Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference By-laws

Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference By-laws I. Name There is hereby established an association of schools which is organized under the name of Southeastern Connecticut Middle School Athletic Conference, (here in after referred to as SEMSAC ). I. Mission It shall be the mission of the SEMSAC to promote interscholastic athletic programs for middle school students, to teach fair play and sportsmanship, to teach team play and cooperation among players and between schools, to require academic achievement as eligibility for participation in interscholastic sports and to practice physical conditioning and wellness as a prerequisite for participation. I. Goal The SEMSAC guidelines and policies are designed to: Create and maintain interscholastic sports that encourage scholarship and citizenship; Train middle school students in the basic skills required for each sport. Prepare middle school students for participation in high school intramural and interscholastic sports; by following CIAC middle school guide lines for each sport; Promote awareness in middle school students of the importance of conditioning and wellness; Promote cooperative and tea leadership in middle school students; Provide quality interscholastic sports; and Promote the mission of the SEMSAC and member school districts. 1

I. Purposes and Authority of the SEMSAC A. The SEMSAC shall be consultative to the member school Superintendent of schools or his/her designee. B. The SEMSAC shall give advice to the member schools principal on matters concerning schedules, membership fees, training for coaches, attendance at competitions, championship games, wellness and academic requirements for participation. C. The SEMSAC shall formulate written guidelines and policies to further the goals specified in Article 3. D. The SEMSAC shall continually monitor and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of its guidelines and policies in the member schools. I. Membership A. Number: The SEMSAC shall determine the number of member schools. B. Eligibility: Any public or non-public school enrolling students in grades 5-8 who agrees to the mission and goals of the SEMSAC shall be eligible to apply for membership in the SEMSAC. I. Officers A. Officers: The officers of the SEMSAC shall consist of a president and a recording secretary who are employed as certified teachers and/or administrators in SEMSAC member schools. B. Term: The terms of any officer of the SEMSAC shall be for two years. No officer shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms. II. Meetings The SEMSAC shall meet regularly (spring/fall) as provided herein. 2

I. Amendments This constitution may be amended by an affirmative vote of twothirds of the member school representatives. Any proposed amendment shall be presented in writing at a regular meeting of the SEMSAC Immediately preceding the meeting such a vote is taken. I. Athletic Administration A. Basic Principles of Practice Each participating school should recognize that the elements of competition and winning, although they exist, should be controlled to the point that they do not determine the nature of the program. Participation in athletics, both as a player and as a spectator, is a component of the educational experience and should contribute positively to the knowledge, skills and emotional patterns that students possess, thereby enabling them to become better persons and citizens. The middle level school interscholastic athletic program should be concerned primarily with the welfare and protection of the students in their competition. Every safeguard should be taken which will prevent excessive participation. The schools, more than any other agency, are prepared to conduct a desirable athletic program for youngsters. Sound, intelligent leadership and enforcement of policies is the responsibility of the school principal. Every effort should be made to develop programs, which provide for students of all skill levels maximum opportunities for participation in a sports activity. A. Recommended Administrative Practices Secure written parental permission for participation in each sport. Recommend medical examinations for all participants. Employ certified personnel to conduct the program. Provide adequate facilities and equipment. 3

Secure financial support by the board of education for athletic programs. Admission fees to games are not recommended. (Exception championships) Employ certified officials. Use age, weight, and physical maturity as well as grade and ability to establish the place of the individual in the group so that competition is provided on as equal a basis as possible. Require proper equipment for safety. Require that all participants be adequately covered by appropriate insurance. Play games in the afternoon only. Limit publicity. Present trophies and awards on a limited and modest scale only. Do not encourage participation in jamborees, playoffs. Or tournaments. Limit trip length in order to minimize loss of school time. Use fully insured conveyance for transportation Restrict the practice sessions to appropriate time length. Schedule interscholastic competition between schools of comparable size. End all inter-school competition two full weeks before the last day of school. No Sunday games or practices. Avoid scheduling practices and games during vacation periods. Provide for necessary exception to recommended practices and guidelines at a meeting of principals. A. General Eligibility Standards for Interscholastic Athletes Any member of the student body is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. No student may participate in more than one sport per season. Students who attend a school out of their district may participate in the district athletic program providing the school they are attending does not have a program. Students should meet the scholastic requirements of their own school in order to participate in interscholastic athletics. Competitors should meet the requirement of good citizenship throughout the school. 4

