2012-2013
CONSTITUTION
OPERATING CODE
REGULAR SEASON SPORTS
POLICIES
CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES BIG SKY CONFERENCE HISTORY
A new era in the Big Sky Conference begins in 2012-13 as the league enters its 50th year of athletic competition, and its 25th sponsoring women’s collegiate athletics. The Division I Big Sky Conference welcomes the University of North Dakota and Southern Utah University into the fold as full members. Cal Poly and UC Davis join the league as affiliate members in football, where the league competes at the Championship Subdivision level (formerly I-AA). The additions of North Dakota and Southern Utah give the stable Big Sky 11 full institutions and 13 football members. The current lineup includes four of the six charter members: Idaho State University, The University of Montana, Montana State University and Weber State. Northern Arizona enters its 43rd season in the Big Sky, giving the conference five members with at least 40 years of continuous membership. Eastern Washington University joined the Big Sky Conference in 1987, followed by Portland State University and Sacramento State in 1996. The Big Sky became a nine-team league in 2006 with the addition of the University of Northern Colorado. The league has become one of the strongest Division I conferences in the West and is a national leader in the Football Championship Subdivision. Six times, Big Sky teams have won the Division I National Championship, including Eastern Washington in 2010. A Big Sky team has played for the national championship in three of the past four seasons. The Big Sky Conference was established in 1963 by six charter members – Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga, Montana, Montana State and Weber State. Those six schools formed the foundation of the Big Sky before the league expanded in 1970 by adding Boise State and Northern Arizona. Gonzaga left the Sky in 1979 and was replaced by Nevada, which gave the league eight members. The conference grew to nine schools in 1987 with the addition of Eastern Washington. The 1990s saw change in the makeup of the league, beginning in 1992 when Nevada departed and put the Big Sky back at eight teams. In 1996 Boise State and Idaho left and at the same time the conference added Portland State, Sacramento State and Cal State Northridge. The Big Sky maintained nine teams for five years before Cal State Northridge departed in the spring of 2001. The Big Sky now includes nine states spanning from the Pacific Ocean to the Red River Valley of North Dakota. The league is represented along the entire west coast with institutions in Washington, Oregon and California. League schools also range up and down the Rocky Mountains with institutions in Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona and Colorado. On Feb 25, 1963, the name Big Sky was adopted by the six presidents of the charter members as the name of the new conference. The name Big Sky originated in a novel written by the late A.B. (Bud) Guthrie of Great Falls, Mont., in 1947 entitled “The Big Sky.” Jack Hollowell, a former Montana advertising director, promoted the Big Sky theme for the Treasure State. While on a track and field trip from Pocatello, Idaho, to Missoula, Mont., legendary Dubby Holt of Idaho State saw a “Welcome to Big Sky Country” sign as his team entered Montana. Holt, and his athletes thought “Big Sky” would be a perfect name for the new conference. Harry Missildine of the Spokane Spokesman-Review called for the newly formed league to be named the Big Sky Conference in his column dated Feb. 20, 1963. The Big Sky sponsors championships in 15 sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, basketball and tennis. In addition, there are also championships in football, and women’s volleyball, golf and soccer. This upcoming spring, the Big Sky will sponsor a softball championship for the first time. In 1988-89, the Big Sky Conference first began sponsoring women’s sports. The former Mountain West Conference existed from 1982-88, sponsoring championships for women’s sports at the same institutions the Big Sky had men’s programs. The Big Sky merged with the Mountain West in 1988, forming one league for both men and women. Doug Fullerton, the fifth commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, is in his 18th year at the helm. Fullerton took over the Big Sky on July 1, 1995, replacing longtime commissioner Ron Stephenson, who passed away in 2011. Stephenson served the league for 14 years. Steve Belko was the commissioner from 1977-81, while John Roning held the post from 1971-77. The first league commissioner was Jack Friel, who served from 1963-71.
BIG SKY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
2012-2013 Council Chairs
Dr. Royce Engstrom, Presidents’ Council The University of Montana
Dr. Craig Oberg, Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council Weber State University
Kent Haslam, AD and Jean Gee, Assoc AD, Joint Athletic Council The University of Montana
2012-2013 Committee Appointments
Committee Chairs in bold type OFFICIATING At Large Member * Jay Hinrichs, AD, UNC (2014) Term expires 6/30 (XXXX) Lisa Campos, AD, NAU (2013) Barbara Dearing, SWA, PSU (2013) LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Term Assigned Marlene Barth, SWA, SUU (2014) Laurie Morley, FAR-EWU Nancy Graziano, SWA, ISU (2015) Nancy Graziano, Assoc AD-ISU Bill Chaves, AD, EWU (2015) Jean Gee, (A/E/C) Assoc AD-UM *Jerry Bovee, AD, WSU (2015) George Haynes, FAR-MSU Beth Vechinski, Assoc AD-NAU CHAMPIONSHIPS AND COMPETITION Sherri Frye, Assoc AD-UNC Ken Beazer, AD, SUU (2014) Barbara Dearing, Assoc AD-PSU Jeff Tingey, AD, ISU (2013) Steve Perez, FAR-SAC Craig Oberg, FAR, WSU (2013) Amy Crosbie, Assoc AD-WSU Sherri Frye, SWA, UNC (2014) Daniella Irle, SWA, UND (2014) ETHICAL CONDUCT & VIOLATIONS *Peter Fields, AD, MSU (2015) Steve Perez, FAR, SAC (2013) *Tom Destefano, FAR, NAU (2015) Robert Heiny, FAR, UNC (2013) Laurie Morley, FAR, EWU (2014) ADMINISTRATIVE Jerry Bovee, AD, WSU (2014) *Jean Gee, SWA, UM, (2014) Sue Jeno, FAR, UND (2014) Lois Mattice, SWA, SAC (2013) Beth Vechinski, SWA, NAU (2014) Laurie Morley, FAR, EWU (2013) *Jean Gee, SWA, UM (2015) *Camie Bechtold, SWA, EWU (2014) *Bob Lockwood, FAR, PSU (2014) ELIGIBILITY *Brian Faison, AD, UND (2015) Scott Benson, FAR, ISU (2013) Robert Heiny, FAR, UNC (2015) Jim Lopach, FAR, UM (2015 Bill Chaves, AD, EWU (2013) George Haynes, FAR, MSU (2014) COACHES CONFERENCE CALL/MEETING LIAISONS Sport Coaches Administrator *Brian Faison, AD, UND (2014) Chair Liaison 3 yr term or renewal Amy Crosbie, SWA, WSU (2014) Volleyball EWU Pam Parks (2015) Deborah Hill, FAR, SUU (2014) Soccer SUU Jay Hinrichs (2015) Football UM Torre Chisholm (2015) MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY ATC UM Lois Mattice (2015) Peter Fields, AD, MSU (PERM) Tennis ISU Camie Bechtold (2015) Pam Parks, SWA, EWU (2013) Women’s BB WSU Jean Gee (2015) Kent Haslam, AD, UM (PERM) Men’s BB EWU Jerry Bovee (2015) Golf UNC Terry Wanless (2015) Torre Chisholm, AD, PSU (2013) Softball PSU Barbara Dearing (TBA) Terry Wanless, AD, SAC (2014) Track & Field Coaches Portland, Oregon*** *Ken Beazer, AD, SUU (2014) This selection is keeping with the rotation of the chair Daniella Irle, SWA, UND (2014) being the next host of the Outdoor Championship
i 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTION OF THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE
PREAMBLE
The members of the Big Sky Conference subscribe to the principle that intercollegiate athletics is a vital part of higher education, and is regarded as an integral part of the educational program, and that the intercollegiate athletic experience is equally valuable for both male and female students. Institutions are committed to providing athletic opportunities on an equitable basis without regard to gender. The intercollegiate athletic programs shall be administered and conducted in a manner consistent with the institutions' educational policies.
Fundamental to the successful application of any set of rules is the spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation. It is the function of this Conference to encourage intercollegiate athletics on an amateur basis with institutional control.
The members of this Conference are dedicated to a continuing effort to maintain intercollegiate athletics in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution. To reinforce these principles, the Big Sky Conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental purposes, policies, and principles governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics as adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These include the purposes and fundamental policy contained in Article 1 of the NCAA Constitution and the principles for conduct of intercollegiate athletics are found in Article 2.
ARTICLE I NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Big Sky Conference.
ARTICLE II AFFILIATION
The Big Sky Conference is a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
ARTICLE III PURPOSES The purposes of the Conference shall be:
Section 1. To govern intercollegiate athletic competition of member institutions;
Section 2. To promote high standards in academic scholarship and athletic competition;
Section 3. To provide an atmosphere of trust, confidence, cooperation, and sportsmanship in all athletic competition;
Section 4. To develop public appreciation of the educational values of intercollegiate athletics;
Section 5. To bring about full cooperation of all members in the maintenance of high standards of eligibility and enhance the administration of intercollegiate athletics; and
Section 6. To subscribe to the Human Rights Policy:
In accordance with the generally accepted policies of affirmative action and equal opportunity, there shall be no discrimination with respect to race, color, religion, ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability status practiced at the Conference office or at member institutions in the conduct of their intercollegiate athletic programs.
Section 7. The Conference is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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ARTICLE IV GOVERNANCE
Section 1. GOVERNANCE OF THE CONFERENCE
The governance of the Conference shall be established by this Constitution, the Operating Code, the Sports Policies, and Championship Policies.
Section 2. APPLICATION OF NCAA LEGISLATION
The Big Sky Conference is a member of the NCAA and as such is bound by NCAA rules and regulations unless Conference or institutional rules are more restrictive.
Section 3. INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL
Membership in the Conference is based on the principle of active institutional control of athletics. Responsibility in all matters of Conference athletic policy shall rest with the member institutions.
Section 4. GOVERNING BODIES AND POWERS
A. The Conference shall be governed by the Presidents' Council which shall have legislative authority. The Presidents' Council shall review and give final approval to all policy matters acted on by the Conference Council.
B. The Conference Council has the power to enact matters of management and control in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics among the member institutions.
C. The Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council has the power to enact matters of academic management and has primary responsibility for the enforcement of Conference standards, ethics and eligibility rules.
D. The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall direct the athletic programs in the respective institutions and shall make recommendations for changes to the Conference Council.
Section 5. Conference members shall be bound by the same controls when competing with non-Conference institutions, unless otherwise specifically noted.
Section 6. Each member institution agrees to enact and enforce such measures necessary to carry out Conference regulations, both in letter and in spirit.
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE:
Eastern Washington University Idaho State University The University of Montana Montana State University University of North Dakota Northern Arizona University University of Northern Colorado Portland State University Sacramento State Southern Utah University Weber State University Cal Poly (Football Affiliate) UC Davis (Football Affiliate)
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Section 2. MEMBERSHIP A. Member institutions shall be Division I members of the NCAA and classified as Football Championship Subdivision in football.
B. Member institutions shall meet the NCAA Division I membership criteria as set forth in NCAA Bylaws.
C. Member institutions may participate as members of another Conference only in those sports not recognized or sponsored by the Conference.
Section 3. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP A. Affiliate members may be accepted to the Big Sky Conference in a given sport by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions.
B. Affiliate membership may be permitted in those sports where additional sponsoring institutions are needed to conduct championships.
C. Affiliate member institutions may not vote on Conference matters.
D. Institutions applying for affiliate membership must be NCAA Division I members in that sport.
Section 4. NEW MEMBERS
Institutions may become members of the Big Sky Conference by invitation or written application. Admittance requires two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions. Membership shall not be acted upon at the same meeting at which it is proposed.
A. Entrance Fee 1. An institution invited to join the Conference as a Core (Operating Code, Article I, Section 1) member shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee of $250,000. In addition, it must pay one share of the current Conference equity (as of the most recent audit). The Presidents Council may periodically make specific arrangements with an institution for payment of fees, other than what is stated herein. 2. An institution invited to join the Conference as an Affiliate member shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee as described below. An Affiliate member is not responsible to pay a share of the Conference equity; however, it will make no claim to Conference equity should there be a distribution from this fund. Unless otherwise agreed, all fees are due prior to participation in Conference schedules. The Presidents’ Council may periodically make specific arrangements with an institution for payment of fees, other than what is stated herein: a. An Affiliate member, whose membership includes men’s basketball, shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee equal to $250,000. Unless otherwise agreed upon, these members would begin to share NCAA basketball revenue immediately (at the first distribution) upon entering the Conference. b. An Affiliate member whose membership does not include men’s basketball shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee equal to $150,000.
Section 5. A. WITHDRAWAL
1. A member institution may withdraw from the Conference upon written notice to the Commissioner and each president of its intention to withdraw by July 1 prior to the commencement of the year in which withdrawal shall be effective. A member institution may withdraw from the Conference upon written notice to all Conference members by the
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President of the withdrawing institution at least one year prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
2. An institution that has forwarded to the NCAA National office written notice of its intention to change its football membership classification from Division IAA (FCS) to Division IA (FBS) prior to the completion of its final football season with the Conference shall be ineligible to compete for the Big Sky Conference Football Championship. This is effective on the date the institution’s written notice is received by the NCAA office.
3. An institution that has announced its intention to withdraw from the Conference is not eligible to receive a regular (i.e., television, championships revenue, surplus, etc.) or special (i.e., new initiative funding, etc.) distribution made from the Conference to its membership, effective immediately upon written notice of intent to withdraw.
4. An institution that has announced its intention to withdraw shall not vote on issues affecting future Conference operation or policy.
5. All scheduled commitments of the withdrawing institution with other member institutions of the Conference shall be honored or fulfilled unless dissolved by mutual agreement of the affected member institutions. All scheduled commitments of the withdrawing institution with other member institutions of the Conference shall be honored or fulfilled unless dissolved by mutual agreement of the affected member institutions.
B. FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION
The failure of an institution to provide proper notification will result in the Conference, by a majority vote of its members, excluding all teams from the withdrawing institution from participation in any remaining Big Sky Championships.
1. An Institution that fails to provide proper notification will pay a non-refundable $1,000,000 fee to the Conference. a.) The Presidents’ Council, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those institutions eligible to vote, may reduce, restructure, or waive the payment required if extenuating circumstances warrant consideration.
Section 6. PROBATION
The Faculty Athletics Representatives shall have the power by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions, except the institution involved, to place on probation any member that violates the rules and regulations of the Conference. Final action may occur at the same meeting in which it is proposed.
Section 7. EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION
The Presidents' Council shall have the power by affirmative vote of all member institutions, except the institution involved, to expel or suspend any member who violates the rules and regulations of the Conference. Final action on expulsion or suspension shall not be taken in the same meeting at which action is proposed.
Section 8. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERS
The Conference shall have the power by affirmative vote of all member institutions, except the institution involved, to reinstate any member who has withdrawn or been expelled or suspended.
4 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
Section 1. THE COUNCILS
A. The Conference shall be comprised of four Councils: 1. Presidents' Council 2. Conference Council 3. Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council 4. Joint Athletic Administrators' Council
B. The Officers 1. The officers of each Council shall be a Chair and a Vice-Chair. 2. It is the policy of the Conference to rotate the Chair of the Councils annually. Terms will begin at the close of the Spring Conference Meeting. For rotation see Appendix Index.
C. Voting There shall be one vote per institution in each of the Councils. The exception is in the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council where each institution shall have two (2) votes with one (1) vote to be cast by each of its two athletic administrators.
D. Quorum A majority number of Council members, or their duly authorized representatives, shall constitute a quorum. All items passed shall go into effect at the beginning of the next academic year, unless otherwise provided, and shall not be retroactive unless specifically provided.
E. Roberts Rules of Order All Councils and Committees shall operate under Roberts Rules of Order.
F. The Conference office shall provide staff support for all Councils.
Section 2. PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL
The Presidents' Council shall have legislative authority and shall review all actions of the Conference Council.
A. Representation
The President of each member institution shall be the representative to the Presidents' Council.
B. Substitute Representation
The President shall have the right, upon giving notice to the Commissioner, to designate a substitute representative. The substitute shall be the representative for that particular meeting(s) as given in the notice.
C. Functions of the Presidents' Council are:
1. To determine all Conference policies; 2. To approve or disapprove proposed amendments to the Constitution, Operating Code, Sports Policies, and Championship Policies. 3. To select and employ the Conference Commissioner. 4. To take responsibility for all items included in ARTICLE V (Membership) of the Constitution, with the exception of violations procedures as described in ARTICLE V, Section 2, of the Operating Code of the Big Sky Conference.
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D. Officers and Their Duties
1. The officers of the Presidents' Council shall be a Chair and a Vice-Chair.
2. The duties of the Chair shall be: a. To preside over all meetings of the Presidents' Council; b. To collaborate with the Commissioner in the areas of Conference policies, rules and regulations between regular Conference meetings. Actions taken are subject to the review of the Presidents’ Council; c. To issue calls for Council meetings through the Conference office; d. To appoint members of standing committees, and members of ad hoc committees, as necessary; and e. To serve as spokesperson to the press and the public.
3. The duty of the Vice-Chair shall be to assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence. Officers shall be elected at the spring meeting. The Vice- Chair will serve as Chair during the following year.
