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Intramural Sports Participant Handbook

Posted: Nov 09, 2023

Mission Statement  

The mission of the Oxford College of Emory University Intramural Sports program is to provide students, faculty, and staff members the opportunity to participate in recreational sports and activities.  We are committed to enhancing the institutional experience for our participants while fostering a safe and inclusive environment that promotes lifetime physical fitness, sportsmanship, leadership development, diversity, and athletics for all.  Emory Intramurals strives to offer a variety of sports that promote the development of the whole student through healthy competition in a fun and ever-learning environment.        

Purpose  

The Center for Healthful Living and Intramural Sports program conducts a variety of activities designed to provide students, faculty, and staff members with the opportunity to participate in organized individual and team sports.  An individual’s ability is not considered as important as their desire to enter into the spirit of competition and good sportsmanship.   

Statement of Risk  

The intramural participant is encouraged to consider his/her personal health and physical condition prior to participation in intramural activities. Such participation involves physical exertion, fundamental skills for that sport or activity, and may involve physical contact. The participant, being aware of any conditions predisposing him/her to injury or illness, and in consideration of the inherent physical exertion and possible contact involved in intramural participation, may wish to seek the advice of a physician prior to participation or may choose not to participate at all.  

Insurance 

The Intramural Program carries NO INSURANCE. Therefore, participants are encouraged to purchase insurance that will cover them in the case of an injury occurring as a result of participation.   

Animals/Pets 

Pets are not permitted at Bivings Soccer Field or any Emory University athletic facility.    

Injuries 

The intramural staff will do everything possible to provide suitable and safe playing facilities with supervision. In case of injury, staff will fill out incident waivers as well as contact the Resident Life Coordinator. EMT will be called if necessary. 

Bleeding/Blood on Uniforms  

A player who is bleeding must leave the game immediately.  The bleeding must be stopped and the wound securely covered with a bandage before the player may re-enter the game.  Clothing soiled with blood must be removed and may not be taped over.  

Alcohol 

Alcohol is NOT allowed at any intramural activity or contest.  If alcoholic beverages are observed it is an automatic forfeit for that team.  Participants and/or spectators assumed to be under the influence of alcohol or other substances due to belligerent actions will be ejected from the game.  Tailgating is NOT allowed.  

Proper Attire 

All players must wear gym shoes or molded rubber cleats depending on the sport.  No street shoes, bare feet, sandals, metal or posted cleats will be allowed.  No player may wear jewelry including, but not limited to watches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and various body rings.  Jewelry worn for medical or religious purposes must be taped and covered.  Participants are encouraged to contact the intramural coordinator prior to the start of the season if they have questions regarding proper attire.     

All players must wear exact or similarly colored shirts/jerseys.  Pennies will be provided unless teams have uniforms with numbers  

Equipment Check Out  

Various pieces of sports equipment will be available for participants to check out or play with during their intramural contest.  An Emory University or government-issued ID must be used to check out intramural equipment.  It is the responsibility of the individual who checks out the equipment to return it in the condition received.  Individuals will be charged face value for any equipment unreturned or damaged.    

Pre-Game Sign In  

Team captains are encouraged to have their team at the game site at least 15 minutes prior to game time.  This gives the team ample time to check in with intramural staff and warm up prior to the start of their game.  Keep in mind game time is forfeit time!  

Major Sports   

Fall: Volleyball, 3v3 Basketball

Spring: 5v5 Basketball, Indoor Soccer, Flag Football

  • Regular Season: The minimum number of games a team receives will depend on the number of teams within its league.  Typically, teams will be guaranteed at least 3 regular season games.     
  • Playoffs: Playoffs will be determined by the Intramural Coordinator. Typically, the top 4 teams in each league will qualify for the playoffs.   
  • Tie-Breaker Format: The following format will be used in the event that teams have the same winning percentage at the end of the regular season:  A. Point Differential  B. Points Against   

A team that receives a forfeit loss during the regular season will automatically be moved to the lowest possible position when determining playoff selection   

Sportsmanship 

Oxford College of Emory University Intramural Sports stresses participants and spectators display good sportsmanship at all times.  The department will not tolerate physical or verbal abuse of opponents or officials, unsportsmanlike conduct or any other inappropriate behavior, before, during or following a game or event.  Captains will rate the conduct of opposing teams. The sportsmanship policy is outlined in the rules of each sport.  

