Participation Policies

Overview

There are a variety of participation policies and general rules that athletes should be aware of and adhere to. These policies creates a fun, collaborative, and inclusive atmosphere where everyone can enjoy the sport while staying safe.

Captain and Participant Quizzes

Captain and Participant quizzes will be administered on IMLeagues prior to creating or joining a team. The purpose of the quiz is to provide participants with a basic knowledge of IM Sports policies and rules. The quiz is NOT a substitute for the IM Handbook or each sport’s rules.

Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Policy

Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use is not permitted during any Intramural Sports activity or event. Any participant or spectator found using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs will be asked to leave the facility immediately. Additionally, any participant or spectator suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs will be asked to leave the facility immediately. Any player asked to leave will be officially ejected and additional sanctions may be issued. Any incident may be referred to the Dean of Students or UCPD.

Assumed Names/Misuse of ID

Any player using an assumed name or identification card that is not theirs shall be ruled as an illegal player and the team will forfeit any contests that they participated in. The identification card will be confiscated and only returned pending a meeting with the person that the card belongs to. A person that knowingly allows another person to use their identification card or any individual that uses an identification card that is not theirs may be suspended from the Intramural Sports program.

Ejections

Any player, coach, or spectator that is ejected from an IM Sports event for any unsportsmanlike behavior will be suspended immediately and indefinitely from all IM Sports activities. For all ejections, suspensions are immediate and a minimum of one week.

IM Sports staff will notify the ejected participant of the length of their suspension via email within 5 business days of the ejection. The ejected participant may appeal the suspension by submitting a written appeal to the IM Sports Conduct Review Committee (ISCRC). All details related to filing an appeal will be included in the email from IM Sports.

Any team that uses a suspended player will forfeit every game that they participate in and may face additional sanctions.

Fighting

Any player, coach, or spectator who, in the judgment of IM Sports staff, engages in an attempt to fight immediately before, during, or after an IM Sports event will be suspended immediately and indefinitely from participating in any IM Sports activities. The minimum suspension for fighting is 365 days. Additionally, there will be no toleration for fighting with IM Sports staff or volunteers. Any violation will result in a minimum of a five year suspension from all IM Sports activities. 
Behavior classified as fighting includes but is not limited to:

• Striking or attempting to strike an individual
• Engaging an individual in a combative manner
• Throwing a punch at an individual
• Spitting at an individual
• Kicking or attempting to kick an individual
• Brandishing a foreign object or weapon with intent to harm, injure, or intimidate an individual
• Retaliating against an aggressive act

Spirit of Competition Program

The Spirit of Competition Program was developed to ensure that all IM Sports participants have the opportunity for recreation in the safest, most enjoyable atmosphere possible. Spirit of Competition (Sportsmanship) scores will be issued after each contest and will be used as tie-breakers in standings.
A Spirit of Competition rating below 3.5 (averaged for the entire season) will disqualify teams from participating in playoffs. Spirit of Competition rating guidelines vary from sport to sport and can be found on the Department of Recreation website.

• The baseline Spirit of Competition rating for all games is 4.0
• A team that wins a game due to a forfeit or default will receive a rating of 4.0
• A team that loses due to default will receive a rating of 3.0
• A team that loses due to forfeit will receive a rating of 2.0

Forfeits

If the minimum number of eligible players does not show up within 10 minutes of the scheduled game time then the game will be recorded as a forfeit. A team must start with the minimum number of players that are stated in the rules for the sport or a forfeit is declared. Two forfeits by a single team will disqualify them from the playoffs. After the first forfeit, the minimum sportsmanship score average needed to qualify for playoffs is increased to 3.6. If a team shows up with 50% of the minimum number of players needed to compete then the contest shall be recorded as a default rather than a forfeit.

Defaults

As a courtesy to other participants and teams, individuals are encouraged to arrive early enough to check in with IM Sports staff. If a team cannot absolutely make a scheduled contest then the Captain should communicate this to the IM Sports office at least 24 hours before their scheduled game to request a default instead of a forfeit. Defaults do not count as one of the team’s two forfeits.

Protests

IM Sports employs amateur student officials. Mistakes and judgment errors may occur. Protests based on a misapplication of a rule or error in judgment will not be accepted.

The Intramural Coordinator makes the final decision on all protests.

Team Name Policy

Any team name that promotes intolerance, degrades a racial/ethnic/gender/religious group, infers an explicit sexual reference, or promotes destructive behavior such as that associated with alcohol and drugs is considered disrespectful to the University community. Team names deemed inappropriate by IM Sports staff will be changed and further sanctions may be issued.

Weather Policy

Outdoor activities may be postponed due to inclement weather. If this happens, participants will be notified using IMLeagues and/or email about cancelled or postponed games. If games are postponed due to weather, we will make every effort to reschedule to a later date. However, this may not always be possible.

Awards for Winners

Individuals and teams who win a season in an intermediate or advanced league will be awarded an Intramural Champion shirt. Our novice leagues are intended for beginners who would like to participate in a strictly recreational league. There are no Intramural Champions for our novice leagues.

Intramural Sports Refund Policy

All registration fees are nonrefundable. The only exception to this policy is if an event is cancelled, in which case a full refund shall be issued or if the team would like to drop out of the league before scheduling happens. Any team removed from the schedule for any reason shall not receive a refund. In order to obtain a refund, a team manager/captain must go to the Intramural Office (Rec Cen Room 1110) and ask for a refund request form, fill it out as thoroughly as possible stating your reason for needing a refund and submit back to the front desk staff. Processing your reimbursement may take between 4 to 6 weeks.

IM Sports reserves the right to make special exceptions. For those exceptions and teams that drop out before scheduling, IM Sports may charge a $5-10 administrative fee.

Health Insurance

IM Sports does not provide health insurance for participants. We strongly recommend personal health insurance for all IM Sports participants. Each individual participating in IM Sports takes responsibility for their own health insurance needs. In the event of an injury, IM Sports and UCSB will not cover payment for treatment. Students are eligible to apply to SMERF funding to apply towards treatment costs.

SMERF

The Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF) was designed to assist UCSB students experiencing medical emergencies. The creators of this fund endeavored to ensure that students could receive support as they work to attain their educational goals. For additional information, email the fund manager at financialcrisis@sa.ucsb.edu.