E. Appeals Deadline
A member institution may appeal any action taken at the President's Council meeting. A written appeal must be made within thirty (30) days after the final minutes of the Presidents' Council have been mailed by the Conference office. Note: Procedures for appeals of actions taken by the FARs Council for censure, probation or specific penalties are set forth in Operating Code, Article V, Section 2-D.
Section 3. CONFERENCE COUNCIL The Conference Council shall be the operating body of the Big Sky Conference.
A. Representation
The Conference Council is comprised of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council and the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council.
B. Function of the Conference Council
All action taken by the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council and the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council shall be reviewed and considered for approval and then submitted to the Presidents' Council.
C. Officers
1. The Chair of the Conference Council is the Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council. The Vice-Chair will be the next FAR in the rotation and will assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence.
2. The duties of these officers are described in ARTICLE VI, Section 4-C of the Constitution.
D. Voting
The Faculty Athletics Representative, designated by the President of each institution, shall be the voting delegate for this council.
Section 4. FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES' COUNCIL
A. Representation
The Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council shall consist of individuals designated by the Presidents of the member institutions. These representatives shall be members of the institutions’ faculty, or administrators who hold faculty rank. The salary of the FAR
6 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION shall not be paid by the Athletics Department.
B. Functions of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council are: 1. To determine policy in eligibility rules, academic standards, matters of student- athlete welfare, and to consider medical hardship cases.
2. To take primary responsibility for the enforcement of Conference standards and ethics.
3. To submit to the Conference Council, for its approval, all matters of policy.
C. Officers and Their Duties
1. The officers of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council shall be a Chair and Vice-Chair.
2. The duties of the Chair shall be: a. To preside over all meetings of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council and Conference Council meetings with the Athletic Administrators; b. To issue calls, through the Conference office, for all Conference meetings, designating time and place; c. To appoint committees; and d. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time.
3. The Vice-Chair will be the next FAR in the rotation and will assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence. The Vice-Chair will serve as Chair in the upcoming year.
D. Voting Each institution shall have one vote.
Section 5. JOINT ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS' COUNCIL
The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall be vested with the management and operation of the athletic programs.
A. Representation The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall consist of the Athletic Directors and Senior Woman Administrators of the member institutions.
B. Functions of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council are: 1. To act on all proposals presented to it by various constituencies and to forward items to the Conference Council with their recommendation for action.
2. To conduct all Conference athletic activities in compliance with policies approved by the Presidents' Council.
3. To make decisions on technical matters as authorized by the Presidents' Council pertaining to the conduct of athletic activities.
C. Officers and Their Duties 1. The officer of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall be the Chair.
2. The duties of the Chair shall be to preside over all meetings of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council.
3. The Chair of the Joint Athletic Council shall be designated to a member institution for
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a period of one year. The Athletic Director will serve as Chair for one meeting, the Senior Woman Administrator will serve as Chair for the other meeting, at their discretion.
D. Voting Each institution shall have two (2) votes with one vote to be cast by each of its two athletic administrative representatives present.
Section 6. COMMITTEES
A. The Standing Committees are:
1. Eligibility Committee The Eligibility Committee shall consist of seven members: the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Immediate Past Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council; one Faculty Athletics Representative, one athletic director, one senior woman administrator and one at-large member. The Commissioner shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee. The Committee shall rule on cases submitted to it by the Conference office, including waiver requests related to satisfactory progress. The Committee has final jurisdiction, subject to the vote of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council. Matters affecting the status of Conference athletics under the rules of eligibility may be submitted to the Committee only by a Faculty Athletics Representative or the Commissioner.
2. Legislative Committee The Legislative Committee shall consist of one representative from each member institution and the Conference representatives to the NCAA Legislative Council, Leadership Council, the Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet and the Championships/Competition Cabinet. The Commissioner is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to study the rules and regulations and make necessary revisions of the Conference Constitution, Operating Code, Sport Policies, and Championship Policies according to the recommendations of all the Councils and the NCAA. In addition, in order to ensure each institution participates in the NCAA governance structure, the Committee shall meet to review NCAA proposed legislation, make recommendations on conference votes, and send comments to the NCAA and Presidents of member institutions of the Big Sky Conference on proposed legislation.
3. Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee The Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee shall consist of seven members, with three-year staggered terms: Four Faculty Athletics Representatives, with one of the FARs serving as Chair, one Senior Woman Administrator, one Athletic Director and one at-large member. It shall be the duty of this Committee to consider alleged violations of Conference rules only after a thorough investigation by the FAR of the involved institution and to recommend appropriate action to the Faculty Athletics Representatives’' Council. If approved by that Council, the Chair of the Committee shall notify the Presidents' Council of the appropriate action. At the request of the Commissioner, this committee may act in matters relating to conduct, ethics, and violations of the intent or "spirit" of NCAA and Big Sky Conference rules and policies.
4. Administrative Committee (formerly Committee on Committees) The Administrative Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: One Faculty Athletics Representative, one Senior Women Administrator, one Athletic Director and four at-large members. It shall be the duty of this Committee to recommend appointments to all standing committees which adequately reflect the charge of each committee. All Committee appointments shall be approved by the Presidents’ Council.
8 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION 5. Championships & Competition Committee The Championships & Competition Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: One Faculty Athletics Representative, two Senior Women Administrators, two Athletic Directors, and two at-large members appointed by the Conference Council upon recommendation by the Committee on Committees. It shall be the duty of this Committee to review matters of scheduling, regular season competition, and championship issues in all sports. Such recommendations shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic Council for their approval.
6. Officiating Committee The Officiating Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: three athletic directors, three senior woman administrators and one at-large member. Ex-officio members shall be the Coordinator of Men’s Officials, the Coordinator of Women’s Officials, and the Commissioner. It shall be the duty of this committee to review all matters relating to officiating including: game fees and per diem, numbers of officials required in each sport, and the improvement of officiating. Recommendations from the Officiating Committee shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic Council for its action.
7. Media and Technology Committee (formerly Television Committee) The Media and Technology Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: two permanent members (UM AD and MSU AD), two senior women administrators, two athletic directors, and one at-large member, allocated to Athletic Administrators who shall work in conjunction with the Conference office staff. It shall be the duty of this committee to review all proposed television contracts for Conference contests and to select games for the Conference television package. These selections will be reviewed by the member institutions involved.
8. Student -Athlete Advisory Committee The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee shall consist of two student-athletes, one male and one female, from each conference institution. To the extent possible, this group shall be diverse with respect to ethnicity and sports represented. The SAAC shall meet yearly or at the call of the Commissioner and shall review legislative proposals and make recommendations on student-athlete welfare issues. Majority recommendations shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic or Conference Council for their review.
B. Additional Committees
Additional committees may be appointed by the Presidents' Council.
Section 7. SELECTIONS FOR NCAA SERVICE ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Legislative Council, Leadership Council and Cabinets
The Big Sky Conference supports the efforts of NCAA governance in meeting the requirements of gender and ethnic diversity and recognizes the concept that each Division I subdivision has a responsibility to attain those diversity goals as outlined by the Division I Board of Directors. The Big Sky Conference will cooperate with the process by which the subdivisions of Division I will select its representatives to the governance structure.
A. Board of Directors
The Presidents’ Council, by majority vote, will select a Big Sky Conference representative to the Board of Directors. The Presidents will seek advice and opinions from the Commissioner.
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B. Legislative Council/Leadership Council and Cabinets
The Commissioner will develop and maintain a list of experienced candidates who have expressed willingness to serve on the Legislative or Leadership Council or a Cabinet. It is the responsibility of the Joint Athletic Council to ensure that the list is diverse, according to gender, ethnic minorities, and job classification within the Conference structure (ADs, SWAs, FARs) is represented to the greatest extent possible. The candidate list shall be continuously maintained and approved annually by the Presidents’ Council. The Presidents’ Council will select Conference nominees for the various NCAA positions from the list ensuring the goals of diversity and effective representation for the Conference.
C. Alternates for Legislative or Leadership Council and Cabinets
Temporary absences to these bodies will be filled by the Commissioner and staff, with an alternate of the same gender as the absent representative to maintain the gender balance of the group, whenever possible. The Chair of the Presidents’ Council will determine if absences longer than two meetings should be filled in this manner or an alternate designated from the list maintained by the Conference.
ARTICLE VII CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER
Section 1. SELECTION AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
A. The Conference shall employ a Chief Administrative Officer known as the "Commissioner." The Commissioner is selected and the terms of employment are set by the Presidents' Council. The term of office of the Commissioner shall commence July 1, unless otherwise provided by agreement, and shall be for a period such as the Presidents' Council shall establish.
B. Prior to the expiration of the Commissioner's contract, the Presidents' Council shall determine whether the contract shall be renewed, unless otherwise provided by agreement.
Section 2. GENERAL DUTIES
The general duties of the Commissioner shall be to:
A. Serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Conference;
B. Serve as the principal enforcement officer of the Conference rules, regulations and agreements;
C. Serve as Executive Officer of the Conference;
D. Serve as ex-officio, non-voting member of all standing committees unless otherwise specified;
E. Study the problems of the Conference and give advice and guidance in the solution of those problems to the members and thereby promote the general welfare of the Conference at all times;
F. Conduct, through the press, radio, television, periodicals, meetings and the general service of the office, a continuous educational program advancing the development of scholarship, sportsmanship, an understanding of the values of competitive athletics, and exert all reasonable effort to acquaint the public with the ethics and high ideals which motivate the Conference and its conduct of intercollegiate athletics;
10 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION G. Issue the call for meetings; H. Interpret and rule upon matters of eligibility and regulations and send copies of the interpretations and rulings to the Faculty Athletics Representatives and Athletic Administrators. Rulings with respect to matters of eligibility shall be submitted by the Commissioner to the Eligibility Committee for reference to precedents and supportive reasoning for approval or disapproval. Such review by the Eligibility Committee may affect the applicability of the Commissioner's ruling in the reported case;
I. Report at least once a year to the Presidents' Council concerning Conference matters; J. Exercise all powers necessary for the effective performance of all duties; and K. Perform other duties as the Conference Councils may direct.
Section 3. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
The administrative duties of the Commissioner shall be to:
A. Maintain records of all Conference meetings and peruse previous meeting's minutes for any unfinished business or referred or tabled motions and bring those matters to the attention of the appropriate Council;
B. Administer Conference policy involving television, radio, and related programs;
C. Select, assign, and contract game officials for intercollegiate sports as may be directed by the Athletic Administrators;
D. Act as ex-officio, non-voting member, in all coaches groups and provide assistance in the preparation of schedules in all sports, if necessary;
E. Act as liaison between the Conference representatives and the media;
F. Maintain and distribute historical and statistical records for all Conference athletic competition;
G. Maintain a compilation of precedents and interpretations of Conference rules and regulations from proceedings of all Council meetings and appropriate committee meetings;
H. Prepare and distribute reporting forms required by Conference rules and regulations;
I. Be responsible for Conference financial transactions;
J. Prepare the annual budget and related fiscal data for the Conference office and submit to the Presidents' Council;
K. Supervise the operations of the Conference office and support personnel, including all personnel matters; and
L. Arrange for Conference meetings and prepare agendas for the Conference Councils, in consultation with appropriate Chairs and be responsible for the distribution of all minutes.
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS
Section 1. The Presidents' Council shall meet at least annually upon the call of the Chair.
Section 2. The Faculty Athletics Representatives and Athletic Administrators shall meet at least annually. A. The Fall Meeting shall be at a designated site and shall generally be scheduled in October or November. B. The Spring Meeting shall be held at a designated site and shall generally be scheduled just prior to the end of Spring term.
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C. The special dates and designated sites of the Conference Meetings for the following year shall be reviewed and scheduled at the Spring meeting of the Conference Council.
D. Special meetings may be called by the Chairs through the Conference office.
Section 3. Coaches, Sports Information Directors, and other institutional personnel shall meet at the call of the Big Sky Conference or at the call of the Commissioner.
Section 4. All agenda items must be circulated at least three weeks in advance of a Conference meeting. Emergency items not so circulated must have unanimous consent of the appropriate council for consideration. (Refer to Article XIII, Section 2, of the Big Sky Conference Operating Code for further clarification.)
Section 5. In case of emergency operational matters, the Conference Commissioner may conduct a vote of the appropriate Council or committee by conference call, fax, E-mail, or mail. A majority vote shall prevail. The results shall be circulated to the appropriate Councils or committees.
Section 6. All meetings are open; however, a Council may go into an executive session upon a majority vote of its members.
Section 7. THE PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL MEETING FORMAT
A. The first meeting of the Presidents' Council shall be held on the next to last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. Persons participating will include the Presidents, the Commissioner, and upon availability, the Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Council, Chair of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council and whomever the Presidents wish to invite. The purpose of the meeting will be to receive the reports of the Council Chairs and set the agenda for the business meeting to be held the following day.
B. The second meeting of the Presidents' Council will be held on the morning of the last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. The Commissioner will be included for the purpose of briefing the Presidents on issues that may be current or on the horizon and to add last minute items and make any adjustments to the agenda.
C. The Chair of the Presidents' Council shall convene the Presidents' Council in Executive Session on the last day to consider matters and concerns of individual campuses that, by necessity, need to be confidential.
D. The Final Meeting of the Presidents' Council and the other Councils shall be held the last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. The purpose of this final meeting will be for the Presidents' Council to take official action on the agenda.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These articles may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Conference Council. No constitutional amendment can be voted on at the same meeting at which it is originally proposed.
Section 2. Final approval will be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Presidents' Council.
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION
Dissolution of the Conference shall be effected by no less than three-fourths (3/4) vote of the member institutions. In case of dissolution, the assets and/or the liabilities of the Big Sky Conference shall be equally distributed among the member institutions.
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OPERATING CODE OF THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE
The Operating Code of the Conference consists of directives as well as commitments of a contractual nature between member institutions, and all procedures and prohibitions of the Conference.
ARTICLE I RECOGNIZED SPORTS
Section 1. Required Core Sports Each core member institution is required to participate in all of the following core sports:
Women: basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis, volleyball.
Men: basketball, cross country, football, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis.
To meet the core sport participation requirements, each institution, in the core sports listed above, must participate in the minimum number of regular season competitions (in compliance with NCAA divisional sport scheduling requirements) with the minimum number of participants as specified to meet the NCAA Division I membership requirements. An institution applying for a NCAA waiver of any sport sponsorship-related bylaw must also apply for a waiver from the Big Sky Conference’s Presidents’ Council if a Big Sky Conference core sport is involved. Failure to meet the above requirements without a waiver granted by the Presidents’ Council is a violation that must be reported to the Conference’s Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee. Finally, each institution is required to participate in each core sport championship.
In addition to the Big Sky core sport requirements listed above, each institution is required to meet the NCAA’s minimum sport sponsorship requirements for total number of sports sponsored (i.e., sponsor a minimum of either seven sports for men and seven sports for women or six sports for men and eight sports for women.).
Section 2. Sponsored Sports A. Any sport sponsored by the Big Sky Conference and participated in on an intercollegiate basis shall be subject to all rules and regulations set forth in this Operating Code.
B. Any student-athlete competing in non-Big Sky sports shall be required to meet all Big Sky Conference academic standards.
Section 3. Dropping Sports A. Required Sports: In exceptional cases, a core member institution may be permitted to forego competition in a particular sport upon a two-thirds majority vote of the Presidents’ Council. Annual review of each such case is also required.
B. Other Recognized Sports: Member institutions may drop sports in this category; however, should such action affect the Big Sky Conference sports championship’s criteria, the minimum sports requirements for championships, the minimum number of championships required, or automatic qualification for national championships, it is imperative that formal discussions occur at a regularly scheduled Conference meeting prior to final institutional action. The Commissioner may initiate such discussions.
Section 4. Member Participation A Conference institution may not participate as a member in any other conference in a sport recognized and sponsored by the Big Sky Conference.
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Section 5. Varsity Competition Any intercollegiate competition shall count as a year of varsity competition. (Refer to NCAA Bylaws)
Section 6. Rules for Conducting Competition Playing rules and conditions for all sports shall be governed as set forth in the Sports Policies.
Section 7. Championships Championships shall be conducted in each of the sponsored sports if a minimum of six member institutions participate in that sport. A minimum of six Conference championships in men's and women's sports are required to meet the NCAA automatic qualification criteria.
Playing rules and conditions for all Conference championships shall be governed as set forth in the Championship Policies.
ARTICLE II RULES OF ELIGIBILITY
The Conference shall follow NCAA eligibility requirements, including the NCAA progressive GPA requirements.
Any student-athlete representing a member institution in any athletic contest must comply with the following eligibility rules. If a student-athlete competes while not in compliance with the NCAA academic standards, the institution must declare the student-athlete ineligible, self- report a violation of NCAA Bylaws, and seek restoration of eligibility from the NCAA.
Section 1. Intra-Conference Transfer Rule A. In all Big Sky Championship Sports, a student-athlete who receives athletically-related financial aid and transfers directly to another Big Sky Conference member institution must fulfill a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters or three full quarters excluding summer term) before competing. During that period the student-athlete shall not be offered, provided or have arranged directly or indirectly any earned or unearned athletically-related financial aid.
A recruited non-qualifier, although not receiving athletically related aid, is bound by this provision unless released in writing by the Athletic Director of the previous institution.
