The Intramural Sports Program at Northwestern University strives to offer its students, faculty, and staff opportunities to recreate in a fun and enjoyable way. The program provides a chance for participation in sports in an organized, competitive environment while structuring the competition along various levels of skill. It should be understood that intramural sports are intended to provide a way for students, faculty and staff of Northwestern University to enjoy sports in an unpressured and fun environment.

ANY SECTION OF THIS MANUAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INTRAMURAL SPORTS DEPARTMENT. THE INTRAMURAL SPORTS DEPARTMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RULE ON ANY CASE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED IN THE RULES OF THE GAME OR IN THIS MANUAL

The following policies are designed to provide guidelines upon which reasonable decisions regarding the conduct of the program can be made. All intramural participants are expected to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of the rules. By participating, individuals imply their acceptance of the rules and policies of the Intramural Sports Program and the decisions of the Intramural Sports Program staff members.

All students registered at Northwestern University, as well as full-time faculty and staff, shall be eligible to participate in all phases of the Intramural Sports Program. The following rules are intended to promote fair and orderly competition.

A. General Eligibility
1. An individual is permitted to play for only one team per sport. The only way an individual may represent two teams is if they are playing on a Co-Rec team in addition to an advanced or open team for that sport.

2. Any player not representing two teams as described becomes ineligible from the moment s/he plays for the “second team”. Once ineligibility is determined, ALL games for the second team in which this person played will be forfeited if the violation is detected prior to post-season play. If a violation is detected during post-season play, the team(s) with the ineligible player will automatically lose the game in which the player is detected. The opposing team will receive the victory.

3. An individual must have competed in at least one regular season contest to be eligible for post-season participation.

4. Eligibility status is the responsibility of each individual participant and team captain. The burden of discovery does not rest solely with the protesting team. The Intramural Sports Program staff members have the authority to declare an individual and/or team at any time.

B. Members of Varsity Sports Teams
Athletes who participate in intercollegiate sports, who are trying out for, or who are working out with a team during the current academic year are ineligible to participate in that sport or its related sport (i.e. a football player can not play on an IM flag football team) for the entire academic year. Students who are trying out for or working out with a team are ineligible for participation in that sport unless they voluntarily withdraw or are cut from the team prior to the first scheduled varsity match. Former varsity athletes may participate in their sport or related sport provided that they participate during the academic year following their last year of participation and only two former varsity athletes are registered on the same team roster in their sport or its related sport (i.e. only two former soccer players may play on an IM soccer team). Former collegiate varsity athletes are NOT permitted to play in the recreational league.

C. Members of Club Sports Teams
A club sport member shall be defined, for the purpose of Intramural eligibility, as a member listed on the club sports roster in the Club Sports Director's office anytime during the academic year. Athletes who participate in the Club Sports Program are eligible to participate in the Intramural Sports Program. Club sports athletes may participate in their sport or related sport provided that only two athletes are registered on the same team roster in their sport or its related sport (i.e. only two club volleyball players may play on an IM volleyball team). Club sport athletes are NOT permitted to play in the White League (recreational league).
Below is a list of Northwestern University Intramural related sports:

Baseball-IM Softball
Basketball-IM Basketball events and tournaments
Football-IM Flag Football
Ice Hockey-IM Floor Hockey or Roller Hockey
Soccer-IM Soccer
Softball-IM Softball
Tennis-IM Tennis events and tournaments
Ultimate Frisbee-IM Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball-IM Volleyball

B. White
Teams may consist of any combination of University students (graduate or undergraduate of either gender), faculty and staff. “Open” denotes that this is a less competitive, or recreational division for lesser-skilled team members.

C. Women
Teams may consist of any combination of female University students (graduate or undergraduate), faculty and staff. Women are eligible to participate in Advanced and Open divisions. If a woman is participating in an Advanced or Open division, she may not compete in a women’s division of the same sport. However, she may compete in the Co-Rec division if desired.

D. Co-Rec
Teams must consist of both men and women who are University students (graduate and undergraduate), faculty or staff. Due to the nature of the Co-Rec league, rules are generally altered to allow for fair competition and participation.

