WEST HOUSTON CHRISTIAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BYLAWS UPDATED August 2013 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: W.H.C.A.C. was founded in 1992 by six Christian schools with a desire to provide junior high students an opportunity to play sports in a competitive setting. Our main goal is for the athletes to show the character and attitude of CHRIST while competing. PHILOSOPHY: We believe that God enjoys watching His children have fun! We believe that as Coaches, we are men and women of God first, and our athletes should see us as examples of honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship. We believe that as athletes our students should understand that the same determination, commitment, sweat, and give it all you ve got attitude that it takes to be a good student and a good athlete, are the same ingredients used to make a successful Christian. We believe that all schools participating in this conference should do everything possible to ensure the excellent reputation of the conference within their community, as well as among their own student body and parents. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Member of West Houston Christian Athletic Conference only. (No dual sport membership) Participating athletes must be full time students of a member school. ( No home schooled students) Membership fee of $100.00 per team and must be paid by September 1st. Members must adhere to bylaws and statement of purpose of the WHCAC. All schools must participate in a minimum of two sports. New schools are accepted into conference by majority vote of the existing schools. Schools may be sanctioned with a one-year probation for failure to participate in the sports committed to. Each school must provide a copy of the school s liability insurance by September 1st. Each school must provide a full eligibility roster sent to the Vice President before first conference game. SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES & SANCTIONS: The WHCAC recognizes a conference/tournament champion & runner-up. The league also recognizes all-stars in team sports and winners in track, tennis, and golf events. The conference will have three (3) meetings a year (August, January, and May) at which all schools need to be represented. The executive committee will meet before each meeting and create an agenda. There will be all-star players in each sport (except track, tennis, and golf) recognized by the conference. Each school will select participants in each sport and turn those names into the conference vice president. Different schools will be called upon to help with various events, to run errands, secure facilities, etc Full cooperation is needed. A failure to adhere to membership requirements, including attending all meetings will result in the following: o 1 st offense: written warning sent to athletic director and principal of school sent by executive committee WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 1
o 2 nd offense: a mandatory meeting before the executive committee and a one year probation (no all star selections, no participation in playoffs or conference tournaments and not eligible for team championships) o 3 rd offense: expulsion from WHCAC with an option to reapply after 2 years LEADERSHIP: Implementation of WHCAC bylaws and procedures shall be guided by a conference president. This individual is selected by the conference each year in August. The vice-president, secretary, and treasurer are also selected at this time. Duties of the President: Call and conduct conference meetings. Carry out and approve financial operations of the conference. Encourage adherence to conference bylaws and procedures; mediate misunderstandings; and refer disputes to rulebooks or a conference vote. Supervise the selection and distribution of conference awards. Delegate all necessary duties to insure an effective and worthwhile conference organization. Duties of the Vice-President: Assist the president Encourage adherence to conference bylaws and procedures Call and conduct meetings in the absence of the president Compile a record of conference results from individual game results sent in by coaches and/or athletic directors by the Monday of the following week. Collect finalized schedules and eligibility rosters from all member schools and keep a record of game changes. Duties of the Secretary: Record the minutes at conference meetings and distribute them to each school via email. Keep an updated directory of each school. Keeps schools informed of meetings and special events Duties of the Treasurer: Keep the conference president informed on a regular basis of all expenditures. Keep the conference checkbook balanced Keep bank statements organized in the conference notebook Make payments for and order: Conference and tournament trophies for volleyball, basketball, football and track. Order individual All-Star medals for volleyball, football, basketball, and track. GENERAL PLAN: All sports are played under National Federation of State High School Associations guidelines unless exceptions are made in the sports plan. All sport activities of the WHCAC will be governed by the conference and specific sports plan. Only certified officials will be used. Two officials will be scheduled for all Football and Basketball games. Should only 1 official be present, game will occur with consent of both coaches. Facilities and confirmation of officials are the responsibility of the home team. Postponed and rescheduled game must be played before the playoffs of conference tournament for that sport. Both teams could possibly forfeit if an agreement cannot be reached. WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 2
