2007-2008 MSHSL Athletic Rules and Policies Manual

CONTENTS

GENERAL SECTION

Foreword
Activity Advisory Committees
Athletic Director's Checklist
Class Competition - Board Policy
Coaches Responsibility: Student Eligibility Checklist
Competition Index for Heat and Cold
General Information
Lightning/Threatening Weather - Board Policy
MSHSL Organization Chart
Multiple Level Teams at Sub-Varsity Levels
Official Squad Size Chart
Revenue Sharing Plan for School Reimbursement
Substitution in League Tournaments
Thermal Injury Risk Recommendations

FOREWORD

It is the responsibility of an organization that sponsors an extensive competitive program to establish standards and policies for the conduct of each activity. This will insure that the activity is conducted in accordance with the objectives of the organization.

Member schools are responsible for conducting activity programs within the guidelines they themselves establish. This ensures that all competition reflects the educational philosophy of the member schools of the Minnesota State High School League.

League rules, policies and standards have been adopted by the Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors in order to provide, promote, extend, manage and administer a program of extracurricular activities in our schools.

This manual includes the athletic bylaws, policies and tournament terms and conditions for every athletic activity sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. The manual is designed to serve as an aid to school administrators, athletic directors, athletic coordinators and coaches as they manage and administer the athletic programs for the Minnesota State High School League.

Check the League's Web site at www.mshsl.org for appropriate forms and the most current information.

David V. Stead
Executive Director
Minnesota State High School League

REMINDER TO ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS AND COACHES

Athletic administrators and coaches of MSHSL member schools are responsible for adherence to all regulations as published in the current Official League Handbook. In addition to a review of the standards and policies highlighted below, you must review the information at a team meeting WITH ALL OF THE STUDENTS IN YOUR ATHLETIC ACTIVITY. The rules of the MSHSL apply to ALL students, grades 7-12, who participate on a Sophomore, B squad, Junior Varsity or Varsity team in your school.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPECTATOR CONDUCT (8/9/05)
In order to elevate standards of sportsmanship and encourage the growth of responsible citizenship among the students, member schools, fans and school personnel, the MSHSL held a Sportsmanship Summit and asked student participants to identify behavior expectations they felt should be in place at every school event.

These minimum behavior expectations provide a foundation upon which member schools, conferences, administrative regions and the League’s Board of Directors can build specific guidelines for activities under their control.

MSHSL Bylaw 409, RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATING TEAMS, STUDENTS AND SPECTATORS, speaks to this issue, directly, and Bylaw 409-2 specifically states that, “School officials shall be held responsible for the proper conduct of teams, team members, students and home spectators regardless of where the contest is being held.”

In all MSHSL activities, each participating school shall designate a person or persons from that school to serve as crowd control supervisors or chaperones.  MSHSL tournament staff may require school administrators to contact the tournament manager prior to the start of the tournament game so that they can be immediately contacted to respond to behavioral issues regarding their team members, students/spectators at the tournament site.  Each supervisor or chaperone should be immediately identifiable to the students and to the tournament site ushers and other security personnel.  This will help to coordinate crowd control between school supervisors and tournament site personnel.

MSHSL MINIMAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS FOR REGULAR AND POST-SEASON TOURNAMENT COMPETITIONS:

• Respect the American flag and the National Anthem.

• Spectators must wear clothing that covers the entire torso.  Those who do not comply or who wear clothing that is vulgar, obscene or that in some other way inappropriate, as determined by school/tournament personnel, will be removed from the arena/stadium if they do not cooperate with this behavior expectation.

• The use of appropriate language is expected at all times.  Profanity, negative chants, booing, trash talk, name calling, personal attacks or other acts of disrespect are unacceptable and must be immediately addressed by school/tournament administrators.

• Respect the game/contest.  Under no condition shall anyone other than the members of the official squad enter the playing surface.  No one may interfere with the contest in any way.