Contestants playing on any middle level school team should not play with an outside team in the same sport after participating in the first interscholastic game in that season. Girls may participate on boys teams. Girls may participate on either a girls team or a boys team in the same sport, but not both, within a team period of one school year. However, a member school has discretion to exclude girls from boys teams when it can demonstrate that its overall sports program does not omit athletic opportunities for girls. Boys may not participate on girls teams. The athlete shall not have reached his/her sixteenth birthday, except that a player, who reaches his/her sixteenth birthday on or after July 1, shall be eligible to compete during the ensuing school year if he/she is otherwise eligible. A. Medical Services and Equipment at Athletic Contents It is the responsibility of the local school district. Guidelines for Program Development in Sports Medicine, published by the Connecticut State Department of Education, August 1981. Physical examinations for student athletes position statement The matter of physical examinations for athletes is one of growing concern. Every athlete who participates in any practice and/or contest must be determined physically fit through a pre-participating evaluation performed annually in accordance with reasonable and prudent written medical protocol as determined by his/her board of education or governing body. A. Specific Sports Practices 1. Soccer a. Season, Practices and Games i. Organized practice sessions, not including tryouts, may not start prior to Labor Day. 5

ii. A student athlete has to participate in a minimum three practices to be eligible to play in a game. iii. The recommended number of games per week is two. iv. The recommended maximum number of games in a season is fifteen. v. Records are to be submitted to the player personnel representative no later than the date determined at the fall meeting. vi. Certified board officials are to be required for all games. If an official fails to show up for a game it is up to the coaches to decide whether to play the game or reschedule it for another day. vii. All scheduled league games must be played. viii. League make-up games take precedence over nonleague games. The athletic directors from both schools must reschedule make up games within seven days. ix. A school that fails to make up a game will forfeit the game as a loss on their overall season record. x. *If in the case of inclement weather, time constraints or circumstances beyond either teams control a ruling will be made by the governing body that oversees soccer. b. Game Rules i. Regular Season Play a. Varsity games are to be two thirty (30) minute halves. b. Games should start by 4:00 p.m. c. If after regulation play, the score is tied there will be a maximum of two five (5) minute overtime periods. If the score remains tied after the second overtime period the game ends. 6

d. Junior varsity games will immediately follow regular season varsity games. They will be two ten (10) minute periods e. c. Tournament Play- All regular season rules apply accept the following: i. Tied ball games-if the score remains tied there will be two five (5) minute overtime periods. If the score is still tied after the end of the second overtime there will be a ten (10) minute sudden death period. (The first goal scored wins). a. In a semi-final game if the score remains tied after the sudden death period each team will pick five players to shoot a penalty kick. The toss of a coin will determine who kicks first. If the score still remains tied another set of five (5) different players will shoot penalty kicks. b. In a championship game if the score remains tied after the sudden death period the game will end and the teams will be co-champions. d. Tournament Seeding i. Tournament seeding will be determined by overall record. In the case of ties head to head competition will be considered with the second game having precedence. The third consideration will be the division record. ii. Tournament sites will be determined by team ranking. Games will be played at the higher ranked teams field. 7

1. Basketball a. Season, Practices and Games i. Organized practice sessions, not start prior to the winter sports season. ii. At least twelve (12) practice sessions over a three-week period must be conducted before interscholastic competition may begin. iii. The recommended number of games per week is two. iv. The recommended maximum number of games in a season is twelve. v. Records are to be submitted to the player personnel representative no later than the date determined at the fall meeting. vi. Certified board officials are to be required for all games. If an official fails to show up for a game it is up to the coaches to decide whether to play the game or reschedule it for another day. vii. All scheduled league games must be played. viii. League make-up games take precedence over nonleague games. The athletic directors from both schools must reschedule make up games, within seven days. ix. A school that fails to make up a game will forfeit the game as a loss on their overall season record. x. *If in the case of inclement weather, time constraints or circumstances beyond either teams control a ruling will be made by the governing body that oversees soccer. 8

xi. xii. b. Suggested Modifications in game rules i. Length of quarters shall be eight (8) minutes. ii. In the case of a tie score at the end of regulation play; the first overtime period shall be three (3) minutes in length. iii. When a team goes ahead by more than 25 points there will be no full court pressure. 9

1. Track and Field a. Season, Practices and Games i. Organized practice sessions may not start prior to the first day of the spring sports season. ii. A student athlete has to participate in a minimum three practices to be eligible to participate in a meet. iii. At least six (6) practice sessions over a three (3) week period must be conducted before interscholastic competition may begin. iv. The recommended number of meets per week is two. v. The recommended maximum number of meets in a season is ten (10). vi. Records are to be submitted to the player personnel representative no later than the date determined at the fall meeting. 10

a. Suggested Modifications in meet rules i. In dual/championship meets a participant shall be permitted to enter either one (1) or two (2) track events and two (2) or one (1) field events for a total of three (3) events and a relay. ii. In all meets athletes may get three (3) throws or three (3) jumps per event. iii. Girls shot is 6# and boys is 8#. a. Order of Events i. 4X100 relay ii. 1600 iii. 400 iv. 100 v. 800 vi. 200 vii. Medley relay: 200, 100, 100, 400 11

