IHSAA 2023-24 By-Laws

2023-24

Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

Member School By-Laws

& Articles of Incorporation

9150 N. Meridian Street,

Indianapolis, Indiana 46260



Telephone: 317-846-6601

IHSAA.org | IHSAAtv.org | myIHSAA.net | @IHSAA1

Email: [email protected]

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4 pm ET



Incorporated: April 26, 1976

National Federation Member Since 1924

Foreword

This publication is for those who conduct secondary school athletic programs. It will be

revised and brought up to date annually and distributed to all member schools at the begin-

ning of each school year.

If, after reading and studying its contents, school administrators have a question/s regard-

ing any rule, they should communicate with the Commissioner. Whenever there is doubt as

to the eligibility of any student, a written inquiry from the Principal to the Commissioner will

receive a reply explaining the pertinent rule/s interpretation/s or the inquiry will be referred to

the Executive Committee for review and for a decision.

“Notes” and questions are inserted as explanatory and clarifying material. Such are not

to be considered as parts of the body of the Member School By-Laws and the changing of

such does not require Board of Director action. Questions and answers have been included

to assist in interpreting the rules and regulations. The questions are real ones gathered from

past correspondence to the Association Oce. The answers given are according to rules and

their interpretations by the past Executive Committees.

All changes in the Member School By-Laws during the past year are shaded in grey.

iii

IHSAA Executive Staff

Janie Ulmer

Assistant

Commissioner

Chris Kaufman

Assistant Commissioner

Foundation President

Heath Shanahan

Director of

Broadcast Operations

Paul Neidig

Commissioner

Robert Faulkens

Assistant

Commissioner

Luke Morehead

Technology

Director

Brian Lewis

Assistant

Commissioner

Kerrie Rosati

Assistant

Commissioner

Jason Wille

Sports Information

Director

Ed Gilliland

Associate

Commissioner

Brian Avery

Director of

Champions Together

Katie Williams-Briles

General Counsel

Trip Lukemeyer

Foundation

Director

Tom Black

East Central

Paul Voigt

Churubusco

Tim Grove

North Knox

Jeﬀ Doyle

Barr-Reeve

Jeﬀ Hamstra

Chesterton

Tom Finicle

Southwood

Jim Brown

Fishers

Kyle Duncan

Brownsburg

Brian Strong

Logansport

Larry Cochren

Washington

Patti McCormack

Lowell

Kris Painter

Terre Haute North Vigo

Stacy Adams

Valparaiso

(President)

Joe Herrmann

Evansville Mater Dei

Kye Denney

Wes-Del

Roman Smith

NorthWood

Chris Conley

Delta

Chad Gilbert

Charlestown

(Vice-President)

District, Seat Board Member Term Ends

District I, Class 1A Tom Finicle, Southwood June 2026

District I, Class 2A Paul Voigt, Churubusco June 2024

District I, Class 3A Roman Smith, NorthWood June 2026

District I, Class 4A Jeﬀ Hamstra, Chesterton June 2024

District II, Class 1A -- June 2024

District II, Class 2A Kye Denney, Wes-Del June 2026

District II, Class 3A Chris Conley, Delta June 2024

District II, Class 4A Jim Brown, Fishers June 2026

District III, Class 1A Jeﬀ Doyle, Barr-Reeve June 2026

District III, Class 2A Tim Grove, North Knox June 2024

District III, Class 3A Larry Cochren, Washington June 2026

District III, Class 4A Tom Black, East Central June 2024

North District, Female Patti McCormack, Lowell June 2025

North District, Minority Stacy Adams, Valparaiso* June 2025

North District, Urban Brian Strong, Logansport June 2025

South District, Female Kris Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo June 2025

South District, Minority Kyle Duncan, Brownsburg June 2025

South District, Urban Chad Gilbert, Charlestown** June 2025

Private School Joe Herrmann, Evansville Mater Dei June 2025

* President

** Vice-President

Chris Conley, Delta (Chairman)

Tom Black, East Central (Vice-Chairman)

Stacy Adams, Valparaiso

Jim Brown, Fishers

Larry Cochren, Washington

Kye Denney, Wes-Del

Jeﬀ Doyle, Barr-Reeve

Kyle Duncan, Brownsburg

Tom Finicle, Southwood

Chad Gilbert, Charlestown

Tim Grove, North Knox

Jeﬀ Hamstra, Chesterton

Joe Herrmann, Evansville Mater Dei

Patti McCormack, Lowell

Kris Painter, Terre Haute North Vigo

Roman Smith, NorthWood

Brian Strong, Logansport

Paul Voigt, Churubusco

Table of Contents

Foreward

....................................................................... ii

IHSAA Executive Sta

........................................................................iii

IHSAA Board of Directors

........................................................................iv

Membership Map

...................................................................... viii

Corresponding Weeks

.........................................................................x

Articles of Incorporation

........................................................................ 1

By-Laws

........................................................................ 3

Article I

Name ............................................................... 3

Article II

Purpose ........................................................... 3

Article III

Membership ..................................................... 3

Article IV

Administration .................................................. 4

Section 1

Districts ............................................................ 4

Section 2

Classes ............................................................ 5

Section 3

Board of Directors ........................................... 5

Section 4

Executive Committee ...................................... 8

Section 5

Commissioner ................................................. 9

Section 6

Assistant Commissioner/s ............................... 9

Section 7

Indemnification of Directors

, Officers, Committee

Members, Agents and Employees 10

Article V

Finances ........................................................ 10

Article VI

Amendments ................................................. 10

Part I Denitions

...................................................................... 13

Part II

General Eligibility Rules ..................................................... 19

Rule 1

Rule Coverage .............................................. 19

Rule 2

Classification of Schools ............................... 20

Rule 3

Administrative Responsibility ......................... 23

Certification of Eligibility ................................ 24

Consent and Release Certificates ................. 25

Rule 4

Age ................................................................ 28

Rule 5

Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition 29

Rule 6

Awards, Prizes, Gifts ..................................... 32

Rule 7

Coaches ........................................................ 35

Rule 8

Conduct, Character, Discipline ...................... 39

Rule 9

Contests ........................................................ 42

Rule 10 Interstate Contests and Practices

Requiring Special Attention ............................. 49

Rule 11

Contracts ....................................................... 52

Rule 12

Enrollment ..................................................... 53

Rule 13

Graduates ...................................................... 57

Rule 14

Officials .......................................................... 58

Rule 15

Participation ................................................... 61

Rule 16

Protests ......................................................... 76

Rule 17 Investigations - Hearings - Decisions -

Appeal - Penalties - Waivers ......................... 76

Rule 18

Scholarship .................................................... 88

Rule 19

Eligibility & Transfer ....................................... 96

Rule 20

Undue Influence .......................................... 108

Part III

Interschool Sports Rules ....................................................114

Rule 50

Sports Seasons ............................................114

vii

Rule 51

Baseball ........................................................117

Pitch Count ...................................................117

Independent Summer Playing ......................119

Rule 52

Basketball .................................................... 120

Rule 53

Cross Country ............................................. 124

Rule 54

Football ........................................................ 124

Rule 55

Golf .............................................................. 127

Rule 56

Gymnastics .................................................. 127

Rule 57

Soccer ......................................................... 128

Rule 58

Softball ........................................................ 128

Rule 59

Swimming and Diving .................................. 130

Rule 60

Tennis .......................................................... 130

Rule 61

Track and Field ............................................ 132

Rule 62

Volleyball ..................................................... 132

Rule 63

Wrestling ..................................................... 134

Part IV

Uni ied Sports® Rules ...................................................... 136

Rule 100

Uni ied Sports® - General ........................... 136

Rule 101

Uni ied Sports® Seasons ............................ 138

Rule 102

Track and Field ............................................ 140

Rule 103

Flag Football ................................................ 140

Part V

Junior High School Interschool Rules ............................... 142

Part VI

National Federation of State High School Associations .... 143

Part VII

History of IHSAA ............................................................... 144

Former Executive Committee Members ........................... 150

Index

.......................................................................................... 158

*Easter Sunday precedes Monday of this week. Note: Week 21 will always contain Thanksgiving Thursday.

IHSAA Corresponding Weeks

Mondays - Saturdays

2024-25

7/8-13

7/15-20

7/22-27

7/29-8/3

8/5-10

8/12-17

8/19-24

8/26-31

9/2-7

9/9-14

9/16-21

9/23-28

9/30-10/5

10/7-12

10/14-19

10/21-26

10/28-11/2

11/4-9

11/11-16

11/18-23

11/25-30

12/2-7

12/9-14

12/16-21

12/23-28

12/30-1/4

1/6-11

1/13-18

1/20-25

1/27-2/1

2/3-8

2/10-15

2/17-22

2/24-3/1

3/3-8

3/10-15

3/17-22

3/24-29

3/31-4/5

4/7-12

4/14-19

*4/21-26

4/28-5/3

5/5-10

5/12-17

5/19-24

5/26-31

6/2-7

6/9-14

6/16-21

6/23-28

6/30-7/5

2028-29

7/3-8

7/10-15

7/17-22

7/24-29

7/31-8/5

8/7-12

8/14-19

8/21-26

8/28-9/2

9/4-9

9/11-16

9/18-23

9/25-30

10/2-7

10/9-14

10/16-21

10/23-28

10/30-11/4

11/6-11

11/13-18

11/20-25

11/27-12/2

12/4-9

12/11-16

12/18-23

12/25-30

1/1-6

1/8-13

1/15-20

1/22-27

1/29-2/3

2/5-10

2/12-17

2/19-24

2/26-3/3

3/5-10

3/12-17

3/19-24

3/26-31

*4/2-7

4/9-14

4/16-21

4/23-28

4/30-5/5

5/7-12

5/14-19

5/21-26

5/28-6/2

6/4-9

6/11-16

6/18-23

6/25-30

2023-24

7/3-8

7/10-15

7/17-22

7/24-29

7/31-8/5

8/7-12

8/14-19

8/21-26

8/28-9/2

9/4-9

9/11-16

9/18-23

9/25-30

10/2-7

10/9-14

10/16-21

10/23-28

10/30-11/4

11/6-11

11/13-18

11/20-25

11/27-12/2

12/4-9

12/11-16

12/18-23

12/25-30

1/1-6

1/8-13

1/15-20

1/22-27

1/29-2/3

2/5-10

2/12-17

2/19-24

2/26-3/2

3/4-9

3/11-16

3/18-23

3/25-30

*4/1-6

4/8-13

4/15-20

4/22-27

4/29-5/4

5/6-11

5/13-18

5/20-25

5/27-6/1

6/3-8

6/10-15

6/17-22

6/24-29

2025-26

7/7-12

7/14-19

7/21-26

7/28-8/2

8/4-9

8/11-16

8/18-23

8/25-30

9/1-6

9/8-13

9/15-20

9/22-27

9/29-10/4

10/6-11

10/13-18

10/20-25

10/27-11/1

11/3-8

11/10-15

11/17-22

11/24-29

12-1-6

12/8-13

12/15-20

12/22-27

12/29-1/3

1/5-10

1/12-17

1/19-24

1/26-31

2/2-7

2/9-14

2/16-21

2/23-28

3/2-7

3/9-14

3/16-21

3/23-28

3/30-4/4

*4/6-11

4/13-18

4/20-25

4/27-5/2

5/4-9

5/11-16

5/18-23

5/25-30

6/1-6

6/8-13

6/15-20

6/22-27

6/29-7/4

2026-27

7/6-11

7/13-18

7/20-25

7/27-8/1

8/3-8

8/10-15

8/17-22

8/24-29

8/31-9/5

9/7-12

9/14-19

9/21-26

9/28-10/3

10/5-10

10/12-17

10/19-24

10/26-31

11/2-7

11/9-14

11/16-21

11/23-28

11/30-12/5

12/7-12

12/14-19

12/21-26

12/28-1/2

1/4-9

1/11-16

1/18-23

1/25-30

2/1-6

2/8-13

2/15-20

2/22-27

3/1-6

3/8-13

3/15-20

3/22-27

3/29-4/3

*4/5-10

4/12-17

4/19-24

4/26-5/1

5/3-8

5/10-15

5/17-22

5/24-29

5/31-6/5

6/7-12

6/14-19

6/21-26

6/28-7/3

2027-28

7/5-10

7/12-17

7/19-24

7/26-31

8/2-7

8/9-14

8/16-21

8/23-28

8/30-9/4

9/6-11

9/13-18

9/20-25

9/27-10/2

10/4-9

10/11-16

10/18-23

10/25-30

11/1-6

11/8-13

11/15-20

11/22-27

11/29-12/4

12/6-11

12/13-18

12/20-25

12/27-1/1

1/3-8

1/10-15

1/17-22

1/24-29

1/31-2/5

2/7-12

2/14-19

2/21-26

2/28-3/4

3/6-11

3/13-18

3/20-25

3/27-4/1

4/3-8

4/10-15

*4/17-22

4/24-29

5/1-6

5/8-13

5/15-20

5/22-27

5/29-6/3

6/5-10

6/12-17

6/19-24

6/26-7/1

2023-24 Member School By-Laws Rules Changes

*The information provided below is a general description of changes. Please see the actual rule for specic

details. All changes in the Member School By-Laws during the past year are shaded in grey.

Rule 1-3 – Recognized Sports Process (page 19)

Changes the criteria regarding the number of required participating Member Schools for a sport to become

a Recognized Sport (from 150 to 100 or more).

Rule 2-2 – Numbers of Schools in Classes (page 21)

Eective in 2024-25, four-class sports will be classied so that Class 4A will include the largest 20% of

schools, Class 3A will be the next 25%, Class 2A the next 25% and Class A the smallest 30% of

schools. Their division will be based on the number of Member Schools.

Rule 2-3 – Reclassication by Enrollment; Dierent Classes Alignment; Change Class Assignment

(page 21)

Changes the notication timeframe for a Member School to request to move up a class (by September 1

of a reclassication year).

Rule 2-5 – Reclassication of Schools in Team Sports Due to Previous Tournament Series Success

(page 22)

Eective in 2024-25, the Tournament Success Factor will be viewed annually with a school’s performance

over the previous two years determining whether it moves up, down or stays in the class it’s par-

ticipating.

Rule 3-12 – Continuing Education for Athletic Directors (page 26) (Editorial Change)

Formerly rule 7-4. No substantive changes in rule provision. Moved to Rule 3 under Administrative Re-

sponsibility section.

Rule 9-14 – Practice Attendance Required to Participate in Contest (page 43)

Changes the number of practice sessions required should a student fail to attend and actively participate

for consecutive days (prior to participating in a contest).

Rule 10-1.1 – Out-of-State Contest Limitations (page 49)

Changes the mileage limitation and places restrictions when Member Schools participate in out-of-state

contests.

Rule 10-1.2 – In-State Contests Limitations (page 50)

Changes the mileage limitation and places restrictions when out-of-state Schools participate against

Member Schools in Indiana.

Rule 10-4 – Mileage Limitation on Team Practices (page 50)

Changes the mileage limitation for Member Schools for out-of-state practices (consistent with out-of-state

contests).

Rule 14-8 – Provisional Licensed Ocials (page 58)

Provides that high School students who acquire a provisional licensed through the IHSAA may ociate any

contests other than contests at the high School level (grades 9 -12).

Rule 14-9 – Ocial’s License Annual Renewal (page 58)

Changes the date on which an ocial’s license expires, as well as the date in which an ocial’s license

may be renewed.

Rule 19-6.3 – Transfer Options When Transfer Without Change of Residence by Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

(page 100)

Claries that a student may continue eligibility (when no move by parents/guardians) at the most recent

Member School prior to student’s transfer (most recent Sending School).

Rule 50-1 – Pre-Participation Practice (page 115)

Changes number of required pre-participation practice sessions prior to the student’s rst contest (from

10 to 8).

Rule 50-1.2 – Second Sport Pre-Participation Practice (page 115)

Changes number of required pre-participation practice sessions (in any sport) prior to the student’s rst

contest if the student participates in a second sport (from 10 to 8).

Rule 100-1.1 – Denition of Participants (Unied Sports) (page 136)

Claries the denition of Unied Student Athlete and a Unied Student Partner.

Articles of Incorporation

Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

On April 26, 1976, Phil N. Eskew, Ward E. Brown and Charles F. Maas, as incorporators,

executed and filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, Articles of

Incorporation for Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc., under the provisions of the

Indiana Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of 1971. The Articles provide in substance:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

SECOND: The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are: To continue the activities of

its unincorporated predecessor, the “Indiana High School Athletic Association” with an initial

membership composed of the present existing members of its unincorporated predecessor;

to encourage, regulate, and give direction to wholesome amateur interschool athletic

competition between the schools who are members of the Corporation. All such interschool

athletic competition coming under regulation by this Corporation shall be subservient to and

complementary to the academic or curricular functions of the member schools which are their

primary purposes. To assure that the program of interschool athletic competition remains

steadfast to the principles of wholesome amateur athletics and subservient to its primary

academic or curricular functions of education of the member schools, the Corporation shall

cooperate with agencies vitally concerned with the health and educational welfare of Secondary

School students; furnish protection against exploitation of member schools of their students;

determine qualifications of individual contestants, coaches and officials; and provide written

communications to establish standards for eligibility, competition and sportsmanship.

THIRD: The period during which the Corporation shall continue is perpetual.

FOURTH:

Section 1. The name and address of the Resident Agent in charge of the Corporation’s

principal office is Ward E. Brown, 812 Circle Tower Building, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Section 2. Principal Office. The post office address of the principal office of the Corporation

is 812 Circle Tower Building, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

FIFTH:

Section 1. The initial Board of Directors is composed of fifteen members. The exact number

of directors shall be prescribed from time to time in the By-Laws of the Corporation.

Section 2. Names and Addresses of the initial Board of Directors:

William T. Case, Monroe City, IN; Dale E. Cox, Lakeville, IN; Wayne Daugherty, Vevay, IN;

Keith Davis, North Liberty, IN; Charles Hilton, Richmond, IN; William Johnson, Bedford, IN;

Michael Leffler, Beech Grove, IN; Doyle Lehman, Berne, IN; Amzie Miller, Jr., New Carlisle,

IN; William H. Moorhead, Versailles, IN; Emerson Mutterspaugh, Crawfordsville, IN; Edward

M. Raber, Dale, IN; Robert M. Straight, Huntington, IN; Billy Lee Walker, Carmel, IN; Donald

S. Weeks, Columbia City, IN.

SIXTH: The names and addresses of the incorporators of the Corporation are as follows:

Phil N. Eskew, Indianapolis, IN; Ward E. Brown, Crawfordsville, IN;

Charles F. Maas, Indianapolis, IN.

SEVENTH: This Corporation will receive all assets and assume all liabilities of its predecessor

organization, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, a common law association with its

office at 812 Circle Tower Building, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. The estimated value of the

property taken over is $500,000.00.

EIGHTH: All provisions defining, limiting or regulating the powers and rights of the Directors,

members, or any class of members including the right to vote and provision for the regulation

Articles of Incorporation

and conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be contained in the Corporate By-Laws. The

By-Laws may be amended from time to time by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board

of Directors. The Members of the predecessor Indiana High School Athletic Association shall

be the initial members of the Corporation. The Constitution and By-Laws of the predecessor

Association shall continue in full force and effect, without interruption as the governing By-

Laws, rules, regulations, and standards of the Corporation and its member schools until such

time as they are amended by the Board of Directors, and except where they are inconsistent

with law or these Articles, or where a change in wording is necessary to render the same

applicable to the corporate structure.

NINTH: No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be

distributable to, its directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation

shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered

and to make payments and distributions to exempt schools in furtherance of the exempt

purposes set forth. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying

on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Corporation shall

not participate in political campaigns (including the publishing or distribution of statements)

on behalf of any candidates for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these

articles, the Corporation shall not carry on other activities not permitted to be carried on (a)

by a Corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal

Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal

Revenue Law) or (b) by a Corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section

170(c)(2) of the lnternal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future

United States Internal Revenue Law).

Upon the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making

provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Corporation, dispose of all of the assets

of the Corporation exclusively for the purposes of the Corporation in such manner, or to such

organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable or educational

purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organization under section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future

United States Internal Revenue Law) as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets

not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Superior Court of Marion County, exclusively

for the Corporation’s purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall

determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for the Corporation’s purposes.

* * *

Certificate of Incorporation Issued By

Larry A. Conrad, Secretary of State, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 26, 1976

Articles of Incorporation

By-Laws

PREAMBLE

The principals of the Secondary Schools of Indiana having many years ago recog-

nized the need for a voluntary association of schools to plan, organize and regulate a whole-

some amateur program of interschool athletic competition in which school members of such

association would participate, and to that end having organized such voluntary association

known as the Indiana High School Athletic Association, which has for many years functioned

and been operated as such, and which association now having been incorporated under the

Indiana Not-For-Proﬁ t Corporation Act, the Board of Directors of said Corporation hereby es-

tablish the following as the By-Laws of Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this Corporation shall be the “Indiana High School Athletic Association,

Inc.” (The abbreviation of this name is understood to be “IHSAA.”)

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of this Corporation shall be to encourage, regulate and give direction

to wholesome amateur interschool athletic competition between the schools who are members

of the Corporation. All such interschool athletic competition coming under regulation by this

Corporation shall be subservient to and complementary to the academic or curricular functions

of the member schools which are their primary purposes. To assure that the program of inter-

school athletic competition remains steadfast to the principles of wholesome amateur athletics

and subservient to its primary academic or curricular functions of education of the member

schools, the Corporation shall cooperate with agencies vitally concerned with the health and

educational welfare of Secondary School students; furnish protection against exploitation of

member schools of their students; determine qualiﬁ cations of individual contestants, coaches

and oﬃ cials; and provide written communications to establish standards for eligibility, competi-

tion and sportsmanship.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

All Memberships Are Voluntary. An Indiana-based Secondary School may become

a member of this Corporation by meeting the requirements for Membership, by subscribing to

all rules and regulations of the Corporation, and by completing and submitting a membership

application form to the Commissioner, accompanied by a Two Thousand dollar ($2,000.00)

initiation fee, on or before August 1.

Section 2.

Full Membership in this Corporation shall be open to all public, private, parochial,

boarding, and institutional high schools of the state oﬀ ering and maintaining Two (2) or more

years of high school work, provided they meet the requirements of the Corporation and also

subscribe to its rules and regulations. A school to be eligible for Membership in the IHSAA must

(a) have Full Accreditation or Freeway Accreditation from the Indiana Department of Educa-

tion or be fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement or by

another national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the Indiana Department of Edu-

cation for purposes of the School Scholarship Program under Ind. Code §20-51 and approved

by the IHSAA, provided the school meets the graduation qualifying requirements of the state

of Indiana and (b) must have previously provided and continue to maintain at least one team in

an IHSAA sponsored sport for each gender during each sports season. A school shall neither

become a member nor remain a member in the IHSAA whose detailed ﬁ nancial (athletic or

otherwise), scholastic and attendance records are not readily made available, as requested, to

the IHSAA during an investigation.

Section 3.

Any school upon being granted Membership in the Association shall not be permit-

ted to participate in IHSAA tournaments for a period of three (3) years from the date of admit-

Article III - Membership

tance. NOTE: Existing IHSAA member Schools that consolidate or divide into multiple Schools

shall be excluded from this rule. Also, established schools that exist in good standing in another

state and relocate to Indiana, may seek full participation membership after a period of two (2)

probationary years if the following conditions are met:

a. The school has been a member of its original state’s athletic association for a period of not

less than ten years; and

b. Has remained in good standing having met full eligibility and participation requirements of

its original state’s athletic association tournament series; and

c. Has completely relocated and completely reestablished its residence within the State of In-

diana borders, having closed and vacated its previous location and fully opened its Indiana

location; and

d. Has modiﬁ ed and activated all its athletic programs so that they are in line with IHSAA rules,

protocols, practices; and

e. Has student enrollment in grades 9, 10, 11, 12; and

f. Whose curriculum is accredited with Indiana State standards, as outlined in Section 2 of

Article Ill, and provides its enrolled students with a certiﬁ ed Indiana academic diploma; and

g. Oﬀ ers comprehensive and equitable athletic programs for all its enrolled students; and

h. Whose school principal and IHSAA designee have completed the IHSAA new administra-

tor course series, including attendance at IHSAA required town hall and state association

meetings; and

i. Has satisﬁ ed participation requirements outlined for a probationary school, including hav-

ing a minimum of two varsity sports oﬀ ered for each of the IHSAA seasons of Fall, Winter,

Spring.

Section 4.

Junior membership may be extended to a school which is accredited by the De-

partment of Education, which oﬀ ers ninth grade, but which is not eligible for full Membership.

Section 5.

Each full member school shall have one vote.

Section 6.

The Committee shall determine the status of all Memberships.

Section 7.

As a condition of Membership, all members and their administrators, faculty,

and students consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in Marion County,

Indiana for all claims and disputes between and among the IHSAA and a member school,

its administrators, its faculty, and its students, including, but not limited to, any claims or

disputes involving Membership, eligibility, rule violation or injury.

ARTICLE IV - ADMINISTRATION

Section 1. Corporation Districts

a. For the purposes of election and representation only, there shall be three Districts, which

may, from time to time, be modiﬁ ed by the authority of the Directors.

b. The state shall be districted by counties into the following Districts:

District I Adams, Allen, Cass, DeKalb, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Jasper,

Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton,

Noble, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke, Steuben, Wabash, Wells

and Whitley.

District II Benton, Blackford, Boone, Clinton, Carroll, Delaware, Fountain,

Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jay, Madison,

Marion, Montgomery, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Tippecanoe, Tipton,

Vermillion, Warren, and White.

District III Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn,

Decatur, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Greene,

Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence,

Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Perry, Pike, Posey,

Article III - Membership

Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Sullivan, Switzerland, Union,

Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warrick, Washington and Wayne.

c. For purposes of electing female, minority and urban representatives, the state shall be

districted by counties into the following Districts:

Northern District--Adams, Allen, Benton, Blackford, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, DeKalb,

Delaware, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Huntington,

Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marshall,

Miami, Newton, Noble, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Joseph, Starke,

Steuben, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Wells,

White and Whitley.

Southern District --Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Daviess,

Dearborn, Decatur, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson,

Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson,

Jeﬀ erson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Marion, Martin,

Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry,

Pike, Posey, Putnam, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Sullivan,

Switzerland, Union, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warrick, Washington and

Wayne.

Section 2. Classes

a. For purposes of election and representation only there shall be four classes of high schools

in each Corporation district. These classes may be modiﬁ ed by authority of the Directors.

b. The determination of the class of any high school shall be based on its enrollment, in

grades nine through twelve, and shall coincide with the most recent classiﬁ cation used

for the four class tournament alignment.

c. An urban school is any school who meets at least Two (2) of the following criteria:

(1.) The high school is in a school corporation with 20% or more students on free or

reduced lunch.

(2.) The high school is in a school corporation that enrolls 5% or more limited English

proﬁ cient students as shown on the IDOE language minority totals.

(3.) The high school is in a county with a population greater than 70,000.

For any school wishing to be classiﬁ ed as an urban school, the principal must send a letter of

endorsement by the school board by September 1 of any given year. Any school designated

as an urban school shall remain so designated unless it withdraws or fails to meet the

deﬁ nition.

Section 3. Board of Directors

a. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of nineteen board seats. Twelve board seats

shall be ﬁ lled by any qualiﬁ ed individual (open seats), and seven board seats shall be

ﬁ lled by Two (2) qualiﬁ ed female representatives, Two (2) qualiﬁ ed minorities, Two (2)

qualiﬁ ed urban school representatives and one qualiﬁ ed Private School representative.

Board of Directors’ elections are scheduled as follows:

Election Date Term District I District II District III

Dec. 2023 2024-27 Classes 2A & 4A Classes A & 3A Classes 2A & 4A

Election Date Term Northern District Southern District State Wide

Dec. 2024 2025-28 Female, Minority & Urban Seats Female, Minority & Urban Seats Private Seat

Election Date Term District I District II District III

Dec. 2025 2026-29 Classes A & 3A Classes 2A & 4A Classes A & 3A

Dec. 2026 2027-30 Classes 2A & 4A Classes A & 3A Classes 2A & 4A

Election Date Term Northern District Southern District State Wide

Dec. 2027 2028-31 Female, Minority & Urban Seats Female, Minority & Urban Seats Private Seat

Article IV - Administration

Election Date Term District I District II District III

Dec. 2028 2029-32 Classes A & 3A Classes 2A & 4A Classes A & 3A

Dec. 2029 2030-33 Classes 2A & 4A Classes A & 3A Classes 2A & 4A

Election Date Term Northern District Southern District State Wide

Dec. 2030 2031-34 Female, Minority & Urban Seats Female, Minority & Urban Seats Private Seat

b. All elective terms of Director members shall be for three years, beginning on July 1

following election, or for the remainder of an unexpired term in case of a vacancy.

c. Candidate Eligibility

(1) All directors must be administrators or full-time teachers of grade 9 or above from a

member school in good standing or central oﬃ ce administrators. If from a multiple

high school district, central oﬃ ce administrators class will be determined by the larg-

est high school enrollment in the corporation.

(2) A minority director must be an individual other than a white male or female.

(3) To qualify as a nominee, an individual must be from the class of school from which the

selection is to be made in that particular year. Each name must be submitted on an

oﬃ cial nominating petition requested in writing from the Commissioner, which must

be signed by ﬁ ve member school principals in the District, in which the nominee’s

school is located, Two (2) of which must be in the nominee’s class of schools. The

completed petition must be on ﬁ le in the IHSAA oﬃ ce on or before November 15 prior

to the election. A petition for a female, minority or urban seat must contain veriﬁ cation

that the nominee is an eligible candidate for the seat. No candidate may run for Two

(2) seats during the same election.

(4) The Commissioner shall send ballots listing all nominees to all principals of member

schools in good standing in a District electing a board member which shall constitute

the electorate. The individual receiving the highest number of votes for a board seat

shall be declared duly elected by the Committee, which shall constitute the canvassing

board. In case of a tie for the winner, a re-vote between the tied individuals shall be

conducted by the Commissioner with a return date designated by the Committee.

d. Whenever Director member/s fail to meet the aforementioned eligibility requirements, such

Membership automatically ceases. However, Directors may serve out their term as long as

they remain in their original District when:

(1) their school changes classes due to consolidation or enrollment ﬂ uctuation;

(2) member moves to a school of a diﬀ erent class; or

(3) member becomes a superintendent with more than one member high school in District

or territory

e. Vacancies on the Directors may be ﬁ lled by the Directors, the appointees to serve until the

successors chosen at the next annual election take oﬃ ce. Such persons must be from the

same District and class member school as the member originally chosen.

f. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the members of the Board of Directors.

g. No member of the Directors shall be eligible for a longer term on the Board of Directors than

the one being served until the expiration of such term.

h. All elections shall take place each year between December 1 and December 10, all votes

being submitted to the Commissioner on ballots prepared by him. A ballot must be received

in the IHSAA oﬃ ce on or before December 10 to be counted. Such ballots shall be open for

inspection by the candidate or the principal of any member school.

i. The annual meeting of the Directors shall be held on Monday of Week 44. Special meetings

may be called as needed. At these meetings, proposals submitted by a member school

principal, the Commissioner, or a Director will be acted upon along with other business.

j. Any Special Meeting of the Board of Directors may be attended by Directors by means of

any form of electronic voice communication, provided that all Directors can simultaneously

hear the proceedings and be heard by all the other Directors in attendance at the meeting.

Article IV - Administration

A quorum for any meeting so held shall be computed on the basis of all persons in voice

contact with each other. Any meeting so held shall be a formal meeting of the Board of

Directors for all purposes, and any business may be transacted at such meeting that could

be transacted if the Directors were assembled in physical proximity to each other.

k. A resolution in writing signed by the President of the Board of Directors shall be deemed to

be the action of the Board of Directors as therein expressed with the same force and eﬀ ect

as if the same had been passed at the duly convened meeting and the secretary shall

record such resolution in the minute book under its proper date.

l. During the annual meeting, the 19 incoming Directors for the ensuing year shall:

(1) reorganize for the ensuing year by electing a president and a vice-president from

those Directors having only two remaining years of their term; and

(2) reorganize the Executive Committee for the ensuing year by electing a chairperson

and a vice-chairperson from the Directors having only one year remaining of their

term.

m. All newly elected oﬃ cers shall assume the duties of their oﬃ ce on the ﬁ rst day of July next

following their election.

n. The Commissioner shall serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the Corporation.

o. All legitimate expenses of the Directors shall be paid out of the Corporation funds.

p. Details in connection with the conduct of business of the Directors shall be determined by

the Directors.

q. A majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER shall

be followed in all meetings except the President shall be entitled to vote on any and all

issues.

r. It shall be the duty of the Directors to establish the rules and By-Laws of the Corporation.

s. All reports and recommendations are to be submitted in writing and in the hands of all

Directors at least three weeks prior to the meeting at which such are to be presented.

t. The Board of Directors may remove any Director under the following conditions:

(1.) The removal of a Director shall be for cause, which may include, but is not limited to,

the following examples:

(a) Director failing to perform basic responsibilities, or doing so improperly;

(b) Director failing to act in accordance with the Board’s governing standards;

(d) Director’s inappropriate and intentional disclosure of conﬁ dential information;

(e) Director’s intentional violation of any IHSAA bylaw, rule, regulation, standard or

policy:

(f) Director causing another to intentionally violate any IHSAA bylaw, rule, regulation,

standards or policy.

(g) Director intentionally engaging in conduct that is deemed by the Board to be

detrimental to the IHSAA; and

(h) Director engaging in or having engaged in action which could be considered to

constitute criminal misconduct.

Before a Director is removed for cause, the Board must be satisﬁ ed that the

acts of the Director proposed for removal are more than mere mistakes, more

than negligence.

(2.) Removal shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Directors then in oﬃ ce, excluding

the Director proposed for removal.

(3.) Removal may occur at any regular or special meeting of the Board, provided that a

Statement of the Reason(s) shall have been mailed by Registered Mail to the Board

of Directors, including the Director proposed for removal, at least thirty (30) days

before any ﬁ nal action is taken by the Board of Directors.

(4.) The Statement of Reason(s) shall be accompanied by a Notice of the time when and

the place where the Board of Directors is to take action on the removal.

(5.) The Director proposed for removal shall ﬁ rst be given an opportunity to be heard at the

time and place mentioned in the Notice, after which the Board of Directors, excluding

the Director proposed for removal, shall consider the matter and take a vote.

Article IV - Administration

Section 4. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall have the following powers and duties:

a. To regulate and control all athletic contests between and among the members of this

Corporation;

b. To conduct interschool tourneys and meets sponsored by the Corporation.

c. To determine penalties and forfeitures for violations of the By-Laws of the Corporation.

d. To give interpretations of the rules and By-Laws of the Corporation.

e. When charges are made in writing by a member of the Corporation against another

member for violation of the By-Laws, the Committee, after giving due notice of the time

and place for the school so charged to be heard, shall consider such charges and if they

are found to be true, may assess such penalty as may be provided under the By-Laws.

f. To decide all protests brought before it with reference to qualiﬁ cations of contestants to

meets and tourneys.

g. When any matter comes before the Committee for decision which is of special interest to

a school of which a member of the Committee is a representative, the remaining members

shall act in that matter.

h. To initiate and make investigations regarding interschool activities participated in

by members of this Corporation and to make and enforce these regulations deemed

necessary to make eﬀ ective the spirit, purpose and wording of the provisions of the By-

Laws of the Corporation; to make and enforce temporary regulations deemed necessary

to handle emergencies and special conditions that may arise in the regulation of the

interschool athletic activities participated in by members of this Corporation. In the

enforcement of the provisions of this section or any other section or subsection, the

Committee shall have the power to assess any penalty as may be provided under the

By-Laws;

i. To execute the rules governing the Corporation in the spirit as well as the letter in which

they are written,

j. To employ a Commissioner and Staﬀ Assistants to serve for a period not to exceed ﬁ ve

years on any one contract beginning on the ﬁ rst day of July following employment at a

salary to be determined by the Committee and shall receive as compensation such sum

and such allowance for expenses and clerical help as the Committee may approve. All

contractual agreements between said personnel and Committee shall be in written form.

k. To ﬁ ll vacancies in the oﬃ ce of Commissioner or Staﬀ Assistants.

l. To determine and set out the powers and duties of the Commissioner and Staﬀ Assistants

with the idea of giving the oﬃ ce of Commissioner the powers and duties of a Commissioner

of Athletics, whose opinions and actions will be subject to review by the Committee on

appeal.

m. To refuse sanction to games, meets, tourneys and athletic contests in which member

schools are connected if these games, meets, tourneys and athletic contests seem, upon

investigation, to be in conﬂ ict with the spirit, purpose, ideals, standards, policies or best

interest of the Corporation in their inception, arrangements, promotion or management.

n. To make a temporary regulation of the Corporation when an emergency arises. Such

regulation shall be in force until the next meeting of the Directors, at which time it will be

subject to the disposition of this body.

o. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER

shall be followed in all meetings except the Chairperson shall be entitled to vote on any

and all issues.

p. To call any special meeting of the Committee which may be attended by members by

any means of any form of electronic voice communication, provided that all members can

simultaneously hear the proceedings and be heard by all other members of the Committee

in attendance at the meeting. A quorum for any meeting so held shall be computed on

the basis of all persons in voice contact with each other. Any meeting so held shall be a

formal meeting of the Executive Committee for all purposes, and any business may be

transacted at such meeting that could be transacted if the members were assembled in

physical proximity to each other.

Article IV - Administration

q. To sign a resolution in writing signed by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee

which shall be deemed the action of the Executive Committee as therein expressed with

the same force and eﬀ ect as if the same had been passed at a duly convened meeting

and the secretary shall record such resolution in the minute book under its proper date.

r. To approve expenditures in excess of the budget.

s. To establish a pension retirement plan for regular employees of the Corporation.

t. To provide for the annual audit of the books of the Corporation and for the proper bonding

of the Commissioners and oﬃ ce personnel.

u. To make rule adjustments deemed necessary for the Indiana School For The Blind and

the Indiana School For The Deaf.

v. To employ legal assistance when deemed necessary.

Section 5. Commissioner

The duties of the Commissioner shall be to:

a. prepare and present to the Committee, prior to June 30 of each year, a budget for the

ensuing year. Such shall be subject to approval by the Committee and eﬀ ective on July

1 for the ﬁ scal year;

b. collect all receipts and funds and report same to the Committee at the next regular

meeting following their collection;

c. license oﬃ cials as provided in By-Laws;

d. collect and compile materials for the yearbook;

e. issue all necessary bulletins;

f. prepare all oﬃ cial forms for the use of the Corporation;

g. recommend new standards, regulations and policies for the good of the Corporation;

h. initiate investigations, conduct hearings, collect information, render decisions and ﬁ x

penalties based on the evidence, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the

Corporation. Such decisions shall be subject to review by the Committee on appeal by

the Principal/s of the member school/s involved;

i. conduct correspondence for the Corporation;

j. furnish all proper information requested by the National Federation of State High School

Associations and other State High School Associations;

k. maintain contacts and relations between the Corporation and – Department of

Education, colleges, universities, high schools, service clubs, teachers’ associations,

athletic directors’ association, oﬃ cials’ associations, press, physical education groups,

coaches’ groups, junior high schools, city superintendents, county superintendents, fans,

American Legion and similar organizations and principals of member schools;

l. assist Corporation committees in their work by furnishing data and information requested

by them;

m. make detailed arrangements for all interschool meets, tourneys and events as directed by

the Committee;

n. check all tourney reports and other ﬁ nancial statements, to reconcile discrepancies, if

possible;

o. prepare and present at each Committee meeting a complete report of oﬃ ce activities

since the last meeting;

p. arrange all details for Corporation meetings;

q. have charge of the property and records of the Corporation;

r. attend meetings of the Committee and serve as Secretary-Treasurer;

s. include the rules, amendments and regulations, as they are passed, in the By-Laws of the

Corporation; and

t. employ legal assistance when deemed necessary.

Section 6. Assistant Commissioner/s

It shall be their duties to:

a. assist the Commissioner in any and all such duties as the Commissioner may require;

b. act in the capacity of Commissioner in the absence of the Commissioner;

c. establish and promote such publicity and public relations, as may be required by the

Commissioner and Committee for the well being and the promotion of the Corporation.

Article IV - Administration

Section 7. Indemniﬁ cation of Directors, Oﬃ cers,

Committee Members, Agents and Employees

a. The provisions of this section on indemniﬁ cation are governed by the deﬁ nitions,

procedures, and requirements of Indiana Code 23-17-16-1 to 15.

b. To the maximum extent permitted by law, this Association shall indemnify each past or

present director, oﬃ cer, committee member, agent and employee (and any person who

may have served at the Association’s request as director, oﬃ cer, committee member,

agent or employee of another organization), together with his/her or her estate, against

liability incurred in any proceeding if:

(1) the individual’s conduct was in good faith;

(2) the individual reasonably believed:

(a) in the case of conduct in the individual’s oﬃ cial capacity with the Association,

that the individual’s conduct was in its best interests; and

(b) in all other cases, that the individual’s conduct was at least not opposed to its

best interests; and

(3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the individual either:

(a) has reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was lawful; or

(b) has no reasonable cause to believe the individual’s conduct was unlawful.

c. The Association shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by such a

person in advance of ﬁ nal disposition of the proceeding if applicable statutory procedures

are met.

d. The Association may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any such individual,

whether the Association would have the power to indemnify the individual against the

same liability under applicable statutes.

e. Indemniﬁ cation pursuant to this section shall be reduced by the amount of any insurance

or other reimbursement of such individual of the expense to which indemniﬁ cation is

claimed. Indemniﬁ cation pursuant to this section shall be in addition to and not exclusive

of any other right to indemniﬁ cation to which such individual may be entitled under any

other law or obligation.

ARTICLE V - FINANCES

Section 1.

There shall be the accumulation and establishment of an adequate working balance in

the Corporation treasury, this amount to be established and maintained as a guarantee that

existing obligations will be met; that expansions in the program of service may be made if

thought desirable; and that any emergencies in the future may be solved.

Section 2.

There shall be a distribution on an equitable basis among the schools in the Corporation

Membership (except associates) of the amounts accumulated above the adequate working

balance and above the amount legitimately necessary for the running expenses of the Cor-

poration, these distributions to be determined by the Executive Committee in May and distri-

butions made no later than December 1. No distribution shall be made unless the operating

balance as of April 30 exceeds 30% of the current year budgeted expenditures.

Section 3.

There is granted power and authority to the Committee to make the ﬁ nancial adjust-

ments in contracts for interschool games, tourneys, meets and athletic contests that are

deemed necessary through the years and to administer, execute and control all receipts,

expenditures and holding of monies in connection with the Corporation.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended in the manner

provided by the Indiana Not-For-Proﬁ t Corporation Act of 1971, as amended. Every such

amendment shall be ﬁ rst proposed by an aﬃ rmative vote of a majority of the Board of Di-

Article IV - Administration

rectors and the adoption thereby of a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and

directing that it be submitted to a vote of the members entitled to vote in respect thereof at

a designated meeting of the members, which may be an annual meeting or a special meet-

ing of the membership. If the resolution shall direct that the proposed amendment is to be

submitted at an annual meeting, notice of the submission of the proposed amendment shall

be included in notice of the annual meeting. If the resolution shall direct that the proposed

amendment is to be submitted at a special meeting, such special meeting shall be called by

the resolution proposing the amendment and notice of the meeting shall be given at the time

and in the manner provided by said act.

An amendment so proposed shall be adopted upon receiving the aﬃ rmative vote of two-

thirds (2/3) of the votes entitled to be cast in regard to the amendment.

Section 2.

a. By-Laws Amendments. The By-Laws may be amended from time to time by an aﬃ rmative

vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

b. Proposed Amendments. A proposal for an amendment may be submitted by any member

school principal, any member of the Board of Directors or by the Commissioner. The

proposed amendment for the annual meeting must be presented to the IHSAA oﬃ ce prior

to March 1. The IHSAA oﬃ ce will notify the member school principals of the proposed

amendments. Any such proposal shall be considered and acted upon by the Board of

Directors.

c. Notice to Members - The Commissioner shall cause written notice by mail to be given to

all school members of the adoption by the Board of Directors of any such amendment. If,

within ninety (90) days after the giving of such notice by the Commissioner, he receives

a written petition or petitions signed by at least thirty (30) member high school principals

from each of the three IHSAA Districts requesting a vote of approval or disapproval of

such current amendment, the Commissioner shall promptly submit by mail such current

amendment to the members for a vote of approval or disapproval on forms provided by

him. If a majority of the Membership shall vote disapproval of the amendment, it shall not

become eﬀ ective as such; otherwise it shall remain in force; provided, however, any such

disapproval shall not prejudice any action already taken in reliance on such amendment.

d. Secretary Authority. The Secretary of the Corporation is authorized, without prior action

by the Board of Directors, to (i) draft and publish interpretations of the By-Laws through

questions and answers, (ii) draft and publish definitions of terms contained in the By-Laws

and (iii) draft and make corrections to punctuation, grammar, spelling and typographical

errors in the text of the By-Laws. Such action taken by the Secretary shall have immedi-

ate force and effect but shall be subject to prompt ratification by the Board of Directors.

Q & A

Q. 1 Does an Executive Staﬀ member have a vote at a Board of Director’s meeting or

at an Executive Committee meeting?

A. No. An Executive Staﬀ member is not a member of the Board of Directors or the

Executive Committee, and has no vote in a matter considered by either body. (Art.

IV, Sect. 5, 6).

Q. 2 Who may examine the ﬁ nancial records of the IHSAA?

A. The IHSAA’s C.P.A. ﬁ rm, a member of the IHSAA Board of Directors, a member

of the IHSAA Executive Committee and an IHSAA member School principal may

examine the ﬁ nancial records of the IHSAA.

Q. 3 How often is an audit made?

A. Annually.

Q. 4 Who is eligible to run for and to be elected to the Board of Directors?

A. An individual from an appropriate District (Art. IV, Sect. 3) and who meets the

following criteria may be elected to the Board:

a. For one of the Twelve (12) ‘open’ seats the individual must be either an

administrator at a member School, a full time teacher in grade 9 or above at a

member School or a central oﬃ ce (multi-School district) administrator.

Article VI - Amendments

b. For one of the Two (2) minority seats the individual must be other than a white

male or female, and must be either an administrator at a member School, a full

time teacher in grade 9 or above at a member School or a central oﬃ ce (multi-

School district) administrator.

c. For one of the Two (2) female seats the individual be a female and either an

administrator at a member School, a full time teacher in grade 9 or above at a

member School or a central oﬃ ce (multi-School district) administrator.

d. For one of the Two (2) urban School seats the individual must be employed at a

member urban School, and must be either an administrator at the urban School,

a full time teacher in grade 9 or above at the urban School or a central oﬃ ce

(multi-urban School district) administrator.

e. For the one Private School seat the individual must be employed at a member

Private School, and must be either an administrator at the Private School, a full

time teacher in grade 9 or above at the Private School or a central oﬃ ce (multi-

Private School district) administrator. (Art. IV, Sect. 3(a), c(1))

Q. 5 Who are the members of the IHSAA Executive Committee and who are the members

of the IHSAA Board of Directors?

A. The members of the IHSAA Executive Committee and members of the IHSAA Board

of Directors are the same, and include the Nineteen (19) individuals who represent

the Three (3) Districts, the individuals who represent the Four (4) enrollment classes,

the individuals who are from the urban Schools, the individuals who are female, the

individuals who are minority representatives and the individual who is from Private

Schools. (Art. IV, Sect. 1, 2, 3)

Q. 6 Is it necessary for a member school to meet and maintain the policies, regulations

and standards for the accreditation and Classiﬁ cation of schools in Indiana in order

to be a member of the IHSAA?

A. Yes (Art. III, Sect. 2).

Q. 7 When and how may principals submit proposals for the consideration of the Board

of Directors?

A. Principals may submit such proposals at any time in writing to the Commissioner,

prior to March 1 annually. The Commissioner will then submit them to the Board of

Directors for consideration and action at the annual meeting, held on Monday of

Week 44 (Art. IV, Sect. 3i, Article VI, Sect. 2).

Q. 8 May the academic rules of a School be changed, or may a special examination be

given to certain students in order for the students to become eligible academically

under the IHSAA Academic Rule, rule 18?

A. A member School is responsible for the administration of its academic program,

and therefore may make and change its academic rules and may decide what

examinations will and will not be given to its students. However, if a School makes

a change to its academic rules, and if such change applies only to certain students

and the purpose of such change is principally to make those students academically

eligible under the IHSAA Academic Rule, the IHSAA may ﬁ nd that such rule change

to be a sham and may ﬁ nd such students academic ineligibility. Likewise, if a School

gives certain students special examinations, and if the purpose for giving such

examinations is principally to make the students academically eligible under the

IHSAA Academic Rule, then the IHSAA may ﬁ nd that the giving of such examines

to also be a sham and ﬁ nd such students academic ineligibility.

Article VI - Amendments

Part I: Deﬁ nitions

As used in the By-Laws, including the Boys Interschool Sports rules, the Girls Interschool

Sports rules, the Uniﬁ ed Sports® rules and the Junior High School Interschool rules, the

following shall apply:

Accredited School: An accredited Indiana School is one (i) which has Full Accreditation

or Freeway Accreditation from the Indiana Department of Education or (ii) which is fully

accredited by the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement or by another

national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the Indiana Department of Education

for purposes of the School Scholarship Program under Ind. Code §20-51. An accredited

non-Indiana School is one which is recognized as being accredited by the department of

education of the state in which that School is domiciled.

Assigner: One who schedules Oﬃ cials for Contests.

Association: Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

Birth Gender: The Gender of a student at birth.

Boarding School: A School providing housing and meals.

Boarding School Student: A student who both attends and receives housing and meals

from a Boarding School.

Bona Fide: Genuine, without fraud or deceit, with permanent intent.

Bona Fide Change of Residences: A Bona Fide Change of Residence depends upon the

facts in each case, however, to be considered, the following facts must exist:

a. the original residence must be abandoned as a residence; that is, sold, rented or disposed

of, or in the process of being disposed of as a residence and must not be used as a

residence by any member of the student’s immediate family; and

b. the student’s entire immediate family must make the change and take with them the

household goods and furniture appropriate to the circumstances. For eligibility purposes,

a single family unit may not maintain Two (2) or more residences.

c. the change of residence must be genuine, without fraud or deceit, and with permanent

intent.

Calendar Week: Monday through Saturday.

Camp/Clinic: an organized group instruction or practice involving a sport.

Class: Grouping of Schools which participate in a Tournament Series based on the School’s

enrollment in grades 9 through 12, and the Schools’ previous Tournament Series success.

Coaching Accreditation: Accredited Coach: The status of a coach (i) who has met the

educational requirements for coaching IHSAA Recognized Sports at a Member School, (ii)

who has not violated certain state licensure and disciplinary statutes and (iii) whose conduct

conforms to the rules, regulations, purposes and goals of the IHSAA.

Commissioner: Chief Administrative Oﬃ cer of the IHSAA.

Committee: Executive Committee of the IHSAA Board of Directors.

Competition Days: A day when a School’s coaching staff takes Two (2) or more players

from a School’s team to either practice or compete against One (1) or more players from

another School or program.

Conditioning Program: A program conducted only in a School’s facility, designed for and

limited to activities which promote physical ﬁ tness such as weight lifting, running and aerobic

exercising, and excludes game drills. Speciﬁ c equipment related to a particular sport, i.e.

balls, goals, nets, etc. generally cannot be used in a Conditioning Program. However, during

the School Year Out-of-Season, beginning M - WK26, a student involved in baseball may

throw a baseball as a part of the student’s Conditioning Program and a student involved

in softball may throw a softball as a part of the student’s Conditioning Program; the throws

should be part of a game of catch between Two (2) students using gloves and should not

involve a pitching mound or a pitching circle, an actual or simulated batter or any type of

pitching instruction.

Contest: An organized assembling of persons for athletic competition, with or against indi-

viduals not presently attending a student’s School. The following is a non-exclusive list of

indicia that an assembly is a Contest: pre-arrangement; direct or indirect involvement of a

Deﬁ nitions

coach; scores and/or statistics are kept or recorded; time is kept; game officials are used;

admission is charged; and results are published. The following is a non-exclusive list of

indicia that an assembly is not a Contest: lack of organization, spontaneity, and informality.

Contest Administrator: Individual who works in any capacity at an interscholastic contest

site for the host School.

Contest Season: The period of time between the date of the ﬁ rst authorized contest in a sport

until the starting date of the Tournament Series in that sport.

Controlled Scrimmage: A Controlled Scrimmage is a special interscholastic practice whereby

Two (2) member Schools’ teams work out against one another under IHSAA guidelines and

under the supervision of their respective team coaches. While game conditions may be

simulated, this event shall be structured as a teaching opportunity for coaches and shall

be shorter and less demanding physically than a regular Season Contest. In order to be

eligible for a Controlled Scrimmage, a student must be academically eligible, if a transfer

student must have full or limited eligibility and must have participated in Five (5) separate

days of organized Practice prior to the day of the Controlled Scrimmage under the direct

supervision of the Member School Coaching Staﬀ in that sport (in football it must be Five (5)

days of unrestricted full contact Practice). A Controlled Scrimmage is not a Season Contest

and does not count as a Season Contest in determining the maximum number of Season

Contests during a Contest Season. Licensed oﬃ cials must be used in a Controlled Scrim-

mage in sports where oﬃ cials are required. A Controlled Scrimmage may not be scouted

by anyone not aﬃ liated with a team participating in the Controlled Scrimmage.

Directors: Board of Directors.

District: With respect to a Public School, a District is the geographical area designated by the

Public School’s governing body from which students who reside within it would normally

matriculate to a speciﬁ c Public School. With respect to the Association a District is the geo-

graphical area as determined for the purpose of Director member election and representation.

Electorate: The principals of all member Schools which are entitled to vote for a member of

the Board of Directors.

Eligibility Certiﬁ cation Date: The date when a School certiﬁ es the grades earned by each

student during the preceding Grading Period for purposes of establishing academic eligibility.

Emancipated Student: A student (i) who is Eighteen (18) years of age; (ii) who does not live

with his/her parent(s) (natural or adoptive), Guardian(s), relative(s) or close family friend(s);

(iii) who lives in his/her own residence and (iv) who is totally self-supportive and receives

no unearned income or ﬁ nancial assistance (directly or indirectly) from others.

Enroll and Enrollment: A student ‘Enrolls’ at a School and a student’s ‘Enrollment’ at a School,

occurs after the student (i) has formally enrolled at the School, (ii) no longer attends any

School at which the student had previously been enrolled or attended, (iii) has completed

any formal withdrawal process required by any school at which the student had previously

been enrolled or previously attended, and (iv) has provided the Receiving School a copy of

any available withdrawal form. For purposes of rule 19, the date of Enrollment at a School

occurs when the student attends either a scheduled day of school, Practices for a sport, or

participates in a Contest for the new School.

Enrolled Full-time: A student is considered Enrolled Full-time at a School during a Grading

Period when the student is Enrolled at the School in a minimum of Four (4) full credit subjects

(or the equivalent), and either (i) is enrolled in a minimum of Seventy percent (70%) of all

full credit subject in which the student can take at the School during the Grading Period, or,

(ii) when the student simultaneously attends more than One (1) School during the Grading

Period, is enrolled in a minimum of Seventy percent (70%) of all full credit subject in which

the student is enrolled during the Grading Period.

Fan: A patron who attends a Contest and is other than a contestant, coach, Contest Admin-

istrator, School Administrator or Official.

Feeder School: A Feeder School of a particular School is a school where an 8th grade stu-

dent would automatically matriculate to that particular School, provided however, a Feeder

School must be a part of the same local school system as that particular School or in the

same Dioceses as the School to which it feeds, and the matriculation must be by rule of

the local school system or Diocese. In addition, “Feeder School” also includes a primary

Deﬁ nitions

school whose students, by rule of the local school system or Diocese, automatically ma-

triculate to a Feeder School.

Full Protective Equipment: In football, this means a helmet, shoulder pads, a mouth piece

and shoes.

Grading Period: The period of time, predetermined by a School, when all students’ achieve-

ments are graded and reported to the School’s principal.

Guardian: An individual who has the legal responsibility for providing the care and manage-

ment of a minor ward, and who has been oﬃ cially appointed under the laws of the ward’s

home state, and whose appointment is Bona Fide, legitimate and not connected, in any

way, with any eﬀ ort to establish residency or athletic eligibility.

Home Contest: A Contest hosted by a School. A Home Contest of a Fan is a Contest

hosted by the School which the Fan primarily supports and any Tournament Series

Contest in which that School participates.

Home School: The name given to home education or home-based learning, where the educa-

tion of a child is conducted at the student’s home or in similar locations, typically by parents

or by tutors, rather than in the other formal settings of a Public School or Private School.

Individual Sports: Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field

and Wrestling.

IHSAA: Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

IHSAA Recognized Sports: Baseball, G&B Basketball, G&B Cross Country, Football, Flag

Football, G&B Golf, Gymnastics, G&B Soccer, Softball, G&B Swimming, G&B Tennis, U,

G&B Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling.

Innovative Course: A unique course which either utilizes non-traditional learning methods or

specializes in a particular area of learning, for example, languages or technology, and which

is not a part of the School’s curriculum guide. College courses are not Innovative Courses.

Innovative School: A non-member, stand-alone Indiana Public School which utilizes non-

traditional learning methods or specializes in a particular area of learning, for example,

languages or technology, in addition to providing general education, and which does not

sponsor any athletic programs involving any IHSAA Recognized Sports, whatsoever. A

school which can meet the requirements of a Virtual Education School, does not qualify

as an Innovative School; and similarly, a school which can meet the requirements of an

Innovative School, does not qualify as a Virtual Education School.

Intramural Contest: A contest in which all participants on both teams are members of One

(1) School, e.g. faculty, students, senior-class tourney, etc.

Jamboree: A Jamboree is a special interscholastic activity involving Three (3) or more Schools,

in which no School may participate for more than one-half of the Jamboree. In order to be

eligible for a Jamboree, a player must be academically eligible, if a transfer student must

have full or limited eligibility and must have previously participated in Five (5) separate

days of organized Practice prior to the day of the Jamboree under the direct supervision

of the Member School Coaching Staﬀ in that sport (in football it must be Five (5) days of

unrestricted full contact Practice). A Jamboree is not a Practice and does not count as a

Practice toward meeting the minimum number of Practices required to play in a Season

Contest. A Jamboree is not a Season Contest and does not count as a Season Contest in

determining the maximum number of Season Contests during a Contest Season. Licensed

Oﬃ cials must be used in a Jamboree in sports in which Oﬃ cials are required. A Jamboree

may not be scouted by anyone not aﬃ liated with a team participating in the Jamboree.

Lesson: An organized one-on-one instruction or practice in a sport.

Licensed or Certified position: an administrative position with a school which requires an

administrator’s certification or similar professional credential or a teacher’s position with a

school which requires a teacher’s license.

Limited Contact Program: A School sponsored program conducted During the School Year

Out-of-Season wherein a student may participate in athletic activities involving an IHSAA

Recognized Sport and may have limited contact with a coach in that sport. The program’s

activities must occur in the School’s gymnasium, playing field or other School facility and

must be open to all students who have attended the School. The program’s activities are

also open to students who attend a Feeder School.

Deﬁ nitions

Limited Eligibility: A level of eligibility in which a student, following a School transfer, may not

participate in interschool athletics as a member of a Varsity athletic team. A student with

Limited Eligibility is eligible to participate immediately in all interschool athletics, however,

during the period beginning on the day of the student’s Enrollment at the Receiving School,

and continuing until the day which is Three Hundred Sixty-four (364) days after the day on

which (i) the student last participated in interscholastic athletic at the previous School(s),

or (ii) the student last participated in athletics as a member of a club or similar team, when

the previous School(s) did not oﬀ er the sport in which the student wishes to participate,

such student may not participate in interschool athletics as a member of a Varsity athletic

team. Limited eligibility only applies to those sports in which the student participated in the

preceding Three-hundred Sixty-ﬁ ve (365) days prior to the transfer.

Member School: Any School that is a member of the Indiana High School Athletic Associa-

tion (IHSAA).

Member School Coaching Staﬀ : Coaches of grades 9-12 in all IHSAA Recognized Sports,

including non-teaching and volunteer coaches.

Membership: Status of being a member; body of members.

National Federation: The National Federation of State High School Associations, Inc.

New District or New Territory.

a. If a Public School student changes residences, in order for that change of residence to

constitute a change to a new District or Territory, the residence change must involve a

move to a geographic area which is not served by the Public School serving the student’s

former residence.

b. If a Private School student changes residence, and the student’s former residence is in

the Territory served by the student’s Private School, in order for that change of residence

to constitute a change to a new District or Territory, the residence change must involve a

move to a geographic area which is not served by the student’s Private School; however,

if a student’s former residence is in a Territory which is not served by the student’s former

Private School, in order for that residence change to constitute a move to a new District

or Territory, the residence change must involve a move to a geographic area which is not

served by the Public School serving the student’s former residence.

c. If a Charter School student changes residence, in order for that residence change to con-

stitute a move to a ‘new’ District or Territory, the residence change must involve a move to

a geographic area which is not served by the Public School serving the student’s former

residence.

