2013 Football. 2.1 Scheduling: NCAA policies regarding scheduling requirements are the official policies of the Southern Conference.

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1 2013 Football Regular-Season Regulations 1.0 Sponsorship 1.1 The following member institutions sponsor football as a varsity intercollegiate sport and participate in the Southern Conference: Appalachian State University The Citadel Elon University Furman University Georgia Southern University Samford University University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Western Carolina University Wofford College 2.0 Regular-Season Competition 2.1 Scheduling: NCAA policies regarding scheduling requirements are the official policies of the Southern Conference Conference Scheduling: Each school shall play all members of the Conference once during the regular season (eight Conference games). The Southern Conference office shall produce a league master schedule at least eighteen months prior to the start of each season. Teams reserve the right to make changes to the Conference master schedule as long as participating athletics directors are agreeable to the moves. Game start times and locations shall be the prerogative of the home institution Suspended Game: When a football game is suspended by the referee before the end of the fourth period and cannot be resumed, there are four possible options: 1. Resume the game at a later date; 2. Terminate the game with a determined final score; 3. Declare a no contest; 4. Declare a forfeited game. When a suspended game between a SoCon team and a non-conference opponent is unable to be completed, the directors of athletics for the two institutions must agree on one of the four options. If the suspended game is a league contest between two Southern Conference institutions, the Commissioner shall communicate with both directors of athletics (or his or her designee) in an expedient manner after the game is suspended. After conferring with both ADs and collecting all pertinent factors related to the matter, the Commissioner shall determine which option shall be followed. Notification of the decision shall be shared by the conference office with the participating institutions, the remaining conference membership and the general public (media), in that order (Effective 8/10). 2.2 Championship Determination: The Southern Conference champion shall be the team eligible for the NCAA FCS Playoffs that finishes with the best won-loss percentage in Conference games during the regular season. In the case that two or more schools finish with identical won-loss records, they shall be declared co-champions. 2.3 NCAA Automatic Bid: The Conference champion shall be awarded an automatic bid to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. In the event that co-champions are declared, the automatic bid will be awarded as follows: 87

2 A. In the case of a two-way tie, the automatic bid will be awarded to the winner of the game between the tied teams during the regular season; B. In the event of a three-way tie, the won-loss records of the tied teams against each other is first considered (i.e., head to head concept). If the teams are still tied, then each team s record against the highest seeded team not involved in the tie is considered. If the tie is still not broken, the teams won-loss record against the next highest seeded team not involved in the tie is considered and so on down the line until the tie is broken. If the tie is still not broken, the team with the fewest points allowed among the tied teams shall be considered. If this does not resolve the tie, then the automatic bid will be determined by a random draw conducted by the Commissioner; C. In the event of multiple ties after a three-way tie, the same procedure as used to break a three-way tie will be applied until the tie is broken. 2.4 Playing Rules: Playing rules as adopted by the NCAA for Division I FCS football and this manual shall be in effect for all Southern Conference games. 2.5 Official Football: The brand of football to be used during regular-season Southern Conference games shall be the Wilson F1005, F1003 or F1001 unless a school has notified the conference office of its desire to utilize a different ball prior to the start of the season. 2.6 Game Clock Operator and Play Clock Operator: The home team shall provide a game clock operator and a play clock operator for all Southern Conference games and shall be responsible for the payment of those persons. It is recommended, but not required, that the game clock operator by assigned by the Southern Conference Coordinator of Officials. In this instance, the game clock operator will be a member of the Southern Conference officiating staff and shall also serve as an alternate official. If assigned by the Coordinator of Officials, the game clock operator shall be paid a flat fee of $ Ball Persons: Host institutions shall provide a minimum of three ball persons on each sideline for each Southern Conference game. Al ball persons should be at least 16 years of age unless approved by the officiating crew. (Revised 5/13) 2.8 Other Personnel: Other personnel to be provided by the host institution for all Conference games are a timeout liaison (for all games), a five-member chain crew (two persons for the end stakes, one for the down marker, one clip-man, and one person for the auxiliary down marker for the sideline opposite the chains). (Revised 6/11) 2.9 NCAA Box Score: The home team shall be responsible for recording NCAA statistical information for both teams and compiling an official NCAA box score. The home stats crew must send a completed final NCAA box score via to the Southern Conference office on the same day that a Southern Conference game is completed. The visiting head coach should receive a copy of the