Program Rules

• Divisions of Competition
• How to Enter
• Players Seeking Teams
• Playoff Determination
• Forfeit Policy 
• Player Eligibility
• Team Captain's Responsibilities
• Sportsmanship
• Protests
• Inclement Weather

Divisions of Competition

Divisions of competition in the various individual, dual, and team sports are separated on the basis of skill level. The purpose of this structure is to try to meet the needs of those with varying skill levels within the College's population. Regardless of the division of competition, the champions receive the same award.

The "A" league is designed for the intermediate to highly skilled participant. The "B" league is better suited for the beginning to intermediate skilled participant.

How to Enter

Entry forms for the various intramural activities are available on this website. All necessary information including rules, game times, captain's meetings, fees, and entry deadlines are detailed there. Late entries are placed on a waiting list. If an available slot opens, then a team from the waiting list may fill it.

All team sport entries must be accompanied by the team entry/forfeit fee. This fee is non-refundable. A submitted entry obligates an individual or team to play on any date or time the league is scheduled to play.

Players Seeking Teams

Individuals who want to participate in a team sport but are not part of a team may still be able to join in the action. The first option is to sign-up on the Free Agent list maintained in the Campus Recreation Services office #206 Silcox Gym. This list is available to captains who are looking to add players to their rosters.  Another possibility is to form a team from the pool of free agents. One method that has worked is to post a flyer in your residence hall, your particular school, or around the campus. The response may be large enough to allow for fielding a team.

Playoff Determination

Teams qualify for the playoffs if they meet one criterion - no forfeits. This format is an important part of our system. Teams can play without fear of won-loss records during the regular season. Good sportsmanship can be practiced since the outcome of the games does not prevent teams from reaching tournament play. Our officials have the extra time to develop their competency without jeopardizing a team's position in the league standings.

Forfeit Policy

Nothing saps the enthusiasm of participants more than to arrive for a scheduled contest and discover the other team is a no show. Forfeits have a particularly demoralizing effect upon the rest of the league and teams. With playing time, space, and costs involved, forfeited games cannot be viewed favorably by this office.

Individuals or teams that enter a tournament or league have entered into a contract with CRS. CRS arranges all schedules, playing areas, equipment, officiating staff, and other related details. The players meet their obligation by arriving at the game site on time for all scheduled contests.

Teams that forfeit one contest will be dropped from further competition. A re-entry fee may be paid within 24 hours, if the team wishes to continue play. These situations will result in a forfeit: not ready to play at game time, not enough players present to begin a game, harassment of the game officials, abusive player or spectator conduct, ineligible player participates in the game.

Rationale for the Forfeit Policy

Interest - you and your team chose to enter the event. Initially there must have been an interest to enter the competition and it follows that there will be an intention to honor that commitment.

Obligation - all of the other participants who entered are now counting upon your participation, otherwise there is no league or tournament to be formed. The team's obligation in terms of time is one hour per week. With that in mind, there is no reason that you cannot break from what you are doing and fulfill your contest obligation.

Information guide sheet - contains all the information that you need concerning when and where your team plays, how many games, the first day of play, opponents, etc.

Entry form - has separate sections for the team to indicate its preference of days to play and a comments section to include other pertinent information that will eliminate conflicts in the scheduling of your games.

Season schedule - is prepared for all teams so that advance planning may be done by your team's members. Where appropriate, teams are notified by phone of their first scheduled game time. Season schedules are available online.

Limited resources - game officials and supervisors must be paid whether the game is played or not. With groups competing for facility time and space, forfeits prevent a more responsible party from accessing the facility during this time. These situations represent a waste of time, money, and resources.

Lack of planning - poor planning is not an acceptable reason for missing a contest. Alerting us with less than 24 hours notice that your team is not able to appear at a game is unacceptable.

Consequences - it should not be a surprise that there are consequences for your failure to act in accordance with these program guidelines. If your team forfeits one time it will be dropped from the league. A re-entry fee may be paid to re-enter the league. Other sanctions may include: not accepting future entries by your team or its players, payment of a refundable forfeit bond before accepting a team's entry, cancellation of any facility/equipment reservations or other CRS services to those teams or organizations which continue to forfeit.