Non-School: Any activity which is not sponsored, supervised or controlled by a student’s

School.

Non-School Team: A team in a sport which is not sponsored, supervised or controlled by a

member School. A team engaged in a spontaneous unorganized recreational contest is

not included in the definition.

Oﬃ cial: An individual who umpires, referees, and otherwise preside over a Contest to help

maintain standards of play, detect infractions and decide penalties according to the rules

of the sport. A licensed Oﬃ cial is an applicant who has successfully passed a written test

of the IHSAA and received an Oﬃ cial’s license from the IHSAA.

Open Facility: See, Summer Open Facility.

Panel: The Case Review Panel established by rule 17-10.

Pitch: The act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play in a baseball Contest.

Practice: An organized, non-classroom sport activity where instruction of a School’s students is

held under the supervision of a School’s coach in that sport. The following is a non-exclusive

list of indicia that an assembly is a Practice: participants are coached by School person-

nel; participants are organized and/or assigned to a team, league or tourney; participants,

locations, times and dates are predetermined; participation is scheduled or established;

attendance and participation is overtly or covertly mandated by a School coach; School

equipment is worn. The following is a non-exclusive list of indicia that an assembly is not a

Practice: lack of organization, spontaneity, informality and non-adult instruction.

Practice Season: The period of time between the dates of the ﬁ rst authorized Practice and

last authorized Practice in a sport. This does not necessarily refer to the date a School

schedules its ﬁ rst Practice or its last Practice in a sport.

Deﬁ nitions

Private School: An Indiana School maintained by private individuals, a religious organization,

or a corporation, not at public expense. For purposes of these rules, the geographic area

served by a Private School is a ‘Territory.’

Probation: A more severe type of Warning. A School may continue its regular schedule and

participate in a Tournament Series only after ﬁ ling a written report with the Commissioner

listing appropriate disciplinary or corrective action taken.

Public School: A School established under the laws of the State of Indiana, regulated by local

authorities, maintained at the public expense by taxation and open to residents’ children.

For purposes of these By-Laws/Eligibility rules, a Charter School is not considered a Public

School. For purposes of these rules, the geographic area served by a Public School is a

‘District.’

Receiving School: The School at which a transfer student enrolls following a transfer.

Sanctioning: An approval process by the National Federation and all state members of the

National Federation, including the IHSAA, for interstate or international events involving

Two (2) or more Schools which are co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization

outside the school community (e.g., a college/university, a theme park, a service organiza-

tion (e.g., Kiwanis, Optimist) or an athletic shoe/apparel company).

School: High Schools including grades 9, 10, 11, 12 or 10, 11, 12; Junior High Schools which

include grade 9.

School Administrator or School Personnel: Any member of a School’s faculty or admin-

istration team.

School of Enrollment: The School of Enrollment is the School at which a student is Enrolled.

If the student is enrolled in more than One (1) School during a Grading Period, the School

of Enrollment is the School where the student attends more than Fifty percent (50%) of the

courses in which the student is Enrolled during the Grading Period.

School which Serves the Student’s Residence: A Public School ‘Serves’ a student’s

residence when the residence is in the Public School’s District. A Private School ‘Serves’

a student’s residence when the residence is in the Private School’s Territory. All Charter

Schools ‘Serve’ all Indiana residences. A Public School does not ‘Serve’ the residence

of a student who Enrolls at a Public School strictly under an open enrollment program or

similar program.

School Year: The period of time between (i) Monday of Week 5 and (ii) the earliest of Monday

of Week 49, or the last day of the actual school year of a School.

School Year Out-of-Season: For each sport, the period of time during the School Year which

is outside the sport’s Contest Season.

Season Contest: A Contest played during the period (i) beginning on the date a Contest

in a sport is authorized to be played and (ii) ending on the day before the first day of the

IHSAA Tournament Series in that sport. Some Season Contests may be played beyond

the last day of the School Year.

Secondary School: A School including any or all of grades 9 through 12.

Semester: In Schools whose schedule is based on semesters, one-half of a School Year

constitutes a semester. Parts of Two (2) semesters or a part of One (1) semester does not

make a semester.

Sending School: The School at which a transfer student previously attended.

Single Gender Athletic Team: A team sponsored by a member School which participates

in a program of interscholastic competition in an IHSAA Recognized Sport oﬀ ered only to

members of a single gender. Under IHSAA rule 1-2 the single-gender sports for boys include

boys baseball, boys basketball, boys cross-country, football, boys golf, boys soccer, boys

swimming & diving, boys tennis, boys track & ﬁ eld and wrestling and the single-gender

sports for girls include girls basketball, girls cross country, girls golf, gymnastics, girls soccer,

softball, girls swimming & diving, girls tennis, girls track & ﬁ eld and volleyball.

State Finals: The ﬁ nal competitions and Contests of a Tournament Series.

Sub-Varsity: Any School team in a sport which is other than the School’s highest level team

in a sport.

Summer: That period of time between Tuesday following Memorial Day and the day before

Monday of Week 5.

Deﬁ nitions

Summer Open Facility Program: A School sponsored program conducted During the

Summer wherein a student may participate in athletic activities involving an IHSAA

Recognized Sport. The program’s activities must occur in the School’s gymnasium,

playing field or other School facility and must be open to all students who have attended

the School. The program’s activities are only open (i) to students who have attended the

School, to students who have attended a Feeder School, to incoming 9th grade students

from non-Feeder Schools who have Enrolled at the School and to incoming transfer

students who have Enrolled at the School and (ii) have completed and submitted to the

IHSAA the first section of an IHSAA Transfer Report.

Suspension: (i) Temporary or permanent termination of a School’s Membership in Association,

or (ii) temporary or permanent denial to a student of participation in One (1) or more sports.

Team Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball.

Territory: For Private Schools, Territory is the geographical area from which students are

drawn for attendance, as established by the Diocese or other governing board, and where

no boundaries are established by a Private School, then the Territory shall be the city or

town limits of the metropolitan area in which the School is located or the county lines of

the county when the School is located outside a city or town limits. For Charter Schools,

Territory is the state of Indiana.

Tournament or Tourney: A Season Contest in which more than Two (2) Schools participate.

A Tournament is not part of the Tournament Series.

Tournament Series: The championship tournament series scheduled annually by the IHSAA

in each sport recognized by the IHSAA.

Transfer For Primarily Athletic Reasons: A Transfer For Primarily Athletic Reasons includes,

but is not limited to:

a. a transfer to obtain the athletic advantage of a superior, or inferior, athletic team, a superior

athletic facility or a superior coach or coaching staff;

b. a transfer to obtain relief from a conflict with the philosophy or action of an administrator,

teacher or coach relative to athletics;

c. a transfer seeking a team consistent with the student’s athletic abilities;

d. a transfer to obtain a means to nullify punitive action taken by the previous School.

Transgender: A gender identity or gender expression that differs from societal expectations

based on the gender assigned at birth.

Trimester: In Schools whose schedule is based on Trimesters, one-third of a School Year

constitutes a Trimester. Parts of Two (2) or Three (3) Trimesters or part of One (1) Trimester

does not make a Trimester.

Underprivileged Student: A student who is eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Varsity: A School’s highest level team in a sport.

Virtual Course: An on-line course delivered by an organization which is not the student’s

School of Enrollment and which provides the course credit(s). A member School’s own

on-line courses which are part of a member School’s distance learning program are not

Virtual Courses.

Virtual Education School: A stand-alone Public or Charter School which only utilizes the non-

traditional learning method of on-line instruction and where a student can Enroll, graduate

and earn diploma. To qualify as a Virtual Education School, a School cannot sponsor any

athletic programs involving any IHSAA Recognized Sports, whatsoever. A School which

can meet the requirements of a Virtual Education School, cannot qualify as an Innovative

School; and similarly, a School which can meet the requirements of an Innovative School,

cannot qualify as a Virtual Education School.

Warning: An oﬃ cial notice that an inexcusable, unethical or unsportsmanlike action has oc-

curred, is a matter of record, and such an occurrence must not be repeated.

Deﬁ nitions

Part II: General Eligibility Rules

RULE 1 – RULE COVERAGE; RECOGNIZED & EMERGING SPORTS

1-1 Rule Creation, Amendment and Application

a. Establishing Rules. The General Eligibility Rules are created by and may only be

amended by the Directors.

b. Formality. The General Eligibility Rules shall be created using the same formality

as used in the creation of and the amendment of the By-Laws of the Corporation.

However, the Secretary of the Corporation is authorized, without prior action by the

Board of Directors, to (i) draft and publish interpretations of the General Eligibility Rules

through questions and answers, (ii) draft and publish definitions of terms contained in

General Eligibility Rules and (iii) draft and make corrections to punctuation, grammar,

spelling and typographical errors in the text of the General Eligibility Rules. Such action

taken by the Secretary shall have immediate force and effect but shall be subject to

prompt ratification by the Board of Directors.

c. General Application. THE ASSOCIATION RULES APPLY to all Member School athletic

teams and to all Member School sports contestants enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12,

participating IN ANY CONTEST in a Recognized Sport or in an Emerging Sport.

1-2 Recognized Sports

a. IHSAA Recognized Sports. The following sports are recognized and regulated: Boys –

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and

Field, Wrestling; Girls – Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball,

Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball; Unified Sports - Track and Field, Flag

Football.

b. Tournament Series. A Tournament Series in a Recognized Sport will be provided at such

time as Fifty percent (50%) of the total, full Membership Schools are participating in that

Recognized Sport.

c. Annual Review. If a Recognized Sport has less than Twenty-five (25%) of the total, full

Membership Schools participating in the Tournament Series in that Sport, that Sport will

be reviewed, annually, for purposes of determining if the Sport should continue to have

a Tournament Series in that Sport and to determine if that Sport should continue to be a

Recognized Sport.

1-3 Recognized Sports Process

a. A Sport may become a Recognized Sport provided a member School has, or a group of

member Schools has, submitted to the Board of Directors, prior to March 1, a Request

that that Sport to be designated a Recognized Sport.

b. The Board of Directors may designate a Sport as a Recognized Sport if these requirements

are satisfied:

(1.) One Hundred (100) or more member Schools have each sponsored a full program in

that Sport and have each participated in that Sport for the Two (2) consecutive years

prior to the submission of the Request,

(2.) The Sport has gone through the Emerging Sport Process and an updated Emerging

Sport Application is submitted to the Board with the Request for recognition,

(3.) It is shown that recognition of the Sport as a Recognized Sport will not be an anathema

to the purposes or goals of the IHSAA and will not result in a violation of any rule, law,

statute or policy; and

(4.) The Commissioner recommends that the Sport be recognized as a Recognized Sport.

c. Provided the prior requirements are satisfied, the Board at its next Annual Meeting may,

by a majority vote, recognize the Sport as a Recognized Sport.

1-4 Emerging Sports Process

a. A Sport may become an Emerging Sport provided a member School has, or a group of

member Schools have, submitted to the Board of Directors, prior to March 1, a Request

for the Sport be designated an Emerging Sport.

b. The Board of Directors may designate a Sport as an Emerging Sport if these requirements

are satisfied:

Rule 1 - Rule Coverage

(1.) Twenty (20) member Schools currently are sponsoring a program in the Sport;

(2.) There is documentation submitted which demonstrates the Sport’s viability to grow

meaningful sport participation opportunities for girls and boys in the Sport, including

data regarding injuries and information about health and safety protocols, data of

participants in other states and at the collegiate level, data of gender, race and ethnicity

participants, data of non-scholastic participation, data of the geographic participation,

letters of support from coaches organizations and other associations or organizations

involved in the sport;

(3.) Suggested IHSAA sport-specific rules (e.g. playing and practice seasons) for this

Sport are submitted; and

(4.) Ten (10) letters of commitment are submitted from member Schools that either

currently sponsor or intend to sponsor a program in the Sport, which include the

following supporting materials: a current/proposed budget with specific line items for

a program in the Sport, a roster size and number of full-time and part-time coaches

for a program in the Sport, a description of practice and competition facilities needed

for a program in the Sport, a listing of local and regional competition opportunities for

a program in the Sport, a timeline to varsity status for the Sport, and a description of

the current relationship with any Sport governing bodies.

c. Provided such requirements have been satisfied, the Board at the next Annual Meeting

may, by majority vote, recognize the Sport as an Emerging Sport.

d. After a Sport has been designated an Emerging Sport, it will be listed in the IHSAA General

Eligibility Rules and any School sponsoring a program in that Sport shall register its

coaches with the IHSAA. The IHSAA will offer limited administrative services to Schools

sponsoring a program in that Emerging Sport, such as free rule books, free rules meetings

in the Emerging Sport and free participation in the Catastrophic Medical program for the

students participating in the Emerging Sport. Participation in the Emerging Sport and all

Contests in the Emerging Sport are subject to all the IHSAA rules and policies, including

the General Eligibility Rules.

e. The following sports are currently Emerging Sports: Boys Volleyball; Girls Wrestling

(2022).

1-5 Mutual Agreement to Violate rules Prohibited

Mutual agreements to violate the rules of this Association shall result in Suspension of all

Schools involved.

Q & A

Rule Coverage – Generally

Q. 1-1 May a member School support a grade school team in the same school system

out of its athletic funds?

A. Yes, while the IHSAA rules do not prohibit it, state and school rules may limit

such activity.

Q. 1-2 Do seniors have any rights and privileges as athletes under the IHSAA rules

which not granted to other students?

A. No, the IHSAA rules do not address a student’s class or grade level.

Q. 1-3 Is a student who misses classes on the day the basketball team plays a Contest

eligible to participate in that game?

A. The IHSAA rules do not address this matter. The member School’s policy would

determine eligibility.

RULE 2 – CLASSIFICATION OF SCHOOLS

2-1 Classification Criteria

Schools may be classified in Team Sports up to a maximum of Four (4) Classes, except

football, according to the following criteria:

a. If Fifty percent (50%) of the member Schools sponsored a team and entered the IHSAA

tournament in the previous year, that sport may have Two (2) Classes.

Rule 1 - Rule Coverage

b. If Seventy-five percent (75%) of the member Schools sponsored a team and entered the

IHSAA tournament in the previous year, that sport may have Three (3) Classes.

c. If Ninety-five percent (95%) of the member Schools sponsored a team and entered the

IHSAA tournament in the previous year, that sport may have Four (4) Classes.

2-2 Number of Schools in Classes

The Directors have complete authority to establish and implement policies to determine the

number of Classes and the number of Schools in each Class of competition in Team Sports.

The following is the manner for classifying Schools:

a. If there are Two (2) or Three (3) Classes, the division shall be based on the number of

schools participating in the sport:

(1.) If there are Two (2) Classes — 1A=50% of Schools; 2A=50% of Schools.

(2.) If there are Three (3) Classes — 1A=33% of Schools; 2A=33% of Schools; 3A=33%

of Schools.

b. If there are Four (4) Classes, the division shall be based on the number of full Member

Schools.

(1.) If there are Four (4) Classes — 1A=30% of Schools; 2A=25% of Schools; 3A=25%

of Schools; 4A=20% of Schools.

c. If there is One (1) more School than equal division, that School may be placed in the

smallest Class.

d. If there are Two (2) more Schools than equal division, those Schools may be placed One

(1) each in the smaller Two (2) Classes.

e. If there are Three (3) more Schools than equal division, those Schools may be placed One

(1) each in the smallest Three (3) Classes.

f. When classifying all Team Sports other than football, no School may move down from

a Class pre-determined by its enrollment number, even if the success factor causes a

School to move up a Class forcing another School, without the correct enrollment number,

to move down a Class. No School should be in lower enrollment classification than its

pre-determined enrollment number.

g. When classifying all Team Sports other than football, when schools have equal enrollments

at a customary break in classifications, all Schools with equal enrollments shall be placed

in the higher enrollment classification.

h. When classifying football, when schools have equal enrollments at a customary break

in classifications, the school with the largest freshman class shall be placed in the

higher enrollment classification. If both schools have an equal number of freshmen, then

subsequent grades shall be used, i.e. sophomores then juniors then seniors to differentiate

placement.

2-3 Classification by Enrollment; Different Classes Assignment; Change Class

Assignment

School enrollment figures used for classifying Schools shall be the enrollment in grades 9-12

for all students, as certified in the annual report filed with the State Department of Education

in a classification year.

a. Schools with single gender enrollment shall double the certified enrollment figures for

classification purposes.

b. A School may be assigned to different Classes in different sports.

c. A School shall be assigned to a Class by the IHSAA and shall enter the IHSAA tournament

in that assigned Class unless it notifies the Association, in writing, that it wishes to move

up One (1) or more Classes. This notification shall (1) be made by September 1 of a

reclassification year and (2) be effective for the duration of the Two (2) year classification

cycle. A School may choose to move up in a specific sport/s.

2-4 Reclassification Cycle in Team Sports

In Team Sports, Schools are re-classified on a sport-by-sport basis every Two (2) years; the

Commissioner may, however, determine that Schools should be reclassified more often, or

less often.

Rule 2 - Classiﬁ cation of Schools

a. The number of Classes may be changed only in a re-classification year.

b. When other Team Sports meet the criteria in rule 2-2, requests for changes in Classes

shall be considered at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.

c. When both boys and girls teams participate in a sport, both genders must meet the criteria

for Classes for either gender to be assigned to Classes.

2-5 Reclassification of Schools in Team Sports Due to Previous Tournament Series

Success

In Team Sports, when Schools are subject to reclassification, a School’s reclassification shall

be dependent on the School’s previous tournament series success; the Commissioner may,

however, determine that a School’s previous tournament series success should be applied

more often, or less often.

a. Schools shall earn the assigned point values for the final level of the tournament series

they achieve as follows:

(1.) Sectional Championship - One (1) point

(2.) Regional Championship - Two (2) points

(3.) Semi State Championship - Three (3) points

(4.) State Championship - Four (4) points

b. Upon the conclusion of Two (2) consecutive tournament series in the same Class (previous

and current year), Schools in Classes below the largest enrollment Class in a specific sport

achieving Six (6) points or greater due to tournament series success shall move up to the

next largest enrollment classification for the next Two (2) years.

c. After participation in the same larger enrollment classification for Two (2) years, a School

achieving a Two (2) year total tournament series success point value of Two (2) points

or below in a specific sport shall be placed in the classification immediately below the

Enrollment classification the School occupied during the previous two (2) year cycle unless

the Enrollment of the School dictates the same or higher classification previously occupied

in that sport.

d. After participation in the same larger enrollment classification for Two (2) years, a School

achieving a tournament series success point value of Three (3), Four (4) or Five (5) points

in a specific sport shall remain in the same classification in that sport.

e. After participation in the same larger enrollment classification for Two (2) years, a School

achieving a tournament series success point value of Six (6) points or greater in a specific

sport shall move up to the next largest enrollment classification for the next Two (2) years.

Q & A

Application of Tournament Success Factor Rule

Q. 2-1 Is there a Success Factor Rule for Individual Sports?

A. No, the Success Factor Rule applies only to Team Sports. (rule 2-5)

Q. 2-2 If a School has success in one Team Sport, does that success result in the School

moving up to a higher class in another Team Sport?

A. No, the Success Factor Rule is applied strictly on a sport-by-sport basis. (rule

2-5)

Q. 2-3 What happens to a School, during a reclassification, which has a change in

enrollment which would result in the School changing classes, but which is also

subject to a change in class because of the Success Factor Rule?

A. A change in a School’s enrollment which would otherwise result in a change of

the School’s Class shall not apply to a School which changes Classes under the

Success Factor, unless the enrollment change would result in the School being

placed in a Class higher than the enrollment Class dictated by the Success Factor

Rule, and in that circumstance, the School shall be placed in the enrollment Class

determined by the School’s enrollment for the next reclassification period.

Q. 2-4 How are Schools, during Team Sports reclassifications, placed in classes when

there are Schools which change Classes because of the Success Factor?

A. Application of rule 2-2, the Reclassification Rule and rule 2-5, the Success Factor

Rule, determine the placement and the number of Schools in each Class. During

reclassification in a Team Sport, Schools are placed in Classes based upon

enrollment pursuant to rule 2-2; these Classes are customarily of equal size.

Rule 2 - Classiﬁ cation of Schools

A School subject to the Success Factor is then placed into a larger-enrollment

Class pursuant to rule 2-5. In Team Sports other than football, even if this re-

classing results in a Class having more Schools than another Class, rule 2-2(g)

prohibits moving any School into a lower-enrollment Class. However, in the Team

Sport of football, rule 2-2(g) is inapplicable, and after a School is re-classed into

a larger-enrollment Class pursuant to rule 2-5, the smallest School in that Class

shall move down to the next lower-enrollment Class in order to have equal sized

Classes.

RULE 3 – ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

3-1 Required Compliance with IHSAA rules

It is the responsibility of each member School to control its athletic program in compliance

with the rules and regulations of the Association. It shall be the duty of the member School

principals to see that all members of their staff who deal with athletics and all student athletes

are made aware of these rules and regulations. Failure to so inform any staff member or

student-athlete shall not prevent the Association from enforcing its rules, since the Association

presumes that all of its members and their staff as well as the individual participants have

read and understand these rules, and by consenting to be members of the Association and by

participating in Association sanctioned events, agree to abide by these rules and regulations.

3-2 Designation of Team Coach(es) by Principal

The principal has the authority to designate a faculty member employed in that school system

to act as coach of the teams representing the School.

3-3 Principal or Designee Shall Represent School

The principal of the member School or School official so designated by the principal shall

represent such School at all meetings of the Association requiring their attendance.

3-4 Principal or Designee Shall Accompany All Teams

The principal or authorized representative shall accompany each team to all Contests.

3-5 Member School Rules May Narrow But Not Conflict with IHSAA rules

It is recognized that any school corporation may narrow the scope of its athletic activities and

may have rules governing participants in addition to these rules provided the same do not

conflict with or violate the Association rules.

3-6 Member School Responsible for Control of Athletic Program and Supporters

The member School’s responsibility for the conduct of its athletic program includes responsibility

for the actions of its staff members, its participants, and any other individual or organization

actively engaged in activities promoting the athletic interests of the member School. A member

School’s “responsibility” includes the responsibility of instituting full and complete team and

crowd control measures at all Contests in which such member School participates, assuring

that the participants, staff and boosters of the member School conduct themselves at all times

in a proper and sportsmanlike manner, and assuring full compliance by participants, staff and

boosters of the member School of all association rules, including those involving eligibility

and undue influence.

3-7 Member Schools Are Not Agents of IHSAA

In enforcing the rules set forth in the By-Laws of the Association, member Schools are not the

agents of the Association, and therefore, the failure of a member School to dutifully discharge

its duties as set forth under these rules or to enforce any of the rules of the Association shall

not prevent either the Commissioner or the Executive Committee from imposing appropriate

sanctions for violations which either the Commissioner or the Executive Committee find to

have occurred.

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY

3-8 Principal Shall Certify Student Eligibility

The eligibility of all contestants shall be certified by the principal of the School in accordance

with the rules hereby adopted. The principal shall keep such lists on file by sports and by

Grading Periods.

a. When eligibility is in question, students shall not be permitted to participate in interschool

Contests.

b. Moving to another School District or School does not remove an ineligibility ruling by the

preceding School or the Commissioner.

c. A student who becomes ineligible under the rules of another state cannot remove that

ineligibility by transferring to an Indiana high School.

NOTE: Questions in a case of this kind are to be referred to the Commissioner.

d. All questionable cases of eligibility referred in writing to the Commissioner for action must

include the following information: rule reference, student name, grade, date of birth, parent

or Guardian, present and past residence addresses, athletic transfer residence report when

applicable, transcript, sports participation, enrollment and withdrawal dates.

3-9 School Procedure When Ineligible Student Participates

When it is discovered that an ineligible student has participated, the member School principal

shall take the following action.

3-9.1 Submission of Written Report to IHSAA

Immediately send a written report to the Commissioner stating the name of the student, the

cause of ineligibility, dates and scores of Contest in which the student participated when

ineligible, whether the incident was intentional or unintentional, whether facts were purposely

withheld or misrepresented, etc.

3-9.2 Issuance of Letter of Explanation to Opponents

Promptly send letter/s of explanation to the Commissioner if the incident involves a tournament

Contest and/or opponent principal/s of Season Contest/s in which the student participated

when ineligible; explaining the incident and forfeiting, as outlined in rules 3-9.4 and 3-9.5,

points and Contests and requesting the principal to notify the Commissioner as soon as he

receives such letter/s, and securing a return to the Association of the individual and team

awards, as outlined in rule 3-9.4.

3-9.3 Student Ineligible

Immediately declare the student ineligible in that sport for the remainder of that sport season

except for scholarship deficiency, too many quarters, too many events and similar oversights.

See rules 15-1.1e, 15-1.2d & 17-7.4, if facts were purposely withheld or misrepresented.

3-9.4 Tournament Series Procedure

a. In Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball During Tourneys

(1.) disqualify ineligible individual – but team advances

(2.) State Finals championship or runners-up vacated and all team/individual awards shall

be forfeited and returned to the Association.

b. In Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling

During Tourneys

(1.) disqualify ineligible individual

(2.) forfeit points of ineligible student and refigure team score, if applicable

(3.) all individual awards shall be forfeited and returned to the Association

(4.) if applicable, after team scores are refigured, team awards shall be returned to the

association and redistributed.

3-9.5 Non-Tournament Series Procedure

a. In Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Softball and Volleyball Season Contests

(1.) disqualify ineligible individual

(2.) the game/s and all individual awards shall be forfeited

b. In Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling

Season Contests

(1.) disqualify ineligible individual

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

(2.) forfeit points of ineligible individual and refigure team score, if applicable

(3.) all individual awards shall be forfeited

(4.) if applicable, after team scores are refigured, team awards shall be returned and

redistributed.

CONSENT AND RELEASE CERTIFICATES

3-10 Completion of Athletic Physical, Consent, Acknowledgement of Risks and

Release Form

a. Between April 1 and student’s first Practice in preparation for interschool athletic

participation:

(1.) the student shall have a physical examination by, a physician holding an unlimited

license to practice medicine, a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant who shall

clear the student for athletic participation using the current IHSAA Pre-Participation

Evaluation form;

(2.) the parent/s or Guardian/s shall give written consent for such participation, shall

acknowledge the risks of athletic participation and shall release and hold harmless

the IHSAA and all member Schools from liability, unless the student is emancipated

and then the Emancipated Student shall consent, acknowledge, and release and hold

harmless, using the current IHSAA Consent, Acknowledgement and Release form;

(3.) the student shall acknowledge the risks of athletic participation and shall release and

hold harmless the IHSAA and all member Schools from liability, using the current

IHSAA Consent, Acknowledgement and Release form;

(4.) the parent/s or Guardian/s shall consent, unless the student is emancipated, and

then the Emancipated Student shall consent, to the disclosure by the School, to

the IHSAA, of all requested detailed financial (athletic or otherwise), scholastic and

attendance records of the School, including records which may concern or be related

to the student unless the student is emancipated in which event the student shall give

such consent; and

(5.) the parent/s, Guardian/s and student shall consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and

venue of courts in Marion County, Indiana for all claims and disputes between and

among the IHSAA and the parent/s, Guardian/s, and/or student, including but not

limited to, any claims or disputes involving Membership, eligibility, or rule violation

using the current IHSAA Consent, Acknowledgement and Release form.

b. The fully completed IHSAA Pre-Participation Evaluation and the Consent, Acknowledgement

and Release/Hold Harmless Certificate shall be on file in the office of the principal or

his/her designee prior to the student’s first Practice. Such certificate may suffice for the

entire school year. Unless the fully completed IHSAA Pre-Participation Evaluation and the

Consent, Acknowledgement and Release is on file in the office of the principal or his/her

designee the student shall be ineligible to participate in a Practice session or any interschool

Contests. This section of the rule cannot be waived.

c. The Commissioner, after consultation with medical professionals and others, (i) may

change the date when a student must have the medical physical evaluation completed,

have the IHSAA Pre-Participation Evaluation form completed and have the Consent,

Acknowledgement and Release/Hold Harmless Certificate form completed, (ii) may

lengthen or shorten the frequency a student must have the medical physical evaluation

completed, have the IHSAA Pre-Participation Evaluation form completed and have the

Consent, Acknowledgement and Release/Hold Harmless Certificate form completed and

(iii) may permit an incoming freshman student to utilize such student’s medical physical

evaluation from middle/junior high school and such student’s Pre-Participation form from

middle/junior high school, to satisfy this rule.

3-11 Physician Statement Authorizing Participation Following Absence

Students properly certified to participate in interschool athletic activities, who are absent from

School for five consecutive days due to illness or injury or who are physically unable to Practice

for five consecutive days due to illness or injury, must present to their principal a statement

from a physician holding an unlimited license to practice medicine, a nurse practitioner or a

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

physician assistant, that they are again physically fit to participate in interschool athletics. (See

rule 9-14 for Practice requirements.)

3-12 Continuing Education for Athletic Director

Every athletic director, or activities director with oversight for athletics, must successfully

complete an organization and administration class prior to being employed for a second year.

Note: This rule does not apply to those individuals hired prior to the 2008-09 school year.

a. The organization and administration component requires the successful completion of:

(1.) IHSAA New Athletic Administrators’ class offered each July, and

(2.) LTC 504 offered by NIAAA at state and national conferences, as well as online at

www.iiaaa.org.

b. Member Schools shall maintain a record of training completed by athletic administrators.

This record shall be furnished to the Association on request of the Commissioner or his/

her designee. Failure to complete the required education within the appropriate time frame

shall result in a fifty dollar ($50.00) fine for the first year and a hundred dollar ($100.00)

fine for each additional year of non-compliance.

Q & A

Administrative Responsibility -- Generally

Q. 3-1 Who is the responsible party in IHSAA athletics?

A. It is presumed that the principal of a member School secured the consent of the

administrative head of the School system to take out voluntary Membership in the

IHSAA and that the principal is the administrative head, not only in name but in

fact, of the interschool athletic activities of the School and of the students in the

school. (rule 3-1) Wherever it is determined that the School principal is not the

administrative head in name and in fact of the interschool athletic activities and

of the students in the member School, the member School will have broken its

agreement with the IHSAA and may be removed from Membership in the IHSAA.

The burden of proof shall rest in all cases with the School official’s concerned

(rules 3-1, 17-7.1).

Q. 3-2 Is there a responsibility for member Schools to self-report rule violations?

A. Yes. It is the responsibility of each member School to control its athletic program

in full and complete compliance with the rules and rulings of the IHSAA, which

embraces the IHSAA By-Laws, the IHSAA General Eligibility Rules, the IHSAA

Sports Rules, the Unified Sports® Rules, the IHSAA Junior Member Rules, as

well as all IHSAA policies, regulation and rulings (rules 3-1, 3-6, 3-8, 3-9) This

responsibility includes the obligation of a member School to report to the IHSAA

the occurrence of any act or event which has resulted, or which may result, in

a violation of an IHSAA rule or ruling by a member School, a member School’s

faculty member, including the coaching staff, a member School’s student or a

member School’s fan and supporter. For example, if a member School is made

aware that One (1) of its student may have violated the participation rule, rule

15, it is the responsibility of the member School to report such potential violation

to the IHSAA, so that the IHSAA can investigate and determine whether a rule

violation has occurred, and can issue the appropriate penalties under the IHSAA

rules.

Suspension of Membership

Q. 3-3 What types of violations could cause a member School to be suspended?

A. The penalties for any violation of the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, the

General Eligibility Rules, the IHSAA Sports Rules, the Unified Sports® Rules and

any established policy, regulation or rulings of the IHSAA are described in rule 17-7.

However, any of, but not limited to, the following reasons could cause a member

School’s Suspension from Membership:

a. violations of the Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, the General Eligibility

Rules, the IHSAA Sports Rules, the Uniﬁ ed Sports® Rules and any established

policy, regulation or rulings of the IHSAA (rule 17-7.1);

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

b. failure of the principal to assume direct responsibility for the School’s interschool

athletic program (rules 3-1, 17-7.1);

c. refusal to abide by the decisions of the Commissioner or Committee (rule 17-

7.1);

d. violation of the Undue Inﬂ uence Rule (rules 17-7.1, 20);

e. violation of contracts with another member School. (rules 11, 17-7.1);

f. violation of a game oﬃ cial’s contracts (rules 3-1, 17-7.1);

g. knowingly using an ineligible player (rules 3-8, 17-7.1);

h. failure to provide adequate security and/or police protection (rules 3-1. 3-6, 17-

7.1);

i. removing an individual or team from a Contest because of dissatisfaction with

the oﬃ ciating, etc. (rules 9-16, 17-7.1);

j. failure to control the spectators and players’ bench (rules 3-1. 3-6, 17-7.1);

k. failure to adequately protect oﬃ cials and visiting team (rules 3-1. 3-6, 17-7.1);

l. violation of Practice and Contest Season limitations and rules (rules 17-7.1, 50);

m. mutual agreements to violate the rules of the IHSAA (rules 9-2, 17-7.1).

Requirements of the Consent and Release Certification

Q. 3-4 Must a student provide to the student’s School a completed and signed Consent

and Release Certiﬁ cate form prior to the student’s participation in the ﬁ rst Practice?

A. Yes, the completed and signed Consent and Release Certiﬁ cate form will satisfy

the requirement for participation in interschool athletics. (3-10, 3-11) (See rule 9-14

for Practice requirements)

Q. 3-5 If a student athlete lives in a One (1) parent household, must the student obtain the

signatures of both parents on the IHSAA Consent and Release Certiﬁ cate form?

A. The IHSAA Consent and Release Certiﬁ cate form must contain the signature of all

custodial parents. (rule 3-10)

Q. 3-6 Does a student need to have submitted a completed and signed IHSAA Consent and

Release Certiﬁ cate form prior to participating in a Summer Open Facility Program

or a Limited Contact Program?

A. No. The IHSAA does not require students have a completed and signed IHSAA

Consent and Release Certificate form submitted prior to the student’s participating

in an Summer Open Facility Program or a Limited Contact Program, although the

School may have such a requirement. A student must provide to the student’s

School a completed and signed IHSAA Consent and Release Certificate form prior

to the student’s participation in a Practice. (rule 3-10)

Ineligibility follows the Student

Q. 3-7 Does disciplinary ineligibility in One (1) School carry over to the second School

when a student transfers?

A. Yes, a student must be eligible in all respects at the School from which the student

transferred. And this means that an ineligibility ruling under the rules of a prior School

shall carry over to the new School even though the student would be eligible under

the rules at the new School. (rule 3-8)

School Representative at a Contest

Q. 3-8 Must the member School principal be personally present at all interschool athletic

Contests?

A. No. The member School principal is responsible to insure proper representation

by oﬃ cially designating personnel. “Proper representation” requires the presence

of a faculty member or other certiﬁ ed or non-certiﬁ ed person who meets the coach

qualiﬁ cation requirements. While a coach is a proper representative, if a coach

who is the only School representative present, is ejected from a Contest, the School

may not continue to participate and the Contest should be terminated and forfeited

to the opponent. (rules 3-2, 3-3, 3-4)

Q. 3-9 Is there a diﬀ erent supervision requirement for a student participating in an Individual

Sport Tournament Series than a student participating in a Team Sport Tournament

Series?

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

A. No, the supervision requirement is the same for Individual Sport entrants as for

Team Sport Entrants. (rule 3-4)

Certification of Eligibility

Q. 3-10 Who is responsible for certifying that a student athlete is eligible for interscholastic

athletics?

A. A student’s principal has the responsibility to certify the eligibility of all students at

the School, for maintaining suﬃ cient records to verify each student’s compliance

with all eligibility rules and, upon the request of a fellow member School principal,

or upon a request from the IHSAA, to provide written certiﬁ cation of a student’s

eligibility. (rule 3-8)

Q. 3-11 When the eligibility of a student is in question, what procedure should be followed?

A. The student should not be permitted to participate until the student’s principal has

made a determination of eligibility in conjunction with the IHSAA, if appropriate.

(rule 3-8)

Crowd Control

Q. 3-12 Is the home/host School exclusively responsible for crowd control?

A. No. While the home/host School must assume a primary responsibility for the

management of the Contest, including providing for crowd control, there is a mutual

responsibility on all participating Schools. The visiting School(s) must also take

such measures as are necessary to ensure proper behavior by the visiting School’s

students and fans. (rule 3-6)

Q. 3-13 What steps must a School take when a fan of the School’s team becomes

unreasonably unruly and/or is ejected from a Contest?

A. For the same reason a School is required to take aﬃ rmative steps after the ejection

of a student athlete, coach or administrator, a School is expected to promptly take

remedial action when a fan of the School’s team is unreasonably unruly and/or

ejected. While a complete list of the remedial steps is impossible, it would be

appropriate that the unruly/ejected fan be barred from One (1) or more future

Contests and that, in the future, the unruly/ejected fan’s seating be restricted to

certain locations at the venue.

More Restrictive School rules

Q.3-14 May a member School impose rules that are stricter than those rules and regulations

included in the IHSAA By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation?

A. Yes, a School may narrow the scope of the activities of the students, provided the

School’s rules do not violate or conﬂ ict with the IHSAA rules. (rule 3-5).

RULE 4 – AGE

4-1 Maximum Age of Student Athletes

A student who is or shall be Twenty (20) years of age prior to or on the scheduled date of

the IHSAA State Finals in a sport shall be ineligible for interschool athletic competition in that

sport; a student who is nineteen (19) years of age on the scheduled date of the IHSAA State

Finals in a sport shall be eligible for interschool athletic competition in that sport.

Q & A

Age rule - Generally

Q. 4-1 Is a student eligible if the student turns Twenty (20) years of age on the second

day of a multi-day State Finals of a Tournament Series?

A. No, if a student turns 20 years of age on any scheduled date of a State Finals

the student is ineligible to participate during that sport’s Contest Season and

Tournament Series.

Q. 4-2 What time of day of a student’s birth date does a student turn a year older?

A. A Nineteen (19) year-old student is considered to have turned Twenty (20) years

of age at 12:01 a.m. on the student’s birth date. (rule 4-1)

Q. 4-3 What is considered the “State Finals in a sport” and when does it occur for

purposes of the Age Rule?

A. The “State Finals in a sport” means the final championship event in the sport’s

Rule 3 - Administrative Responsibility

Tournament Series and includes all Contests and all sessions which comprise

the championship event (e.g. in tennis, the State Finals championship event

includes the Contests at each satellite location. (rule 4-1)

Q. 4-4 When does the “State Finals in a sport” occur for purposes of the Age Rule?

A. For purposes of the Age Rule, the “State Finals in a sport” occurs on the date

the finals are scheduled to play, regardless of the date the Contests are actually

played. (rule 4-1)

Q. 4-5 Is a student who turns Twenty (20) years of age on a day of the basketball State

Finals also ineligible in swimming where the State Finals occur several weeks

before?

A. No, the Age Rule is sports specific, and a student may be too old to participate in

One (1) sport during a season and yet eligible in another sport that same season.

(rule 4-1)

Q. 4-6 Is a football player on a Class 1A team, who turns Twenty (20) years of age on

the day after the 1A championship game is scheduled, but on the day the 5A

championship game is scheduled, eligible?

A. Yes, under the Age Rule, in sports which are divided into Classes, the date which

controls is the date the State Finals is scheduled in the student’s Class. (rule 4-1)

Proof of Age

Q. 4-7 What is considered evidence of age?

A. If there is doubt as to a student’s age, One (1) or more, of the following documents,

duly authenticated and in the order named, will be considered evidence of age:

a. birth certificate, properly recorded at or near time of birth;

b. baptismal certificate;

c. documentary evidence such as family record of birth in Bible, certificate of

arrival in the United States, a passport or a life insurance policy of at least a

few years standing;

d. grade and high school records;

e. written and signed statements by superintendent of Schools, public health

physician, attending physician, parent or Guardian;

f. other credible evidence.

Procedure to Follow in Determining Age

Q. 4-8 If doubt exists regarding the age of a student, may a student be permitted to

participate in Contests pending removal of doubt?

A. No, the student is ineligible until documentation proving the student’s age is

provided. (rule 3-8)

Q. 4-9 What should be done in cases of doubt as to age?

A. When there is doubt as to the age of a student, a determination of age should

initially be made by the member School principal after a complete investigation.

If there is still doubt, the member School’s principal shall submit all evidence to

the Commissioner for a determination. Until a determination is made regarding

the qualification of a student under the Age Rule, the student may practice with a

team but may not participate in interschool athletics as a member of the School’s

team. (rules 3-8, 17-2.5)

Q. 4-10 If, after all available data regarding the age of a student is submitted, and the

date of birth of a student cannot be determined, what step should a School take?

A. The Commissioner will establish a date for athletic eligibility purposes on the data

submitted. This date shall control unless new credible evidence can be located

and submitted to the IHSAA for a determination. (rule 17-5)

RULE 5 – AMATEURISM AND ASSUMED NAME PROHIBITION

5-1 Amateurism – Sport-Specific

To be eligible to participate as a representative of a member School in a sport recognized by

the Association, a student must be an amateur in that sport.

5-2 Definition of Amateurism

An amateur is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social and

pleasure benefits derived from the activity. To be an amateur in a sport, a student cannot have:

a. Accepted remuneration, or a benefit other than of a symbolic nature, directly or indirectly,

Rule 5 - Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition

for athletic participation in that sport.

b. Capitalized on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of a monetary nature.

c. Signed a professional contract, directly or indirectly, in that sport.

d. Participated in athletic activities, tryouts, auditions, practices and games held or sponsored

by professional athletic organizations, clubs, or their representatives during the Contest

season.

e. Failed to return player equipment or uniforms issued by a School or Non-School Team

when the season for that sport concluded, or when the student’s continued participation

on such team concluded.

5-3 Benefits Which Do Not Violate Amateurism

A student does not lose amateur status by any of the following:

a. Accepting an award approved by the Association, or which meets the criteria for the award,

as described in rule 6.

b. Giving or receiving paid instructions, provided the fees paid are for the instruction and are

commensurate with the services provided.

c. Accepting reasonable meals, lodging and transportation. NOTE: See rule 6-4 regarding

college trips.

d. Receiving a scholarship award to attend an institution of higher education after high school.

5-4 Student Violation of Amateurism; Reinstatement

A student who has violated the amateur rule in a sport is ineligible in that sport, beginning the

date the student violates the rule.

a. A student may apply in writing to the Commissioner, or designee, for reinstatement, may

have his or her amateur status reinstated and be declared eligible under the amateur rule,

provided

(1.) the student remained Enrolled in School since the rule violation,

(2.) the student has returned or reimbursed the remuneration or benefit,

(3.) the student has not since violated the amateur rule,

(4.) a period of Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days, or such other period as is deemed

appropriate, has passed since the date the student violated the rule, and

(5.) the student’s principal can certify to the accuracy of the foregoing criteria.

b. In considering reinstatement, the Commissioner, or designee, may consider whether

the violation was intentional or not, whether the student knowingly participated in the

rule violation, the size and character of the remuneration or benefit, and any other factor

materially bearing upon the rule violation.

5-5 Assumed Name Prohibition

A student may not play under an assumed name.

5-6 Member School Violation of Amateurism

A member School violates the amateur rule if the party giving, or involved with giving, the

remuneration or benefit is, directly or indirectly, a member of the School’s student body, a

member of the School’s staff or a booster or fan of the School’s athletic program and/or other

extracurricular activities. A violation of the amateur rule by a member School will result in the

penalties described in rule 17-7.1.

Q & A

Amateurism - Generally

Q. 5-1 How does a student athlete violate the Amateurism Rule?

A. An all-inclusive answer for all time and under all conditions cannot be given,

but the receipt or use of any of the following may result in a violation of the

Amateurism Rule: student accepting remuneration, directly or indirectly, for athletic

participation. Reasonable meals, lodging and transportation may be accepted,

if accepted in service and not in any other way. (rule 5-3) See also, rule 6-4

regarding college trips.

Q. 5-2 A local bank wants to name a player of the week in basketball – 1 for girls and 1

for boys. Is this permissible?

A. Yes, so long as the student does not accept merchandise, meals, cash, etc., for

Rule 5 - Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition

such recognition. (rule 5-2)

Q. 5-3 A junior basketball player wins a non-School free-throw shooting contest. The

first place prize is a trip to Disney World. May the player accept the trip?

A. No. The student may not accept prizes or remuneration for participation in the

student’s sport. (rules 5-2, 6-1)

Q. 5-4 May a tennis player with remaining IHSAA eligibility receive and accept a tennis

racket through a sporting goods dealer “free list” or “loan list”?

A. No, a tennis player who receives merchandise of any kind (or cash) in recognition

of athletic achievement becomes ineligible in tennis. (rule 5-2)

Definition of Amateurism

Q. 5-5 Is the definition of amateurism by other organizations accepted by the IHSAA?

A. No, amateurism is defined by the IHSAA for IHSAA purposes. There is no definition

of amateurism acceptable to all organizations, and the IHSAA does not recognize

the definition of amateurism by other organizations. (rule 5-1)

Students Sharing in Gate Receipts

Q. 5-6 Are member School students permitted to participate and split the gate receipts

among the players including the high School students?

A. No, this would be considered a violation of amateurism. (rule 5-2)

Students Working

Q. 5-7 Do students who receive money for services such as a lifeguard, caddie, camp

or clinic counselor, tennis or swimming instructor, summer recreation supervisor

or official, jeopardize their eligibility in high school?

A. No, provided they merely receive reasonable and legitimate wages for services

actually rendered. (rule 5-3)

Student Expense Reimbursement

Q. 5-8 Does acceptance of reimbursement for expenses for a non-School competition

constitute a violation of the Amateurism Rule, rule 5?

A. No, under rule 5-3, and provided the reimbursement can be documented,

is reasonable and does not exceed actual out-of-pocket expenses, such

reimbursement does not violate the Amateurism Rule.

Q. 5-9 What constitutes acceptable documentation for expense reimbursement?

A. Acceptable documentation for expense reimbursement is an itemized bill which

has been properly receipted by the person or entity receiving the payment(s).

Q. 5-10 Can a student who plans to attend a showcase be sponsored by a third party,

such as the student’s father’s company, which would pay for all the cost and fees

of the showcase?

A. Yes. A third party may ‘sponsor’ a student’s participation in a non-School event,

such as a Camp/Clinic, a non-School team competition or a showcase, and

may pay the student’s reasonable meals, lodging, and transportation. However,

such a sponsor cannot pay the actual “fee” for participation in the event and, of

course, cannot pay anything to or on behalf of a student for the student’s athletic

participation or performance. The Participation Rule, rule 15, has one exception,

and that is where a fee for a Camp/Clinic can be waived or paid by a third party

for an Underprivileged Student (See, Definitions).

Keeping Player Equipment and Uniforms

Q. 5-11 Does a student always violate the Amateurism Rule, rule 5-2, when the student

athlete fails to return player equipment or a player’s uniforms following the

conclusion of the student’s participation on a School Team or a Non-School Team?

A. No. A student’s failure to return equipment or a uniform to a School Team or to

a Non-School Team violates the Amateurism Rule only when the student has

not paid a reasonable fee to participate on the Team. When a student pays a

participation fee to a Team, it is presumed that all or a share of the fee is going

to the cost of outfitting the student athlete with equipment and uniforms, and

therefore, when the student athlete leaves the Team, the student should be able

to keep that equipment and those uniforms which the student athlete originally

help pay for, and should not be found in violation the Amateurism Rule. However,

Rule 5 - Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition

a student athlete violates the Amateurism Rule, rule 5-2, when the original cost

of the equipment and uniforms which the student athlete keeps exceeds Two

Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00).

College Letter of Intent

Q. 5-12 Do students violate their amateur status when they sign a college enrollment

“Letter of Intent”?

A. No, however acceptance of other material things might violate their amateur

status. (rule 5-2)

Amateurism Unique to Sport

Q. 5-13 If a student’s non-School participation in an IHSAA Recognized Sport (i.e.

swimming) would result in a technical violation of the Amateurism Rule, rule 5,

but the student does not participate that sport (swimming) at his/her School, would

the student’s eligibility in other sports (i.e. track) be impacted by the violation?

A. No, any eligibility penalty for a violation of the Amateurism Rule is sports-specific,

and here, it would only be if the student’s non-school sports participation was in

the student’s School sport (track) that an Amateurism Rule violation would result

in an eligibility penalty for the student. (rules 5-2, 5-4)

Student Pictures, Advertising

Q. 5-14 Does a student violate the Amateurism Rule, rule 5, when the student’s picture

or the team’s pictures appears in an advertisement of a particular business,

commercial product or service?

A. No, provided the student(s), collectively or individually, receive no remuneration

from the advertiser. (rule 5-2)

Student Recognition

Q. 5-15 May a restaurant owner, in a community, select a player of the week and give

that student-athlete a free hamburger?

A. IHSAA rules would not prohibit a restaurant owner, newspaper, etc., from selecting

a “player of the week”. However, a student-athlete who is selected may not receive

cash, food, gift certificates, merchandise, etc., as a result of this recognition. (rules

5-2, 6-5)

Non-IHSAA Recognized Sports

Q. 5-16 Does a student violate the Amateurism Rule, rule 5, when the student accepts a

cash prize for participating in a rodeo or a motorcycle race?

A. No, the Amateurism Rule relates only to participation in an IHSAA Recognized

Sport, and since rodeo and motorcycle racing are not IHSAA Recognized Sports,

participation in those sports and receiving a prize will not result in an eligibility

penalty. (rules 1-2, 5-2)

Status of “-Thons”

Q. 5-17 May student-athletes participate in a “jog-a-thon,” “swim-a-thon” or other

fundraising activities and earn money for their sport?

A. Yes, however, the ‘-thon’ must occur outside of Contests and monies raised for

such event/s must be allocated to the sponsoring organization. (rule 6-3)

Performance Recognition

Q.5-18 May a student get a sponsor for his or her performance during a Contest,

and have the proceeds go to a charity or to the booster club (i.e., ask a local

businessman to donate to charity or to a booster club $5 per free-throw a

student makes at the upcoming game)?

A. No, use of a student’s performance in a Contest to generate funding for the sport

or for a charity is prohibited. A student (or a coach, athletic booster club, etc.) may

not use a student’s performance in any Contest to raise funds for any purpose.

(rule 5-2)

Student as a Model

Q. 5-19 Can a member School’s booster club sell calendars with photos of the School’s

basketball team displayed on the cover or the months of the calendar?

A. Yes, provided the students are not compensated for the photo or for modeling,

etc. (rule 5-2)

Rule 5 - Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition

RULE 6 – AWARDS, PRIZES, GIFTS

6-1 Acceptable Sports Awards – Generally

It is a violation of the awards rule for a student, directly or indirectly to accept merchandise,

or to accept the use of merchandise, or to purchase merchandise for an amount which is not

commensurate with the value of the merchandise, as an award for participation in a sport

recognized by the Association. It is also a violation of the award rule for the member School to

give an award which fails to comply with the spirit of the award rule. The giving and receiving

of awards shall be kept within reasonable bounds, shall have symbolic value only and shall

only be accepted with the consent and under the supervision of the member School principal.

Note: The word “symbolic” shall be understood to refer to a symbol, an emblem or a token. A

diamond ring, an automobile or a similar award does not fall under the term “symbolic” even

if the award is duly inscribed. An inscription cannot validate such awards.

6-2 Acceptable School Sports Awards

A member School may give, and a student may accept, annually, in each sport recognized

by the Association, the following:

a. One sweater, jersey, jacket, blanket or similar article in recognition of a student’s participation

in each sport.

b. A trophy or similar article of symbolic value in addition to the One (1) award permitted above,

provided the cost of the award shall not exceed the cost of the One (1) award permitted

under Item a.

6-3 Acceptable Non-School Sports Awards

A student may accept the following, relative to sports recognized by the Association, provided

they are made within the bounds of rule 6-2:

a. An award from an athletic conference which is given to the winning or successful schools

and winning or successful participants.

b. An award from an athletic conference which is given to a winning or successful participant.

c. An award from a local organization, such as a service club, patriotic organization, civic

group, and dad’s or mother’s club, provided the award is approved by the member School’s

principal.

d. A symbolic tribute to a member School’s athletes, the naming of a player of the game or

week, or similar honor, from a commercial business, provided the student does not accept

merchandise, meals, cash, etc. for such honor

6-4 Acceptable College Awards

Students who participate in a sport recognized by the Association may not accept, directly or

indirectly, awards, medals, recognitions, gifts or honors from colleges, universities or other

institutions of higher learning, or their alumni. A student, however, may accept transportation

and expenses paid by a college, university or other institution of higher learning for recruiting

purposes during the student’s junior or senior years, if conducted within the limitations of

college athletic codes and if approved by the Member School’s principal. Likewise a student

may accept a scholarship award to attend a college, university or other institution of higher

learning after graduation, provided the scholarship is not paid until after the student’s athletic

eligibility has expired.

6-5 Tournament Series Awards

All awards for teams and students participating in Association tournament series’ shall be

determined by the Executive Committee.

a. These official awards shall be the only awards presented at the tournament site.

b. No member School shall accept a State Finals championship or runner-up award in an

IHSAA recognized sport unless the award is approved by the IHSAA and the member

School principal.

c. Additional state championship or runner-up medals, as needed, may be ordered by the

principal through the Commissioner.

d. A member School may purchase, at its own expense, the official IHSAA State Finals

championship or runner-up ring. NOTE: The application for approval to order must be

submitted by the principal, to the Commissioner on the application form provided by the

IHSAA. A School check to cover the expense of the ring must accompany the order.

Rule 6 - Awards, Prizes, Gifts

e. Only the official IHSAA State Finals championship or runner-up ring may include the IHSAA

trademark, the designation “IHSAA”, or the name “Indiana High School Athletic Association”.

6-6 Penalties for Violation of Awards rule

A violation of the awards rule by a student or member School will result in the penalties

described in rule 17-7.1.

Q & A

Awards, Prizes and Gifts - Generally

Q. 6-1 What gifts, awards and prizes may athletes receive?

A. The IHSAA requires that the giving of awards, prizes, medals, etc., be kept on

a reasonable basis at all times, and that such have symbolic value only and be

given with the consent of the School principal. (rule 6-1)

Q. 6-2 Does a student violate the Amateurism Rule or the Awards Rule by participating

in an athletic event in an IHSAA Recognized Sport where gifts, awards, prizes,

merchandise, cash, etc. are won by or offered to the student, but are not accepted

by the student?

A. No, it is not the winning of or the availability of a gift, award or prize, but the actual

acceptance of the prize which violates the Amateurism Rule or the Awards Rule.

(rules 5-2(a), 6-1)

Q. 6-3 Can a student who is selected as a member of a basketball all-tournament team,

receive a plaque without violating the Awards Rule, rule 6?

A. Yes, however, if the plaque is presented by a non-School organization, it must

be approved by the student’s School principal. (rule 6-5)

Q. 6-4 A student-athlete participates first in a cross country race sponsored by a member

School for school teams, then in another race sponsored by a local bank for any

interested individual and finally in a race sponsored by a running club for club

members and unattached individuals. In all Three (3) cases, the winners of the

races received ribbons & medals, along with a ‘winner’ T-shirts, and then all of

the participants receive a ‘participant’ T-shirt. Are these legal awards?

A. Yes, the winners of all three races may receive both ribbons and medals, as well

as winner’ T-shirts, provided the T-shirt is of nominal (symbolic) value, and the

race participants may receive a T-shirt for participation, provided the T-shirt is

also of nominal (symbolic) value. (rule 6-3)

Q. 6-5 Two girls from the same School participate in a non-school golf tournament in

the Summer. One girl places first and receives a trophy. The other girl does not

place in the competition, but does receive a golf bag and head covers for making

a hole-in-one. Is this legal?

A. The first girl may accept her first place trophy. The second girl may not accept the

golf bag and head covers since these items are considered athletic merchandise.

(rule 6-1)

Prizes Won in Drawing or Raffles

Q. 6-6 Can a student at a member School accept gifts and prizes won through drawings,

raﬄ es, 50-50’s, etc. at a Contest hosted by the School?

A. Yes, a student can accept gifts and prizes at a School’s Contest, provided they are

not won or awarded because of the student’s participation in an event involving

an IHSAA Recognized Sport. (rule 6-1)

School Awards, Prizes and Gifts

Q. 6-7 Is a member School permitted to give sweaters to athletes?

A. Yes, the IHSAA recommends that the giving of prizes, gifts, sweaters, etc., be

kept within reasonable bounds at all times and that such have symbolic value

only. (rules 6-1, 6-2, 6-3)

Q. 6-8 May students be awarded a second sweater in the same sport if they transfer to

another high school?

A. Yes, if they qualify in the new high School. (rule 6-2)

Q. 6-9 May Schools give awards to students for scholarship, sportsmanship and conduct?

Rule 6 - Awards, Prizes, Gifts

A. Yes, such may be given if sanctioned and administered by the School principal.

(rule 6-1)

Awards, Prizes and Gifts from Outside Organizations

Q. 6-10 What are the regulations regarding prizes and awards made to member School

students by organizations outside the School?

A. Outside organizations may make awards under the following rules:

(a) Donors should be checked carefully regarding attitudes, purposes and types

of business.

(b) Recipients should be selected by committees on which the principal and

School authorities have control.

reasonable in price and having symbolic value only. Cash or merchandise

prizes or awards are not permitted.

(d) Purposes should be critically studied so that commercial interests,

proselytizing interests and interests foreign to good school procedure may

be eliminated.

(e) Principals shall be expected to know and execute the rules, regulations and

policies to the best of their ability according to their wording and spirit, since

the giving and receiving of awards shall be done by and with the consent

and under the supervision of the principal in each member School.

(f) No awards should be made by a “secret committee” of any outside

organization, without the knowledge and consent of the high school principal

as to the recipient. (rule 6-5)

Q. 6-11 May a student receive a scholarship from a non-educational organization and

still be eligible in the sport for which the scholarship was awarded?

A. Yes, as long as the scholarship is not paid until after the student’s athletic eligibility

has expired.

Q. 6-12 Is a student who receives a scholarship or award for lacrosse still athletically

eligible?

A. Yes, the Award Rule is sports specific, and as long as the scholarship is paid for

a non-recognized sport, such as lacrosse, there is not a violation of the Award

Rule. (rule 6-1)

College and University Scholarships

Q. 6-13 May a student receive a University or College athletic scholarship and still be

eligible in the sport for which the scholarship was awarded?

A. Yes, as long as the scholarship is paid directly to the student’s university or

college, or in cases where a scholarship is paid directly to the student, as long as

the scholarship is not paid until after the student’s athletic eligibility has expired.

(rule 6-4)

RULE 7 – COACHES

7-1 Coaches Should be Certified Teachers

Coaches should, whenever possible, be regularly certified to teach in Schools of Indiana and:

7-1.1 Coaches’ Remuneration

All remuneration for high school coaching must be approved by the board of education of the

member School employing the coach.

7-1.2 Limitation on Outside Remuneration for Coaches

No member School shall be permitted to employ an athletic director/s or coach who receives

extra pay, salary, gifts or trips for coaching from any source other than through the school

corporation.

7-1.3 Full-Time Employment of Coaches

Be full-time employed teachers or supervisors in the member School or in the parent school

corporation attendance area.

Rule 7 - Coaches

NOTE 1: The expression “Paid Coach” refers to any person who, directly or indirectly,

receives remuneration of any kind - money, travel expenses, gifts, etc., from outside

sources - in return for services rendered in instructing or coaching any School athletic team.

NOTE 2: When a School corporation is a part of a cooperative program with other School

corporations, a full-time teacher employed by the cooperative may coach in the School

corporation where the teacher teaches.

NOTE 3: When a coach coaches a mixed (boys and girls) team, a male coach coaches

a girls team or a female coach coaches a boys team, an adult advisor from the opposite

sex should be part of the coaching staff. It is strongly recommended that such advisor

be employed by the School or the District. The advisor’s responsibilities must include

attendance at all Practices, Contests and meetings, and accompanying the team to all

events which involve travel or overnight trips.

7-1.4 Mandatory Coaching Accreditation

a. Coaching Accreditation.

(1.) Any paid or volunteer coach who is a member of a Member School Coaching Staff

must be rostered with the IHSAA and must be Accredited, prior to having Athletic

Contact with a student. ‘Athletic Contact’ refers to any interaction involving physical

athletic activities or conditioning (physical fitness) activities between a coach and a

student who is or will be a participant in an Emerging or Recognized Sport.