Conference games should be rescheduled well in advance, except in case of emergency. All schools should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled events. Any school arriving 15 minutes after scheduled game time will forfeit the game or match and will be responsible for payment of the officials. Forfeits, suspensions, etc. will be handled according to Federation rules. If necessary, the executive committee will be consulted. Results and scores for all sports must be sent to the conference vice president by the Monday of the following week. Conference and tournament trophies will be awarded in each team sport. All-star selections will receive medals and play in an all-star game for volleyball and basketball only. Admission to all Team Sports Activities will be $5 for adults and $3 for students. TAPPS passes will not be honored. Each school will issue passes to their coaches. SPORTS OFFERED THROUGH WHCAC Boys: Flag football in the late summer and early fall Basketball in the late fall and winter Track in the spring Tennis in the spring Golf Girls: Volleyball in the late summer and early fall Basketball in the late fall and winter Track in the spring Tennis in the spring Golf FLAG FOOTBALL Flag football is a boys only sport offered in the late summer and early fall. A full roster consists of 16 or more boys. If a team falls under that 16 man roster, they may bring up fifth (5 th ) graders. Those fifth graders will still have three (3) years of eligibility remaining while in middle school. Each team will pay $40 for the officials (including playoffs). If only one official shows up, then each team is only obligated for $20. If a team forfeits after the officials arrive, the forfeiting team is responsible to pay the entire fee for the refs. The official game ball will be a Wilson TDY ball. Schools will provide their own game ball. Each school brings their own kicking tee. The home field shall have a back up. Each school will use the same Flag-A-Tag type of flags. Cleats, if worn, must be of soft rubber soccer/football type. In case of un-playable weather, the referees, coaches, or Athletic Director will be in charge of the decision to play or suspend. A game suspended before half time will be rescheduled from the stopping point. A game suspended after half time will be reported as a completed game. No pets allowed at any of the playing fields. RULES OF FLAG FOOTBALL: - WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 3
GENERAL: Two 25 minute halves, with the clock being controlled by the official, will constitute a game. The clock will run continuously in the first half. The clock will stop in the last two minutes of the second half for incomplete passes and when the player with the ball goes out of bounds. When time is expired in the second half there will be 10 more plays assuming the difference in the score is 16 points or less. In the last 10 plays, a kickoff and loss of down is counted as a play. Plays not counted against the 10 plays include, extra points, downs replayed because of penalties, and punts. The game will begin with a kickoff from the 20 yard line. The winner of a coin toss shall elect to kick or receive. The other team will have the choice in the second half. When the game ends in a tie, there will be a 5-minute sudden death overtime. If the game is still tied at the end the overtime, it will end as a tie. In a playoff situation, the game will play until there is a winner. Accidental contact will be overlooked. Shirts must be tucked in at all times to ensure that the flags are visible and easily accessible. Shorts must not have pockets. Flags must be exposed and on the hips, available to the defender. Each player must wear two flags, one on each side of his body. Flags shall be a minimum of 15 long and 2 wide. Flags must be worn snug around the waist. Any attempt to doctor or wear flags in a manner other that designed may result in removal of the player from the game. Schools will split the cost of the refs. This includes the playoffs as only half of the league is involved. A Flag Football tournament will end the season. The season s top four teams will play against each other in pool play. Each coach will give two names for all-stars at the end of the season. If the ball is intercepted on an extra point conversion, it could result in a safety (2 points) with