Please learn and adhere to the following guidelines regarding the sporting behavior rating system, rating method, rating factors, rating scale, playoff eligibility, playoff sportsmanship, ejected & suspended participants and reinstatement procedures, participant suspensions, and team & organization suspensions.

THE SPORTING BEHAVIOR RATING SYSTEM

The Sporting Behavior Rating System is intended to be an objective scale by which teams’ attitude and behavior can be assessed throughout the intramural sports league and playoff seasons. Behavior before, during, and after an intramural sports contest is included in the rating. The team captain is responsible for educating and informing all players and spectators affiliated with their team about the system.

A team is responsible for the actions of the individual team members and spectators related to it. The team captain’s efforts in assisting officials/staff to calm difficult situations and to restrain troubled teammates are key to controlling team conduct.

Good sporting behavior is vital to the conduct of every intramural contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, administrative personnel, and supervisors shall make decisions on whether to warn, penalize or eject players or teams for poor sporting behavior. These decisions are final. The Intramural Sports administrative staff will rule on further penalties as a result of unsporting conduct.

Each participant should choose his or her team members carefully, as all team members will suffer the consequences of any disciplinary action taken by the Intramural Sports staff against that team for violation of the intramural rules and sporting behavior guidelines.

RATING METHOD

Each team in each contest shall be rated by the officials. The authority of the officials’ ratings exists prior to, during, and following all contests to which that official is assigned, and extends to all persons on, at, or near the playing site. Sportsmanship ratings shall be marked on the scoresheet.

In all cases, IM supervisors and the Intramural Sports administrative staff may provide input which may raise or lower the rating. Supervisors may amend any rating for inappropriate conduct by a team or its spectators before, during, or after a contest. Intramural Sports administrative staff members may amend a rating at any time for inappropriate conduct, use of an ineligible player, use of a suspended player, and/or inaccuracy in reporting.

Officials have been instructed not to comment to teams about ratings. Teams may inquire with an IM supervisor at the game site to view their sporting behavior ratings. Teams may also view their sporting behavior ratings on the FSU IMLeagues web site. A team captain may appeal their team’s sportsmanship raiting by submitting a written appeal via online form or email to imsports@fsu.edu by 12 Noon of the next business day following the game or match. Appeals after this time will not be accepted.

The Intramural Sports administrative staff reserves the right to review any rating given to a team.

RATING FACTORS

The following actions and behaviors by team members, spectators, and/or team followers can have a positive effect on a team’s sportsmanship rating:

• Team members cooperate with and demonstrate good sporting behavior toward members of both teams, spectators, officials, and all other IM staff.
• Team captain exhibits control over their team and spectators, converses reasonably and rationally with officials about rule interpretations/calls, and cooperates by providing any information requested by an IM official/staff.
• Team members participate in the spirit and intent of the intramural sport game rules and/or program policies. Team members accept judgment decisions made by the officials during the contest.
• Respect is shown for FSU Campus Recreation facilities and equipment.

The following actions and behaviors by team members, spectators, and/or team followers can have a negative effect on a team’s sportsmanship rating:

• Participants / spectators who continually complain about officials’ decisions and display dissent which may include derogatory or abusive remarks. Complaints include both verbal and nonverbal behavior. Excessive arguing between opposing teams / spectators might also lead to a lower rating.
• Team captain (spokesperson) exhibits little control over his/her team and spectators, converses in a dissenting manner with officials about rule interpretations/calls (discussion is allowed as long as it is done in a mature manner by the team captain), or does not cooperate with game officials or IM staff. Does not provide information requested by any intramural sports official/staff while performing duties.
• Having any technical fouls or penalties for unsporting conduct or having a player ejected for unsporting conduct.
• Taunting an opponent or opposing team spectator (trash talk).
• Public indecency, vulgarity, or obscenity including foul or profane language and obscene gestures, incidental or intentional, non-directed or directed at an opponent, official, teammate, supervisor, spectator, or Intramural Sports staff member.
• Physical abuse by participants / spectators in the form of fighting with an opponent, teammate, official, or staff member which occurred before, during, or after an Intramural Sports contest.
• Any threatening behavior (verbal and/or nonverbal) to any FSU Intramural Sports or Campus Recreation employee, participant, or spectator which occurred before, during, or after an Intramural Sports contest.
• Individuals / teams played after the consumption of alcohol / drugs. If the contest has begun when this is discovered, the player(s) will be immediately removed from the facility, and the contest will be forfeited to the opponent.
• Damage to or destruction of any FSU or FSU Campus Recreation facilities including failure to remove trash from the field or court following a game or match.