B. On written petition from the student-athlete clearly explaining all extenuating circumstances and hardships, the Eligibility Committee may waive the year in residency requirement and/or financial aid restriction for an Intra-Conference transfer.
Section 2. Status
All student-athletes must be certified as eligible by the Faculty Athletics Representative of the institution. Full and complete data must be included on the eligibility certificate for all student-athletes new to fall sports programs who desire to participate in Spring practice.
Section 3. Registration and Attendance
A. The student-athlete must be attending a full-time, on-campus course of study by the 10th institutional instructional day of the term in which competition occurs.
B. Admission standards shall apply to all students.
C. All student admission procedures shall be handled by the regular admissions officers or Committees of the institution.
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Section 4. Residence
A student-athlete shall be considered a resident at a collegiate institution when the Registrar or Admissions Officer certifies that the student-athlete was officially registered and enrolled at said institution on the opening day of classes in any term, or the student-athlete attended a class or classes in any term, or the Athletic Director certified that the student-athlete reported on call for the regular uniformed practice prior to the beginning of any term, summer session excluded.
Section 5. Enrollment Requirements
1. Student-athletes are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours during each term in which they practice or compete. Dropping below 12 credit hours during any term may jeopardize financial aid.
2. Exception, Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in practice and competition while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student-athlete is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student-athlete is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution.
3. A student-athlete may compete while enrolled in a full-time graduate program as defined by the institution, but in any event not fewer than eight hours.
Section 6. Academic Requirements
A. The Conference shall follow NCAA eligibility requirements referenced in Bylaw 14.
Section 7. Rules and Regulations Related to Student-Athletes The Big Sky Conference will make all rules and regulations related to student-athletes available on its website. Schools may supply the link to the website to student-athletes or distribute the information in any way it deems appropriate.
Section 8. Eligibility Rule Change
No change in an eligibility rule may be made unless it is discussed at a regular meeting and voted on no sooner than at the next regular meeting. Such rule changes shall be retroactive if less restrictive.
Section 9. Official Interpretation
In cases requiring clarification of rules, the Commissioner shall have jurisdiction, and shall report the decision in writing immediately to the Conference members. The Commissioner shall confer with the Eligibility Committee on matters pertaining to eligibility.
ARTICLE III FINANCIAL AID TO ATHLETES Refer to NCAA Manual.
Section 1. Grants-In-Aid
A. The full grant-in-aid (FGE) is financial aid that consists of tuition and fees, room and board and required course-related books.
B. Big Sky Conference Financial Aid Limitations: Financial aid will be administered and distributed within the guidelines of NCAA Manual, Bylaws 14 and 15.
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C. Athletic aid is not to be granted for night school, extension, or correspondence courses unless the institution considers enrollment in such courses as regular course enrollment for all students.
D. Except for students attending a summer orientation program, a student-athlete shall not receive athletically-related financial aid to attend the institution's summer term or summer school unless the student-athlete received athletically-related aid during the previous academic year. Further, such aid may be awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically-related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the previous academic year.
Section 2. Eligibility for Aid A. Refer to NCAA Manual, Bylaws, and Big Sky Code Appendix Index.
B. Student-athletes who are not in compliance with II-6-D may have their aid cancelled at the discretion of the institution. (Freshmen are exempt from provisions of II-6-D for financial aid purposes.)
C. All student-athletes must be enrolled full time as defined by the institution at which they are enrolled, but carry not less than ten credit hours in any term that does not fulfill the exceptions listed below. Enrollment in less than 12 credit hours in any term may jeopardize financial aid. (Refer to NCAA Manual Bylaws)
(1) Exceptions to Full-Time Enrollment
(a) A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in practice and competition while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student-athlete is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution.
(b) A student-athlete may compete while enrolled in a full-time graduate program as defined by the institution, but in any event not fewer than eight hours.
D. Those student-athletes fulfilling a year of residence under the Intra-Conference Transfer Rule shall not receive, directly or indirectly, any earned or unearned athletically-related financial aid. (See ARTICLE II, Section 1-A. Intra-Conference Transfer Rule)
ARTICLE IV RECRUITING
Section 1. Recruiting Practices All recruiting practices shall conform with rules as stated in NCAA Manual.
Section 2. National Letter of Intent The Big Sky Conference shall abide by the National Letter of Intent. The same provisions and restrictions will apply between Conference institutions. (Refer to Appendix Index.)
ARTICLE V VIOLATIONS, PROTESTS, DISCIPLINARY ACTION, AND REMEDIES Section 1. Reports and Investigations of Violations NCAA Violations
A. The principle of institutional control and the Big Sky Conference require self-reporting of NCAA violations: Level I Violations are to be reported directly to the NCAA with a copy sent to the Conference office, while Level II Violations are submitted to the Conference
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office, which submits an annual report to the NCAA on behalf of all member institutions. The Conference office will compile all violation reports into a summary for review by the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee to determine trends and suggest possible remedies that can be taken as a conference.
B. It is the duty of every institutional staff member or student-athlete to report to the Faculty Athletics Representative of their institution any suspected or known violation of the rules of the NCAA. If the Faculty Athletics Representative believes there is possible or probable merit in the complaint, he/she shall then prepare a self-report utilizing the Big Sky Conference Violation Reporting form. The Faculty Athletics Representative shall send the violation report to the President of the institution who shall forward Level I violations to the NCAA (with a copy to the Conference office), and Level II violations directly to the Conference office only.
Conference Code Violations
A. The principle of institutional control and the Big Sky Conference require members to self- report all violations of the Conference Code to the Conference office.
B. It is the duty of every institutional staff member, coach and student-athlete to report to the Faculty Athletics Representative of their institution any suspected or known violation of the rules of the Big Sky Conference Code. If the Faculty Athletics Representative believes that a Code violation has occurred, they shall utilize the Big Sky Conference Violation Reporting form and submit it to the Conference office. All such violation reports shall be reviewed by the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee for disposition.
(1) In cases where violations are admitted or of such nature that they are undeniable, the Commissioner may submit the facts to the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee without further investigation.
(2) When one Conference institution alleges a Conference Code violation against another Conference member, the Faculty Athletics Representative of the alleging institution shall gather pertinent data to support the charge and send a copy to the Conference office. At the request of the Conference Commissioner, the Faculty Athletics Representative of the institution alleged to have a violation shall conduct a thorough investigation of the matter and send to the Commissioner a report which either verifies the allegations in a violation report or provides information that no violation occurred. If a violation occurred, the matter will be forwarded for action to the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee.
(3) In cases of complaints made to the Commissioner from sources outside the Conference that the Commissioner believes may have validity, or in cases where the Commissioner has reason to suspect a Code violation, the Commissioner shall direct the institution to conduct a full investigation. The Faculty Athletics Representative shall prepare all pertinent data into a report and forward it to the Conference office. It shall place the case before the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee at the next Conference meeting.
(4) Investigation of all alleged Big Sky Conference Code violations is the responsibility of each institution. The Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee shall consider only those violations reported to them by the Commissioner. The Commissioner will become involved in investigations of potential Code violations only upon direction from the Presidents’ Council. The Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee may take action on Code violations by conference call between meetings if deemed necessary by the Commissioner.
C. The Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee, after thorough consideration of any case, is to make a full report to the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council with recommendations for disciplinary action or dismissal. No representative of the
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institution charged with a violation shall vote in the decisions of the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee, Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council or Presidents' Council.
Section 2. Action Following Hearings
Penalties Except Suspension or Expulsion of a Member Institution
A. The Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council has the authority to impose any penalties and sanctions except suspension or expulsion of a member institution. After the evidence in a case has been considered, the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members (with the institution charged with the violation not voting), may impose upon the institution charged with the violation a penalty or penalties to include: vote of censure, probation, or any specific penalty or penalties judged to be appropriate for the specific violation(s) and the duration of the penalty, if appropriate. Without the required two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council may hold that there is insufficient evidence to justify any disciplinary action against the accused institution.
B. The Commissioner will monitor the institution’s efforts to remedy the circumstances that caused the violation(s), if appropriate, and advise the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council and the Presidents’ Council when the institution has taken action to correct the factors causing the violations. If penalties are time-specific, they will be terminated at the conclusion of the specified period.
C. The Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council shall provide written notification of all actions taken by the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council to the Conference Commissioner, the Chair of the Presidents' Council, and the President, Faculty Athletics Representative, and Athletic Director of the institution charged with violation. The action of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council becomes official when the President of the institution charged with the violation indicates that the decision will not be appealed and the institution will abide by the ruling handed down (or at the expiration of 30 days from the date of written notification of penalties if the institution has not responded).
D. Any institution notified that the action of the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council calls for censure, probation, or specific penalties may seek to appeal the action(s) within thirty (30) days of the date the institution was provided with written notification of the imposed penalties. A formal written request for appeal must be submitted to the Conference office by the President of the institution against which sanctions were imposed. The request to appeal the action by the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council should specify the basis for the appeal and include relevant documentation and arguments. A majority vote of the Presidents’ Council (with the institution appealing the penalties not voting) shall determine whether the request for an appeal hearing will be granted. If an appeal hearing takes place, a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Presidents’ Council (with the institution appealing the penalties not voting) is required to sustain the appeal. The Presidents’ Council may review all pertinent data, including the results of the investigation, the Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee report and recommendations, the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council review, and arguments from the institution against which penalties were imposed. The action taken by the Presidents’ Council shall be final.
E. If the representative from the institution charged with the violation serves as the Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council or the Presidents' Council, then all hearings involving that institution shall be chaired by the Vice-Chair.
F. Any revenue derived from penalties imposed on a member institution will be received by the Conference office and set aside in the strategic reserve.
Suspension or Expulsion of a Member Institution
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Action to suspend or expel a member institution from the Big Sky Conference must be passed by a unanimous affirmative vote of the Presidents’ Council, with the institution charged with violation(s) not voting. In case of a unanimous vote for suspension, all athletic relations will be suspended between the member institutions of the Conference and the suspended member for one calendar year, beginning with the day on which suspension action becomes official. In case of a vote of expulsion from the Conference, the institution so disciplined may apply for re-admission to the Conference after expiration of one calendar year, in the same manner as any other non-member institution seeking admission.
Competition Involving An Ineligible Athlete
In the event an ineligible student-athlete represents a Big Sky Conference member institution in any intercollegiate contest(s), Conference or non-conference, that institution shall immediately upon discovery of the violation report the violation to the Big Sky Conference office. The Conference office will review the violation and if it is determined that the violation is de minimis, or that it clearly fits into a category of violation with a defined category of remedy, the Conference office, with approval of the chair of the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee, shall issue an immediate ruling. If the violation is not considered de minimis, or if there is not a clear precedent, the violation shall be submitted to the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee for its review. It should be noted that this review may be expedited or conducted electronically when the ongoing conduct of the regular season or Conference championship may be affected by the outcome of the deliberations.
The Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee shall review the contemporaneous evidence of the violation and may take any of the following actions, which shall be advisory to the Presidents’ Council: find the violation is de minimis and not deserving of a sanction; find the violation deserving of a sanction, which may include forfeiture, fine, suspension of coach and/or student-athlete from future competition, submission of a new or revised policy for comment and approval, and/or letter of reprimand.
In coming to a decision, the Committee shall take into consideration Committee precedents and to what degree the present violation was inadvertent, intentional and/or repetitive.
Forfeiture may involve either points scored by a student- athlete (in individual sports) or a win by the team. If the forfeit involves a Conference game(s), the forfeit shall count as a loss by the forfeiting team and a win by the opponent.
Section 3. Principles of Ethical Conduct It shall be a member institution's responsibility to apply and enforce the following principles:
A. Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member may include, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA or Conference regulation when requested to do so by the individual’s institution, the Conference or the NCAA.
(2) Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or enrolled student-athlete;
(3) Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or an enrolled student- athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid;
(4) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA, the Conference, or the individual’s institution false or misleading information concerning the individual’s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA or Conference regulation; or
(5) Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a
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meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor, or representative of an agent, or advisor (e.g., “runner”).
B. Individuals employed by or associated with a member institution for the administration, conduct or coaching of intercollegiate athletics, shall deport themselves with honesty and good sporting behavior at all times, and shall stand for the honor and dignity of fair play and generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports.
C. Staff members of the athletics department and student-athletes shall not knowingly:
(1) Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
(2) Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
(3) Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
(4) Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g. cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value; or
(5) Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.
Note: Gambling regulations also apply to Conference office personnel.
D. The use of tobacco products is prohibited in all sports during practice and competition by student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, managers, game officials, and any other game personnel.
E. Since the control of intercollegiate athletics rests with member institutions, it shall be the responsibility of the institution to investigate and report any incident that violates the principles of ethical conduct. If such action is not initiated by the member institution, it shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner and/or the Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee to take action regarding any incident that violates the principles of ethical conduct.
Section 4. Institutional Support of Conference Programs
A. Support of Programs: Support by each member institution and its representatives of Big Sky Conference programs, regulations, and administrative and game officials is required as a condition of membership in the Big Sky Conference. This Section stipulates how that support must be demonstrated and what punitive action by the Conference may be anticipated by a member when there exists a lack of support or when Conference regulations are broken in a manner which dictates a Conference response other than through the formal enforcement procedures, e.g., timely action by Commissioner.
B. Public Comment on Conference Programs and Institutional Personnel/Student-Athlete Conduct: Institutional personnel and student-athletes of Big Sky Conference institutions must remember at all times, even in the midst of the emotion of a game, that they are representatives of an institution of higher education, its administration, its student body, and faculty. Accordingly, they are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect credit on the institution and the Conference and create a collegiate atmosphere for Big Sky competition. The coach and other institutional personnel must be aware that they are examples to the student-athletes and other students and, consistent with their influence and visibility, must meet a particularly
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high standard. The conduct of student-athletes, coaches and institutional personnel will be judged by that standard. Misconduct by institutional personnel or student- athletes will not be condoned and can result in immediate disciplinary action by the Conference. The term “misconduct” includes but is not limited to the following: any act of dishonesty, unsporting conduct, unprofessional behavior or breach of law occurring incident to, en route to, from or at the locale of competition or practice that discredits the event, intercollegiate athletics, or the Big Sky Conference. Proper conduct also is essential to crowd control, to which the Conference has assigned a high priority to assure that attendance at Big Sky Conference games is a safe and enjoyable experience.
"Institutional personnel" as used in this context, shall include all coaches, athletic department staff members, and other institutional employees.
C. Commissioner's Authority Regarding Misconduct/Timely Action
(1) Immediate Action Required: The Commissioner has the authority to take immediate and discretionary action when: (a) the misconduct is so inappropriate that immediate penalties should be imposed;
(b) in the event that timely action is needed to alleviate or control a situation which by its nature and possible effect threatens orderly administration or operation of the Conference or its programs and precludes the timetable of due process contained herein; or
(c) action is in the best interest of the Conference.
The actions of the Commissioner in such cases shall be final and binding and shall be reported to the Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee for further action if deemed necessary.
(2) Other Situations: In cases where immediate action is not required, but where the Commissioner believes it is in the best interest of the Conference that action be taken to handle incidents of misconduct, the Commissioner shall report such incidents to the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee for review and possible action. The Conference's normal hearing procedure shall be utilized in this event.
D. If any student-athlete commits a flagrant disqualifying foul other than fighting on the field of play or at the game site, or commits any other unsporting act, the Athletic Director of the offending member institution shall notify the Conference office immediately. Any student-athlete suspended from athletic activities for flagrant violations, other than fighting on field or court, shall be penalized as follows:
(1) First Offense - Minimum of official reprimand.
(2) Second Offense by Same Individual - Minimum of suspension for the next regularly scheduled game.
(3) Third Offense by Same Individual - Suspension for the remainder of the season.
If necessary, the Commissioner shall conduct an investigation including a study of the game films, report of game officials, and any other available information. If, after reviewing the information available, the Commissioner determines the incident to be flagrant, the Commissioner may rule the player permanently
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ineligible, ineligible for a fixed period, or may privately warn the student-athlete, the coach, and the institution, that if such conduct is repeated, the student-athlete will be ruled permanently ineligible and the penalty imposed publicly.
In sports where fighting is covered by its rule book, the officials shall take immediate action. In sports where fighting is not covered in the rule book, the action for flagrant, disqualifying fouls shall be followed.
The Commissioner shall have the authority to vacate reprimands and suspensions if films show such action is warranted. The Commissioner shall forward all such incidents to the Ethical Conduct and Violations Committee for their review.
ARTICLE VI CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Section 1. A variety of NCAA and Conference reports and/or forms are required or suggested as a means of assurance for each institution that its athletic program is being conducted in a manner which complies with rules of the NCAA and Conference.
Section 2. Responsibility For Transmission Of Reports The completion and timely transmission of all forms to the Conference office shall be the responsibility of the Athletic Director of each institution. Certain forms will be authenticated by the Athletic Director, or by the Registrar and Faculty Athletics Representative. In each case, the approved forms will indicate the institutional staff members who authenticated such reports to the Conference office.
ARTICLE VII AWARDS
Section 1. Conference Awards
The Conference shall determine the awards to be given in each sport. The qualifications and types of awards are listed in the Awards Structure (see appendix index).