(2.) A coach will be deemed Accredited on the date the coach satisfies the Educational

Requirements needed for Accreditation, and will automatically renew for one (1) year

on June 30, provided the Educational Requirements needed for Accreditation are then

current and the Accreditation had not been revoked or suspended.

b. Educational Requirements for Coaching Accreditation. To be Accredited a coach must

complete the following specific education courses:

(1.) NFHS Concussion in Sports,

(2.) NFHS Heat Illness Prevention,

(3.) NFHS Sudden Cardiac Arrest,

(4.) NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse, or an approved equivalent, and

(5.) NFHS Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, or an approved equivalent.

To remain Accredited a coach must retake each course every Two (2) years, unless the

edition of the course changes, in which event the coach must take the new edition within

ninety (90) days of the edition’s release date, unless the edition’s release date occurs

during the April 1 through June 1 period, and in that event the new edition must be taken

on or before the following June 29th.

c. Licensure and Disciplinary Requirements. An Accredited Coach must remain in compliance

with all applicable state licensure and disciplinary statutes.

d. Revocation of Accreditation (Ind. Code§20-28-5-8). The Accreditation of a coach will be

revoked on the date the Commissioner receives notice that the coach was convicted of an

offense described in Ind. Code § 20-28-5-8, or of a known comparable offense in another

state; provided, however, the IHSAA may, after holding a hearing on the matter, reinstate

the Accreditation of a coach if the conviction is later reversed, vacated, or set aside on

appeal.

e. Revocation or Suspension of Accreditation (Ind. Code §§ 20-28-5-7(1), 20-28-5-7(2)).

(1.) A coach who is or was a licensed teacher, who committed misconduct described in

Ind. Code §§ 20-28-5-7(1), 20-28-5-7(2), and whose license was then revoked or

suspended, shall also have his/her Accreditation revoked, or if the teacher’s license

was suspended, have his/her Accreditation suspended for the same period of time as

the license suspension. Such revocation or suspension shall occur on the date the

Commissioner receives notice that the teacher’s license was revoked or suspended.

(2.) If the Accreditation of a coach has been revoked under sub-section (e), such

Accreditation cannot be reinstated without the coach applying for reinstatement and

then only after a Two (2) year period of revocation. Reinstatement of Accreditation

is then at the discretion of the Commissioner.

(3.) If the Accreditation of a coach has been suspended for a period of time under sub-

Rule 7 - Coaches

section (e), such Accreditation cannot be reinstated until the completion of the period

of suspension, and then only if the coach has satisfied the Educational Requirements

required for Accreditation.

f. Revocation and Suspension of Accreditation; Probation.

(1.) The Accreditation of a coach may be suspended or revoked, or placed on probation

if the Commissioner finds that the coach’s conduct is an anathema to the rules,

regulations, purposes or goals of the IHSAA

(2.) If the Accreditation of a coach is revoked under sub-section (f), such Accreditation

cannot be reinstated without the coach first applying for reinstatement, and then only

after a Two (2) year period of revocation. Reinstatement of Accreditation is then at

the discretion of the Commissioner.

(3.) If the Accreditation of a coach is suspended for a period of time under sub-section

(f), such Accreditation cannot be reinstated until the completion of the period of

suspension, and then only if the coach has satisfied the Educational Requirements

required for Accreditation.

(4.) If the Accreditation of a coach is placed on probation under sub-section (f), the coach

may continue to coach and remain Accredited; however the coach must immediately

file a report with the Commissioner outlining any corrective actions taken or to be

taken by the coach. In addition the Commissioner may establish limitations and

requirements for the coach to follow during the period of probation. Accreditation

probation shall be noted on a coach’s permanent record with the IHSAA.

g. Penalties; fines.

(1.) A member School which permits a non-Accredited coach to have Athletic Contact with

a student will be subject to a penalty or fine to be determined by the Commissioner.

Any fine assessed may not exceed the amount of One Hundred dollars ($100.00)

per incident of Athletic Contact.

(2.) A non-Accredited coach who has Athletic Contact with a student will be subject to a

penalty or fine determined by the Commissioner. Any fine assessed may not exceed

the amount of One Hundred dollars ($100.00) per incident of Athletic Contact.

7-2 Coaches’ Required Attendance at rules Interpretation Meetings

For each sport in which the Association conducts a rules interpretation meeting, the head

coach for each gender shall be required to attend either in person or via an on-line meeting.

7-3 Coach May Not Coach at Two Different Schools

A coach (paid or volunteer) may not coach Two (2) teams at different Schools in the same

sport during the same sport season.

Q & A

Coaches - Generally

Q. 7-1 Who is regarded as being a coach of an IHSAA Recognized Sport at a member

School?

A. A member School coach is an individual who coaches students in grades 9-12

in any IHSAA Recognized Sport, and includes all non-teaching coaches and all

volunteer coaches. (rule 7-1)

Q. 7-2 Who may coach a member School team?

A. A coach may be a teacher [this would include someone who is regularly licensed,

regularly employed and regularly paid as such by the School out of School funds]

or may be a non-teacher. (rule 7-1.3)

Q. 7-3 May a university student teacher assist in coaching while assigned to a member

School?

A. Yes, a university student teacher may assist in coaching at a member School.

(rule 7-1.3)

Q. 7-4 May an un-paid volunteer or a non-teacher be hired to coach a member School

team?

A. Yes. An un-paid volunteer or non-teacher may coach at a member School provided

the hire is approved by the Principal.

Rule 7 - Coaches

Q. 7-5 May an individual, who is a full-time teacher, serve as a non-teaching coach in

boys and girls cross country at a neighboring member School?

A. Yes, the IHSAA rules do not restrict where a non-teaching coach is employed.

Q. 7-6 An individual who has been coaching girls’ basketball in a member School has the

coaching contract terminated for the following year and is so informed in writing

by the school officials. May this individual now coach a Non-School Team where

Three (3) of the coach’s former players are members of the Non-School Team?

A. Yes, because this individual is no longer a member School coach. However, if

the termination of coaching services is not confirmed officially in writing and/or is

merely verbal and/or an action that is anticipated, the individual is still considered

to be a member School coach and may not coach such a team. (rule 15-2.2b)

Coaching Remuneration

Q. 7-7 Can non-School funds (e.g. booster club funds) be used to pay a coach of a

School team?

A. No, under the Coaches Rule, rule 7, only a School’s funds may be used to pay

a School’s paid coaches. (rules 7-1.1, 7-1.2)

Q. 7-8 May team members present a gift to their coach?

A. Yes, so long as it is of symbolic value only. (rule 7-1.1)

Q. 7-9 An unpaid or nominally-paid coach for a team works for, is employed by or

receives money and/or benefits from a team booster, or from a company which

is controlled by a team booster, and it appears from the circumstances that some

or all of the coach’s obligations to that booster or to that booster’s company are

to provide coaching or services to that team. Is this allowed under the Coaches

Rule, rule 7?

A. No, a purpose of the Coaches Rule regarding coach remuneration (rules 7-1.1,

7-1.2), is to assure that all coaching remuneration is approved by and paid through

the School. And while the use of totally unpaid volunteer coaches is permitted,

it is contrary to the rules when boosters are able to pay, and thereby control, an

unpaid coach or a nominally-paid coach by indirectly paying that coach through

outside wages and benefits. If an unpaid or nominally-paid coach is an employee

or worker for a known booster, or the company of that booster, it will be presumed

that the coach is a recipient of remuneration in violation of rule 7-1.1 and 7-1.2,

and the coach should not coach.

Rules Interpretation Meetings

Q. 7-10 Must a head coach successfully complete the rules interpretation meeting in a

sport?

A. Yes.

Q. 7-11 What is the penalty if a head coach or a representative of the coaching staff does

not attend a mandatory rules interpretation meeting in a sport?

A. The member School will be assessed a $50 penalty for each rules interpretation

meeting in which a representative is not in attendance. (rule 7.2)

Q. 7-12 If both boys’ and girls’ teams play a sport under the same playing rules, i.e.,

basketball, may a School send only One (1) coach to the mandated rules meeting

to represent both programs or must it send both a coach of the boys team and

a coach of the girls team?

A. No, the rule requires that the rules interpretation meeting must be attended by the

head boy’s coach and the head girl’s coach. If the same individual is the head

boy’s golf coach and the head girl’s golf coach, the individual need only attend

the fall rules interpretation meeting. (rule 7-2)

Coaching Accreditation

Q. 7-13 Are coaches Accredited by the IHSAA?.

A. Yes. A coach, paid or voluntary, must be Accredited prior to coaching an IHSAA

Recognized Sport at a member School. Accreditation is achieved by a coach by

completing the specific education courses listed in section 7-1.4 and remaining

in compliance with all applicable state licensure and disciplinary statutes and all

rules, regulations, purposes and goals of the IHSAA.

Rule 7 - Coaches

Q. 7-14 Can a coach lose his or her Coaching Accreditation, or be placed on Probation?

A. Yes. Coaching Accreditation may be revoked or suspended by the IHSAA if the

coach fails to meet the on-going educational requirements described in section

7-1.4, if the coach is convicted of an offense described in Ind. Code § 20-28-5-

8 or a known comparable offense in another state, or if the coach is a licensed

teacher and it is reported to the IHSAA by the Department of Education that

the coach committed misconduct described in Ind. Code §§ 20-28-5-7(1),

20-28-5-7(2), and such misconduct led to the teacher’s license revocation or

suspension. A coach’s Coaching Accreditation may be revoked or suspended

by the IHSAA, or a coach may be placed on probation, if the coach’s conduct

is found by the IHSAA to be an anathema to the rules, regulations, purposes

and goals of the IHSAA.

Q. 7-15 What offenses are designated in Ind. Code §20-28-5-8?

A. Currently, the offenses designated in Ind. Code §20-28-5-8 include: kidnapping

(Ind. Code § 35-42-3-2), criminal confinement (Ind. Code § 35-42-3-3), rape

(Ind. Code § 35-42-4-1), criminal deviate conduct (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-2), child

molesting (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-3), child exploitation (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-4(b)),

vicarious sexual gratification (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-5), child solicitation (Ind.

Code § 35-42-4-6), child seduction (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-7), sexual misconduct

with a minor (Ind. Code § 35-42-4-9), incest (Ind. Code § 35-46-1-3), dealing in

or manufacturing cocaine or a narcotic drug (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-1), dealing in

methamphetamine (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-1.1), dealing in a schedule I, II, or III

controlled substance (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-2), dealing in a schedule IV controlled

substance (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-3), dealing in a schedule V controlled substance

(Ind. Code § 35-48-4-4), dealing in a counterfeit substance (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-

5), dealing in marijuana, hash oil, hashish, or salvia (Ind. Code § 35-48-4-10(b)),

dealing in a synthetic drug or synthetic drug lookalike substance (Ind. Code §

35-48-4-10.5, or Ind. Code § 35-48-4-10(b)), possession of child pornography (Ind.

Code § 35-42-4-4(c)), homicide (Ind. Code § 35-42-1), voluntary manslaughter

(Ind. Code § 35-42-1-3), reckless homicide (Ind. Code § 35-42-1-5), battery

[including the following: a Class A felony (for a crime committed before July 1,

2014) or a level 2 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014), a Class B

felony (for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or a level 3 felony (for a crime

committed after June 30, 2014), a Class C felony (for a crime committed before

July 1, 2014) or a level 5 felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014)],

aggravated battery (Ind. Code § 35-42-2-1.5), robbery (Ind. Code § 35-42-5-1),

carjacking (Ind. Code § 35-42-5-2), arson as a Class A felony or Class B felony

(for a crime committed before July 1, 2014) or as a level 2, level 3, or level 4

felony (for a crime committed after June 30, 2014) (Ind. Code § 35-43-1-1(a)),

burglary as a Class A felony or Class B felony (for a crime committed before July

1, 2014) or as a level 1, level 2, level 3, or level 4 felony (for a crime committed

after June 30, 2014) (Ind. Code § 35-43-2-1), attempt under Ind. Code § 35-41-5-1

to commit an offense above listed and conspiracy under Ind. Code § 35-41-5-2

to commit an offense above listed.

Q. 7-16 What misconduct is designated in Ind. Code §§ 20-28-5-7(1), 20-28-5-7(2)?

A. Currently, the misconduct designated in Ind. Code § 20-28-5-7(1) is immorality

and the misconduct designated in Ind. Code § 20-28-5-7(2) is misconduct in

office;

RULE 8 – CONDUCT, CHARACTER, DISCIPLINE

8-1 Student Conduct

Contestants’ conduct, in and out of School, shall be such as (1) not to reflect discredit upon

their School or the Association, or (2) not to create a disruptive influence on the discipline,

good order, moral or educational environment in the School.

NOTE: It is recognized that principals, by the administrative authority vested in them by

their school corporation, may exclude such contestants from representing their School.

Rule 8 - Conduct, Character, Discipline

8-2 Coaches Conduct

The member School principal is responsible for initiating appropriate disciplinary measures

against coaches for improper and unethical practices. A report of such must be forwarded to

the Executive Committee if requested by the Commissioner.

8-3 Contest Administrators and School Administrators Conduct.

With respect to a Contest Administrator who works at a Contest, or a School Administrator

attending a Contest, a member School principal is responsible for (i) reporting to the IHSAA

about any Contest Administrator hired by the School, or any School Administrator, who is

ejected from the site of the Contest, or is cited for improper or unethical actions at the Contest

site, and (ii) initiating appropriate disciplinary measures against any such Contest Administrator

or School Administrator.

8-4 Contest Ejection

a. Any student-athlete who is ejected from a Contest for an unsportsmanlike act the first

time during a sports season shall be suspended from the next interschool Contest at that

level of competition and all other interschool Contests at any level in the interim, unless

an IHSAA sport-specific rule or policy provides a different protocol or penalty for ejections.

Exception: NFHS playing rules requiring ejection from the contest but NOT deemed

Unsporting (Soccer: handball in the box, Softball: illegal bat) provides for elimination from

the remainder of the current contest.

However, additional suspension from future contests will NOT be applied. Sportsmanship

point deductions will remain consistent with IHSAA Sportsmanship Policy.

b. Any student-athlete who is ejected from a Contest for an unsportsmanlike act a second

time during a sport season shall be suspended for the next Two (2) Contests at that level

of competition and all other Contests at any level in the interim, unless an IHSAA sport-

specific rule or policy provides a different protocol or penalty for a second ejection.

c. Any coach, Contest Administrator, School Administrator or Fan who is ejected from a Contest

for an unsportsmanlike act the first time during a sports season shall be suspended from

the next Two (2) interschool Contest (Home Contests for a Fan) at that level of competition

and all other interschool Contests (Home Contests for a Fan) at any level in the interim,

unless an IHSAA sport-specific rule or policy provides a different protocol or penalty for

ejection.

d. Any coach, Contest Administrator, School Administrator or Fan who is ejected from a Contest

for an unsportsmanlike act a second time during a sport season shall be suspended for

the next Four (4) Contests (Home Contests for a Fan) at that level of competition and all

other Contests (Home Contests for a Fan) at any level in the interim, unless an IHSAA

sport-specific rule or policy provides a different protocol or penalty for a second ejection.

If any coach, Contest Administrator, School Administrator or Fan who is ejected from a

Contest a second time, the principal or his/her designee must meet with the Commissioner

or his/her designee.

e. As an additional penalty, a coach who is ejected from a Contest the first time during a

sports season must complete the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior course before

returning to coach at a competition, and a student-athlete who is ejected from a Contest

the first time during a sport season must successful complete the NFHS Sportsmanship

course before returning to competition.

f. This penalty shall be in addition to any other penalties assessed.

Q & A

Conduct - Generally

Q. 8-1 Can a member School file a protest regarding the ejection of a player for

unsportsmanlike conduct?

A. No. A decision of an Official during or related to a Contest is final and binding,

and an Official’s judgment call, an Official’s application or misapplication of a

game or playing rule and an Official’s ejection of a player may not be protested

or appealed. (rules 9-5, 16-2, 17-8.1)

Q. 8-2 During a Contest a coach becomes very disturbed with the officiating of the Contest

and refused to continue play after half-time. Is this a violation of an IHSAA rule?

Rule 8 - Conduct, Character, Discipline

A. Yes. This is a serious violation of the Contest Rule, rule 19, and should immediately

be reported to the Commissioner by the coach’s School principal. (rule 9-16)

Q. 8-3 What action should be taken by the Contest Officials when an unsporting act

occurs and a School’s player or coach is ejected? And what action should be

taken by the principal of the player’s or the coach’s School?

A. Under the Conduct Rule, rule 8, a Contest Official who ejects a player or coach

must immediately initiate an unsporting report with the IHSAA, and the principal

of the player’s or the coach’s School must promptly submit to the IHSAA an

acknowledgement to the unsporting report. The principal is also encouraged to

have the ejected player attend the Contest(s), in street clothes, and sit on the

team bench; an ejected coach on the other hand is barred from attending the

next Contest(s). (rule 8-3)

Q. 8-4 What action should a member School principal take when an unsporting act occurs

involving a Contest Administrator or a School Administrator who is ejected from

a Contest?

A. The Contest official who ejected the Contest Administrator or the School

Administrator shall immediately initiate an unsporting report with the IHSAA,

and the principal, hosting the Contest worked by the Contest Administrator, or

in the case of a School Administrator, the principal of that School Administrator,

shall thereafter promptly submit to the IHSAA a response to the unsporting

report. The reporting principal shall not permit the Contest Administrator or the

School Administrator attend the School’s next interschool Contest at that level

of competition, and all other interschool Contests at any level in the interim, and

shall enforce any other penalties assessed. (rule 8-4)

Q. 8-5 If a student in One (1) sport is ejected from a Contest for an unsporting act, is

the student suspended from the next interschool Contest(s) in just that sport or is

the student also suspended from the next interschool Contest(s) in other sports

in which the student may be participating?

A. If a student in One (1) sport is ejected from a Contest for an unsporting act, the

student would be suspended from the next interschool Contest(s) in just that sport.

So, for example, if a student, who plays soccer and kicks for the football team, is

ejected for an unsportsmanlike act in soccer, the student would be suspended

from the next Contest(s) in soccer but would not be suspended from any football

games. (rule 8-3)

Q. 8-6 What is the penalty when a student or a coach is ejected from a Contest for an

unsporting act for the second time during a sports season?

A. The IHSAA Unsporting and Ejection Policy provides that a coach or student who

is ejected a second time during a sport’s Contest Season must purchase and

complete the current edition of the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior course,

may not return to play or coach in any sport until the completion of such course

and must fully cooperate with the IHSAA for purposes of its verification that the

coach or student has completed the course. This is in addition to rule 8-4(b) and

rule 8-4(d) which requires the principal of the student or coach to suspend the

student or coach for the next Two (2) Contests if student, or Four (4) Contests

if a coach, at that level of competition and all other Contests at any level in the

interim. (rule 8-4(b), 8-4(d).

Q. 8-7 If a student is ejected during the last junior varsity Contest of the Contest Season,

but there are several Varsity Contests left in the Contest Season (and the student

is listed on the Tournament Series sectional entry list), may the student serve the

Suspension during the next remaining Varsity Contest(s), and then be eligible to

participate in the remainder of the Varsity Contest Season and in the Tournament

Series?

A. Yes, if a student is ejected from a Contest for an unsporting act, the student will

be suspended from the next Contest in that sport at that level of competition and

at any other level in the interim. However, if there are no remaining Contests at

the junior varsity level, the student may serve the Suspension in the next higher

level Contest(s) (here, the Varsity), and be eligible to participate the rest of the

Varsity Contest season and in the Tournament Series.

Rule 8 - Conduct, Character, Discipline

Q. 8-8 During the Contest Season a student is ejected a second time during the last

regular Season Contest. When should the student’s Two (2) Contest Suspension

be served?

A. The student shall immediately serve the Two (2) Contest Suspension at the

student’s first Two (2) Tournament Series Contests in that sport. If there is only

One (1) Tournament Series Contest in that sport, then the student shall serve

the second Contest Suspension at a Contest in that sport at the same level the

following School Year, or if the student is a senior, the student shall serve the

serve the second Contest Suspension at the first Contest of the next sport season

in which the student participates. (rule 8-4)

Q. 8-9 A Fan is ejected during a Contest. Is the Fan subject to any discipline?

A. Yes, if a Fan is ejected, the principals of the teams participating in the Contest, or

their designees, shall determine which of the participating Schools were principally

supported by the Fan and the principal(s) of those School(s) shall suspend the

Fan from attending the Fan’s next Two (2) Home Contests (see, definition), and if

the ejectment was the second, or more, ejection during a sport’s Contest Season,

the Fan shall be suspended from attending the next Four (4) Home Contests, and

the principal(s) of those School(s) principally supported by the Fan must meet

with the Commissioner or his/her designee. (rule 8-4)

RULE 9 – CONTESTS

These GENERAL RULES apply to all interschool Contests.

9-1 Contests Must be Sanctioned by Principal

No games, meets, or tourneys, shall be played by a member School without the sanction of

the principal.

9-2 Contests Subject to IHSAA rules and Policies

Interschool athletic Contests shall be subject to the rules of the Association.

9-3 Contests to be Under Supervision of Participating Schools’ Principals

All athletic games, meets, tourneys, and interschool athletic Contests participated in by

the member Schools belonging to the IHSAA must be held under the direct supervision,

management and auspices of the Schools concerned or under the direct supervision,

management and auspices of the IHSAA.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that a licensed physician be present or on call during

all Contests.

9-4 All Organized Athletic Contests are Considered a “Contest”

Participation of students in an organized athletic Contest during the Contest Season with or

against players not attending their School constitutes a game. An unauthorized organized

scrimmage or practice during the Contest Season by student athletes with or against teams

or players not belonging to their school is considered a game. It is not considered a game

when players are from a junior high school and its parent school.

9-5 Official’s Decisions are Final

In all Contests the decisions of the officials shall be considered final and binding.

9-6 Member Schools Limited to One Tournament Series Team; Students May Only

Represent Their Own School

Member Schools may maintain any number of teams in the same sport, but only One (1) team

may represent a School in an IHSAA Tournament Series. Students may represent:

a. only the School in which they are presently Enrolled;

b. only One (1) School in any sport during a Tournament Series; and

c. only One (1) team in an IHSAA Tournament Series.

9-7 Unsanctioned School Athletic Activities Shall Not Be Combined with IHSAA

Sanctioned Contests

High school intra-squad scrimmages and athletic Contests shall not be conducted as

preliminaries, curtain raisers or double headers to non-school sponsored athletic team sport

events.

Rule 9 - Contests

9-8 All-Boys Teams May Not Compete Against All-Girl Teams

All-boys teams and all-girls teams shall not participate against each other in an interschool

athletic Contest.

9-9 Participation in Interscholastic Competition on Single Gender Sport Teams.

The IHSAA recognizes boys baseball, boys basketball, boys cross-country, football, boys golf,

boys soccer, boys swimming, boys tennis, boys track & field and wrestling as Single Gender

Sports offered just to male students and recognizes girls basketball, girls cross-country, girls

golf, gymnastics, girls soccer, girls swimming, softball, girls tennis, girls track & field, and

volleyball as Single Gender Sports offered just to female students.

a. A student’s interscholastic participation in a School’s program in a Single Gender Sport is

limited to students whose Birth Gender matches the gender of the Single Gender Sport.

b. A student whose Birth Gender is male may not participate in a Single Gender Sport program

for female students.

c. A student whose Birth Gender is female may not participate in a Single Gender Sport

program for male students.

d. Exception:

(1.) During the Contest Season: if a School has a boys’ program in baseball,

basketball, football, soccer or wrestling, but not a comparable girls’ program

in those sports (for the purposes of this section baseball and softball are not

comparable sports), a female student may participate in the School’s boys’

program in baseball, basketball, football, soccer and wrestling.

(2.) During a Tournament Series:

(a) if a School has a boys’ program in baseball, football or wrestling, a female

student may participate in the School’s programs in those sports, and

(b) if a School has a boys program in basketball or soccer, but does not have a

girls program in those sports, a female student may participate in the School’s

boys program in those sports, but

student may not participate in any boys program in those sports, but may

only participate in the girls program in those sport during the Tournament

Series.

9-10 Gender Participation Component Waiver

Interscholastic participation on a Single Gender Athletic Team is limited to a student whose

Birth Gender matches the gender of the Single Gender Athletic Team. However, a student with

a non-conforming gender may obtain a Waiver of the gender component, and participate as a

Transgender student in interscholastic competition as a member of a Single Gender Athletic

Team, through the Waiver Process outlined in the IHSAA Gender Policy.

9-11 Simultaneous Boys and Girls Contests

Boys Contests and girls Contests may take place simultaneously or during the same session.

With prior mutual consent, team and individual scores may be combined.

9-12 Oxygen Use in Contests Restricted

No oxygen shall be administered to athletes in any Contest by mechanical medicinal means

except in genuine cardio-pulmonary emergencies by personnel qualified to administer such.

9-13 No Sunday Athletic Participation

There shall be no interschool athletic Contests, school Practices or school sponsored Camps/

Clinics held on Sunday. Calling One (1) or more team members together on Sunday for studying

scouting reports, viewing films of games, any kind of participation, etc. will be considered a

violation of this rule.

9-14 Practice Attendance Required to Participate in a Contest

a. A student-athlete must attend and actively participate for consecutive days during a

Practice Season, Contest Season or Tournament Series to be eligible for interschool

athletic competition in an Emerging or Recognized Sport.

b. If a student fails to attend and actively participate for consecutive days during a Practice

Season, Contest Seasons or Tournament Series in an Emerging or Recognized Sport,

such student shall be required to complete the following prior to participating in a Contest:

Rule 9 - Contests

(1.) attend and actively participate in all required Pre-participation Practice sessions, see

rule 50.

(2.) attend and actively participate in Two (2) school-supervised Practice sessions of

normal length, which shall occur on Two (2) separate days prior to the day of the

Contest, if the student fails to attend and actively participate in more than Seven (7)

but less than Fifteen (15) consecutive days.

(3.) attend and actively participate in Three (3) school supervised Practice sessions of

normal length, which shall occur on Three (3) separate days prior to the day of the

Contest, if the student fails to attend and actively participate in more than Fourteen

(14) consecutive days. When calculating the period of days missed, Sundays shall

not be included in the count.

c. If during a Practice Season, Contest Seasons or Tournament Series, a School is unable

to conduct Practice sessions for its students in an Emerging or Recognized Sport, and

therefore such students are unable to attend and actively participate for consecutive days,

such students shall be required to complete the following prior to participating in a Contest:

(1.) attend and actively participate in Two (2) school-supervised Practice sessions of

normal length, which shall occur on Two (2) separate days prior to the day of the

Contest, if the students fail to attend and actively participate in more than Seven (7)

but less than Fifteen (15) consecutive days; or

(2.) attend and actively participate in Three (3) school-supervised Practice sessions of

normal length, which shall occur on Three (3) separate days prior to the day of the

Contest, if the students fail to attend and actively participate in more than Fourteen

(14) consecutive days.

When calculating the period of days of missed, Sundays shall not be included in the

count.

INTERPRETATION:

Consecutive Days Missed No. of Practices Required

8 to 14 2

More than 14 3

9-15 Limitation on Competing Against Non-IHSAA Member School

No games in Association recognized sports shall be played with high schools of this state or any

other state that have been suspended from Membership in the state association or suspended

from participation in that sport. This rule does not prevent a member of the Association from

playing high schools outside of the state, nor from playing non-high school teams and non-

member high school teams within the state, provided the following is understood:

a. their liability insurance may not cover such Contests;

b. the IHSAA cannot and will not sanction such games, nor will they be responsible for crowd

control or any damages, liabilities or injuries growing out of or in any way connected with

such events;

c. that any such games shall be included in the maximum number of Contests limitation

permitted by the IHSAA;

d. points scored, etc. shall not be kept as part of the official records of the IHSAA; and

e. there shall be no forfeiture fee if all contracts become null and void.

9-16 Withdrawal from Contests Prohibited

a. After the execution of an IHSAA Contract for Athletic Contest, the competing Schools

must honor the terms of such Contract, must fully participate in the Contest, and except

as provided in the Exception below, may not withdraw from the Contest.

b. Exception: A School which is a party to an IHSAA Contract for Athletic Contest may

withdraw from the Contest if:

(1.) the withdrawing School withdraws because of a situation which is beyond the control

of the withdrawing School

Rule 9 - Contests

(2.) the withdrawing School withdraws with the consent of all Schools to the IHSAA

Contract for Athletic Contest; or

(3.) the other School to the Contract for Athletic Contest is found by the IHSAA to have

violated rule 20 or has become a direct or indirect beneficiary of a rule 20 violation.

c. A School which withdraws from a Contest in violation of this section may jeopardize its

standing in the Association.

9-16.1 Withdrawal from Contests Because of Officials’ Conduct Prohibited

Removal of a School athletic team from an athletic Contest due to dissatisfaction with the

game officials will jeopardize the standing of the School in the Association.

9-17 Teams May Not Include Students Below Ninth Grade

Member Schools may not use students below the ninth grade on their athletic teams in

interschool Contests.

9-18 Use of Audio-Visual Equipment in Contests

a. Use of Audio Visual Equipment and Recordings During Contest.

The use of audio-visual equipment for coaching purposes during athletic Contests in

any sports which are under the jurisdiction of the IHSAA shall be in accordance with the

National Federation playing rules for that sport, or in accordance with any other playing

rule adopted by the IHSAA for playing that sport.

b. Use of Audio-Visual Equipment, Recordings, Films, Telecasts and Video Tape.

Using audio-visual equipment, recording, filming, telecasting or videotaping for scouting

purposes of any Season Contest by any party other than the Two (2) Schools participating

in the contest is prohibited.

Q & A

Contests - Generally

Q. 9-1 Does the IHSAA have a rule prohibiting the scheduling of Practices and interschool

games on holidays?

A. No, member School policies dictate scheduling procedures.

Senior Students on Sub-Varsity Teams

Q. 9-2 Is there an IHSAA rule prohibiting a senior from being on a junior varsity team?

A. No, the selection of a student for a team is a matter for each School to decide.

Participation Against Teams of Non-Members

Q. 9-3 Can a member School participate in a Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport

against a team which contains students below grade 9?

A. Yes. While a Contest in which a member School and its students participate is

subject to all playing rule, including the Contest Rule which prohibits a member

School from having below-ninth grade students on the School’s teams (rule 9-17),

that Contest Rule does not apply to non-member Schools. And while the Contest

Rule (rule 9-2) makes all Contests subject to the IHSAA rules, such rule reference

is to the playing rules and does not make the eligibility rules of the IHSAA, such

as rules relating to competitor’s age or enrollment in the School, applicable to a

non-member School participating in a Contest with a member School. Therefore,

a non-member School can field players who are pre-high school.

Q. 9-4 Can a member School participate in a Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport with

an Indiana based team or a School which is not a member of the IHSAA?

A. Yes, provided the non-member School has not been expelled or suspended from

membership in the IHSAA, and provided the School has not been suspended from

participation in the IHSAA Recognized Sport by the IHSAA. (rules 9-15)

Q. 9-5 Can a member School participate in a single Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport

with an out-of-state team or School?

A. Yes, provided the out-of-state School is currently a member of its local state high

school athletic association, the out-of-state School has not been expelled or

suspended from such membership, provided the out-of-state School has not been

suspended from participation in the sport by its state high school athletic association,

and provided the address of the out-of-state school and the location of the site of the

Contest are not greater than Six Hundred (600) miles, round trip, from the Indiana

state line. (rules 9-15, 10-1, 10-1.1).

Rule 9 - Contests

Mixed Gender Participation and Teams

Q. 9-6 Can a member School use a mixed (boys and girls) team in the IHSAA Tournament

Series when a separate Tournament Series is offered for males and females in that

sport?

A. In Individual Sports, a student with the Birth Gender of female cannot play on the

boys’ team in the IHSAA Tournament Series in that sport, and a student with the

Birth Gender of male cannot play on the girls’ team in the IHSAA Tournament Series

in that sport. In Team Sports, a student with the Birth Gender of female cannot

play on a boys’ team, however, if there is no girls’ team in that Team Sport at that

School, the student with the Birth Gender of female can play on the boys’ team in

that sport in the IHSAA Tournament Series; conversely, in Team Sports a student

with the Birth Gender of male can never play on a girls’ team. The foregoing may

be different if the student obtains a waiver under the IHSAA Gender Policy. (rule

9-10)

Q. 9-7 If a student with the Birth Gender of female participates on a boys’ team in baseball,

football or wrestling during the Contest Season, may that student also participate

in the boys’ team during the IHSAA Tournament Series in that sport?

A. Yes. If a student with the Birth Gender of female wants to participate on the boys’

team in baseball, football or wrestling, that student may participate on the boys’

team during the Contest Season and during IHSAA Tournament Series in those

sports. (rule 9-10)

Q. 9-8 A member School sponsors both a boys’ golf team and a girls’ golf team. Can a

student with the Birth Gender of female try out for the boys’ team rather than play

on the girls’ team?

A. No, whenever a School offers both a boys’ interschool program and a girls’ interschool

program in a sport, a student with the Birth Gender of female is required to participate

only on the team designed for girls. (rule 9-10) The foregoing may be different if

the student obtains a waiver under the IHSAA Gender Policy.

Q. 9-9 A School has a girls’ soccer team but cannot find competition against other girls’

soccer teams within a reasonable travel distance. May the girls’ soccer team play

Contests against boys’ soccer teams from other Schools?

A. No, girls’ teams and boys’ teams may not compete against each other. (rule 9-8)

Q. 9-10 Can a student with the Birth Gender of male play on a team designed for girls?

A. No. Other than through a waiver under the IHSAA Gender Policy, a student with

the Birth Gender of male is not be eligible for participation as an individual or team

member in any Season Contest or in the in any IHSAA Tournament Series designed

for girls. (rule 9-9)

Sunday Participation

Q. 9-11 Can Schools hold or sanction Contests, Practices or Camps/Clinics on Sunday?

A. No, all Member Schools and all Member School students are prohibited from

participation in Contests, Practices, Clinics/Clinics or team get-together on Sunday.

(rule 9-13)

Q. 9-12 Can a member of a Member School Coaching Staff in a sport give lessons on

Sunday during the authorized Practice Season or during the Contest Season, to a

student who is on a School team in that sport?

A. No, a member of a Member School Coaching Staff in a sport may not give lessons

to any member of the School team on Sunday. For example, a tennis coach on

the School’s coaching staff, who also provides individual or group tennis lessons

at the local tennis facility, may not give lessons on Sunday to any member of the

tennis team during the authorized Practice Season or during the authorized Contest

Season. (rule 9-13)

Q. 9-13 May a member of a Member School Coaching Staff have contact with a team

member on Sunday, during the authorized Practice Season or Contest Season?

A. Yes, students and coaches may have contact on Sunday, BUT the contact may in

no way relate to coaching activities or related to athletic participation. (rule 9-13)

Q. 9-14 May a member of a School team in an Individual Sport, during the authorized Practice

Season or Contest Season, participate in a School Practice on Sunday?

A. No, it is a violation of the Sunday Rule, rule 9-13, for a student athlete to participate

in a School Practice during the authorized Practice Season or Contest Season on

Sunday, and therefore attendance at a Practice by a member of a Member School

Coaching Staff is prohibited. For example, if several swimmers on a School team,

who also belonged to a Non-School club, decided to swim on Sunday at a club

practice to prepare for the upcoming Tournament Series swim meet, this practice

would not violate the Sunday Rule, provided no member of the Member School

Coaching Staff called or even encouraged this practice, and of course, no member

of the Member School Coaching Staff may be present during this practice. (rule

9-13)

Season Contests

Q. 9-15 Whose approval is needed to play a Contest?

A. The principal, or his/her designee, of a School must approve all Contests. No

Contest shall be played by a member School without a signed IHSAA Contract for

Athletic Contests. (rule 9-1)

Q. 9-16 Does the IHSAA stipulate any price for tickets other than for IHSAA Tournament

Series?

A. No, other than a recommendation that reasonable ticket prices be charged.

Q. 9-17 Does the omission of an admission charge make any difference as to the designation

of a Contest as a game?

A. No, games are Contests with or without admission charges.

Q. 9-18 A local service club in a community is interested in sponsoring an invitational

basketball tournament involving other member Schools. May they sponsor this

event?

A. No, a member School may enlist the help of local service organizations to assist with

an event, but unless the IHSAA has granted an exception, all athletic Contests and

tournaments in which member Schools participate must be under the sponsorship

and the jurisdiction of a member School or the IHSAA. (rules 9-1, 9-2, 9-3)

Q. 9-19 Can a member School team play in a Contest sponsored by some non-school

group?

A. No, all athletic Contests must be held under the direct supervision of a member

School, held under the direct supervision of a non-member School or held under

the direct supervision of the IHSAA. (rule 9-3, 9-15)

Intra-School Practice

Q. 9-20 Can a member a School’s freshmen or reserve team Practice with an athletic team

of a junior high school whose students automatically matriculate to the School?

A. Yes, provided the team is from a school which meets the definition of Feeder School.

(rule 9-4, See Definition of “Feeder School”)

Playing rules

Q. 9-21 Can Two (2) teams decide to set aside National Federation playing rules during a

Season Contest?

A. No. All Season Contests and all Tournament Series Contests must be conducted

under the National Federation rules, or in golf, under the USGA rules, unless the

IHSAA has modified the rules, in which event the rules, as modified by the IHSAA,

control. (rules 1-5, 51-63)

Scrimmages and Jamborees

Q. 9-22 Is a Controlled Scrimmage considered to be a Practice or an Season Contest?

A. A Controlled Scrimmage is a special interscholastic practice whereby Two (2)

member Schools work out against one another under IHSAA guidelines and under

the direct supervision of their respective coaches. A Controlled Scrimmage does

count as a Practice toward meeting the minimum number of Practices required to

play in a Season Contest, but does not count as a Season Contest. (rules 50-6;

See, Definitions).

Q. 9-23 How many separate days of Practices must a student have prior to his/her

participation in a Jamboree?

Rule 9 - Contests

A. Prior to the day of the Jamboree a student must have participated in Five (5)

separate days of Practice (in football it must be Five (5) days of unrestricted full

contact Practice). (rules 50-7)

Appeal of Contest Decision

Q. 9-24 Is there an appeal of an Official’s decision after a Contest?

A. No, in all Contests the decision of an Official is final, binding and not subject to a

waiver or an appeal. (rules 9-5, 16-2, 17-8.1)

Unsanctioned Activities

Q. 9-25 Can a School’s team play in a Controlled Scrimmage or in a Contest as a preliminary

to a Non-School event (e.g., a college contest, a professional contest, etc.?

A. No. (rule 9-7)

Filming and Use of Films

Q. 9-26 May films, pictures or videotapes be used for coaching purposes during a Contest?

A. Yes, mechanical visual aid equipment may be used by team members and by

coaches for coaching purposes during, but only in accordance the sport’s playing

rules. (rule 9-18)

Q. 9-27 May a person film or videotape, for scouting purposes, athletic teams in a Contest

in which the person’s School is not playing?

A. No, filming or videotaping for scouting purposes of any Contest by any person who

is not an official representative of One (1) of the participating Schools is prohibited.

(rules 9-18)

Q. 9-28 May a parent film or videotape an athletic Contest in which the parent’s child is

involved?

A. Yes, filming or photographing by a parent of a Contest is permitted, under the IHSAA

Photography Policy. It is only when the filming or photography is being done for

scouting purposes will there be a violation of the Contest Rule. (rule 9-18.3)

Use of Oxygen

Q. 9-29 May oxygen be used by athletes in any Contest?

A. No oxygen shall be administered to athletes in any Contest except in genuine

emergencies by persons qualified to administer such oxygen. (rule 9-12)

School Strike Situations

Q. 9-30 May a student attending a School, which is subject to a labor strike, attend a Practice

with a team from a School which is not subject to a labor strike?

A. No, and if a student attends a Practice with a student attending another School

during the Contest Season, that attendance is considered a Contest. (rule 9-14).

Q. 9-31 May a School that is on strike host an interschool athletic Contest?

A. Yes, while the athletic Contests must be conducted under the IHSAA rules, the

authority to schedule an athletic Contest, or an athletic practice, rests with the

member School. (rules 9-1, 9-2)

Mixed School Teams

Q. 9-32 May Two (2) or more member Schools combine to form One (1) athletic team?

A. No, this is not permitted, unless the Schools legally consolidate and becomes a

single School. (rule 12-4)

Practice

Q. 9-33 If a student gets injured after the initial Three (3) days of pre-season Practice, and

then misses eight (8) consecutive days, how many days of Practice must a student

participate in before the student is eligible to participate in a Contest?

A. When a student misses Eight (8) to Fourteen (14) consecutive days, the student

must actively participate in Four (4) days of practice to be eligible for participation

in a Contest, however in this instance, where the student failed to complete the

original pre-season Practice requirement of Eight (8) separate days, the student

has to participate in an addition One (1) day of Practice, for a total of Five (5) days

of Practice, to also satisfy the pre-season Practice requirement. (rule 9-14)

Q. 9-34 Can a varsity girls basketball player, who must complete Four (4) days of Practices

because she missed too many consecutive days, as required by rule 9-14, complete

Rule 9 - Contests

these Practices by joining a girls JV basketball team Practice or a boys freshman

basketball team practice?

A. Yes, each required rule 9-14 Practice must be in the student athlete’s sport and be

conducted on a separate day, but can be conducted by any Accredited coach in

the student’s sport.

Q. 9-35 Can a football Practice session required by rule 9-14 be a virtual Practice session

or a special film-review session offered just for the football players who missed too

many Practices and Contests?

A. No, while a school can arrange to have special Practice sessions of normal length for

any student or students who need to complete a number of Practices because of rule

9-14, the Practice sessions must be of normal length and the students must actively

participate in them. The reason for this Rule is to help students get re-acclimated

to the physical participation aspect of the sport through in-person participation, and

while virtual Practice session are more common now and film review sessions are

a component of some regular Practices, they are both unacceptable for purposes

of the re-acclimation Practices required under rule 9-14.

Q. 9-36 Can a make-up Practice session required by rule 9-14 be a special Practice session

offered just for the athlete or the athletes who missed too many consecutive days?

A. Yes, a school can arrange to have special Practice sessions of normal length for

any student or students who need to make up a number of practices because of

rule 9-14.

Q. 9-37 Do Practices attended by a student at a Sending School count with respect to the

student satisfying the Practice requirements for sports participation at the Receiving

School?

A. Yes, Practices a student attended at a Sending School will satisfy the practice

requirements at the Receiving School, provided the Sending School principal

maintains records of those Practices the student attended at the Sending School

and can provide such records, on request, by the Receiving School or the IHSAA.

Withdraw from Contests

Q. 9-38 Can School A withdraw from a basketball Season Contest without penalty after

School B, the opponent, was found to have violated the Undue Influence Rule, rule

20, with respect to a football player?

A. No. Rule 9-16(b)(3) permits a School to withdraw from a Season Contest without

penalty when the opposing School is found to have violated the Undue Influence

Rule, rule 20, but applies only to Season Contests in the sport of the involved

student. Here, School A can only withdraw without penalty from a football Season

Contest, not a basketball Contest.

Q. 9-39 On December 10, 2019, School A was found to have violated the Undue Influence

Rule, rule 20, with respect to a basketball player. Can School B withdraw without

penalty from a basketball Season Contest with School A which was scheduled to

be played on January 15, 2021?

A. No. The right to withdraw from a Contest without a penalty provided by Rule 9-16(b)

(3) is good for a period of One (1) year (Three Hundred Sixty-Five (365) days)

following the date a School is found to have violated the Undue Influence Rule, rule

20, and therefore the last date that School B can withdraw without penalty from a

basketball Season Contest with School A is December 10, 2020.

Rule 9 - Contests

RULE 10 – INTERSTATE CONTESTS AND PRACTICES REQUIRING SPECIAL

ATTENTION

10-1 Contest Limitations

10-1.1 Out-of-State Contest Limitations

Member Schools may only participate in an out-of-state Contest if:

a. the site or venue of a Contest is within (300) miles from the Indiana State line;

b. the Contest is against a school that is a member of a state athletic association; and

c. the event is sanctioned as needed by the IHSAA through the NFHS sanctioning process

(rules 10-1.3 and 10-1.4).

10-1.2 In-State Contest Limitations

Out-of-state schools who participate against an IHSAA Member School in a Contest in Indiana:

a. must be a member of their state’s athletic association;

b. must be in “good-standing” with their state’s athletic association; and

c. may only participate in an event which is sanctioned, as needed, by the IHSAA through

the NFHS sanctioning process (rule 10-1.3 and 10-1.4).

10-1.3 Contests Not Requiring Sanctioning

Sanctioning is not required for interstate competition when only Two (2) Schools are involved

and both are members of good standing in their state associations.

10-1.4 Contests Requiring Sanctioning

a. Sanctioning is required by the IHSAA and the National Federation when:

(1.) an interstate or international event is scheduled, involves Two (2) or more Schools,

and is cosponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the School

community (e.g. a college/university, a theme park, a service organization [Kiwanis,

Optimists] or an athletic show/apparel company);

(2.) an interstate events involves School(s) from non-bordering states in which Five (5)

or more states are involved or involves more than Eight (8) Schools;

(3.) an international event involves Two (2) or more schools and a team(s) from a foreign

country. When such an international event occurs, the host school should complete an

International Sanction Application. Such an international event includes an event that

involves international traveling teams that play in multiple games in multiple states.

Note: an exception to this rule is for teams/schools from Canada and Mexico, since,

for purpose of this rule only, Canada and Mexico are considered “bordering states”

of every U.S. state.

10-1.5 National High School Championships

IHSAA and National Federation do not sanction participation in interstate meets, tournaments

or other Contests to qualify and/or determine a national high school championship. IHSAA

will not sanction any baseball, basketball, soccer, softball or volleyball tournament involving

more than Sixteen (16) schools.

10-2 Sanctioning of International Contests

International competition requires sanctioning by IHSAA and National Federation. Application

forms are available from IHSAA and must be submitted by host School at least Sixty (60)

days prior to the Contest.

10-3 Student Participation as School Representative in Non-IHSAA Sanctioned State

Competitions Prohibited

Students shall not represent their School as a team member or individual in state tourneys or

state meets in IHSAA recognized sport/s which are not under the auspices of IHSAA.

10-4 Mileage Limitation on Team Practices

Team practices out-of-state shall not exceed Three-hundred (300) miles round trip from the

Indiana state line.

Q & A

Team Travel - Generally

Q. 10-1 Can a Member School participate in a single Contest, in Indiana, with a School

from another state?

A. Yes, under the Interstate Contest/Practice Rule a member School can participate

in a single Contest with a School from another state, provided the out-of-state

School is currently a member of the local state high school athletic association, the

out-of-state School has not been expelled or suspended from such membership,

Rule 10 - Interstate Contests and Practices

the out-of-state School has not been suspended from participation in the sport

by the local state high school athletic association and provided further that the

location of the site of the Contest are not greater than Six Hundred (600) miles,

round trip, from the Indiana state line. (rules 9-15, 10-1, 10-1.2).

Q. 10-2 May a Member School play in a basketball, baseball, soccer, softball or volleyball

tournament in Kansas?

A. No, the Contest in Kansas is more than Six -hundred (600) miles round trip from

the Indiana state line. (rules 10-1, 10-1.1)

Q. 10-3 What is the maximum distance a member School team can travel to attend an

out-of-state Contest?

A. A Member School team can travel a maximum of Six Hundred (600) miles round

trip from the Indiana state line to the site of the out-of-state Contest. In addition,

in order for a Member School to participate in such an out-of-state Contest

under the Interstate Contest/Practice Rule, rule 10, the Contest must be against

a school that is a member of a state athletic association; and the event must be

sanctioned as needed by the IHSAA through the NFHS sanctioning process.

(rule 10-1, 10-1.1, 10-1.3, 10-1.4)

Q. 10-4 Is it necessary that a football game between a Member School and an out-of-state

School be Sanctioned by the National Federation and the IHSAA?

A. No. Under the Interstate Contest/Practice Rule, rule 10, Sanctioning is not

necessary for a single Contest with an out-of-state School (rule 10-1.3)

Out-of-State Contest

Q. 10-5 Can an Member School play in a basketball, baseball, soccer, softball or volleyball

Tournament involving Seventeen (17) or more other schools from states all

bordering Indiana?

A. No, sanctioning is not available for a Tournament in the sport of basketball,

baseball, soccer, softball or volleyball which involves more than Sixteen (16)

Schools. (rule 10-1.3)

Out-of-State Practice

Q. 10-6 Can a football team hold a Practice in an out-of-state facility?

A. Yes, provided that it is not a pre-season football Practice, which must be held

at the regular practice/playing football facility of the member School, and also

provided that the location of the out-of-state facility is a maximum of Six Hundred

(600) miles round trip from the Indiana state line. (rules 10-4, 54-5)

Q. 10-7 Is it a violation of the Interstate Contest/Practice Rule, rule 10, for a student to

attend a Practice or workout which has been called by, planned by or authorized

by a School’s coach, paid or volunteer, and which is conducted at a location which

is more than Six Hundred (600) miles round trip from the Indiana state line, but

which is executed by or conducted by parents and/or volunteers?

A. Yes, that would violate both the letter of and the spirit of the Interstate Contest/

Practice Rule. (rule 10-4)

Q. 10-8 Is it a rule violation for a member of a School’s athletic staff to attend an activity,

considered to be a practice or workout, which is executed by or conducted by a

parent(s) and/or a volunteer(s), and held at a facility that outside the permitted

range of rule 10-4.

A. Yes. Again, this is a clear violation of the spirit if the Interstate Contest/Practice

Rule. (rule 10-4)

Sanctioning

Q. 10-9 Do all international events have to be Sanctioned?

A. Yes, (rule 10-1.4(a)(1)).

Q. 10-10 Do international events have to pay a Sanction application processing fee?

A. Yes.

Q. 10-11 What if every high school in the United States is invited to participate in the

Universal Runners Invitational?

A. The event sponsor would have to provide to the NFHS the list of invited schools

with the initial sanction application and a final list of attendees to the NFHS twenty

(20) days prior to the date of the event or be subject to the late NFHS processing

fee charge.

Rule 10 - Interstate Contests and Practices

Q. 10-12 What is an event sponsor/manager?

A. An event sponsor/manager is a person, company, club, or school (either a high

school or college/university) who is intending to conduct an athletic event in a

particular state.

Q. 10-13 How does an event sponsor begin applying for conducting an event?

A. They must first register online at www.nfhs.org, click on “Resources” on the top

Navigation bar, click on “Sanctioning” in the drop down menu, and fill out the

NFHS online event manager application.

Q. 10-14 What is the “host school” and its role?

A. The host school is the local member high school that assumes oversight

responsibility for the event and it is expected that the host school’s principal

monitors the event by being either present onsite during the event, or by the

designee.

Q. 10-15 What is the “Final List” of invited schools?

A. Once sanctioning applications are received and approved initially by the host

state association, the event manager/sponsor should upload a list of invited

schools with the school name, address and state. It is the responsibility of the

event manager/sponsor to forward a “final list” of invited schools twenty (20) days

prior to the event in case of any changes to the original list of invited schools.

Q. 10-16 Can a host school be responsible for an event outside of that state (e.g. Indiana

high school signing off as the host school for a Kentucky event)?

A. No, the host school shall be in the same state of the contest in the event something

occurs, which would permit the principal or his/her designee to quickly assess

and report the details of the situation.

Q. 10-17 When is the list of invited schools due to the NFHS?

A. The initial list is due at the time of applying for sanctioning. The final list of invited

schools is due twenty (20) days prior to the event date. If the final list of schools

is not submitted then a $100 penalty is assessed. The manager/sponsor will be

automatically emailed a reminder notice regarding the final list 25 days prior to

the event start date? If the final list of invited schools is not received then the

event loses sanctioning approval.

RULE 11– CONTRACTS

11-1 Use of IHSAA Contest Contract Required

The IHSAA Contract for Athletic Contests must be used for all interschool athletic Contests

and must be signed by the principals of the Schools involved. See the IHSAA Contract for

Athletic Contests form for further stipulation.

11-2 Use of IHSAA Contest Officials Contract Required

Contract For Contest Official forms must be completed and properly signed for specific dates

by the principal and official involved. See the IHSAA Contract for Athletic Contests form for

further stipulations.

Q & A

Contracts - Generally

Q. 11-1 What happens to the Schools scheduled to participate in, and to the Officials

scheduled to officiate at, a Season Contest when the IHSAA Membership of one

of the Schools scheduled to participate is Suspended or terminated?

A. When the IHSAA Membership of one of the Schools scheduled to participate in

a Season Contest is Suspended or terminated, the terms of the standard IHSAA

Member School Athletic Contest Contract (the agreement all Schools must use

for Season Contests) permits the other School to terminate the Contract and

also allows the other School to claim a termination fee from the School losing its

Membership. Also, under the terms of the standard Officiating Contract for Athletic

Contests (the officiating agreement which must be used for Season Contests),

the obligation to the Official of the School sponsoring a Season Contest ends if

the Season Contest is cancelled under these circumstances.

Q. 11-2 Can a member School cancel the standard IHSAA Member School Athletic

Rule 10 - Interstate Contests and Practices

Contest Contract (the agreement all Schools must use for Season Contests) or

the standard Officiating Contract for Athletic Contests (the agreement which must

be used for Season Contests) without paying a termination fee?

A. Yes. The IHSAA Member School Athletic Contest Contract states that a School

cancelling a Season Contest with another School need not pay a termination

fee if the cancellation is because of circumstances outside the School’s control

or if the two School agree that a termination fee is not needed; otherwise there

is a termination fee and the cancelling School’s standing in the IHSAA may be

in jeopardy. (rule 9-16) Under the terms of the Officiating Contract for Athletic

Contests form, there is no provision which obligates a School which cancels a

Contract with an Official to pay a termination fee.

Q. 11-3 Can an Official cancel the standard Officiating Contract for Athletic Contests (the

agreement which must be used for Season Contests) without penalty?

A. Yes. An Official can cancel the Officiating Contract for Athletic Contests without

a penalty if the School hiring the Official and the Official agree that no termination

fee is needed, however, under the terms of the Officiating Contract for Athletic

Contests, an Official who fails to substantially fulfill Official’s obligations under the

Contract (such as by cancelling the Official’s appearance at a Contest), shall pay

a penalty to the School hiring the Official an amount equal to the pay the Official

would have earned under the Officiating Contract, not later than Ten (10) days

after the date of the Contest.

RULE 12 – ENROLLMENT

PHILOSOPHY

The following are the goals of the IHSAA for the enrollment rule.

a. The enrollment rule provides uniform standards for all Schools to follow in maintaining

a fundamentally fair and equitable framework for athletic competition in an educational

setting.

b. The enrollment rule supports the educational philosophy that athletics is a privilege which

must not be permitted to assume a dominant position in a School’s program.

c. The enrollment rule keeps the focus of educators and student on the fact that students

attend School to receive an education first, and participate in athletics second.

d. The enrollment rule promotes and encourages students to progress through high school

toward graduation and a diploma.

e. The enrollment rule discourages the practice of red-shirting.

f. The enrollment rule discourages any and all decisions which subordinate academic

decisions to athletic decisions.

g. The enrollment rule creates interschool athletic opportunities for younger students.

h. The enrollment rule promotes competitive equality among member Schools.

i. The enrollment rule promotes the health and safety of student athletes.

12-1 Eligibility at School of Enrollment; Attendance During First 15 Days

a. A student is eligible to participate in an athletic program involving IHSAA recognized sports

only at the student’s School of Enrollment, or at the Public School Serving the Student’s

Residence, provided the student meets the requirements of rules 12-4, 12-5 or 12-6.

b. In order to be eligible for athletic competition during any semester, a student must have

Enrolled in some high school and have attended full credit classes within the first Fifteen

(15) school days of the semester in which the Contest occurs.

12-2 Participation Limited to Eight Consecutive Semesters or Four Consecutive Years

After Enrollment in the 9th grade, and the passage of Fifteen (15) or more school days, students

shall be eligible for no more than Four (4) consecutive years, or the equivalent. (e.g. Twelve

(12) semesters in a Trimester plan, etc.)

12-3 Exception for Illness or Injury

After Enrollment in the 9th grade, if a student is injured or contracts an illness which necessitates

the student’s complete withdrawal from the School or prohibits enrollment in the School for

that semester, and the student does not receive any academic credit for that semester, then

Rule 12 - Enrollment

the semester shall not count as One (1) of the consecutive semesters of enrollment.

a. The terms illness and injury do not include those which are caused in whole or part by

chemical dependency or use, such as the illegal consumption of drugs or alcohol.

b. If the withdrawal should occur after the student has, during the semester, participated in

Twenty percent (20%) or more of the interschool Contests in a sport, then the semester shall

be counted as a semester of enrollment in all sports falling in that semester’s sports seasons.

This percentage shall be determined by dividing the total number of interschool Contests

in which the student participated, during the semester by the total number of interschool

Contests in which the School team participated during the semester (participation by

student during semester/total number of interschool Contests during the semester).

c. If the student participates in more than One (1) level of play, e.g., Varsity, junior-varsity,

freshman, then the participation percentage shall be arrived at by dividing the total number

of interschool Contests in which the student participated during the semester by the total

number of interschool Contests in which the School participated in the level of play in which

the student primarily participated plus the number of interschool Contests in which the

student participated outside the student’s primary participation level (number of Contests

student participated/ [total number of School Contests in primary level of play plus number

of student Contests outside primary level].)

d. A student may participate in a sport for a maximum of Four (4) full seasons.

e. All withdrawals must immediately be reported to the Association prior to the withdrawal

(except in emergency situations), and supported by written verification from a treating

physician, with an unlimited license to practice medicine, and the student’s principal or the

principal’s designee. These verifications must specify the circumstances which warrant the

student’s withdrawal, and the student’s inability to obtain academic credit for the semester.

f. Any student and parent wishing to be considered under this exception must consent to an

independent medical examination of the student, if required, by a physician selected by

the Association.

12-4 Enrollment in an Innovative School or an Innovation Network School

a. If a student is Enrolled in and attends, Full-time, an Innovative School, the student may

have eligibility to participate in the athletic program at the Indiana Public School serving

the student’s residence, provided that:

(1.) Prior to participation, the Public School serving the student’s residence accepts the

student in its athletic program;

(2.) the student in conjunction with the Innovative School and the Public School serving

the student’s residence, provide proof to the IHSAA that the spirit of the eligibility rules

will not be compromised; and

(3.) The student adheres to all IHSAA standards for eligibility at the Innovative School,

including, but not limited to, academic standards, behavioral expectations and

attendance requirements.

b. If a student is Enrolled in and attends, Full-time, an Innovation Network School, as defined

by Indiana Code 20-25.7-5, the student may have eligibility to participate in the athletic

program at a second Innovation Network School serving the student’s residence, provided

that:

(1.) prior to participation, the second Innovation Network School accepts the student in

its athletic programs;

(2.) the first Innovation Network School does not sponsor any athletic programs involving

any IHSAA Recognized Sports, whatsoever;

(3.) the student, in conjunction with the Innovation Network Schools, provide proof to the

IHSAA that the spirit of the eligibility rules will not be compromised; and

(4.) the student adheres to all IHSAA standards for eligibility at the Innovation Network

Schools, including, but not limited to, academic standards, behavioral expectations

and attendance requirements.

12-5 Enrollment in a Non-Public, Non-Accredited School

If a student is Enrolled in and attends, Full-time, a non-public, non-accredited school the

student may have eligibility to participate in the athletic program at the Indiana Public School

Rule 12 - Enrollment

serving the student’s residence, provided that:

(1.) the student in conjunction with the non-public, non-accredited school and the Public

School serving the student’s residence, provides proof to the IHSAA that the spirit of

the eligibility rules will not be compromised; and

(2.) the student has been Enrolled in the non-public, non-accredited school for the previous

Three (3) years in succession; and

(3.) the student completes any state-wide examinations authorized by the Indiana

Department of Education; and

(4.) the non-public, non-accredited school agent provides proof of meeting the provisions of

rule 18-1 of the IHSAA by-laws during the time period between the end of the member

School’s designated Grading Period and the corresponding certification date; and

(5.) the student must be Enrolled in and attending a minimum of One (1) full credit subject

offered within the member School building.

12-6 - Enrollment in a Virtual Education School

If a student attends a Virtual Education School, the student may have eligibility to participate

in the athletic program at the Public School Serving the Student’s Residence, provided that:

a. the student is accepted into the athletic program of the Public School Serving the Student’s

Residence,

b. the Virtual Education School and the student provide evidence to the Public School Serving

the Student’s Residence that:

(1) the student ﬁ rst began high school as a freshman at the Virtual Education School as

a freshman, or the student has already attended the Virtual Education School for at

least One (1) full semester, trimester, or the equivalent, and during that semester,

trimester, or the equivalent, the student was Enrolled in, and successfully passed, the

necessary number of courses at the Virtual Education School, under the requirements

of rule 18-1,

(2.) the student is currently Enrolled Full-time at the Virtual Education School and is

taking the necessary number of courses at the Virtual Education School, under the

requirements of rule 18-1,

(3.) during the time period between the end of the Virtual Public School’s designated

Grading Period(s) and the Eligibility Certiﬁ cation Date(s) of the Public School Serv-

ing the Student’s Residence, the student passed the minimum number of full credit

courses required under rule 18-1,

(4.) the student regularly attends the courses.

c. The student is Enrolled at and is attending a minimum of One (1) full credit subject offered

within the Public School Serving the Student’s Residence.