Player Eligibility

• All full-time students of the College of Charleston are eligible to participate in the CRS program. Faculty and staff are eligible to participate in some very limited parts of the program.
• A validated College of Charleston Cougar Card must be presented to the CRS staff before each contest or the individual will not be allowed to participate.
• An individual may participate for only one team in a given activity.
• A player may not play for another team after having played in a contest for another team. Note: a name appearing on a scoresheet constitutes having played in that game whether or not the individual actually entered the contest.
• Only players who have played in at least one regular season game may participate in the playoff rounds.
• Roster additions may be made through the last regular season game. This is done by inserting the player's name on the scoresheet and indicating it is a roster addition. Each sport has a limited numbered of roster slots that cannot be exceeded over the course of the season. Players whose names do not appear on scoresheets prior to the playoffs are not eligible for post-season play.
• Current, including redshirting, intercollegiate players and former players who played more than one year are not eligible to participate in their respective sport or related sport.  Criteria used in determining whether a player has played in an intercollegiate sport:
  
  • player was on a collegiate team's roster for more than one season.
  • player was redshirted for the season
  • listed on a team roster
  • currently receiving any benefits typical of an intercollegiate athlete in that sport
  • players who have competed as a professional are not eligible to participate in their sport
  • a player does not need to win a monetary prize to be considered a professional.
• Ineligible players may not participate even if there is a mutual agreement by both teams.
• Any team using an ineligible player will forfeit all games in which that player participated. The team captain is also subject to suspension.
• CRS reserves the right to verify player eligibility at any time.

Team Captain's Responsibilities

Team captains form a vital communications link between their teams and the CRS program. Specific duties include: Understand CRS rules and procedures and ensure that all team members both understand and abide by these rules, especially those pertaining to player conduct and eligibility. Post a completed entry form in the CRS office by the deadline date. The team entry/forfeit fee must accompany the entry form. Attend any organizational meeting for the activity or ensure that a team representative attends. Keep in frequent contact with the CRS office. This includes obtaining a copy of the season schedule and notifying teammates of impending contests, dates, and location. Schedule information will not be given over the phone! This is to avoid any miscommunication that may result in a team not showing for its game at the correct time. Print the first and last names of each individual playing in that contest on the game sheet. Control the actions and behavior of team members and spectators. Maintain a cooperative attitude with all CRS officials and staff personnel. Set a high standard of sportsmanship for one's team.

Protests

Protests will be considered only if they directly affect the outcome of the game. Protests are limited to player eligibility or rules interpretation/misapplication. Protests concerning rulings based on an official's judgment are not considered.

Questions related to the judgment used by an official in making a call are not valid grounds for a protest. There are times when you may feel that your team has been victimized by the poor judgment of an official. In some cases, you may be correct. Despite your version of the event, the call will stand and there is no recourse but to accept the decision and continue with the game.

Protest of a Rule Interpretation

If a team believes that an official has made an error in applying a rule, a protest may be lodged. The protest must be brought to the official's attention immediately after the play and before the next play. At this time, the sport supervisor will resolve the play ruling in question and the game will continue. The team may officially protest the decision at this point. All pertinent game information will be recorded and the game will continue. The captain of the team must submit a written protest to the director no earlier than four hours and no later than 24 hours after the game. It is hoped that this "cooling off" period will allow the captain to accept the official's call and not file the protest. Mistakes are a part of life and our program is no exception. This is especially true when one considers that a significant responsibility such as officiating is placed in the hands of our peers. If an error is correctable, an attempt will be made to get it right. Sometimes getting less than perfection is "a part of the game". Your understanding is appreciated!

Protests of Player Eligibility

The protest must be lodged with the sport supervisor and the reason the player's eligibility is questioned. The eligibility issue will be checked and a decision rendered by the director as time permits. All games in which an ineligible player has participated will be forfeited.

Sportsmanship

One of the primary aims of CRS programs is the enjoyment of the activity for all concerned. The benefits that individuals derive from participation are the true value of intramural sports. Players, team captains, and even spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times. Adherence to CRS program policies is imperative. Review the CRS Standards of Conduct.

The following guidelines are essential in maintaining an atmosphere of cooperation and good sporting behavior for all CRS activities. Participants and spectators are expected to demonstrate a cooperative and positive attitude. Each team is responsible for the conduct of team members and spectators before, during, and following the contest. Participants and spectators are expected to comply with the requests and directives of the CRS officials and supervisors in a respectful, responsive manner. Vulgar, abusive, and demeaning comments or gestures will not be tolerated. Fighting, pushing, kicking, or other acts of physical aggression will be penalized. Physical or verbal abuse of an official will warrant immediate suspension from the program. Participation in CRS programs, though voluntary, is nonetheless a privilege. The actions of an individual that lead to a suspension from the program cannot be treated lightly. Penalties may range from a one game suspension to a complete dismissal from the program.

Reinstatement Procedures

A participant that has been ejected must leave the vicinity of the playing area immediately. "Out of sight, out of sound" is a general guide. If compliance is not immediate, the game will be forfeited.

Once ejected, the player may not participate in any CRS activities until formally reinstated. To seek reinstatement, the individual must request a meeting with the director. A brief but detailed account of the events that led to the ejection should be included in the statement. Following the meeting, the director will render a decision concerning any penalty that may be imposed upon the individual and when participation in the program may be resumed.

Inclement Weather

The weather is one element that is beyond our control. If in doubt concerning the day's schedule of activities, call the CRS office. Decisions concerning cancellations of contests will be made no earlier than 60 minutes prior to the start of the first game of the day. If games are postponed, teams should call the next day for rescheduling information.