I. Sportsmanship High standards of courtesy, fair play and sportsmanship must prevail at all SEMSAC member school competitions. Good sportsmanship, respect for rules, respect for others, and fair play are basically the motives through which an interscholastic athletic program is justified and defended. General guideline recommendations to promote sportsmanship The principal is the final authority responsible for all athletic activity of his/her school at whatever level of competition. In recognition of this authority the following recommendations are suggested y the CIAC as a guide to school administrators with respect to the development and implementation of a sportsmanship policy. A. The person responsible for Athletic Administration: 1. Makes available to visiting schools necessary game information; including directions for reaching the game site, game time, and directions for parking. 2. Designates specific seating areas for students, cheerleaders, adults and visitors. If possible, student bodies should be separated. 3. Posts in plain site at the entrance to the field, track or gymnasium a copy of the causes for expulsion from the contest, e.g., use of alcohol, drugs, throwing objects, unruly behavior. 4. If possible assigns officials to dressing facilities separated from both teams. Provides escorts for the officials when it appears that disturbances may develop. 5. Take measures to prevent fans from getting near or on the playing area and around the players benches. After the contest prevents fans from going onto the playing area. 6. Provides adequate supervision of students and facilities, Supervisors should sit in the stands with the students. 7. Provides a first aid room for emergencies. Assures access to a telephone from the contest area. 12

8. Eliminates fro the gymnasium during the regular season banners, signs, noisemakers, bugles, etc., these tend to be offensive and negative in tone and cause hard feelings. 9. Does not permit all of the lights to be turned off for such things as the introduction of players or special pre game and half time show. Make sure there is sufficient lighting necessary to provide good crowd control for the spectators safety. 10. At contests where tickets are sold at the game, tickets should be sold throughout the entire game to discourage people form loitering outside the game hoping to be admitted free during the last half of the game. 11. Encourage the visiting school to follow the procedures of the host school since many areas may have special problems. 12. Insist that unruly spectators be removed from the premises. Takes legal action against those who are guilty of assault or disturbing the peace. 13

13. 14. B. The Coach 1. The behavior of the coach must at all times be marked by dignity and self-control. HE/she should not at any time use provocative language or engage in any unsportsmanlike actions or tactics. He/she must avoid any actions or remarks, which would tend to incite the displeasure of the spectators or provoke disorderly behavior. 2. The coach will immediately discipline any player who intimidates an official, or displays unsportsmanlike behavior. 3. Deliberate attempts to humiliate an opponent by the coach will not be tolerated, e.g. running up the score. Coaches are encouraged to substitute whenever possible, especially when the outcome of the game has more or less been decided. 4. Coaches must not seek out an official during half time or at the end of a game. 5. The head coach is responsible for all bench personnel. 6. The head coach must display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. 7. Coaches must control their emotions by eliminating any show of outrage or discontent over an official s call. 8. No person should be coaching who does not realize that the future of middle school athletics is more important than the winning or losing of a particular game. 9. Police locker rooms at away games. 14

A. The Cheerleader Coach 1. Guest cheerleaders should be greeted and escorted to their accommodations by the host cheerleaders. 2. Instruct cheerleaders to have positive, not antagonistic, cheers at all times. 3. Divert the crowd s attention from booing by starting a positive cheer immediately. 4. Remain at the game site after the contest and go to the buses with an escort. 5. Set up a schedule of rotation of cheers. 6. Remain silent when the opponent s squad is on the floor for a cheer. 7. Remain silent when an opponent is shooting a free throw. 8. Set a visible link with the other school. 9. Meet in the middle of the player area for the national anthem. B. The Athletes 1. Accept and understand the seriousness of their responsibility and the privilege of representing their school and community. 2. Learn the rule s of the game. 3. Cooperate with coaches. 4. Always respect the official s judgment and interpretation of the rules. Never argue or make verbal gestures, which indicate disagreement. This type of activity may incite undesirable behavior in the stands and by teammates. 5. Congratulate opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat. 15

6. Treat opponents with the respect that is accorded a guest or a friend. Many lasting relationships may be developed from competitive situations. 7. Shake hand with opponents prior to the contest and wish them luck. Feel friendly toward opponents immediately when the contest ends. The Parent / Spectator 1. Parents and spectators must keep the game in perspective and support the coaches, players and officials in a positive manner. 2. Will respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. 3. Will be respectful of all players, coaches, officials and other spectators. 4. Will never target anyone for abuse whether it be physical, verbal or emotional. 5. Will never engage in name calling, taunting, harassment, obscenities, and any other disrespectful language or gestures. 6. Will always be a positive role model for other spectators and your child. 7. Will cheer for your team not against your opponent. 8. Will make an effort to know and understand the rules of the game. 9. Will recognize that attending a middle or high school athletic contest is a privilege, not a license to verbally assault officials, coaches or opposing team(s) and their spectators. 10. Will recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team. 16