a kick off to follow. OFFENSE: We play on an 80 yard field. The field is divided into 20 yard segments. Each time the offense crosses one of those 20 yard lines it is a first down, regardless of the distance. If you are backed beyond a previously passed line via penalty, fumble, or loss of yardage, you must cross 2 lines for the next first down. Seven players make a team. Coaches may agree before the game to play with eight players. Everyone is eligible to receive a pass or be a ball carrier. Five players must be on the line of scrimmage. Players may only screen behind the line of scrimmage. While screening, the hands must be clasped behind the back and the player may only move in a side to side motion and backwards a player may not move forward to block. A player may not engage in physical contact. Players cannot run and screen downfield. You can be a stationary obstacle. Touchdowns count for six points. You must declare your intentions for 1 or 2 point conversions. The ball will be placed on the 5 yard line for 1 point conversion and for a 2 point conversion the ball goes to the 10 yard line. Players running with the ball cannot guard their flags or jump while carrying the ball. They may spin. Hips (not just the ball) must cross the goal line to count as a touchdown. WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 4
A decision to punt must be declared openly. Punter will not be rushed. Offensive players cannot leave the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. When running the football the carrier must avoid a defender who has established position first. Quarterback has to be 2 full yards behind the center unless less than two yards remains for a touchdown or a first down. There are no fumbles. The ball is whistled dead where it hits the ground. If the ball hits the ground in front of the quarterback when being snapped, the ball is not dead if the quarterback cleanly obtains possession. If the ball is snapped over the quarterbacks head, he has 5 seconds to retrieve it before it is dead. DEFENSE: Defense cannot line up any closer to the line of scrimmage than 3 yards unless a first down or touchdown is less than 5 yards away. Rushers cannot charge or bull over offensive players. If offensive player establishes position first, defensive player must go around the screen. Defensive players must not grab any clothing or belts on offensive player. They are only permitted to grab the flag. Grabbing and pulling out the flag constitutes a tackle. Tackler must hold his ground with the flag uplift so the ref can spot the ball correctly. Pass defender must not face guard receivers. Rushers must not make contact with the offense line or quarterback at any time. No stripping of the ball. RULES OF VOLLEYBALL Only certified officials approved by the conference will be used. Game ball shall be any ball agreed upon by both coaches and the official. Each school is responsible for a high school or an adult line judge. Only adults will be used in the tournament or playoff game. Certified official is only responsible to stay for the conference game. Home school is responsible for the paying of the official s fee. If a team forfeits after the officials arrive, the forfeiting team is responsible to pay the entire fee for the ref. The top of the net will be 7 3/4. This is a girls only sport and is played under the rally format. A match is won by the first team to win 2 games, which are played to 25 with a cap of 30. If a third game is needed, it will be played to 15 with a cap of 20. A full roster consists of 12 or more girls. If a team falls under that 12 girl roster, they may bring up fifth (5 th ) graders. Those fifth graders will still have three (3) years of eligibility remaining while in middle school. There will be a seeded tournament (based on the standings of the regular season) at the end of the regular season at a predetermined location. The cost of the officials will be covered by the gate and any excess funds will be given to the host school. In the case of a shortage, the league will reimburse the host school for any costs incurred. The host school will provide all workers for the tournament. RULES OF BASKETBALL Only certified officials approved by the conference will be used. Game ball shall be any ball agreed upon by both coaches and the officials. WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 5