official NCAA box score at halftime and after each Conference game Scouting Information: Southern Conference teams shall not share scouting information on other Southern Conference teams with non-conference or other Conference schools. Conference game videos of current or previous years shall not be sent to non-conference schools unless a team is a scheduled non-conference opponent for the upcoming season. The number of games shared, in this instance, shall be agreed upon by the two head coaches Video Exchange: Southern Conference institutions shall utilize an open exchange system for all game videos (Conference or non-conference) as part of the Conference s video exchange program. All game videos shall be exchanged via the Conference s internet videotape exchange program, DragonFly Storm. All game files must be completely uploaded in continuous DVD format and original ODK format to the internet exchange system by 8:00 a.m. Eastern time each Sunday. Each game exchanged shall consist of the following videos: A. An intercut video for offense; B. An intercut video for defense; C. An intercut video for special teams and kicking; Coaches may exchange both a sideline tight and end zone video if agreed upon in advance. The end zone or sideline tight copy may be intercut if both coaches are agreeable in advance. If requested, 88

3 each team should provide flip cards and play by play sheets via either or fax. If necessary, the home team is required to provide the visiting team a continuous sideline and end zone copy of that particular game prior to the time the visiting team leaves the stadium. These arrangements should be coordinated prior to the visiting team s arrival on site; otherwise the host school should provide a space in their stadium for the visiting team to shoot their own sideline and end zone copies. (Revised 6/10) 2.12 Uniforms: For all Conference games, the home team must inform the visiting team at least five days(monday prior to a Saturday game) in advance of the game as to the color of uniform it is planning to wear (i.e., light or dark). The visiting team must then wear uniforms of contrasting color. If the home team wears colored jerseys, it is permissible for the visiting team to also wear colored jerseys, provided that the teams have agreed in writing prior to the game and the conference office certifies prior to the game that the jerseys of the visiting team are of a contrasting color. The Southern Conference logo is required to be placed on each member institution s game jersey. The recommended placement of the logo is high on the left or right side of the jersey top, just below the shoulder pad, facing front, or on the left sleeve of the jersey Complimentary Tickets: The home team shall provide the visiting team with 300 complimentary tickets for each Conference game. In accordance with Southern Conference Sportsmanship Code Regulations, a buffer section of visiting team seats or empty space must be provided in the area immediately behind the visiting team bench as it may be appropriate for each particular venue. The 300 complimentary tickets for the visiting team must be located within the buffer zone area. (Revised 5/13) 2.14 Student-Athlete Eligibility: Each institution is responsible for having all of its student-athletes eligible prior to the season. All student-athlete eligibility profiles shall be transmitted to the Conference office prior to a school s first day of competition. This information shall be filed and in accordance with the instructions of the Southern Conference Associate Commissioner for Compliance. If any questions arise, the Conference compliance administrator shall have the details on all student-athletes who are eligible for Conference regular-season and post-season competition Media Timeouts: In all Conference games involving a television broadcast, the producing network or station shall determine the timeout policy. In non-televised games, officials will allow a minimum of 90 seconds following any combination of the first two PAT s, successful or unsuccessful field goals, or team called time outs in each quarter. In the event that one of these instances does not occur before the 10:00 and 5:00 marks, then the first change of possession following those marks will be recognized as the 90 second media timeout. In addition, the break at the end of the first quarter and the third quarter shall be 90 seconds in length. (Revised 6/11) 2.16 Pre-Game Format: A pre-game time line and a schematic of team warm-up areas shall be provided in each team s locker room upon their arrival on site. The field must be made available for warm-ups for both teams for the same duration of time. The visiting institution shall provide its own footballs for use during warm-ups. Ball persons should be reminded to extend the same courtesies to the visiting team as they do for the home team during warm-ups. The following is a pre-game countdown format: A. Kickers shall be allowed to kick at both ends of the field until 60 minutes prior to kickoff; B. At 60 minutes prior to kickoff, the field shall be divided into an L shaped configuration with the 30-yard lines forming the L ; C. At 40 minutes prior to kickoff, the field shall be divided at the 45-yard lines (leaving a 10- yard buffer zone for the teams between the 45-yard lines) until the teams leave the field after warm-ups Medical Arrangements: The host institution shall have an ambulance and a medical doctor available at the site of the Conference game beginning at kickoff and concluding through the duration of the contest Field Phones: The home team shall provide access to 25 dry line pairs and a minimum standard of field phone service for the visiting team, regardless of whether the visiting team elects to bring their own phone system. Minimum standards shall consist of two press box lines with headsets (one for offense and one for defense), connecting two lines and three headsets on the sidelines (one for offense, one for defense and one for the head coach). The head coach head set must be equipped to connect with the offensive or defensive line as the head coach desires through the use of a switching device. 89