Any player or spectator who acts in a manner not showing good sportsmanship shall be penalized with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (i.e. technical foul, yellow/red card, etc.) and potentially an ejection from the current game and future contests.  The official(s) and supervisor(s) shall have the authority to warn, penalize, or disqualify any player, coach, or spectator for violations of sportsmanship including but not limited to:    

A. Disrespectfully addressing an official or IM staff member  

B. Questioning the official’s judgment or decisions  

C. Showing disgust with official’s decisions  

D. Using profane or insulting language or gestures  

E. Baiting or taunting players of the opposing team  

F. Disrupting the game so that it may not be continued in an orderly fashion   

**Captains are responsible for the actions of their team members and spectators**  

Ejections 

Any player/spectator ejected from a game has one minute to exit the facility.  If the ejected player does not leave the premises in a timely fashion their team will forfeit the game.     

All player/spectator ejections will result in he/she being suspended INDEFINITELY from all intramural activities.  He/she has one week to meet with the Intramural Coordinator.  At that meeting, additional sanctions and suspensions may be imposed.  If the ejected individual fails to meet within the one-week timeframe the case will be sent to the Office of Student Conduct and the individual is suspended from all intramural activities until a meeting is set.     

Captains are responsible for providing the names of ejected individuals.  Falsification of names will result in additional suspensions for that team, player, and captain.     

Sanctions for Student Organizations Continual unsportsmanlike conduct from individual student organizations (i.e. clubs, fraternities, sororities) can negatively affect the entire organization.  Probation and various suspensions will be implemented against the entire organization and its members for severe and/or continual sportsmanship infractions.   

Online Registration   

  1. All participants must individually register online with IMLeagues.com/oxford prior to participating.  The link to IMLeagues can be found on the Oxford College of Emory Intramural website.  Additionally, participants must agree to the waiver as well as the questionnaire included in the online registration prior to their first game.   

  1. Captains must sign up their teams online using IMLeagues during the registration period. 

  1. Participants can join an already established team or sign up as a free agent through IMLeagues.     

Eligibility   

  1. An Emory University ID or Government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, or military ID) must be presented at all intramural activities and events.  NO ID NO PLAY!   a. IDs that do not look like the person presenting the ID will not be accepted.   b. Participants attempting to play under an assumed name or different ID will cause their team to automatically receive a “2.0” sportsmanship rating for that game.  The individual will also be suspended from intramurals for at least the remainder of the semester and must meet with the Intramural Sports Coordinator before being reinstated.    

  1. Emory University students, faculty/staff, spouses/partners, and alumni are eligible to participate in intramural sports activities.   a. All registered activity-fee paying students are eligible to participate in intramurals.  b. Faculty/staff, spouses, and alumni must be members of the Woodruff PE Center in order to participate in sports that take place within the facility.   c. Alumni must pay a $20 annual activity fee in order to participate in intramural sports.   d. Spouses/Partners of students and faculty/staff may only participate on the same team as their spouse/partner.     

  1. Varsity athletes: Individuals whose names appear on a team roster or eligibility list of an intercollegiate athletic team at Emory or any other two or four-year institution, including transfer students, may participate in a similar intramural sport during the academic year in which they are so listed. However, there will be limits on how many varsity athletes can compete in a similar sport. That limit will be determined by the Intramural Coordinator at the start of each season. 