RATING SCALE

Team sporting behavior is graded following each contest according to the following scale and criteria. Scores can be assigned in 0.25 point increments.

4 points: Exceptional Conduct & Sporting Behavior

Players cooperate fully with the officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also has full control of his/her teammates. Team members and spectators were respectful of opponents and officials and encouraged each others efforts. At no time was this team disrespectful towards participants or officials.

3 points: Good Conduct & Sporting Behavior

Team members and spectators are respectful of opponents and officials. Team members verbally complain about some decisions made by the officials and/or show minor disagreement, but may not merit a warning or penalty from the game officials (such as a yellow card, unsporting behavior penalty, or technical foul).

2 points: Fair Conduct & Sporting Behavior

Team members or spectators are disrespectful of opponents and/or show verbal dissent towards officials. Captain exhibits minor control over his/her teammates and spectators.

1 point: Poor Conduct & Sporting Behavior

Teams repeatedly comment to the officials and/or opposing teams from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates or themselves.

Teams which receive a second Poor Conduct rating (1.00 to 1.75) in the same sport or activity are subject to immediate dismissal from league or tournament play.

0 points: Unacceptable Conduct & Season Ending Rating

The following actions can result in an Unacceptable Conduct (0.75 or less) sportsmanship rating:

• Team is completely uncooperative and out of control before, during, or after intramural sports contest(s).
• Team captain (spokesperson) exhibits poor control over self, the team, and/or the spectators.
• Multiple ejections or blatant unsportsmanlike conduct that endangered participants, fans, officials, or supervisors.
• Team fails to cooperate / comply with intramural sports administrative staff / University officials while performing their duties; falsely represents or withholds any requested information.

Teams which receive an Unacceptable Conduct rating (0.75 or less) are subject to immediate dismissal from league or tournament play. Any team that receives this rating must have their team captain meet with the Intramural Sports administrative staff determine their team’s eligibility to play their next contest.

SPECIAL GAME SITUATIONS

Unless special circumstances dictate otherwise, the following situations dictate a specific sporting behavior rating:

A. Advance Defaults & Forfeits Related to No Shows or Lack of Players
1. A team winning a game by advance default or forfeit with no game play occurring will receive a 4.0 rating.
2. A team losing by advance default will receive a 3.0 for their sporting behavior rating.
3. A team losing by forfeit due to no show or not having enough players to participate at game time will receive a 2.0 for their sporting behavior rating.

B. Cancelled or Rained Out Games
Teams scheduled for games that are cancelled, not played, and not rescheduled, often due to inclement weather or poor field conditions, will receive a 4.0 rating.

C. Incomplete Games
A team that wins, loses, or ties a game by default or forfeit or that is otherwise postponed and not completed after the game has started and game play has occurred shall receive a rating based on their sporting behavior in the game play up to the time the game was ended.

TEAM SPORTING BEHAVIOR RATINGS & PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY

A team must have a 3.0 average or better sportsmanship rating during regular season league games to be eligible for the playoffs. The average sportsmanship rating will be calculated similar to the grade point / game ratio.

PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT SPORTING BEHAVIOR RATINGS

A team must maintain its 3.0 average or better sportsmanship rating during the playoffs. The average will include regular season and playoff games.

A winning team which receives Fair or Poor sporting behavior rating (1.0 to 2.25 points) in a playoff game is subject to dismissal from further tournament play and should be prepared to petition the Intramural Sports Office on the next business day to remain in the tournament. If the team is allowed to advance, it must receive a 3.0 or higher rating in all remaining playoff games.

Any team which receives an Unacceptable sporting behavior rating (0.75 points or below) during the playoffs will be immediately dismissed from further tournament play and subject to further disciplinary action as a team in subsequent sports, as individuals when appropriate, or to the team captain.

A losing team which receives a Poor or Unacceptable sporting behavior rating (1.75 points or below) in their final playoff game, is subject to further disciplinary action as a team in subsequent sports, as individuals when appropriate, or to the team captain.

EJECTED OR SUSPENDED PARTICIPANTS

A. Ejections
A player, spectator, or other visitor may be ejected by game officials or other Intramural Sports personnel for any conduct deemed poor sporting behavior or for not staying within the spirit of the rules. An ejected person is immediately ineligible for all Intramural Sports leagues, events, and activities and is subject to additional penalties including revocation of access to other Campus Recreation programs, services, and facilities including, but not limited to, the Leach Student Recreation Center and the FSU Lakefront Park & Retreat Center.