4 Head Set System Malfunctions (Home Team System in Use for Both Teams): If either team s head set system malfunctions, the nearest game official will be notified by the head coach. The official will then signal a timeout and advise the referee. The referee will then advise the opposing coach to remove all headsets on the sidelines. The game management director will then be notified of the problem before play is resumed. Once the system is restored, the game management director will notify the nearest official, who will notify the referee, who will notify both coaches that they can again use their field phones. Non-compliance with this policy would be considered a violation of the Southern Conference Sportsmanship Code. The malfunction of an individual headset is not sufficient cause to stop play. Game management should be notified and the problem resolved as soon as possible Visiting Team Provides System: The visiting team may elect to provide its own system. If the visiting team system is installed without interruption of the existing facility system, the home team must insure that the minimum standards are available and can be addressed immediately in the event of a visiting team system failure. This is accomplished by notifying the game management director and is done without interruption of the game. If the visiting team system is installed with interruption of the facility system, the home team is not obligated to provide service in the event of the visiting team s system failure and the home team is not required to quit using their head sets if the visiting team experiences failure. Institutions are encouraged to always provide the same courtesies that they would expect from a Conference member Game Tie-Breakers: The NCAA tie-breaking system shall be used in all Conference games as necessary. The following are the NCAA tie-breaking procedures: A. In an overtime period, one end of the field is used and each team gets an offensive series beginning at the 25-yard line; B. Each team shall have possession until it has scored, failed to gain a first and 10 by running out of downs or has lost possession through an intercepted pass, recovered backward pass, fumble or an unsuccessful field goal attempt; C. The team scoring the greater number of points after the completion of both possessions is declared the winner; D. If, after both possessions, there is no score or the score is tied, there will be subsequent overtime periods until a winner can be declared; E. The final score will be the total of all points by each team in regulation and overtime periods Halftimes: All halftimes during conference versus conference games shall be 20 minutes in length. Halftimes can be extended past the normal 20 minutes only by agreement of both competing institutions and with approval in advance by the Southern Conference office. 3.0 Football Committee 3.1 The Southern Conference Football Committee shall consist of at least one athletics director, one faculty athletics representative, one senior woman administrator and one head coach. The sport committee shall perform the following duties: Review the sport regulations for football; Make recommendations to the Southern Conference Athletics Directors Association as situations warrant; Ensure that coaches are informed about league rules and matters affecting football in the Southern Conference; Conduct surveys, etc.; Administer, in general, the sport of football in the Southern Conference; The head coaches representative shall be present and represent the Southern Conference at the annual FCS Executive Committee meeting in June. 90

5 4.0 Head Coaches Meetings 4.1 Southern Conference head coaches shall meet once a year, either in-person or via conference call, to address all matters relating to the sport of football and to make recommendations to the Southern Conference Football Committee and/or to the Athletics Directors Association. 5.0 Officiating 5.1 Coordinator of Officials: The Southern Conference Coordinator of Football Officials, under the direction of the Southern Conference Commissioner and with the guidance of the Southern Conference Men s and Women s Officials Committee, shall establish a pool of officials for all Southern Conference games and assign all officials. 5.2 Evaluation Procedure: An evaluation procedure shall be used to ensure the quality of officials. The evaluation procedure shall include head coaches evaluations, evaluations by the coordinator of officials, and evaluations by appointed and qualified neutral observers. Coaches and observes shall review each officials performance through a standard form. The form should be sent to the coordinator of officials on the first working day following a Southern Conference game. 5.3 Crews: Southern Conference officials shall work within a crew system during the 2013 season. The Southern Conference shall utilize seven-man crews during all Conference games. 