Q & A

Attendance - Generally

Q. 12-1 If a student misses School for a few weeks in order to work, is the student

athletically eligible during this time and when the student returns?

A. Class attendance is an issue for the member School. If a student is Enrolled

and taking sufficient courses, and meeting the requirements of the Contest

Rule, rule 9-14, the student may be eligible.

Q. 12-2 When is a student, who intends to Enroll at a School for her freshman year,

eligible to participate in a Contest?

A. An incoming freshman is eligible to participate in a Contest as a member of

the sports team of a School only after enrolling at the School (rule 12-1), after

satisfying the requirements of the Contest Rule (rules 9-14) and the Practice

Attendance Rule, (rules 50-1) and after meeting all other IHSAA eligibility rules.

School of Enrollment

Q. 12-3 Because of a lack of qualified coaches, a member School is forced to drop

gymnastics from its athletic program. May a member of the gymnastics team

practice with and compete in gymnastics for a neighboring member School?

Rule 12 - Enrollment

A. While a student may only represent and compete with the School at which the

student is Enrolled (rule 12-1), a student may Practice with another member

School’s team when the student satisfies the Non-School Practice section of

the Participation Rule. (rule 15-1.1(d))

Q. 12-4 Can a student who is “Home Schooled” and being taught by his/her parents

be eligible for athletics at a member School?

A. Yes, under the Non-Accredited School Rule, rule 12-5, a student who attends

a non-public, non-accredited School, which generally includes Home Schools,

may be eligible to participate in the athletic program at the Indiana Public

School Serving the Student’s Residence, provided the student meets the Non-

Accredited School Rule’s minimum requirements and conditions. Otherwise,

a student is eligible to participate in an athletic program involving IHSAA

Recognized Sports only at the School in which the student is Enrolled. (rule

12-1)

Q. 12-5 Under the Non-Accredited School Rule, can a student who attends a Private

School obtain eligibility to participate in sports at the Public School Serving

the Student’s Residence?

A. Yes, provided the Private School is not an Accredited School and the student

meets the Non-Accredited School rule’s minimum requirements and conditions.

(rule 12-5)

Q. 12-6 Under the Non-Accredited School Rule (rule 12-5), must the Public School

Serving the Student’s Residence accept a student, attending a non-Accredited

School, into the Public School’s athletic program?

A. No. While the non-Accredited School Rule (rule 12-5) provides a vehicle for

a student attending a non-Accredited School to participate in athletics at the

Public School Serving the Student’s Residence, it does not mandate that such

Public School Enroll such student or mandate that the Public School permit

such student to participate in the School’s athletic program.

Q. 12-7 Is a student who is attending a Home School considered to be a student

attending an Innovative School, and therefore athletically eligible under the

Innovative School Rule (rule 12-4) at the Indiana Public School Serving the

Student’s Residence?

A. No. A Home School is not a Public School, it does not meet the definition of

an Innovative School, and a student attending a Home School is not eligible

at the local Public School under the Innovative School Rule (rule 12-4).

Q. 12-8 If a student lives in the attendance area of Public School A, but Enrolls at

Public School B (a School which offers innovative teaching methods and has

no athletic programs involving an IHSAA Recognized Sport), can the student

play football on School A’s football team?

A. Yes, provided (i) Public School A accepts the student in its football program,

(ii) the student, Public School A and Public School B, each inform the IHSAA of

student’s participation in Public School A’s football program, (iii) there exist no

apparent IHSAA rule violations and (iv) the student meets all IHSAA eligibility

standards and all of Public School B’s standards. (rule 12-4)

Q.12-9 Can a student who attends a Home School, but who takes some or all of his/

her courses on-line, obtain athletically eligible at the Public School Serving

the Student’s Residence?

A. Yes, the student might seek athletic eligibility at the Public School Serving

the Student’s Residence under either the Virtual Education School Rule (rule

12-6), or under the Non-Accredited School Rule (rule 12-5).

Q. 12-10 A student attends a vocational School outside of the student’s School of

Enrollment, for Three (3) hours each day. Where is the student eligible?

A. The student is eligible at the student’s School of Enrollment. (rule 18-8(b))

Q. 12-11 Where is a student who attends a special education co-op, outside the student’s

School of Enrollment, eligible?

A. The student may be eligible at either school but not both and the student may

select the school to attend, and seek athletic eligibility at that school. (rule

Rule 12 - Enrollment

18-1.3) Once a school is selected, however, any later change of selection

or transfer shall be treated as a school transfer under rule 19.

Eight Semester/Four Year Eligibility - Generally

Q. 12-12 How long may a student be Enrolled during a semester, then drop out, and

not have the semester be counted under the Eight Semester Rule (rule 12)?

A. A student Enrolling as a freshman at a School may withdraw any time prior

to the sixteenth (16th) school day following the student’s Enrollment and not

have the semester count under the Eight Semester Rule. In the case of a

student who has already begun high school, every semester counts toward

the student’s Eight (8) consecutive semesters/Four (4) consecutive years,

regardless of whether the student is Enrolled at a school or not during the

period. (rule 12-2)

Q. 12-13 May a student, who has been in high school Four (4) fall semesters and Four

(4) spring semesters or Twelve (12) Trimesters, but who has not participated

in athletics, participate in athletics?

A. No, Enrollment as a freshman begins the Eight (8) consecutive semesters of

athletic opportunity, regardless of the student’s participation in athletics. (rule

12-2)

Physical Exception to Eight Semester Rule

Q. 12-14 A senior participates in a full season of cross country in the fall, then goes out

for basketball and is seriously injured after only Two (2) games of the basketball

season, and because of the injury is required to withdraw from the School and

receives no credit for the fall semester. Is the student eligible for a fall sport

(cross county or football ) or a winter sport (basketball) the next year?

A. The student is not eligible to participate in any fall sport since the student had

participated in more than Twenty percent (20%) of the authorized Contest

Season in cross country as a senior. The student would, however, be eligible

for a winter sport, basketball, during the fall Semester. (rule 12-3)

Q. 12-15 A senior is withdrawn because of serious illness or injury during the fall semester

and does not receive any credit for the semester, and then decides that it is

better to stay out for an entire year and does so. Will the student be eligible

for both the following semesters?

A. If the student has not violated any other IHSAA rule, including the Age Rule,

and the decision to stay out for an entire year is supported by verification

from the treating physician, and School officials believe that the decision is

not motivated by athletic reasons, then an additional year of eligibility may be

granted in those sport seasons where participation had not exceeded Twenty

percent (20%) of the Contest Season (rule 12-3)

Requirement of Transfer Report under rule 12-5(5) and 12-6(c)

Q. 12-16 When a student enrolls at a Public School in a full credit subject, as required

by rule 12-5 (5) and rule 12-6 (c), must an IHSAA Transfer Report form be

completed?

A. No. A student enrolling in a full credit subject for purposes of eligibility under

Rule 12-5 (5) or Rule 12-6 (c) is not transferring to the Public School, but

establishing eligibility at the School and need not complete an IHSAA Transfer

Report.

Rule 12 - Enrollment

RULE 13 – GRADUATES

13-1 Graduates Prohibited from Participation

A graduate of any high school is ineligible for participation in interschool athletics. This rule

shall not apply to the graduates who are participating in the spring sports program. They

remain eligible until the end of that sport season.

13-2 Participation by Students Yet to Graduate Permitted

Students meeting requirements for graduation in less than Four (4) years, in high school with

a regular four-year course, shall be eligible to participate in school athletics during the fourth

year, provided they are Enrolled while participating and meet all other eligibility rules of the

Association.

Q & A

Graduates - Generally

Q. 13-1 Are students who have earned sufficient credits to graduate in less than 8 semesters,

eligible thereafter?

A. Yes, provided they are eligible in all other respects, do not actually graduate, are

Enrolled in and carry an adequate workload (Seventy percent (70%) of the available

full credit subjects) during the Grading Period of participation is desired. (rule 13-2)

Q. 13-2 When does a graduate lose eligibility?

A. A graduate loses athletic eligibility under the Graduation Rule on the first day of

fall Practice, or if the graduation occurs during the School Year, a graduate loses

eligibility on the first day Grading Period following the graduation. (rule 13-2)

Q. 13-3 May a student, who has dropped out of school, but has obtained a G.E.D. (Graduate

Equivalency Diploma), re-enroll at a member School and participate in athletics?

A. No, a G.E.D. is a graduation diploma. This student would be considered a graduate

(rule 13-1).

RULE 14 – OFFICIALS

14-1 Use of IHSAA Licensed Officials Required

Only IHSAA licensed officials shall be used in interschool Contests which require officials.

The Commissioner shall direct that the School pays a fine of $500 when this rule is violated.

14-2 Licensure of Officials by Commissioner

Licenses shall be secured by making application to the Commissioner, and approved officials

shall be given a license signed by the Commissioner.

14-3 Conduct of Officials

Officials conduct, at all times, shall be such (1) not to reflect discredit upon other officials or

the Association and (2) to promote discipline, good order and a sportsmanlike environment.

14-4 Licensure of Officials a Privilege; Licensure Subject to Revocation

Official licensure by the IHSAA is a privilege and not a right. All licensed officials, all applicants

for licensure, and all applicants for renewal of licensure agree to abide by the policies, purposes,

rules and regulations of the IHSAA. Approval of applications for licensure and application for

renewal of license shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner and are considered final,

binding and not reviewable. The Commissioner may revoke the license of an official for cause

which shall include, but not be limited to, the violation of the policies, purposes, rules and

regulations of the IHSAA and any conduct, both on or off the field or court which would have

a negative or detrimental effect upon the IHSAA, its members, students or the public.

14-5 Annual License Registration

There shall be an annual registration of Association officials each year. The date of registration

and fee shall be determined by the Committee.

14-6 Classification of Officials

Licensed officials in the Association will be classified into Three (3) groups: Registered,

Certified and Professional.

14-7 Officials Required to Display Current Official’s Insignia

All licensed officials shall wear current officials’ insignia on the prescribed uniform.

Rule 13 - Graduates

14-8 Provisional Licensed Officials

High school students are not eligible for licensing as Association officials. This includes high

school students who have acquired a provisional license through the IHSAA. High school

students who have a provisional license may officiate any contests other than contests at the

high school level (grades 9-12).

14-9 Official’s License Annual Renewal

All licenses shall expire annually on June 30. Licenses may be renewed ONLY April 1 to

July 31 without penalty. Principals should use only those officials whose names appear in

the current year Officials Directory or who show license issued in the required sport for the

current Membership year.

14-10 Use of Assigners when securing Officials

A School may use the services of an Assigner to schedule Officials for Contests. If a paid

Assigner is used by a School, the paid Assigner must be approved by the IHSAA, the School

and the Assigner must execute an IHSAA approved Assigner’s contract and the Assigner’s

contract must be on file with the IHSAA and with the School, prior to any Contest assignment.

If a School uses a paid Assigner who is not approved by the IHSAA, the School shall pay a

fine of $500 and the Assigner will lose the Assigner’s assigning privileges and any Officials

License held by the Assigner.

Q & A

Officials - Generally

Q. 14-1 Who can be an IHSAA licensed Official?

A. Any individual who is not a high School student and who has not had his/her IHSAA

Official’s license revoked may seek an IHSAA Official’s license after completing the

Official’s application, after successfully passing the Official’s test, and after paying

a licensure fee. (rule 14-2)

Q. 14-2 Must an Official renew the Official’s IHSAA license each year?

A. Yes. All IHSAA Officials must renew their Official’s license each year by completing

the annual registration and paying the licensure fee. (rule 14-9)

Q. 14-3 What is the difference between a Registered Official, a Certified Official and a

Professional Official?

A. A Registered Official is an Official who has been licensed by the IHSAA for less

than Two (2) years, or who has been licensed for Two (2) or more years, but who

has not received a Certified rating or did not score Ninety (90) or above on an

exam. A Certified Official is an Official in an IHSAA Recognized Sport who has

completed an IHSAA sponsored certification clinic, who has completed an IHSAA

sponsored rules interpretation meeting in the IHSAA Recognized Sport and who has

scores Ninety (90) or above on written test(s). A Professional Official is a Certified

Official in an IHSAA Recognized Sport who has been assigned to work in Three

(3) or more Tournament Series in that IHSAA Recognized Sport, who has been an

active, participating member in an IHSAA recognized Officials association, who

is recommended for this classification in that IHSAA Recognized Sport by his/her

Officials association and who has occupied Two (2) of the following positions in his/

her Officials association: an officer, a rules interpreter, a clinician, has conducted

an association meetings in that IHSAA Recognized Sport, a sports chairperson, a

mentor for a younger official, an attender at meetings in that IHSAA Recognized

Sport.

The certification process is administered on Two (2) year cycles by the IHSAA.

Q. 14-4 Can a member School participate in an Ohio based Contest against an Ohio School

without having IHSAA licensed Officials officiating? What about an Ohio based

Contest between Two (2) IHSAA member Schools?

A. Yes, it is the policy of the IHSAA to permit member Schools to participate in out-of-

state Contests against out-of-state Schools with Officials who are not licensed by

the IHSAA, provided the Officials who do officiate are licensed by the local state

athletic association. If the out-of-state Contest is between Two (2) IHSAA member

Schools, the Contest can be officiated by the Officials who are licensed by the local

state athletic association. (rule 14-1)

Rule 14 - Oﬃ cials

Q. 14-5 Is an Official who is just licensed in another state qualified to officiate a Contest, in

an IHSAA Recognized Sport, which involves an IHSAA member School?

A. No, anyone who officiates an Indiana Contest involving an IHSAA member School

must have a current IHSAA Official’s license. (rule 14-1)

Officials’ Contracts and Fees

Q. 14-6 What procedure should be followed when an approved IHSAA Oﬃ cials’ Assignor

is used to assign umpires to a baseball Contest or softball Contest and no contract

has been signed?

A. Regardless of how an umpire is assigned to a Contest, there must be an IHSAA

Contract For Contest Oﬃ cial Contract for Athletic Contests between the host School

and the Oﬃ cial, and therefore, prior to the Contest being played, the host School

must secure a signed IHSAA Contract For Contest Oﬃ cial. (rule 11-2)

Q. 14-7 Does the IHSAA regulate the pay of Oﬃ cials for the Tournament Series in a sport?

A. Yes. The fee for Oﬃ cials in all IHSAA Tournament Series is set by the Executive

Committee. However in Season Contests, the fee for Oﬃ cials is set by the host

School.

Contest Oﬃ cials

Q. 14-8 Must member Schools use IHSAA contracts when hiring oﬃ cials?

A. Yes, member Schools must use the IHSAA Contract For Contest Oﬃ cial form when

hiring Oﬃ cials. (rule 11-2)

Q. 14-9 How many licensed Oﬃ cials are recommended to be hired for Varsity Season

Contests?

A. The number of Oﬃ cials for a Season Contest may be addressed by the playing

rules of the sport (which controls); however the IHSAA would recommend that the

number of oﬃ cials for Varsity Contests is:

Cross Country – 1 Basketball – 3 Baseball – 2

Volleyball – 2 Swimming – 1 Wrestling – 1

Soccer – 3 Gymnastics – 2 Softball – 2

Football – 5 Track and Field – 1

Regardless of the level of competition, IHSAA licensed Officials must be used for

all Season Contests conducted in Indiana, whether it is a Varsity Contest, a junior

varsity Contest or a freshman Contest.

Q. 14-10 May a student member of a School team officiate a Non-School contest, i.e., an

independent or club game?

A. Yes. While a high school student may not become a licensed IHSAA Official (rule

14-8), and therefore cannot officiate a Contest involving a member School in an

IHSAA Recognized Sport, the IHSAA rules do not prohibit a high school student

from officiating Non-School contests.

Q. 14-11 If it is recommended that a Season Contest have more than One (1) Official (e.g.,

baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics, soccer, softball or volleyball), and only

One (1) IHSAA licensed Official shows up, what procedure should the Schools

follow?

A. The Contest may be conducted provided the participating Schools and the Official

who did show up, agree to conduct the Contest with the One (1) IHSAA licensed

Official.

Q. 14-12 When a Season Contest requires only One (1) Official (e.g., track and field,

swimming, cross country, wrestling) and the One (1) IHSAA licensed Official fails

to show up, what procedure should the Schools follow?

A. The Contest shall not be held unless a licensed Official can be found. (rule 14-1)

Q. 14-13 If an Official fails to attend a junior varsity Season Contest in wrestling, can a willing

and knowledgeable parent or fan step in for the missing Official?

A. No. Only an IHSAA licensed Official may officiate a Season Contest which requires

an Official. However, if the parent or fan is an IHSAA licensed Official in wrestling,

then that parent or fan can step in and officiate the Contest. (rule 14-1)

Q. 14-14 Can a high school student qualify for and then officiate a Season Contest involving

a member School.

Rule 14 - Oﬃ cials

A. No. A high school student may not become an IHSAA licensed Official, and therefore

cannot officiate any Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport involving a member

School. However, a high school student may acquire a provisional license through

the IHSAA, and may officiate any contests below the high school level. (rule 14-8)

Q. 14-15 Is a Registered Official qualified to officiate Contest involving member Schools in

all IHSAA Recognized Sports?

A. No. A Registered Official is qualified to officiate Contests involving member Schools

only in the IHSAA Recognized Sports in which the Registered Official is licensed.

Q. 14-16 Is there an IHSAA regulation regarding a licensed Officials playing in a Non-School

Contest with or against a student from a member Schools?

A. No. While a high school student is not eligible to be an IHSAA license Official, the

IHSAA does not prohibit a student from playing with or against an IHSAA licensed

Official in a Non-School Contest. (rule 14-8)

Challenges To and Criticism of Officials Decisions

Q. 14-17 What is the policy of the IHSAA regarding protesting or appealing a Contest decision

by a Contest Official?

A. The decisions of Contest Officials are considered final and binding and are not

subject to appeal or waiver. (rules 9-5, 16-2, 17-8.1)

Q. 14-18 Does the IHSAA have a rule that prohibits School personnel from publicly criticizing

officials?

A. Yes. Under rule 8-2, all member School principals are responsible for initiating

appropriate disciplinary measures against coaches for improper and unethical

practices and, at the request of the Commissioner, are to report to the Executive

Committee about such practices and about such measures taken. Criticism of

officials is considered to be inappropriate, improper and unethical, and therefore a

member School’s principal shall immediately take steps to correct their coaching

staff regarding such public criticism of IHSAA licensed Officials and at the request

of the Commissioner, report to the Executive Committee about the same.

RULE 15 – PARTICIPATION

Philosophy

Students should have the opportunity to voluntarily engage in non-school sponsored sports

activities provided such activities do not interfere with the student’s educational development

and the activities do not conflict with the principles of wholesome amateur athletics. The

IHSAA wishes to enhance that opportunity while at the same time discouraging the exploitation

of student athletes by overzealous individuals and organizations who attempt to impose an

obligation on the student, to participate in their programs at any cost. There has been growing

evidence of commercialism of high school athletes. In far too many instances non-school

sponsored sports events have been the “market place” where the students have been lured

to display their “athletic wares.” Experience has revealed that such events tend to divide

the allegiance of the students, undermine their respect for their high school coaches, and

encourages the type of adulation which gives the students an exaggerated notion of the

importance of their own athletic prowess rather than reinforcing the idea that athletic ability

is an endowed talent which students should use for the pleasure and satisfaction that they

may derive from athletic competition. By the promulgation and enforcement of these rules the

IHSAA strives to eliminate these abuses.

15-1 Individual Sports (Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Tennis,

Track & Field, and Wrestling)

15-1.1 During Authorized Contest Season

a. Participation by a student in any organized non-school sports competition during the

Authorized Contest Season, or at any time prior to the conclusion of the student’s

participation in the IHSAA Tournament Series, in that sport shall cause such students

to become ineligible for their School team in that sport for a period not to exceed Three-

hundred Sixty-five (365) days as determined by the Commissioner, unless an outstanding

student-athlete waiver for said competition is approved by the coach, principal and the

Rule 15 - Participation

IHSAA office and is on file in the principal’s office. A maximum of Two (2) waivers may be

granted during a Contest Season.

b. Student-athletes may receive a Lesson [Note: one-on-one instruction; See Definitions] so

long as:

(1.) it is not mandated, scheduled or paid for by the School;

(2.) no School practices or competitions are missed; and

(3.) no member of the School’s coaching staff who provides a Lesson is compensated

for the Lesson beyond the compensation the coach earns from the School.

c. An outstanding student-athlete may participate as an individual during the Authorized

Season of a sport, without loss of interschool eligibility, provided the following criteria are

met:

(1.) a completed waiver application form signed by the student, parent, coach and principal

or his/her designee, shall be ﬁ led with the School and the electronic waiver process

shall be completed and submitted to the Commissioner for approval, prior to the event;

(2.) arrangements to complete academic lessons, assignments, test(s), etc. is made in

advance;

(3.) student may not miss an Association sponsored tournament series or School Contest

for which he/she is eligible. (It is the philosophy of this Association that students owe

loyalty to their school and team.); and

(4.) student and parent agrees to not accept, directly or indirectly, any awards, gifts, trips,

merchandise, etc. which would violate IHSAA rule 5 (Amateurism) or rule 6 (Awards,

Prizes, Gifts).

d. Participation of students in an organized athletic competition with or against athletes not

belonging to their School counts as One (1) of Contests for that season for that student.

An organized “scrimmage” or practice with or against athletes not belonging to their School

counts as One (1) of Contests for that season for that student. The following situations are

not considered a violation of this rule:

(1.) When a School does not have a team, individual students may practice with another

member School’s team under the supervision of the other member School’s coach

provided a written agreement, signed by both principals, is on ﬁ le in the IHSAA oﬃ ce.

Students may only compete in Contests representing the School they are attending;

(2.) Student-athletes may practice in the same facility with athletes from other schools so

long as they are doing their own workout under the direct supervision and instruction

of their own coach; or

(3.) A student-athlete may work out on their own in the presence of other athletes so long

as the other athletes have not yet reached the ninth grade.

e. Students who participate in an interschool Contest when ineligible other than in scholarship,

too many events or similar oversights, become ineligible only in that sport for a time period

not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days to be determined by the Commissioner or

his/her designee. When facts are purposely withheld or misrepresented, students become

ineligible in all sports for the remainder of their semester and all of their next semester in

School unless the School takes appropriate action as determined by the Commissioner.

f. Students may not participate in try-outs or demonstrations of athletic ability as a prospective

college student-athlete.

g. An ineligible student may Practice with the team, but only at home in regular Practices.

The ineligible student may not appear in an athletic uniform at an interschool Contest.

h. Students may attend a Non-School Sponsored Camp/Clinic in an Individual Sport. Note:

Refer to rule 15-1.5(d) for date when participation in School sponsored Summer Camps/

Clinics must be terminated.

(1.) If a Non-School Sponsored Camp/Clinic is conducted over more than One (1) day,

students will be limited to Three (3) hours of sports instruction or practice daily.

(2.) A Non-School Sponsored Camp/Clinic must be conducted during non-school time

and no School Practices or Contests may be missed.

(3.) Students may participate for demonstration purposes in Camps/Clinics held only within

the State of Indiana when their coach is a presenter. Such is considered a Practice.

Rule 15 - Participation

(4.) Students may attend all Camps/Clinics other than student-Camps/Clinics as observers.

15-1.2 During School Year Out-of-Season

a. Students may participate in non-school Contests as individuals or as members of a Non-

School Team in non-school Contests provided that participation during school time is

approved by the School principal or his/her designee.

b. Coaches, from a Member School Coaching Staff, may coach students in that sport if NOT

under the organization, supervision and operation of the member School.

c. Member Schools may not organize, supervise or operate athletic Practices or interschool

athletic Contests, other than permitted through a School’s Limited Contact Program, Section

15-1.4.

d. Member Schools may not provide School-owned uniforms (jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants,

singlets, or swimsuits, etc.) worn by the student in non-school Contests.

e. Students may attend Camps/Clinics provided the following standards are met.

(1.) Fees, if charged, must be provided solely by the student, parent or Guardian except

for underprivileged students. No School or athletic funds shall be used for such.

(2.) No School-owned uniforms (jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants, singlets, or swimsuits, etc.)

shall be worn by the student.

(3.) Member Schools may not organize, supervise or operate School-sponsored Camps/

Clinics; however, Schools may rent or lease their facilities to non-school sponsors.

(4.) Coaches from a Member School Coaching Staff may not instruct students (1) who

have participated in a Contest as a member of their School’s team in that sport or (2)

any freshman.

(5.) Competition must be limited to intra-camp or intra-clinic practices, Contests and

instruction.

(6.) Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted

for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

(7.) Length of attendance is unlimited.

(8.) Seniors or graduates who plan to attend should check with appropriate college rules

and regulations regarding recruiting before participating.

(9.) Coaches may use students, School owned equipment in Schools, coaches’ Camps/

Clinics held in the State of Indiana or in adjacent state, when the coach is presenter.

A record of students used as demonstrators must be kept by the School. Coaches

may not use a student for demonstration purposes in more than Three (3) such

Camps/Clinics per sport between July 1 and June 30 each year. No more than One

(1) such clinic may be in an adjacent state.

15-1.3 Conditioning Program

a. During the School Year Out-of-Season, a student who participates in Individual Sports

may participate in a Conditioning Program; a Conditioning Program is a program which

occurs in a School’s gymnasium, playing field or other School facility and is designed for

and limited to activities which promote physical fitness and exclude game drills. Examples

of permissible activities are weight lifting, running and aerobic exercising. The limitations

on participation by, and contact with, a student in Individual Sports, During the School

Year, Out-of-Season, do not apply to a student’s participation in a Conditioning Program.

15-1.4 Limited Contact Program

During the School Year Out-of-Season a student who participates in Individual Sports may

participate in a Limited Contact Program; a Limited Contact Program is a program in which the

use of the School’s gymnasium, playing field or other school facilities is open only to students

who attends the School, or a Feeder School of the School sponsoring the program, is open

to all such students and participation is on a voluntary basis.

a. Student-athletes who participate in Limited Contact Program sessions for Individual Sports

may do so only at a maximum of Two (2) times per week for a maximum of Two (2) hours

per session.

Exception: Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field are permitted to participate

a maximum of Three (3) times per week for a maximum of Two (2) hours per session, not

to exceed maximum number of sessions. (see chart below)

Sport Session #1

(Winter/Spring)

Session #2

(Winter/Fall)

Session #3

(Fall/Winter)

Girls Golf Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Boys Tennis Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Cross Country Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Soccer Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Football Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Unified Flag Football Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Volleyball Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Girls Basketball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15/

max 16*

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Boys Basketball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 18/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Girls Swimming &

Diving

Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 16/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Boys Swimming &

Diving

Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 18/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Wrestling Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 17/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Gymnastics Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 19/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Track & Field Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 32/

max 26*

Girls Tennis Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Boys Golf Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Softball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 35/

max 26

Baseball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Unified Track & Field Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 35/

max 26

*Denotes: No more than Three (3) times per week.

b. Exception: Students in Sports who participate in a Limited Contact Program which

immediately precedes that Sports’ season may continue to participate in the Limited Contact

Program until that Sports’ first official practice date.

c. Exception: During times when public health requires there be less crowding and more

social distancing, the Commissioner is authorized to issue an order modifying the

number, length and character of Limited Contact Program Sessions.

15-1.5 During Summer

a. During the Summer a student may participate in athletic activities and in a Conditioning

Rule 15 - Participation

Program sponsored by a Member School or by a Non-School organization, provided that

the student’s participation is voluntary.

b. If a member School sponsors athletic activities for its student athletes at the School during

the Summer, such athletic activities may only be conducted in a Summer Open Facility

Program, except for Summer athletic competitions, which may be conducted outside of a

Summer Open Facility Program. A School’s Summer Open Facility Program is only open

to (i) students who attend the School, (ii) to students who attend a Feeder School of the

School, (iii) to incoming 9th grade students from non-Feeder Schools who have Enrolled

at the School, and (iv) to transfer students who have Enrolled at the School and who have

completed and submitted to the IHSAA the First (1st) section of the IHSAA Transfer Report.

c. See definitions of Summer Open Facility Program, Conditioning Program and Summer

for beginning and ending times. The foregoing notwithstanding, Summer Conditioning

Programs may extend through Saturday of Week 4.

d. Students may participate in non-school sponsored Camps/Clinics provided the following

standards are met.

(1.) Fees, if charged, must be provided solely by the student, parent or Guardian except

for underprivileged students. No School or athletic funds shall be used for such.

(2.) No School-owned uniforms (jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants, singlets, or swim suits, etc.)

shall be worn by the student.

(3.) Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted

for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

(4.) Length of attendance is unlimited.

(5.) Seniors or graduates who plan to attend should check with appropriate college rules

and regulations regarding recruiting before participating.

e. For all School sponsored Camps/Clinics, attendance must be terminated prior to Monday,

Week 5.

f. Each member School shall observe a moratorium week starting on Monday of the

Corresponding Week which includes July 4th. During this Seven (7) day moratorium

week there shall be no contact between athletes and coaches, and no athletic activities,

including conditioning, conducted. Note: All Corresponding Weeks begin on Monday.

15-2 Team Sports (Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball)

15-2.1 During Authorized Contest Season

a. Participation by a student in any organized non-school sports competition during the

Authorized Contest Season, or at any time prior to the conclusion of the student’s

participation in the IHSAA Tournament Series, in that sport shall cause such students to

become ineligible for their School team in that sport for a period not to exceed Three-

hundred Sixty-ﬁ ve (365) days as determined by the Commissioner.

b. Student-athletes may receive a Lesson [Note: one-on-one instruction; See, Deﬁ nitions]

so long as:

(1.) it is not mandated, scheduled or paid for by the School;

(2.) no School Practices or competitions are missed; and

(3.) no member of the School’s coaching staﬀ who provides a Lesson is compensated

for the Lesson beyond the compensation the coach earns from the School.

c. Participation of students in an organized athletic competition with or against athletes

not belonging to their School constitutes a game. An organized “scrimmage” or Practice

with or against athletes not belonging to their School is considered a game.

d. Students who participate in an interschool Contest when ineligible other than in

scholarship, too many events or similar oversights, become ineligible only in that sport

for a time period not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-ﬁ ve (365) days to be determined

by the Commissioner or his/her designee. When facts are purposely withheld or

misrepresented, students become ineligible in all sports for the remainder of the

semester and all of their next semester in School unless the School takes appropriate

action as determined by the Commissioner.

Rule 15 - Participation

e. Coaches of grades 9-12 may not coach organized non-school sports competition during

the Authorized Contest Season in that sport in grades 9-12.

f. Students may not participate in try-outs or demonstrations of athletic ability as a

prospective college student-athlete.

g. Students may not participate in athletic activities, tryouts, auditions, practices and

games held or sponsored by non-professional athletic organizations, clubs, or their

representatives during the Contest Season.

h. An ineligible student may Practice with the team, but only at home in regular Practices.

The ineligible student may not appear in an athletic uniform at an interschool Contest.

i. Students may not attend a Non-School Sponsored Camp/Clinic. Note: Refer to rule 15-

1.5d for date when participation in School sponsored Summer Camps/Clinics must be

terminated.

j. Students may participate for demonstration purposes in Camps/Clinics held only within

the State of Indiana when their coach is a presenter. Such is considered a Practice.

k. Students may attend all Camp/Clinics other than student Camps/Clinics as observers.

15-2.2 During School Year Out-of-Season

a. Students may participate in Team Sport Practice and Contests as members of a Non-School

Team provided no more than the following number of students, (i) who have participated in

a Contest the previous season as a member of One (1) of their School teams in that sport

or (ii) who were incoming freshmen in either the current or in the immediate prior School

Year (and who seek to participate on a Non-School Team from Monday of Week 5 until

the date of the first authorized Practice in that sport), are rostered on the same Non-School

Team, at the same time. Seniors, who have exhausted their eligibility in a particular sport,

do not count in the maximum number of students that can participate on a Non-School

Team in that sport.

Baseball – 5 Football – 6 Softball – 5

Basketball – 3 Soccer – 7 Volleyball – 3

b. During the School Year Out-of-Season, the following standards also must be met for a

student to participate in Team Sports practices and contests as a member of a Non-School

Team:

(1.) Participation in Team Sports practices and contests during school time must be

approved by the School principal or his/her designee.

(2.) Fees for a Non-School Team, if charged, must be provided solely by the student,

parent or Guardian. No school or athletic funds shall be used for such when students

of grades 9-12 are involved.

(3.) Participation on a Non-School Team shall be open to all students.

(4.) Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted

for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

c. During the School Year Out-of-Season, a student who has previously participated in a

Contest as a member of a School’s team or any freshman, and who is participating in

Team Sports practices or contests as a member of a Non-School Team, may not receive

instruction from individuals who are members of the student’s high School coaching staff.

(Exception: Coaches may instruct their sons or daughters.)

d. Member Schools may not organize, supervise or operate athletic practices for Non-School

Teams.

e. Member Schools may not provide School-owned uniforms (shorts, pants, etc.) worn by

the student in Non-School contests.

f. Students may attend Camps/Clinics provided the following standards are met.

(1.) Attendance is limited to non-school time and may begin on or after Monday of Week

7 or the first day of School, whichever comes first, unless camp is a verified Olympic

development camp.

Rule 15 - Participation

(2.) Fees, if charged, must be provided solely by the student, parent or Guardian except

for underprivileged students. No School or athletic funds shall be used for such.

(3.) No School-owned uniforms (jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants, etc.) shall be worn by the

student.

(4.) No more than Three (3) students in basketball and volleyball, Five (5) students in

baseball and softball, Six (6) students in football or Seven (7) students in soccer who

have participated in a Contest the previous year as a member of One (1) of their

School teams in that sport may participate on the same team or in the same work

station or drill at the same time. All work stations or drills must be held independent

of each other and may not be integrated to simulate a game.

(5.) Member Schools may not organize, supervise or operate School-sponsored camps;

however, Schools may rent or lease their facilities to non-school sponsors.

(6.) Coaches from a Member School Coaching Staff may not instruct students (1) who

have participated in a Contest as a member of their School’s team in that sport or (2)

any freshman.

(7.) Competition must be limited to intra-camp or intra-clinic practices, Contests and

instruction.

(8.) Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted

for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

(9.) Length of attendance is unlimited.

(10.) Seniors or graduates who plan to attend should check with appropriate college rules

and regulations regarding recruiting before participating.

(11.) Coaches may use students, School owned equipment in Schools, camps and/or

coaches clinics held in the State of Indiana or in adjacent state, when the coach is

presenter. A record of students used as demonstrators must be kept by the School.

Coaches may not use a student for demonstration purposes in more than Three (3)

such clinics per sport between July 1 and June 30 each year. No more than One (1)

such clinic may be in an adjacent state.

15-2.3 Conditioning Program

a. During the School Year Out-of-Season, a student who participates in Team Sports may

participate in a Conditioning Program; a Conditioning Program is a program which occurs

in a School’s gymnasium, playing field or other School facility and is designed for and

limited to activities which promote physical fitness and exclude game drills. Examples of

permissible activities are weight lifting, running and aerobic exercising. The limitations

on participation by, and contact with, a student in Team Sports, During the School Year,

Out-of-Season, do not apply to a student’s participation in a Conditioning Program.

b. During the School Year Out-of-Season,

(1.) A student who participates in the Team Sport of baseball may throw a baseball as

a part of the student’s Conditioning Program and a student who participates in the

Team Sport of softball may throw a softball as a part of the student’s Conditioning

Program (beginning M - WK26).

(2.) When a baseball or a softball is thrown as part of a Conditioning Program, the throw

shall be part of a game of catch between Two (2) students using gloves; the process

shall not involve a pitching mound or a pitching circle, an actual or simulated batter

or any type of pitching instruction.

15-2.4 Limited Contact Program

During the School Year Out-of-Season a student who participates in Team Sports may

participate in a Limited Contact Program; a Limited Contact Program is a program in which

the use of the School’s gymnasium, playing field or other school facilities is open only to

students who attends the School, or a Feeder School of the School sponsoring the program,

is open to all such students and participation is on a voluntary basis.

a. Student-athletes who participate in Limited Contact Program sessions for Team Sports

may do so only at a maximum of Two (2) times per week for a maximum of Two (2) hours

per session.

Exception: Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field are permitted to participate

Rule 15 - Participation

a maximum of Three (3) times per week for a maximum of Two (2) hours per session, not

to exceed maximum number of sessions.

b. At a Limited Contact Program session, a Member School Team Sports coach may supervise

the programs, communicate with students, offer instruction and work directly with all out-

of-season athletes, may use all equipment related to the sports, i.e. balls, goals, nets, etc.,

except that in football no protective equipment such as a helmet, shoulder pads, padding

or a girdle may be use, provided that:

(1.) the program must be open to all students of the member School;

(2.) attendance and participation must be voluntary and not required by the member

School coach for membership on a particular sports team, and

(3.) participation in a Limited Contact Program session by a student is limited to the

following periods of time;

Sport Session #1

(Winter/Spring)

Session #2

(Winter/Fall)

Session #3

(Fall/Winter)

Girls Golf Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Boys Tennis Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Cross Country Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31/18 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45/12

max

Soccer Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Football Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Unified Flag Football Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Girls Volleyball Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 31 Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Girls Basketball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15/

max 16*

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Boys Basketball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 18/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Girls Swimming &

Diving

Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 16/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Boys Swimming &

Diving

Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 18/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Wrestling Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 17/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Gymnastics Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 19/

max 16

Wk 40 – Sat. Wk 45

Track & Field Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 32/

max 26*

Boys Volleyball Wk 9 - Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 34

Girls Tennis Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Boys Golf Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Softball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 35/

max 26

Baseball Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 36/

max 26

Unified Track & Field Wk 9 – Sat. Wk 15 Wk 23 – Sat. Wk 35/

max 26

Rule 15 - Participation

*Denotes: No more than Three (3) times per week.

c. Exception: Students in Sports who participate in a Limited Contact Program which

immediately precedes that Sports’ season may continue to participate in the Limited

Contact Program until that Sports’ first official practice date, i.e. a girls basketball player

participating in the Fall Season Limited Contact Program may continue participation in the

Limited Contact Program until the first official practice day for girls basketball.

d. Exception: During times when public health requires there be less crowding and more

social distancing, the Commissioner is authorized to issue an order modifying the number,

length and character of Limited Contact Program Sessions.

15-2.5 During Summer

a. During the Summer a student may participate in athletic activities and in a Conditioning

Program sponsored by a member School or by a Non-School organization, provided that

the student’s participation is voluntary.

b. Except for football (see below), if a member School sponsors athletic activities for its student

athletes at the School during the Summer, such athletic activities may only be conducted

in a Summer Open Facility Program, except for Summer athletic competitions, which may

be conducted outside of a Summer Open Facility Program. A School’s Summer Open

Facility Program is only open to (i) students who attend the School, (ii) to students who

attend a Feeder School of the School, (iii) to incoming 9th grade students from nonFeeder

Schools who have Enrolled at the School, and (iv) to transfer students who have Enrolled

at the School and who have completed and submitted to the IHSAA the first section of an

IHSAA Transfer Report.

c. See definitions of Summer Open Facility Program, Conditioning Program and Summer

for beginning and ending times. The foregoing notwithstanding, Summer Conditioning

Programs may extend through Saturday of Week 4.

d. Students may participate in non-school sponsored Camps/Clinics provided the following

standards are met.

(1.) Attendance is limited to non-school time.

(2.) Fees, if charged, must be provided solely by the student, parent or Guardian except

for underprivileged students. No School or athletic funds shall be used for such.

(3.) No School-owned uniforms (jerseys, shirts, shorts, pants, etc.) shall be worn by the

student.

(4.) Merchandise and awards, other than those of symbolic value, may NOT be accepted

for athletic proficiency. Student must remain an amateur.

(5.) Length of attendance is unlimited.

(6.) Seniors or graduates who plan to attend should check with appropriate college rules

and regulations regarding recruiting before participating.

e. For all School sponsored Camps/Clinics, attendance must be terminated prior to Monday,

Week 5.

f. Each member School shall observe a moratorium week starting on Monday of the

Corresponding Week which includes July 4th. During this Seven (7) day moratorium week

there shall be no contact between athletes and coaches, and no athletic activities, including

conditioning, conducted. Note: All Corresponding Weeks begin on Monday.

15-2.6 Competition Days

a. all sports teams, with the exception of football, may participate in up to Ten (10)

Competition Days (a day when a School’s coaching staff takes Two (2) or more players

from a School’s team to either participate with or compete against One (1) or more

players from another member School or Non-School Team). See rule 15-2.7 regarding

football.

b. Prior to the first day of Summer, a School’s coaching staff must designate to the

School’s principal or athletic director the specific Competition Days in which the School’s

team plans to participate.

Rule 15 - Participation

15-2.7 Football

A School, and players from the School’s football program, may participate in Football

Activities (participation in any football related activities while wearing helmets or shoulder

pads) under the following standards:

a. Students may not participate in any Full Contact Football Activities (any intentional football

activity by a player where the goal is to take One (1) or more competing players to the

ground as the result of a collision) during the Summer.

b. Schools may sponsor up to Twelve (12) Football Activity Days (a day when a School’s

football coaching staff coaches Two (2) or more players from the School’s football team

engaged in Football Activities) during the Summer.

c. A School’s Football Activity Days may include up to Five (5) Football Competition Days (a

day when a School’s football coaching staff takes Two (2) or more players from a School’s

football team to either participate with or compete against One (1) or more players from

another School or Non-School Team). The maximum time for a School’s Football Activity

Day held at a member-School facility will be Three and one-half (3 1/2) hours of activity

over a Five (5) hour period.

d. A student’s football equipment during Summer Football Activities is limited to a helmet,

shoes, shoulder pads, a girdle and a mouth piece.

e. A student may engage in no more than One (1) session of Football Activities during a

Football Activity Day and the maximum time of the session is Two (2) hours.

f. Prior to the first day of Summer, a School’s football coaching staff must designate to the

School’s principal or athletic director the specific Football Activity Days and the Football

Competition Days in which the football program plans to participate.

15-2.8 Moratorium

Each Member School shall observe a moratorium week starting on Monday of the

Corresponding Week which includes July 4th. During this Seven (7) day moratorium week

there shall be no contact between athletes and coaches, and no athletic activities, including

conditioning, conducted. Note: All Corresponding Weeks begin on Monday.

15-2.9 Penalties

(See rule 17-7.1.)

Q & A

Participation - Generally

Q. 15-1 What is considered participation in a sport for a Contest Season?

A. Playing in a part of One (1) Contest in a sport constitutes participation in that sport

for that Contest Season.

Q. 15-2 If a student tries out for a Non-School baseball league, would that be a violation of

IHSAA rules?

A. If the try-out occurred during the authorized Contest Season in baseball, this would

be a violation of rule 15-2.1; however, it would not affect the student’s eligibility in

other sports. And if the try-out occurred during the School Year Out-of-Season, it

would not be a violation. (rules 15-2.1, 15-2.2)

Q. 15-3 Does a student become ineligible in all sports if the student plays on a team other

than the student’s School team during the authorized Contest Season in one sport?

A. No, a student is ineligible only in the sport in which the student participates as a

member of a team other than the student’s School team and would not affect the

student’s eligibility in other sports. (rules 15-1.1(a); 15-2.1(a))

Q. 15-4 If a student participates in a league or tournament of a sport not recognized by

IHSAA, does the student become ineligible in other sports?

A. No. The rules of the IHSAA are generally sports specific, and participation in a sport

not recognized by the IHSAA does not impact a student’s eligibility to participate in

a sport recognized by the IHSAA.

Q. 15-5 Can a student play on Two (2) interschool teams at the same time?

A. Yes. The IHSAA rules do not prohibit multi-sports participation by student athletes.

Q. 15-6 Can a student who is ineligible for the Varsity team play on teams of lower ranking?

A. Generally, no, since ineligibility for One (1) sport team generally means the same for

all sport teams. (rule 17-7.1(a)) However, a student who has been given Limited

Rule 15 - Participation

Eligibility to participate in athletics is only eligible for sub-Varsity participation and

cannot play on the Varsity until the period of Limited Eligibility expires. (rule 19-6.2)

School Contests

Q. 15-7 During the Contest Season can a member School play in a Contest against a college

team, a Y team, an independent team, etc., in an IHSAA Recognized Sports?

A. Yes, a member School may play in a single Contest against a college team, a Y

team, an independent team, etc., in an IHSAA Recognized Sports, but may not

play in a tourney, in a multi-team meet or in a league. In such single Contest the

member School must obey all of the eligibility and contest rules of the IHSAA, and

the Contest shall count in determining the maximum number of Contests in which

the member School may play under the Interschool Sports Rules and Unified Sports

Rule. (rules 9-15, rules 50-63, rules 100-102)

Practice - Generally

Q. 15-8 May an ineligible student Practice with the regular team?

A. Yes, if the student has remaining eligibility in that sport. An ineligible student may

Practice only at home in regular Practice and shall not appear in an athletic uniform

at Contests. (rule 15-1.1(g))

Practice During the Authorized Contest Season With and at Non-School Facilities

Q. 15-9 Can a student practice swimming, during the Authorized Contest Season, at a

neighboring member School when the student’s School of Enrollment does not

offer swimming as part of its athletic programing?

A. Yes, when a student’s School does not offer a sport as part of the School’s athletic

programing, a student may practice at another School provided there is a contractual

arrangement between the Practice School and the School of Enrollment. However,

the student may only Practice at the neighboring School; a student may only compete

in a Contest as a representative of the student’s School of Enrollment. (rule 15-1.1(d)

(1))

Practice and Competition During the Authorized Contest Season with Graduates and

Alumni

Q. 15-10 Can a high school graduate Practice or participate with or against a School team

or a member of that team during the authorized Contest Season?

A. A high school graduate cannot Practice with or participate with a School team or

a member of that team during the authorized Contest Season. However, a high

school graduate can participate as a member of an independent team which may

have a single (non-tournament) Contest with a member School; again, the member

School must obey all of the rules of the IHSAA with respect to such Contest, and the

Contest shall count in determining the maximum number of Contests in which the

member School may play during the authorized Contest Season. Also, this does

not prohibit the member School Administrators, should they desire, from permitting

graduates from using their facilities for conditioning purposes, etc. (rules 9-15, 50-

63, 100-102)

Q. 15-11 May a former student, with a G.E.D. (Graduate Equivalency Diploma), return to

a member School and participate in Practice or play on a sports team during the

authorized Contest Season?

A. No. Under the Graduation Rule (rule 13-1), a G.E.D. is a graduation diploma and a

student with a G.E.D. is considered a high school graduate. A high school graduate

cannot Practice or participate with a School team or be a member of a School team

during the authorized Contest Season.

Q. 15-12 May a student, who dropped out of school and obtained a G.E.D. (Graduate

Equivalency Diploma), return to school and participate in athletics so long as the

student meets all other eligibility requirements?

A. No, a G.E.D. is a graduation diploma. This student would be considered a graduate.

(rule 13-1)

Q. 15-13 Is a game during the authorized Contest Season which involves an alumnus and One

(1) or more students considered an Intramural Contest or an interschool Contest?

A. Such a game is considered an interschool Contest and shall count in determining

the maximum number of Contests in which the students and the School may play

during the authorized Contest Season. (see Definitions, Contest)

Rule 15 - Participation

Controlled Scrimmages During the Authorized Practice Season

Q. 15-14 When may a Controlled Scrimmage be held?

A. A team may conduct a Controlled Scrimmage the day after the members of the team

have had Five (5) separate days of organized Practice under the direct supervision

of the High School Coaching staff (in football it must be Five (5) days of unrestricted

full contact Practice), and provided:

(1.) in baseball it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest, (rule 51-8)

(2.) in basketball it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest (rule 52-4)

(3.) in football it is conducted on either Friday or Saturday of Week 6 (rule 54-6)

(4.) in soccer it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest (rule 57-4)

(5.) in tennis it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest (rules 60-4)

(6.) in softball it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest, (rule 58-6), and

(7.) in volleyball it is conducted prior to the first scheduled Contest (rule 62-4),

Intramural Sports

Q.15-15 What constitutes an Intramural Contest?

A. An Intramural Contest is a contest wherein all participants on both teams are

members of One (1) School, e.g. faculty, students. (see Definitions, Intramural

Contest.)

Q. 15-16 When may a student participate in an Intramural Contest?

A. During the School Year, a member of a School’s team in a sport may not participate

in an Intramural Contest in that sport during that sport’s authorized Practice Season

or Contest Season, but may participate in an Intramural Contest in that sport when it

is not that sport’s authorized Practice Season or Contest Season. All other students

may participate in an Intramural Contest at any time.

Q. 15-17 During the School Year Out-of-Season, is a game between the faculty members and

the member School students of the same School considered an intramural game

or interschool Contest?

A. A game between the member School’s faculty members and its students is

considered an Intramural Contest.

Q. 15-18 Can the entire basketball team enter as an intramural team during the School Year

Out-of- Season?

A. No, an entire basketball team may not enter as an intramural team. (rule 15-2.2(a))

Q. 15-19 Are the same standards of eligibility required for intramural games as for interschool

games?

A. No, the IHSAA has no eligibility requirements for intramurals.

Out-of-Season, During School Year Player Limitation

Q. 15-20 Are 12th graders, who have completed their eligibility in a Team Sport counted as

part of the School Year Out-of-Season player limitation?

A. No. Since a School’s Team Sports Season is completed, these seniors are considered

as having no remaining eligibility in that sport and can participate.

Q. 15-21 May a Non-School coach work with a softball team comprised totally of freshmen

from the same School during a fall softball league?

A. No, freshmen are considered as being a part of the athletic program and the School

Year Out-of-Season player limitation of no more than five (5) softball players from

the same School applies. (rule 15-2.2(a))

Q. 15-22 May a School basketball coach work with a Non-School Team made up of freshmen

from the coach’s School and participate in a fall league?

A. No, freshmen are considered as being a part of the School’s athletic program

and a School coach may not work with students who are potential freshmen team

members. (rule 15-2.2(d))

Q. 15-23 Does a foreign exchange student athlete count in the School Year Out-of-Season

player limitation?

A. Yes, a foreign exchange student athlete with remaining athletic eligibility in a Team

Sport must be included when calculating School Year Out-of-Season player limitation.

Q. 15-24 May the roster of student athletes who participate on a Non-School Team during the

School Year Out-of-Season, change from one game to the next in order to comply

with During the School Year Out-of-Season player limitation under the Participation

Rule, rule 15-2.2?

Rule 15 - Participation

A. No, any voluntary changes made to a Non-School Team roster in order to comply

with the During the School Year Out-of-Season player limitation would be invalid.

(rule 15-2.2(a))

Coaching - Generally

Q. 15-25 Is a coach of a 9th grade team considered a member of their School’s coaching

staff?

A. Yes, coaches of grades 9-12 in all sports including non-teaching and volunteer are

considered a part of the Member School Coaching Staff (See Definitions — Member

School Coaching Staff).

During the School Year Out-of-Season Coaching and Contact

Q. 15-26 May a School provide transportation for a School’s student to or from a Non-School

league program held during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. No, during the School Year Out-of-Season a School may not facilitate (e.g., organize,

supervise or operate) Non-School athletic activities for its students, and this would

include providing transportation, providing uniforms, etc. (rules 15-1.2(c),(d), 15-

2.2(e), (f))

Q. 15-27 May a School or a School’s coach provide transportation for a School’s student to

or from a Camp/Clinic held during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. A School cannot provide such transportation, however a coach may provide

transportation, but only if the coach is a presenter, is using the student for the

coach’s presentation(s) and is following the requirements of rule 15-2.2(f).

Q. 15-28 May a coach work one-on-one with a student or provide opportunities for students

to Practice in Team Sports During the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, a coach may organize activities for students in an IHSAA Recognized Sport

which resemble a Practice, but only when the coach follows the School’s Limited

Contact Program. (rules 15-1.4, 15-2.4)

Q. 15-29 During the School Year Out-of-Season, can a member of a Member School Coaching

Staff in basketball also coach a Non-School Team, like an AAU team, which has

players who were in the School’s basketball program? What about when the AAU

team the coach is coaching is playing against an AAU team which has players who

were in the School’s basketball program?

A. A coach of any Team Sport cannot, during the off-season of the School Year, coach

a non-School team which has players from the School’s program. (rule 15-2.2(c))

However, this limitation does not apply when the School players are on a team

playing against the coach’s team.

Q. 15-30 May a coach participate with a student athlete from the coach’s School on a Non-

School Team during the School Year Out-of-Season

A. An Individual Sport coach may but a Team Sport coach may not participate on a

Non-School Team with a student athlete from the coach’s School during the School

Year Out-of-Season. (rules 15-1.2(b), 15-2.2(d))

Private Instruction

Q. 15-31 May an Individual Sport student athlete or a Team Sport student athlete receive

a Lesson [Note: one-on-one instruction, see Definitions] in the skills of an IHSAA

Recognized Sport from an individual who is not from the School’s Member School

Coaching Staff during the School Year or during the Summer?

A. Yes.

Q. 15-32 May a Team Sport student athlete in a sport receive a private Lesson [Note: one-

on-one instruction, see Definitions] instruction in the skills of that sport from a

member of a Member School Coaching Staff for that sport, during the School Year

Out-of-Season?

A. No, a Team Sport student athlete cannot receive such instruction from a member

of a Member School Coaching Staff. (rule 15-2.2(c))

Q. 15-33 May an Individual Sport student athlete receive a paid private Lesson [Note: one-

on-one instruction, see Definitions] from a member of a Member School Coaching

Staff for that sport, during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes. (rules 15-1.2(b), 9-13)

Q. 15-34 Can there be a Sunday group private lesson during the authorized Contest Season

in a Team Sport with members from a single team?

A. No, any group private lesson on Sunday would constitute illegal Sunday participation.

(rules 15-2.1(b), 9-13)

Q. 15-35 May a student athlete participate in a Team Sport group lesson during the School

Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, with the following provisions: (1) the Team Sport athletes may not receive

such instruction from any member of the Member School Coaching Staff (unless

the instruction is in conformity with the Limited Contact Program rules); and (2) no

more than the following number of students who have participated in a Contest

the previous year as a member of One (1) of their School’s teams in that sport

are participating in the group lesson: Basketball and Volleyball — 3; Baseball and

Softball — 5; Football – 6; Soccer — 7. (rule 15-2.2(a))

Q. 15-36 May a student athlete participate in a Non-School group lesson with student athletes

from another state during the Contest Season?

A. No, such contact by either a Team Sport student or an Individual Sport student

with a Non-school student would constitute a competition or Contest and render

the student ineligible for up to Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days. (rule 15-1.1(d),

rule 15-2.1(d))

Q. 15-37 During the School Year Out-of-Season, does a freshman student who did not

previously participate on her School’s volleyball team, count against the maximum

number of students permitted in a volleyball drill at a Camp/Clinic or on a volleyball

Non-School Team?

A. No. If a student was not rostered (and therefore did not participate in a Contest) on the

School’s volleyball team then the student is not considered a volleyball ‘participant’

and the Non-School Team limits of rule 15-2.2(a) and the Camps/Clinics limits of

rule 15-2.2(f) do not apply.

Limited Contact Programs – During the School Year Out-of-Season

Q. 15-38 What is a Limited Contact Program?

A. A Limited Contact Program is a program conducted during the School Year Out-

of-Season in which a School’s gymnasium, playing field or other school facility is

open to all students who attend the School, or who are from a Feeder School of that

School, and the Member School Coaching Staff may offer athletic instruction and

work with student athletes. (rules 15-1.4, 15.2.4, see, Definitions, Limited Contact

Program.)

Q. 15-39 Can a School conduct activities under a Limited Contact Program which are located

“off-campus”, or at a location which is not owned by or officially controlled by the

School?

A. No, all Limited Contact Programs must be conducted on campus or at a site where

home Contests are regularly held. For example, a School cannot conduct a Limited

Contact Program session at the local batting cage for its students wishing to work

on their baseball skills, but could hold a Limited Contact Program session at a

municipal field if that is where the School regularly holds its home games. (rules

15-1.4, 15-2.4, see, Definitions, Limited Contact Program)

Q. 15-40 Is a student from One (1) School permitted to participate in a Limited Contact Program

at another School. For example, is it okay for a softball player from One (1) School

to go to another School’s Limited Contact Program and Practice softball?

A. No, under IHSAA rules, the only students who may participate in a sponsoring

School’s Limited Contact Program are the students who (i) attend the sponsoring

School, or (ii) are students from a Feeder School of the sponsoring School. (rules

15-1.4, 15-2.4, see, Definitions, Limited Contact Program)

Q. 15-41 May a student who has remaining eligibility participate in a Limited Contact Program

sponsored by a member School on Sunday?

A. No, students may not participate in a Limited Contact Program on Sunday. (rule

9-13)

Q. 15-42 May a coach play with or against the coach’s student athlete in a Limited Contact

Program?

A. Yes. (rules 15-1.4, 15-2.4)

Q. 15-43 May a Team Sports coach work with multiple individuals in the coach’s sport During

School Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, but only in a Limited Contact session. (rules 15-1.4, 15-2.4)

Q. 15-44 May a Team Sports coach outline and distribute to players a written recommended

individual workout schedule for the athletes to use during the off-season?

A. Yes.

Rule 15 - Participation

Q.15-45 Can there be more than two (2) Limited Contact sessions on one day?

A Yes. There can be a Limited Contact session on a maximum of two (2) days per week

and the total amount of time of all Limited Contact sessions on any one (1) day may

not exceed two (2) hours, the Limited Contact during a day can be accomplished in

one two (2) hour session, or in any number of sessions, provided collectively they

do not exceed two (2) hours.

Q. 15-46 Under section 15-2.4(c), may a student who plans to participate in a Team Sport

during the up-coming fall season, continue to participate in the current spring Limited

Contract Program past Monday of Week 45, since such up-coming fall season is

the next season after the current spring Limited Contract Program period?

A. No. The section 15-2.4(c) Limited Contact continuation exception applies only when

the Limited Contact Program ‘immediately precedes” the Team Sport’s season,

and here, Summer immediately precedes the student’s Team Sport’s season. The

Limited Contact continuation exception applies only for Team Sports played in the

winter and spring seasons.

Camps/Clinics

Q. 15-47 How much time may a coaches have to prepare their players for a Clinic in which

they are presenting during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. The coach may have a total of 1 1/2 hours to prepare their players for the Clinic.

This may be accomplished in either One (1) or Two (2) sessions. (rule 15-2.2(f))

Q. 15-48 Are written requests and approvals required for students participating for

demonstration purposes in any sport Clinics, etc.?

A. No, a record of students used as demonstrators must be kept by the School. (rule

15-2.2(f))

Q. 15-49 What constitutes an Underprivileged Student with regard to Camp/Clinic fees?

A. An Underprivileged Student is one who is eligible for free and reduced lunch. (see

Definitions)

Q. 15-50 May a member School host a team Camp and invite multiple member Schools to

participate during the Summer?

A. No, a School sponsored Camp is intended for One (1) School only. Team Camps

for multiple teams must be sponsored by Non-School entities.

Summer - Generally

Q. 15-51 When is a student athlete no longer eligible to compete on a Non-School Team in

a sport during the Summer?

A. During the Summer, a student athlete may compete on a Non-School Team in a

sport up until the date of the first IHSAA authorized Season Contest in that sport.

(rule 15-1)

Q. 15-52 Can a student participate in an interscholastic Contest after the student’s regular

School Year has ended?

A. Yes. Due to the great variation in dates when member Schools close in the spring,

students may continue to represent their Schools during the Contest Season and

during the Tournament Series in the spring and in the Summer. Also, a senior may

continue to participate in a Season Contest and in Tournament Series Contest even

though the senior is graduating and may have already received a diploma.

Q. 15-53 Can a member School organize and supervise a Conditioning Program during the

Summer?

A. Yes, however, the program must be designed and limited to activities which promote

physical fitness, must be voluntary and may not be limited to athletes of One (1)

sport. (Definitions: Conditioning Program) And though a Conditioning session during

the School Year Out-of-Season may include throwing a ball by a baseball or softball

player (rule 1-1.3, 15-2.3; Definitions: Conditioning Program), no similar activities

are permitted at a Conditioning session during the Summer.

Q.15-54 What is the Summer Camp/Clinic cut-off rule and when is the last date a student

can participate in a Camp/Clinic during the Summer.