• Hand held signs, which do not obstruct the view of others, will be permitted provided they are in good taste.  Signs, message boards, “white” boards or other similar items contest/tournament officials deem to be in poor taste will be removed.

• Artificial noise makers (i.e. megaphones, cowbells, sirens, whistles, thunder sticks, and other similar items) are not allowed.

• Laser lights are strictly prohibited.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION BROCHURE
School officials are required to provide one (1) copy of the Athletic Eligibility Information Brochure to each candidate for interscholastic teams. The form containing the student's and parent or legal guardian's signature must be placed on file in the school prior to practice or participation in an interscholastic contest in any given year.

ENROLLMENT
Only students in grades 7-12 are eligible for participation in MSHSL-sponsored activities. Students must be enrolled and regularly attending class in the high school or continuation school in your school district.

MASTER ELIGIBILITY LIST
Each school is required to have a completed  Master Eligibility List by activity on file in the school.

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATION
A member school must be registered and schedule a minimum of three interscholastic A-squad (varsity) games, meets or matches to qualify for League sponsored tournament participation in that sport. Late registrations will be accepted until: Fall Sports - Sept. 15; Winter Sports - Dec. 15; Spring Sports - April 15.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS AND PARENT PERMIT
Any student who intends to participate in high school interscholastic athletics and cheerleading activities must have on file in the school a record of a physical examination performed within the previous three years. A health questionnaire shall be completed annually and could indicate the need for a physical examination prior to participation. The signature of the parent or guardian approving participation is required.

PROTESTS
Protests against decisions of contest officials will not be honored.

A. League officials will render an interpretation to all parties involved as to the proper application of rules in cases protested if the complete facts are presented, in writing, to the League office. Such interpretations, however, will not alter the outcome of the contest. The decisions of contest officials are final.
B. It is recognized that errors in interpretations and application of rules and in judgment situations are inevitable. However, the orderly and sportsmanlike conduct of high school activities dictates that officials' decisions must be honored and be final.

SCHEDULING OF CONTESTS
Member schools shall not schedule a game or practice on Sunday.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
A student of any grade level (9-12) who discontinues enrollment and attendance in a high school and attends another high school; and who does not meet one of the conditions of the transfer rule as listed in the MSHSL Official Handbook, shall be ineligible to compete at the varsity level at the new school for one calendar year. Please see Bylaw 111, Transfer and Residence.

USE OF REGISTERED OFFICIALS
Registered officials shall be employed for all varsity interscholastic contests in adapted hockey, adapted soccer, adapted softball, baseball, basketball, dance team, football, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball and wrestling. When non-registered officials are used for varsity games, that game becomes a scrimmage and can not count for conference or season records.

MULTIPLE LEVEL TEAMS AT SUB-VARSITY LEVEL
For the purpose of providing opportunities for player participation, schools with sufficient numbers, may sponsor more than one team at the sub-varsity level. For example, a school with 100 sophomores out for the B-Squad program may sponsor 2 B-Squad teams. Each B-Squad team may schedule and play the same number of games scheduled by the school’s Varsity team. Schools shall not sponsor more than one varsity team nor schedule more varsity games than the maximum number of games allowed for that sport. All player participation limits daily and season, shall be strictly applied.

Coaches Responsibility: Student Eligibility Check List

The eligibility of students is the responsibility of that student and the member school. Please review the following information with your players prior to the start of each athletic season. Place a check mark beside each area when you have covered it with your athletes.

REVENUE SHARING PLAN FOR SCHOOL REIMBURSEMENT

The League's Board of Directors has determined that the supplemental allowance for a member school's participation in League sponsored tournaments will be based on a Revenue Sharing Plan. The process to be followed is identified below:

MSHSL BOARD POLICY — CLASS COMPETITION

Class Competition (1/10/96)

A. Criteria for Sponsorship of a League State Tournament:  At least one of the following criteria must apply:

    1)  A sufficient number of teams have registered for an activity as defined in the "Criteria for Activities Conducted in Classes" section of this policy.