Section 2. Scholar-Athlete Award
Each year, the most outstanding female and male scholar-athlete from each institution shall be awarded the Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. Each institution shall select the award winners and submit the following information to the Conference office: name and major, cumulative grade point average, the sport in which the student-athlete participated, and class in school. To be eligible for this award the student-athlete must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale), be a member of the graduating class and/or have completed their last year of intercollegiate athletic eligibility, have completed at least two years of intercollegiate competition at the institution, and be a letter winner. Grade point averages shall not be released.
The Conference shall sponsor a Conference Honor Roll scroll which shall recognize all of the Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athletes. Each member institution shall receive a Conference Honor Roll scroll with the entire list of the Scholar-Athletes' names engraved.
Section 3. Athlete of the Week Award
In both men's and women's sports the Athlete of the Week Award is selected by the Conference office as an award for outstanding performance in each Conference sport. This award is not an All-Conference award. All student-athletes not under current suspension are eligible to be selected as Athlete of the Week, regardless of institutional probationary status. In the sports of cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field, an "Athlete of the Week" will be selected each week during the season that at least four institutions have competed.
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In the sports of tennis and women’s golf, an “Athlete of the Week” will be reflected each week during the season that at least one institution has competed.
Section 4. All-Sports Awards & Presidents’ Cup
A. Annual awards presented to the institution accumulating the most all-sports points during the year in men’s and women's sports and academics. Points shall be awarded in the championship sports only.
B. There shall be two (2) All-Sports Awards: one (1) for men's sports and one (1) for women's sports. In men's basketball, women's basketball, soccer, football, tennis and volleyball, the all-sports points shall be awarded on the basis of the regular season standings. In all other sports, all-sports points shall be awarded on the basis of Conference tournament/championship results.
C. The Presidents’ Cup: The Presidents’ Cup is a combination of academic criteria and men’s and women’s all-sports points.
D. Member institutions or teams not eligible to compete for the Conference championship in a particular sport will not be awarded any all-sports points in that sport.
Points for the awards shall be distributed as follows: (TBD) FALL 2012 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th Football MBB WBB Volleyball M OT&F W OT&F M IT&F W IT&F M XC W XC M Tennis W Tennis W Golf 11 W Soccer Softball 7
E. In the event of a tie between teams in games won and lost in the final Big Sky Conference standings, the points will be shared among the tied teams.
Section 5. All-Conference Selection -- Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field
A. All-Conference designation in these sports is based upon place finish in the respective Big Sky Conference Championships:
Cross Country: top ten finishers Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field: top three place finishers in each event, including relays
B. Student-Athletes under current suspension are not eligible for nomination or selection.
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Section 6. All-Conference Selection – Golf
A. Utilizing the Golfstat Women’s Players Standings, the Conference office will produce a first- and second-team All-Conference team, with each team consisting of five players. Results will be based on performance through the championship and will be released the week after the championship. Student-athletes must have competed in a minimum of 50% of their teams’ tournaments for that year and must have competed as a scoring team member for 50% of the tournaments entered.
Player of the Year will be the top ranked player and Freshman of the Year will be the top ranked freshman (true or red shirt).
B. Student-athletes under current suspension are not eligible for selection or nomination.
Section 7. All-Conference Selection - All Other Sports
A. Head coaches in each sport will select that sport’s All-Conference team. The Conference information personnel will issue a call for nominations at the conclusion of the regular season. Coaches will nominate their players and return the nominations to the Conference office. Ballots will be sent to each head coach and a telephone conference call will be scheduled. Votes will be tabulated by Conference office personnel and results will be released prior to post-season play or at a time chosen for maximum exposure. Coaches may not vote for their own student-athletes. Each sport will be permitted the number of special awards contained in the Award Summary in Appendix VI, such as Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, etc. The number of such awards will not be increased without a vote of the Conference membership. Specific instructions for All-Conference selection in each sport will be sent to head coaches prior to the voting. Head coaches only may vote for All-Conference players. All-Conference selection in these sports shall be conducted in a manner to ensure maximum flexibility.
B. Student-Athletes under current suspension are not eligible for nomination or selection.
Section 8. Academic All-Conference
Academic All-Conference selections will be made in all Big Sky Conference sports. Following the sports seasons in fall, winter and spring, each institution will be asked to provide to the Conference office a list of that season’s student-athletes who qualify for the award, except for golf, which will name its all-academic team in the spring instead of the fall, when it completes its championship. Conference certificates will be sent to each recipient who qualifies by meeting the following standards:
A. Must have participated in at least half of the team’s competitions.
B. Must have a (3.2) average (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative GPA at the conclusion of the most recently completed term.
C. Transfer students must have completed at least one academic term at the current Big Sky Conference institution. The grade point average considered will be that earned at the Big Sky Conference institution.
D. Freshmen are eligible after they have completed one term at the current Big Sky Conference institution.
Section 9. Coaches of the Year
Coaches of the Year in men's and women’s sports shall be selected by means of a poll of the coaches conducted by the Conference office at the conclusion of regular season competition. Selections must be made prior to regional and national Coach of the Year selections. Coaches under current suspension are not eligible for nomination or selection as Coach of the
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Year.
Section 10. Championship Gifts
Each participant in a Big Sky Conference Championship shall receive a memento supplied by the Conference office.
ARTICLE VIII SPECIAL EVENTS
Section 1. Participation in Special Events
The Conference gives automatic consent to member institutions for participation in NCAA and NIT events and foreign tours if such events have been certified by the Championships/ Competition Cabinet.
Section 2. Post-Season Tournament Selections
The Commissioner is to direct promotion of potential Conference nominees for post-season tournament selection. All pertinent information is to be channeled through the Conference office. The individual institution is to circulate and publicize data during the season and especially at the climax of the season. Proper NCAA Committees are to be supplied data by individual institutions during the season if they are potential selectees.
ARTICLE IX MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
Section 1. Conference Championship Expense
A. (1) The host institution shall retain all receipts and miscellaneous income from Conference championships in cross country, golf, indoor track, outdoor track, women’s soccer, and tennis. The Conference office will provide trophies, medals and other awards.
(2) For basketball and volleyball championships, the host institution shall pay all expenses for the championship event. The host institutions for these championships shall send a financial report to the Conference office.
Section 2. Contracts for Sporting Events
The Conference office will provide each institution with a Conference schedule in all team sports. Contracts will not be used for these sports.
Modifications of Conference schedules are permissible only if there is agreement between the Athletic Directors of the participating institutions and the change is approved by the Conference office. The Schedule Change Request Form must be signed by both Athletic Directors and the Conference Commissioner or his designee. Any changes must be provided to all concerned parties in writing, and sent to the Commissioner who will notify the appropriate Coordinator of Officials. (See Schedule Change Request Form Appendix VI.)
Event contracts may be used when scheduling Conference individual sports or those sports not sponsored by the Conference.
Non-performance in Conference sports may be subject to a financial penalty (Section7, B (2)).
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Section 3. Conference Consent
Conference consent is automatically granted to all Conference institutions to use excerpts of game or television tapes of Conference games for coaches and highlight shows.
Section 4. Media Access for Interviews
There shall be "closed" locker rooms for all Conference regular season and championship events. Equal access to all student-athletes for the purpose of interviews will be provided after a 10-minute cooling-off period following the conclusion of the event. Arrangements shall be made for interviews of student-athletes in a designated area through each institution's Sports Information Director.
Section 5. Cheer Squads
A. All cheerleading squads must conform to the guidelines set by the American Association of Cheerleader Coaches and Advisors (AACCA). Neither the Big Sky Conference nor the host institution shall be responsible for supervising or monitoring routines performed by cheerleaders at championship events. Except as noted, supervision of cheerleading squads, their activities, yells and stunts are solely the participating institution’s responsibility. The participating institution shall ensure that the squad has sufficient training, supervision and equipment for any and all routines its squad may choose to perform. Tournament managers must inform participating institutions if the host facility has more stringent requirements. If so, the director of athletics at each institution must apprise his or her cheerleading squad of such requirements and ensure their compliance.
B. Placement of cheer squads will be the responsibility of the host institution according to common practice. Exceptions must be approved by both competing institutions.
Section 6. Video Boards
Video boards shall be limited to the showing of one replay of each play at game speed only. If the display is in the line of sight of a free throw shooter or field goal kicker, the footage or camera work must not be of a distracting nature.
Section 7. Discontinued & Interrupted Contests
A. Crowd Control & Game Management
Whenever a game is interrupted because of events beyond the control of responsible administrative authorities, it shall be continued from the point of interruption unless the teams mutually agree otherwise. Crowd control shall be a home-management responsibility. Administrative personnel, coaches, players and game officials influence crowd behavior by their actions and attitudes. Coaches and players can assist in controlling crowd reactions by controlling their own reactions to the play of the game; game officials can materially aid in such situations by clearly and quickly signaling penalties. The following procedures have been adopted as they pertain to crowd control and Big Sky games.
(1) Only as a last resort should a team be penalized for crowd behavior.
(a) If debris is thrown on the playing floor and the offender(s) can be identified as a certain team’s follower(s), the offended team may be rewarded as defined under NCAA rules.
(b) If the offender(s) cannot be identified, the debris shall be removed, a warning
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announcement given, and the game resumed.
(c) If conditions prevail which prevent the game from being resumed, the referee shall direct both teams to return to their benches or dressing rooms until it is deemed appropriate and safe for the game to resume. In such cases, the following announcement will be made outlining the actions by the officials: “The game officials and the coaches and players of both teams have been directed by the Big Sky Conference to remain off the field/court until such time as order has been restored.”
(d) In all cases where the offender(s) can be identified, immediate ejection from the facility shall be made by home team management.
(2) All reports or comments pertaining to officiating or home management responsibilities, in regard to crowd control and interruptions, shall be forwarded to the Conference office.
(3) Inasmuch as crowd control is a home management responsibility, each institution should have and implement a plan of action to minimize the effect of crowd behavior on game administration.
B. Postponement/Cancellations
(1) It is the responsibility of the visiting team to arrive on site with enough lead-time to start games on time. If inclement weather (or other unforeseen emergency) threatens the opportunity for safe departure and arrival on site, the following individuals must be notified without delay: both athletic directors and head coaches, Conference office liaison, supervisor of officials, and game officials. No game may be postponed or canceled without consultation with the Conference office. The Commissioner will assign a makeup date for any game which is postponed, or shall have the authority to cancel a game if there is no opportunity to play the contest. Under NCAA rules, a canceled contest shall be declared “no contest.”
(2) Although there are no guarantees for Conference games in the Big Sky Conference, the teams unable to travel to play a scheduled contest may be subject to a forfeit and a fine. This fine will not exceed $10,000, as determined by the Commissioner. It is further understood that this fine is typically enforced when the visiting team failed to exhaust all means by which to travel in time to play the scheduled contest.
C. Suspension of Games in Progress
(1) Temporary Suspension: The game officials may temporarily suspend the game when conditions warrant such action (electrical storms, power outages, riots, etc.). Teams will be sent to their benches and/or dressing rooms. In any event, all pertinent game information to include possession, down and distances (if football), score, penalties, and time remaining will be recorded by the officials and agreed to by each of the officials and head coaches prior to leaving the field. The game shall resume within one hour of the suspension either at the same site or a mutually agreed upon site, or the game shall be declared a permanently suspended contest.
(2) Permanently Suspended Contests: The score at the time of the suspension will be considered the final score when any permanently suspended contest is 75% completed. In contests where there is less than 75% completed or there is 75% completed but the score is tied, these contests will be declared a tie. Home administration shall make every reasonable effort to restart the contest within the one- hour time period. The Commissioner shall have the authority to declare a contest a tie or completed should unusual circumstances warrant such a ruling.
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Section 8. Conference Travel
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
ARTICLE X RADIO, TELEVISION, VIDEO STREAMING AND POST-SEASON GAMES
Section 1. Radio A. Member institutions shall designate their official radio station(s) and inform the Conference office no later than September 1 of each year.
(1) A visiting team’s radio station shall not be charged for the installation of a phone line for its use. It shall be charged only for the cost of its calls, when applicable.
B. Media Time Out Format The Big Sky Conference shall use the media format adopted by the NCAA.
Section 2. Television
A. Live Broadcasts of Non-Conference Athletic Contests
The member institution participating in a non-conference athletic contest shall award the rights for a local television broadcast and shall negotiate and retain the rights fees.
B. Media Time-Out Format
The Big Sky Conference shall use the media format adopted by the NCAA.
C. Live Broadcasts of Conference Athletic Contests
(1) The rights to all live Conference games (games involving two Conference institutions) shall be the property of the Conference, to be administered by the Media and Technology Committee. This shall include the rights to all “new media” forms of distribution, including but not limited to video streaming.
(2) The Media and Technology Committee shall negotiate all rights fees.
(3) The Commissioner shall award the rights, for a period not to exceed two years, for television broadcasts of Conference athletic contests and shall negotiate the rights fees, subject to approval by the Media and Technology Committee.
(4) Each member institution may award a right-of-last-offer to a local television station. The member institution shall inform the Conference office of its selection, in writing, no later than March 1 of each year.
(5) The Conference shall request bids, which must be submitted by April 1. The Commissioner may choose to accept late bids, subject to the approval of the Media and Technology Committee.
(6) The Commissioner shall inform the Athletic Director of a member institution if the station with a right-of-last-offer did not submit the high bid. The station with a right-of- last-offer will be given the option of matching the high bid and receiving the rights, provided that station’s initial bid was at least 75% of the high bid.
(7) All rights fees for live broadcasts of Conference athletic contests shall be remitted to the Conference office by May 31. The Conference office shall distribute the fees as follows:
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60% to the host institution
35% to the visiting institution
5% to the Conference
The Conference share shall be used to defray expenses of the Media and Technology Committee. Funds in excess of the required amount shall be distributed in equal shares to the member institutions.
(8) The Conference shall assign a “red hat” for each live broadcast of a Conference football game and a television liaison for each live broadcast of a basketball game. The originating station shall pay $100 for these services.
(9) The Media and Technology Committee must obtain the expressed prior written consent of the Athletic Director(s) of the institution whose game is to be televised if:
(a) A local telecast is to be in the same market as the game (i.e., a Portland State University home game is to be televised in Portland -- the Portland State University Athletic Director must give consent). A local telecast is a telecast that is not regional or national. A statewide telecast will be considered a local telecast.
(b) The telecast involves material modifications of agreed upon terms surrounding the contests including, but not limited to, scheduled dates and times.
D. Live Broadcasts of Conference Championships
The Commissioner shall award the rights for television broadcasts of Conference championships and shall negotiate the rights fees, subject to approval by the Media and Technology Committee. The rights fees are part of the revenue of a tournament or championship.
E. Delayed Telecasts of Athletic Contests
(1) Each Conference institution shall award the rights and negotiate and retain the rights fees for a local delayed telecast of an athletics contest in which the institution participates.
(2) Delayed telecasts shall not begin prior to 10:30 p.m. on the day of the contest.
(3) A football game is presumed to be four (4) hours in length; a basketball game is presumed to be two (2) hours in length.
Section 3. Video Streaming
A. The minimum technical standards for video streamed broadcasts on BigSkyTV.org include:
(1) Two (2) Digital Video Camcorders (minimum two-chip processor)
(2) One (1) switcher
B. All games and matches shall feature at least one (1) high court or field shot and one (1) alternate shot.
C. All football and men’s and women’s basketball games shall have home audio, and all volleyball games shall have at least public address input. All audio must be fed directly into the switcher device from the original source.
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D. In the event of technical issues preventing a broadcast, the host institution must upload the game via alternate means (e.g., DVD player, computer file) to BigSkyTV.org by Noon the following day.
Section 4. Revenue from Preseason and Postseason Championship and Tournaments
A. Net revenue from the Big Sky Conference Basketball Championship, NCAA championships, and other preseason and postseason playoffs and tournaments must be distributed to the individual member institutions within ninety (90) days of receipt. All net revenues derived from participation in any NIT shall be divided in equal shares and distributed to the eligible Conference institutions and the Conference office.
B. The net revenues (after Conference share) of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament shall be distributed in equal shares to all eligible member institutions.
ARTICLE XI OFFICIATING BUREAU
Section 1. Selection of Officials
The Big Sky Conference shall operate its own Officiating Bureau in football, basketball and volleyball. Officials for other sports shall be selected by the host institution or assigning body.
Section 2. Football, Basketball, Golf and Volleyball Officials
The Coordinators of Officiating Services shall be responsible for selecting, assigning, training, and evaluating football, basketball, and volleyball officials for all games hosted by a Conference institution.
Section 3. Conference Policies
A. Criteria for Selection and Assignment of Officials shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Competence and dependability (2) Evaluations (3) Development of new officials (4) Avoidance of overexposure at one institution (5) Travel expense considerations
B. Training and Evaluation of Officials (1) The Conference shall cooperate with all attempts to nationally standardize rules, interpretations, and mechanics.
(2) The Conference shall train officials by conducting clinics and evaluating their performance at games.
(3) Constructive criticism in specific areas shall be solicited from coaches, qualified observers, and fellow officials. Official forms shall be used to rate officials’ performance in individual games and over an entire season.
(4) When appropriate, mean ratings shall be reported to coaches and athletic directors.
C. Relations among Officials, Coaches, News Media, and the Public
(1) The Athletic Director of the host institution is responsible for spectator behavior at
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each event. The Commissioner shall suggest remedies if inappropriate spectator behavior persists.