5.4 Officiating Fees: The head referee shall be paid a flat fee of $900 per game in the 2013 season. Other officials shall be paid a flat fee of $875 per game. (Revised 11/11) 6.0 Game Management 6.1 The home athletics director (or his or her designee) shall serve as the game management director for all Southern Conference games. It is suggested that the game management director visit briefly with the game officials and the visiting head coach upon their arrival on site to answer any questions and inform them of his or her availability during the game. The game management director, along with the game clock operator, play clock operator, and timeout liaison, shall then meet with the officiating crew in their dressing room approximately 105 (1:45) minutes prior to kickoff. The home athletics director and/or game management director also has the direct responsibility for crowd control as outlined in the Southern Conference Sportsmanship Code Regulations Game Management Provisions: The following game management provisions shall be provided for the visiting team by the home team: A. Sideline: Running water to bench, two 10-gallon coolers, two five-gallon coolers, one ice chest, 500 hundred cups, one table for trainers use, 300 pounds of ice. B. Dressing Room: Minimum of 150 bath (not hand) towels, five cases of isotonics (120 drinks) iced down, two treatment tables. C. Pre-Game Workouts: Two 10-gallon coolers with cups, bath towels to be provided if home team notified in advance. 7.0 Public Address Announcer 7.1 Only the designated public address announcer may use a microphone during a Southern Conference game. The only exception to this policy will be a microphone for use by cheerleaders when giving instructions to the crowd. The public address announcer is responsible for whatever is said over the PA system. The primary function of the announcer is to give specific information to the fans, not to incite them by unnecessary inflection of voice beyond the pre-game introduction of the home team. 8.0 Cheerleaders, Pep Bands, Dance Teams, Mascots 8.1 Cheerleader Responsibilities: Cheerleaders should be encouraged to help maintain good sportsmanship among the students and others in attendance. The head cheerleader should be ready at all times to instigate the most popular cheer in case an unpleasant situation should occur. 8.2 Cheerleader Restrictions: No pyramids may be performed that are more than two tiers (persons) high. No flips may be conducted other than those made from the ground. Mini-trampolines may not be used. Cheerleader megaphones should always be turned toward the crowd and never toward the field. 91

6 8.2.1 Cheerleader Microphones: Cheerleading squads may utilize a microphone and electronic amplifier while giving instructions to the crowd. The amplifier may not be directed toward the area of competition and may not be utilized during live ball situations. A live ball situation for these purposes shall be construed as the time when the offensive team breaks its huddle until the completion of the current play, or for teams that do not utilize a huddle, when the offensive team is becoming set at the line of scrimmage until the completion of the current play. 8.3 Band Restrictions: Bands are allowed to play only during pre-game, halftime, post game and during dead ball situations (including timeouts). Bands are prohibited from playing during live ball situations. A live ball situation for these purposes shall be construed as the time when the offensive team breaks its huddle until the completion of the current play, or for teams that do not utilize a huddle, when the offensive team is becoming set at the line of scrimmage until the completion of the current play. 8.4 Dance Teams and Mascots: Regulations as they apply to cheerleaders also apply to dance teams and mascots. 8.5 Visiting Team Courtesies: All visiting cheerleaders, pep bands, dance teams and official mascots (all in uniform) shall be admitted to Conference games at no cost and shall be permitted to perform during games in accordance with Conference rules. Visiting cheerleaders, pep bands, dance teams and official mascots must notify the host institution as to their intended presence at a particular game at least two weeks in advance. Performances on the playing field shall be the determination of the host game management director. All Conference institutions shall attempt to extend the same courtesies to the visiting institution s representatives as it does to the host institution. 9.0 Conduct 9.1 Coaches Conduct: All head and assistant coaches are to conduct themselves in such a manner during a game as to ensure or promote good crowd control. They also are responsible for the conduct of the players and other staff on the bench. Coaches (head and assistant) must follow Southern Conference Sportsmanship Code Regulations at all times. 9.2 Ejection/Suspension Policy: A coach or player removed from a game for any reason shall be immediately suspended from their team s next game. A second ejection of a coach or player shall carry a two-game suspension, a third ejection a four-game suspension, a fourth ejection an eightgame suspension, etc. Ejections are recorded over a participant s career, except that a participant who completes one calendar year without an additional ejection shall have their record cleared and return to a one-game suspension. 9.3 Unsportsmanlike Behavior: Acts of unsportsmanlike behavior or unethical conduct, including but not limited to those described below, shall make the offending party subject to sanctions by the conference Fighting: Any attempt by a person to strike an opponent or contest participant in a combative manner unrelated to the sport involved or any act that insights an opponent to retaliate by acting in a similar manner shall be described as unsportsmanlike behavior Aggressive Behavior: The use of obscene gestures, profane language, or the display of hostile action towards officials, spectators, or opponents shall be described as unsportsmanlike Ejection: The removal by an official from a competitive sport activity shall require the ejected participant to leave the vicinity of the competitive activity immediately Suspension: A penalty that denies the involved participant from being in the vicinity of the contest suspended from during the time period beginning one hour prior to the scheduled contest until the conclusion of the contest. Suspension does not affect practice opportunities outside of the above time limitations. (Updated 8/13) Vicinity of Contest: The immediate area/site of the competition extended to include any point or place from which the ejected/suspended individual could observe, supervise, or participate in any manner in the contest from which the participant is being ejected or suspended Competitive Conditions: The failure of an institution to provide an environment for a contest that is safe and fair to competition shall be described as unsportsmanlike behavior. 92