Rosters     

  1. Roster Limit: Roster limits are set based on sports. Please refer to the sports rules for roster limit   

  1. One Team per Sport: Participants are allowed to play on one team per sport. 

  1. Changing Teams: Once a player competes for a team they must play for that team throughout the season. Once a team competes in its first game, rosters cannot be changed.  Players cannot be added during the playoffs.  All player additions and removals can be done online through IMLeagues. Only players listed on a team’s printed roster will be eligible to participate in the game. 

Captain’s Responsibilities  

Each team must have a captain responsible for the coordination between players and the Intramural Sports program.  Duties include: 

  1. Confirm eligibility of all team members.  

  1. Inform team members of all required information and deadlines to register.  

  1. Attend, or send a representative to attend, the scheduled captain’s meeting prior to the start of the season.  

  1. Check the online team schedule and notify team members of all scheduled games: date, location, and time.    

  1. Have the team ready to play as scheduled. Game time is forfeit time!  

  1. Be familiar with, and make sure the team is familiar with and follows Intramural Policies as well as the rules of the sport. 

  1. Notify the Intramural Coordinator whenever his/her team must forfeit a contest.  

  1. Receive all correspondence from the Intramural Coordinator concerning changes in rules, playoff structure, etc., ineligible players, team conduct at contests, etc.  

  1. Inform the Intramural Coordinator immediately of any change of email address, telephone number or change in team captain.   

  1. Share the names of individuals involved in reported incidents.   

Protests Judgment calls cannot be protested. Questions regarding rule interpretations are the sole responsibility of the team captain to immediately (before the ball becomes live) request a clarification from the official(s). If still dissatisfied, the captain (not the coach) must verbally say to the official "Protest".  At this point, play will be suspended. The Intramural Supervisor will then use the rule book as a reference for all to discuss the correct action. The decision will be made by the Intramural Supervisor and is final. No protest of rule interpretation will come to the Recreational Services Office.   

Protesting the eligibility of players will be the responsibility of the individual team or teams competing.  Matters concerning player eligibility must be filed prior to the end of the game.  Individual players found to be ineligible shall automatically cause a forfeit for the game in which they participated as well as all other games in which they participated. The team will also be ineligible for the playoffs.   

Forfeit & Defaults:

A default occurs when a captain communicates to the Intramural Coordinator no less than 12 hours before the scheduled game that their team will miss. A forfeit will occur if the rule is not followed.

Forfeit Fee and Default Consequences:

  • A forfeit fee will be charged when a team forfeits a contest. The forfeit fee will help cover the personnel costs (workers, ref, etc.) for the contest that was not played.
  • The first forfeit will result in a $15 forfeit fee to the Captain's student account. Additional forfeits will result in a forfeit fee, plus the team not being eligible for playoffs.
  • A default will not result in a forfeit fee but will still result in a loss for the defaulting team. However, two or more defaults and/or forfeits in one season will result in the team not being eligible for playoffs.
  • A team that registers for a league and has to forfeit out of the season will result in the players of that team not being allowed to play for another team for the remainder of the season.

Teams, that arrive at a scheduled contest with less than the required minimum to participate, may have the option of playing shorthanded. The game will be recorded as a forfeit and the game can still be played if participants agree to do so. 

The number of players for each major sport is listed below:  

  • Flag Football – 5

  • Soccer – 5 

  • 5v5 Basketball - 5

  • 3v3 Basketball - 3 

  • Volleyball – 6 

The minimum number of players to avoid a forfeit for each major sport is listed below:   

  1. Flag Football – 5  

  1. Soccer – 4 

  1. 5v5 Basketball - 4 

  1. Volleyball – 4    

Schedule and Postponements  

Games are played, regardless of rain or snow, unless unsafe weather conditions present themselves. Games canceled due to poor weather conditions will not be rescheduled.  Playoff games canceled due to poor weather conditions will be rescheduled the following day, time permitting.  If a playoff game cannot be rescheduled due to time and weather constraints, the team with the best record based on win-loss percentage and points scored will advance.  

What to do in the event of inclement weather    

Team captains will be contacted via email and text alerts regarding any game cancelations. NO rescheduling of regular season games will take place.