(2) Conference institutions shall provide adequate and suitably located dressing rooms for officials in all sports. It should be possible for officials to access their dressing room without mingling with spectators or the competing teams. The host institution shall provide a security escort for officials to and from court and locker room, including at the conclusion of the game and to their automobile.
(3) The officials’ dressing room must be kept locked during the contest. No unauthorized access is allowed before, during, or after the contest.
(4) At public gatherings or with representatives of the news media, officials shall not discuss incidents having to do with their performance.
(5) Coaches shall not criticize officials at public gatherings or in the presence of representatives of the news media. Head coaches and athletic directors may communicate questions and constructive criticisms to the Coordinators of Officiating Services who shall review game videotape and respond. Information provided by the Coordinators of Officiating Services is confidential and must not be shared with representatives of the news media. This prohibition extends to critical comments about officiating during news conferences and television shows. A coach who criticizes officials in public shall receive a letter of reprimand from the Conference plus automatic suspension for the next scheduled game. These regulations apply to all games, including non-conference and postseason contests.
(6) Institutional press releases shall contain no statements that refer to the quality of officiating. Schools shall not publish the names of officials in official game programs.
(7) No institutional representative is allowed to communicate directly with an official to raise questions or register complaints about that official’s performance, and no official is allowed to respond directly to a coach or other institutional representative.
(8) The Conference office may choose to use videotape of controversial incidents at clinics and may request officials to review videotapes of games they have worked.
(9) The conduct of coaches and other institutional representatives toward officials shall be above reproach. The Commissioner shall take appropriate action if it is not.
(10) Once a season has begun, the Conference shall consider a request to change officials’ assignments only in exceptional circumstances.
(11) The Conference shall adopt no policy that would allow an institution to “blackball” an official.
(12) The above-mentioned policies regarding public criticism of officials are to be followed for all contests, both Conference and non-Conference.
Section 4. Assignment, Fees, Travel Allowances, and Per Diem
A. The per diem allowance for Big Sky Conference officials shall be $175.00. Per diem shall be paid only when the distance traveled exceeds 150 miles one way. Two days’ per diem may be provided if surface travel exceeds 300 miles one way. The Conference office may approve an additional half or full day of per diem allowance when travel arrangements warrant.
B. The travel expense allowance for officials shall be $0.38 per mile or round trip airfare at the best available rate.
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C. The Conference office shall select and assign officials for Big Sky Conference basketball and volleyball championship contests. Officials’ travel allowances and per diem as well as game fee will be paid by the Conference office for all Championships. These expenses are shared equally by all conference institutions that participate in that sport.
D. The Conference office shall reimburse the host institution’s costs for official’s travel expenses, per diem, and fees for the Championships in Track and Field and Golf. The institutions shall deposit monies with the Conference for these expenses. Payments must be received by the Conference office before August 1.
E. In the sports of football, basketball, and volleyball, the Conference office shall be responsible for the payment of officials’ travel, per diem and game fees for all regular season home contests. (Unless the game contract makes clear the officials assignment is not the responsibility of the Big Sky Conference). The institutions shall deposit monies with the Conference for these expenses. Payments must be received by August 1. Institutions shall pay directly all of the game fees and officials’ expenses for regular season contests in sports other than football, basketball, and volleyball.
F. When an official has started to travel to the site of a Big Sky Conference game to which he or she has been assigned and is unable to arrive due to circumstances beyond his or her control, the Conference shall pay the travel expenses (but not the game fee) from Conference funds. The host institution shall pay the game fee for the substitute official. If a game is cancelled or postponed early enough to alert the officials before beginning their travel to the site, game fees will not be paid and per diem and travel (i.e. airline ticket) shall be returned to the Conference office. If already en route to Big Sky Conference game, or at site, game fees shall be paid by the host institution. If a game is rescheduled, the Conference office will make every effort to assign the same officials. If not possible, the host institution is responsible for the game fee(s) of replacement and original officials.
G. The Conference office shall organize football officials into crews and assign crews for all games. Each crew will consist of seven (7) officials. The game fee shall be:
Year Base/Referee 2012 $530 / 560 2013 $545 / 575
Note: One game fee shall be paid per crew per scrimmage.
H. The game fee for basketball officials shall be: Base $800.00 (12-13)
2012-13, Conference will utilize the $850 ($2550/game) fee for budget, and move base to $800, again utilizing remaining funds for a pool to pay bonus to those officials who commit to the 15+ games.
I. The match fee for volleyball officials shall be as follows: Regular Season and Championship $280 (12) Lines Judges $50 (12) Conference Championship Line Judges $50
J. Guidelines for training and assigning volleyball line judges shall be established by the Women’s Coordinator of Officiating Services. Institutions shall maintain pools of lines persons who have been selected and trained according to Conference guidelines. In case of emergency, officials and line judges may be replaced by the host institution.
K. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institutional personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
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ARTICLE XII LOCATION AND DATES OF CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND MEETINGS
Section 1. Championship Events
A. The dates and sites of all championship events for the following year shall be reviewed and set by the Athletic Administrators at their Spring Meeting. (Refer to inside back cover.)
B. If a member institution or other entity (e.g., visitor’s bureau, country club) wishes to submit a bid to host a Conference championship, the bid should contain any associated fees, times facility available, area lodging options, travel options and cost, support staff plans and area weather conditions (if applicable). In addition, the following regulations apply:
(1). If a bid to host does not change the fundamental structure of the event (i.e., number of teams), it must be submitted two weeks prior to the Fall Meeting, and if approved must pass a final vote in the Spring meeting (i.e. undergo a two-meeting cycle).
(2). If a bid to host does seek to change the fundamental structure of the championship, it must be submitted two weeks prior to the Spring Meeting and undergo a three-meeting cycle, meaning it would not have final approval until the Spring Meeting one year later.
Section 2. Conference Meetings
The dates and sites of Conference meetings for the following year shall be reviewed and set at the Spring Meeting of the Faculty Athletics Representatives and Athletic Administrators. (Refer to inside back cover.)
Section 3. Coaches Meetings
A. All head coaches shall meet annually at a time, place, and manner (the meeting may be a conference call) to be determined by the Commissioner. Participation by all head coaches in the annual meetings of men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and football shall be mandatory. Any institution whose head coach in the above sports does not participate will be assessed a fine of $250.00 unless absence is excused by the Commissioner prior to the meeting.
B. The Sports Information personnel shall meet annually in conjunction with the Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff or at the discretion of the Conference office.
C. Procedure - Minutes of all coaches and Sports Information Directors meetings shall be made available promptly to the meeting participants by the Conference office.
Section 4. Conference-Wide Proposals
Any Conference-wide proposals from private businesses are to be referred to the Conference office for screening and initial analysis prior to the meeting at which they are to be presented.
ARTICLE XIII CONFERENCE OPERATIONS
Section 1. Order of Business
The Order of Business at each Council Meeting shall be as follows: Call to Order Introductions Approval of Minutes Report of Chair
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Report of the Committees Miscellaneous Unfinished Business Action Agenda Discussion Agenda Other New Business
Section 2. Procedure & Agenda Items
A. Procedure shall be based upon Roberts Rules of Order.
B. There shall be two agendas for each of these meetings: Joint Athletic Council, Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council, Conference Council, and Presidents’ Council.
(1) Action Agenda: Shall consist of those items for which a specific change in legislation is proposed. To place an item on the Action Agenda, the proposal must be submitted to the Conference office with the following outlined: the specific changes that are proposed to the Big Sky Conference Constitution, Operating Code, Sports Policies or Championship Policies, the name of the institution, coaches, or other group proposing the change, the intent of the proposed change, and the effective date of the proposed change. Items for the Action Agenda must be submitted to the Conference two weeks prior to the Fall meeting and April 15 for the Spring Meeting. (Refer to Appendix Index)
(2) Discussion Agenda: Shall consist of those items that are informational in nature and for which no specific legislative proposal is anticipated. An item may be moved from the Discussion Agenda to the Action Agenda with unanimous approval of the appropriate Council.
Section 3. Finances
Each Core member institution shall pay annual dues in the amount agreed upon by the Presidents’ Council, currently $30,000 annually.
An Affiliate member will pay annual dues of $10,000 for one or two sports, and $20,000 for any number of sports up to but not including those equal to Core membership. The Presidents may periodically make specific arrangements with an institution for payment of dues, other than what is stated herein.
Section 4. Travel
A. The Commissioner is authorized to approve travel and per diem expenses necessary for the conduct of official Conference business.
B. The travel expense of all official Conference meetings called by Conference authority through the Conference office (including the Presidents' Council, the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council, the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council) shall be at institutional expense.
C. The travel and per diem expenses involved in Conference committee meetings called by Conference authority through the Conference office shall be paid by the Conference through Conference funds.
D. All Conference travel approved by the Conference office shall be upon the following maximum basis:
(1) Coach airfare unless coach is unavailable, then first class airfare is authorized. Mileage will be paid at the current rate approved by the Presidents’ Council.
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(2) Receipted room and miscellaneous expenses and the current per diem rate approved by the Presidents’ Council.
ARTICLE XIV NCAA REGULATIONS AND CONFERENCE OFFICE INTERPRETATIONS
A. The NCAA Rules and Regulations shall apply in any cases not herein listed.
B. The same five (5) designees authorized to call the NCAA for interpretations are permitted to call the Conference office for interpretations. Those persons at each institution are:
Director of Athletics Senior Woman Administrator Faculty Athletics Representative Compliance Coordinator President
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SPORTS POLICIES
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL REGULATIONS
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
1. NCAA rules shall govern basketball games played at all Big Sky Conference institutions.
2. Playing and practice seasons will be established according to NCAA regulations, with the following additional Conference policies:
a. In men and women’s basketball, no more than two (2) non-Division I games are permissible during regular-season play (Exhibition games and games played against non-Division I opponents in bracketed qualifying regular season multiple team events are exempt from this requirement). 3. There shall be a minimum of 21 hours between the start of one game to the start of the next game. This can be waived with written agreement of both coaches.
4. Conference competition shall consist of a double round-robin.
5. Regular season introductions shall be made by announcing visiting starters first, followed by home team starters, with the introductions to be no more than three minutes.
6. Games will begin at five (5) minutes past the hour or half-hour.
TRAVEL SQUAD LIMITATIONS
1. The travel squad limit shall be not more than fifteen (15) student-athletes with the following exceptions: a. There is no squad limit if competing in regular season tournaments, or b. For non-conference contests when air travel and overnight lodging are not involved.
2. Student-athletes certified as eligible to compete may not be carried in any capacity other than that of a student athlete.
The travel squad limit shall be a total of 17 student athletes and institutional personnel not to include video or radio support. Travel party restrictions do not apply for travel that does not include air transportation for both Conference and non-conference contests.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
GUARANTEES There shall be no guarantees for Conference basketball games. In the event of a no-show in basketball, the issue will be the responsibility of the two Athletic Directors and the Commissioner to resolve. If the issue cannot be resolved by these individuals, the no-show team may be subject to a fine not to exceed $10,000.00 as determined by the Commissioner.
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COMPLIMENTARY PASSES/TICKETS
1. The number of complimentary passes for the visiting teams shall not exceed forty-five (45) except by mutual agreement. NCAA Rules must be followed. No “hard tickets” shall be mailed and identification will be verified.
2. Thirty (30) of the visiting team complimentary passes shall be those seats directly behind the visiting team bench. The additional fifteen (15) may be located elsewhere in the arena.
3. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
SCOUTING
All live scouting of Conference teams by Conference coaches shall be prohibited except as allowed by NCAA Bylaws.
GAME FILM POLICIES and EXCHANGE
1. ALL HOME GAMES shall be uploaded by Noon the following day; This includes Conference games.
2. ALL games played during the regular season will be uploaded for exchange (tournament, non-conference and Conference)
3. For all road games, the game file must be uploaded no later than Noon the day after return to campus.
4. Game films shall contain sound and show all timeouts, but no halftime programs shall be included. The score shall be displayed at regular intervals.
5. No alteration or editing of game films is allowed.
6. No television or video-streamed broadcasts are to be used for exchange purposes.
7. The home team shall provide a DVD to the visitor following each contest.
8. The home team shall provide a DVD to the officiating crew prior to it leaving the arena, preferably one for each member. If not possible, at least one to the lead official.
OFFICIAL BALL
1. MEN: The Wilson Solution will be the official basketball for Conference play.
2. WOMEN: The Wilson Solution will be the official basketball for Conference play.
UNIFORMS
Basketball uniforms shall be light for the home team and dark for the visiting team.
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HOST INSTITUTION OBLIGATIONS
1. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all tournament sessions.
2. The following items and services shall be provided:
Regulation Facility
a. Separate locker rooms for each team for pre-game and half-time meetings with a chalkboard and chalk provided.
b. A practice time at least six hours before game time must be provided in the game facility on the day of the game. This practice should be 60 minutes in length and shall be closed, to the extent possible.
c. Upon request, a practice shall be provided the day before the game for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of one and one-half hours for the visiting team. This practice shall be closed, to the extent possible.
d. The court shall be available for warm-ups 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time unless arrangements have been made with the host institution for earlier court availability.
e. A written schedule of protocol shall be provided by the host institution and will follow the specific guidelines from the Conference office.
f. The team benches shall be set with 19 seats in a single row.
Equipment a. Towels b. Minimum of six practice balls (same as game ball)
Support Services a. Athletic Trainer b. Trained scorers, timers, and statisticians c. Game management personnel
Statistics
Courtside statistics must be computerized and kept by appropriately trained personnel under the supervision of Sports Information personnel. Statistics are to be available to teams and media within the first five minutes of half-time and immediately after the game.
STATISTICAL SERVICES
1. Each institution shall keep and send statistics covering individual Conference games as well as cumulative statistics covering the entire season. The individual game statistics are to be turned in to the Conference information personnel as specified by the Conference
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office. Scores and game statistics are to be emailed to the media, the next opponent, and to the Conference office following each competition.
2. Conference office: Sports Information Directors are responsible to submit statistical data as required by the Conference office, using software supplied by the Conference. The Conference shall, on Monday morning, make stats available to the media and each institution. A complete release will include Conference and overall standings, win-loss records, and scores from the previous week’s games and will be sent following receipt of the CNN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches poll: for men on Monday and for women on Tuesday. The top individuals will be listed in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goals per game, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The Conference teams shall be ranked in offensive scoring, defensive scoring, scoring margin, offensive field goal percentage, defensive field goal percentage, free throw percentage, 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage defense, turnover margin and 3-point field goals per game. The Conference office shall publish Conference and overall statistics. Publication of statistics will begin the first week of December with a two-week break for Christmas and New Year’s.
BANDS
1. Bands or amplified music are not permitted to play while the game is in progress. Artificial noisemakers, air horns, balloons and electronic amplifiers (except as a component of a band) are not permissible.
2. No bands shall be placed directly behind the visitor’s bench in Conference arenas.
CHEERLEADERS AND MASCOTS
1. Cheerleaders and/or pompon squads, in uniform, not to exceed twelve (12) in number and one (1) costumed mascot, shall be admitted via a pass list submitted to the game manager by the institution.
2. A maximum of twelve (12) cheerleaders and/or pompon squad members and one (1) mascot shall be allowed on the floor when the clock is stopped. Additional cheerleaders will be allowed to perform before the game and at half-time only, and those additional cheerleaders must sit in the stands while the game is being played.
3. The twelve (12) cheerleaders and one (1) mascot shall be located in an area at the end of the playing court as designated by the game manager.
4. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with the school mascots toward game officials.
5. All other institutional representatives shall be admitted only upon presentation of a ticket.
DETERMINING CHAMPION
The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official "Conference Regular Season Champion" with the understanding that the Big Sky Tournament Champion is the Conference champion for the purpose of representing the Conference in the NCAA Tournament. If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared "Conference Regular Season Co-Champions." The tie-breaking system will be used only for the purposes of determining championship seeding and the site of the Conference championship. 39 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Men’s & Women’s Basketball
TIE-BREAKER
1. Head-to-Head Competition
a. Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season. In double round robin play a team would have to sweep the opponent to break a tie with this method.
b. In the case of more than two tied teams, consider the Conference regular season record for head-to-head competition among all of the tied teams. This process is used to break ties between any of the tied teams with any remaining tied teams returning to the process at criteria 1.a. (above). (Example: Teams A, B, C, and D have identical record from a double round robin season. In head-to-head competition Team A emerges with 4-2 record against the other tied teams, team B and Team C have a 3-3 record and team D has a 2-4 record. Teams A and D can be placed in the final standings at that point while teams B and C return to criteria 1.a. If B and C have split their regular Conference season games, they will move to criteria 2. Performance against other teams in descending order.)
c. In the case of three or more teams having identical win-loss records, the normal tie- breaking procedure would be used. When one or more of these teams is eliminated by using the tie-breaking procedure, the remaining teams involved would then return to the criteria listed in a., above, to break the tie. This will be done until a team is established for that particular seeding position.
2. Performance against Conference teams in descending order of finish, beginning with the No.1 team. (Example: Teams B and C remained tied after head-to-head criteria from above. Team A has been declared the Conference Champion based on the above criteria. Team B has split the Conference season games with team A and team C has lost both of the Conference games to team A. Team B is now placed in second place ahead of team C.)