A full roster consists of 12 or more boys or girls. If a team falls under that 12 person roster, they may bring up fifth (5 th ) graders. Those fifth graders will still have three (3) years of eligibility remaining while in middle school. B-team games: These games should consist of players that are not usually played. If there are not enough, use those players who at the lower end of the A-team latter. There will be a seeded tournament (based on the final standings of the regular season) at the end of the regular season at a predetermined location. The home team will cover the cost of the referees. If only one official shows up, the home team is responsible for the cost of one official. If no officials show, the game should be rescheduled unless an agreement to play the game is made between both schools. If an agreement is made, the outcome of the game is official and can t be changed. If a team forfeits after the officials arrive, the forfeiting team is responsible to pay the entire fee for the refs. When a team is winning by 15 points, that team may no longer press. There will be a seeded tournament (based on the standings of the regular season) at the end of the regular season at a predetermined location. The cost of the officials will be covered by the gate and any excess funds will be given to the host school. In the case of a shortage, the league will reimburse the host school for any costs incurred. The host school will provide all workers for the tournament. Situation involving ties: Two way tie head to head competition Two way tie Point differential Playoff on a neutral court Three way tie If one team has advantage over the other two, then they win the tie-breaker. Three way tie point differential Three way tie flip and odd man is in the playoff. The other two teams will play to determine the second team. RULES OF TRACK RUNNING EVENTS: 55 meter: One Varsity entry per gender, per school and 2 J.V. entries per gender per school. 100 meter: One Varsity entry per gender, per school and 2 J.V. entries per gender per school. Athletes may not run both the 55 and the 100. 200 meter: One Varsity entry per gender, per school and 2 J.V. entries per gender per school. 400 meter: One entry per gender, per school. 800 meter: Three entries per gender, per school. 1600 meter: Three entries per gender, per school. 4 X 100 meter relay (400 meters) 4 X 200 meter relay (800 meters) 4 X 400 meter relay (1600 meters) o Each school may enter 2 teams per gender per relay. Points and ribbons for the A Team, ribbons only for the B Team. A and B teams will run together in the same heat. In the running events 100m dash, 400m dash 55m dash, and the 200m dash we will be running two divisions Varsity and J.V. Your school s best athlete will run in the first heat which is the Varsity heat. This is the only heat that will be scored. The second heat will be considered JV. FIELD EVENTS: All field events will consist of 2 jumps and 2 throws. WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 6
All discuses and Shot puts will be pooled together, allowing all athletes to use the one of their choice. o Long jump: Three entries per gender, per school. o Triple jump: Three entries per gender, per school. o Shot put: Three entries per gender, per school. Girls will use a 6 pound shot Boys will use an 8 pound shot o Discus Both genders will use the same discus that the varsity girls use, 1.0 K discus No rubber discus may be used. GENERAL: Participants are limited to 4 running events and 2 field events. Team scoring in the individual events is as follows (per event) o First place 10 points o Second place 8 points o Third place 6 points o Fourth place 4 points o Fifth place 2 points o Sixth place 1 point Team scoring in the relay events is as follows (per event) o First place 20 points o Second place 16 points o Third place 12 points o Fourth place 8 points o Fifth place 4 points o Sixth place 2 points ORDER OF TRACK MEET: 3:30pm: Coaches meeting 4:00pm: Field Events o Girls are first in triple jump and boys are first at long jump; then switch. o Girls are first in shot and boys first are at discus; then switch. 4:30pm: First call for 1600m run girls, then boys 5:00pm: Running Events o 4X100m relay o 800m run o 55 m dash Varsity and J.V. o 100m dash - Varsity and J.V. o 400m dash - Varsity Only o 4 X 200m relay o 200m dash - Varsity and J.V. o 4 X 400m relay RULES OF TENNIS We will have singles and doubles competition. Players must play singles or doubles. They may not play both. There will be 3 district matches and a district tournament. Medals will be awarded for each district participant. WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 7
Coaches must accompany their players to all district competitions. RULES OF GOLF USGA rules will be followed. The district will host district competitions at a local course. Awards will be given at the end of each competition. Coaches must accompany their players to all district competitions. WHCAC Eligibility Roster WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 8
Must be submitted to the WHCAC Vice President before the first game is played for each sport. School: Date: Sport: Coach: Grade Athlete s Name Uniform # Birthday WHCAC Game Schedule WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 9
1. An Initial Schedule must be submitted to the WHCAC Vice President before the first game is played for each sport. 2. A Final Report with win/loss record and final scores of each game must be submitted to the WHCAC Vice President after the last game of the season, but before playoffs. School: Date: Sport: Coach: Date Opponent Time Site Won/Loss Final Score WHCAC Bylaws. August 2012. Page 10