The primary duties and responsibilities of team captains are to organize teams and individuals into competition prior to the sign-up deadline. Once the team captain has signed-up a team, their responsibility does not stop there. Additional duties include:

A. Keeping members of your group informed of all IM activities and rules while also promoting participation.

B. Representing your team at all IM meetings.

C. Notifying your team of scheduled games or activities.

D. Being familiar with all intramural eligibility rules so that your team adheres to these rules and regulations. Questions regarding player eligibility should be directed to the IM professional staff.

E. Keeping your teammates and spectators under control at all IM events.

F. Maintaining your name, current email address and phone number with the IM Office.

G. Being the team’s spokesperson.

H. Being fiscally responsible for all forfeit fees that your team has incurred throughout the IM season.

2. Obtain the sport’s packet. The packet will provide you with rules, information about the captain’s meeting, and a color coordinated roster for that sport. Please use the appropriate color-coded roster.

3. Fill out roster completely, including name, email, student ID number, phone number and player information. Incomplete rosters will not be accepted and you will lose your spot in the league.

4. Attend the mandatory captain’s meeting with a completed roster. Captain’s not attending the meeting to turn in the roster will have their team(s) dropped from the league and replaced with those on the waiting list. Team rosters are taken only at the Captains' Meeting.

B. Tournaments
1. Register your team(s) during scheduling hours at Patten Gym.
2. Obtain the tournament information regarding rules, rosters and times/days of tournament.

C. Rosters
1. Participation: A person must be listed on the team roster BEFORE he or she is eligible to participate in an intramural event.

2. Roster Changes: Changes to the roster will NOT be accepted after the third week of regular season. Roster changes must be done at the IM Office between 1:00pm - 5:00pm on weekdays. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME ROSTERS CAN BE CHANGED (i.e. not immediately before a game!). Roster changes by phone e-mail OR on the score sheet will not be accepted.

3. Player Limit: No more than 15 players per roster will be allowed. Where indicated in particular sports or events, the maximum allowance may be higher or lower.

D. Team Names
The IM Office reserves the right to prohibit or modify team names which it deems to be in poor taste, derogatory, or profane.

E. Schedules
Team schedules for league play will be available at Patten Gym and on the NUIM web-site. It is the responsibility of the team captain to check game times/ schedules. The IM Office DOES NOT call individual teams or captains to inform them of their first game. Missing the first game of the season due to failure to check the schedules will count as a forfeit.

F. Game Rescheduling
The IM Office reserves the right to change game times and/or opponents at any point. Participants will be reasonably notified. A captain desiring to change the day and/or time of a game must contact the IM Office within 48 hours preceding the original play date (or before Noon on Friday for a weekend contest). If team captains cannot agree on a new date and/or time, the team that could not make the originally scheduled game will either have to default, if eligible, or forfeit.

G. Game Check-In
Rosters will be printed on the score sheet of every game. Prior to the start of each contest, players are required to present a NU photo ID or SPAC membership card to the designated intramural official. No exceptions will be permitted.

H. Game Results
Results are recorded on the official score sheet. By signing the score sheet, the team captain verifies the score of the contest and the sportsmanship rating. The scores will be posted on the bulletin boards next to the IM Office within 48 hours of the contests. Captains are responsible for checking league standings and reporting any inaccuracies to the IM office. All scores, standings and rankings will also be posted on the NUIM web-site within 48 hours of the contest.

I. Playoff brackets
Play-off brackets will be determined at the end of regular season play during a Captains' meeting. Captains of eligible teams will have the opportunity to choose a spot in the brackets for their team. Teams are considered eligible if they have not forfeited a game throughout the regular season. Captains of the teams with the best records will choose first, and so on, through a lottery system. Attendance at this meeting is not mandatory; however, it is to the advantage of the team to have a representative at the meeting, in order that they may choose a convenient slot. The IM Staff will place teams without a representative in the remaining open brackets, AFTER everyone at the meeting has chosen spots.

