team members at the meeting. The managers’ meeting is very important. It is the manager’s responsibility to communicate information from the intramural office to his/her teammates (i.e. schedule changes, time changes).

DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Any action by a team or individual that is considered inappropriate by the intramural staff will result in disciplinary action. These actions include swearing, fighting, trash talking, yelling at officials or other players, intent to injure someone, or any other actions that are deemed inappropriate by the intramural staff, officials, or supervisors. If a player(s) should get in a fight they will automatically be ejected from the gym.

Disciplinary actions include ejection from the present game and the next. Possible banning from some or all intramural sports and a meeting with the intramural director will also be necessary. Serious infractions will be brought to the Dean of Students. The intramural staff will make final decisions involving ineligible players with all facts considered.

COMPLAINTS
Any complaints that involve officials, participants, or staff are to be filed in writing with the IM director in the Athletic office. Once this is done, the intramural staff will review the complaints and with all facts considered they will then make a decision on any disciplinary action that may result.

AWARDS
The winning team of the tournament will receive T-shirts for each individual on that team.