    2)  The Board of Directors may approve a state tournament if substantial evidence indicates that the conduct of this event would encourage equitable and statewide growth in that activity.

B. Criteria for sponsoring state tournaments in those activities which now culminate in a state tournament when fewer than 32 teams participate:

    1)  The Board of Directors will cease sponsorship of a state tournament when the number of participating teams is fewer than 32 for three consecutive years or at such time as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

    2)  The tournaments in that activity will terminate at the conclusion of the regular season.

C. Criteria for limiting tournament competition at the section level when more than 32 teams participate:

    1)  The Board of Directors may elect to discontinue League sponsorship of a state tournament if the Non-School Competition and Training Bylaws do not apply to that activity; or

    2)  The Board of Directors may sponsor a state tournament in an activity which is an exception to the bylaws if it is determined that non-school competition and training opportunities have not created statewide competitive inequities for the high school program.

D. Class Competition

    1)  Philosophy 
The philosophy of tournament competition of the League is to extend the opportunity for student participation in a variety of activities at the section and state level.  Region committees conduct contests, meets and tournaments in accordance with League rules and regulations which advance student participants to the next level of competition.  (4/28/83)

    2)  Classification Formula for Administrative Regions 
The largest 124 schools shall be assigned to Class AA administrative regions.  The rest of the schools shall be assigned to Class A administrative regions.

    3)  Multiple Class Tournament Competition 
The Board of Directors shall have sole discretion for determining the classification of schools and the tournament format. The Board of Directors may request input of the member schools to assist in determining the classification and format of the tournament.

        Recommendations to conduct an activity in multiple classes may be forwarded to the Board of Directors for approval by:

        a)  five (5) member schools' designated representatives; or, 
        b  the coaches' association for that activity; or, 
        c)  any member of the Board of Directors; or, 
        d  the advisory committee for that activity.

        When a recommendation for a change in an existing activity or tournament is received, the Board will submit the recommendations to the administrative region committees and Athletic Directors Advisory Committee, who shall provide comments to the Board of Directors for consideration. The Board of Directors shall have sole responsibility to determine the number of classes and tournament format. Input for tournament format may be submitted to the League office by any interested party(ies). The Board will give consideration but they are not limited to the following as they relate to tournament format:

        a)  Administrative Region management of section tournaments 
        b) Anticipated loss of class time 
        c) Classification issues 
        d) Current format/structure/history of the tournament 
        e) Facility availability 
        f)  Financial implications 
        g) Implementation date 
        h) Input from schools which shall include school board, administration, coaches and students 
        i)  Staff input 
        j)  State tournament management, including quarterfinal play in area sites for first round competition 
        k) Tournament enhancements

        These criteria are not in order of importance. Each recommendation will be evaluated on its merits.

    4)  Classification Formula for Activities Conducted in Multiple Classes

        a)  Tournament competition may be conducted in multiple classes when the total number of participating teams in League-sponsored tournaments for that activity from the previous year includes the established minimum number of teams registered for that activity.

        b) Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, commencing in the school year 1998-99, competition in multiple class tournaments shall be as follows:

            1.1    32-63 teams competing from a class shall have a four (4) team state tournament. 

            1.2    64 or more teams competing from a class shall have an eight (8) team state tournament.

            ONE (1) CLASS TOURNAMENT: When there are 32 or more teams registered for a League activity.

            TWO (2) CLASS TOURNAMENT: When there are 96 or more teams registered for a League activity, the divisions will be based on enrollment as follows:

                Option 1 
                Class AA: 124 registered teams with the largest enrollment. 
                Class A: The rest of the registered teams.

                Option 2 
                The number of registered teams shall be divided into two equal classes by enrollment.