3. RPI rankings
4. Coin flip between the tied teams
Specific Examples of Tie Breakers are listed as follows:
Breaking a head-to-head tie for the No. 4 seed between Montana and Idaho State: Portland State 14-2 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 10-6 Idaho State 8-8 Montana 8-8 Montana State 7-9
Process The teams split their regular-season meetings Both teams went 0-2 vs. No. 1 Portland State Idaho State went 1-1 against No. 2 Northern Arizona Montana went 0-2 against No. 2 Northern Arizona
40 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Men’s & Women’s Basketball
Idaho State gains the No. 4 seed by virtue of its win over Northern Arizona Montana is seeded No. 5
Breaking a three-way tie for second, and a two-way tie for fifth: Montana 15-1 Idaho State 11-5 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 11-5 Portland State 8-8 Montana State 8-8 E. Washington 5-11 Northern Colorado 2-14 Sacramento State 1-15
Process: Idaho State, Weber State and Northern Arizona are tied for second place. In head-to-head competition amongst the three, Idaho State was 3-1, Northern Arizona was 2-2 and Weber State was 1-3. Therefore, Idaho State is the No. 2, Northern Arizona is the No. 3 and Weber State is the No. 4 seed
The tie between No. 5 and No. 6 could not be broken by head-to-head, and could not be broken until the tie for second was determined because both MSU and PSU went 0-2 against UM and policy states ties must be broken in descending order.
Both teams went 1-1 vs. No. 2 Idaho State Montana State went 0-2 against No. 3 Northern Arizona Portland State was 1-1 against No. 3 Northern Arizona
Therefore, Portland State is the No. 5 and Montana State is the No. 6 seed
Breaking a tie for third and a tie for sixth Montana 13-3 Idaho State 12-4 Montana State 11-5 Portland State 11-5 Northern Colorado 8-8 Northern Arizona 6-10 Weber State 6-10
Montana State went 2-0 vs. Portland State. Montana is the No. 3 seed. Portland State is the No. 4 seed
Northern Arizona went 2-0 vs. Weber State. Northern Arizona is the No. 6 seed. Weber State is No. 7 and eliminated from postseason contention
41 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Football
FOOTBALL REGULATIONS
NCAA RULES
NCAA Rules shall govern football games played at all Big Sky Conference institutions.
TRAVEL SQUAD LIMITATIONS
1. When air travel and/or overnight lodging are involved, the travel squad limit for Conference, non-Conference (except FBS) and FCS playoff games shall be fifty-eight (58) student-athletes. The travel squad limit for FBS games shall be seventy (70).
(a) There is no travel squad limit for non-Conference contests (including FBS) when air travel and/or overnight lodging are not involved.
2. Student-athletes certified as eligible to compete may not be carried in any capacity other than that of a student-athlete.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
GUARANTEES
1. There shall be no guarantees paid for Conference football games.
2. If a team fails to show for a football game, it will pay the host team $10,000, plus actual game related expenses, not to exceed $10,000. Decisions on making up the game, and any financial considerations, will be made between the Athletic Directors of the institutions involved, with approval from the Conference Office. In the event the game is not re-scheduled, the game will stand as a forfeit and will count in Conference standings.
COMPLIMENTARY PASSES/TICKETS
1. Complimentary passes for visiting varsity teams shall be limited to one-hundred-fifty (150) located between the ten- and thirty-yard lines, except by mutual agreement. Athletes and coaches involved in an event held in conjunction with football games shall receive complimentary passes. Arrangements for such passes should be made in advance of arrival. NCAA Rules must be followed. No “hard tickets” shall be mailed and identification will be verified.
2. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
GAME FILM POLICIES & EXCHANGE
The Big Sky Conference will utilize internet film exchange for purposes of videotape exchange between institutions.
Policies
1. All games played during the regular season will be uploaded for exchange (Conference and non-conference). 42
2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Football
2. The most recently played home game must be uploaded to Dragonfly and sent to the next opponent no later than midnight local time following the contest. For non-conference road games, files must be uploaded no later than noon Sunday following the contest and sent to the next week’s opponent. Conference road games must be uploaded by the visiting team to its locker no later than noon on the Tuesday following the contest.
3. Uploaded files for exchange between teams shall be a combo or weave incorporating end zone and sideline shots of every play, and three separate files shall be uploaded for team exchange: Offense, defense and kicking.
4. Game files shall be labeled “G01”, “G02”, etc., and in each game file there shall be three separate folders (e.g. UMdefvsMSUoff2012; UMoffvsMSUdef2012; UMspvsMSUsp2012). These files shall be uploaded in native format to ensure quality, and Dragonfly must be set to “send automatically” to every Conference institution.
5. Uploaded files shall show the scoreboard prior to every play, which shall include time remaining and down and distance.
6. A complete game file for the coordinator of officials and the film evaluators with combo or weave plays (end zone and sideline) in sequential order shall be uploaded no later than Sunday evening to Dragonfly BLAST. This file shall also show the scoreboard prior every play.
7. The end zone shot must included all kicking plays, and will be taped from linebacker to the deepest running back and will include both lines of the personal protector, not to include the punter. All plays shall also show a shot of the secondary as the offense is breaking the huddle.
8. No alteration or editing of game films is allowed.
9. No television or video-streamed broadcasts are to be used for exchange purposes.
Exchange
1. Files of Conference games may be exchanged with regular-season non-conference opponents even without notification to the Conference opponent’s head coach.
2. Post-season exchange of Conference game tapes with non-conference members is not permitted.
OFFICIAL BALL
1. Any brand of regulation, top grade ball is to be used in Conference contests.
2. The ball used by the home team shall be the official ball for each contest. However, the visiting team is permitted to use its own football, but must furnish same.
UNIFORMS
Football game uniforms shall be dark for the home team and white or light for the road team.
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EQUIPMENT / BALL CREW
1. Each institution is to have a player telephone installed on both sidelines to the coaches’ box.
2. Each institution is to provide a kicking net for the visiting team.
3. Each member of the Ball Crew must be at least 18 years old.
4. A visiting team may provide its own wireless headsets. If the visiting team’s headsets do not work, the host shall not be responsible to repair, equalize, or provide additional headsets.
5. All schools shall provide a node/jack system that will allow for wireless systems to plug in at the sideline. The visiting team is not allowed to string wires in host’s stadium.
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all tournament sessions.
MASCOTS
There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with school mascots toward game officials.
SCHEDULING
1. Home-and-home schedules are to be played among Conference teams in alternate years.
2. Games will begin at five (5) minutes past the hour or half-hour.
3. If a stadium does not have lights, games played following the beginning of standard time in the fall shall start no later than 12:05 p.m.
STATISTICAL SERVICES
Sports Information Directors are responsible to submit statistical data as required by the Conference Office, using software supplied by the Conference.
DETERMINING CHAMPION
The following guidelines will be used to determine football championships when normal alternate- year home-and-home scheduling is used:
1. Seven (7) Conference games are required.
2. Determined on a percentage of Conference wins and losses.
3. The NCAA Championship tie-breaker shall be used to break ties for all regular season Big Sky 44
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Conference games. TIE-BREAKER
When two or more Conference members are tied in the final Conference standings, the team championship, for purposes of determining the automatic bid, shall be determined on the following basis:
Head To Head Competition
1. Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season’s play.
2. Record against Conference teams in descending order of finish beginning with the number one team. (For use in the case of more than two tied teams, the normal tie-breaking procedure would be used. When one or more of these teams is eliminated by using the tie-breaking procedure, the remaining teams involved would then return to the criteria listed in 1., above, to break the tie. This will be done until a team is established for that particular seeding position.)
3. Teams with highest Sagarin ranking.
4. Coin flip between the tied teams.
Note: In all tie-breaking procedures, if more than one tie exists, the tie among/between the teams lower in descending order will be broken first, to facilitate the process of breaking the tie between/among teams higher in the order.
PROTOCOL
The Big Sky Conference shall use the Pre-game and Half-time Format adopted by the NCAA.
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2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Soccer
WOMEN’S SOCCER REGULATIONS
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
1. Conference play will be governed by NCAA rules.
2. Playing and practice seasons will be established according to NCAA regulations.
3. There will be a limit of twenty (20) contests during the segment in which the NCAA Championship is conducted and five (5) dates of competition during another season.
4. Conference members shall be limited to one (1) non-Division I opponent during the segment in which the NCAA Championship is conducted. (Exhibition games are exempt.)
5. The Conference schedule shall consist of a round robin.
6. All officials for Big Sky Conference matches must be assigned using the NISOA Assignment Program.
TRAVEL SQUAD LIMITATIONS
1. There shall be a limit of twenty (20) student-athletes in the travel for Conference travel. There shall be no limit for Conference contests when travel and competition occur on the same day (no overnight lodging is used). There is no travel squad limit for non-conference contests.
2. Student-athletes certified as eligible to compete may not be carried in any capacity other than that of a student-athlete.
3. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student-athletes, participating coaches, and other university personnel.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstance by the Commissioner.
TICKETS
1. Forty-five complimentary admissions will be provided by the host institution for each visiting team. NCAA rules must be followed. (No “hard tickets” shall be mailed and identification will be verified.)
2. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
46 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES – Women’s Soccer
STATISTICAL SERVICES
1. The Conference office shall provide each member institution with appropriate soccer score sheets to be used during the season. Game rosters submitted to the scorekeeper and the opposing coach must include each player’s total number of cautions and ejections in the appropriate column. Such information should not be included on the referee’s copy.
2. Game stats for both home and visiting teams shall be the responsibility of the host institution. Completed stats shall be made available immediately following the game. Sports Information Directors are responsible to submit statistical data as required by the Conference office, using software supplied by the Conference.
3. Copies of the score sheets and game stats shall be provided to the visiting coach.
4. The Conference office shall maintain and publish those stats required by the national governing body. These stats shall be reported to the Conference office by all Conference institutions on the approved stat form. The Conference office will publish both Conference and overall stats.
5. Conference members shall share overall and Conference team stats via weekly press releases. These stats should incorporate the information on the approved stat form and copies should be sent to the respective sports information personnel and coaches, as well as the Conference office.
6. Conference statistics used for the weekly “best list” shall consist of shots, goals and assists. Goalkeeper statistics shall consist of saves, shut-outs, and goals against average. To be eligible, goalkeepers shall have played in a minimum of 50% of their team’s minutes.
7. Coaches will participate in a preseason Conference poll directed by the Conference office.
VIDEOTAPE POLICY
1. There shall be no videotaping of a Conference game other than by the two teams involved.
2. Home Conference games will be videotaped and recorded on VHS quality tapes and an identical tape shall be given to the visiting team immediately following the game or the next working day.
3. Game videotapes should show the scoreboard whenever a break in the action facilitates. A wide angle lens should be utilized for maximum peripheral action. A copy of the starting lineup should be included with each videotape.
4. No videotape exchange or scouting information, by any means, shall be distributed to non-Conference institutions.
SCOUTING
All live scouting of Conference teams by Conference coaches shall be prohibited except as allowed by NCAA Bylaws.
HOST INSTITUTION OBLIGATIONS
1. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all tournament
47 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Soccer
sessions.
2. The following items and services shall be provided:
a. Minimum regulation playing facilities as prescribed by the NCAA soccer rule book, and equipment identified in the same rulebook (e.g. corner flags, horn for substitutions, etc.)
b. Visible clock running for 60 minute pregame countdown.
c. Designation of visiting team bench.
d. A visual scoring system and public address system.
e. Separate and private locker rooms for teams and officials.
f. A certified athletic trainer at all games. Certified athletic trainers are recommended to be in attendance at practices.
g. There must be a written plan for access to medical facilities to be provided to the visiting team. It is recommended that a physician be present at all games. An ambulance is also suggested.
h. Towels, cups, and water shall be provided to each team.
i. A minimum of ten balls for practice times and pre-game warm-ups if the visiting team does not provide their own.
j. The host institution shall make every effort to provide the visiting team with practice at the game site on the day before (1 ½ hours) and the day of the game (1 hour). Requests for practice times must be made one week prior to the start of the Conference season. If, due to field or weather conditions, practices must be held at another location, all teams practicing must be allowed to use the same field.
k. A current copy of the NCAA Soccer Rulebook shall be at the scorer’s table.
l. At least two (2) ball retrievers shall be provided by the host institution.
m. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with school mascots toward match officials.
UNIFORMS
The NCAA soccer rules regarding uniforms shall be followed without exception. The home team must wear white or light-colored jerseys and white or light-colored stockings in contrast with those of its opponents. The visiting team must wear dark-colored jerseys and dark-colored stockings in contrast with its opponents. The dominant color in a multi-colored jersey with reference to stockings must follow the rules for home or away uniforms. If the referee determines that the stockings of opposing teams do not sufficiently contrast, the home team may be ordered to change into stockings that are distinct from the visiting team.
PROTOCOL
The game protocol designated by the NCAA Soccer Rulebook shall be the official protocol for all Conference games.
48 2012 -2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Softball
WOMEN’S SOFTBALL REGULATIONS
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
1. Conference play will be governed by NCAA rules.
2. Playing and practice seasons will be established according to NCAA regulations.
3. Conference members shall be limited to four (4) non-Division I games during the championship portion of the season.
4. The Conference schedule shall be a single round robin format.
5. Conference scheduling shall use a Friday-Saturday format, with a doubleheader to be played on Friday and a single game on Saturday.
6. Upon request by the visiting team, a practice on the game field shall be provided the day before game one for a minimum of one hour and a maximum of two hours.
7. On the first day of competition, the first game shall start no earlier than 12 p.m. but no later than 5 p.m., and there shall be a 20 minute intermission between games, unless mutually agreed upon by the coaches. For the second day of competition, the game shall start no earlier than 11 a.m. unless mutually agreed upon by the coaches or a make-up game is required due to inclement weather on day one.
8. All Conference games shall be seven (7) innings unless tied at the end of regulation. In addition, all extra-inning games shall be played out; there will be no tiebreaker system.
TRAVEL SQUAD LIMITATIONS 1. The travel squad limit shall be twenty (20) student-athletes with the following exceptions: a. There is no squad limit if competing in regular season tournaments, or b. For contests when air travel and overnight lodging are not involved. c. Student-athletes certified as eligible to compete may not be carried in any capacity other than that of a student athlete.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student-athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel.
TICKETS
1. Forty-five complimentary admissions will be provided by the host institution for each visiting team. NCAA rules must be followed. (No “hard tickets” shall be mailed and identification will be verified.)
2. Umpires and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
50 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Softball
STATISTICAL SERVICES
1. Game stats for both home and visiting teams shall be the responsibility of the host institution. An official NCAA box score or summary sheet shall be made available immediately after the game. Sports Information Directors are responsible to submit statistical data as required by the Conference office, using software supplied by the Conference.
2. The Conference office shall maintain and publish those stats required by the national governing body. These stats shall be reported to the Conference office by all Conference institutions. The Conference office will publish both Conference and overall stats.
3. Conference members shall share overall and Conference team stats via weekly press releases.
4. Conference statistics that are used for the weekly "best list" shall be based on a minimum of 75% of games played in all categories except for pitchers (40%).
BANDS and MASCOTS
1. Bands or amplified music are not permitted to play while the game is in progress. Artificial noisemakers, air horns, balloons and electronic amplifiers (except as a component of a band) are not permissible.
2. No bands shall be placed directly behind the visitor’s dugout or bench in Conference stadiums.
3. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with school mascots toward game umpires.
VIDEOTAPE POLICIES
1. There shall be no videotaping of a Conference game other than by the two teams involved (i.e., team C may not videotape a game being played by teams A and B).
2. No videotape exchange or scouting information, by any means, shall be distributed to non-Conference institutions.
UNIFORMS
The home team shall wear light jerseys on Friday and dark jerseys on Saturday. Visitors shall wear the opposite.
BAT TESTING
The host institution is required to have an NCAA regulated bat tester on site prior to each home series. The home plate official and the host on-site administrator shall conduct the bat testing according to the pre-game protocol listed below. Any bat not passing the bat test shall be removed from competition by the home plate umpire for the duration of the series, and placed with the host on-site administrator. Upon series completion, the bat will be returned to the team for disposition.
SCOUTING
All live scouting of Conference teams by Conference coaches shall be prohibited except as allowed by NCAA Bylaws.
49 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Softball
INCLEMENT WEATHER
1. The priority is student-athlete safety, with a secondary goal of completing three games of the series within two days or as many games as possible in two days.
2. The Big Sky Conference will adhere to any and all NCAA Softball rules pertaining to suspended games, makeup policies and the amount of games that can be started in one day.
3. Visiting teams have the responsibility of remaining at the host site for two full days.
4. If the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (according to the accuweather.com "real feel" indicator) at the scheduled game time as determined by the host administrator, the game will be postponed or cancelled.
5. The decision to alter the format for the series due to inclement weather shall be made by the host institution administration in consultation with the visiting team’s administration and the Conference office (i.e. flexibility to change game times and number of games played in one day in order to get all three games played based upon weather forecast).
6. The Umpire-in-Chief has sole authority to call the game for unplayable conditions. Both coaches shall be consulted, but neither coach shall interfere with this decision.