A. The Summer Camp/Clinic cut-off rule applies to School-sponsored Camps/Clinics,

and participation in a School-sponsored Camps/Clinics must be terminated prior

to Monday, Week 5, under rule 15-1.5(d). There is not a Summer Camp/Clinic cut-

off rule for Non-School sponsored Camps/Clinics, although for fall sport athletes,

Rule 15 - Participation

participation in a non-School-sponsored Camps/Clinics must terminate prior to

Monday of week 7. For winter and spring sport athletes, participation in non-

School-sponsored Camps/Clinics may continue into the new School Year, however

attendance must be limited to non-school time. Verified Olympic development

Camps/Clinics are exempt from this rule.

Q. 15-55 What is a Summer Open Facility Program?

A. A Summer Open Facility Program is a voluntary program in which use of a member

School’s gymnasiums, playing fields or other school facilities is limited to students

who attend the School, to students who attend a Feeder School of the School, to

incoming 9th grade students from non-Feeder Schools who have Enrolled at the

School, and to transfer students who have Enrolled at the School and who have

completed and submitted to the IHSAA the first section of the IHSAA Transfer Report.

(rules 15-1.5 (b), 15-2-5(b), Definitions – Summer Open Facility Program.)

Q. 15-56 Can a School have a Summer Open Facility session “off-campus”, or at a location

which is not owned by or officially controlled by the School?

A. No, like a Limited Contact Program, a Summer Open Facility Program must be

conducted on campus or at a site where home Contests are regularly held. For

example, a School cannot conduct an Summer Open Facility session at the local

batting cage for its students wishing to work on their baseball skills, but could hold

Summer Open Facility session at a municipal field if that is where the School regularly

held its home Contests.

Q. 15-57 May a student from one School participate in a Summer Open Facility session at

another School. For example, is a softball player from one School permitted to go

to another School’s Summer Open Facility and participate in softball?

A. No, the only students who may participate at a School’s Summer Open Facility

session are students who attend the School, students who attend a Feeder School

of the School, incoming 9th grade students from non-Feeder Schools who have

Enrolled at the School, and transfer students who have Enrolled at the School and

who have completed and submitted to the IHSAA an IHSAA Transfer Report. (rules

15-1.5(b), 15-2.5(b), Deﬁ nition- Summer Open Facility Program)

RULE 16 – PROTESTS

16-1 Protests During Season Contests

When an administrative decision is protested, the use of a contestant or the use of an official

is protested in a Season Contest, the Contest shall be played as scheduled and a formal

protest, with evidence, may then be filed with the Commissioner who will determine the action

to be taken.

16-2 Contest Official’s Decisions are Final

Contest decisions by game officials are considered final and binding.

16-3 Student Ineligibility Because of Administrative Error

If a student meets all of the standards of the eligibility rules, but is ineligible due to an

administrative error, such as the failure to be listed on an entry list, etc., the same procedure

as outlined in rule 3-9 applies. However, if the student’s ineligibility is for or during the IHSAA

Tournament Series, the member School, may seek a waiver of the disqualification and the

penalties to be assessed by affirmatively showing that the ineligibility was in no way the result

of the acts or omissions of the student, that the incident was not intentional, that facts were

not purposely withheld or withheld until an advantageous time and that the disqualification and

penalty will result in an undue hardship, and by proposing an alternative penalty. Any approval

or denial of a proposed alternative penalty shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner, and

shall be considered as final, binding and not reviewable.

16-4 School Protests Involving School Personnel or Contracts

In cases of disputes involving other School personnel, contracts, etc. the principal must submit

all known details in writing to the Commissioner who will determine the action to be taken.

Q & A

Protests - Generally

Q. 16-1 May a member School file a protest regarding the ejection of a player for

unsportsmanlike conduct?

Rule 15 - Participation

A. No, neither a judgment call nor misapplication of a game rule by an official may be

protested or appealed. (rules 9-5, 16-2)

RULE 17 – INVESTIGATIONS – HEARINGS – DECISIONS – APPEAL – PENALTIES –

WAIVERS

17-1 General

The Association has and will continue to acquaint member Schools with its rules through

distribution of By-Laws, posters, leaflets and publications and, in turn, member School

administrators shall acquaint staff members, coaches and participants with the Association

rules.

17-1.2 School’s Responsibility to Cooperate

All representatives of member Schools shall fully cooperate with the staff, Committee and

Directors of the Association to further the objectives of the Association and its investigation

and enforcement programs. The Association’s investigation and enforcement policies and

procedures are an essential part of the athletic program of each member School and require

full and complete disclosure of any relevant information requested by the Association during the

course of any investigation and/or enforcement proceedings and full and complete compliance

with all Association decisions, directives, sanctions and penalties.

17-2 School Investigation and Decision

17-2.1 Investigation

When it comes to a principal’s attention that a rule may have been violated, the principal

shall conduct an investigation to determine if, in fact, a violation has occurred. If time and the

circumstance permit, and as part of the investigation, the principal shall notify the party or

parties being investigated:

a. that such investigation is being conducted;

b. the rule alleged to have been violated;

c. that rule 17 applies;

d. the date of the suspected violation;

e. that action could be taken pursuant to rule 17-7 if a violation is found; and

f. that such party or parties shall furnish to the principal such information as may be pertinent

to the matter.

17-2.2 Decision and Notification

Within a reasonable time after the investigation, the principal shall determine if a violation has

occurred and, if so, the action to be taken. The party or parties investigated shall be notified

in writing of the principal’s decision, the rule upon which the decision is based and the action

to be taken.

17-2.3 Review by Association

The principal’s notification of the decision shall also inform the party or parties of the right to

seek a review by the Association of the principal’s decision by notifying the principal, by certified

mail, of their request for a review within Seven (7) days after the issuance of the principal’s

decision. If no request for a review is received within Seven (7) days after the issuance of the

principal’s decision, the principal’s decision shall be final.

17-2.4 Referral to Association for Review

Upon receipt by the principal of a timely request for review of the decision, the principal shall

immediately forward the request to the Association, along with the decision and reasons for

such decision.

17-2.5 Referral to Association for Investigation

If, after conducting an investigation, the principal is unable to make a decision or is unable

to fashion an appropriate sanction or remedy, the matter may, with the concurrence of the

Commissioner or his/her designee be referred to the Association for further investigation and/or

a decision. In such a case, the principal shall notify the party or parties being investigated that

the matter is being referred to the Association for further investigation and/or a decision, and

that they have the opportunity to present any pertinent information not previously presented

to the principal.

Rule 17 - Investigations ... Waivers

17.3 Commissioner Investigation and Decision

17-3.1 Investigation and Initial Review

If it comes to the attention of the Association that a School has failed to enforce a rule or

Association directive, or that a rule or decision may have been violated, or upon referral of

an Athletic Transfer Report for determination, or upon referral of a matter under rules 17-2.4

or 17-2.5, the Commissioner or his/her designee shall investigate and/or review the matter

and render a decision.

17-3.2 Decision and Notification

The Commissioner or his/her designee shall have a reasonable time within which to make

a decision. Every effort will be made by the Commissioner or his/her designee to make a

decision and notify the principal and the party or parties affected within thirty (30) days of

the receipt of the matter; provided, however, if circumstances do not permit the making of a

decision within thirty (30) days, the Commissioner or his/her designee shall have additional

time within which to make a decision. The decision on all cases shall be available from the

Association. The Affected Party(s) and any principal connected to the case shall be notified

of any decision, contemporaneously with the issuance of the decision via US mail; such

decision shall indicate the rule upon which the decision was based and the action to be

taken, and if the decision involves a ruling of full athletic ineligibility of a student athlete, the

decision shall also include a written explanation of the factual basis for the decision.

17-4 Review of Commissioner’s Decision

17-4.1 Right to Review Committee

Only an Affected Party may seek review of an adverse decision of the Commissioner or his/

her designee by the Review Committee.

a. For purposes of this rule 17, to be an ‘Affected Party’ a party must demonstrate that (i)

the party is a member School and had an IHSAA ruling or decision specifically directed

at that member School, or had an IHSAA rule specifically applied to that member school,

(ii) the party is a student and had an IHSAA ruling or decision specifically directed at that

student, or had an IHSAA rule specifically applied to that student, (iii) the party is a Contest

Administrator, a School Administrator or Personnel, or a coach and had an IHSAA ruling

or decision specifically directed at that Contest Administrator, School Administrator or

Personnel, or coach, or had an IHSAA rule specifically applied to that Contest Administrator,

a School Administrator or Personnel, or a coach, or (iv) the party is an Official and had

an IHSAA ruling or decision specifically directed at that Official, or had an IHSAA rule

specifically applied to that Official.

b. A student who claims to have been affected by an IHSAA ruling or decision directed at

the student’s School, or had a rule of the IHSAA applied to the student’s School is not an

Affected Party and has no grounds to seek an appeal of the ruling or decision, or rule’s

application to the School.

c. The Review Committee is the initial review panel of all Association rulings and decisions,

and the application of IHSAA rules, and must consider all Association decisions, and the

application of IHSAA rules, prior to any review either by the case review panel described

at rule 17-10 or by any other body.

d. If an Affected Party declines to cooperate by either refusing to provide information, or

refusing to meet with the principal or Commissioner or his/her designee after having been

requested to do so, that party shall forfeit all rights to appeal.

e. A Request for Review of an adverse ruling or decision must be in writing, must include

some explanation of the factual basis for the Request, must cite the IHSAA rules relied

upon for the Request and must be received by the IHSAA within Seven (7) days of the

date the IHSAA issued the adverse ruling or decision. If a Request for Review is not made

and received by the IHSAA in accordance with this rule, the ruling or decision shall be final

and non-reviewable.

17-4.2 Review Committee and Hearing Officer

The Review Committee shall be comprised of:

a. At least Three (3) members of the Executive Committee who shall be appointed by the

Rule 17 - Investigations ... Waivers

Chairperson, or his/her designee. Membership on a panel of the Review Committee shall

be for One (1) or more hearing sessions.

b. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee, or his/her designee, shall assume the duties

of hearing officer of the Review Committee. The Chairperson may designate a qualified

individual to assume the duties of hearing officer for any Review Committee hearing.

c. In the event a matter to be considered by the Review Committee directly involves a school

or individual having a direct connection with a current member of the Board of Directors,

the Commissioner, at the direction of the Chairperson, shall empanel a new three-member

veteran panel whose members may not include members of the current Board of Directors,

and shall designate a new hearing officer who may not be a member of the current Board

of Directors.

17-4.3 Time of Hearing

a. If an appeal is requested the Review Committee will hold a hearing, and the Commissioner

will schedule such hearing on the date of an upcoming regularly scheduled meeting of the

Executive Committee. If an appeal is requested in a case where Time is a Factor, and the

shortness of time is through no fault of the Affected Party, the Commissioner will attempt

to schedule an earlier hearing on a date when the Executive Committee does not meet

(‘Alternative Date’). Time is a Factor when, following the request for an appeal, the student

will miss a Tournament Series Contest or will miss more than Twenty Five percent (25%)

of the student’s team’s Season Contests before the next scheduled hearing date.

b. If an appeals hearing is granted on an Alternative Date, the appealing party shall remit a

Two Hundred Fifty dollars ($250.00) fee payable to the IHSAA prior to the hearing.

17-4.4 Appeal Statement

The IHSAA and all appealing parties shall present to the Commissioner at the offices of the

IHSAA [via mail (9150 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260), hand delivery (9150

North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, 46260) or email ([email protected])] a written Appeal

Statement which summarizes the party’s position at least Five (5) business days prior to

the hearing. This Appeal Statement shall have attached (i) all documents relied upon by

a party to the appeal, and (ii) a written Summary Statement under oath of the testimony

to be given by each witness who may testify at the hearing. At the hearing the Hearing

Officer, for good cause, may admit a previously un-submitted document or Summary

Statement, or permit the testimony from an unidentified witness or a witness without a

Summary Statement; ‘good cause’ includes proof that the document or testimony was

newly discovered evidence, which by due diligence could not have been timely presented

with the Appeal Statement and which is directly related to the core issues in the appeal.

After receipt, the Appeal Statement and all attachments shall be sent to the IHSAA, to all

appealing parties and to the Review Committee members, which should be received no

later than the day before the hearing.

17-4.5 Hearing Procedure of Review Committee

The following general procedures will be followed at such hearing:

a. A quorum of the Review committee is Four (4) members including the hearing officer. The

hearing officer shall not vote on any case unless his/her vote is necessary to break a tie

vote.

b. The hearing officer will prepare an agenda for the hearing, and a copy thereof shall be

furnished to the affected party, the IHSAA and all interested parties to the appeal. The

hearing officer shall set the length of the appeal hearing and shall have the power to

administer oaths and affirmations, rule upon offers of proof, receive relevant oral or

documentary evidence, regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of the parties and

witnesses, and do such other things necessary to effectuate the purposes of the IHSAA.

c. Attendance at the non-public Review Committee hearings:

(1.) Each School principal or designee who conducted the initial investigation and/or made

the initial recommendation(s) or decision(s), as well as the Commissioner, Assistant

Commissioner or designee, is expected to attend the Review Committee hearing;

(2.) Unless there exists extenuating circumstances, all Affected Parties, which includes

the student and the parents and/or guardians, shall attend the Review Committee

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hearing; failure of an Affected Party to appear at the Review Committee hearing

without a valid excuse will subject the appeal to dismissal;

(3.) To make each Review Committee hearing more informal and less intimidating,

neither the IHSAA nor a party may be represented at the hearing by a professional

representative or an attorney, provided however, the Review Committee reserves the

right to consult with its own counsel at any time; and,

(4.) Only witnesses with relevant testimony may attend a Review Committee hearing; a

witness may attend via a video/audio conferencing platform (e.g. Zoom), provided good

cause is timely shown. Note: Review Committee hearings are non-public and may

not be streamed or published by a witness attending via a video/audio conferencing

platform.

d. Each party to the appeal shall present, through the appeal statements, the party’s case.

This initial presentation should be limited to Fifteen (15) minutes. This presentation may

be supplemented through brief oral testimony, however, the testimony shall be limited to

pertinent evidence which is key to the party’s position. Lengthy statements and testimony

shall not be allowed. Following the parties’ presentations, the Review Committee shall ask

questions of the parties and the witnesses as needed. Following the questioning of the

Review Committee, the parties shall have a right of brief cross-examination of all parties

and witnesses present; lengthy cross-examination shall not be allowed.

e. The technical rules of evidence will not be applicable, and therefore, any oral or documentary

information may be received, but the Review Committee reserves the right to exclude any

information which it determines to be irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious.

f. The hearing officer shall require that the examination of witnesses be orderly. When

examination is disorderly, it may be terminated and the disruptive individuals may be

excluded from the hearing.

g. When more than One (1) party has requested an appeal, and where the facts are

substantially the same for all parties, a single hearing may be conducted when deemed

advisable by the hearing officer.

h. The Review Committee is not bound by the decision of a principal or the Commissioner,

but shall make its decision in the matter based upon the facts and information presented at

the hearing, and shall base its findings on information presented to it at the hearing which

it determines to be reliable, credible and of probative value. The Review Committee’s

decision may be based upon different facts and/or upon different rules from those cited or

relied upon by either the School principal or the Commissioner in their prior decisions or

rulings.

i. The Review Committee’s findings and decision, along with the rule upon which it is based,

shall be promptly sent to the School principal(s) involved and the Affected Party or Parties

along with a notice about the process for appealing the decision to the Panel described in

rule 17-10.

j. A record of the proceedings shall be kept and, when so directed by the hearing officer, a

transcript thereof prepared. Such a transcript, when signed and verified by the hearing

officer as being correct, shall be the best evidence of the proceeding, and prima facie

evidence of all facts contained therein, and shall be the official record of the matter. Any

party may obtain a copy thereof at such party’s expense.

k. In an appeal to the Review Committee of a decision finding a student athletically fully

ineligible, the IHSAA shall bear the burden of persuasion and shall establish that there

was a violation of an IHSAA rule or policy by a preponderance of the evidence (the greater

weight of evidence).

17-5 Finality of Decision

17-5.1 Relief from Decision or Penalty

When a decision has been made and/or a penalty has been imposed by the Committee,

there shall be no review thereof except upon a showing of newly discovered evidence, which

by due diligence could not have been timely presented and which is directly related to the

findings in the case, or that there was fraud, misrepresentation or other misconduct of a

party or witness, or that there was a prejudicial error in the procedure that was followed in

the processing of the case.

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17-5.2 Application for Relief

An affected party or the Commissioner or his/her designee may make application hereunder.

An affected party initiating a review hereunder shall be required to first submit a statement of

any contentions to the Commissioner or his/her designee who shall conduct any necessary

investigation and make a recommendation to the Committee relative to the request. Thereupon,

the Committee shall review the application and decide, by majority vote, whether it shall allow

the matter to be reopened and/or grant a hearing.

17-5.3 Hearing and Decision on Application for Relief

If a hearing is granted, the Committee may change its decision, reduce or eliminate a period

of ineligibility or reduce or eliminate a new penalty but may not impose a greater period of

eligibility or a new penalty. However, if it is determined by the Committee that a fraud or

misrepresentation was committed by a party or witness, the Committee may impose a penalty

for the commission of such fraud or misrepresentation.

17-6 Participation by Virtue of Panel or Court Action

If a student is ineligible according to Association rules but is permitted to participate in

interschool competition contrary to Association rules but in accordance with a decision of the

Case Review Panel or terms of a court restraining order or injunction against the student’s

School, or the Association and the decision or injunction is subsequently voluntarily vacated,

stayed, reversed or it is finally determined by the courts that the decision or the injunctive relief

is not or was not justified or correct, any One (1) or more of the following action(s) against

the student and the student’s School, in the interest of restitution and fairness to competing

Schools, shall be taken:

a. require individual or team records and performances achieved during the participation by

the ineligible student be vacated or stricken;

b. require team victories achieved during the ineligible student’s participation be forfeited to

opponents;

c. require team or individual awards earned during the ineligible student’s participation be

returned to the Association; and/or

d. if the student’s School has received or would receive any funds for its participation in an

Association tournament series in which the ineligible student participated, require the

School forfeit its share of net receipts from such series, and if the receipts have not been

distributed, authorize the withholding of such receipts by the Association

17-7 Decision; Action

17-7.1 Penalties

For violation of a rule or disregard of a decision or directive made under these rules, some or

all of the following action may be taken.

a. The student may be declared ineligible to participate in interschool athletics for a period

not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days.

b. A coach may be prohibited from directing an athletic team which participates in interschool

athletics.

c. A member School may be:

(1.) prohibited from certain interschool athletic participation; or

(2.) warned; or

(3.) fined, including the forfeiting of revenues generated from the Association; or

(4.) suspended or placed on Probation for a period not to exceed Three-hundred Sixty-five

(365) days by the Association.

d. The Association may take any appropriate disciplinary or remedial measures or impose,

or direct the imposition of, appropriate sanctions or penalties.

17-7.2 Effective Date

Unless otherwise provided, a decision or directive under the rules, including those made

relative to ineligibility, prohibition, Suspension, Probation or other sanction or measures taken,

shall be effective immediately, unless good cause for the Suspension of same can be shown

to the Commissioner or the Committee.

17-7.3 Suspension

A School may be suspended without previous Warning(s) or Probation. All game and officials’

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contracts shall be null and void during the duration of the Suspension. Following the termination

of Suspension, the principals must make a written request for reinstatement.

17-7.4 Penalty for Submission of False or Misleading Information

Any student, School or affected party who submits false information, withholds pertinent

information, misrepresents a fact, or is responsible for any similar misconduct during any matter

involving an IHSAA application, investigation, decision, hearing or appeal, will be subject to

sanctions by the IHSAA, which may include the denial or revocation of eligibility, the denial or

revocation of licensure, the denial or Suspension from Membership or the denial or revocation

of any other IHSAA benefit.

17-7.5 Responsibility of School for Cost of Litigation

An IHSAA member School which institutes, or which encourages or finances, a less than fully

successful litigation against the IHSAA, or a less than fully successful agency or administrative

review of the IHSAA, which challenges the IHSAA Articles, By-Laws, rules, regulations,

policies, rulings or decisions, either prior to or after having first exhausted the internal appeal

procedures of the IHSAA, will assume and pay the full cost of such litigation, including counsel

fees, expenses and costs incurred by either the IHSAA or incurred by any IHSAA member

school brought into the litigation.

17-8 Waiver

17-8.1 General Waiver of an IHSAA rule

Except with respect to rules 4, 8-4, 12 and 18, and Contest Officials’ decisions, the

Commissioner, his/her designee, the Review Committee or Case Review Panel shall have

the authority to set aside the effect of any rule and grant a general waiver when the affected

party establishes, by clear and convincing evidence, and to the reasonable satisfaction of

the Commissioner, his/her designee, the Review Committee or the Case Review Panel,

that all of the following conditions are met:

a. Strict enforcement of the rule in the particular case will not serve to accomplish the primary

purposes of the rule;

b. The spirit or reason for the rule will not be offended or compromised by a waiver;

c. Unless waived, an undue harm or burden will be suffered by the affected party from

enforcement of the rule; and

d. When a student eligibility waiver is requested, a hardship condition, as defined in rule

17-8.3 exists.

17-8.2 Application for a General Waiver

An affected party shall apply for a general waiver at the time a matter is referred to the

Association under rule 17-2.4 or rule 17-2.5 or, if the matter is not so referred, during the

investigation, but prior to a decision, under rule 17-3; for good cause shown or because of

circumstances outside the control of the affected party, an affected party may seek a general

waiver during the review process under rule 17-4 for the first time. Under any circumstance,

however, the appropriate time for a general waiver application is when the grounds for the

waiver are discovered.

a. In bringing a general waiver request, an affected party shall make application in a writing

which shall contain all facts pertaining to the case, including sufficient data to make

it possible to reach a decision without further investigation. All correspondence and

documents pertinent to the case shall be submitted.

b. Requests for a general waiver should always be made prior to any action or participation

by the student, coach, School or affected party under circumstances which would constitute

either ineligibility or a rule or decision violation.

17-8.3 Student Eligibility General Waiver

A student seeking a student eligibility general waiver must show the existence of a hardship

condition. A “hardship condition” means an extremely negative non-athletic condition, peculiar

to the student, which is caused by unforeseen, unavoidable and uncorrectable events, which

is beyond the election, control or creation of the student, the student’s family, the student’s

supporters, the student’s coaches and the student’s School, and which causes the student to

be ineligible or not fully eligible, or which objectively compels some action which results in the

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student being ineligible or results in the student not having full eligibility. A student eligibility

general waiver is exceptional and extraordinary relief, granted in rare cases; ordinary cases

shall not qualify for a student general eligibility waiver.

a. Likewise, a negative change in the financial condition of the student or a student’s family

may constitute a hardship condition, however, such change must be permanent, substantial

and significantly beyond the control of the student or the student’s family.

b. In a transfer case where a student seeks full or Limited Eligibility, and there is evidence

that the transfer or move was motivated, in part, by athletic reasons, albeit not for primarily

athletic reasons, the student will not qualify for a general waiver.

17-8.4 Non-Student Eligibility General Waiver

When the circumstances do not directly relate to student eligibility, an affected party may request

a general waiver when special circumstances arise that call for relief from, or modification of,

the effects of a rule, policy or procedure on an affected party.

17-8.5 Limited Eligibility Waiver

In addition to the foregoing, in transfer cases under rule 19-6, (the student transfers without a

corresponding change of residence by his/her parent(s) or Guardian(s)),the Commissioner,

his/her designee or the Committee shall have the authority to set aside the effect of the

transfer rule and grant a student full eligibility following a transfer if (a) the student continues

to reside with his/her parent(s) or Guardian(s), (b) the student establishes, to the reasonable

satisfaction of the Commissioner, his/her designee or the Committee, that the transfer is in the

best interest of the student and there are no athletic related motives surrounding the transfer,

and (c) the principals of the sending and receiving Member Schools each affirm in writing

that the transfer is in the best interest of the student and there are no athletic related motives

surrounding the transfer. In addition, in those circumstances where the student attended a

Member School, other than the sending and receiving Member School, at any time during the

Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days prior to the transfer, the principal of the other Member

School(s) the student attended during the Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days prior to the

transfer must also affirm in writing that the transfer is in the best interest of the student and

there are no athletic related motives surrounding the transfer.

17-9 Eight Semester Eligibility Waiver

The Commissioner, his/her designee or the Committee may in individual cases, upon written

request, declare eligible a student who would otherwise be ineligible under rule 12 if all of the

following conditions are met:

a. the student has not graduated from high school;

b. the student establishes, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commissioner, his/her

designee or the Committee, that he or she has, or had, a disability as defined in the

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1401(3);

c. the student establishes, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commissioner, his/her

designee or the Committee either: (1) the student had an I.E.P. and was meeting the

requirements of the I.E.P., yet is unable to graduate from high school within Eight (8)

semesters after entering ninth grade, primarily because of the disability; or (2) the student

did not have an I.E.P. and is unable to graduate from high school within Eight (8) semesters

after entering the ninth grade, primarily because of the disability; and

d. the student establishes, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Commissioner, his/her

designee or the Committee that the student’s participation would not constitute an

undue risk to the health and safety of other participants or provide the student or the

student’s team an undue competitive advantage. Without limiting the evidence that may

be considered, the Commissioner, his/her designee or the Committee, may consider the

following in determining whether the student’s participation would constitute an undue risk

to the health and safety of other participants or provide the student or the student’s team

an undue competitive advantage: (1) whether the student has presented a report from a

physician regarding the student’s height, weight and whether the student is likely to pose

an undue risk to the safety and health of other participants; the student shall submit to an

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independent medical examination by a physician selected and paid for by the Association

at the request of the Commissioner, his/her designee or the Committee; (2) whether the

student has previously participated in the sport for which eligibility is sought, or a similar

sport, and if so, how many years and at what level the student has participated and whether

the student’s skill level is such that the student was ever a member of the starting team or

was a recipient of league or other honors as a result of previous participation in the sport;

(3) whether the student has competed in a prior state Tournament Series competition (either

in an Individual Sport or in a team sport), and particularly at the championship level; and

(4) whether the sport is a contact or a non-contact sport.

17-10 Review by Case Review Panel

17-10.1 Right to Review of Final Association Decision by Parent of a Student

a. The IHSAA shall have a case review panel (“Panel”) which shall review the final application

or interpretation of any rule of the IHSAA to a student when the student’s parent disagrees

with a final decision of the IHSAA. The Panel shall be bound by these procedural rules

and the substantive rules of the IHSAA when reviewing any final decision of the IHSAA.

b. A student’s parent who disagrees with a decision of the final application or interpretation

of any rule of the IHSAA shall have the right to do One (1) of the following: (1) accept the

IHSAA’s final decision, or (2) refer the case to the Panel not later than thirty days after the

date of the IHSAA Review Committee’s decision.

c. The IHSAA will implement the decision of the Panel on each case, subject to any

determination made following judicial review under rule 17-10.5.

17-10.2 Case Review Panel

The case review Panel shall be comprised of Nine (9) members including:

a. Eight (8) members appointed by the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction

(“Superintendent”) with the following qualifications:

(1.) Four (4) parents of high school students,

(2.) Two (2) high school principals, and

(3.) Two (2) high school athletic directors,

who shall serve a Four (4) year term. Any member who ceases to meet these

qualifications shall cease to be a member of the Panel, and the Superintendent shall

appoint a replacement member to serve out the remainder of the term.

b. the superintendent, or a designee, who shall be the chairperson of the Panel.

17-10.3 Panel Meetings

a. The Panel must meet monthly, unless there are no cases before the Panel. The Panel may

meet more frequently at the call of the chairperson. However, the chairperson must call a

meeting within five (5) business days, or as soon thereafter as a quorum can be assembled,

after the Panel receives a case in which time is a factor in relation to the scheduling of an

athletic competition.

b. A quorum of the Panel is five (5) members. The affirmative vote of the greater of the

majority present or Four (4) votes if less than Seven (7) members of the Panel are present

is required for the Panel to take action.

c. Upon receipt of a case, the Panel must do the following: (1) collect testimony and information

from both the IHSAA and the parent, and (2) place the case on the Panel’s agenda and

consider the case at a meeting of the Panel.

17-10.4 Panel Decision

a. Not later than Ten (10) business days after the meeting at which the Panel considers the

case, the Panel must issue a written decision that does One (1) of the following:

(1.) uphold the IHSAA’s decision,

(2.) modify the IHSAA’s decision, or

(3.) nullify the IHSAA’s decision.

b. The Panel shall promptly make a written ruling of its determination. The parties before the

Panel shall be permitted to submit a proposed written ruling for the Panel’s consideration.

c. A decision of the Panel applies only to the case before the Panel and does not affect any

rule of the IHSAA or decision under any rule concerning any student other than the student

whose parent referred the case to the Panel.

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17-10.5 Judicial Review

a. If the IHSAA or the student’s parents who referred a case to the Panel disagrees with the

decision of the Panel, the IHSAA or the student’s parents may file a legal action to review

the Panel’s decision (“judicial review”).

b. An action for judicial review must be filed with a court with jurisdiction not later than forty-

five (45) days after the Panel issues its decision.

c. In an action for judicial review, a court may reverse the Panel’s decision if the court, upon

its own review of the facts and issues involved in the decision and the applicable rule of

the IHSAA, determines that the decision of Panel, or the IHSAA’s decision upheld by the

Panel, is:

(1.) not a fair and logical interpretation or application of the IHSAA’s rules:

(2.) arbitrary , capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the

law;

(3.) contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity;

(4.) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, or short statutory of rights;

(5.) without observance of procedure required by law, or

(6.) unsupported by substantial evidence.

d. A court reviewing a Panel’s decision may do the following:

(1.) Affirm the Panel’s decision,

(2.) Modify the Panel’s decision,

(3.) Review the Panel’s decision, and remand the action to the Panel for action directed

by the court.

e. Should the IHSAA fail to follow the hearing and appeals procedures described in rules 17-4

and 17-10, a student’s parent may proceed directly to a court with jurisdiction to resolve

a dispute.

Q & A

Penalties - Generally

Q. 17-1 What will the penalty be for the violation of an IHSAA rule?

A. Penalties are not assigned in advance, as the IHSAA, a democratic organization,

is built on the idea that the observance of its rules and regulations is more to be

desired than the enforcement of them. The IHSAA believes that the essence of

proper and willing observance is higher than enforcement and that the IHSAA

should resort to enforcement only when observance fails.

Full Eligibility Under the General Waiver rule

Q. 17-2 How does a student bring to the attention of the IHSAA the fact that he/she

has transferred Schools without a parental change in residences, however, he/

she has a valid non-athletic reason for transferring, and what does the student

need to show to establish that the transfer qualifies for full eligibility under the

General Waiver Rule, rule 17-8.1?

A. A student who believes that the circumstances of the transfer qualifies for full

eligibility under the General Waiver Rule (rule 17-8.1), is obligated to make the

application for the waiver a part of the student’s Transfer Report. Any waiver

request must be substantiated with documents and statements showing a clear

basis for a waiver. The failure of a student to provide evidence and proof of

the circumstances supporting the waiver, and especially the failure to even

request a waiver on the Transfer Report, indicates that the transfer may not

really be the result of the circumstances offered to support the waiver request.

(rule 19-8.1)

Q. 17-3 A student’s family claims that it cannot afford to send a student to a Private

School because of an increase in tuition costs at the Private School, or because

the family’s financial situation has had a negative change, and as a result, the

family cannot afford the cost of the Private School. Can the student get full

eligibility under the General Waiver Rule, rule 17-8.1?

A. A tuition-paying Private School student may successfully show a ‘hardship

condition’ based on a substantial negative change in financial conditions,

however, the student must show that the change was unforeseeable,

permanent, substantial, and significantly beyond the control of the student and

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the student’s family. Increases in tuition or additional costs at a Private School

are considered ‘foreseeable’ and generally do not meet the criteria. To be

considered, the claimed negative change in the family’s financial condition must

have arisen after the student’s Enrollment at the Private School. In addition, the

student must have attempted to address the negative change in the family’s

financial condition with the Private School (e.g. financial aid), and show that

any aid or assistance from the Private School was insufficient to address the

negative change in the family’s financial conditions. In all cases, the student

and the student’s family must clearly show that the cost of the Private School

is no longer affordable. (rule 17-8.4(c))

Q. 17-4 A student is Enrolled in a School which is not a School which Serves the

Student’s Residence. It is becoming more and more difficult to travel to and

from the School. If the student transfers to the School which Serves the

Student’s Residence, will the student be eligible for Varsity competition under

the General Waiver Rule?

A. Generally, no. When it was decided that the student would enroll at a School

which did not serve the student’s residence, the student and his/her family

were well aware that transportation problems might arise (the problems were

clearly ‘foreseeable’), and with such understanding, they voluntarily assumed

full responsibility for any current and any future transportation problems.

When transportation problems then do arise, such as road construction,

changes in carpools, weather-related difficulties, rise in gas prices, family-

related transportation problems, etc., these problems were foreseeable, were

voluntarily assumed, and therefore, do not constitute a ‘hardship condition’.

These transportation problems simply do not support a Rule 17-8.1 General

Waiver. (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3)

Q. 17-5 A School has discontinued an academic program in which the student

participated. If the student transfers to a new School that offers the same

program can the student get full eligibility under the General Waiver Rule?

A. A transfer made as a result of a School discontinuing a particular academic

program might establish a hardship condition, however, there must be proof

that the student was fully enrolled in the academic program at the former

School, the program had been a significant focus of the student and a focus of

the student’s education program, the program was discontinued at the former

School and the student actually Enrolled in the same or a similar program at

the new School. The discontinuance of a single subject, like calculus, will not

result in a student receiving a waiver. (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3)

Q. 17-6 A student, without a parental move, transfers to a new School because of a

medical condition. Will the student be allowed to compete at his/her new School

at the Varsity level?

A. Transfers because of a medical condition may qualify for full eligibility under the

General Waiver Rule (17-8.1) provided a physician substantiates the need for

the transfer as an integral part of the student’s medical therapy of prevention

or medical therapy of the aggravation of an existing condition, serious enough

to warrant a compelling need to transfer. If it appears that the diagnosis was

made for the purpose of establishing athletic eligibility at the new School, the

request will likely be denied. And since neither a psychologist, a nurse nor a

social worker is able to make medical diagnosis, any supporting opinion, letter

or report from such individuals, based upon a medical reason, will be given

little if any consideration.

Q. 17-7 If a student Enrolls for his/her freshman year at a Private School or at a Public

School outside the student’s Public School attendance area, and then has

trouble making friends at this School and also has academic difficulties at this

School which is known as being academically challenging, can the student,

without a parental move, transfer to another School where the student’s friends

are attending or which offers a course of study which is less challenging than

the students original School, and get full athletic eligibility (varsity) at the new

School?

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A. This circumstances generally would not satisfy the criteria for a student eligibility

general waiver (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3). Since it is foreseeable that there could be

social adjustment problems when a student attends an out-of-District School,

and could be scholastic problems when a student attends an academically

challenging School, attendance at such a School would not qualify as a hardship

condition. (rule 17-8.3)

Q. 17-8 A student wants to attend a different School where the scholastic program is

better and where the student will fit in better. Will the student be eligible at

the Varsity level?

A. Transfers for these reasons generally fail to meet the criteria for full eligibility

under the General Waiver Rule. A decision to change Schools because

someplace else is “better” is not the result of a circumstance which necessitates

a School change, but is more often the consequence of a family’s decision

about what School they believe to be superior. This is a choice, totally within

the control of the student and the student’s family. Students and parents are

urged to research schools prior to Enrollment. (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3).

Q. 17-9 Will a student get a Student Eligibility General Waiver (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3)

following a transfer if the student was the subject of a disciplinary action at the

Sending School and the transfer was because of that disciplinary action?

A. No. Students who transfer as a result of some disciplinary action, pending

disciplinary action or a code of conduct violation at a Sending School would

not meet the criteria for a Student Eligibility General Waiver. (rules 17-8.1,

17-8.3)

Q. 17-10 A student attends a School where the student’s family believes there is gang

activity and believes the student is not a safe. The family doesn’t want to move

but does want the student to transfer to another, safer School. What’s the level

of athletic eligibility which will result from this transfer?

A. Safety issues at a Sending School may constitute a Hardship Condition (rule

17-8.3) and a transfer because of such safety concerns may meet the General

Waiver Rule criteria (rule 17-8.1) and permit full eligibility. In cases where the

family believes there is an unsafe school environment at the Sending School,

the student must show the existence of such problem, must show the problem

directly impacted the student and must show that remaining on that School’s

campus would be dangerous for the student. The preferable proof would

include school reports of incidents involving the student, evidence that the

student requested the school to provide assistance in dealing with the problem

and proof that the problem persisted. Proof of rumors of potentially dangerous

conditions will probably not support a student’s request for a Student Eligibility

General Waiver.

Q. 17-11 A student has been bullied by another student while enrolled at a school and

transfers to a neighboring school to get away from the student bully. The student

seeks full eligibility under the General Waiver Rule, 17-8.1. Does a bullying

situation qualify as a hardship condition?

A. Bullying may qualify as a hardship condition if there has been a verified history

of bullying and the bullying occurred at the Sending School, and not over social

media, not at the mall, not at McDonalds. Also, any bullying incidents must have

been reported to the Sending School at the time the bullying occurred, and

at a minimum, the student must have completely complied with the Sending

School’s Bullying Policy in order for the claimed bullying to be considered.

(rule 17-8.3)

Q. 17-12 Can bullying within or among athletes and teammates qualify as a hardship

condition?

A. A claim of bullying involving teammates generally does not qualify as a hardship

condition since a student who transfers as the result of an athletically-related

event is transferring for an athletic reason, even if the event is a teammate

bullying another teammate. Under rule 17-8.3, before a situation can be

considered a hardship condition, the situation must be non-athletic. Under

17-8.3(b), any evidence that the transfer was motivated by athletics often

eliminates the chance that the situation is a hardship condition.

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Q. 17-13 A student attending the local public school now wants to attend the local private

school which has a religious component in its operations and curriculum.

And another student now wants to attend the local public school because he/

she is tired of having to attend morning religious services and having to take

religious classes. Will either student be eligible at the Varsity level following

the transfers under the General Waiver Rule?

A. Transfers based upon a student’s desire to attend and get an education at a

religious school, and transfers based upon a student’s desire to not to attend a

religious do not qualify as hardship transfers. The decision to transfer to another

Schools because the other school is religious and offers religious instructions,

just like the decision to transfer to another Schools because the other school is

not religious and does not require religious instruction, is rooted, not in some

hardship condition at the incumbent school, but rather upon a decision to attend

another school which better fits the student’s interests and wishes. This is a

choice, totally within the control of the student and the student’s family and

does not qualify as a hardship condition or as a basis for granting a waiver.

(rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3).

Q. 17-14 Following her rule 19-6.1 transfer, the student (girls basketball) claims that, since

the Receiving School doesn’t have a girls JV basketball team, which means

that she’ll be unable to play basketball there, then that situation constitutes a

hardship condition, Does the student qualify for a General Waiver under rule

17-8.1?

A. No. A student seeking a General Waiver under rule 17-8.1 must show the

existence of a hardship condition as described in rule 17-8.3, and in the context

of a school transfer, the hardship condition must have actually caused the

student to transfer schools. The inability to play basketball at a Receiving

School because the school doesn’t have a team for students granted limited

eligibility is neither a hardship condition nor a basis for a rule 17-8’1 General

Waiver. (rules 17-8.1, 17-8.3).

Eligibility Under the Transfer Waiver Rule 17-8.5

Q. 17-15 A student moves to the home of an uncle who became the student’s Guardian,

and transfers to a Member School which serves the uncle’s residence. The

principal of both the former Member School and the new Member School

signed the verification on the Transfer Report that the transfer was in the best

interest of the student and that there were no athletic related motives involved.

Will the student get full eligibility under rule 17-8.5?

A. No, under rule 17-8.5, the student must meet each condition of the rule,

including the requirement that the “student continues to reside with his/her

parents/Guardians”, and here since the student did not meet the “continue to

reside” criteria, the student would not receive a rule 17-8.5 waiver.

Q. 17-16 A student moves between the residences of his/her divorced parents, but he

does not want to enroll at the Member School which Serves the Student’s (new)

Residence, and instead, wants to enroll at a Member School not Serving the

new residence. Can the student get full eligibility at the new Member School

under 17-8.5?

A. No. A student moving to live with a parent can obtain full eligibility under rule19-

6.1(b), but under rule 19-6.3, can only obtain full eligibility at the School which

Serves the Student Residence, and here the Receiving School did not Serve

the student’s new residence. Also, a student who moves from one parent to

another cannot meet the criteria for a Limited Eligibility Waiver (rule 17-8.5)

because the student has to continue to reside with the parent, and in this case

the student did not continue to reside with the parent, but instead moved to

live with the other parent.

Rule 17 - Investigations ... Waivers

RULE 18 – SCHOLARSHIP

Philosophy

Realizing that the age group served by high school represents an interval in human

development that can be turbulent and complex, the IHSAA is concerned with educating

the “whole person.” Therefore, the primary focus of any Indiana Secondary School should

be to provide educational opportunities for its students in accordance with the requirements

set forth by the Indiana Department of Education. This academic training should progress

toward an adequate education and ultimately in earning a high school diploma. Participation in

interschool programs is a privilege for which reasonable standards should be established and

enforced for the educational and personal welfare of the students who participate. If students

cannot successfully carry and pass a normal minimum load of formal classroom work and

simultaneously undertake the extra demands upon time and energy required by interschool

participation, they should postpone their commitment to interschool programs and concentrate

time and effort on achieving in the classroom. On the basis of these premises, minimum

academic achievement requirements have been established by the IHSAA. Hopefully, the

minimum academic eligibility standards adopted will:

a. promote higher educational standards;

b. upgrade student academic performance;

c. counter public criticism of schools for low expectations and low student achievement; and

d. enable schools to use athletic participation as a motivator for better classroom performance

and achievement.

18-1 Minimum Course Enrollment and Grades for Participation

To be eligible scholastically, students must have received passing grades and earned credit at

the end of their last Grading Period in School in at least Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum

number of full credit subjects that a student can take and must be currently Enrolled in at least

Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit subjects that a student can take.

a. The preceding notwithstanding, a student must have been Enrolled in a minimum of Four

(4) full credit courses during the last Grading Period, and must be Enrolled in a minimum

of Four (4) full credit subjects (or the equivalent) during the current Grading Period, unless

a Block Four schedule is used, and then the student’s Enrollment must be in a minimum

of Three (3) full credit courses.

b. If grades reported at an Eligibility Certification Date include both Grading Period grades

and semester grades, then semester grades take precedence for eligibility purposes.

c. A student may use up to Two (2) semesters of the state-required physical education course

for eligibility purposes, with each semester’s course counting as One (1) full credit.

d. Physical education credit earned by participation on an athletic team, may not count toward

academic eligibility.

e. Class periods must meet Indiana Department of Education standards.

f. In the event a School establishes minimum academic requirements which are greater

than the IHSAA academic requirements, the IHSAA will consider those higher academic

requirements to constitute the IHSAA academic requirements at such School, and will

require that a student at that School meet those greater academic requirements before

that student is eligible scholastically under this rule.

Enrollment and Passing Chart

Block

Four

If the maximum number of

daily instructional periods:

4 4 5 6 7 8 9

Then the minimum number of

classes student must take are:

3 4 4 5 5 6 7

And the minimum number of

classes student must pass are:

3 3 4 5 5 6 7

Rule 18 - Scholarship

18-1.1 Amount of Credit

The amount of credit given for any subject shall be as authorized by the Department of

Education.

NOTE: With such approval, Advanced Physical Education may earn a maximum of One

(1) credit, per semester.

18-1.2 Multi-Credit Subjects

Subjects for which Two (2) or more credits per semester are earned toward graduation shall

be considered as an equivalent number of required subjects.

18-1.3 Vocational and Special Education School Credits

Students attending state approved vocational or special education schools may transfer such

grades and credits earned to their home School for the purpose of establishing eligibility.

18-1.4 Partial Credit Subjects

A combination of 2, 3, or 4 partial-credit subject grades may be substituted for 1 or 2 full-credit

subject deficiencies.

18-1.5 Transfer Students

Transfer students must meet the requirements of this rule. However, if a transfer student is

coming from a school with a different academic schedule that cannot be accommodated in his/

her new School, and the transfer student is certified to be academically eligible by the school

from which he/she is transferring, said transfer student shall have full academic eligibility

in their new School until the transfer student can Enroll, complete and receive credit in the

maximum number of full credit subjects that a student can take at the new School. However,

during this interim period the transfer student must receive passing grades at the new School

in at least Seventy percent (70%) of the classes in which the student is Enrolled (semester

grades take precedence) and meet all other eligibility rules.

18-1.6 Semester Ineligibility

Students who are ineligible scholastically at the end of a Grading Period or semester, are

ineligible for the following Grading Period.

18-2 Certification Dates

Each School will establish consistent Grading Periods within the school year. The principal

shall set the Eligibility Certification Dates annually on the membership page/form. Each

Eligibility Certification Date must occur no later than noon of the tenth school day following

the end of each Grading Period. The principal shall certify the grades of each student on the

Eligibility Certification Date.

18-3 Night School

When students from a member School attend any night school approved by the Department

of Education and such students desire to count the credits earned toward IHSAA scholastic

eligibility requirements, they must obtain written approval from their high School principals

that each specific course credit/s earned will be accepted and counted toward graduation.

When establishing current scholastic eligibility requirements, they must be passing Seventy

percent (70%) of the maximum of full credit subjects or the equivalent taken concurrently in

day and/or night school.

18-4 Make-up for Scholastic Deficiency

Scholastic deficiencies caused by the inability of a student to pass Seventy percent (70%)

(See rule 18-1) or the equivalent in the previous Grading Period (semester grades take

precedence) may be made up in night school, summer school or correspondence school and

counted toward eligibility provided:

a. it be done in an accredited school or according to procedures approved by the Department

of Education;

b. all work be done and the necessary credits be made a matter of final record in principal’s

office prior to the opening date of the Grading Period in which eligibility is desired. This

does not apply to incompletes;

c. all work and credits be Bona Fide and certified as such by the high School principal;

d. Summer school credits for scholastic deficiency must be completed at the Sending School

prior to the transfer of athletic eligibility.

Rule 18 - Scholarship

18-5 Incompletes

An incomplete in a course at the end of a Grading Period or semester counts as a failure

until deficiency has been removed; an incomplete in a course on the Eligibility Certification

Date counts as a failure and, for scholastic eligibility purposes, cannot later be made up or

removed. A School may request a hardship waiver of this rule, regarding a make-up of an

incomplete after the Eligibility Certification Date for an extreme situation outside the control

of the student and the student’s parent(s).

18-6 Withdrawals

Students who withdraw within the first Fifteen (15) school days of a semester shall not be

considered ineligible as to scholarship at the beginning of their next semester of Enrollment,

provided they were eligible when they withdrew.

18-7 Alternative Courses

High school students who are Enrolled in a member high School may, with prior written approval

of their high School principal, obtain credits from alternative courses which may count toward

IHSAA scholastic eligibility requirements:

a. College Courses: A student may attend an accredited institution which grants credits which

count toward a baccalaureate degree from that institution, for credit that is acceptable for

high School graduation and for college credit, provided:

(1.) the college course is approved by the Department of Education,

(2.) the local Board of School Trustees counts the college course credit toward

graduation,

(3.) the college class is taken concurrently with the student’s School classes.

b. Unavailable Courses: A student may attend class at another accredited school for credit in

course offerings which cannot be obtained at the student’s School so long as the student

is Enrolled in and attending credit courses at their home School and the class is equivalent

to a regular course at the student’s home School.

c. College During Vacation Periods: During a vacation period, high school students with

remaining athletic eligibility may Enroll in or attend a program in an accredited institution of

higher learning that may give them college credit provided they have prior written approval

of their high School principal.

d. Virtual Course: A student may earn course credits by attending a non-traditional Virtual

Course provided:

(1.) the Virtual Course is approved by the Department of Education;

(2.) the local School Board of Trustees counts the credits earned in a Virtual Course

towards graduation;

(3.) Virtual Course classes are taken concurrently with a student’s regular classes;

(4.) the total number of Virtual Courses enrolled in and attended by a student during

a Grading Period may not exceed Thirty percent (30%) of a student’s total course

load.

However, upon application from a member School, and for good cause, the Commissioner

may alter the percentage a student’s total course enrollment may be Virtual Courses

during a Grading Period, provided that under all circumstances the student must be

enrolled in and must attend the School for a minimum of One (1) full credit, non-Virtual

Course during the Grading Period.

e. Innovative Course. Credit for an Innovative Course may count toward IHSAA scholastic

eligibility requirements provided:

(1.) the Innovative Course is approved by the Department of Education;

(2.) the local Board of School Trustees counts the Innovative Course credits toward

graduation; and

(3.) the Innovative Course classes are taken concurrently with the student’s regular

School classes

18-8 Special Education

A student who (a) is receiving special education and related services pursuant to an individual

education program, (b) is not earning credits toward a diploma, (c) is working toward a certificate

of completion, certificate of attendance, or the equivalent, and (d) the student’s individual

Rule 18 - Scholarship

education plan (IEP) includes satisfaction of the IHSAA academic standards contained in rule

18-1, may meet such academic requirements, provided the student is making satisfactory

progress toward the goals, objectives and benchmarks contained in the student’s progress

reports and case conference committee, and certified by the building principal.

Q & A

Academic Eligibility - Generally

Q. 18-1 When is a student academically eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics

at a member School under the IHSAA rules?

A. In general, a student is eligible academically if the student is currently enrolled

in at least Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit subjects

available, or the equivalent, and the student received a passing grade in

Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit high school

subjects available, or the equivalent, in the previous Grading Period. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-2 If a student fails to pass Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full

credit high school subjects or the equivalent during the last Grading Period of a

semester but earns credits in Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number

of full credit high school subjects for the semester, will the student be eligible

at the beginning of the first Grading Period of the next semester?

A. Yes, the semester grades take precedence over grades received during the

final Grading Period of the semester. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-3 If a student passes Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full

credit high school subjects or the equivalent during the last Grading Period of

a semester but failed to earn and be awarded credits in Seventy percent (70%)

of the maximum number of full credit high school subjects for the semester,

when will the student be eligible during the next Semester?

A. While the failure to passes Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of

full credit high school subjects or the equivalent for the last semester means

that the student will be ineligible for the next Grading Period, the student’s

academic eligibility for the remainder of the semester will be determined by

the grades the student achieves during each of subsequent Grading Periods.

If the student passes Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of full

credit high school subjects or the equivalent during the second Grading Period

of the next semester, then the student be eligible for the following Grading

Period. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-4 If a student is academically ineligible at the end of a Grading Period or semester,

is the student academically ineligible for the entire next Grading Period?

A. Yes, an academically ineligible student at the end of a Grading Period or end

of a semester is academically ineligible for the next Grading Period. (rule 18-

1.6)

Q. 18-5 If a student is academically ineligible at the end of a Grading Period or a

semester, when can the player become academically eligible?

A. If, following a period of academic ineligibility a student successfully meets all

academic requirements during a succeeding Grading Period, the student will

be eligible to play on the date the principal certifies grades for the succeeding

Grading Period. Here the student would be eligible on the certification date

for the succeeding Grading Period. (rule 18-2)

Q. 18-6 Is a student, who was academically ineligible during the first Grading Period

of the fall semester, but who then meets the scholarship requirements during

that first Grading Period, eligible to play the night of the last day of that first

Grading Period?

A. The date of academic eligibility following a period of academic ineligibility

depends on the Eligibility Certification Date established by the student’s School.

Based upon the grades from the just-completed Grading Period, a student

will becomes academically ineligible, or will become academically eligible,

on the School’s Eligibility Certification Date. Here, if the School’s Eligibility

Certification Date is the last date of the Grading Period, then the student would

Rule 18 - Scholarship

be academically eligible to play sports that day, but if the School’s Eligibility

Certification Date was the following Tuesday, for example, then the player

would be eligible the following Tuesday. (rule 18-2)

Q. 18-7 Is a student who is expelled from a School for one (1) entire semester, but

who Enrolls at the School the next semester, academically eligible beginning

the first day of that next semester?

A. Yes, provided the student had passed Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum

number of full credit high school subjects or the equivalent for the semester of

student’s Enrollment prior to the expulsion. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-8 Is a student who was expelled from school during the middle of a semester,

academically eligible for the first Grading Period following the period of

expulsion?

A. The student’s academic eligibility following a mid-semester expulsion is based

upon what happened to the student’s credits and grades. If the student was

expelled and all grades for the semester were lost, then the student would not

have met the requirements of passing Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum

number of full credit high school subjects or the equivalent during the student’s

last Grading Period and would be academically ineligible during the first Grading

Period following the student’s re-Enrollment. But if the student was permitted

to attend an alternative school or have a similar arrangement, post-expulsion,

and was permitted to ‘keep’ the pre-expulsion class credits/grades and was

permitted to continue classes, then the student would be academically eligible

during the first grading period following the student’s post-expulsion Enrollment,

provided the student passed Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number

of full credit high school subjects or the equivalent. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-9 Is a student who was passing Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number

of full credit high school subjects or the equivalent and then dropped out of

school for the remainder of the Grading Period, and did not receive any grades

for the Grading Period, considered eligible under the scholarship rule at the

beginning of the following Grading Period?

A. No, the student would fail to meet the requirements of passing Seventy

percent (70%) of the maximum number of full credit high school subjects or

the equivalent the student’s last Grading Period of enrollment. (rule 18-1)

Q. 18-10 Is a student who has been out of high school for a semester or more, and who

has played on a Non-School Team during that time, eligible academically when

re-Enrolling at a School at the beginning of a semester?

A. This is not an academic issue. Non-attendance at a School alone or playing on

a Non-School Team does not impact a student’s academic eligibility. Academic

eligibility turns upon the student’s academic success or lack of success during

the last Grading Period of attendance. (rule 18-1)

Make-Up Work and Repeated Courses

Q. 18-11 Can a student repeat a course and have the course count toward academic

eligibility?

A. Yes, if approved by the principal and a passing grade is earned and placed on

the student’s official transcript.

Q. 18-12 Can a student, who has an incomplete at the end of a Grading Period in One

(1) of the five (5) courses in which the student was enrolled, make up the work

in the course, obtain a passing grade for the course, and be academically

eligible during the upcoming Grading Period?

A. Yes, but it depends on when the class work is made up and when the grade

is changed from an ‘I’ to a passing grade. Incompletes can be made up

and an incomplete can be changed to a passing grade, but in order for that

passing grade to count for eligibility purposes, the passing grade must have

been entered on the student’s records on or before the Eligibility Certification

Date, rule 18-5. A School can request a hardship waiver to permit the student

to make-up the incomplete after the Eligibility Certification Date. To obtain a

Rule 18 - Scholarship

waiver the student would have to show that the reason the course could not be

timely completed was the result of an extreme situation outside the control of

the student and the student’s parent(s), such as a medical emergency. Even

if a waiver is granted, a student will remain academically ineligible until the

course is competed and the grade is changed from an ‘I’ to a passing grade.

Q. 18-13 If a student fails to pass Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of

full credit subjects available, or the equivalent, during the last semester of the

school year, may the student’s credits achieved in summer school count toward

academic eligibility?

A. Yes, summer school course grades and credits can be combined with the

previous spring semester course grades and credits in order to meet the

Seventy percent (70%) rule for the spring semester. In order for the summer

school course grades and credits to be used, all summer school courses must

be completed before the first day of school of the next fall semester. A student

who needs summer school grades and credits to be academically eligible will

remain ineligible until the summer school grades and credits are received by

the student’s School of Enrollment and the principal or the principal’s designee

can confirm that the student is academically eligible for fall sports. (rules 18-4,

18-5).

Q. 18-14 Can a student use a Non-School course to count as a full credit subject for

purposes of academic eligibility?

A. Yes, provided the course is taken or attended concurrently with the Grading

Period for which the course is to be counted as a full credit subject, and provided

the course complies with the requirements of either the Night-School rule (rule

18-3), the College Course rule (rule 18-7(a)), the Unavailable Course rule (rule

18-7(b)), the Virtual Course rule (rule 18-7(d)) or the Innovative Course rule

(rule 18-7(e)).

Q. 18-15 May a student make up an academic deficiency during a Grading Period by

demonstrating proficiency in a course or subject , and obtain credit(s) under

Ind. Code 20-36-5-1 or a similar law?

A. No, academic proficiencies can be made up under rule 18-5 only through the

enrollment in a course of study offered at a night, summer, or correspondence

school, by successfully such a course through course work, and by receiving

course credit(s). Testing out of a course may not be used to make up for an

academic deficiency.

Vocational Schools

Q. 18-16 A student attends a vocational school outside the student’s School of Enrollment,

for Three (3) hours each day. Where is the student eligible?

A. The student is eligible only at the student’s School of Enrollment. The Student’s

grades and credits at the vocational school should transfer to that School of

Enrollment (rule 18-1.3) and based upon the grades and credits from both the

vocational school and from the School of Enrollment, the student can achieve

academic eligibility at the student’s School of Enrollment. (rule 18-7(b))

Q. 18-17 A student at a member School attends a college (e.g. Ivy Tech) to take a

vocational course. Can the student use the grade and credit from the course

for eligibility purposes at the student’s School of Enrollment?

A. Yes. A student may take a vocational course “off-campus” and can gain

academic eligibility under two rules. Under the Unavailable Course Rule

(rule 17-8(b)), a student can take a course which is not offered at the School

of Enrollment, provided the student attends the School of Enrollment at least

Fifty percent (50%) of the school day. Alternatively, under the College Course

Rule, a student may use the grade and credit for a vocational course given by

a college, even if the course is available at the School of Enrollment, provided

the courses provide credit for both high school and college and the student

attends the School of Enrollment for at least one (1) credit class. (rule 18-7(a)).

Rule 18 - Scholarship

Transfer Students

Q. 18-18 Can a transfer student, who was academically eligible at the Sending School,

meet the requirements of the Academic Rule (rule 18) and become academically

eligible at the Receiving School even when the student’s academic schedule

at the Sending School (block 4) cannot be accommodated at the Receiving

School (traditional six-period day).

A. Yes. The student can enroll in an academic schedule at the Receiving School

which does not meet the School’s regular requirements and be academically

eligible at the Receiving School until the student can enroll, complete and

receive credit in the maximum number of full credit subjects that the student

can take at the Receiving School. (rule 18-1.5)

Q. 18-19 Will a transfer student, who would have been academically ineligible under the

Sending School’s enhanced academic rules (i.e., a student is academically

eligibility for athletics only if the student maintains a ‘C’ average), become

academically eligible at the Receiving School under its less stringent academic

rules?

A. No. Under rule 3-8, any ineligibility ruling under the rules of a Sending School,

such as an academic ineligibility ruling, carries over to the Receiving School,

even if the transfer student would have been academically eligible under the

academic rules of the Receiving School. An academically ineligible transfer

student will remain academically ineligible at the Receiving School until the

transfer student, going forward, meets the academic requirements at the

Receiving School.

Home School Students

Q. 18-20 May a student who is “Home Schooled” by the parents become eligible for

athletics at an IHSAA member school?

A. Yes, under the Non-Accredited Student Rule, a student who attends a non-

public, non-accredited school, which includes all home education schools, may

be eligible to participate in the athletic program at the Indiana Public School

which Serves the Student’s Residence, provided the student meets the rule’s

minimum requirements and conditions. Otherwise, a student is eligible to

participate in an athletic program involving IHSAA Recognized Sports only

at the member School in which the student is Enrolled and attends, and is

passing Seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of courses offered

at that member School. (rules 12-1, 12-5, 18-1)

Students Eligible to Graduate

Q. 18-21 Are students who have made sufficient credits to graduate in less than 8

semesters, eligible thereafter?

A. Yes, provided they do not actually graduate and remain Enrolled and carry an

adequate workload (Seventy percent (70%) of the available full credit subjects)

during the Grading Period of participation.. (rules 13-2, 18-1)

Q. 18-22 When does the eligibility of a student-athlete end if the student graduates at

the end of the first semester or the second Trimester?

A. The student-athlete would become ineligible to participate in athletics on the

first day of the next Grading Period.

Entry of Academically Ineligible Students in Tournament Series

Q. 18-23 May a student’s name be included on an IHSAA Tournament Series entry list

while the student is scholastically ineligible?

A. Yes, however, the student must be eligible at the time of participation in the

Tournament Series.

Summer School

Q. 18-24 Does a summer school credit earned by a student at a school other than the

School of Enrollment jeopardize the academic eligibility of that student?

A. No. And if the summer school credit is accepted by the Department of Education

and the principal of the School of Enrollment recognizes the summer school

work for credit, the summer school credit may be used to satisfy the academic

Rule 18 - Scholarship

requirements of the scholarship rule. In fact, the IHSAA recommends summer

school classes, which are approved by the principal of the School of Enrollment,

for students who need credits. (rule 18-5)

Q. 18-25 May summer school credits be counted as make-up for a future deficiency?

A. No, summer school credits can be applied only to make up for academic

deficiencies the previous spring Grading Period. (rule 18-4)

Physical Education Grades

Q. 18-26 May a state-required physical education course be count as a full credit subject

under the Scholarship rule?