                OR

               Option 3  
   Divide the registered teams either by the top 64 teams by enrollment or by the bottom 64 teams by enrollment, provided that the activity meets the minimum requirement for two classes.

            THREE (3) CLASS TOURNAMENT*: When there are 288 or more teams registered for a League activity, the divisions will be based on enrollment as follows: 
                Class AAA: The 96 largest teams 
                Class AA: The next 128 largest teams 
                Class A: The balance of the registered teams

            FOUR (4) CLASS TOURNAMENT*: When there are 288 or more teams registered for a League activity, the divisions will be based on enrollment as follows: 
                Class AAAA: The 48 largest teams 
                Class AAA: The next 64 largest teams 
                Class AA: The next 128 largest teams 
                Class A: The rest of the registered teams

           c)  Categories of activities for classification purposes shall be as follows:

            1.1    Team Activities *

                    Baseball

                    Basketball, Boys/Girls

                    Dance Team, Girls

                    Debate

                    Football +

                    Hockey, Boys/Girls

                    Lacrosse, Boys/Girls

                    One Act Play

                    Soccer, Boys/Girls

                    Softball, Girls

                    Synchronized Swimming, Girls

                    Volleyball, Girls

                    * Advisory committees for team activities may recommend a format for three or four class tournaments which may advance the same number of teams from each section as were advanced in two classes to the final sites provided that:

·     the number of days to conduct the tournament does not increase, or

·     cause additional loss of school time or significantly impact the cost to conduct the tournament, or

·     have a significant financial impact on the tournament.

                    + Football Multiple-Class Tournament: Tournament formats for more than four classes shall be determined by the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis.

                    When the number of competing schools in an activity falls below the minimum number for multiple-class tournaments, the classes will be reduced to bring the activity into compliance with this policy.

            1.2    Team/Individual Activities **

                    Alpine Skiing, Boys/Girls

                    Cross Country Running, Girls/Boys

                    Golf, Boys/Girls

                    Gymnastics, Girls

                    Nordic Skiing, Boys/Girls

                    Tennis, Boys/Girls

                    Wrestling

                    ** Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, three and four class tournament formats in team/individual activities may advance the same number of individual qualifiers from each section as were advanced in two classes to the final sites provided that:

·     the number of days to conduct the tournament does not increase, or

·     cause additional loss of school time or significantly impact the cost to conduct the tournament, or

·     have a significant financial impact on the tournament.

                    When the number of competing schools in an activity falls below the minimum number for multiple-class tournaments, the classes will be reduced to bring the activity into compliance with this policy.

            1.3    Individual Activities ***

                    Speech

                    Swimming, Boys/Girls

                    Track, Boys/Girls

                    *** Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, three and four class tournament formats in individual activities may advance the same number of teams and individual qualifiers from each section as were advanced in two classes to the final tournament site provided that:

·     the number of days to conduct the tournament does not increase, or

·     cause additional loss of school time or significantly impact the cost to conduct the tournament, or

·     have a significant financial impact on the tournament.

                    When the number of competing schools in an activity falls below the minimum number for multiple-class tournaments, the classes will be reduced to bring the activity into compliance with this policy.

        d. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, all tournament formats shall be in place for a minimum of four years. Recommendations for format changes will be received by the Board of Directors two (2) years prior to the proposed implementation date.

        e. Enrollments for classification shall be determined every even-numbered year by the Board of Directors using the most current MARRS Report to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. From those enrollment numbers the Board of Directors shall subtract 40 percent of the free/reduced lunch count reported to the MDE for each school for the same time period.

        f.  Students whose attendance is included in the enrollment information provided by the Minnesota Department of Education, but whose educational programming prohibits them from participating in athletic and/or fine arts activities in any school during the school year, shall not be counted toward the final enrollment of that school for purposes of administrative or tournament classification.

        g.  Schools which have all male or all female students shall have their enrollments doubled.

        h. The assignment of schools into competitive sections and classifications shall be for a two-year period.

        i.  Schools may appeal to the Executive Committee to compete up in a classification in an activity sponsored by the school according to the following criteria:

            1.1    Appeals must be made in writing to the Executive Committee with the rationale for appeal. 
            1.2    The appeal to opt up must be a four-year commitment to compete in the new classification. 
            1.3    Application period will coincide with the competitive placement cycle.