7. If any games cannot be played within the scheduled two-day time frame, there shall be no makeup dates. However, if agreed upon by the two team’s administrations and the Conference office, a trip may be extended in order to complete contests if day 3 weather forecast is favorable to complete series games; or games may be moved off location to an agreed upon site.
Inclement weather master plan:
Situation Day One Day Two No Inclement Weather Two 7-inning games One 7-inning game Inclement Weather – Day One Cancelled games Two 7-inning games Inclement Weather – Day Two Two 7-inning games Cancelled game Inclement Weather – Both Days Cancelled games Cancelled game
HOST INSTITUTION OBLIGATIONS
1. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game or session.
2. The following items and services shall be provided:
a. Regulation playing facilities, including outfield fences at NCAA-specified distances b. Regulation softballs c. Pre-game Protocol d. Water cooler and cups e. Public Address Announcer f. Official Scorekeeper g. Athletic Training Room Services including ice at team bench h. Designation of visiting team bench i. On-site restrooms (permanent preferred)
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j. A visible scoreboard k. Separate dressing rooms for both teams and umpires preferred (may be offsite) l. A current NCAA rule book and Conference sports policies shall be available at all games m. Practice balls and hitting tees
PRE-GAME PROTOCOL
The following protocol shall be utilized unless mutually and formally agreed upon by the head coaches and acknowledged by one-site officials. Any ceremonial first pitch shall immediately follow the National Anthem.
1.5 hours prior to first game Field available for warm up Home team in batting cages 1 hour prior Visiting team in batting cages; Home team bat testing 30 minutes prior Home team takes infield; Visiting team bat testing 22 minutes prior Visiting team takes infield 10 minutes prior Umpires and coaches meeting 6 minutes prior Team introductions 3 minutes prior National Anthem
WARM-UP
1. Each team shall be allowed seven (7) minutes of infield warm-up prior to each game, with the home team first. If mutually agreed upon by the head coaches, the two teams may share a 14- minute warm-up period (shuttle infield warm-up).
2. In the event alternate warm-up facilities or bating cages are used, they must be equitable (time, distance and type) for both institutions.
UMPIRES
1. Three umpires shall be assigned to all Big Sky Conference regular season games.
2. Umpires shall be assigned by the home institution utilizing a local assigning party.
51 2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES – Men’s & Women’s Tennis
MEN’S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS REGULATIONS
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
1. There shall be a minimum of 2 officials at all Conference matches. If there are less than 2 officials, the match will be played on a maximum of 3 courts, unless approval for use of more courts is given by the visiting coach. In addition, the Host Institution shall pay a fine of $250.00 to the Conference for each match played with less than two officials.
2. Tennis coaches must keep their record books for the previous year.
3. The minimum requirement to host Big Sky Conference regular season matches for Men and Women is 3 indoor courts.
4. All Conference regular season matches must be played out. If not, teams shall only receive the points earned and this will be utilized in any tie breaker scenario.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
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2012-2013 SPORTS POLICIES - Women’s Volleyball
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL REGULATIONS
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
1. Conference play will be governed by NCAA rules.
2. Playing and practice seasons will be established according to NCAA regulations.
3. There will be a limit of twenty-eight (28) dates of competition during the volleyball playing season and four (4) dates of competition during another segment.
4. Conference Scheduling shall be a Friday-Saturday format, with the exception of the Northern Arizona and its travel partner trip, which shall be Thursday-Saturday. In addition, the Conference office has the flexibility to change the schedule when necessary for conflicts of facility or staffing.
5. There shall be a minimum of 21 hours between the start of one match to the start of the next match. This can be waived with written agreement of both coaches.
6. Conference members shall be limited to one (1) non-Division I opponent per season.
7. The Conference schedule shall consist of double round robin matches.
TRAVEL SQUAD LIMITATIONS 1. The travel squad limit shall be twelve (12) student-athletes with the following exceptions: a. There is no squad limit if competing in regular season tournaments, or b. For non-Conference contests when air travel and overnight lodging are not involved. c. The most restrictive rule will apply if school is in session. d. Student-athletes certified as eligible to compete may not be carried in any capacity other than that of a student athlete.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student-athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel.
CONFERENCE TRAVEL
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel within the Conference. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
TICKETS
1. Forty-five complimentary admissions will be provided by the host institution for each visiting team. NCAA rules must be followed. (No “hard tickets” shall be mailed and identification will be verified.)
2. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
STATISTICAL SERVICES
1. Game stats for both home and visiting teams shall be the responsibility of the host institution. Completed stats shall be made available immediately after the match. Sports Information Directors are responsible to submit statistical data as required by the Conference office, using software supplied by the Conference.
2. Copies of the score sheets shall be provided to the visiting coach in addition to game stats.
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3. The Conference office shall maintain and publish those stats required by the national governing body. These stats shall be reported to the Conference office by all Conference institutions. The Conference office will publish both Conference and overall stats.
4. Conference members shall share overall and Conference team stats via weekly press releases.
5. Conference statistics that are used for the weekly "best list" shall be based on a minimum of 75% of games played in all categories as well as a minimum of three attempts per game and a percentage of .250 in hitting percentage and a minimum three attempts per game and a percentage of .300 in assist percentage.
BANDS and MASCOTS
1. Bands or amplified music are not permitted to play while the game is in progress. Artificial noisemakers, air horns, balloons and electronic amplifiers (except as a component of a band) are not permissible.
2. No bands shall be placed directly behind the visitor’s bench in Conference arenas.
3. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with school mascots toward match officials.
GAME FILM POLICIES and EXCHANGE
1. a) All games played during the regular season will be uploaded for exchange. b) For Conference play, all game films from the previous week’s play shall be uploaded on Sunday only, with a noon deadline. For non-conference play, the film of the most recently played home game must be uploaded no later than noon the following day and any non-conference road games not uploaded by the host must be uploaded by Noon the day after return to campus. c) Game films shall contain sound and show player introductions. The score shall be displayed at regular intervals. d) No alteration or editing of game films is allowed. e) No television or video-streamed broadcasts are to be used for exchange purposes. f) The home team shall provide a DVD to the visitor following each contest.
2. There shall be no videotaping of a Conference match other than by the two teams involved (i.e., team C may not videotape a match being played by teams A and B).
3. Home Conference matches will be videotaped from an end line angle and recorded on a VHS VCR, on quality discs, so that an identical disc may be provided to the visiting team immediately following the match.
4. No videotape exchange or scouting information, by any means, shall be distributed to non-Conference institutions.
UNIFORMS
The home team shall wear light and the visiting team shall wear dark uniforms.
SCOUTING
All live scouting of Conference teams by Conference coaches shall be prohibited except as allowed by NCAA Bylaws.
HOST INSTITUTION OBLIGATIONS
1. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all tournament sessions.
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2. Scorer’s table personnel shall be available 30 minutes prior to the start of each match for a conference with the officiating crew.
3. The following items and services shall be provided:
a. Regulation playing facilities, equipment and balls b. The ball shall be a Molten NCAA Championship volleyball. c. Visible clock running for warm-ups d. Two ball carts for warm-up e. A minimum of three (3) ball shaggers to implement the three-ball system during the match f. Designation of visiting team bench g. Lines persons dressed in dark pants and white shirts h. A visual scoreboard I. Separate dressing rooms for teams and officials j. Separate areas for each team pre-game, including a chalk board k. A minimum of fifteen balls per team (same as game ball) for practice and pre-match warm-up l. Upon request and availability, the host institution should make every effort to provide the visiting institution with a practice time at the match site. Requests for practice times must be made as early as possible with a minimum of 45 minutes and a maximum of 90 minutes allowed.
m. If a Monday night match is scheduled, the host institution shall be required to provide practice facilities on Sunday to the visiting team.
n. Packets containing officials’ evaluation forms, line-up sheets, protest forms and a complete protocol for that match will be on the visitors’ bench no later than one hour before match time.
o. A current rule book, a copy of the Conference Protest Procedures and a Protest Form shall be at the scorer's table.
4. Courtside statistics must be computerized and kept by appropriately trained personnel under the supervision of Sports Information personnel. Statistics are to be available to coaches between games and immediately after the conclusion of the match.
OFFICIALS’ CLINIC
A videotaped copy of an annual officials’ clinic will be sent to each volleyball coach by the Conference Coordinator of Officials.
PROTOCOL
The Big Sky Conference shall use the protocol adopted by the NCAA.
NOTE:
1. Visiting teams have 1.5 hours to 1 hour prior to match time for serve and pass time.
2. Between games - maximum of 3 minutes
3. An intermission will occur in all non-tournament matches between the second and third sets of all matches and shall be 10 minutes in duration, including warm-up time. The intermission shall include at least three minutes shared court warm-up time.
4. lt is suggested that the floor be swept between games 4 and 5.
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5. lt is recommended that the announcement of line-ups be concise, not to exceed the allowed time schedule. Unless specified otherwise by NCAA rules, the introduction format shall be national anthem first followed by introduction of starters, the libero, and head coaches only. Starters and the libero should be on the end line while being introduced.
6. Exceptions to the pre-match protocol may be made in order to recognize seniors and parents. The visiting team is to be notified of these exceptions in advance.
CONFERENCE MATCH PROTEST PROCEDURE
1. A protest must be made at the time of protest situation. Stop the game in progress and record the following facts:
a. Score at time of protest b. Players in the game at the time of protest and their positions on the court. c. Player substitutions and team substitutions made prior to the protested situation. d. Team time-outs charged prior to the protested situation. e. A synopsis of the situation that caused the protest and the rule violated or omitted or the penalty improperly imposed.
f. Signatures of the scorer, both coaches and the first referee, to indicate facts have been accurately recorded.
2. Consult NCAA rule book with referees, coaches and captains for correct decisions.
3. If there is no rule to cover the situation, the first referee has the authority to make the final decision.
4. If the dispute is still unresolved after discussion, the match resumes under protest. Regardless of the decision made and the match outcome, the facts of the protest should be forwarded to the Conference office for review by the Conference Protest Committee.
CONFERENCE PROTEST COMMITTEE
1. If a protest of an interpretation of a rule has not been settled satisfactorily by the courtside conference, the protesting team, at the conclusion of the match, shall make a full report to the Conference Protest Committee in care of the Conference Commissioner for a final decision.
2. If the protest is judged by the Conference Protest Committee to be valid, the protested match will begin from the point of the protest and continued to conclusion.
3. Time, date and details shall be determined by the Conference Commissioner in consultation with the athletic administrators of the two member institutions involved.
4. All expenses incurred by either institution as a result of a rescheduled protested match shall be shared equally by both institutions.
5. Protest Committee members shall be the Conference Commissioner, Conference Coordinator of Volleyball Officials and the Officiating Committee Chair.
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CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES
MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION The Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Championship is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Conference office and the host Championship Manager/Athletic Administrator.
DATES AND SITE The winner of the regular season championship will have first right of refusal to host the Big Sky Men's Basketball Championship, and must meet the minimum guarantee of $128,000.00, which will be divided as outlined under Distribution of Receipts. After the sixth week of Conference regular season competition, all Conference institutions will notify the Conference office whether or not they choose to host if they win the regular season. If the regular season champion does not choose to host the Championship, the Championship will be offered in descending order of record until a host is found.
The dates for the Big Sky Basketball Championship are: REGULAR SEASON CHAMP REGULAR SEASON CHAMP REGULAR SEASON CHAMP First Round Semi-finals Championship March 14, 2013 March 15, 2013 March 16, 2013
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE Seedings A. The Basketball Championship will consist of the eligible teams finishing one (1) through seven (7) at the conclusion of the regular season. Seeding is determined by the Conference standings at the end of the regular season.
B. The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official “Conference Regular Season Champion” with the understanding that the Big Sky Championship Winner is the Conference champion for the purpose of representing the Conference in the NCAA Championship. If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared “Conference Regular Season Co- Champions.” The tie-breaking system will be used only for the purposes of determining seeding and the site of the Conference Championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Quarterfinal Round Semifinal Round (Friday) Championship (Saturday) (Thursday) Game 4 -- other two Game 6 -- Semifinal Game 1 -- 2 vs. 7 quarterfinal winners Winners Game 2 -- 3 vs. 6 Game 5 – 1 vs. LRS Game 3 -- 4 vs. 5
Order of play and times to be determined by the Conference office.
Semi-final winners will play in the Championship game; the winner will be the Conference Champion and the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship.
GAME TIMES
A. Starting times for all games shall be determined by the host institution and approved by the Big Sky Conference office.
B. Normal starting times for the first round are 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 pm. Semi-finals normally are 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Starting times may be changed by the Conference office to facilitate requests by the host institution, the other participating institutions, or for television.
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C. Starting time for the Championship game shall be determined by the Conference office with input from the host institution and any television partners.
DETERMINING CHAMPION - NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1-seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
TIE BREAKER
To eliminate ties that result at the end of the season, rank all teams using the criteria listed below: 1. Head-to-Head Competition a. Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season. In double round robin play, a team would have to sweep the opponent to break a tie with this method.
b. In the case of more than two tied teams, consider the Conference regular season record for head-to-head competition among all of the tied teams. This process is used to break ties between any of the tied teams with any remaining tied teams returning to the process at criteria 1.a. (above). (Example: Teams A, B, C, and D have identical records from a double round robin season. In head-to-head competition, team A emerges with a 4-2 record against the other tied teams, team B and team C have a 3-3 record and team D has a 2-4 record. Teams A and D can be placed in the final standings at that point, while teams B and C return to criteria 1.a. If B and C have split their regular Conference season games, they will move to criteria 2, performance against other teams in descending order.)
c. In the case of three or more teams having identical win-loss records, the normal tie-breaking procedure would be used. When one or more of these teams is eliminated by using the tie-breaking procedure, the remaining teams involved would then return to the criteria listed in a., above, to break the tie. This will be done until a team is established for that particular seeding position.
2. Performance Against Conference Teams This will be determined in descending order of finish, beginning with the No.1 team. (Example: Teams B and C remained tied after head-to-head criteria from above. Team A has been declared the Conference Champion based on the above criteria. Team B has split the Conference season games with team A, and team C has lost both of the Conference games to team A. Team B is now placed in second place ahead of team C).
3. RPI Rating 4. Coin Flip Between the Tied Teams NOTE: In all tie-breaking procedures, if more than one tie exists, the tie among/between the teams lower in descending order will be broken first, to facilitate the process of breaking the tie between/among teams higher in the order. (Example: Teams A and B are tied for first and second, and teams C and D are tied for fourth and fifth. All tied teams have “split” the regular Conference season with their tied opponents. Teams C and D both have a 1-3 combined record vs. teams A and B. Team C has beaten team A, and D has beaten team B. Assuming previous tiebreakers are the same, teams C and D will have their placing decided by their RPI ranking first [Criteria 3], and then teams A and B enter the tie-breaking procedures).
Specific Examples of Tie Breakers are listed below:
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Breaking a head-to-head tie for the No. 4 seed between Montana and Idaho State: Portland State 14-2 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 10-6 Idaho State 8-8 Montana 8-8 Montana State 7-9
Process The teams split their regular-season meetings Both teams went 0-2 vs. No. 1 Portland State Idaho State went 1-1 against No. 2 Northern Arizona Montana went 0-2 against No. 2 Northern Arizona
Idaho State gains the No. 4 seed by virtue of its win over Northern Arizona Montana is seeded No. 5
Breaking a three-way tie for second, and a two-way tie for fifth: Montana 15-1 Idaho State 11-5 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 11-5 Portland State 8-8 Montana State 8-8 E. Washington 5-11 Northern Colorado 2-14 Sacramento State 1-15
Process: Idaho State, Weber State and Northern Arizona are tied for second place. In head-to-head competition amongst the three, Idaho State was 3-1, Northern Arizona was 2-2 and Weber State was 1-3. Therefore, Idaho State is the No. 2, Northern Arizona is the No. 3 and Weber State is the No. 4 seed
The tie between No. 5 and No. 6 could not be broken by head-to-head, and could not be broken until the tie for second was determined because both MSU and PSU went 0-2 against UM and policy states ties must be broken in descending order.
Both teams went 1-1 vs. No. 2 Idaho State Montana State went 0-2 against No. 3 Northern Arizona Portland State was 1-1 against No. 3 Northern Arizona
Therefore, Portland State is the No. 5 and Montana State is the No. 6 seed
Breaking a tie for third and a tie for sixth Montana 13-3 Idaho State 12-4 Montana State 11-5 Portland State 11-5 Northern Colorado 8-8 Northern Arizona 6-10 Weber State 6-10
Montana State went 2-0 vs. Portland State. Montana is the No. 3 seed. Portland State is the No. 4 seed
Northern Arizona went 2-0 vs. Weber State. Northern Arizona is the No. 6 seed. Weber State is No. 7 and eliminated from postseason contention
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CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all Championship sessions.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Press Credentials Subject to limitation of space, credentials shall be assigned to the working press, in accordance with the following priorities:
1. Two writers representing and designated by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution;
2. Press agencies in the locale of the participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and Championship.
Photo Credentials Subject to limitations of space, photo credentials are issued in accordance with the following priorities: 1. One photographer representing and designated by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution;
2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and Championship.
3. Photographers may not place tripods on or beside the playing court.
Press Conferences An official press conference may be scheduled on the day preceding the first round games. Other press conferences may also be held when deemed appropriate. Each coach is required to participate in all press conferences and each institution shall make players available at all scheduled press conferences if requested. The Conference office is responsible for the format and time of the press conferences.