Rough play, improper behavior or fighting will not be tolerated in any form. Team captains are responsible for their players and spectators prior to, during and following the game. Any team or player that participates in a fight before, during or after an IM contest will be immediately ejected from the facility and suspended from all Intramural activities for one year. In addition, the incident and all participating individuals will be referred to the student advisory board for further action. Criminal charges may be filed.

Any person or persons (including players, captains, and spectators) who criticize, boisterously obstruct, ridicule, or attempt to demean an IM official or opposing team member shall be liable to expulsion from the program along with possible disciplinary action through the student advisory board. In addition, a game may be forfeited at the discretion of the official, supervisor on duty, Director, or Assistant Director. Individuals exhibiting this behavior must meet with the Director prior to the next contest.

The Intramural Department reserves the right to cancel all or part of a sport season due to poor weather or any other unforeseen situations.

It is the responsibility of the captain to procure and pay forfeit fees. If the team captain fails to pay the forfeit fee by the end of the quarter, the registration and/or transcripts of the team captain will be held by the University, and he/she will be prohibited from participating from any Intramural leagues/events until the fee has been paid.

A team will be dropped from the league following a second forfeit, even if the first fee has been paid. A team is still responsible for the fee for the second forfeit.

Teams or individuals with outstanding forfeit fees may be unable to register for Intramural activities during subsequent quarters.

B. Defaults
If a team knows in advance that they cannot field a team for a scheduled match, the captain must complete a Default Form in the IM Office by 5:00pm the day before the match. **If, however, the scheduled match is on a Sunday or Monday, the default must be reported by Noon on Friday.**

By defaulting, a forfeit fee will NOT be assessed. A default counts as a LOSS (and a win for the opponent), but does not affect a team's play-off eligibility status.

Only one default is allowed without penalty. A second default will disqualify a team for post-season play. DEFAULTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OVER THE PHONE OR VIA E-MAIL. If a default is turned in by this manner, it will result in a forfeit instead of a default.

B. Eligibility protests
Eligibility protests MUST be made by the end of the first intermission of play. For example, protests must be made: before the halftime has expired in Flag Football, Basketball, Soccer, and Ultimate Frisbee; before the beginning of the second game in Tennis, Volleyball and Wallyball; before the 3 1/2 inning of play in Softball; and before the second period in Floor Hockey. Eligibility protests made after the contest will NOT be accepted.

If a team questions an individual’s eligibility or appearance on a team’s roster, a “roster check” will be made by the supervisor for BOTH teams to ensure everyone’s eligibility.

After the roster check, if either team is found to have violated eligibility requirements, they will forfeit that game.

If the identity of an individual is questioned, the individual must provide a picture ID to prove their identity. Failure to prove their identity prior to the end of the supervisor’s shift will result in a forfeit for that team. If the individual fails to prove their identity as an eligible player, it will be assumed that the player is ineligible and the team will forfeit the game in which the individual was playing.

The Intramural Department will provide officials. If there is a lack of officials, games will be self officiated by the players as deemed by the on-duty supervisor. An official may be placed on the court to strictly supervise and keep score, however, the official will not be forced to officiate the game. Teams have the option to refuse to play using this policy. These games however, may not be rescheduled.

Officials are needed for all sports. Interested persons are encouraged to contact the Director.

Athletic shoes must be worn during all IM activities. However, it is highly recommended that participants wear appropriate court shoes on all courts and cleats during field activities. In addition, any shoe that could possibly endanger another participant (i.e. metal cleats) is strictly prohibited. No one may play in sandals, socks or bare feet. The decision of the on-duty supervisor is final.

Participation in all Fitness and Recreation facilities and programs are on a voluntary basis. Northwestern University shall not be liable for any injuries, damages, or other such losses that individuals may incur while using Fitness and Recreation Facilities or participating in Fitness and Recreation programs. Participants specifically assume all risks of injuries, damages, or other such losses while using any equipment or facilities at Northwestern University, or while participating in any program, exercise, or activity at Northwestern or on university premises. Participants waive any and all claims against Northwestern University, its trustees, officers, agents, and employees for any such injuries, damages, or losses.

First Aid for minor injuries is available at each activity site through the on-duty supervisor.