B. Reinstatement Procedure
To regain eligibility, the ejected person must complete each of the following:
(1) Prepare a written statement detailing the events surrounding the incident. The statement shall be submitted via online form or email to imsports@fsu.edu (address listed on the Ejection Procedure Checklist card given to the ejected person, when possible, at the time of the ejection.
(2) Schedule an appointment to meet with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports to discuss the incident.
(3) Attend the scheduled meeting with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports.

C. Failure to Complete Reinstatement Procedure
An ejected person who does not complete the required steps in the reinstatement procedure outlined above remains ineligible for all Intramural Sports leagues, events, and activities and is subject to additional penalties including revocation of access to other Campus Recreation programs, services, and facilities including, but not limited to, the Leach Student Recreation Center and the FSU Lakefront Park for the remainder of their collegiate career. This “lifetime suspension” from Campus Recreation facilities and activities carries over from academic year to academic year until the ejected person completes the outlined procedure to regain his/her eligibility. The ejected person’s name will be removed from the list once the reinstatement procedure is completed.

D. Poor Sporting Behavior Incidents
For incidents deemed poor sporting behavior, when the ejected person does not complete the required steps in the reinstatement procedure, the ejected person remains ineligible for all Intramural Sports leagues, events, and activities and is subject to additional penalties including revocation of access to other Campus Recreation programs, services, and facilities including, but not limited to, the Leach Student Recreation Center and the FSU Lakefront Park. Such incidents may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards and/or FSU Police for further action.

E. Physical Assaults of Players, Spectators, Game Officials, and Other IM Staff
Anyone who physically assaults a spectator, player, official, or activity supervisor will be automatically suspended for a minimum period of one year from the date of the incident. The person must petition the Intramural Sports administrative staff for readmittance into the program. Further, such incidents may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards and/or FSU Police for further action.

F. Suspensions
While an ejected player’s suspension from intramural sports begins at the time of the ejection, any official suspension for the ejected person’s actions with respect to the particular incident does not begin until issued during the ejected person’s meeting with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports.

G. Appeals
Any appeal of an Intramural Sports suspension shall be first heard by the Assistant Director of Sport Programs. Intramural Sports or Campus Recreation suspensions shall not be lifted or postponed during the appeal process, but may be reduced following the decision regarding the appeal. No previous intramural games or matches will be replayed as a result of an upheld appeal. Intramural Sports and Campus Recreation staff may consult with the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and other University personnel during any part of the decision-making process.

PARTICIPANT SUSPENSIONS

Any person ejected from a game or game site must leave the game site immediately and will be suspended from participating in any intramural competition. Length of suspension will depend on the severity of the action that resulted in the ejection. Incidents may also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards and/or FSU Police for further action.

A. Physical Contact with Intramural Sports Staff Member
Player or spectator makes physical contact in a threatening manner (battery) toward an official or supervisor. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of one semester, effective immediately.

B. Physical Contact with Another Player
Player strikes another player. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of rest of season, effective immediately.

C. Leaving the Bench Area to Participate in an Altercation
Team members and/or spectators who leave benches/viewing area to participate in any isolated altercation. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Minimum of one game, effective immediately.

D. Threatening Behavior Toward a Staff Member, Opponent, or Patron
Threatening behavior (verbal or physical) toward an official/supervisor/participant. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Effective immediately.

E. Verbal Abuse of a Staff Member, Opponent, or Patron
Player verbally abuses an official/supervisor/participant. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Effective immediately.

F. Violation of Eligibility Standards
Individual playing on more than one team in any intramural activity and/or in violation of established eligibility rules. INDEFINITE SUSPENSION. Effective immediately.

G. Use of an Assumed Name or Other Fraudulent Act
Fraudulent acts shall be defined as misrepresentation of a score, playing while ineligible or under suspension, using another person’s ID, or allowing an individual to use your ID for intramural competition. Should a participant, team captain, chairperson or other associate be guilty or responsible for the use of an assumed name or fraudulent act, he/she will face an indefinite suspension from all intramural activities and must apply for reinstatement to the Intramural Sports program by completing the Ejected Participant’s Reinstatement Procedure.

TEAM & ORGANIZATION SPORTING BEHAVIOR VIOLATIONS

Independent teams and organizations may be sanctioned for major sportsmanship violations by their members, such as using ineligible players; threatening actions towards opponents, officials or supervisors; or fans entering the playing area. Upon the first major violation, the team or organization may be suspended from other ongoing intramural sports or suspended from participating in upcoming sports. Additionally, the team or organization may be placed on probation within the Intramural Sports program for up to one calendar year. Upon the second major violation within any one calendar year, the organization may be immediately suspended from all intramural activities for one year. Serious offenses may also be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or other judicial boards for further review. See Fair Play, Appeals of Administrative Decisions, for information on the appeals process.