A. Yes, regardless of whether the course is for a full credit or for half credit, each

course of the Two (2) semesters, state required physical education course

may be counted as a full credit subject for eligibility purposes. (rule 18-1)

Conditional and Incomplete Grades

Q. 18-27 Is a “conditional” or an “incomplete” considered a “pass” by the IHSAA when

determining academic eligibility?

A. No, an incomplete at the end of a Grading Period or semester counts as a

failure until deficiency has been removed and the course will count for eligibility

purposes only if the conditional or incomplete is removed prior to the Eligibility

Certification, or if the students petitions to the IHSAA for a waiver of the rule.

(rule 18-5)

RULE 19 – ELIGIBILITY AND TRANSFER

(Also see rule 12 – Enrollment and Attendance)

Philosophy

The following is a brief resume of the points of philosophy included in the transfer rule of this

Association.

a. Participation in interschool athletics is a privilege provided for students who meet the

democratically-established standards of qualification as set forth by this Association.

b. The privilege of participation in interschool athletics should fundamentally be available to

Bona Fide students in school districts where their parents or legally-established guardians

reside.

c. Standards governing residence and transfer are a necessary prerequisite to participation

in interschool athletics because:

(1.) they protect the opportunities of Bona Fide students to participate;

(2.) they provide a fundamentally fair and equitable framework in which interschool athletic

competition, in an educational setting, can take place;

(3.) they provide uniform standards for all schools to follow in maintaining athletic

competition;

(4.) they support the educational philosophy that athletics is a privilege which must not

be permitted to assume a dominant position in a student’s or school’s program;

(5.) they keep the focus of educators and students on the fact that students attend school

to receive an education first and participate in athletics second;

(6.) they maintain the fundamental principle that a high school student should live at home

with his/her parents or legally-appointed Guardian (if the parents are deceased) and

attend school in the school District in which the parents or Guardians live;

(7.) they reinforce the view that the family is a strong and viable unit in our society, and

as such, is the best place for students to live while attending high school;

(8.) they serve as a deterrent to students who would transfer schools for athletic reasons

and to individuals who would seek to recruit student athletes to attend a particular

school for the purpose of building athletic strength;

(9.) they serve as a deterrent to students running away from or avoiding an athletic conflict

or discipline that has been imposed;

(10.) they protect school programs from losing students who have established an identity

as an athlete and, as such, are contributors to the overall school program and image.

Rule 18 - Scholarship

DEFINITIONS:

Transfer For Primarily Athletic Reasons – A Transfer For Primarily Athletic Reasons includes,

but is not limited to:

a. a transfer to obtain the athletic advantage of a superior, or inferior, athletic team, a superior

athletic facility or a superior coach or coaching staff;

b. a transfer to obtain relief from a conflict with the philosophy or action of an administrator,

teacher or coach relative to athletics;

c. a transfer seeking a team consistent with the student’s athletic abilities;

d. a transfer to obtain a means to nullify punitive action taken by the previous school.

Bona fide change of residence – Determination of what constitutes a ‘Bona Fide’ change

of residence depends upon the facts in each case, however, to be considered, the following

facts must exist:

a. the original residence must be abandoned as a residence; that is, sold, rented or disposed

of, or in the process of being disposed of as a residence and must not be used as a

residence by any member of the student’s immediate family; and

b. the student’s entire immediate family must make the change and take with them the

household goods and furniture appropriate to the circumstances. For eligibility purposes,

a single family unit may not maintain Two (2) or more residences.

c. the change of residence must be genuine, without fraud or deceit, and with permanent

intent.

Limited Eligibility – A student who is declared to have Limited Eligibility shall be eligible to

participate immediately in all interschool athletics, provided, however, during the first Three-

hundred Sixty-five (365) days from the date of last participation at a previous school, such

student may not participate in interschool athletics as a member of a Varsity athletic team.

RULES:

19-1 Initial Promotion Eligibility

When a student is promoted from grade 8, such student may enter grade 9, and have full

eligibility, in a school of such student’s choice provided:

a. such student Enrolls on or before the 15th initial school day at such School; and

b. rule C–20 - Undue Influence has not been violated.

In the event a student attends a junior high or middle school which includes grade 9, full

eligibility shall be at the parent high school in grade 10.

19-2 Continued Eligibility

Once a student obtains full athletic eligibility in a School, such student retains full athletic

eligibility in that School even though such student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) or the student

moves to another District or Territory, however, such full athletic eligibility is forfeited in such

School in the event:

a. the student Enrolls at and attends another School for Fifteen (15) or more school days; or

b. such student participates in an interschool Contest as a representative of another School;

c. the student obtained full eligibility under the foreign exchange student exception, 19-6.1(m),

and the student continued in attendance at the member School after the initial year of

eligibility.

19-3 Transfer Eligibility - Generally

A student who transfers to a member School shall be ineligible to participate in interschool

athletics for a period of Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days after Enrollment, unless and

until an IHSAA Athletic Transfer Report shall have been ruled on by the Commissioner, or the

Commissioner’s designee.

19-4 Transfer For Primarily Athletic Reasons or the Result of Undue Influence

To preserve the integrity of interschool athletics and to prevent or minimize recruiting,

proselytizing and school ‘jumping’ for athletic reasons, regardless of the circumstances, a

student athlete who transfers from One (1) school to a new school for primarily athletic reasons

or as a result of undue influence will be ineligible at the new School for Three-hundred Sixty-

five (365) days from the date the student Enrolls at the new School. However, if a student

transfers and it is not discovered at that time that the transfer was primarily for athletic reasons

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

or the result of undue influence, then the student will be ineligible for Three-hundred Sixty-

five (365) days commencing on the date that the Commissioner or Commissioner’s designee

rules the student ineligible.

19-5 Eligibility When Transfer With Change Of Residence By Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

A student who transfers with a corresponding change of residence to a New District or Territory

by the student’s custodial parent(s)/guardian(s):

a. will have full eligibility at the new School if the change of residence was Bona Fide,

b. will have limited eligibility at the new School if the change of residence was not Bona Fide,

and

c. will have no eligibility at the new School if the residential change, the selection of the new

residence or the transfer itself was for primarily athletic reasons or the result of undue

influence.

19-5.1 Transfer Options When Transfer With Change of Residence by Parent(s)/

Guardian(s)

When a student’s parents(s)/Guardian(s) make a Bona Fide change of residence to a New

District or Territory, the student has the following options:

a. the student may continue eligibility at his/her original school pursuant to rule C–19-2; or

b. the student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility at the Public School which

Serves the Student’s Residence, at the Charter School which Serves the Student’s

Residence, or at a Private School which Serves the Student’s Residence, at any time prior

to the 15th school day of the next semester or trimester (Note: a School does not ‘serve’

the residence of a student who Enrolls at that School under an open enrollment program

or under a similar program); or

c. the student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility in any Public, Private, or

Charter School which does not serve the student’s area of residence is located within a

Twenty (20) mile radius of the new residence of the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) when the Bona

Fide change of residence involved a move of more than Seventy-five (75) miles; and is

the student’s first time enrolling in an Indiana school; or

d. the student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility at any school, provided:

(1). The student did not participate in any interscholastic Contest as a representative

of another school during the preceding Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days. This

exception does not apply if the school(s) the student attended during the preceding

Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days did not offer the sport in which the student wishes

to participate interscholastic or non-interscholastic, and such student participated

in athletic competition in such sport individually or as a member of a club or similar

team, during the preceding Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days.

e. the student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility when the student’s parent or

legal Guardian accepted, and commenced employment as, a licensed or certified position

at the Receiving School. The student would only obtain full eligibility at the school where the

student’s parent or legal Guardian accepted, and commenced employment as, a licensed

certified position.

f. the student may transfer and attempt to obtain Limited Eligibility in any Public School or

Private School which does not serve the student’s area of residence.

Exception: The student will only have Limited Eligibility for Three-hundred Sixty-five (365)

days from the date on which the student last participated in interscholastic athletics in the

sport(s) in which the student last participated during the Three-hundred Sixty-five (365)

days preceding the transfer. The student will have full eligibility for all other sport(s).

19-5.2 Transfer Pending a Move

When a student transfers in anticipation of the change of residence by such student’s parent(s)/

Guardian(s) to a New District or Territory, the student shall have Limited Eligibility until such

Bona Fide change of residence has actually been made and the student has been declared

eligible by the Commissioner or his/her designee unless this requirement is waived by the

Commissioner or his/her designee. For a waiver to be considered, the student shall provide

proof which may include but is not limited to an executed and binding purchase agreement

contract or lease.

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

19-6 Transfer Eligibility Without Change Of Residence By Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

19-6.1 Eligibility When Transfer Without Change of Residence by Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

A student who transfers without a corresponding change of residence to a New District or

Territory by the student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) will have immediate full athletic eligibility at the

new School, provided the transfer was not for primarily athletic reasons or the result of undue

influence, and there has been provided to the Association reliable, credible and probative

evidence that One (1) or more of the following criteria has been met.

a. The transfer is a result of the student being a ward of a court; for purposes of this rule, a

student under a guardianship is not a ward of the court.

b. The student transfers with a corresponding change of residence by the student into a New

District or Territory to reside with a parent. Moves between divorced or separated parents

may meet this criterion; however, more than Two (2) moves between such parents will not

meet this criterion unless the reasons for the move(s) are outside the control of the parents

and student and are significant, substantial and/or compelling. Likewise, any student who

repeatedly seeks full eligibility under this criterion will not qualify for full eligibility unless

the reasons for the move(s) are outside the control of the parents and student and are

significant, substantial and/or compelling, In all cases under this criterion, full eligibility

will not be approved if the approval will result in a student participating in more than One

(1) season of a sport during a school year, or will result in a student participating in more

than Four (4) seasons of a sport during a student’s Four (4) years of high school.

c. The student transfers with a corresponding change of residence by the student into a New

District or Territory to reside with a Guardian or in a foster home and the residence change

is the result of:

(1.) the student becoming an orphan; or

(2.) an extremely negative non-athletic condition, peculiar to the student, which is caused

by unforeseen, unavoidable and uncorrectable events, which are beyond the election,

control or creation of the student, the student’s family, the student’s supporters, the

student’s coaches and the student’s school. A guardianship established for the purpose

of making a student eligible will not be accepted.

d. The student’s former school closed. Note: See rule 19-6.3b

e. The student’s former school(s) attended during the entire Three-hundred Sixty-five (365)

days prior to the Enrollment at the new School were not member school(s) of the local

state high school athletic association or were not accredited by the local state accrediting

agency.

f. The student transferred pursuant to a school board mandate for redistricting.

g. The student Enrolled and/or attended, in error, a wrong school and a transfer application

is made promptly when discovered.

h. The student transferred from a correctional school.

i. The student is emancipated and has established a Bona Fide residence in a New District

or Territory.

j. The student did not participate in any interschool Contest as a representative of another

school during the preceding Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days. This exception does not

apply if the school(s) the student attended during the preceding Three-hundred Sixty-five

(365) days did not offer the sport in which the student wishes to participate, interscholastic

or non-interscholastic, and such student participated in athletic competition in such sport

individually or as a member of a club or similar team, during the preceding Three-hundred

Sixty-five (365) days.

k. The student transfers from a non-athletic association member School with a corresponding

change of residence by the student to reside with a parent and/or legal Guardian whom

the student had previously resided. Note: See rule 19-6.3b(3)

l. The student (i) transfers from a member Boarding School with a corresponding move by

the student to the residence of the student’s parent/s or (ii) when the student transfers to

a member Boarding School, the student established, to the reasonable satisfaction of the

Commissioner, his/her designee or the Committee, that (a) the transfer is in the best interest

of the student, and (b) there are no athletic related motives surrounding the transfer, and (c)

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100

the principals of the sending and receiving schools each affirm in writing that the transfer

is in the best interest of the student and there are no athletic related motives surrounding

the transfer.

m. The student is a qualified foreign exchange student under rule 19-7 who has attended One

(1) member School for One (1) year or less.

n. The student’s parent or legal guardian accepted, and commenced employment as, a

licensed or certified position at the receiving School.

19-6.2 Limited Eligibility When Transfer Without Change of Residence by Parent(s)/

Guardian(s)

A student who transfers without a corresponding change of residence to a New District or

Territory by the student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) will have Limited Eligibility at the new School,

provided the transfer was not for primarily athletic reasons or the result of undue influence. The

period of Limited Eligibility at the new School under this section begins on the date of Enrollment

and continues until the first anniversary of the date on which (i) the student last participated in

interscholastic athletic at the previous school(s), or (ii) the student last participated in athletics

as a member of a club or similar team, when the previous school(s) did not offer the sport in

which the student wishes to participate.

Exception: The student will only have Limited Eligibility for Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days

from the date on which the student last participated in interscholastic athletics in the sport(s) in

which the student last participated during the Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days preceding

the transfer. The student will have full eligibility for all other sport(s).

19-6.3 Transfer Options When Transfer Without Change of Residence by Parent(s)/

Guardian(s)

Upon the occurrence of an event which would permit a student to be declared to have immediate

full eligibility under rule C–19-6.1, the student has the following options.

a. The student may continue eligibility at the most recent Member School prior to the transfer

and pursuant to rule C–19-2;

b. The student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility, at any time prior to the 15th

school day of the next semester or trimester, provided:

(1) when the student seeks full eligibility under rules 19-6.1 (a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i),

(l), (m), full eligibility would be available only in the new Public School which Serves

the Student’s Residence or at a Charter or Private School which Serves the Student’s

area of Residence, or at the student’s previous school in which the student initially

established eligibility.

(2) when the student seeks full eligibility under rules 19-6.1(d) or 19-6.1(j), full eligibility

would be available at any school, or

(3) when the student seeks full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(k), full eligibility would be

available only at the school the student previously attended or at the Public or Charter

High School which Serves the Student’s Residence; or

(4) when the student seeks full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(n), full eligibility would be

available only at the school where the student’s parent or legal Guardian accepted,

and commenced employment as, a licensed or certified position.

c. The student may transfer and attempt to obtain Limited Eligibility in any Public School or

Private School.

Exception: The student will only have Limited Eligibility for Three-hundred Sixty-five (365)

days from the date on which the student last participated in interscholastic athletics in the

sport(s) in which the student last participated during the Three-hundred Sixty-five (365)

days preceding the transfer. The student will have full eligibility for all other sport(s).

19-7 Foreign Exchange Student Eligibility

19-7.1 Requirements to be a Qualified Foreign Exchange Student

A foreign student is a qualified foreign exchange student if he/she meets the following criteria:

a. The student has not completed his/her home Secondary School program;

b. The student meets all IHSAA eligibility rules including the scholarship rule (rule 18) and

the age rule (rule 4);

c. The student has been randomly assigned to his/her host parents and school and neither

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101

the school the student attends nor any person associated with the school shall have input

into the selection of the student;

d. No member of the athletic administration staff or the coaching staff, paid or voluntary, of any

sport or athletic activity sponsored by the Receiving School, is a member of the student’s

host family;

e. The student, in writing, (i) agrees that full eligibility under the foreign exchange exception

is for a maximum of One (1) year at One (1) school and is conditioned upon the student’s

commitment to attend the member school for no more than One (1) year, and (ii) agrees

that any continued attendance at any school beyond the initial year will be treated by the

IHSAA as attendance following a transfer without a change of residence by the parent(s)/

Guardian(s) but the highest level of eligibility for which the student will qualify, during the

year following the initial year, is Limited Eligibility.

f. The student possesses a current J-1 visa, issued by the U.S. State Department;

g. The student’s placement arrangements are completed in advance of the student’s departure

from his/her home country.

h. The student is attending School under a foreign exchange program approved by both the

Association and the Council of Standards for International Education Travel (CSIET). A

foreign exchange program, to be approved by the Association:

(1.) shall be under the auspices of an established national corporation, a not-for-profit

corporation or organization or a national civic organization;

(2.) must assign students to schools by a method which insures that no student, school

or other interested party may influence the assignment;

(3.) must consult with the member school principal prior to placement of a student in a

school;

(4.) must be able to certify the student’s participation in interschool athletics in his/her

home country;

(5.) must not select or place the student based on his/her athletic interest or abilities.

A list of approved CSIET and Association programs will be provided annually.

19-7.2 Direct Placements by Exchange Program

If a foreign exchange program, approved by the CSIET and the Association, makes a direct

placement of a student in a member School, the IHSAA must be notified in writing. A placement

is considered a “direct placement” when a foreign exchange program places a student in a

specific home or school, or in One (1) of several homes or schools, at the request of the

student, parent, host, coach, booster, school, etc. A student receiving a direct placement may

be granted Limited Eligibility. If a school fails to notify the Association of a direct placement,

the student may be declared ineligible and the school may be subject to additional penalties

as determined by the Commissioner.

(Note: The member School must file the appropriate form with the IHSAA prior to the student

receiving eligibility.)

19-8 Procedure Upon Transfer

When a student transfers to a member School, the receiving School principal shall promptly

conduct an investigation and file an IHSAA Athletic Transfer Report with the Association.

19-8.1 IHSAA Athletic Transfer Report and Investigation

a. The principal of the receiving School shall promptly conduct an investigation commensurate

with the facts known and the information provided to the principal at the time that an IHSAA

Athletic Transfer Report is requested or initiated by a student or such student’s parent(s)/

Guardian(s).

b. On all transfers, an IHSAA Athletic Transfer Report shall immediately be completed by

the student and/or the student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) as well as the receiving School

principal and principal of the School from which the student transferred (sending school)

and forwarded to the Association together with:

(1.) a written report reflecting the results of the investigation of the receiving School

principal;

(2.) a statement explaining the circumstances, documented and supported in all

appropriate ways;

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102

(3.) any verified or unverified statements from the student and/or the student’s parent(s)/

Guardian(s), and others;

(4.) all pertinent and relevant documents which appear to bear on the subject; and

(5.) recommendations regarding immediate eligibility by both principals, and in those

circumstances where the student attended a school other than the sending and

receiving school, at any time during the Three-hundred Sixty-five (365) days prior to

the transfer, a recommendation regarding immediate eligibility shall be provided by

the principal of the other school(s) the student attended during the Three-hundred

Sixty-five (365) days prior to the transfer.

c. The receiving School principal shall notify the student and the student’s parent(s)/

Guardian(s) that further investigation has been requested by either the sending school

principal or the receiving School principal, or if it would appear that further investigation

may be undertaken by the Association; under such circumstances, the student and the

student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) shall be advised that they have the opportunity to present

any pertinent information not previously provided.

d. The failure of the student and/or the student’s parent(s)/Guardian(s) or the receiving School

or sending school principals, to process and file with the Association the IHSAA Athletic

Transfer Report, may render the student ineligible and may subject the offending school

to disciplinary action.

Q & A

Transfers - Generally

Q. 19-1 Can a student, who receives Limited Eligibility following a transfer without a

parental move, receive full eligibility after the parents later move into the District

or Territory serving the school where the student had transferred?

A. No, unless the student and the student’s parent(s) had previously declared their

intent to move into the School District or Territory at the time the Transfer Report

was submitted. In other words, if a student transfers to School A and states

on the Transfer Report, in good faith, that his/her parents intend to move into

the District or Territory served by School A, then the student will likely receive

Limited Eligibility until such time that the parents move into School A’s District

or Territory, and then at that time, the student can seek full eligibility under 19-5

and 19-5.2. In addition, the student can also attempt to obtain full eligibility

at the time of the original transfer under the waiver procedure of rule 19-5.2.

(rule19-5.2)

Q. 19-2 Can a student, whose parent(s) make a Bona Fide move to a New District

or Territory, but who does not transfer at the time of the move, become fully

eligible when the student later transfers to a School which Serves the Student’s

Residence?

A. Yes. As long as the student transfers from the Sending School to the School

which Serves the Student’s (new) Residence prior to the 15th school day of

the next semester or trimester, the student can attempt to obtain full eligibility

at that School, provided there is no evidence that the transfer was the result

of undue influence or primarily for athletic reasons. (rule19-5.2) A transfer

occurring after the 15th school day of the next semester or trimester will be

treated as a transfer without a corresponding change of residence and the

student shall have Limited Eligibility, unless the student can obtain full eligibility

under another rule, such as rule 19-6.1, or under the waiver rule, rule 17-8.

Q. 19-3 If a student transfers from a member School located in One (1) city or

School District to a School in another city or School District, how is eligibility

determined?

A. Transfer eligibility is determined under rule 19. It is the administrative duty,

under rule 3 and rule 19, for all member principals to conduct an investigation

and to carefully check the record of every transfer student who Enrolls at a

member School. All member principals should also advise any student, who

contemplates making a change of schools, as to the IHSAA eligibility rules

regarding transfers. (rule 19)

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103

Q. 19-4 Can a transfer student from a Sending School which was not a member of the

high school athletic association or which was not accredited by the local state

accrediting organization, obtain full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(e), when the

student had attended the Sending School for One (1) semester?

A. Full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(e) is restricted to those cases where the transfer

student attended the Sending School(s) and those Sending School(s) were not

accredited or were not member(s) of the local high school athletic association)

during the entire 365 day period prior to the transfer. If the transfer student

attended unaccredited or a non-association member schools for just One (1)

semester, the student could not gain full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(e).

Q. 19-5 If a student’s parents moved out-of-state, but the student remains and moves

in with a family friend and remains enrolled at the original school, is this student

athletically eligible?

A. Yes. Once a student becomes eligible in a School, the student retains eligibility

in that School even though the student’s parents may have move to another

District or Territory. (rule 19-2)

Q. 19-6 Prior to the day an out-of-state transfer student enrolled at a Receiving

School (School A) for the fall semester, the student had turned in a completed

Consent and Release Certificate at another local member School, School B,

and participated in Ten (10) days of football Practice at School B? What must

the transfer student do in order to become athletically eligible to compete in a

football contest for School A?

A. First, the student will have to initiate an IHSAA Transfer Report with the School

A, and since the student was deemed to have enrolled at School B (by practicing

with the football team), the Transfer Report must be submitted to both School

B, as well as to the students original out-of-state School(s), (rule 19-8); the

IHSAA will then have to rule on the transfer before the student is eligible at

School A. Second, since a Consent and Release Certificate needs to be on

file with the School of Enrollment, the student will need to get the completed

Consent and Release Certificate from School B and file it with the School A.

Last, the Ten (10) pre-participation Practice sessions from School B should

satisfy the pre-participation Practice Attendance rule, rule 50-1, however, the

student will have to have the School B send verification to School A showing

that student had Ten (10) Practices in.

Q.19-7 A student lives with the student’s father in a public school district, and moves

to live with the student’s mother who lives in another public school district. The

student wants to enroll at a Private School which is located in the next county,

and which does not Serve the residence of the student’s mother. Does student

qualify for full eligibility at the Private School?

A. Probably no. Here, under rule 19-6.3, the student qualifies for full eligibility

only at the School which Serves the Residence of the mother and in this case,

student would not qualify for full eligibility at the Private School, unless the

Private School had officially establish a Territory (the geographic area from

which students are drawn for attendance, as established by the Diocese or

other governing board) and the Territory included the area where the mother’s

residence was located; if not, then the Territory was, by default, the town limits

of the town where the Private School was located, or the county if the Private

School was not in a town, and student would therefore have limited eligibility

at the Private School. (rule 19-6.3, see, Definitions, School which Serves the

Residence). A student, however, may qualify for full eligibility if the Private

School was the school in which the student initially established eligibility.

Q.19-8 A student moves from the residence of the student’s mother to live with the

student’s father (separated from student’s mother), and want to enroll at either

a Charter School located in the next county from where the father’s residence

is located, or at a private School, also in the next county. Can the student get

full eligibility at either School under rule 19-6.3?

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A. The student will likely have limited eligible at the Private School but full eligibility

at the Charter School. The student only qualifies for limited eligibility at the

Private School unless the Private School’s governing body had designated

the area where the father’s residence is located as being in its official Territory,

in which case the student could qualify for full eligibility because the Private

School ‘Serves’ (as defined in the Definitions, above) the father’s residence.

Indiana Charter Schools’ districts are determined by enabling legislation (Ind.

Code §20-24-5-1) which states that Charter Schools are open to all students

who resides in Indiana, and that makes a Charter School’s Territory the entire

state of Indiana. Since student‘s father residence is in Indiana, the student

would qualify for full eligibility at the Charter School. (rule 19-6.3) A student,

however, may qualify for full eligibility if the Private School was the school in

which the student initially established eligibility.

Transfer Reports

Q. 19-9 May a transfer student Practice and participate in interscholastic Contests

during the time a Transfer Report is being processed?

A. Once Enrolled at the receiving School, a transfer student may participate in

Practices prior to the completion of the athletic transfer process, however

the student may not compete in a Contest until after the Transfer Report is

approved by the IHSAA. (rule 19-3(b))

Q. 19-10 Does a transfer student, who has never attended an American School, and has

never participated in interscholastic athletics, required to complete a Transfer

Report?

A. Yes. After a student initially Enrolls in 9th grade a Transfer Report must be

completed when the student transfers to the new School, whether the student

transfers from an in-state School, from an out-of-state School or from a Home

School, and regardless of whether or not the student not previously participated

in athletics. (rule 19-3)

Q. 19-11 What happens when a student who attends a Sending School decides to transfer

to a Receiving School, attends several Summer Open Facility session at the

Receiving School, but then decides not to remain there, and instead decides

to return to the Sending School. Must a Transfer Report be completed at the

Sending School since the student never attended any classes or competed in

an interscholastic event at the Receiving School?

A. Summer Open Facility session are open only to transfer students who have

enrolled at the School hosting the Summer Open Facility, who have completed

the first two sections of the Transfer Report and who have submitted the Report

to the IHSAA. Since the student here attended several Open Facilities session

at Receiving School, it may be assumed that the student had enrolled there,

and that meant that, if the student returned to the Sending School, the student

would have to complete a Transfer Report at the Sending School. However,

if here it turned out that the student had really not Enrolled at the Receiving

School, then there was never an ‘Enrollment’ and a Transfer Report at the

Sending School was not required. However, participation in a Summer Open

Facility by this student was a violation of the Participation rule (rules 15-1.5

(b), 15-2.5 (b)) and the student and School B are both subject to penalty from

the IHSAA.

Q. 19-12 What action should be taken by a member School when unable to obtain

endorsed Transfer Report from an out-of-state school?

A. The principal should promptly contact Commissioner and request a waiver.

(rule 19-3)

Q. 19-13 Is there a penalty when a transfer student, a transfer student’s family or a

Receiving School submit false or misleading information on, or withhold

pertinent information from, a Transfer Report?

A. Yes. Under rule 19-3, a Transfer Report must be completed by each

transfer student, by the Sending School(s) involved and by the Receiving

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School, and must be submitted to the IHSAA before a transfer student can

be athletically eligible at a Receiving School. If the Transfer Report contains

false or misleading information, or if pertinent information is withheld, and if

that information was provided or withheld by the transfer student, the transfer

student’s family or supporters, or the Receiving School, rule 17-7.4 provides

for the penalties which can include the student’s loss of eligibility.

Q. 19-14 If the parents of a student move into a new area which is Served by both a

Public and a Private member school, where must the student attend in order

to be athletically eligible?

A. Under rule 19-5.2, when a student transfers with a corresponding change of

residences by the parents/guardians to a new District or Territory, the student

may attend a Charter School, the Public School Serving the student’s new

residence or a Private School Serving the student’s new residence.

Enrollment Options Following a Move

Q. 19-15 After moving to a New District or Territory with his/her parent, a student Enrolls

at a Public School which does not serve the student’s new residence or a

Private School which does not serve the student’s new residence. Will the

student be fully eligible?

A. No. A student transferring with a corresponding change of residence by the

parents to a New District or Territory can obtain full eligibility only at a Public

School or Private School Serving the student’s new Residence, or at a Charter

School. Transferring to an out-of-District Public School or an out-of-Territory

Private School will result in Limited Eligibility unless the student can establish

grounds for a waiver. (rule 19-5.1(b))

Transfers without a Corresponding Change of Residence

Q. 19-16 A student attends a Public School which is to close at the end of the current

School Year. The student knows that next year his/her residence will be

served by (Public) School A. The student decides to go ahead and transfer

at Christmas break to School A. Will the student be fully eligible?

A. No. A student who meets one of the criteria of rule 19-6.1 may have fully

eligibility at a Receiving School, however under rule 19-6.3 (Transfer Options),

the event triggering one or more of the criteria listed under rule 19-6.1 must

be occurring. A student seeking full eligibility because of a school closing

(rule 19-6.1(d)) can seek eligibility at ‘any school’ (rule 19-6.3(b)(2), however

the transfer to the new School must occur after the Sending School actually

closed, or at least contemporaneous with the Sending School’s closure. In this

case, the student would have Limited Eligibility at School A until the Sending

School closes, and at that time student could request full eligibility.

Q. 19-17 A student attends a member School, the member School eliminates calculus

from its curriculum and because of that change in the curriculum, the student

transfers to a Private member School which offers calculus. Under these

circumstances, can the student qualify for full eligibility under the Transfer

Rule?

A. No. Under rule 19, the Transfer Rule, the student does not qualify for full

eligibility. Rule 19-6.1 provides various grounds for obtaining full eligibility

following a non-move transfer, and the loss of a course at a Sending School

does not meet any of the various grounds. Therefore, the student would be

granted Limited Eligibility under rule 19-6.2. However, the student may seek

a waiver under rule 17-8.

Q. 19-18 Will a Private School student who resides with his/her parents and who transfers

to the Public School serving the parent’s residence, be fully eligible following

the transfer under rule 19?

A. No. A student transferring without a corresponding change of residence by his/

her parents/guardians will, under rule 19-6.2, likely be granted Limited Eligibility

at the Public School for Three Hundred Sixty-five (365) days from the date the

student last participated in a Contest at the Private School, unless the student

would qualify for a waiver under rule 17-8.

Q. 19-19 If a student resides with his/her parents in a residence served by a Public

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

106

School but attends the ninth grade at a Private School in the area, the student

has not participated in athletics, and as a sophomore, the student transfers to

the Public School serving his/her residence, is the student eligible?

A. A student transferring without a corresponding change of residence by his/her

parents/guardians will, under rule 19-6.2, likely be granted Limited Eligibility

at the Public School for Three Hundred Sixty-five (365) days from the date

the student last participated in a Contest at the Private School, unless the

student would qualify for full eligibility under another provision of rule 19 or

unless the student sought a waiver under rule 17-8. Here it appears that the

student had not participated in athletics during the preceding Three Hundred

Sixty-five (365) days at the student’s former School, and it appears likely that

the student could obtain full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(j).

Q. 19-20 Can a student transfer to Receiving School and obtain full eligibility under

rule 19-6.1(n) when the student’s parent obtains a job as a bus driver at the

Receiving School?

A. No. Under rule 19-6.1(n), the parent’s position at the Receiving School must

be either a teaching or administration position requiring an education license,

an administrator’s certification or similar professional credential. A position

requiring a driver’s license or similar licensure does not qualify for full eligibility

under the rule.

Q. 19-21 Can a student transfer to a Receiving School and obtain full eligibility under

sections 19-6.1(n) and 19-6.3(b)(4), if the student’s father accepted his/her

new position at the Receiving School a year prior to the transfer?

A. No. The event or occurrence which permits a student’s full eligibility at a

Receiving School under section 19-6.1(n) is the parent’s acceptance of a

position at the Receiving School, and under section 19-6.3(b)(4), the student

must enroll at Receiving School no later than the 15th day of the first semester

or trimester following that event (the parent’s acceptance of the position).

Here, since the father’s accepted the position a year ago, the student would

have had to Enroll at the Receiving School no later than the 15th day of the

first semester or trimester following that acceptance, and since that date has

passed, the student here would not qualify for full eligibility under rules 19-

6.1(n) and 19-6.3(4).

Moves Between Parental Households

Q. 19-22 Can a student transfer to a Receiving School and obtain full eligibility at a

Receiving School if the student’s parent or legal Guardian accepted a new

position at the Receiving School, but has yet to begin work at the Receiving

School?

A. No. The parent or legal Guardian must have accepted and commenced

employment. A parent or legal Guardian has commenced employment no

later than the beginning of the first day on which the employee is authorized

or required by the School to be on duty on the School’s premises.

Q. 19-23 If a family owns a business that serves several school Districts, owns a home

in Two (2) different Districts, the father and the student live in a Public School

District A and the student attends the Public School in District A, the mother

live in the apartment in Public School District B, and because of supervisory

considerations, it is decided that the student should live with the mother in

Public School District B and should attend School B, will the student be granted

full eligibility?

A. No, the student would be granted Limited Eligibility, since a single family unit

may not maintain Two (2) or more residences for athletic eligibility purposes,

unless the student would qualify for full eligibility under another provision of

rule 19. (rule 19-6.2; See definition of Bona Fide move)

Q. 19-24 If a student, who has been living in another state with the student’s divorced

mother, who has legal custody, moves to live with the student’s father and

Enrolls at the IHSAA member School which Serves the Residence of the father,

may the student be eligible at the new School?

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

107

A. Yes, provided this is the first or second move between parents. (rule 19-6.1(b))

Q. 19-25 Does the existence of a broken home, separated parents, or other factors

mean that eligibility in terms of residence will automatically be granted?

A. No, each of these circumstances is only a factor which permits the

Commissioner or his/her designee to review the individual circumstances of

the student’s case and make a ruling on the basis of an investigation and the

provisions of the By-Laws. (rules 19, 17-8)

Emancipated Student

Q. 19-26 Can an Emancipated Student, who transfers to a Public School which does

not serve the residence of his/her parents, get full eligible under rule 19-6.1(i)?

A. Yes. However, the eligibility of an Emancipated Student under rule 19-6.1(i)

turns, not upon the School serving the parents’ residence, but upon the School

serving the Emancipated Student’s residence. So, if the Emancipated Student

can establish his/her residence is in a new District which Serves the Public

School where the Emancipated Student Enrolled, the Emancipated Student

should get full eligibility under rule 19-6.1(i).

Guardians

Q. 19-27 If a student’s parents determine that it is in the student’s best interests for

the student to live with the student’s grandparents, and the parents arrange

for the grandparents to become the legal Guardians of the student, and the

student then moves in with the grandparents and enrolls at the Public School

Serving the grandparents’ residence, will the student get full eligibility under

rule 19-6.1?

A. No. A legal guardianship established for the purpose of making a student

eligible will not support a full eligibility ruling under rule 19-6.1(c)(2), and here

it appears that the grandparent’s legal guardianship was established for the

purpose of making the student eligible.

Foreign Exchange Transfers

Q. 19-28 Is a foreign exchange student, attending an IHSAA member School, fully eligible

to participate in athletics?

A. Yes, provided the student is attending under a CSIET-approved program and

all of the requirements contained in foreign exchange rule have been met and

followed. If the foreign exchange student cannot meet the foreign exchange

rule, the student will likely be granted Limited Eligibility. (rules 19-6.1(m), 19-

6.2, 19-7)

Q. 19-29 May a foreign student request placement in a specified school?

A. Yes, however under such circumstances the student would not qualify for full

eligibility under the foreign exchange transfer rule. Instead, since the foreign

exchange student would be unable to meet the foreign exchange rule, the

student would receive Limited Eligibility, unless the student would qualify for

full eligibility under another provision of rule 19. (rule 19-7.2)

Q. 19-30 May a foreign exchange student obtain full eligibility for more than a One (1)

year period?

A. No, foreign exchange students may be granted full eligible for Varsity athletics

for One (1) year, and if the student remains, the student would be treated as an

incoming transfer student who had transferred without a corresponding change

of residents by the student’s parents, and would have Limited Eligibility, unless

the student were able to qualify for full eligibility under another provision of rule

19. (rule 19-7.1(c))

Practices following a School Transfer

Q. 19-31 Will Practice sessions attended by a student at a Sending School count at the

Receiving School after the student’s transfers to the Receiving School?

A. Yes. A student’s Practice sessions at a prior School may count toward the

minimum Practice requirements of the Practice Attendance Rules (rules 9-14,

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

108

50-1), provided records of the Practices are on file with the Sending School.

Discipline following a School Transfer

Q. 19-32 Does a student’s disciplinary ineligibility penalty at a Sending School carry

over to the Receiving School following the student’s transfer to the Receiving

School?

A. Yes. Under rule 3-8(b), a student under an ineligibility penalty at a Sending

School is under the same ineligibility penalty at the Receiving School.

RULE 20 – UNDUE INFLUENCE

20-1 Recruitment Prohibited

The recruitment or attempted recruitment of a prospective student, through the use of undue

inﬂ uence, is prohibited. Undue inﬂ uence is the act of encouraging or inducing a prospective

student to attend a school for athletic purposes.

a. It is a violation of this rule for a prospective student to be unduly influenced, with or without

the offer of a tangible benefit.

b. Any successful or unsuccessful attempt to recruit a prospective student through the use of

undue influence will subject the school(s) benefited, or to be benefited, by the recruitment

to sanctions to be determined by the Commissioner.

c. If, following any recruitment through the use of undue influence, a prospective student enrolls

at a member school, the prospective student will be ineligible for athletics in accordance

with the penalty described at Rule 19-4.

d. The offer or the acceptance of any of the following shall constitute prima facie evidence

of undue influence:

(1.) money or other valuable consideration for the prospective student or the prospective

student’s parent(s), guardian(s) or family,

(2.) Free or reduced tuition, room or board for the prospective student, provided, however

that schools which charge tuition or which may make room and board available to

students, may adjust tuition, room and/or board for children of faculty members

provided there is no undue influence or under an objectively determined need-based

financial aid program for tuition, room and/or board,

(3.) Pay for work that is not performed or that is in excess of the amount regularly paid

for such service for the prospective student,

(4.) Free or reduced cost transportation for the prospective student,

(5.) A residence for the prospective student with a person connected with or who is a

supporter of the school,

(6.) Any privilege, remuneration or inducement not afforded to non-athletes, or not

uniformly available to all students, for the prospective student,

(7.) Free or reduced rent for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent(s),

guardian(s) or family,

(8.) Payment of moving expenses for or assistance with the moving for the prospective

student or the prospective student’s parent(s), guardian(s) or family,

(9.) Employment for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent, guardian

or family members in order to entice a move to a certain community.

e. The penalties provided at rule 17-7.1, notwithstanding:

(1.) any violation of rule 20 by a student may result in severe sanctions which may include

permanent ineligibility for the student

(2.) the submission of false information and/or withholding information may result in severe

sanctions which may include permanent ineligibility for the student and Suspension

from Membership by the school involved.

20-2 Past Link

a. A transfer student who has a Past Link with a Receiving School to which the student

transfers shall be ineligible at that Receiving School for Three Hundred Sixty-Five (365)

days following the student’s enrollment at the Receiving School.

b. A Past Link means that any of the following occurred:

Rule 20 - Undue Inﬂ uence

109

(1.) The transfer student attended a Practice session, a Limited Contact session or a

Summer Open Facility session at the Receiving School during the Twelve (12) months

period prior to the student’s Enrollment at the Receiving School,

(2.) The transfer student played on or in a summer, a School sponsored or a Non-School

sponsored sports (e.g. AAU) team or program which had a coach, manager, trainer,

volunteer or employee who was a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at

the Receiving School at the time the transfer student enrolled at the Receiving School,

or had been a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at the Receiving School

anytime during the Twelve (12) month period prior to the student’s enrollment at the

Receiving School, or became a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at

the Receiving School anytime during the Ninety (90) day period after the student’s

enrollment at the Receiving School.

(3.) The transfer student received instruction from a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer

or employee who was a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at the Re-

ceiving School at the time the transfer student enrolled at the Receiving School, or

had been a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at the Receiving School

anytime during the Twelve (12) month period prior to the student’s enrollment at the

Receiving School, or became a coach, manager, trainer, volunteer or employee at

the Receiving School anytime during the Ninety (90) day period after the student’s

enrollment at the Receiving School.

20-3 History of Recruitment

a. In addition to any limitation of a student’s eligibility under any other rule herein, any student

who has a history of athletic recruitment shall be entitled to no greater than Limited Eligibility

during the time the student is attending a member school.

b. A student with a history of athletic recruitment is a student who was, at any time after the

student’s Tenth (10th) birthday, recruited by an individual or agency which has a reputation

or history of recruiting students who have shown athletic talent, have shown potential

athletic talent or whose physical appearance was consistent with those of an athlete, to

relocate to a location, facility or educational institution for the purpose, at least in part, of

participating in athletics.

c. The operation of this rule will not limit a student during the time the student is enrolled

at and attending a member school, while the student is residing with his/her parent(s) or

bona fide guardian(s).

20-4 Financial Aid Programs

All funds for or adjustments to tuition, room and board must be awarded under an objectively

determined, need-based ﬁ nancial aid program. No new or existing student may accept, be

oﬀ ered or be given funds, or have funds paid on behalf of the student, for tuition, room or

board, at a member school, and no member school may award funds or make adjustments

for tuition, room or board, for a new or existing student, unless such funds or adjustment are

awarded under such an objectively determined, need-based ﬁ nancial aid program.

a. An acceptable financial aid program must utilize a standardized application process which

requires an applicant to submit financial data to an independent evaluation organization,

which then makes assessments of and recommendations for financial assistance based

upon the financial resources of the student and his/her family.

b. Any award of a scholarship, financial aid, a waiver or an adjustment of tuition, room or

board, which varies from the objectively determined recommendations constitutes a form

of undue influence and violates this rule. However, a variance from the recommendations

may be made, provided the variance is consistently applied on a program wide basis.

20-5 Limitation on Participation and Contact with a Representative of a School’s Athletic

Program by a Prospective Transfer Student.

a. No transfer student may have contact with any member of the athletic program of the

prospective transfer School prior to Enrollment at that School, unless the member of the

athletic program is in some non-athletic capacity, such as admissions, counseling, etc.,

and the contact involves only non-athletic matters.

b. No transfer student may, prior to Enrollment, Practice with or participate in a Contest for

Rule 20 - Undue Inﬂ uence

110

a prospective transfer School.

20-6 Coaches Prohibited From Practices and Contests at Non-Feeder Schools and From

Visiting Homes of Non-Feeder School Students

Coaches from member School programs may only visit the Practices and/or Contests of their

respective Feeder School/s.

a. “Coaches” include contracted and volunteer, high school and middle/junior high, and anyone

representing the respective School or athletic program for the purposes of searching out

and contacting students and/or parents for the encouragement of enrollment for the purpose

of athletic participation at a particular School.

b. Representatives of a School’s athletic program may not visit the homes of non-Feeder

School students or use other means of communication for the purpose of encouraging

enrollment and athletic participation at a particular School.

c. Coaches of Non-School Teams may not be used as agents to direct non-Feeder School

students to another school.

20-7 Contact Between Parents of Non-Feeder School Students and Coaches Prohibited

Parents of a student from a non-Feeder School that makes contact with a member School

should be referred to the Principal.

a. Initial meetings shall not be with athletic department personnel.

b. While families have the right to attend athletic events at a non-Feeder School, special

invitations, preferential seating or free admission shall not be a part of their attendance.

20-8 Attendance at High School Camps/Clinics by Non-Feeder School Student Prohibited

Following their eighth grade year, students may not attend a high school’s athletic camp/clinic

unless they are attending a Feeder School or have Enrolled in the sponsoring school. Athletic

brochures, special invitations, camp/clinic fliers, etc. shall not be issued to select students

from non-Feeder Schools unless specifically requested by the parent/s.

20-9 Participation by Non-Feeder School Student in High School Activities Prohibited

Prior to Enrollment, a student of any age from a non-Feeder School may not be made a part

of an activity related to athletics including, but not limited to, such gatherings as pep sessions,

Practices, special trips, conditioning, Open Facilities, Contests, special use of facilities, special

visits, free spirit items or clothing.

Q & A

Undue Influence - Generally

Q. 20-1 Is it the duty of the IHSAA to prove that undue influence has been used?

A. No, member School principals have agreed to conduct athletic activities

according to the rules and regulations of the IHSAA, which includes the

obligation to conform to the requirements of the undue influence rule, rule

20. It is the obligation of the member Schools to review all Enrollments at and

transfers to the School in order to certify that the student is eligible under all

IHSAA eligibility rules, rules 3-8 and 19-8. And where there is a question, it is

the duty of the high school principals to fully investigate the matter.

Q. 20-2 Why should a School be penalized because some person outside of School

uses undue influence to secure a student’s Enrollment at the School?

A. The IHSAA has found that, regardless of whether the source of the undue

influence is a person connected to the School or a person outside of the

School, the result of the undue influence is always the same: the School using

such student profits from the undue influence. However, unless the School is

actually involved in the undue influence, or unless the student involved actually

participates in athletics at the School, Schools usually are not penalized in

undue influences cases.

Financial

Q. 20-3 May a student work during vacation or during out-of-school hours in order to

earn their way through high school, without a violation of the undue influence

rule?

A. Yes, the undue influence rule applies to the use of funds created by a gift, or

by subscription with the intent of offering such funds for free use by student

Rule 20 - Undue Inﬂ uence

111

or the student’s family to induce a change of schools or residences.

Q. 20-4 May an alumnus provide financial assistance to needy students?

A. No, not directly. Donations may be made to a School and dispersed by the

School to students who qualify under an objectively determined need-based

financial aid program for tuition, room and/or board, provided student-athletes

receive no special consideration.

Q. 20-5 A School has a donor who wants to give funds to underwrite the tuition and

fees of a needy student. The School uses an objectively determined need-

based financial aid program. May the donor be permitted to meet, interview

and endorse the selection of the needy students prior to the allocation of this

financial aid?

A. No.

Q. 20-6 After donated funds are objectively allocated by a School under an objectively

determined need-based financial aid program, may a donor meet the students

who were recipients of a donation?

A. Yes.

Q. 20-7 May a booster club provide financial assistance to a needy student?

A. No, not directly. Donations may not be made directly to a student, but must

be made to the School for disbursement to students who qualify under an

objectively determined need-based financial aid program, for tuition, room and/

or board, which does not provide student-athletes with special consideration.

Q. 20-8 May a School assist the family of a student which is suffering financially?

A. Yes, the undue influence rule addresses only the payment of funds for, or

on behalf of, a student to attend a member School. Any assistance given a

student or a student’s family for the payment of tuition, room or board must be

determined under an approved objectively determined, need-based financial

aid program. Any other assistance provided for other purposes and reasons

is not prohibited, provided that such assistance is not directly or indirectly to

be used to pay tuition, room or board or used to unduly influence a student to

attend a School for athletic reasons.

Past Link

Q. 20-9 A student transfers to a School, where the student’s travel basketball coach

coaches ,and is declared ineligible under the rule 20-2. However, two months

after enrolling, the travel basketball coach leaves the Receiving School for a

new coaching job. Now that the travel basketball coach has left the Receiving

School, can the student get full eligibility?

A. No, whether the travel basketball coach remains or not is immaterial to the

student’s eligibility. The fact that a student has a link with a member of the

coaching staff of the Receiving School suggests that the transfer was athletically

motivated/the result of undue influence, and the student’s motivation included

the “link” to the coaching staff. Having transferred as the result of athletics/

undue influence, the student will be ineligible regardless of whether the travel

basketball coach remains at the School or not. (rule 20-2.)

Q. 20-10 Must there be evidence of actual ‘undue influence’ before the Past Link Rule

applies?

A. No. The Past Link Rule was established after the IHSAA witnessed a pattern,

in both school settings and in non-school settings (e.g. AAU), where student

athletes with direct and indirect contacts and connections with coaches, would

later end up Enrolling at the very School where the coach just happens to be

employed. These circumstances strongly suggested that the student’s reason

for transferring was athletic and was being enticed to transfer. However, the

IHSAA’s ability to adequately investigate these type cases is limited, there is

generally little available evidence that the coach or his/her supporters actually

recruited the student to enroll at the coach’s School and there are few if any

admissions by students, families, supporters, etc., that a transfer was athletic.

Rule 20 - Undue Inﬂ uence

112

And therefore, to control this problem under these circumstances, the Past

Link Rule was established using the presumption that these type transfers

are athletically motivated and/or the result of undue influence, and proof of

undue influence is not required. The IHSAA has successfully used a similar

presumption in its Transfer Rule.

Feeder Schools and Transfer Students

Q. 20-11 May a single middle school be a feeder of more than One (1) high school?

A. Yes, if by rule of the school system, students who attend a middle school would

automatically matriculate to Two (2) different high schools in the school system,

then the middle school is a feeder of both high schools.

Q. 20-12 Does a high school, which is a part of a Private School system which does not

have a middle school, have a Feeder School?

A. No, a Feeder School must be a part of the same school system as the high

school it feeds.

Q. 20-13 May a student who has graduated from the eighth grade attend a Camp of a

school at which the student has not Enrolled?

A. No, following the eighth grade year, students may not attend a high school’s

athletic Camps or Clinics unless they are attending a Feeder School or have

Enrolled in the sponsoring school. (rule 20-8)

Q. 20-14 Over the Summer a transfer student goes to a Receiving School, talks to

members of the athletic staff and participates in the School’s Summer Open

Facilities Program. Is this legal?

A. No. First, all initial contact with a School cannot be with the athletic staff;

before talking to the athletic staff the transfer student needs to Enroll at the

School. (rule 20-5) Second, prior to a transfer student taking part in a Receiving

School’s Summer Open Facilities Program, the transfer student must Enroll

at the School and must complete and submit to the IHSAA the first section of

an IHSAA Transfer Report. (rule 15-3.1)

Q. 20-15 After a student moves from his/her mother’s to his/her father’s residence in

another town, the father makes initial contact at a Private School with the

baseball coach (meets and discusses student’s prospective assimilation into

the school’s baseball program). The father also makes initial contact with the

baseball coach (meets and discusses the baseball program) at the Public

School which Serves the father’s residence. Afterwards the father is referred

to the Private School’s admissions office, and later the student is enrolled

there. Is this a violation of rule 20, the undue influence rule?

A. Yes. Initial contact with any prospective school by a student or by a student’s

parent should never be with the athletic department. If a parent is unfamiliar

with the IHSAA rules and makes initial contact with the School’s athletic

department, the parent should immediately be referred to the Principal, or

to someone in admissions, etc. Having any initial contact with a coach is

problematic, however, when the initial contact is accompanied by a meetings

and/or with discussions with the coach, especially about the School’s athletic

program, there is a likely violation of rule 20. (rules 20-5, 20-7.)

Rule 20 - Undue Inﬂ uence

113

114

Part III: Interschool Sports Rules

RULE 50 – SPORTS SEASONS

AUTHORIZED

PRACTICES

AUTHORIZED SEASON

CONTESTS

Sport First Last Min.

Req.

First Last Max. No.

Scheduled

and

Played

Girls Golf F-Wk 4 DTE *2 M-Wk 5 SDST 18

Boys Tennis M-Wk 5 DTE 8 S-Wk 6 SDST **22

matches

Cross Country M-Wk 5 DTE 8 S-Wk 6 SDST 14

Football

Non-Contact M-Wk 5

Contact W-Wk 5 Wk 16

or DTE

8 F-Wk 7 (V)

R-Wk 7

(JV&F)

Wk 15

or SDST

Soccer M-Wk 5 DTE 8 S-Wk 6 SDST 16+No T

or 14+1 T

Volleyball M-Wk 5 DTE 8 S-Wk 6 SDST 23+2 T

Girls Swimming

M-Wk 17 DTE 8 M-Wk 19 SDST 18

Girls Basketball

M-Wk 16 DTE 8 M-Wk 18 SDST 22+No T

or 20+1 T

Wrestling M-Wk 18 DTE 8 M-Wk 20 SDST 18

Boys Swimming

M-Wk 19 DTE 8 M-Wk 21 SDST 18

Boys Basketball

M-Wk 19 DTE 8 M-Wk 21 SDST 22+No T

or 20+1 T

Gymnastics M-Wk 20 DTE 8 M-Wk 23 SDST 16

Track M-Wk 33 DTE 8 M-Wk 35 SDST 16

Softball M-Wk 36 DTE 8 M-Wk 38 SDST 28+No T

or 26+1 T

Girls Tennis M-Wk 37 DTE 8 M-Wk 39 SDST **22

matches

Boys Golf M-Wk 37 DTE 8 M-Wk 39 SDST 18

Baseball M-Wk 37 DTE 8 M-Wk 39 SDST 28+No T

or 26+1 T

* The two-practice rule may be waived by the Commissioner if certain pre-conditions exist.

*** Composed of a maximum of Five (5) tournaments and total matches not to exceed Twenty-two (22).

KEY:

F-Wk 5 – Friday of IHSAA Calendar Week #5; F-Wk 7 (V), R-Wk 7 (JV&F) – Friday of IHSAA Calendar Week

#7 (for Varsity), Thursday of IHSAA Calendar Week 7 (for Junior Varsity & Freshman).

T – season Tournament.

SDST – Starting Date of Sectional of Tournament Series.

DTE – Date Team Eliminated from Tournament Series.

Rule 50 - Sports Seasons

115

Rule 50 - Sports Seasons

50-1 Pre-Participation Practice

Prior to the date of a student’s participation in the student’s first Contest of the Season in a

sport, the student must attend and actively participate in Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice

sessions under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff in that sport.

a. In girls golf, the Pre-participation Practice rule requires Two (2) Pre-participation Practice

sessions, and that rule can be waived under conditions established by the Commissioner.

In tennis, the Pre-participation Practice rule can be waived under conditions established

by the Commissioner. (Remove for 2024-25)

c. Only One (1) Pre-participation Practice session may be counted on any One (1) day.

d. Should a student, prior to completing the required Eight (8) days of Pre-participation

Practice, fail to attend and actively participate in more than Seven (7) consecutive calendar

days (exclusing Sunday), such student, upon returning from such absence, must participate

in, prior to participating in a Contest, the greater of (i) the number of Pre-participation

Practices session needed to meet the required Eight (8) days of Pre-participation Practices,

or (ii) Two (2) Pre-participation Practice sessions. For example, if a student in football/

volleyball is absent following the completion of the fourth Pre-participation Practice session,

then the student, upon returning from such absence, would need to attend and actively

participate in Four (4) more Pre-participation Practice sessions prior to participating in a

football/volleyball Contest, but if the same student is absent following completion of the

seventh Pre-participation Practice session, then the student, upon returning from such

absence, would need to attend and actively participate in Two (2) more Pre-participation

Practice sessions prior to participating in a football/volleyball Contest.

50-1.1 Season-to-Season Pre-Participation Practice

A student moving directly (within One (1) week) from One (1) sport season to the next sport

season is eligible to participate in a Contest in a sport during the next sports season after

completing, prior to the date of the student’s ﬁ rst Contest of the next season, Five (5) Pre-

participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staﬀ

in that sport.

50-1.2 Second Sport Pre-Participation Practice

A student, after completing Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice sessions in a sport, may try

out for a second sport during the same sport season and may be eligible to participate in

a Contest in that second sport after completing, prior to the date of the ﬁ rst Contest of the

second sport, Five (5) Pre-participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the

high school coaching staﬀ in that second sport. However, if the original sport was golf, this

rule does not apply and the student athlete must complete Eight (8) Pre-participation Practice

sessions in the second sport.

50-1.3 Pre-Participation Practice After Basic Training

A student, after successfully completing basic training with a branch of the United States

military during a Practice or Contest Season of a sport, is eligible to participate in a Contest

in that sport after completing, prior to the date of the student’s ﬁ rst Contest of the Season,

Five (5) Pre-participation Practice sessions under the direct supervision of the high school

coaching staﬀ in that sport.

50-2 Authorized Contest Season

Scheduling, timing, length and character of any Authorized Season Contest in a sport is

established by these Interschool Sports Rules and by the playing rules of that sport. Any

Authorized Season Contest in a sport must be completed during the Contest Season (prior

to the first day of the IHSAA Tournament Series) in that sport (See rule 50, NFHS rules and

the IHSAA Seasonal Bulletin).

50-2.1 Modification by the Commissioner

a. The Commissioner shall have authority to modify the scheduling, number, timing, length and

character of any Authorized Season Contest when there is a public health issue or when

there is some other unusual or compelling situation which necessitates such modification.

b. With respect to the required completion of an Authorized Season Contest in a sport during

the Contest Season in that sport, the Commissioner shall have authority, upon application,

to modify such completion date due to unavoidable circumstances occurring during the

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Contest Season, such as inclement weather, limited facilities, in-season rescheduling of

unplayed conference Contests, etc.

50-3

The maximum number of Contests and tournament limitations listed are exclusive of any

IHSAA Tournament Series.

50-4 Minimum Season Participation for Tournament Eligibility

a. In order for a student to qualify for participation in the IHSAA Tournament Series in an

Individual Sport (cross country, golf, gymnastics, tennis, swimming & diving, track & field

and wrestling) the student must have participated, during the preceding regular season in

a minimum of (i) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the Season Contests in which the student’s

school participated, and (ii) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum number of authorized

Season Contests in that sport.

b. This requirement by the Commissioner can be waived provided the student can demonstrate

that the reason the student did not participate in the minimum number of Season Contests

was because of circumstances beyond the control of the student, such as illness, injury,

ineligibility, the cancellation of a Contest(s) or the student’s failure to qualify for a spot on

the roster.

c. A waiver will not be available for students failing to participate in the minimum number of

Season Contests because of the Virtual Education School rule (rule 12-6), because of

the Undue Influence rule (rule 20) or because of voluntary non-participation or because

of voluntary non-attendance at the student’s School.

50-5

Schools may not over-schedule or overﬁ ll a School’s schedule of Season Contests in any

sport. Over-scheduling occurs when a team schedules more than the maximum number of

Season Contests permitted by the rules.

50-6 Jamboree

A Jamboree is a special interscholastic activity involving Three (3) or more Schools, in which

no School may participate for more than one-half of the Jamboree. In order to be eligible for

a Jamboree, a player must be academically eligible, if a transfer student must have full or

limited eligibility and must have previously participated in Five (5) separate days of organized

Practice prior to the day of the Jamboree under the direct supervision of the Member School

Coaching Staﬀ in that sport (in football it must be Five (5) days of unrestricted full contact

Practice). A Jamboree is not a Practice and does not count as a Practice toward meeting

the minimum number of Practices required to play in a Season Contest. A Jamboree is not

a Season Contest and does not count as a Season Contest in determining the maximum

number of Season Contests during a Contest Season. Licensed Oﬃ cials must be used in a

Jamboree in sports in which Oﬃ cials are required. A Jamboree may not be scouted by anyone

not aﬃ liated with a team participating in the Jamboree.

Q & A

Practice

Q. 50-1 Must a student who has participated in a sport during the fall Contest Season

have Ten (10) days of organized Practice in a winter sport before becoming

eligible to play in a Contest during the winter Contest Season?

A. No, only ﬁ ve (5) Practice days are required, provided the athlete reports to

Practice immediately (within One (1) week) after the end of the previous season.

(rule 50-1.1)

Tournaments

Q. 50-2 When a rule refers to “Tournaments” is this also a reference to the IHSAA

Tournament Series?

A. No, when a “Tournament” or a “Tourney” is referenced, it refers to a Season

Contest where more than Two (2) schools participate. (See Deﬁ nitions) Any

reference to the IHSAA’s season-ending tournament in any of the Twenty-Two

(22) Recognized Sports will be to the IHSAA Tournament Series.

Q. 50-3 In counting the number of Season Contest and Tournaments, does a School

include the IHSAA Tournament Series?

A. No, the maximum contest limitation applies to Season Contests and

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Tournaments and does not include the IHSAA Tournament Series. (rule 50-3)

Q. 50-4 Must a student who participates in two sports during a season, such as a diver

who also participates in wrestling, or a soccer player who also runs cross

country, also meet the 75%/25% minimum for Individual Sports, rule 50-4,

when the reason a student is unable to participate in enough Season Contests

is because of a conﬂ ict with the student’s participation in the student’s other

sport?

A. Yes. While rule 50-4 does contain a waiver provision for instances when a

student is unable to meet the 75%/25% minimum because of circumstances

beyond the control of the student, the IHSAA does not consider the inability to

meet the 75%/25% minimum because of a student’s participation in another

sport to be a circumstance which is beyond the control of the student.

Controlled Scrimmages and Jamborees

Q. 50-5 Is a Controlled Scrimmage considered to be a Practice or an interschool

Contest?

A. A Controlled Scrimmage (an approved activity whereby Two (2) Member

Schools work out against one another under IHSAA guidelines and under the

direct supervision of their respective coaches) does count as a Practice, but

does not count as an interschool Contest. (see Definitions).