    5)  Placement of Teams in Competitive Sections  
The Board of Directors shall have the responsibility for placing schools into competitive sections.  These assignments will be presented to the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee for review and comment.  The minimum placement will be for two years.

        a)  Criteria for Competitive Section Placement

            1.1    Geographic/Contiguity 
            1.2    Financial implications  
                    Note: Consideration may be given to current administrative region placement.

    b) The Differential in Numbers of Assigned Teams in Competitive Sections

            1.1    Two Class  
 Class AA 
 In the first year of the two-year assignment, the differential shall not exceed two (2). In the second year, the differential may not exceed four (4), including new/dissolved cooperative sponsorships.

                    Class A 
In the first year of the two-year assignment, the differential shall not exceed four (4). In the second year, the differential may not exceed six (6), including new/dissolved cooperative sponsorships.

            1.2    Multiple Class (three or more) 
In the first year of the two-year assignment, the differential shall not exceed two (2) for any class. In the second year, the differential may not exceed four (4), including new/dissolved cooperative sponsorships.

                    [1] Schools may not appeal the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee's recommended competitive section placement.  The recommendation will be submitted to the Board for approval.

                    [2] The staff will assign late registrations.

        c.  Process for Competitive Section Placement

            1.1    Schools annually submit their October 1 Average Daily Membership (ADM) to the MDE as required by the MARRS reporting requirement.

            1.2    The MDE submits reported enrollment data to the League Office.

            1.3    During the school year prior to the end of a competitive section placement cycle, the League office uses the student enrollment data for grades 9-12 for each member school.  Alternative learning center (ALC) and similar alternative enrollment data are omitted from the total student count.

            1.4    As soon as the MDE information is verified, the League office will consider the number of registered teams for each sport/activity and make the determination about the numeric division between the classes.

            1.5    The League office will divide each class into competitive sections.

·  When possible, sections will be balanced to avoid a bye or a "pig-tail" game.  
·  League staff will make the placements and the Athletic Directors Advisory Committee will review the placements for balance and geographic contiguity.  The League Board of Directors will affirm the placement of each school in each activity.  
·  No appeals will be heard regarding school placement.

            1.6    The competitive sections will be announced to the member schools and to the general public as soon as they are approved by the Board of Directors.

            1.7    All placements shall be final.

            1.8    Changes in the assignment of and number of teams in any competitive section will occur only in the event of co-op dissolutions, additions or new registrations.

            1.9    All enrollment data during the two-year placement cycle shall be based on the school's enrollment at the initial placement for the cycle (1.3 above).

    6)  Placement of Schools in Administrative Regions 
The Board of Directors will place schools into administrative regions when the enrollment data is available from the MDE.

        a)  The criteria for placement into administrative regions shall be as follows. The criteria are weighted in the order of importance with [1] given more weight than [2], etc. (4/20/94)

            1.1    Administrative Region Placement Criteria

                    [1] Enrollment 
                    [2] Statewide representation 
                    [3] Geographic contiguity

            1.2    Criteria for Classification

                    [1] AA: The largest 124 schools 
                    [2] A: The rest of the schools 
                    [3] Schools registered for basketball 
                    [4] Nearly equal division of schools.

            1.3    Schools not registered for basketball will be assigned to an administrative region based on geography.

        b)    Administrative region assignments will not be limited to a specific differential due to the registration of home schools, charter schools, and small non-public schools that do not sponsor competitive programs on their own but must be placed in an administrative region.