7 10.0 Artificial Noisemakers 10.1 Artificial noisemakers (air horns, electronic amplifiers, whistles, etc.) are not permissible in Southern Conference venues except for those amplifiers that are part of the official home or visiting band or cheerleading squad. Such instruments shall be removed from the facility when discovered. Thunder Sticks shall be allowed if distributed as part of a game-day promotion conducted by the home institution Signs 11.1 Signs of a derogatory nature directed towards an individual opponent, visiting team or game official are not permitted in Southern Conference stadiums. It is the responsibility of the home institution to ensure that such signs are immediately removed Motorized Vehicles, Explosive Devices, Live Mascots 12.1 The home athletics director shall decide the policy regarding the use of explosive devices (cannons, rifles, rocket launchers, etc.), live mascots (horses, birds, etc.), and motorized vehicles in their facility. Visiting athletics directors need to request permission for the use of these items at least two weeks in advance and approval or disapproval of the request must be given immediately by the home athletics director Regular-Season Awards 13.1 The following awards shall be provided by the Conference and distributed to the appropriate institution following the conclusion of the regular season: Championship Trophy: One trophy presented to the team with the best won-loss percentage in Conference games; All-Conference Team: Fifty plaques presented to the members of the All-Conference Team. Twenty-five plaques shall be presented to the members of the All-Conference First Team and 25 plaques shall be presented to the members of the All-Conference Second Team. The All-Conference Team shall be voted on by the head coaches and the balloting shall be conducted by the conference office. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players; Offensive Player of the Year: One plaque presented to the player voted Offensive Player of the Year. The Offensive Player of the Year award shall be voted on by the head coaches and the balloting shall be conducted by the Conference office. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own player; Defensive Player of the Year: One plaque presented to the player voted Defensive Player of the Year. The Defensive Player of the Year award shall be voted on by the head coaches and the balloting shall be conducted by the Conference office. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own player; Freshman of the Year: One plaque presented to the player voted Freshman of the Year. The Freshman of the Year award shall be presented to the highest vote getter on the All- Freshman Team voted on by the head coaches and the balloting shall be conducted by the Conference office. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own player; (Effective 5/08) Coach of the Year: One plaque presented to the person voted Coach of the Year. The Coach of the Year award shall be voted on by the head coaches and the balloting shall be conducted by the Conference office; Players of the Week: Thirty-six certificates presented to student-athletes named Player of the Week during the regular season. An Offensive, Defensive and Freshman Player of the Week shall be selected for all 12 weeks of the regular season. All Players of the Week shall be selected by the Conference office; 93

8 Individual Championship Team Plaques: Seventy (70) individual plaques will be presented to the head coach of the championship team for presentation to the studentathletes of the championship team. These plaques will be presented at the head coach s discretion; Players of the Month: An Offensive and Defensive Player of the Month shall be awarded at the end of every month during the regular season. The Players of the Month shall be selected by the Conference office; All-Freshman Team: An All-Freshman Team shall be named consisting of freshmen, red shirt or otherwise. The coaches will vote for a 25 member All-Freshman Team consisting of 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players and 3 special teams players. The Freshman of the Year will be the highest vote getter on the All-Freshman Team. Balloting will be done as it is for All-Conference voting Sports Media Association Awards: In addition to the above mentioned awards, the Southern Conference Sports Media Association shall select an All-Conference First Team (25 members), All-Conference Second Team (25 members), an Offensive Player of the Year, a Defensive Player of the Year, a Freshman of the Year, and a Coach of the Year upon the conclusion of the regular season. The Southern Conference Sports Media Association is responsible for producing and mailing plaques or trophies to commemorate these awards Two-Year Moratorium of Approved Sport Regulations: Sport regulations that have been approved for amendment must be implemented for a total of two full seasons prior to being changed, except in instances where changes are made by a sport s national governing body (i.e. an NCAA rule or policy). A 75% vote (9 of 11) of the athletic directors may override this policy on a case by case basis. (Approved and Effective 6/10) 94