Q. 50-6 How many separate days of Practices must a student have prior to a Jamboree?

A. A student must have had Five (5) separate days of Practice (in football it must

be Five (5) days of unrestricted full contact Practice) prior to the day of the

Jamboree. (rule 50-6)

RULE 51 – BASEBALL

Note: See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

51-1

The National Federation Baseball rules shall govern except as so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

51-2

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

51-3

The maximum number of season baseball games in which for any team or student may

participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series shall be Twenty-eight (28) and no

tournament; or Twenty-six (26) and One (1) tournament.

a. If a player or team participates in more than the One (1) tournament permitted during the

season, the number of games played in excess shall be included in the Twenty-six (26)

games permitted during the season.

b. If a player participates in a game as a pinch hitter or pinch runner, at the Varsity level, it

does not count toward the maximum number of game limitations for that player.

c. Players may not change levels of play if games are being played simultaneously. Players

may only change levels of play at the completion of both games.

d. If a player participates in a sub-varsity game as a designated pitcher (covered up by a

designated hitter) then it will not count towards the player’s maximum number of games

played. The player is still subject to pitch count regulations and this designation cannot

be used more than Five (5) times per player during a regular season (Amended pursuant

to an emergency by-law of the Executive Committee on January 13, 2022).

51-4

Pitch Count

a. Limits on Pitches. A baseball pitchers is limited in the number of Pitches a pitcher may throw

during a Contest, is limited in the number of Pitches a pitcher may throw during a calendar

day and must rest for One (1) or more calendar days after pitching a certain number of

Pitches. A School will be responsible for counting its pitchers’ Pitches (Pitch Count) and

complying with this Pitch Count rule. A pitcher’s Contest Pitch Count is determined by

adding all Pitches thrown by a pitcher during a Contest and a pitcher’s daily Pitch Count

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Rule 51 - Baseball

is determined by adding all Pitches thrown by a pitcher during all Contests in a calendar

day.

b. Maximum Contest and Daily Pitch Count.

(1.) A pitcher may throw no more than One Hundred Twenty (120) Pitches in a Contest.

(2.) A pitcher may throw no more than One Hundred Twenty (120) Pitches during a cal-

endar day.

(3.) This maximum number of Pitches a pitcher may throw in a Contest and the maximum

number of Pitches a pitcher may throw during a calendar day is called the Maximum

Pitch Count and a pitcher must leave the pitching position when a Maximum Pitch

Count is reached, unless the Maximum Pitch Count is reached during a batter’s at-

bat, in which event the pitcher may ﬁ nish pitching to that batter before leaving the

pitching position.

c. Mandated Rest; Pitch Count Levels.

(1.) A pitcher must rest after reaching the following Pitch Count Levels:

Pitch Count Level If the Pitch Count in a

calendar day is:

The pitcher

must rest:

1 1-35 0 days

2 36-60 1 day

3 61-80 2 days

4 81-100 3 days

5 101-120 4 days

(2.) If a pitcher reaches the maximum number of Pitches in a Pitch Count Level during a

batter’s at-bat, and the pitcher leaves the pitching position for the day after pitching

to that batter, the pitcher’s Pitch Count will be the maximum number of Pitches in

the Pitch Count Level the pitcher initially reached during that batter’s at-bat (e.g., if

a pitcher reaches the maximum number of Pitches in Pitch Count Level 3 [Eighty

(80) Pitches] during a batter’s at bat, and the pitcher leaves the pitching position for

the day at the conclusion of that at-bat, the pitcher’s Pitch Count will be Eighty (80)

Pitches, irrespective of the number of Pitches thrown during that at-bat).

(3.) Regardless of the daily Pitch Count, a pitcher who has a Pitch Count of more than

Sixty (60) Pitches over Two (2) calendar days must rest One (1) calendar day. Like

the daily Pitch Count, if a pitcher reaches Sixty (60) Pitches on the second calendar

day during a batter’s at-bat, the pitcher may ﬁ nish pitching to that batter before leaving

the pitching position, and in that event, the Two (2) day Pitch Count would be Sixty

(60) Pitches regardless of the number of Pitches thrown during that at-bat.

(4.) A pitcher’s period of rest begins on the calendar day following the calendar day in

which the pitcher reached the Pitch Count Level which required a period of rest.

d. Pitch Count Chart. A School shall maintain a Pitch Count Chart (use IHSAA form) for every

pitcher. A copy of the Pitch Count Chart with current statistics must be submitted following

each Contest to the appropriate School Administrator by the pitcher’s Varsity baseball

coach. The School shall maintain the pitcher’s Pitch Count Chart until a reasonable time

after the School’s baseball season is complete.

e. A School which intentionally utilizes a pitcher in violation of rule 51-4(b) (Maximum Contest

and Daily Pitch Count) or rule 51-4 (Mandated Rest; Pitch Count Levels) must forfeit the

Contest in which the violation occurred and report the violation in writing to the IHSAA.

f. Replacement Pitchers. A replacement pitcher for a pitcher who has reached a Maximum

Pitch Count shall have a maximum of Sixteen (16) warm up throws.

g. Recommendations. It is recommended that (i) every School also use a mobile app to count

Pitches, (ii) the School of a pitcher who has reached a Maximum Pitch Count carefully

consider an appropriate fielding position for that pitcher after considering the fielding

position’s throwing requirements, (iii) to allow for growth and arm strength, every School

should develop a pitching philosophy that includes the instruction of proper throwing

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mechanics, broadening the number of players who become pitchers on the team, and

develop a “work up” plan so that a pitcher is not throwing the maximum allowable Pitches

from the first day of competition, (iv) every Schools provide an additional day of rest for

those pitchers that throw more than Seventy (70) Pitches, and (iv) every School’s coaching

staff learn the behaviors of their pitchers and recognize each pitcher’s “fatigue threshold”.

51-5

Independent Summer Baseball

High school students may play on high school or non-school amateur baseball teams during

the Summer after their team has been eliminated from IHSAA tourney competition without

jeopardizing their standing or the standing of their School in the Association provided they do

not play under assumed names, provided they do not accept remuneration, directly or indirectly

for their playing, and provided their School is not still competing for conference awards.

51-6

Member School students shall not be considered as violating their amateur standing if they

participate, on non-school, out-of-season days, in baseball schools, clinics, and try-outs

sponsored by professional major and minor league baseball clubs.

NOTE: Any employee or school official of a Member School who acts as an agent or

encourages any negotiations between a high school student and representatives of

Organized Baseball prior to the student’s graduation, is violating the Agreement between

the National Federation and Organized Baseball. Such action on the part of an employee

or school official may cause their School to be suspended from the Association for a period

to be determined by the Committee.

Any evidence that a representative of Organized Baseball is attempting to or has signed a

student prior to graduation should be reported to the Association at once. This is a violation

of the Agreement between the National Federation and Organized Baseball, and the penalty

for such action is under the jurisdiction of Organized Baseball.

51-7

High school students playing on their high school baseball team during the Summer while their

team is still competing for conference awards make themselves ineligible by participating on

any other baseball team during that time.

51-8 Controlled Scrimmage

A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest (see deﬁ nition of Controlled Scrimmage).

Q & A

Baseball - Generally

Q. 51-1 Can a baseball Season Contest be played after the beginning of the Tournament

Series?

A. Generally, all Season Contests must be played prior to the beginning of the

Tournament Series, however, the Commissioner may extend the time for

completing Season Contests for good cause (e.g., weather, etc.) and may

permit the rescheduling of un-played conference Contests, etc. (rules 50-2,

50-2.1)

Pitching

Q. 51-2 If a Varsity pitcher throws Sixty-two (62) Pitches in the ﬁ rst Contest of a double

header, can he Pitch in the second Contest that same day?

A. Yes. The Pitch Count is a per-day count (One Hundred Twenty (120) per day)

and not a per Contest count. This pitcher would have Fifty-eight (58) Pitches

available in the second Contest of the double header. (rule 51-4(b)(2))

Q. 51-3 If a pitcher exceeds the maximum Pitch Count, what is the penalty?

A. When a pitcher reaches the maximum Pitch Count, the pitcher should leave

the Contest in accordance with the provisions of rule 51-4(c). If the pitcher is

allowed to remain in the Contest after reaching a maximum pitching level or if

a pitcher is allowed to pitch in another Contest after having reach a maximum

pitching level, there is no penalty unless the School intentionally utilizes the

120

pitcher (knew that the pitcher had met the maximum Pitch Count and still

permitted the pitcher to remain in a Contest or allowed the pitcher to pitch in

another Contest), in which event the School must forfeit the Contest and report

the violation in writing to the IHSAA. (rule 51-4(e); rule 3-9.4(a))

Maximum Contests

Q. 51-4 What is the maximum number of Season Contests in which a baseball player

may participate?

A. A baseball player may participate in Twenty-eight (28) Contests and no season

Tournament or Twenty-six (26) Contests and one season Tournament during

the Contest Season. (rule 51-3)

Non-School Participation

Q. 51-5 May a student participate in an American Legion team tryout prior to the

completion of the high school baseball season?

A. No, a student may not participate, during the Contest Season, in a try-out for,

in a game competition with or in an inter-squad scrimmages for an American

Legion team, or for any other Non-professional athletic organization or club.

(rule 15-1.2(g); See, Definition, Contest Season)

Q. 51-6 If a male student plays on an independent team in softball during the baseball

season, is the student eligible for baseball in high school?

A. Yes, since softball is not an IHSAA Recognized Sport for boys and participation

in softball would not violate the participation rule, rule 15.

Q. 51-7 May baseball players participate in non-school basketball during the IHSAA

authorized baseball Contest Season?

A. Yes. IHSAA rules do not prohibit athletes who may participate in baseball from

playing non-school basketball at the same time.

Q. 51-8 A high school student played with a semi-pro baseball team during the Summer.

No members of the team received money for their performances nor did they

receive any expense money. They did receive transportation to the games,

and meals were provided for them by the manager. Is the student eligible?

A. Yes, the student is eligible for high school baseball. He may accept reasonable

meals and transportation to participate. (rules 51-4, 5-3)

Radar Guns

Q. 51-9 May radar guns be used by Member School personnel in baseball for scouting

purposes?

A. No, use of radar guns is prohibited. (rule 9-18.1)

RULE 52 – BASKETBALL

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

52-1

The National Federation Basketball rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

52-2

First team games (Varsity) shall be played in quarters of eight (8) minutes. Second team

games (Junior Varsity) shall be played in quarters of seven (7) minutes. All other levels of

competition shall be in quarters of six minutes.

52-3

The maximum number of season basketball games in which any team may participate,

excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Twenty-two (22) games and no tournament,

Twenty (20) games plus One (1) tournament, or Twenty (20) games and a maximum of Three

(3) tournaments, provided the games played in Two (2) of the Three (3) tournaments, or the

games played in One (1) of the Two (2) tournaments if Two (2) tournaments are played, are

included in the Twenty (20) game limitations.

a. Options for player participation during any one season excluding Jamboree shall be a

maximum of:

(1.) Eighty-eight (88) quarters and no tournaments; plus One (1) additional quarter for

every instance where a player participates in Five (5) quarters in the same session.

Rule 51 - Baseball

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Rule 52 - Basketball

(2.) Eighty (80) quarters plus One (1) tournament; plus One (1) additional quarter for

every instance where a player participates in Five (5) quarters in the same session.

(3.) Eighty (80) and a maximum of Three (3) season tournaments (excluding IHSAA

Tournament Series) provided the quarters played in the second (2nd) tournament

and the third (3rd) tournament are included in the Eighty (80) quarter limitation; plus

One (1) additional quarter for every instance where a player participates in Five (5)

quarters in the same session.

b. For purposes of this section a ‘session’ occurs when a junior varsity and Varsity games

are played on One (1) admission ticket without clearing the gymnasium.

c. No player may participate in more than Five (5) quarters in one session.

d. If a School schedules a junior varsity game and a Varsity game on successive days, a

player may participate in a maximum of Five (5) quarters in the Two (2) games combined

as if the games were scheduled in the same session.

e. No team or player may participate in more than Eight (8) quarters in One (1) calendar day.

A record of the quarters played in basketball by individual players shall be kept on file in

the principal’s office at all times for use in certifying eligibility of players.

f. See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

52-4 Special Pre-Season Events

a. During the pre-season a School may participate in either (i) One (1) basketball Controlled

Scrimmage or (ii) Two (2) quarters in One (1) basketball Jamboree.

b. A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage).

c. Jamboree. A School may participate in One (1) basketball Jamboree no earlier than the

day following the ﬁ fth (5th) day of Practice and no later than the second (2nd) calendar day

prior to the ﬁ rst (1st) scheduled Season Contest. Each school shall be limited to playing

no more than Two (2) quarters, Eight (8) minutes in length, Varsity level only.

52-5

No interschool basketball games shall be played by students or Schools prior to Monday of

IHSAA calendar week 19 for Girls and Monday of IHSAA calendar week 21 for Boys, and after

the date the team is eliminated from IHSAA tourney competition.

52-6

A prospective student-athlete who engages in a Practice, scrimmage, tryout or otherwise

demonstrates his/her athletic ability either on or oﬀ the campus for a college during their high

school season shall be considered in violation of this rule. (See rule 15-1.2f)

52-7

All interschool basketball tourneys, other than the IHSAA tournament series, shall be held

prior to sectionals each year.

a. No interschool basketball tournament which involves more than Four (4) schools shall be

held without the sanction of the Association except where all the schools are members of

the same conference or located in the same county.

b. Teams or players participating in a tourney which extends into Two (2) consecutive

weekends shall not be permitted a second tournament.

c. No tourney shall be scheduled to extend over more than Two (2) consecutive weekends.

52-8

White colored jerseys will be worn by the home team; dark colored jerseys by the visiting team.

Q & A

Basketball - Generally

Q. 52-1 Is there a limit to the number of players a coach may use in a basketball game?

A. No, there is no limit to the number of players during a Season Contest, but

during the IHSAA tournament, the players are limited to those listed on the

entry list. (rule 52-3)

Q. 52-2 May a School have a complete schedule for more than one team in any sport?

A. Yes, a Member School can ﬁ eld multiple teams in a sport, however each school

team is a representative team of the high school and is subject to all IHSAA

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Rule 52 - Basketball

rules and privileges. (rule 9-6) Additionally, the quarter limitation still applies

to all players.

Maximum Contests

Q. 52-3 Does the Contest limitation in rule 52-3 (Twenty-Two (22) Contests and no

season Tournaments, Twenty (20) Contests and One (1) season Tournament

or Twenty (20) Contests and Two (2) season Tournaments) apply to the Varsity

team only?

A. No, the Contest limitation applies to any team – Varsity, reserve/JV, freshmen,

etc.

Q. 52-4 Can the Contest limitation in rule 52-3 be evaded by juggling the players?

A. No, the Contest limitation applies to teams. (rule 52-3)

Q. 52-5 Can a Varsity team be designated a “B” or Sub-Varsity team and thus escape

the rule?

A. No, a team which is comprised of the best athletes in a sport shall be the Varsity

team, regardless of how the team is designated by the school. It would be

unethical and a violation of the IHSAA eligibility rules to designate a Sub-Varsity

team as a Varsity team. (rule 52-3)

Q. 52-6 Can a player be used in more than One (1) basketball game during the same

session?

A. Yes, however, the player is limited to Five (5) quarters during One (1) session.

(rule 52-3)

Q. 52-7 When a player exceeds the three-tourney or the quarter limitation, what action

is required?

A. When a violation of the maximum quarter rule is discovered, the School must

forfeit the game in which the player exceeded the limit, charge the player with

each quarter of participation, and send a written report to the Commissioner.

(rule 3-9.5)

Q. 52-8 Must an interschool Practice in basketball count as one of the season games?

A. Yes, an interscholastic meeting between teams from diﬀ erent schools is

considered a Contest. (rule 9-4)

Q. 52-9 Can a team which participates in Twenty (20) Contests and One (1) season

Tournament, but which played only One (1) Contest in that season Tournament,

reclaim the ‘unplayed’ Tournament Contest and participate in another regular

Season Contest?

A. No, a School’s participation in a Contest at a season Tournament is considered

to be participation in the One (1) complete season Tournament, regardless of

the number of individual Contest actually played in that season Tournament.

(rule 52-3)

Quarters

Q. 52-10 How many quarters is a player permitted when played in the same session?

A. A player is permitted to play ﬁ ve quarters in the same session. (rule 52-3)

Q. 52-11 May a student play in Two (2) quarters in a junior varsity game on Tuesday

and Two (2) quarters in a Varsity game on Thursday?

A. Yes, the individual must count the quarters toward his/her quarter limitation.

(rule 52-3)

Q. 52-12 May a student play in 4 quarters of a junior varsity game and one quarter in a

Varsity game in the same session?

A. Yes. (rule 52-3)

Q. 52-13 What constitutes a quarter of play?

A. A student “plays” a quarter when the student enters a game and time is run

oﬀ the clock.

Q. 52-14 A basketball team violated the 5-quarter rule by permitting a player to participate

in 3 quarters of the Varsity game and 3 quarters of the junior varsity game. A

protest was ﬁ led with the game oﬃ cials, but they refused to assess a technical

foul. What should be done?

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Rule 52 - Basketball

A. It is not the responsibility of the game oﬃ cials to enforce the 5-quarter rule.

It is the responsibility of the Member School principals, athletic directors and

coaches to make sure the ﬁ ve-quarter rule is followed. The School committing

the violation is expected to report the violation to the IHSAA oﬃ ce. (rule 3-9)

Q. 52-15 Is it permissible for a ninth grade “B” Contest to consist of Three (3) six-minute

quarters?

A. Yes. (rule 52-2)

Non-School Participation

Q. 52-16 Can a student participate in a non-school 3-on-3 basketball tournament (i.e.,

Gus Macker) during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, provided no more than Three (3) students who have participated in a

Contest the previous year as a member of their school team are on the roster

of the Non-School Team. (rule 15-2.2)

Q. 52-17 May a student participate in a non-school 3-on-3 basketball tournament during

the Summer?

A. Yes. During the Summer there is no limit as to the number of students on a

Non-School Team who have participated in a Contest the previous year as a

member of their school team (rule 15-3.1)

Q. 52-18 May booster clubs and other school related organizations sponsor 3-on-3

basketball tournaments during School Year Out-of-Season and Summer?

A. Yes.

Q. 52-19 Can a student play on an organized basketball team out of season without

jeopardizing the student’s eligibility?

A. Yes, provided the student follows rule 15-2.2 and rule 15-3.1 and he/she does

not violate his/her amateur standing (rule 5).

Practice

Q. 52-20 May a basketball squad be assembled on Sunday for a ‘skull session’ or review

of a game ﬁ lm?

A. No, both of these activities are in violation of IHSAA rule 9-13.

Q. 52-21 Must a student, who has participated in the IHSAA Football Tournament

Series, have Ten (10) days of organized basketball Practice prior to playing in

a basketball Contest?

A. No, a student going from one sports season to another sports season needs

only Five (5) Practice, provided the student reports to Practice immediately

(within One (1) week) following the end of the previous season. (rule 50-1.1)

Graduates

Q. 52-22 Can graduates practice/participate with or against the high school team or a

member of that team?

A. High school graduates cannot practice/participate with or against a team or a

member of a high school team during the Contest Season. One or more high

school graduates participating against a team or member of a high school

team would be a violation. This does not prohibit the school from permitting

high school graduates to use school facilities for conditioning purposes, but

not for the purpose of practicing and/or participating with or against a member

School team or team members.

Uniforms

Q. 52-23 May athletes with remaining eligibility who have been selected to participate

in basketball all-star contests wear school-owned equipment and/or uniforms?

A. No. (rules 15-2.1(d), 15-2.2(e), 15-3.2(c))

Fund Raisers

Q. 52-24 May a Member School hold a student beneﬁ t fund raiser basketball game

out-of-season that involves only seniors?

A. Yes, if the seniors have no remaining eligibility in basketball. (rule 15-1.2)

124

Rule 53 - Cross Country

RULE 53 – CROSS COUNTRY

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

53-1

The National Federation Track and Field rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the

Committee.

53-2

A student may not run in more than one cross country meet per day in interschool competition.

53-3

The maximum number of season cross-country Contests in which any team or student may

participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Fourteen (14). See rule 50 for

Practice and Contest Seasons.

Q & A

Cross Country - Generally

Q. 53-1 May students participate in independent “road races”?

A. (a) During track season – yes, provided they do not violate their amateur status.

(b) During cross country season – No. See rule 50 for ﬁ rst authorized Contest.

Q. 53-2 May students run in road races in which cash or merchandise prizes are

oﬀ ered?

A. Yes, provided the students do not accept cash or merchandise as prizes. (rule

5-2)

Q. 53-3 May the School enter a student in the IHSAA Tournament if the School does

not oﬀ er a cross country team and has only one student who wishes to run.

May the School enter the student in the sectional?

A. Yes, the student will simply be restricted to competing in the meet as an

individual and may not accumulate any team score for the School.

RULE 54 – FOOTBALL

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

54-1

The National Federation Football rules shall govern except as so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

54-2

All regular season football games shall be limited to the period beginning with Friday of IHSAA

calendar week 7 for varsity teams (for junior varsity and freshmen teams, beginning Thursday

of IHSAA calendar week 7), and continuing until the start of the football tournament series.

(See rule 50, Note 2.) The season ends for these Schools when they are eliminated or when

they become state champions of their Class.

NOTE: It is assumed that any Member School which participates in an interschool football

game under the above rule before the opening day of school does so with the approval of

their Board of School Trustees through their Superintendent of Schools.

54-3

The maximum number of season football games in which any team may participate, excluding

the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Nine (9). See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

54-3.1 Maximum Season Quarters

Interschool football participation by a player shall be limited to a maximum of:

a. Thirty-Six (36) Varsity season quarters, limited to Four (4) Varsity quarters per week; or

b. Fifty-Four (54) season quarters limited to Six (6) quarters during a week with no more than

Two (2) Varsity quarters included. No player can participate in more than Five (5) Sub-

Varsity quarters per week. It shall not count as a Varsity quarter if a player participates

only in a kicking down. A kicking down is defined as a kickoff, kick-off return, punt, punt

return, field goal and kicked extra point.

54-3.2

No player may participate in more than Four (4) quarters in one day. A record of the quarters

played by individual players shall be kept on ﬁ le in the principal’s oﬃ ce at all times for information

in certifying eligibility of players.

125

Rule 54 - Football

54-3.3

Schools shall be limited to the playing of one interschool Varsity football game in a Five (5)

day period, excluding Sunday. A junior varsity Contest may be played on a Monday and the

following Saturday, provided there is no junior varsity Contest played on Monday through

Friday following the Saturday junior varsity Contest. Exceptions may be made for inclement

weather when approval is obtained from the Commissioner.

54-3.4

All teams below Varsity level shall be limited to Two (2) overtimes.

54-4

All organized football Practices by players or teams shall be limited to the period beginning

Monday of IHSAA calendar week 5 and terminating on the date the team is eliminated from

the Football Tournament Series.

a. On the ﬁ rst (1st) day of football Practice there cannot be full contact (any intentional

football activity by a player where the goal is to take one or more competing players to

the ground as the result of a collision), and the player’s protective equipment is limited

to helmet, shoes, girdle and mouthpiece. The total time on the ﬁ eld cannot exceed Two

and one-half (2½) hours.

b. On the second (2nd) and third (3rd) days of football Practice, there cannot be full contact

and the player’s protective equipment is limited to helmet, shoulder pads, shoes, girdle

and mouthpiece. If multiple Practice sessions are held on a single day, the total time on

the ﬁ eld cannot exceed Three (3) hours, but if there is only One (1) Practice session, the

total time on the ﬁ eld cannot exceed Two and one-half (2½) hours.

c. On the fourth (4th) day of football Practice, and later, there can be full contact and players

can have full pads. If multiple Practices are held on a single day the total time cannot

exceed Five (5) hours, but if there is only One (1) Practice session, the total time on the

ﬁ eld cannot exceed Three (3) hours.

d. Beginning Monday of IHSAA calendar week 5:

(1.) There can be no more than Two (2) Practice-sessions per day.

(2.) There cannot be back to back calendar days having Two (2) Practice sessions on

a single day.

(3.) After the third (3rd) day of Practice, if there are Two (2) Practice-sessions on a single

days :

i. There can be only One (1) full contact/full padded Practice session.

ii. The break between Practices must be at least Three (3) hours in duration

and during the break there cannot be player physical exertion.

iii. During the break a classroom instruction session, not to exceed Forty-ﬁ ve

(45) minutes, is permitted.

iv. During the break an indoor walkthrough session in a climate controlled

environment, not to exceed Forty-ﬁ ve (45) minutes, is permitted.

(4.) On One (1) practice session days an outdoor walkthrough session with no protective

equipment worn, not to exceed a Forty-ﬁ ve (45) minutes, is permitted provided the

walkthrough session ends at least Three (3) hours before the Practice begins, or starts

no sooner than Three (3) hours after the Practice ended.

e. After Friday of week 7, a football team and a football player may participate in a maximum

of Two (2) Practices per IHSAA Corresponding Week which involves contact equal to

the ‘Thud’ level (drill is run at competitive speed through the moment of contact; no pre-

determined “winner”; contact remains above the waist; players stay on their feet; a quick

whistle ends the drill) or the ‘Live’ level (drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only

time that players are taken to the ground), while wearing full protective equipment.

54-5

All Member School pre-season football Practices held prior to the ﬁ rst authorized Contest

date shall be held on the regular Practice/play football facility under the direct supervision of

the Member Schools coach/es.

126

54-6 Special Pre-Season Events

a. During the pre-season a School:

(1.) may participate in One (1) Varsity football Controlled Scrimmage or in Two (2) quarters

of One (1) Varsity football Jamboree, or

(2.) may participate in One (1) Sub-Varsity Controlled Scrimmage

b. Controlled Scrimmages.

A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage).

c. Jamboree. A School’s Varsity football Jamboree can be played on Saturday of Week 6.

Each School shall be limited to playing no more than Two (2) quarters. The number of

plays in which a School can participate in a Jamboree is limited.

54-7

The last date for ninth grade and reserve football is Thursday, Week 16.

Q & A

Football - Generally

Q. 54-1 When must attendance at a Summer School-sponsored football Camp/Clinic

end for football players?

A. Attendance must be terminated prior to Monday of Week 5. (rule 15-3.2(g))

Quarters

Q. 54-2 When a player participates in more than the allowed number of football quarters

on successive days or during a week, what action is required?

A. A violation of the maximum contest rule requires that the School to forfeit the

game in which the player exceeded the limit, charge the player with each

quarter of participation, and send a written report to the Commissioner. (rule

3-9.5)

Q. 54-3 Is a football player charged with a quarter of participation if the student

participates in a Varsity kicking down?

A. No, a student participating just in a Varsity kicking downs (kickoﬀ s, kickoﬀ

returns, punts, punt returns, ﬁ eld goals, and kicked extra points) during a

quarter will not have the quarter count under the maximum quarter rule, rule

54-3.1.

Q. 54-4 What is the maximum number of season quarters in which a football player

may participate during one week?

A. Maximum weekly season quarter participation is as follows:

Varsity Sub-varsity

4 0

3 2

2 4

1 4

0 5

Q. 54-5 When counting quarters of participation for a football player, which day of the

week is the beginning of the week?

A. When counting the weekly quarters of participation for a football player, the

football week starts on a Friday and runs through the following Thursday.

Overtimes

Q. 54-6 How many overtimes may be played in a non-varsity level Contest?

A. All teams below the Varsity level are limited to no more than Two (2) overtimes.

(rule 54-3.4)

Practices

Q. 54-7 During the IHSAA pre-season Practice period in August may a student who is

practicing with his/her high school football team play in a non-school sponsored

baseball tournament?

A. Yes, under IHSAA rule 15 a student who is participating in one sport (e.g.,

football) during the School Year may participate in another sport (e.g., baseball)

Rule 54 - Football

127

out-of-season in a non-School program, provided the participation in the out-

of-season sport does not violate the out-of-season maximum player limitation,

rule 15-2.2(a).

Q. 54-8 Will a School, which was doing repair work on its regular football ﬁ eld making

and it was impossible to hold Practice on the ﬁ eld, be permitted to hold Practices

at another ﬁ eld located in a city park?

A. Yes.

Q. 54-9 What is considered Full Protective Equipment?

A. Full protective equipment means a helmet, shoulders pads, a mouth piece and

shoes. (See, Deﬁ nitions)

RULE 55 – GOLF

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

55-1

The United States Golf Association rules shall govern with such exceptions as the Committee

deems necessary. When USGA rules conﬂ ict with any Association rules, the Association rules

shall take precedence.

55-2

The maximum number of Season golf Contests in which any team or student may participate,

excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Eighteen (18). See, rule 50 for Practice

and Contest Seasons.

RULE 56 – GYMNASTICS

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

56-1

National Federation Girls Gymnastics rules and Manual shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by

the Committee.

56-2

The maximum number of Season gymnastics Contests in which any team or student may

participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Sixteen (16). See, rule 50 for

Practice and Contest Seasons.

56-3

A girl shall not participate in more than Three (3) events unless she enters as an all-around

contestant.

56-4

Season or local meets shall consist of the following events except events may be omitted by

mutual consent of the coaches involved: Floor Exercise, Balance Beam, Vaulting, Uneven

Parallel Bars, and All-Around.

56-5

Event scores are totaled to determine ﬁ nal team scores. Team scores shall be determined by

totaling the best Three (3) individual scores in all events.

56-6

Schools who enter only individuals in season meets qualify for team scoring as well as individual

scoring. No performance by a contestant should be considered exhibition. The individual

contestant’s judged score must be considered the team score for that particular School.

56-7

It is strongly recommended that a gymnast have received a judged score of 5.0 or better at a

judged season meet in any event she may be entering in sectional competition.

56-8

Gymnasts may participate at both the Varsity and reserve levels in diﬀ erent events within

the same meet during the regular season. All-around scores must be composed of Four (4)

scores at the same level.

Rule 56 - Gymnastics

128

RULE 57 – SOCCER

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

57-1

The National Federation Soccer rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

57-2

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

57-3

The maximum number of Season soccer Contests in which any team may participate, and

the maximum number of halves in which a student may participate, excluding the IHSAA

tournament series, shall be Sixteen (16) team Contests and Thirty-six (36) student halves,

and no tournament, or Fourteen (14) team Contests and Thirty-two (32) student halves and

One (1) tournament.

a. If a player or team participates in more than the One (1) tournament permitted during

the season, the number of team matches and student halves played in each additional

tournament shall be included in the maximum number of matches and halves permitted

during the season.

b. No player may participate in more than Three (3) halves in one session. When multiple

games are played on one admission ticket without clearing the stands i.e. junior-varsity

games followed by a Varsity game, it is considered one session.

c. Players may not change levels of play if games are being played simultaneously. Players

may only change levels of play at the completion of both games.

d. See rule 50 for Practice and Contest seasons.

57-4 Special Pre-Season Events

a. During the pre-season a School may participate in either (i) One (1) soccer Controlled

Scrimmage or (ii) Two (2) halves of One (1) Varsity soccer Jamboree.

b. A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest. (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage)

c. Jamboree. A School may participate in One (1) soccer Jamboree on Saturday of Week 6.

Each School shall be limited to playing no more than Two (2) halves. Halves shall be no

more than 40 minutes in length and each half must be played against a diﬀ erent opponent.

Q & A

Soccer - Generally

Q. 57-1 Is a player who receives Two (2) yellow cards during the course of a game

required to sit out the next game at that level?

A. Yes, a student athlete is suspended for a next game at that level, regardless

of whether either yellow card was due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

RULE 58 – SOFTBALL

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

58-1

The National Federation Fast Pitch Softball rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the

Committee.

58-2

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Season.

58-3

The maximum number of season softball games in which any team or student may participate,

excluding IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Twenty-eight (28) and no tournament or Twenty-

six (26) and One (1) tournament.

a. If a player or team participates in more than the One (1) tournament permitted during the

season, the number of games played in excess shall be included in the Twenty-six (26)

games permitted during the season.

b. If a player participates in a game as a pinch hitter, pinch runner or courtesy runner, it does

not count toward the maximum number of game limitations for that player.

Rule 57 - Soccer

129

c. Players may not change levels of play if games are being played simultaneously. Players

may only change levels of play at the completion of both games.

d. If a player participates in a sub-varsity game as a designated pitcher (covered up by a

designated hitter) then it will not count towards the player’s maximum number of games

played. This designation cannot be used more than Five (5) times per player during any

regulation season (Amended pursuant to an emergency by-law of the Executive Committee

on January 13, 2022).

58-4

Students may play on high school or non-school softball teams during the Summer after their

team has completed their season without jeopardizing their eligibility provided:

a. they do not play under assumed names;

b. they do not accept remuneration, directly or indirectly for their playing; and

c. their school is still not competing for conference awards.

58-5

Students participating on their high school softball team during the Summer while their team

is still competing for conference awards make themselves ineligible by participating on any

other softball team during that time.

58-6 Controlled Scrimmage

A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest. (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage)

Q & A

Softball - Generally

Q. 58-1 How many licensed oﬃ cials must oﬃ ciate girls softball games?

A. A softball games require Two (2) oﬃ cials, a plate umpire and a base umpire.

(rule 14)

Q. 58-2 May a season softball game be played after the beginning of the sectional and

before the team is eliminated?

A. No, all authorized Season Contests shall be played prior to the beginning of

each respective softball sectional. The Commissioner may permit rescheduling

of un-played conference Contests, etc., after both teams have been eliminated

from the tournament series. (rules 50-2, 50-2.1)

Q. 58-3 May a girl play for her School’s fast-pitch softball team and the slow-pitch park

league team at the same time during the IHSAA authorized season?

A. No, for purposes of the Participation Rule, the IHSAA considers slow-pitch

softball and fast-pitch softball the same sport; therefore, a student must wait

until the School’s fast-pitch season is finished before participating with a Non-

School slow-pitch team. (rule 58-5)

Q. 58-4 May a School which sponsors a team participating in softball as recognized by

the IHSAA, also have a team which participates in a slow-pitch softball game

during the IHSAA authorized Contest Season?

A. Yes, the IHSAA recognizes only fast pitch softball, and therefore, a School

could have a club team which played slow pitch softball. However, a member

of the School’s fast pitch softball team cannot play on the slow pitch team

without losing eligibility.

Maximum Contests

Q.58-5 In how many games may an individual player participate?

A. The maximum number of season games for any individual excluding the IHSAA

tournament series shall be 28 games and no tournament or 26 games and

one tournament. (rule 50-3)

Q.58-6 May a student participate in a Non-School Team tryout prior to the completion

of the high school softball season?

A. No, a student may not participate in any game tryout, competition or inter-squad

scrimmages for a Non-School Team until after the high school softball team

has completed its season by playing its last game.

Rule 58 - Softball

130

Non-School Participation

Q. 58-7 May girls who participate on a School softball team participate in non-school

league softball games at the same time.

A. No, however, IHSAA rules would not prohibit a girl from signing up for a summer

non-school league. A girl may not Practice or play in a game or scrimmage for

the Non-School Team until her last game is played. (rule 58-5)

Q. 58-8 May softball players participate in non-school basketball during the IHSAA

authorized softball Contest Season?

A. Yes, the IHSAA rules do not prohibit athletes who may participate in softball

from playing non-school basketball at the same time.

Q. 58-9 A softball player played with a semi-pro softball team during the Summer. No

members of the team received money for her performance nor did she receive

any expense money. The Summer softball players did receive transportation to

the games, and meals were provided for them by the manager. Is the student

eligible?

A. Yes, the student is eligible for high school softball since the student may accept

reasonable meals and transportation to participate. (rules 58-4, 5-3)

IHSAA Tournament

Q. 58-10 May a season softball game be played after the beginning of the sectional and

before any team is eliminated?

A. No, all authorized Season Contests shall be played prior to the beginning of

each respective softball sectional. The Commissioner may permit rescheduling

of un-played conference Contests, etc., after both teams have been eliminated

from the tournament series. (rule 50-2)

Radar Guns

Q.58-11 May radar guns be used by Member School personnel in softball for scouting

purposes?

A. No, use of radar guns is prohibited. (rule 9-18.1)

RULE 59 – SWIMMING AND DIVING

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

59-1

The National Federation Swimming and Diving rules shall govern except where modiﬁ ed by

the Committee.

59-2

The maximum number of season swim meets in which any team or student may participate,

excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Eighteen (18). See, rule 50 for Practice

and Contest Seasons.

RULE 60 – TENNIS

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

60-1

The United States Tennis Association rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

60-2

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

60-3

During the regular tennis season, which excludes the IHSAA Tournament Series, a tennis

team may schedule, and its students may participate in, a maximum of Twenty-two (22)

playing opportunities, or matches. A tennis team may schedule those playing opportunities in a

combination of dual meets and tournaments, however a School can only schedule a maximum

of Five (5) tournaments. In any tournament involving multiple rounds, each round is a match.

60-4

A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest. (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage)

Rule 58 - Softball

131

60-5

During an inter-school match, a player may compete at only one level (i.e. Varsity, junior-

varsity or freshman).

Q & A

Tennis - Generally

Q. 60-1 Under IHSAA rules what constitutes a regulation tennis match?

A. A tennis match consist of a tennis Contest in which a player in singles or in

doubles, must win Two (2) out of Three (3) sets, with a twelve point tie breaker

at 6-6, in order to win the match.

Q. 60-2 If Two (2) students from diﬀ erent Schools play in a singles match but the match

is only One (1) set long, does the match still count toward the maximum number

of Contests?

A. Yes, any participation in a match or Contest between players from diﬀ erent

School teams constitutes a Contest for purposes of determining the maximum

number of matches or Contests played. (rule 50, 60-3)

Maximum Contests

Q. 60-3 What constitutes a tennis Tournament?

A. When Three (3) or more schools are involved in a tennis event, it is considered

a Tournament.

Q. 60-4 When a player compete in a singles-only Tournament during the season, and

then competes in a doubles-only Tournament, in how many Tournaments has

the player participated?

A. The player in this case has participated in Two (2) Tournaments.

Q. 60-5 What is the maximum number of tennis season dual Contests and Tournaments

a School and its students can participate?

A. During the tennis season a School and its students are limited to Twenty-two

(22) playing opportunities, or matches, and those playing opportunities can

occur in a dual meets (one playing opportunity) or in a Tournament (one playing

opportunity in each round). A School can schedule the Twenty-two (22) playing

opportunities in a combination of dual meets and Tournaments, however a

School can only schedule a maximum of Five (5) tennis Tournaments during

the season. (rules 60-3).

Non-School Participation

Q. 60-6 Can a student who participates in a School’s tennis program, and whose family

is a member of a tennis club, participate in club activities (matches) which

involve only club members (no individuals from outside the club) during the

tennis Contest Season or during the tennis Tournament Series, and remain

eligible?

A. No, participation in any type of competition or matches at that club during the

tennis Contest Season or during the tennis Tournament Series is a violation of

IHSAA rule 15. However, it is not a violation of the rule for the family to remain

a member of the tennis club.

Gifts, Merchandise

Q. 60-7 Does a student, with remaining IHSAA eligibility in tennis, who is oﬀ ered and

who accepts a tennis racket through a sporting goods dealer’s “free list” or

“loan list”, remain eligible?

A. No, a student who would receive such tennis merchandise (or cash) in apparent

recognition of the student’s athletic achievement would become ineligible in

tennis. (rule 5-2)

Lessons

Q. 60-8 May a Member School coach give a private lesson to a student athlete who

participated on his/her team, during the season?

A. Yes. (rules 15-1.1(b), 15-1.2(b))

Rule 60 - Tennis

132

RULE 61 – TRACK AND FIELD

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

NOTE 1: Converted to Metric System 1979-80, ﬁ eld events excluded.

61-1

The National Federation Track and Field rules shall govern with the following modiﬁ cations

or as further modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

a. The javelin and hammer throw events are prohibited in ALL meets.

b. The events in all regular outdoor meets shall be:

TRACK – 3200 meter relay, 110 meter high hurdles, 100 meter dash, 1600 meter run, 400

meter relay, 400 meter dash, 300 meter intermediate hurdles, 800 meter run, 200 meter

dash, 3200 meter run, 1600 meter relay.

FIELD – pole vault, running high jump, running long jump, discus, shot put.

c. No contestant shall enter nor participate in more than Four (4) events during any Season

Contest.

61-2

In non-IHSAA sponsored large multiple school meets, the events, event order and scoring

shall be determined by the Games Committee.

61-3

The maximum number of boys’ Season track and ﬁ eld Contests in which any team or student

may participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Sixteen (16). See, rule 50

for Practice and Contest Seasons.

Q & A

Track - Generally

Q. 61-1 Can a student who runs track for his/her School, also participate in an

independent “road race”?

A. Yes, provided the student does not violate the amateur rule. (rule 5)

Q. 61-2 Can the boys 3200 race and the girls 3200 race be run together?

A. Yes, however, places and points scored must be ﬁ gured separately.

RULE 62 – VOLLEYBALL

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

62-1

The National Federation Volleyball rules shall govern unless so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

62-2

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Season.

62-3

The maximum number of season volleyball matches in which any team or student may

participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Twenty-three (23) plus Two

(2) tournaments.

a. A student may participate in no more than Nine (9) matches in any calendar week and

may participate in no more than Four (4) matches on any One (1) day.

b. If a team or student participates in more than Two (2) season tournaments, each match

in such additional tournament(s) in which the team or the student participates shall count

toward the maximum match season limitation.

62-4

During the regular season, players may not participate in more than Six (6) sets, Varsity, J.V,

etc., against the same school in any one day. Players may not participate at more than one

level of team play, Varsity, J.V, etc., in a given tournament.

a. The penalties for a violation of this rule include:

(1.) team forfeiture of match in which violation occurs, and;

(2.) student having to count as Two (2) each match in which for the student was in violation.

(3.) participation in any set, for any amount of time, shall count as one set.

b. A freshman or c-team may participate in a contest which ends in a draw (2 sets) if:

(1.) either participating schools does not have enough students to play the full three (3)

Rule 61 - Track & Field

133

sets in the contest because the students are expected to play in the up-coming JV

contest.

(2.) both schools agree to the shortened contest before the contest begins.

62-5

A School may participate in One (1) Controlled Scrimmage with another IHSAA Member

School no earlier than the day following the Fifth (5th) day of Practice and prior to the First

(1st) scheduled Season Contest. (see definition of Controlled Scrimmage)

Q & A

Volleyball - Generally

Q. 62-1 What constitutes a Varsity volleyball match?

A. A Contest between Two (2) teams in which the ﬁ rst team winning Three (3)

sets is declared the winner.

Q. 62-2 When must attendance at Summer volleyball Camps/Clinics end for volleyball

players?

A. Attendance must be terminated prior to Monday, Week 4. (rule 15-3.2(h))

Maximum Contests

Q. 62-3 May a team or student play more than one match during the same day or

session?

A. Yes, but players and teams are limited to Nine (9) matches per calendar week

and/or Four (4) matches in any One (1) day. (rule 62-3)

Q. 62-4 May players participate in more than Six (6) sets against the same school in

any one day?

A. No. (rule 62-4)

Q. 62-5 When a player participates in more than Six (6) sets against the same School,

what action is required?

A. When there is a violation of the maximum daily match limitation, the principal

should forfeit the match(es) in which the violation occurred, should assess

student in violation with Two (2) matches played and should send a written

report to the Commissioner. (rule 3-9.5)

Q. 62-6 May players participate at more than one level of team play in a given

tournament?

A. No. (rule 62-4)

Q. 62-7 Does a School’s Varsity schedule, which includes Twenty (20) dual matches,

a Three (3) match Tournament in August, a Four (4) match Tournament in

September, and a Four (4) match Tournament in October, satisfy the match

limitations in rule 62-3?

A. Yes, with Three (3) Tournaments scheduled, it is necessary to add the number

of matches played in the third Tournament to the dual match count, and here the

Tournament matches which are counted are those from the August Tournament

(Three (3) matches). Adding those Three (3) matches to the Twenty (20) dual

matches made the total match count Twenty Three (23) dual matches and Two

(2) tournaments, the maximum permitted by the rule. (rule 50, 62-3(b)).

Non-School Participation

Q. 62-8 May volleyball players participate on Non-School Teams during the School

Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, however, no more than Three (3) players who have participated in a

Contest as a member of their School’s team may be on the same team at the

same time. (rule 15-2.2(a))

Q. 62-9 Can coaches from a Member School Coaching Staﬀ coach a non-School

volleyball team during the School Year Out-of-Season?

A. Yes, provided there are no players on the non-School volleyball team who

have participated in a Contest as a member of that coach’s School team. (rule

15-2.2(c))

Q.62-10 Are seniors who have completed their eligibility in volleyball counted as part

of the three-player limitation on non-School teams during the School Year

Out-of-Season?

Rule 62 - Volleyball

134

A. No, once a senior has completed her senior volleyball participation, she has no

remaining volleyball eligibility, and will not be counted under the out-of-season

maximum player limitation of rule 15-2.2(a).

RULE 63 – WRESTLING

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

63-1

The National Federation Wrestling rules shall govern except as so modiﬁ ed by the Committee.

63-2 Maximum Season Contest

The maximum number of season wrestling Contests in which any team or student may

participate, which may include dual meets, triangular meets (double dual) and season

tournaments, but which exclude the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Eighteen (18). A

team or student may participate in a season tournament (an interschool wrestling meet which

involved Three (3) or more schools is a tournament) up to a maximum of Six (6) per season,

provided each season tournament counts as Two (2) of the Eighteen (18) season wrestling

Contests, and may participate in a triangular meet (double dual) provided each triangular

meet (double dual) counts as Two (2) of the Eighteen (18) season wrestling Contests. Each

weigh-in for any season tournament shall count as only One (1) weigh-in toward the minimum

requirements for IHSAA Tournament Series qualification.

63-3

See rule 50 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

63-4

Each time a student enters a meet or tournament, his/her full name and actual weight shall

be recorded in all scorebooks in ink and signed by the referee. The home scorebook shall

be the official book. Two (2) additional team members in each weight class may be weighed

in at meets where the students’ school is participating, for the purpose of meeting minimum

weight classification requirements for the state tournament series.

63-5

A student shall be considered as having engaged in a bout if he has oﬃ cially weighed in,

his/her name has been recorded in the oﬃ cial scorebook, and has appeared on the mat in

uniform, willing to wrestle.

63-6

Prior to competing in a meet, all wrestlers and Schools must comply with all of the standards

outlined in the Association’s weight control program including but not limited to:

a. Administering skin-fold measurements or body composition analyzation prior to the start

of the competition season (Sat., Week 20),

b. Minimum body fat standards of Seven percent (7%) for males and Twelve percent (12%) for

females, must be met unless both a licensed physician and the parent/s make a successful

appeal as outlined in the Association’s weight control program,

c. When losing weight to reach a projected minimum allowable weight, a student athlete’s

average weight loss shall not be more than One and one-half (1 ½) per week.

Q & A

Wrestling - Generally

Q. 63-1 What is a wrestling dual meet?

A. A dual meet is a wrestling Contest in which a maximum of Two (2) Schools

participate. When Three (3) or more Schools are involved, the Contest is considered

a Tournament. (rule 63-2)

Tournaments

Q. 63-2 How many teams must participate in a meet to be considered a Tournament?

A. When Three (3) or more Schools participate in a Contest, the Contest is considered

a Tournament. (rule 63-2)

Rule 63 - Wrestling

135

IHSAA Tournaments

Q. 63-3 Can a wrestler, who qualiﬁ ed for the regional level of the Wrestling Tournament

Series, practice with or against a wrestler from another School?

A. No. (rule 9-4)

Q. 63-4 Can a wrestler, entered in a weight class on the sectional entry list for the Wrestling

Tournament Series, have his/her entry changed to the class immediately above his/

her entered weight class at the sectional seeding meeting?

A. Yes.

Q. 63-5 Can a wrestler, entered in a weight class on the sectional entry list for the Wrestling

Tournament Series, have his/her entry changed to the class immediately below his/

her entered weight class at the sectional seeding meeting?

A. No.

Maximum Contests

Q. 63-6 Is it legal for a wrestler to compete on more than one team (Varsity, J.V, etc.), and

thereby wrestle in more than the maximum number of meets in rule 63-2?

A. No, the maximum number of meets for the regular schedule of any student or team

in wrestling shall be Eighteen (18) dual meets, in addition to the Tournament Series,

however, the student or team can participate in up to Six (6) season Tournaments,

provided each Tournament counts as Two (2) of the Eighteen (18) dual meets. (rule

63-2)

Non-School Participation

Q. 63-7 Are individual student wrestlers permitted to participate independently “out of season”

in independent tourneys?

A. Yes, individual student wrestlers are permitted to participate independently “out of

season” in independent tourneys.

Q. 63-8 During the Summer, can a School wrestling coach instruct his/her own wrestler in

preparation for the wrestler’s Summer participation?

A. Yes, a coach can instruct his/her own wrestlers either through the School’s Summer

Open Facility Program or the coach can participate in a Non-School wrestling

program and coach through such program. (rule 15-3.1)

Ineligible Students

Q. 63-9 Can an ineligible wrestler weigh in at meets and at Tournaments where the wrestler’s

School team is participating, in order to meet the minimum weight Classiﬁ cation

requirements for the Wrestling Tournament Series?

A. Yes.

Rule 63 - Wrestling

136

Part IV: Uniﬁ ed Sports Rules

Special Olympics Unified Sports combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics

athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual

disabilities) as teammates on sport teams for training and competition.

Champions Together is a joint effort between the IHSAA and Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN)

recognizing and offering opportunities for students with and without disabilities to compete in

an IHSAA sanctioned activity.

Philosophy:

The focus of IHSAA Unified Sports is competition (not simply participation). Sports teach many

life lessons: to work as a team, to follow rules and to be committed. Through sports we can

find shared interests that allow friendships to form. Through the IHSAA recognized Unified

and without disabilities.

We must have high expectations for students with intellectual disabilities because if we do not,

we are teaching another generation of regular education students that people with intellectual

disabilities can’t follow rules or be held accountable and as a result they will not be viable

members of their community or society in general.

follow the requirements per IHSAA Bylaws for eligibility, rules and program administration.

the National Federation will govern the sport when applicable.

RULE 100 – UNIFIED SPORTS – GENERAL

100-1 Vision of Unified Sports

The vision of the IHSAA/Special Olympics Indiana (SOIN) Unified Sports project is to allow

high school students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to represent their

high school in an IHSAA sanctioned activity by participating on a Unified Sports team providing

the students with a quality experience of sports training and competition.

100-1.1 Definition of Participants:

a. Unified Student Athlete: A Unified Student Athlete is a student who is receiving special

education and related services pursuant to an individual education program (IEP) based on a

cognitive, developmental and/or intellectual delay or disability. NOTE OF CLARIFICATION:

The presence of an IEP does not necessarily qualify a student to be designated as a

Unified Student-Athlete. Any student with an IEP based on a cognitive, developmental

and/or intellectual delay or disability and is non-diploma track or certificate of completion

is designated as a Unified Student-Athlete. A student that is diploma track but has an IEP

with an Autism-Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis or other Intellectual/Cognitive Disability

may also be designated as a Unified Student-Athlete.

b. Unified Student Partner: A Unified Student Partner is a student that meets the eligibility

criteria outlined in General Eligibility rules 1-20, but is NOT identified by the school as a

Unified Student Athlete. A Unified Student-Partner is a student who is a general education

student and is on a diploma track and who does not qualify as a Unified Student-Athlete as

described above. A general education student with a 504 Plan does not qualify as a Unified

Student-Athlete. Also, a diploma-track student with an IEP for the following disabilities must

be designated as a Unified Student-Partner as these are not determined to be intellectual

disabilities: Specific Learning Disability (SLD), Emotional Disability (ED), Other Health

Impairment (OHI), Orthopedic Impairment (OI), Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD), Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD), general resource.

Rule 100 - Uniﬁ ed Sports® Rules

137

100-1.2 Restriction of Participation – Unified Student Partner.

A student athlete who participates in a varsity or sub-varsity competition or scrimmage,

Appropriate participation for such a Student Athlete Partner may take place as an assistant

coach or manager. Schools with limited enrollment or special circumstances may apply to

the Commissioner for a waiver of this rule.

100-1.3 Participation by Gender.

Unified Sports teams shall be organized as co-educational teams.

100-2 Participant Age Requirement.

a. Unified Student Athlete: A Unified Student Athlete may participate in Unified Sports as long

as the Unified Student Athlete is Enrolled in the School.

b. Unified Student Partner: A Unified Student Partner must comply with General Eligibility

rule 4.

100-3 Participant Scholarship Requirement.

a. Unified Student Athlete: A Unified Student Athlete must be making satisfactory progress

toward the goals, objectives and benchmarks contained in any progress report and/or any

case conference committee, and such facts must be certified by the building principal.

b. Unified Student Partner: A Unified Student Partner must comply with General Eligibility

rule 18.

100-4 Consecutive Semester/Consecutive Years rule.

a. Unified Student Athlete: A Unified Student Athlete, who (i) is receiving special education

and related services pursuant to an individual education program and (ii) based on the

Unified Student Athlete’s individual education plan (IEP) the Unified Student Athlete is

required to remain in school up to the school year in which the Unified Student Athlete

turns 21 may continue to participate as long as the Unified Student Athlete is Enrolled in

the School.

b. Unified Student Partner: A Unified Student Athlete must comply with General Eligibility

rule 12.

c. Participants. Except as modified by this rule series, all participants in Unified Sports must

abide by General Eligibility rule 12, Enrollment and Attendance.

100-5 Completion of Athletic Physical, Consent, Acknowledgement of Risks and

Release Form.

All participants in Unified Sports must comply with General Eligibility rules 3-10, 3-11.

100-5.1 Data for Special Olympics Indiana Federal Grant.

Schools participating in an IHSAA Tournament Series in Unified Sports must, when requested,

supply the IHSAA information including complete rosters, scheduled contests and other non-

confidential data required of Special Olympics Indiana in order to qualify for or receive federally

funded grants which support IHSAA Unified Sports tournaments.

100-6 Coaches Eligibility.

In addition to the training referred to in the General Eligibility rule 3: Coaches, a coach must

have successfully completed the NFHS course on Unified Sports.

100-8 Classification of Schools.

Unified Sports teams shall be aligned in single class Tournament Series.

100-9 Recognized Unified Sports

The following sport(s) are recognized and regulated as Unified Sports: track and field (Unified

Sport) and flag football (Unified Sport).

100-9.1 Championship Tournament Series.

A championship Tournament Series will be conducted, annually, for each recognized Unified

Sport.

Q&A

Unified Sports

Q. 100-1 Is a student with a physical disability, but no intellectual disability considered a

Unified Student Athlete or a Unified Partner Athlete?

Rule 100 - Uniﬁ ed Sports® Rules

138

A. A student with a physical disability, but no intellectual disability, can qualify as a

Unified Partner Athlete.

Q. 100-2 Can a student athlete participate in a varsity or sub-varsity Season Contest in boys’

or girls’ Track and Field and also qualify to be eligible to be listed on the entry list

for the Unified Track and Field Tournament Series.

A. Yes, as long as they were not listed on the entry list for the Boys’ or Girls’ Track and

Field Tournament Series.

Q. 100-3 Can a student that was listed on the Boys’ or Girls’ Track and Field Tournament

Series entry list act as an assistant coach or manager for Unified Track and Field.

A. Yes

Q. 100-4 Can a Unified Sports team be made up of all boys and compete against a team that

is made up of all girls?

A. Yes. Unified Sports teams are completely co-ed and can consist of all boys, all girls

or any combination of boys and girls as both Unified Student Athletes and Unified

Student Partners.

Q. 100-5 Can a Unified Student Athlete compete when they are 21 years old?

A. Yes, if the student’s IEP calls for the student to still be enrolled in a member School.

Q. 100-6 Can a Unified Student Athlete compete for a 5th year in Unified Sports?

A. Yes.

Q. 100-7 Do Unified Student Athletes have to complete the IIHSAA Athletic Physical, Consent,

Acknowledgement of Risks and Release Form?

A. Yes.

Q. 100-8 If a student is receiving special education services through a school district

cooperative, may that student participate as a Unified Student Athlete in a member

School other than the member School of enrollment?

A. Yes. That student may either compete for their member School of enrollment OR

home member School.

Q. 100-9 Must a coach have successfully completed the NFHS course on Unified Sports prior

to the first interscholastic competition?

A. Yes.

RULE 101 – UNIFIED SPORTS® SEASONS

AUTHORIZED

PRACTICES

AUTHORIZED SEASON

CONTESTS

Sport First Last Min.

Req.

First Last Max. No.

Scheduled

and

Played

Unifi ed Flag

Football

M-W 5 DTE 8 M-Wk 6 SDST 10

Uniﬁ ed Track &

Field

M-Wk 36 DTE 8 M-Wk 38 SDST 16

KEY: F-Wk 5 – Friday of IHSAA Calendar Week #5

SDST – Starting Date of Sectional of Tournament Series

DTE – Date Team Eliminated from Tournament Series

101-1 Unified Sport Practice.

There shall be Eight (8) separate days of organized Practice in any Unified Sport under the

direct supervision of the high school coach staff in that sport by each player preceding the

Rule 100 - Uniﬁ ed Sports® Rules

139

date of participation in interschool Contests. Only One (1) Practice may be counted for any

One (1) day.

a. Individual student athletes moving directly (within One (1) week) from One (1) sport season

to the next sport season may be eligible to participate in a following Season Contest after

Five (5) separate days of organized Practice under the direct supervision of the high school

coaching staff in that sport.

b. Individual student athletes who, having completed Eight (8) separate days of organized

Practice under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff in a sport, are

permitted to try-out for a second sport during the same sport season may be eligible to

participate in an interschool Contest after Five (5) separate days of organized Practice

under the direct supervision of the high school coaching staff in the second sport.

c. Student athletes, having successfully completed basic training with a branch of the United

States military during a sports Practice and Contest Seasons, may be eligible to participate

in a Contest after Five (5) separate days of organized Practice under the direct supervision

of the high school coaching staff.

101-2 Season.

All authorized Season Contests shall be played prior to the beginning of the IHSAA Tournament

Series.

101-2.1 Extension.

Commissioner may act on request/s for extension of time due to inclement weather, limited

facilities, rescheduling of unplayed conference Contests, etc.

101-3 Number of Contests.

The maximum number of Contests and tournament limitations listed are exclusive of any

IHSAA tournament series.

101-4 Over scheduling.

Schools may not over-schedule or overfill a School’s schedule of Season Contests in any

sport. Over-scheduling occurs when a team schedules more than the maximum number of

Season Contests permitted by the rules.

Q&A

Q. 101-1 When a rule refers to “tournaments” is this also a reference to the IHSAA Tournament

Series?

A. No, when a “tournament” or a “tourney” is referenced, it refers to a Season Contest

where more than Two (2) schools participate. Any reference to the IHSAA’s season

ending tournaments in the recognized sports is reference to the IHSAA Tournament

or IHSAA Tournament Series.

Q. 101-2 In counting the number of tournaments, does a School include the IHSAA Tournament

Series in a sport?

A. No, the maximum contest rule applies to Season Contests and tournaments and

does not include the IHSAA Tournament Series.

Q. 101-3 Must a Uniﬁ ed student who has participated in a winter sport during the season

have eight (8) days of organized practice in a spring sport before becoming eligible

to participate in a contest of the spring sport?

A. No, only ﬁ ve (5) practice days are required, provided the athlete reports for practice

immediately (within one week) of the end of the previous season. (Rule 201-1.1)

Q. 101-4 May a member school participate in the Uniﬁ ed Track and Field Tournament Series

without having competed in a Season Contest in Uniﬁ ed Track and Field?

A. No. In Uniﬁ ed Track and Field each participating student must have a certiﬁ ed time/

distance from a Season Contest in each event for which the student is entered in

the Uniﬁ ed Track and Field Tournament Series A certiﬁ ed time/distance represents

the best time/distance during the Contest Season in that event.

Q. 101-5 May a School participate in a Season Contest in a Uniﬁ ed Sport without participating

in the Uniﬁ ed Sports Tournament Series?

A. Yes.

Q. 101-6 Must a Uniﬁ ed Sport Season Contest be oﬃ ciated by an IHSAA licensed Oﬃ cial?

A. Yes.

Rule 102 - Uniﬁ ed Track & Field

140

RULE 102 – TRACK AND FIELD

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

NOTE 1: Converted to Metric System 1979-80, field events excluded.

102-1 Playing Rules.

The National Federation Track and Field rules shall govern with the following modifications

or as further modified by the Committee.

a. The javelin and hammer throw events are prohibited in ALL meets.

b. The events in all regular outdoor meets may include:

• TRACK – 3200 meter relay, 100 meter dash, 1600 meter run, 400 meter relay, 400

meter dash, 800 meter run, 200 meter dash, 3200 meter run, 1600 meter relay.

• FIELD –running long jump, discus, and shot put.

c. Regular season meets may include other events as approved by the Commissioner.

d. No contestant shall enter nor participate in more than Four (4) events during any Season

Contest.

102-2 Games Committee:

In non-IHSAA sponsored large multiple school meets, the events, event order and scoring

shall be determined by the Games Committee.