The Athletic Directors Advisory Committee will review the placement of competitive sections (1/12/94). These assignments will be presented to the Board in April following receipt of the school activity registrations. The minimum placement will be for two years.

SIX-CLASS TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

Subsection, section and state tournaments will be conducted in Class 9-Man, Class A, Class AA, Class AAA, Class AAAA, and Class AAAAA in Football.

FOUR-CLASS TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

Subsection, section and state tournaments will be conducted in Class A, Class AA, Class AAA, and Class AAAA in Boys' & Girls' Basketball.

THREE-CLASS TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

Subsection, section and state tournaments will be conducted in Class A, Class AA and Class AAA in Wrestling, Girls' Dance Team,  Girls' Volleyball, Girls' Softball, Baseball and Boys' & Girls' Golf  

TWO-CLASS TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

Subsection, section and state tournaments will be conducted in Class A and Class AA in the following activities:

SINGLE-CLASS TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

The following activities will be conducted as single class at the section and state level:

TWO-DIVISION TOURNAMENT ACTIVITIES

State tournaments will be conducted in CI and PI co-ed divisions in the following activities:

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MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE
ORGANIZATION CHART

ACTIVITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES

SECTION AND STATE TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the Board of Directors to govern section activities.

ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS
Any school currently enrolled as a member of the League and assigned to a given competitive section is eligible to participate in all approved activities of the League or any subdivision thereof.

NOTE: (1) A school is currently enrolled when it has officially registered for the activities it wishes to sponsor. (2) A member school must schedule and participate in a minimum of three interscholastic "A" team games, meets or matches to qualify for League-sponsored tournament participation in that sport.

ELIGIBILITY RULES
The eligibility rules of the League and the requirements of the Constitution shall govern all participation in all subsection or section activities.

TOURNAMENT  LIMITATION
No team shall be required to play two basketball or two hockey games in any subsection or section tournament on any one day.

PROTESTS
A protest concerning the eligibility of a student should be filed with the region secretary at least three days prior to the opening date of the contest.

OFFICIAL SQUADS

SUBSTITUTION IN LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS

A. Certification and Substitutions for Team Sports
After an official squad for a tournament has been certified to the governing committee, substitutions are not permitted except under the following conditions:

1. That a physician indicates that a student listed on the certified roster must not participate.

a.This student may be returned to the tournament squad upon certification, in writing, by the physician to the governing committee.
b. When such a player is returned to the tournament squad, the player replaces the substitute.

2. That the governing committee determines that a justifiable emergency indicates a need for the withdrawal of a certified player. A justifiable emergency does not include the removal of a student from competition once the determination of ineligibility of the athlete by the school.

a. This student may be returned to the tournament squad by action of the governing committee.
b. When such a player is returned to the tournament squad, the player replaces the substitute.

B. Certification and Substitution for Team/Individual Sports With Combined Championships
After an official squad for a section tournament in cross country running, Nordic ski racing, and golf has been certified to the governing committee of that tournament, substitutions for that tournament and for the state tournament are not permitted except as specified under A. 1-2 above. Team and individual members who participate in the section meet and advance to the state meet as an individual or team member are eligible for individual awards at the state meet.

C. Substitutions for Individual Sports
Substitutions may occur prior to the start of the first round of competition at the first-level tournament -- subsection tournament; or section when no subsection tournament is conducted.

SECTION ACTIVITIES

A. The region committee, as assigned by the Board of Directors, shall assume full control and financial responsibility for administering all section tournaments, meets and contests within the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. Expenses shall include fees paid officials and judges, advertising, tickets, rentals and other miscellaneous items for conducting the event. Administration expenses, however, do not include transportation, meals and housing for the participating schools or players.

B. Subsection tournaments should be conducted by the region committees involved. The administrative region committee with the largest number of member schools in the section will be assigned the leadership in calling meetings, etc. The subsection and section committee must be representative of all member schools involved in the section tournament.