102-3 Maximum Season Contest:

The maximum number of Unified Season track and field Contests in which any team or student

may participate, excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Sixteen (16). See rule 101

for Practice and Contest Seasons.

Q & A

Q. 102-1 Under what circumstances may the following events -- turbo javelin, 50 meter dash

and 100 meter walk -- be included in a Season Contest?

A. The turbo javelin may never be included but the 50 meter dash and the 100 meter

walk may be included with the permission of the Commissioner and the 100 meter

wheelchair competition may be included with permission of the Commissioner if

separate from all other competitions (including 100 meter dash) and 2 lanes are

assigned to each competitor

Q.102-2 How is scoring done in multiple school meets such as conference, county meets

and invitational tournaments?

A. The event order and scoring shall be determined by the game committee.

RULE 103 – FLAG FOOTBALL

See rule 9 which applies to all sports.

103-1 Playing Rules

The Special Olympics Indiana Unified Flag Football rules shall govern except as so

modified by the Committee.

103-2 Maximum Season Contests

The maximum number of Season Contests in Unified Flag Football in which any team

may participate, and the maximum number of halves in which a student may participate,

excluding the IHSAA Tournament Series, shall be Ten (10) team Contests and Twenty (20)

student halves.

a. A student may participate in no more than Three (3) halves in One (1) session.

When multiple Contests are played on One (1) admission ticket without

clearing the stands i.e. junior-varsity Contest followed by a Varsity Contest, it is

considered One (1) session.

b. Student may not change levels of play if Contests are being played

simultaneously. Students may only change levels of play at the completion of

both Contests.

c. See rule 101 for Practice and Contest Seasons.

Rule 102 - Uniﬁ ed Track & Field

141

103-3 Controlled Scrimmage

A School may schedule One (1) Unified Flag Football Controlled Scrimmage with another

IHSAA member School. A Unified Flag Football Controlled Scrimmage may not be held

earlier than the day following the fifth (5th) day of Practice or later than the second (2nd)

calendar day prior to the first (1st) scheduled Contest. A Unified Flag Football Controlled

Scrimmage does count as a Practice or as an interschool Contest. Only students who have

full athletic eligibility may participate in a Unified Flag Football Controlled Scrimmage.

Rule 102 - Uniﬁ ed Track & Field

142

Part V: Junior High School Interschool Rules

The following rules apply to Grade 9 students and grade 9 teams in schools having junior

membership.

a. Junior membership permits a school to participate in interscholastic athletic contests.

b. A junior member school must abide by all applicable IHSAA Rules and By-Laws, and a

junior member school student must meet the applicable IHSAA Rules and By-Laws.

c. Junior member school students may participate on junior member teams, may participate

on high school teams sponsored by the high school to which the student’s school is a

feeder school, or both. Junior member students who participate on a high school teams

may return to the junior member school team in that sport.

d. Junior member schools may not enter a school team in an IHSAA state tournament series

and junior member school students may not, as members of a junior member school team,

participate as individuals in an IHSAA state tournament series. A junior member school

student may participate in an IHSAA state tournament series as a member of a high school

team.

e. Junior member schools may not use students below the ninth grade on their own ninth

grade athletic teams in interscholastic athletics.

It is recommended that schools having grade 7 and/or 8 follow the Guidelines as prepared by

the Junior High School Advisory Committee and distributed by IHSAA.

Junior High School Interschool Rules

143

National Federation of State High School Associations

Part VI: National Federation of

State High School Associations

Indiana was admitted in 1924. The National Federation was organized in 1920 and

now consists of 50 member state high school associations. Canadian Federation and 9

Canadian provinces are presently aﬃ liated.

These associations have united to secure the beneﬁ ts of cooperative action which elimi-

nates unnecessary duplication of work and which increases eﬃ ciency through the pooling

and coordinating of eﬀ orts of all who are engaged in high school athletic activities.

The legislative body is the National Council made up of one representative from each

member state association. Such representative must be an oﬃ cer or a member of his/her

state board of control. The executive body is the Executive Committee of eight members

elected by the National Council from the membership of the Boards of Control, Com-

missioners and Executive Secretaries of member state associations from eight territorial

sections as outlined in the constitution. Terms are stag-

gered and for three years.

The growth in size and inﬂ uence of the state high

school associations and their National Federation

insures some degree of teamwork on the part of 22,000

high schools and this teamwork has enabled them to

formulate policies and plans for improving high school

athletic conditions and to make these plans function.

The National Federation probably represents the larg-

est closely knit organized body of athletes in the world.

The opportunities for contributing to the welfare of the

high school athletic program are unlimited.

The Federation was organized primarily to secure

proper adherence to the eligibility rules of the various

state associations in interstate contests and meets. As

the prestige of the national organization grew, a pro-

gram for the sanctioning of interstate meets was developed. This later led to deﬁ nite action

relative to national and sectional athletic events. At the present time, no national athletic

meet or tournament is sanctioned. Meets or tournaments, which involve the schools of

more than one state, are sanctioned in accordance with deﬁ nite limitations in connection

with the distance to be traveled, the type of sponsor, the amount of school time involved,

and extent to which such events interfere with smaller meets which insure participation by

greater numbers of those who need the training. The scope of the National Federation work

has broadened so that all high school athletic and many non-athletic groups proﬁ t through

an exchange of experiences and a pooling of interests.

The activities of the National Federation are based on the belief strong state and

national high school athletic organizations are necessary to protect the athletic interests of

the high schools, to promote an ever increasing growth of a type of interscholastic athletics

which is educational in both objective and method and which can be justiﬁ ed as an integral

part of the high school curriculum, and to protect high school students from exploitation for

purposes having no educational implications. To accomplish these things, it is necessary

for educators to exercise teamwork on a nationwide scale.

144

Part VII: History of IHSAA

The rst attempt to organize the high schools of Indiana in a single organization for the

purpose of handling athletic activities was made in a meeting of the Northern Indiana Teachers’

Association held at Richmond in April, 1903. At this time there was a conference of high school

principals, and the conference ended with a body of suggested rules and regulations, called the

Richmond Agreement. Due to the fact that there was no central organization having executive

power, the Richmond Agreement did little more than point the way toward something better.

Principal J. B. Pearcy, of Anderson, issued a call for a meeting of high school principals

interested in a state athletic organization for December 5, 1903. At this meeting, a provisional

constitution was adopted. At a similar meeting on December 29, 1903, a nal constitution

was adopted and a Board of Control of three members was chosen to administer the aairs

of the IHSAA.

The rst Board of Control was made up of Principal George W. Benton, Shortridge High

School, Indianapolis; Superintendent Lotus D. Coman, Salem; and Principal J. T. Giles,

Marion. These men thought and planned well, and we are enjoying the fruits of their vision.

There were fteen high schools belonging to the IHSAA, March 1, 1904. The membership

had a gradual growth through the years, and now includes almost all of the high schools in

the state. The peak membership of eight hundred twenty (820) was reached in 1942, the year

that private, parochial and institutional schools were admitted to the Association.

In the beginning, one member of the Board of Control served as Secretary but it soon

became very evident that this oce furnished enough work for a special man. It was also

seen that the future of the organization demanded that the oce of Secretary be made more

permanent than the oce of Board Member. Accordingly, at the annual meeting in 1906, the

oce of Permanent Secretary was established, and Principal J. T. Giles of Marion was chosen

by the principals to be the rst Permanent Secretary. Principal Giles resigned on December

26, 1912 and Principal Isaac E. Ne, South Bend, was chosen by the principals to succeed

him. Principal Ne resigned March 15, 1913, and the Board of Control appointed Principal

Arthur L. Trester from Alexandria to serve as Permanent Secretary until the next annual

meeting in December, 1913. At this meeting, Principal Trester was chosen by the principals

as Permanent Secretary.

The Board of Control consisted of three members, chosen by the principals in their an-

nual meetings, until the annual meeting of October 27, 1916. At this meeting, it was decided

to divide the state into ve districts for administrative and representative purposes, and that

each district should have one representative on the Board of Control, chosen by mail ballot

from his own district by the principals of his district.

In September, 1925, by a referendum vote, the principals passed a legislative body proposal

calling for four members from each of the ve (5) IHSAA districts. The ve members of the

Board of Control, serving ex ocio, and the fteen other members elected by the principals

in a mail vote constituted this legislative body. Prior to this plan, all legislation was done at the

annual meeting or by referendum voting by mail. This Legislative Body of twenty members

passed on all proposals submitted by the high school principals. It was the law making body

of the Association. The plan was considered an advance in state administration and legisla-

tion in athletic activities.

On December 13, 1930, the Legislative Body considered and passed without a dissenting

vote the provisions for an Athletic Council. The plan in full continued the ve IHSAA districts

in the state and arranged for ve representatives on the Athletic Council from each district by

classes determined by enrollments in the high schools, thus making the Athletic Council a body

of twenty-ve members representing all sizes of high schools and all districts of the state at all

times and elected by the high school principals in the membership. A provision was included

for the selection of a 5-man Board of Control from the membership of the Athletic Council by

the members of the Athletic Council. The Athletic Council took over the duties of the former

Legislative Body and was considered the law making body of the Association.

The title “Permanent Secretary,” established in 1906, was changed to “Commissioner of

History of IHSAA

145

High School Athletics” in October, 1929, by the Legislative Body, and the Commissioner was

granted the powers and duties belonging to a Commissioner of Athletics. Mr. Trester continued

to serve as Commissioner until the date of his death, September 18, 1944. The Board of Control

designated Superintendent Morris E. McCarty of Lafayette to serve as Acting Commissioner.

In December, 1944, Principal L.V. Phillips of Vincennes was chosen Commissioner to take

oce January 1, 1945. In 1944, the Board of Control was given authority to employ an As-

sistant Commissioner. Robert S. Hinshaw, Director of Athletics at Rushville High School, was

chosen in November, 1945, to take oce December 10, 1945 to become the rst Assistant

Commissioner of Athletics for the IHSAA. In July, 1961, Herman F. Keller of Evansville Bosse

High School became the second Assistant Commissioner of Athletics after the death of Mr.

Hinshaw. On the retirement of L.V. Phillips, July 31, 1962, the Board of Control selected Phil

N. Eskew, Superintendent, Huntington Public Schools, as the third Commissioner of Athlet-

ics. The Board conferred the title of “Honorary Commissioner” on L.V. Phillips. On August

1, 1969, Ward E. Brown, Principal of Crawfordsville High School, was selected as Assistant

Commissioner to work with Mr. Eskew and Mr. Keller, and on January 1, 1972, Miss Patricia

L. Roy of East Gary was selected as Director of Girls Athletics for the Association. Mr. Keller

retired as Assistant Commissioner on August 1, 1973 and was succeeded by Charles F. Maas,

Athletic Director from Arlington High School, Indianapolis. On July 1, 1974, Miss Sue Parrish

of Yorktown became the rst Assistant Director of Girls Athletics.

Due to the additional Association sponsored sports and the need for more space, the

Board of Directors purchased 2.57 acres of land just northwest of 91st and Meridian Streets

on August 6, 1975 for the purpose of building the new IHSAA Headquarters. Groundbreaking

ceremonies for the 20,000 square foot oce building were held April 6, 1976 and the date of

occupancy was April 4 and 5, 1977. A formal building dedication and open house was held

on Sunday, October 16, 1977 with approximately 500 people in attendance.

On April 26, 1976, the IHSAA was incorporated. Certain corporate laws necessitated

limiting the length of staggered terms of elected representatives to three years. Renaming of

the Athletic Council as Board of Directors and renaming the Board of Control as Executive

Committee followed, along with changing the school classications from ve to three, reducing

the number of members on the Board of Directors from 25 to 15 and increasing the number

of members on the Executive Committee from 5 to 10.

Phil N. Eskew retired on June 30, 1976 and eective July 1, 1976, Ward E. Brown, As-

sistant Commissioner, became the fourth Commissioner; the title of “Commissioner Emeritus”

was bestowed upon Phil N. Eskew; and C. Eugene Cato, former Superintendent, Jay County

Schools, became Assistant Commissioner.

Mildred M. Ball of East Chicago Washington High School was appointed Assistant Com-

missioner to ll the vacancy created by the resignation of Assistant Director of Girls Athletics

Sue Parrish. Titles of Director and Assistant Director of Girls Athletics were ocially changed

to Assistant Commissioner eective July 1, 1977.

Ward E. Brown retired as Commissioner on June 30, 1983 and eective July 1, 1983, C.

Eugene Cato, Assistant Commissioner, became the fth Commissioner. Ray Craft, former

Principal of Shelbyville High School, became the new Assistant Commissioner on July 1, 1983.

On November 18, 1983, the Executive Committee approved employing a Sports Information

Director to assist in communications with the news media. Bob Williams, former sportswriter for

the Indianapolis Star, was appointed to ll this position and began his duties on July 1, 1984.

Charles F. Maas, Assistant Commissioner since August 1, 1973, passed away after a long

illness on November 27, 1984. Robert B. Gardner, former Principal of Milan High School, was

selected to ll this vacancy and began his duties on February 18, 1985.

On November 13, 1992, the Board of Directors voted to add a minority seat/s to the Board

of Directors and Executive Committee. This By-Law amendment commences with the De-

cember, 1993 election. The minority seats shall be lled by a minority from each of the three

classes, with selections rotated through each of the ve districts thus increasing the Board of

Directors from 15 to 18 members and the Executive Committee from 10 to 12 members when

the rotation is completed in 1997.

Bob Williams retired as the rst Sports Information Director on June 30, 1994. Jim Rus-

History of IHSAA

146

sell, sportswriter for the Indianapolis News, was appointed to ll this position and began his

duties on July 1, 1994.

On January 13, 1995, C. Eugene Cato retired as Commissioner. On October 13, 1994,

the Executive Committee appointed Robert B. Gardner as the next Commissioner. He began

his duties on January 13, 1995. Blake Ress, former Principal of Martinsville High School, was

named the new Assistant Commissioner on December 16, 1994.

On April 29, 1996, the Board of Directors voted 12-5 to implement multiple classes for

tournament play in team sports beginning in the 1997-98 school year. Twenty principals in

each of the ve IHSAA legislative districts signed petitions calling for a referendum on the

multiple class tournament adoption by the Board of Directors. The referendum vote was held

with all ballots to be received by September 16, 1996. The action of the Board of Directors

was upheld by the principals in a vote of 220 in favor and 157 opposed.

On December 12, 1997, after 20 years of service, Assistant Commissioner Mildred Mor-

gan Ball announced her retirement, eective June 30, 1997. On March 21, 1997, Theresia

Wynns, Principal, Creston Middle School, Indianapolis, and long-time IHSAA licensed ocial,

was appointed as the new Assistant Commissioner and began her duties on July 1, 1997.

On February 19, 1999, after 27

years of service, Assistant Commissioner Patricia Roy

announced her retirement, eective June 30, 1999. Sandy Searcy, Girls Athletic Director and

Swimming Coach at Bloomington North High School was appointed as the new Assistant

Commissioner on May 3, 1999, and began her duties on July 1, 1999.

On March 27, 2000, after 15 years of service, including 5

as Commissioner, Robert B.

Gardner announced his resignation to become Chief Operating Ocer of the Indianapolis-

based National Federation of State High School Associations. On April 10, 2000, the Executive

Committee appointed Assistant Commissioner Blake Ress as the next Commissioner. He

began his duties July 1, 2000. On June 16, 2000, Bobby Cox, Athletic Director at Carmel High

School was named as the new Assistant Commissioner. He also began his duties July 1, 2000.

In May of 2000, the Association’s Board of Directors adopted language regarding a “Case

Review Panel” enacted by the Indiana General Assembly as an alternative to legal action when

a party disagrees with the Association’s nal decision. The Case Review Panel is comprised of

nine individuals, including the Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction or his/her designee

who would serve as the Panel’s chairperson.

At its annual meeting in April of 2001, the Board of Directors voted to reduce the number

of legislative districts from ve to three eective with the 2001-02 school year. A restructuring

of the Board’s makeup also ensued with the number of high school classications increasing

from three to four thus ensuring representation of each competition class. The Board of Direc-

tors will continue to have 18 seats, with six seats being lled by two females, two minorities

and two urban school representatives. Additionally, the Executive Committee would begin to

be comprised of all members of the Board of Directors with each individual having the ability

to vote on issues.

On December 7, 2001, after 7

years of service, Sports Information Director Jim Rus-

sell announced his resignation to become Executive Director of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity,

whose national headquarters are based locally. On January 10, 2002, Jerry Baker, with his

recognizable television voice that has been associated with IHSAA football and basketball

tournaments since 1978, was named Sports Information Director.

On December 1, 2004, after nearly three years of service, Baker announced his resigna-

tion from his post. On December 16, Commissioner Blake Ress announced that Jason Wille,

the IHSAA’s Assistant Sports Information Director and an employee of 9

years, was named

Sports Information Director.

On January 26, 2005, Commissioner Ress announced the hiring of Joe Gentry as Com-

munications Director, a new position in the Assocation’s Oce. Gentry joined the IHSAA after

a 17-year career as Sports Information Director for the University of Indianapolis.

At its May 1, 2006 meeting, the IHSAA Board of Directors approved adding a 19th seat to

its body reserved for a private school representative. The seat would be lled beginning with

the 2007-08 school year.

Gentry resigned his post as Communications Director in September, 2006 to return to his

History of IHSAA

147

alma mater as Butler University’s Director of Sports Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships.

Ress announced the hiring of Chris Kaufman as Communications Director on November

28, 2006. Kaufman joined the Association Oce after a 16-year career at Cathedral High

School in Indianapolis, the last eight as the school’s Director of Marketing and Communications.

On February 21, 2008, Associate Commissioner Ray Craft announced his retirement ef-

fective June 30, 2008. Craft was appointed Assistant Commissioner in July, 1983, and later

promoted to Associate Commissioner in 1994. He also served on the IHSAA Board of Directors

from 1980-83 while Principal at Shelbyville High School.

On April 28, 2008, Phillip E. Gardner, Principal at Wes-Del High School and a member of

the IHSAA Board of Directors, was selected by the Executive Committee to serve as an As-

sistant Commissioner lling the vacancy left by Craft. Gardner joined the Association Oce

after serving 14 years as Principal at Wes-Del (1994-2008) and previously was Principal at

Cowan for seven years (1987-94). As a member of the Board of Directors, Gardner had one

of the longest tenures in Association history having served continuously since 1990. He was

elected president of that group in 1995-96 and also elected chairman of the Executive Com-

mittee in 1999-00 and 2002-03.

On June 24, 2010, Commissioner Blake Ress announced his intention to retire after 10

1/2 years leading the Association. The title of “Commissioner Emeritus” was bestowed upon

Ress on February 1, 2011.

On August 6, 2010, the IHSAA Executive Committee appointed Bobby Cox as the eighth

commissioner. An assistant commissioner since 2000, Cox assumed his responsibilities on

February 1, 2011.

On October 7, 2010, Robert Faulkens, principal at Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High

School in Indianapolis and a member of the IHSAA Board of Directors, was approved as as-

sistant commissioner eective January 10, 2011.

Theresia Wynns, who had served as an assistant commissioner since 1997, announced

her resignation eective June 22, 2012, to join the Indianapolis-based National Federation

of State High School Associations (NFHS) as its Director of Sports and Ocials Education.

At its monthly meeting on May 1, 2012, the Executive Committee approved two personnel

moves announcing Sandra Walter and Chris Kaufman as assistant commissioners eective

June 4, 2012.

Walter spent 12 years at Lawrence Central High School, the last 10 as athletic director

and was active in the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and

Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA).

Since becoming Communications Director in 2006, Kaufman had overseen the IHSAA’s

marketing eorts with corporate partners and helped form the IHSAA Champions Television

Network.

The Executive Committee approved a portion of an Indiana Football Coaches Association

(IFCA) proposal on June 22, 2012 in adding a sixth classication to the football state tourna-

ment beginning in 2013-14. The Committee also voted in favor of a two-year tournament

success factor in each team sport (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball volleyball),

an accumulation of points by which any school would move up one class based on tourna-

ment series performance during that time. That measure would take eect in 2013-14 as well

using tournament results from the prior two years. The Board of Directors formally ratied the

Tournament Success Factor at its April 29, 2013 meeting.

The IHSAA added its 21st sport and rst co-ed one on November 8, 2013 when it approved

a state tournament for Unied Track & Field for the spring of 2014.

A further enhancement of the IHSAA’s partnership with Special Olympics Indiana allowed

IHSAA-member schools to form teams composed equally of students with and without intel-

lectual disabilities to compete for a state championship. Schools scheduled regular season

competitions during the spring before two sectionals meets – one north and one south – with

participants then advancing to the state championship meet held just prior to the start of the

IHSAA Boys Track & Field State Finals in Bloomington. Events included were the 100 meter

Dash, 400 meter Dash, 4x100 meter Relay, Shot Put and Long Jump.

In June 2015, the IHSAA Executive Committee created and formed the IHSAA Foundation

History of IHSAA

148

to operate exclusively for the charitable benets of IHSAA member schools and their student-

athletes. As funding becomes available, the Foundation, overseen by a Board of Directors, will

award college scholarships to student-athletes in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

It also will support IHSAA member schools through a grant program designed to help fund

special projects.

On June 10, 2015, Assistant Commissioner Sandy Searcy announced her resignation ef-

fective July 31 to join the executive sta of the National Federation. An assistant commissioner

since 1999, Searcy was named Director of Sports for swimming and diving, water polo and

softball and to assist in planning for various NFHS meetings and conferences.

On July 13, 2015, the Executive Committee approved Kerrie Schludecker as a new as-

sistant commissioner eective August 1, 2015.

Schludecker had served the previous three years as athletic director at Boone Grove

High School following two years at Marquette Catholic High School. She had been an ac-

tive member and served on several committees for both the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic

Administrators Association (IIAAA) and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators

Association (NIAAA).

On October 26, 2016, Steven Helmich was announced as the rst president of the IHSAA

Foundation. In his role as chief administrator, Helmich will oversee the day-to-day operations

of the Foundation including the development and fundraising eorts to support its programs

and the distribution of scholarships and grants. Helmich joined the Association following a

16-year career as president of Cathedral High School.

On February 17, 2017, Assistant Commissioner Phil Gardner announced his retirement

eective June 30 after nine years on the Executive Sta.

Paul Neidig, Chief of Sta and Director of Athletics of the Evansville Vanderburgh School

Corporation (EVSC) and a continuous member of the IHSAA Board of Directors since 2004,

was hired as an assistant commissioner on May 10, 2017.

His appointment began July 1 following a 31-year career with EVSC where Neidig also

served as its Chief Administrative Ocer from 2012 to 2015, Deputy Chief of Sta from 2009

to 2012 and Director of Athletics at Evansville Central High School from 2001 to 2010. Prior

to that, Neidig had worked at Evansville Central as a teacher, department chair, head coach

and assistant coach for boys basketball, assistant athletic director and technology director

between 1985 and 2001. He had also served as Chairman of the IHSAA Executive Committee

three times in 2006-07, 2009-10 and 2015-16.

On August 15, 2017, Matt Wolfert was hired as president of the IHSAA Foundation taking

over for Steven Helmich who had stepped down in May. Wolfert joined the Association following

a one-year stint as Director of Major Gifts at Cathedral High School. Prior to Cathedral, Wolfert

had served as Director of Corporate Relationships for the NCAA from 2012 to 2016 and at

Ball State University as Associate Director of Athletics – External Aairs from 2004 to 2012.

Heath Shanahan joined the IHSAA in November 2016 and was promoted to the Associa-

tion’s Executive Sta in July 2018 as its rst Director of Broadcasting/Executive Producer for

the IHSAA Champions Network.

Shanahan serves as the primary director and executive producer for all aspects of the

IHSAA Champions Network broadcasts including IHSAAtv.org as well as maintaining and

fullling contractual obligations with various partners. He’ll also oversee development and

distribution of a new content platform for IHSAA media and news.

On April 30, 2018, the Executive Committee approved sponsorship of Unied Flag Football,

the second co-ed sport oered in partnership with Special Olympics Indiana, and 22nd overall.

The program, which begins in the fall of 2018, combines students with and without intellectual

disabilities on the same team for sports training and competition.

Bobby Cox, commissioner since 2011, announced to the IHSAA Executive Committee on

January 16, 2020, his intention to retire eective August 1, 2020.

During Cox’s tenure, the IHSAA made unprecedented advances in numerous areas all with

the intention of further strengthening the IHSAA’s brand and trumpeting the many values and

benets of participation in education-based athletics. He oversaw an expansion of corporate

partnerships and sponsorships for the Association including adding the Indiana Pacers and

History of IHSAA

149

Indiana Fever as presenting sponsors for the boys and girls basketball state tournaments.

His embrace of the Champions Together initiative, a partnership with Special Olympics

Indiana, established the newest state tournaments in Unied Track and Field (2014) and

Unied Flag Football (2018). The two sports allowed students with and without intellectual

disabilities to compete together in a team setting for their school.

He oversaw the creation and formation of the IHSAA Foundation in 2015 which continues

to operate for the charitable benets of IHSAA member schools and their student-athletes.

On March 12, 2020, two days before regional games, Commissioner Bobby Cox announced

that the remaining games of the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament would continue as

scheduled but with limited spectators in attendance as the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

swept the country. The next day, it was announced the tournament was postponed immedi-

ately due to the number of schools closing for an extended period of time. The gymnastics

state nals, scheduled for March 14 in Muncie, would be contested as planned but without

spectators and only with essential tournament workers in attendance.

On March 19, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb directed that all Indiana schools be

closed until May 1 due to the pandemic. This action essentially cancelled the boys basketball

state tournament for the rst time in its 110-year history.

On March 20, 2020, John (Paul) Neidig was named the ninth commissioner in Associa-

tion history by the Executive Committeee and would assume the position on August 1, 2020.

Neidig would assume the position having enjoyed a 34-year career in secondary education

and athletic administration and had been an assistant commissioner since 2017.

On April 2, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb along with the State Commissioner of

Health and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction announced the closure of all K-12

schools throughout Indiana for the remainder of the school year due to the continued eects

of the pandemic. Subsequently, the IHSAA announced the cancellation of all spring sports

tournament series events for the 2019-20 school year.

On July 26, 2021, Brian Lewis was approved by the IHSAA Executive Committee to be-

come an assistant commissioner lling the vacancy left a year earlier by Neidig when he was

named the new commissioner.

Lewis joined the IHSAA sta after 15 years in secondary education, the last three years

as the athletic director at Jasper High School in southwest Indiana.

After 10 years serving as an assistant commissioner, Sandra Walter announced April 25,

2022 of her intention to leave the sta to become the new athletic director at Franklin Central

High School.

Janie Ulmer was named an assistant commissioner on May 19, 2022.

A career educator, Ulmer joined the IHSAA having spent ve years with Hamilton South-

eastern Schools, the last two as the principal at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers.

Prior to that, Ulmer spent 24 years in the LaPorte Community School Corporation.

With a long career of distinguished service to education-based athletics, Brian Avery was

named the next Director of the Champions Together program, the IHSAA’s collaborative eort

with Special Olympics Indiana, on June 6, 2022.

Avery had served as the Speedway High School athletic director from 2011-22 and Franklin

Central athletic director from 2000-11.

Former Executive Committee member and retired LaPorte High School Athletic Director

Ed Gilliland was hired July 29, 2022 to become an associate commissioner. Gilliland took

over the newly-created part time role with a focus on the northern half of the state to work

with new athletic administrators, provide support for member schools, and assist with Ocials

recruitment and retention.

On April 6, 2023, it was announced that Assistant Commissioner Chris Kaufman would as-

sume the additional role as Foundation President while George “Trip” Lukemeyer III had been

named Foundation Director. Both take over the reins of the IHSAA’s philanthropic arm that oper-

ates exclusively for the charitable benets of member schools and their student-athletes. The

previous president, Matt Wolfert, left his position in September 2022, for another opportunity.

The primary purpose of the organizers of the IHSAA, to manage and to foster high school

History of IHSAA

150

athletics on a high plane, has been upheld as an ideal through the life of the IHSAA. New

and advanced steps have been taken whenever conditions made them necessary. In the

beginning, the Association concerned itself largely with track and football. As time went on it

became increasingly evident that the IHSAA should assume the initiative for a well-balanced

athletic program to meet the needs of all schools and all students desiring to participate in

athletics. The Association now sanctions 10 dierent sports for boys and 10 dierent sports

for girls and two co-ed which bring together students with and without intellectual disabilities

, and culminating with State Championships in all.

A study of the persons who have served on the Executive Committee (formerly Board

of Control) through the years will show clearly that the activities of the IHSAA have been in

good hands. The titles and addresses are given as they were when the members served. A

complete list of former members follows:

(Key: * Deceased; † Year served as Chairman)

NOTE: years prior to 1947 were calendar years.

*Abbett, M. J., Prin., Bedford, 1919-20, 21†

*Adams, Douglas V. Prin., Michigan City Rogers, 1981-82, 82-83, 84-85, 85-86, 86-87, 87-88

*Adams, John, Coach, Vincennes, 1925-26, 27†

Adams, Stacy, A.D., Grith, 2016-17, 17-18, 18-19, Valparaiso 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

*Adamson, George T., Sandborn, 1952-53

*Albaugh, C. F., Prin., LaFountaine, 1925-26, 27†

*Albright, Otto, Prin., Cayuga, 1949-50, 54-55, 59-60†, 64-65, 66-67

*Allman, H. B. Supt., Angola, 1922-23, 24†

Alspaugh, Nancy, Prin., Manchester, 2004-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11,

11-12, 12-13†

Amerson, Bill, Prin., Jeersonville, 2004-05, 05-06

*Ammerman, K. V., Indpls. Manual Training, 1920-21, 22†, 37, 42

Amor, David, A.D., LaCrosse, 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20

Amrhein, Ray C., Supt., Brookville, 1974-75

*Anderson, Roger L., Prin., Sandcreek (Greensburg), 1965-66†

*Aylesworth, Wallace, Prin., Portage Twp., Gary, 1953-54

*Babcock, James, Prin., Paoli, 1992-93, 93-94, 95-96, 96-97†

*Baird, Lee O., County Supt., Muncie, 1924-25, 26†

*Baker, Floyd H., Asst. Prin., North Webster, 1962-63

*Baker, Wyant E., Prin., Vincennes Lincoln, 1973-74

Barnett, Linda, A.D., Clinton Central, 2000-01, 01-02, 02-03, 03-04

Barrett, Randy, Prin., Brown County, 2002-03; Supt., Eastern Greene 03-04, 04-05, 06-07,

07-08

*Bastin, John, Asst. Prin., Centerville, 1970-71

*Beabout, H. Ralph, Prin., Plymouth, 1945, 50-51†

*Benedict, H. C., Supt., Vevay, 1949-50, 54-55

*Benton, George W., Prin., Indpls. Shortridge, 1904†, 05-07

Black, Tom, Prin., East Central 2021-22, 22-23

Blackburn, Mike, A.D., Northwestern, 1996-97, 97-98, 99-00, 2000-01

*Blemker, Earl E., Supt., Covington, 1962-63

*Boardman, Thomas, Prin., Coesse, 1942-43

*Boyd, E. C., Supt., Clinton, 1946-47†, 52-53†, 57-58

*Breck, Bill, Prin., Franklin, 1972-73, 77-78, 78-79

*Breck, J. W. O., Prin., Shelbyville, 1942, 47-48

Bright, Derick, Prin., Wes-Del, 2014-15

Broughton, Mike, A.D., Jennings County, 2012-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18

Former Executive Committee Members

151

Brown, Jim, A.D., Fishers, 2014-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

Brown, Martin, A.D., North Vermillion, 2018-19, 19-20, 20-21

*Brown, Ward E., Prin., Crawfordsville, 1967-68

Bunda, Dennis, A.D., Calumet, 2002-03, 03-04, 04-05

*Burdsall, Orvis, Prin., Alexandria-Monroe, 1973-74†, 78-79, 79-80†, 82-83, 83-84, 85-86,

86-87

*Busenburg, F. L., Columbus, 1921-22, 23†

Bush, Victor, Indianapolis Public Schools, 2010-11, 11-12, 12-13, Arsenal Technical 13-14,

14-15, MSD Lawrence Township 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22†

*Caldwell, Shelly M., Prin., Lancaster Central (Bluton), 1949-50

*Callaway, Russell C., Prin., Jamestown, 1945

*Campbell, Arthur, Supt., Anderson, 1937

*Carson, C. C., Supt., Pendleton, 1920

Casbon, Curtis, Prin., Morgan Township, 2001-02, 02-03

*Case, William T., South Knox (Monroe City), 1975-76

*Chastain, Loren, Prin., Muncie Central, 1952-53, 57-58†

*Cline, Hubert M., A.D., Prairie Heights (LaGrange), 1964-65

*Coman, Lotus D., Supt., Salem, 1904, 05†, 06-07

Conley, Chris, Prin., Delta, 2018-19, 19-20, 20-21†, 21-22, 22-23

*Costello, Leo J., Supt., Loogootee, 1955-56, 60-61†

*Cox, Dale E., A.D., LaVille (Lakeville), 1976-77

Cox, Steve, Prin., Beech Grove, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16,

16-17, 17-18

Craft, Ray, Prin., Shelbyville, 1981-82, 82-83

Crafton, Dale, Prin., New Washington, 1996-97, 97-98, 99-00, 2000-01†

*Crawley, Marion L., A.D., Lafayette Jeerson, 1959-60

*Croninger, F. H., Prin., Fort Wayne, 1940

Cunningham, Dan, Prin., Owen Valley, 1999-00, 2000-01, 01-02

*Curry, William R., Supt., Mooresville, 1972-73†

Daugherty, Wayne, A.D., Switzerland County (Vevay), 1976-77

Davis, George R., Asst. Supt., Northwestern (Kokomo), 1967-68

*Davis, Keith, Prin., North Liberty, 1976-77, 77-78

*Davis, Lester D., Prin., Warsaw, 1963-64†

*Davis, Maurice N., Prin., Fort Wayne Snider, 1970-71†

Day, Charles E., Prin., Liberty Center, 1954-55, 59-60

*Day, Robert E., Prin., Harrison (West Lafayette), 1974-75, 78-79, 79-80

Dean, Nathan, Prin., Jimtown, 2009-10, 10-11, A.D., 11-12†, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16,

16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

Delagrange, Jacob J., Prin., New Haven, 1977-78, 78-79†, 83-84, 84-85†, 86-87, 87-88,

89-90, 90-91

DeLong, Phillip, Prin., Castle, 2006-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11

Denney, Kye, A.D., Wes-Del, 2021-22, 22-23

*Denny, W. A., Prin., Anderson, 1915-17†, 19

DeSantis, Frank, A.D., Bremen, 1995-96, 96-97, 98-99

Diagostino, Jim, Prin., Tri-West Hendricks, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12

*Dick, Harold M., Prin., Bunker Hill, 1953-54

Dillow, Priscilla, Asst. A.D., Ben Davis, 1995-96, 96-97, A.D., 98-99, 99-00

*Dold, James W., Prin., Washington Twp., 1968-69, 73-74, 77-78, 78-79

Doyle, Je, Prin., Barr-Reeve, 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23†

*Dubois, Hubert A., Supt., Oak Hill (Converse), 1958-59

DuBois, Roland L., Prin., Fairmount, 1956-57

Former Executive Committee Members

152

*Dunbar, Elmer G., Prin., Bedford, 1969-70

Duncan, Brent, A.D. Connersville, 2018-19, 19-20, 20-21

Duncan, Kyle, Asst. A.D., Brownsburg, 2022-23

*Early, James L., Prin., South Bend Jackson, 1970-71

*Elabarger, A. L., Prin., Waynetown, 1918

Elder, Don, Prin., Monroe Central (Parker), 1980-81, 81-82

Eller, Dennis, Prin., Rochester, 1997-98, 98-99†, 2000-01, 01-02

*Elliott, C. H., Butler, 1952-53

*Eppley, G. G., Prin., Francesville, 1922-25, 26†

Erne, Judson S., Prin., Columbus, 1962-63, 67-68†

Erwin, Cecil R., Benton Central (Oxford), 1971-72

*Eskew, Phil N., Prin., Wabash, 1951-52

*Eve, Lee L., Prin., South Whitley, 1936-37†

*Falls, Robert, A.D., Michigan City, 2007-08, 08-09, 09-10

Faulkens, Robert, Prin., Indianapolis Crispus Attucks, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11

Feist, Jim, Prin., Eastern (Pekin), 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05

*Fellmy, W. S., Prin., Edwardsport, 1931-32, 33†, 34-35, 36†, 41

Ferriell-Woolpy, Rae, Prin., Richmond, 2012-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19,

19-20, 20-21, 21-22

Fike, Elbert L., Asst. Supt., North Montgomery, 1970-71

Finicle, Tom, A.D., Southwood 2020-21, 21-22, 22-23

Ford, Phillip, A.D., Jay County, 2006-07, 07-08, Prin., 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14†

*Fortner, J. Ord, Prin., West Terre Haute, 1926-27, 28†

Fortner, Knofel E., Supt., West Washington, 1970-71

*French, John M., Prin., LaPorte, 1939

*Fribley, E. F., Prin., Auburn, 1935-36

*Fulford, James D., Prin., Owen Valley (Spencer), 1968-69†, 81-82, 82-83, 84-85, 85-86,

87-88, 88-89

*Funk, James O., Prin., Huntington (Roanoke), 1969-70

Gambaiani, Larry, Supt., Rockville, 1985-86, 86-87, 88-89, 89-90†, 91-92, 92-93; Asst. Supt.,

M.S.D. Washington Twp., 1995-96, 96-97

Gandy, Don, Prin., Wheeler, 2012-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18

Gardner, Phillip E., Prin., Cowan, 1992-93, 93-94; Wes-Del, 95-96, 96-97, 97-98, 98-99, 99-

00†, 2001-02, 02-03†, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08

Gardner, Robert B., Prin., Milan, 1983-84, 84-85

Genet, Rebecca, Teacher, Perry Central, 1997-98, 98-99

Gilbert, Chad, A.D., Charlestown, 2018, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

*Giles, J. T., Prin., Marion, 1904-06†

Gilliland, Ed, A.D., LaPorte 2015-16, 16-17, 17-18†, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22

*Gilroy, J. F., A.D., Gary, 1921

*Gorman, Fred R., A.D., Indpls. Technical, 1934-35†, 36, 41

*Gridley, James, A.D., Rushville, 1968-69

Grith, Bill, Prin., Harding, 1992-93, 93-94, Churubusco, 95-96, 96-97

Grove, Tim, Prin., North Knox, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, South Knox School Corp., 11-12, 12-13,

13-14, 14-15†, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

*Hallett, Herman, Prin., New Richmond, 1931-34

Former Executive Committee Members

153

*Hammel, John F., Coach, Angola, 1972-73

Hamstra, Je, A.D., Chesterton, 2022-23

*Haworth, C. V., Prin., Kokomo, 1913† -14-15†

*Heath, Ralph, Prin., Daleville, 1950-51

*Henwood, Maynard, Prin., New Haven, 1965-66

Herbert, David J., Supt., Mitchell, 1980-81, 81-82

Herrmann, Joe, A.D., Evansville Mater Dei, 2022-23

*Herzog, Guenther, Prin., Fort Wayne Concordia, 1980-81, 81-82†

*Hettler, W. James, A.D., Faireld (Goshen), 1978-79, 79-80

*Higgins, Eugene O., Supt., Greeneld, 1939

*Hill, Howard M., Prin., Winchester, 1940-41†

*Hilton, Charles, A.D., Richmond, 1976-77, 77-78

*Hines, Floyd A., Supt., Cambridge City, 1944

*Hines, L. N., Supt., Hartford City, 1908-10†

*Hinshaw, Robert S., A.D., Rushville, 1938, 43

*Hobbs, Lawrence, Prin., Sheridan, 1948-49, 53-54

Hoskins, Phil, Prin., Faireld, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09†

Howe, Daniel G., Prin., Fort Wayne North Side, 1985-86, 86-87, 88-89, 89-90

Howell, Jimmie, A.D. Lapel, 2012-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17

Howell, Ken, Prin., Blue River Valley, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12; Blackford, 12-13, 13-14

*Hubner, Norman J., A.D., LaPorte, 1964-65, 69-70†

*Huddleston, Eugene, Prin., Straughn, 1961-62, 66-67

*Hull, J. Fred, Supt., Kentland, 1927-28, 29†

*Hurley, Charles, Prin., Jennings County (North Vernon), 1984-85, 85-86, 87-88, 88-89†,

90-91, 91-92

Hurst, Loyd R., County Supt., Greencastle, 1958-59

Jerrels, Jed, Prin., North Daviess, 2006-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14

*Johnson, Harold S., Prin., Huntington, 1960-61

*Johnson, R. C., Prin., Rochester, 1918-19, 20†

*Johnson, R. W., Prin., Bluton, 1917-18

*Johnson, William, Asst. Prin., Bedford-North Lawrence, 1976-77, 77-78

*Jones, Harry A., Prin., Clarksville, 1951-52

*Jones, Robert G., Prin., Huntsville (Modoc), 1946-47, 51-52†, 56-57†

Jones, Warren, Supt., Michigan City, 1979-80, 80-81

*Julian, Roy B., Prin., Southport, 1923-24, 25†, 31-34

Kaser, David, Prin., South Bend Washington, 1994-95, 95-96, 97-98

Keenan, Sue, Asst. A.D., Lakeland, 1999-00

*Keller, Herman F., Coach, Evansville Bosse, 1953-54†, 58-59

*King, Hubert, Prin., Knightstown, 1918

*Knau, Myron C., Asst. Supt., Valparaiso, 1967-68, 72-73

*Knou, C. W., Prin., Wabash, 1907-09

LaGrange, Joe, Prin., Perry Central (Leopold), 1987-88, 88-89, 90-91, 91-92

*Lambert, Robert, Prin., Columbus, 1930-31, 32†

Lance, Richard, Prin., Castle, 2014-15, 15-16, 16-17

*Leell, James, Supt., Warsaw, 1919-21

*Leer, J. Michael, Asst. Supt., Pike (Indpls.), 1976-77, 77-78

Lehman, Doyle, Supt., Adams Central (Monroe), 1976-77, 77-78†, 81-82, 82-83

Liechty, R. M., Asst. Prin., Honey Creek (Terre Haute), 1965-66, 71-72†

Former Executive Committee Members

154

*Lind, Charles B., Prin., Switz City, 1946-47

*Lloyd, Harold A., Prin., Bedford, 1948-49

Loehr, Elmer H., Prin., Huntingburg, 1954-55, 59-60

*Logan, Wm. M., Prin., Pittsboro, 1955-56

Logsdon, Al, Prin., Heritage Hills, 1998-99, 99-00

*Longenecker, Glen, Prin., Syracuse, 1957-58

Lonzo, Lee, Asst. Prin., Carmel, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05†, 05-06, 06-07

Mahan, Robert M., Supt., North Harrison (Ramsey), 1977-78, 78-79

*Manhart, C. D., Prin., Petersburg, 1939-44

Mapes, Patrick, Prin., Delta, 2000-01, 01-02, 02-03, 03-04, Asst. Supt., 04-05, 05-06†

Marks, John, Prin., Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, 2007-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12

Martin, Charlie, A.D., Riverton Parke 2015-16, 16-17, 17-18

*Martin, L. S., Prin., Muncie, 1929

Martin, Matt, A.D., Knightstown, 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20†, 20-21, 21-22

*Mayrose; Jack, Prin., Staunton, 1979-80, 80-81

*McCarty, Morris E., Supt., Lafayette, 1944†

*McClure, J. H., Fort Wayne South Side, 1950-51

McCormack, Patti, A.D., Lowell, 2013-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21,

21-22, 22-23

*McCullough, H. T., Asst. Prin., Crawfordsville, 1956-57†, 61-62

*McElroy, F. D., Prin., Hammond, 1917

McGlothlin, Lowell E., Prin., Holland, 1967-68, 72-73

*McMurray, Floyd I., Supt., Thorntown, 1929-30, 31†

*McNeely, Dale, Prin., Cannelton, 1993-94, 94-95

*McSwane, Harold, Prin., Fort Wayne, 1947-48†

*Miller, Amzie, Prin., New Prairie (New Carlisle), 1975-76, 82-83, 83-84, 85-86, 86-87

*Miller, Claude, Prin., Jasper, 1940

Miller, Herman E., County Supt., Jeersonville, 1965-66

*Miller, Kenneth D., Prin., North Putnam (Roachdale), 1969-70, 74-75

*Miller, Lloyd W., Prin., Auburn, 1961-62, 66-67†

*Miller, R. B., Prin., Hammond, 1949-50†, 54-55

*Minniear, E. V., Prin., Garrett, 1941, 46-47

Mitchell, Max L., Prin., Fremont, 1974-75

*Mohler, J.A., Prin., Scottsburg, 1935

*Montgomery, E.W., Prin., Mount Vernon, 1912-14†

*Moorhead, William H., Prin., South Ripley (Versailles), 1975-76, 76-77, 77-78, 78-79, 79-80,

80-81

*Mourer, Harry H., Prin., Greeneld, 1930

*Mutterspaugh, Emerson, North Montgomery, 1975-76

*Myers, Robert L., Supt., Knightstown, 1969-70

Necessary, Michael, Prin., Winchester, 1997-98, 98-99, 2000-01, 01-02

*Ne, Isaac E., Prin., South Bend, 1910-12†

Neidig, Paul, A.D., Evansville Central, 2004-05, 05-06, 06-07†, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10†, 10-11,

11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16†, 16-17

*Newgent, Harold, Coach, Lawrenceburg, 1931-33, 34†

Niemeyer, Harry D., Prin., West Lebanon, 1950-51

*Nixon, Harry, County Supt., Portland, 1927-28, 29†

Noble, Pam, A.D., Connersville, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09,

09-10, 10-11, 11-12

*Noblitt, Don, Prin., Jasper, 1982-83, 83-84, 85-86, 86-87†

*Northrop, M. H., Prin., Fort Wayne North Side, 1945

Former Executive Committee Members

155

*O’Neill, Leo C., A.D., Jasper, 1964-65

*Page, Lester, Prin., Loogootee, 1971-72

Painter, Kris, A.D., Terre Haute North Vigo, 2021-22, 22-23

*Park, Fred F., Prin., Bluton, 1971-72

*Parker, Lanny, Prin., Wapahani (Selma), 1986-87, 87-88, 89-90

*Parker, Lester M., Prin., Royal Center, 1961-62†

*Paschen, Everett, Prin., Spencerville, 1948-49

Penrod, Geo, A.D., Columbia City, 2003-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-

11†, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15

*Phillips, G. Warren, Prin., Hebron, 1937-38, 39†, 40†

*Phillips, L.V., Prin., Vincennes, 1943

Pinkerton, Larry, Prin., Plymouth, 1988-89, 89-90, 91-92, 92-93†, 94-95, 95-96

Pitman, Herman E., Prin., North Harrison (Ramsey), 1986-87, 87-88, 89-90, 90-91

Pittman, James, Prin., Vincennes Lincoln, 1997-98, 98-99

*Posey, Elmer, Prin., Freelandville, 1922-23, 24†

Powell, Michael, Prin., Mississinewa, 1998-99, 99-00, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05

*Prage, Herman M. J., Prin., Lanesville, 1947-48

Pruitt-Green, Karyle, Prin., Triton Central, 1997-98

*Purdue, A. V., Prin., New Ross, 1960-61

Qualizza, Janis, A.D., Merrillville, 1995-96, 96-97, 97-98, 98-99, 99-00, 2000-01, 01-02, 02-

03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15

*Raber, Edward M., Prin., Tecumseh (Lynnville), 1976-77†, 81-82, 82-83†

*Ramsey, E. E., Prin., Bloomington, 1908†, 09†, 10-11†, 16-17, 18†

*Rankin, Fred W., Supt., Rochester, 1940

*Raymond, Cecil, Prin., Castle, 1998-99, 2000-01, 01-02

*Reed, Merritt C., County Supt., Muncie, 1945†

Reed, Richard V., Prin., Whitko, 1973-74

*Reel, Donald, Prin., Montezuma, 1944

*Reid, Henry J., County Supt., Monticello, 1930-31, 32†

*Reitzel, George, Prin., Brownsburg, 1917-18, 19†

Resler, Herb, A.D., Goshen, 1991-92, 92-93; Asst. A.D., South Adams, 2005-06, 06-07, 07-08

Ress, Blake, Prin., Martinsville, 1992-93, 93-94†

*Rhode, Forrest L. Prin., Portage, 1989, 90-91, 91-92†, 93-94, 94-95†

*Rinsch, Albert E., Supt., Ohio Twp. (Newburgh), 1956-57

Riordan, Steve, Prin., Lawrenceburg, 1991-92, 92-93, Jennings County, 94-95, 95-96†, 99-00

Rissler, Herbert, Prin., Van Buren (Brazil), 1963-64

Robbins, John, Prin., Muncie Southside, 1993-94, 94-95, 96-97, 97-98†

Roesner, Ray, Prin., Southridge (Huntingburg), 1978-79, 79-80, 83-84, 84-85

*Rommelmann, Paul, Prin., Kouts, 1980-81, 81-82, 83-84, 84-85, 86-87, 87-88, 89-90, 90-

91†, 92-93, 93-94

*Russell, George L., Prin., Miller School, Gary, 1935-37, 38†

Sakel, Don, Prin., Floyd Central, 1966-67, 74-75†, 88-89, 89-90, 91-92, 92-93, 94-95, 95-96

*Salm, Connor K., Prin., Madison, 1953-54, 58-59†

*Sanders, Sanford, Prin., Patoka, 1957-58, 62-63†

Sanford, H. E., Supt., Covington, 1938, 41-42†, 43

Santa, Joe, A.D. Warsaw, 2008-09, 09-10, 10-11

Former Executive Committee Members

156

Shank, Robert, Prin., Union City, 1963-64

*Sharp, G. Ray, Prin., Warren, 1928-29, 30†

Sharp, John E., Prin., Lucerne, 1962-63

*Shepherd, William L., A.D., Carmel, 1980-81, 81-82, 83-84, 84-85, 86-87,87-88, 89-90, 90-91

*Shively, Everett L., Asst. Supt., Bremen, 1966-67

*Shock, J. H., Prin., Lafayette, 1913-15, 16†, 21

Shonkwiler, Jean, Prin., Oak Hill, 2000-01

*Simpson, Roy, Prin., Indianapolis Northwest, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07;

Indianapolis Public Schools, 07-08

*Sims, J. W., Monticello, 1948-49

*Skillman, Ary H., Prin., New Salem (Rushville), 1955-56, 60-61

*Smolinske, Don L., Supt., Hamilton, 1968-69

*Snider, R. Nelson, Prin., Fort Wayne, 1931-32, 33†

Sparks, Ralph P., County Supt., Fowler, 1942-43†

*Stangle, Paul, Prin., DeMotte, 1946-47-48

Steinhilber, John, A.D., Hebron, 2018-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22

*Stemen, C. B., Prin., Tipton, 1947-48

Stevens, Debb, A.D., Caston, 2002-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-

11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17†

Stoneburner, Harry, Prin., New Carlisle, 1960-61, 65-66

*Straight, Robert M., Prin., Huntington North, 1975-76†, 79-80, 80-81†, 82-83, 83-84†

*Strautman, Elmer D., A.D., Woodlan (Woodburn), 1984-85, 85-86, 87-88, 88-89, 90-91,

91-92, 93-94, 94-95

Strong, Brian, A.D., Logansport 2015-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19†, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

Sutherlin, Oren A., Prin., North Vermillion, 1994-95, 95-96, 97-98, 98-99, 2000-01, 01-02†

*Swim, Cliord, Prin., Tri (Straughn), 1971-72

*Tandy, Bob J., Supt., Southmont (Crawfordsville), 1977-78, 78-79

*Telle, King, Prin., Valparaiso, 1946-47, 55-56†

*Tierney, J. L., Prin., Wawaka, 1939, 44

Tislow, Bill, Prin., Wheatland, 1961-62

Tobias, Dick, Prin., Plymouth, 2005-06, 06-07

*Trester, Arthur L., Prin., Alexandria, 1911-12

Trimboli, Joseph, Prin., Mishawaka, 1998-99, 2000-01, 01-02

*Valentine, Oscar W., Prin., Lakeville, 1951-52, 56-57

Voigt, Paul, Supt., Churubusco, 2022-23

Wahl, James H., Prin., Northeast Dubois, 1979-80, 80-81, 84-85, 85-86†

*Wakeeld, Mark, A.D., Evansville, 1938

*Walker, Billy L., Asst. Prin., North Central (Indpls.), 1976-77

*Walker, Matthew, Asst. Prin., Vincennes, 1963-64, 68-69

*Wallace, Frank, County Supt., Greencastle, 1923

*Wampler, H. C., Prin., Washington, 1949-50

*Warneke, Omer E., Prin., Greensburg, 1948-49†

*Waters, Forest G., Prin., Versailles, 1959-60, 64-65†

Watson, Deborah, Fort Wayne Snider, 2010-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16

*Watt, B. H., Supt., Owensville, 1928-29, 30†

Weaver, Roger, Prin., White River Valley, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04, 04-05, 05-06

Weeks, Donald S., Prin., Columbia City, 1976-77

*Welch, William W., Prin., Star City, 1952-53, 57-58

White, Cassel, Prin., Hammond, 1998-99, 99-00, 2001-02, 02-03, 03-04†

Former Executive Committee Members

157

*White, Don E., Covington, 1973-74, 78-79, 79-80, 82-83, 83-84

Whitehead, Bruce, A.D., Crawfordsville, 1990-91, 91-92, 93-94, 94-95, 96-97, 97-98

Whitten, Mike, Prin., Boonville, 2005-06, 06-07, 07-08†, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13,

13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18, 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23

Williams, John, Prin., Evansville Harrison, 2001-02, 02-03; Carmel 06-07, 07-08

*Windmiller, Harold E., Fort Wayne Central, 1955-56

Winter, Lezlie, A.D., Muncie Burris, 1996-97, 97-98

*Winkelpleck, Arley G., Prin., Freeland Park (Fowler), 1958-59, 63-64

*Woodru, S. M., Supt., Frankfort, 1951-52

Worland, Dave, Prin., Indianapolis Cathedral, 2012-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17, 17-18,18-

19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22

Yentes, Gerald L., Greensburg, 1988-89, 89-90

*Zollman, Adolph G., Prin., Monroe City, 1945, 50-51

158

Index

Article Rule Question Page

Administration ............................................... IV

Administrative Responsibility ........................ 3

Age ............................................................... 4

Alternative Courses ...................................... 18-7

Amateurism .................................................. 5

Reinstatement of ........................................ 5-4

Amendments ................................................ VI

Appeals......................................................... IV-5h 17-4

9, 78

Articles of Incorporation ................................

Assistant Commissioners ............................. IV-6

Attendance ................................................... 12

Authority ....................................................... 3

Awards .......................................................... 6

Baseball ........................................................ 51

117

Pitch Count ................................................. 51-4

117

Summer ...................................................... 51-5

119

Basketball ..................................................... 52

120

Board of Directors......................................... IV-3

Camps/Clinics 15-1.1h, 1.2e, 1.5d

62, 64

15-2.1i, 2.2f, 2.5d

66, 69

Certication of Eligibility................................ 3-8, 3-10

24, 25

Character ...................................................... 8

Change of Residence ................................... 19-5

Classication of Schools............................... IV-2 2

5, 20

Coaches ....................................................... 7

College Tryouts............................................. 15-1.1f, 2.1f

62, 66

Commissioner............................................... IV-5

Conduct ........................................................ 8

Consent and Release Certicates ................ 3-10

Contests ....................................................... 9

Contracts, Game .......................................... 11-1

Contracts, Ocials ....................................... 11-2

Cross Country............................................... 53

124

Crowd Control............................................... 3-6

Denitions .....................................................

Discipline ...................................................... 8

Distribution of Funds..................................... V-2

Districts ......................................................... IV-1

Dues ............................................................. III-1

13-18

159

Article Rule Question Page

Eligibility Lists ............................................... 3-8

Emerging Sports Process ............................. 1-4

Enrollment .................................................... 12

After parents move...................................... 19-5

First 15 days ............................................... 12-2

Semesters of............................................... 12-1, 12-2, 12-3

Executive Committee.................................... IV-4

Finances ....................................................... V

Football ......................................................... 54

124

Foreign Exchange Students ......................... 19-7

101

Forfeitures .................................................... 3-9.2, 9.4, 9.5

Gifts .............................................................. 6

Golf ............................................................... 55

127

Graduates ..................................................... 13

Gymnastics ................................................... 56

127

Hardship (see “Waiver”) ............................... 17-8, 18-5

82, 91

History of IHSAA ........................................... Part VII

144

Home School ................................................ Def

IHSAA Calendar ...........................................

Incompletes .................................................. 18-5

Ineligibility ..................................................... 3-9, 17-6

24, 81

Innovative Courses ....................................... 18-7e

Innovative School ......................................... Def

Innovative School, Enrollment in .................. 12-4

International Competition.............................. 10-2

Interpretations by Executive

Committee ................................................. IV-4d

Interschool Sports Rules .............................. Part III

114

Interstate Competition .................................. 10-1

Interstate Contest Requiring

Special Attention ......................................... 10

Intramural Contest ........................................ Def 15

15, 72

Junior High School Interschool Athletics ...... Part V

142

Junior Membership ....................................... III-4

Licensed Ocials ......................................... 14

Local Rules ................................................... 3-5

Make-up, Scholastic ..................................... 18-4

Management, Local ...................................... 9-3

Membership .................................................. III

Moratorium ................................................... 15-1.5(e)

...................................................................... 15-2.5(e)

Q. 15-13-19

160

Article Rule Question Page

National Federation of State High

School Associations .................................... Part VI

143

Night School ................................................. 18-3

Non-Public, Non-Accredited School ............. 12-5

Ocers ......................................................... IV-3l, m

Ocials ......................................................... 14

Registered, Certied, Professional ............. 14-6

Oxygen, Use of ............................................. 9-12

Participation .................................................. 15

In Clinics ..................................................... 15-1.1(h), 1.2(e)

15-2.1(i), 2.2(f)

65, 66

College Tryouts or Demonstrations ............ 15-1.1(f), 2.1(f)

Past Link ....................................................... 20-2

109

Penalties ....................................................... 17-7.1 Q. 17-1

81, 85

Student ....................................................... 17-7.1(a)

Coach ......................................................... 17-7.1(b)

Member Schools ......................................... 17-7.1(c)

Physical Examinations.................................. 3-10 Q.3-4

25, 27

Pitch Count ................................................... 51-4

117

Practices ....................................................... 3-10, 50, 101

25, 114, 138

Interpretation............................................... 9-14

Prizes............................................................ 6

Probation ...................................................... Def. 17-7.1, 7.2

17, 81

Protests ........................................................ 16

Purpose of IHSAA......................................... II

Quorum......................................................... IV-3q,4o

7, 8

Recognized Sports, Process ........................ 1-2, 1-3

Recruiting ..................................................... 6-4, 19-4

33, 98

Regulations, Who Makes?............................ IV-3r

Rule Coverage.............................................. 1

Sanctioning ................................................... 10-1, 10-2, 10-3

Scholarship ................................................... 18

Correspondence-night/summer school ....... 18-3

Deciencies ................................................ 18-4

Grades ........................................................ 18-1

Grading Period............................................ 18-2

Incomplete or Conditional ........................... 18-5

Seasons and Practices ................................. 50

114

Soccer .......................................................... 57

128

Softball.......................................................... 58

128

Special Education ......................................... 18-1.3

Strikes........................................................... 9-14 Q.9-30,31

42, 48

Summer School ............................................ 18-4

Sunday Practices.......................................... 9-13

Supervision ................................................... 3-4

161

Article Rule Question Page

Suspension ................................................... 17-7.3

Swimming and Diving ................................... 59

130

Tennis, Boys ................................................. 60

130

Tournament Series Success ......................... 2-5

Tournaments (see individual sport)............... 9-1, 9-3

Track and Field ............................................. 61

132

Transfers ...................................................... 19

Travel Expenses ........................................... 6-4

Trips .............................................................. 6-4

Tryouts .......................................................... 15-1.1(f), 2.1(f)

62, 66

Undue Inuence ........................................... 20

108

Unied Sports Rules ..................................... Part IV

136

General ....................................................... 100

136

Seasons ...................................................... 101

138

Flag Football ............................................... 103

140

Track and Field ........................................... 102

140

Virtual Course ............................................... Def

Virtual Education School .............................. Def

Virtual Education School, Enrollment in ....... 12-6

Vocational Education .................................... 18-1.3

Volleyball ...................................................... 62

132

Waiver .......................................................... 17-8

Warning ........................................................ Def. 17-7.1, 7.3

18, 82

Withdrawal .................................................... 18-6

Wrestling ....................................................... 63

134

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