The Sports Information Director, representing each institution in the championship game, shall obtain quotes from the coach during the awards ceremony to distribute to the media facing early deadlines.
Post-game Interviews Dressing rooms are closed following the conclusion of any game. Coaches and student-athletes will be available for interviews in the designated interview area after a ten-minute "cooling-off" period. Each coach shall select a minimum of two student athletes to accompany him to the interview area ten minutes after the game - winning team first.
Official Photographer
The host institution is responsible for having an official photographer present at the post-Championship awards ceremony.
Radio
The official designated station(s) of each institution will be accommodated for game broadcasts. Stations desiring to broadcast any game or session of the Championship should contact the host institution’s media coordinator for permission to broadcast and reserve space. There will be a $150.00 per station originating fee to broadcast the Championship. University radio stations shall be exempt from rights fees.
61 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Men’s Basketball Television
All television rights, both "live" and "taped," shall be under the jurisdiction of the Conference office. 1. There is no black-out restriction if the session is sold out. If the session is not sold out 48 hours in advance, there is a 250-mile television broadcast restriction (exceptions to the 250-mile restriction may be negotiable through the Conference office).
2. All television contracts are negotiated through the Conference office.
News Video Television stations approved by the media coordinator at the site, shall be limited to two (2) minutes of footage on a regular news sports broadcast. A television station may not sell, loan, or give away Championship footage to any individual or agency, or use footage on any non-sports news program produced or aired by the station.
Sideline Video Cameras
1. The media coordinator at the site may permit a television station to air two (2) minutes of video footage on a sports news broadcast. If a video camera is utilized to document Championship action, a television station may not broadcast live reports from the site of the competition. Videotape game coverage only may be presented on a sports news broadcast after the game being documented has been completed.
2. A television station also is prohibited from airing live video reports of any part of a Championship game in progress for any purpose.
COACHES & ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS MEETING
The head basketball coaches, athletic administrators and sports information personnel will meet via conference call before the first round games to review Championship procedures. It is mandatory that the head coach and the athletic administrator from each institution participate in this meeting.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
Championship games require: 1. The presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care. 2. The presence of a physician, preferably a team physician, for prompt medical evaluation. 3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services. 4. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
Athletic training facilities will be available to the competing institutions. It is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany their team. In the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, the institution must make arrangements for athletic training services, if available, with the host institution in advance of the Championship.
AWARDS 1. The Conference maintains a standardized awards program for all Conference sponsored championships. (See Appendix VI.)
2. A representative of the Conference office and a representative from the host institution will be in attendance at the Conference Championship awards ceremony to present the awards.
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All-Championship Team Before the Championship game, the Conference/host institution media coordinator(s) shall distribute ballots to the All-Championship Team Selection Committee. The Committee shall determine a six member All-Championship Team including the Most Valuable Player. The ballots shall be collected immediately following the completion of the Championship game. An effort should be made to "balance" the number of individuals voting among the participating institutions. The team will be announced as part of the awards ceremony immediately following the game. Ballots will be furnished by the Conference office.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS Arrival All participating teams must be at the Championship site no later than 3:00 p.m. the day preceding their competition.
Transportation Each team is responsible for its own local surface transportation. Lodging All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office with a list of the hotels it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve 25 rooms for each institution.
Practice Practice times shall be arranged by the host institution, and shall be equal in length.
Squad Size 1. All teams shall be limited to fifteen (15) players in uniform. Replacements are permitted up to the starting time of any game; after the game starts, no replacements shall be permitted for any reason.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include student-athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel up to a total of twenty-two (22). No more than seven (7) of the official team party shall be non-student-athletes.
Mileage Policy
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
Team and Coaches Seating Area 1. The team bench shall seat a maximum of nineteen (19) individuals. The Championship manager may provide additional chairs for a Championship physician and a security representative.
2. The host institution shall determine procedures for admission and seating of participants and official party members.
3. Bench assignments shall be determined by seeding and assigned by the Championship manager.
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Non-Participant Seating
1. First round games: A special section with eighty-eight (88) seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants, which would cover the 22 members of each institution’s official travel party.
2. Semi-final Session: A special section with forty-four (44) seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants which would cover the twenty-two (22) members of each institution's official travel party.
3. Championship Session: A special section with 44 seats shall be available, upon request by the non- winning teams of the semi-finals, if they wish to remain for the championship game. This would cover the 22 members of each institution's official travel party.
Scouting Each institution still in contention shall be provided two scouting seats during each game. Uniforms Each competing team shall have both light and dark uniforms available. The top seeded team shall wear light uniforms. Each player is required to wear the official uniform of his institution during the competition.
Game Balls
The host institution shall provide practice balls and game balls at no expense to the Championship. The official Championship ball shall be the Wilson Solution.
Game Video
1. All game videos of the Championship will be filmed and exchanged with the exchange to be coordinated by the host institution. All teams advancing shall receive a DVD of the opponent’s game.
National Anthem
The National Anthem shall be played before the start of each Championship game.
Team Introductions
The alternating introduction format shall be used.
1. The announcer shall introduce the starting players in the following order, beginning with the designated visiting team: Forward, Forward, Center, Guard, Guard
2. The first player introduced shall proceed to the jump circle at midcourt and remain there. Next, the first player from the home team is introduced. He proceeds to the center jump circle and these two athletes shake hands, then each goes to the free throw line in front of his respective bench. The same procedure is observed until the final starter from the home tea m has been presented.
3. The two head coaches shall be introduced (visiting coach first), and they will shake hands in front of the official scorer's table.
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Bands
1. The Championship manager is encouraged to have a band available to play the National Anthem, entertain at half time, and play during the warm-ups for all games. All bands will be admitted free to the championship. Visiting institution bands are to provide a pass list to the host institution with the 25 band members who will be participating. Visiting bands shall have equivalent seating arrangements to the host institution’s band.
2. Bands, or any component thereof, are not allowed to play during a free throw attempt or while the ball is in play. Bands shall be seated in rows designated by the Championship manager. If a band does not comply with Championship policies, the director of athletics at the involved institution shall rectify the situation.
3. Artificial noisemakers, airhorns, and electronic amplifiers are not permissible. Non-amplified megaphones are permissible by cheerleaders only, but may not be used as noisemakers. The Championship manager is responsible for removing non-permissible instruments from the arena.
Cheerleaders & Mascots 1. Cheerleaders and/or pompon squads, in uniform, not to exceed twelve (12) in number and one (1) costumed mascot, shall be admitted via a pass list submitted to the championship manager by the competing institutions for sessions in which their teams are competing.
2. A maximum of twelve (12) cheerleaders and/or pompon squad members and one (1) mascot shall be allowed on the floor when the clock is stopped when their team is participating. Additional cheerleaders will be allowed to perform before the game and at half-time only, and those additional cheerleaders must sit in the stands while the game is being played.
3. The twelve (12) cheerleaders and one (1) mascot shall be located in an area at the end of the playing court as designated by the championship manager. Cheerleaders are allowed in this designated area only when their institution is participating.
4. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with school mascots toward game officials.
5. All other institutional representatives shall be admitted only upon presentation of a ticket.
Half-Time Entertainment
Visiting institutions interested in providing half-time entertainment should contact the host institution as soon as the site has been determined.
Banners and Signage
No commercial banners may be posted at any session of the Championship other than television and radio banners. All other signs and banners are subject to Conference standards of sporting and ethical behavior.
Programs
The official Championship program shall be the responsibility of the Conference office. The Sports Information Directors of the competing institutions shall forward requested materials to the Conference Information Director.
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Advertising
Refer to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Handbook for complete advertising policies.
Statistics and Reports
1. The media coordinator from the host institution shall furnish official NCAA basketball box score statistical forms. A copy of the official box score and statistics of each Championship game and a list of the All-Championship Team and the Most Valuable Player shall be filed with the Conference office. These reports should be sent immediately following the Championship.
2. Each participant's Sports Information Director shall update the statistics after each game. At the Championship, wireless connection, computers, and a copy machine will be available in the press room at the Championship headquarters. Statistics shall be prepared for distribution before each session.
Scorer's Table/Personnel
1. The game staff shall be provided by the host institution and shall include: official scorer, timer, shot clock operator, scoreboard operator, public address announcer, two ball persons, a dressing room attendant or athletic trainer for each team, and a Championship physician.
2. The scorer’s table shall be designated in a distinctive manner and the scorer shall wear an officials shirt or jacket to facilitate identification. There shall be no ornamentation in front of the scorer's table other than that of the Conference.
3. The Official NCAA Basketball Scorebook will be used for scoring Championship games.
TICKETS
1. Ticket prices for the Championship shall be determined by the host institution with the approval of the Conference office.
2. Student ticket prices, limited to one per full-time student activity card, shall not be less than half price. Students will be allowed to purchase up to 15% of the house. The student must show the activity card and ticket at the gate for admission to the game. Each student ticket sold at a discount should have some means of indicating to ticket takers that the ticket is not valid unless accompanied by a valid full-time student activity card. The host institution must have tickets printed with an audit stub to keep track of discounted student ticket sales.
3. 1,200 tickets (a minimum of 200 for each of the six traveling teams) shall be held until 8:00 a.m. on Monday preceding the Championship. Each visiting institution must purchase one-hundred (100) of these Championship tickets at full adult all session-prices. These one-hundred seats shall be in a continuous regular shaped block with no less than 10 seats across the front of this block being courtside seating. The second one-hundred seats available will continue the seating pattern established by the first one-hundred. Any variations, due to arena configuration, must be approved by the Conference Office.
4. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Host institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
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FINANCES
Expense Allowance - Traveling Teams
Each team is responsible for its own transportation and per diem expenses.
Gross Receipts
Gross receipts shall be all revenues derived from the sale of tickets, game programs, and advertising, and any other income derived from the operation of the Championship except concessions, parking, and a ticket convenience fee which is normally charged when using a computerized ticketing system including off- campus outlets. Concession revenue, parking revenue, and the ticket convenience fee revenue shall accrue to the host institution.
Championship Expenses
Game management related expenses shall be paid by the host institution.
Game management expenses include, but are not limited to: 1. Cost of printing tickets 2. Ticket sellers 3. Ticket takers 4. Ushers 5. Police 6. Building and grounds charges 7. Parking 8. Building rental fees 9. Entertainment and advertising expenses may be allowed if approved in advance by the Conference Office
Expenses for officials’ travel, per diem and game fees for the Championship shall be estimated and billed by the Conference office at the first of each year, and paid by the Conference office.
Financial Report
The Championship manager (athletic administrator of the host institution) shall, within thirty (30) days after the completion of the Championship, file a financial report of the Championship with the Conference office. The financial report shall be prepared and submitted on Schedule A, which follows on appendix III (page70).
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MEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX I – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS This is a sample Schedule of Events Wednesday, March 13 11:00 am Teams begin arriving at host site (All teams required to be on-site no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted due to arrival times or facility conflicts) 11:00 - 12:30 pm #7 Seed 12:30 - 2:00 pm #3 Seed 2:00 - 3:30 pm #2 Seed 3:30 - 5:00 pm #4 Seed 5:00 - 6:30 pm #6 Seed 6:30 - 8:00 pm #5 Seed
Thursday, March 14
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 7:30 am - 8:30 am #7 Seed 11:30 - 12:30 pm #4 Seed 8:30 am - 9:30 am #2 Seed 12:30 - 1:30 pm #5 Seed 9:30 am - 10:30 am #3 Seed 1:30 - 3:00 pm #1 Seed 10:30 - 11:30 am #6 Seed
Game Times 1:00 prior to game time Floor Available for First Game Warm-up 4:05 Game One: #2 Seed vs. # 7 Seed :30 minutes following Game Two: #3 Seed vs. # 6 Seed :30 minutes following Game Three: #4 Seed vs. # 5 Seed
Hospitality Room Information One hour prior to first game - after games Media Hospitality Open :30 prior to first game - after halftime last game VIP Hospitality Open
Friday, March 15
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 10:00 – 11:00 am Game One Winner 11:00 – Noon Game Two Winner Noon – 1:00 pm Game Three Winner 1:00 – 2:00 pm #1 Seed
Game Times 1:00 prior to game time Floor Available for First Game Warm-up 6:05 Game Four: highest two remaining seeds from quarterfinals :30 minutes following Game Five: #1 Seed vs. Lowest remaining seed from quarterfinals
Saturday, March 16
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 11:00 – Noon Game Four Winner Noon – 1:00 pm Game Five Winner
Game Time 1:00 prior to game Floor available for Championship Game Warm up 7:05 pm Championship Game (Game time set by ESPNU)
Hospitality Room Information One hour prior to game - completion of game Media Hospitality Open :30 prior to game - following halftime VIP Hospitality Open
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MEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX II – CHAMPIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER Arena Setup MEDIA COORDINATOR Athletic Training Room Arena Setup Awards Display/Setup Media Credentials Bands Media Seating/Setup Banners Official Photographer Financial Report Participant Packets Hospitality Functions Press Conferences Locker Room Assignments Public Address Announcer/Accountability Lodging/Championship Headquarters Publicity and Promotions Game Video Scoring Table Personnel Medical Facilities/Physicians Statistics Meetings Team Introductions National Anthem Television/Radio Participant Seating Pass Lists CONFERENCE INFORMATION STAFF Practice and Game Balls All-Tournament Team Selection Practice Schedules Committee Program Sales All-Tournament Ballots Publicity and Promotion Awards Security and Crowd Control Awards Ceremony Script Sponsors Media Credentials Television and Radio Media Seating/setup Tickets/Ticket Prices Press Conferences Television/Radio CONFERENCE OFFICE STAFF All-Tournament Team Selection PARTICIPANTS SID PERSONNEL Committee Awards Ceremony Team List Awards Assistance with Statistics Banners Updating Team Statistics Following Championship Guide Each Round Credentials/Passes Meetings Officials’ Assignments Officials’ Lodging Officials’ Travel and Per Diem Officials’ Game Fees Sponsors Television/Radio
ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS Band Cheerleaders Meeting Attendance Pass List Team Lodging Team Travel/Transportation 69 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Men’s Basketball
MEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX III – FINANCIAL REPORTING FORM Schedule A – Financial Report RECEIPTS Ticket Sales Adult All Session ______1 Student All Session ______2 Single game, Quarterfinals Adult ______3 Student ______4 Single game, Semifinals Adult ______5 Student ______6 Single game, Championship Adult ______7 Student ______8 All Session included in promotional packages* Adult ______9 Student ______10 Program Sales ______11 ESPN 2 Rights Fee ______Radio Rights Fees ______12 Other Television Rights Fees ______13
Other applicable receipts (not including concessions or parking) ______14
TOTAL RECEIPTS ______15 Applicable Sales Tax ______16 TOTAL NET RECEIPTS (line 15 minus line 16) ______17
PAYMENTS DUE (disbursed directly to the institutions) Team Travel Shares (Host $15K; All other teams $15K max each) $ TBD1 Per diem for the three teams advancing out of quarters ($2,600 each) $7,800 Per diem for the two teams in Championship ($2,600 each) $5,200 Conference office share $10,000
TOTAL PAYMENTS DUE $ ______TBD1
Subtract total payments due from total net receipts (line 17) ______18 If line 18 is less than or equal to $30,000, sign and date the report and forward to the Conference office. Host may retain the amount in line 18
If line 18 is greater than $30,000, subtract $30,000 from line 18 and enter ______19 Host shall submit amount on line 19 to Conference office to be used for extraordinary travel expenses, if any. Any remaining funds shall be disbursed, with 25 percent paid to host and 75 percent to remain in Conference Basketball Account.
*Enclose copy of any agreements/contracts 1Total cost to be determined and approved by Conference office, not to exceed $15,000 per institution
______Prepared By Date
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MEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX IV – CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKLIST CHAMPIONSHIP STAFF Championship Manager ...... ______(Designated Administrator) Big Sky Conference Representative...... ______(Conference Representative) Media Coordinator...... ______(Host Sports Info. Director) Big Sky Conference Information Director ...... ______(Conference Representative)
TEAM ARRIVALS: DATE TIME TRANSPORTATION (Airline, Flight No.) Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______
LODGING: HOTEL/MOTEL, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______CHAMPIONSHIP HEADQUARTERS: ______PRACTICE TIMES AND LOCATION: To be announced by host institution and Conference office DRESSING ROOMS: Thursday Friday Saturday Host ______Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______Officials ______
HOSPITALITY ROOMS: Media: Location______Hours: Thursday______Friday______Saturday______
VIP: Location______Hours: Thursday______Friday______Saturday______
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MEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX IV – CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKLIST (continued)
GAME STARTING TIMES: Quarterfinals Game Number 1 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 2 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 3 ______vs. ______Time:______Semifinals Game Number 4 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 5 ______vs. ______Time:______Championship Game Number 6 ______vs. ______Time:______
GAME BALL: Wide Channel Wilson Solution ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITIES: ______HOSPITAL/DOCTORS: ______GAME FILM CONTACT: ______TICKET PRICES: All-Session Ticket $ ______Individual Session Ticket $ ______Student All-Session Ticket $ ______Student Individual Session Ticket $ ______
SCOUTING SEATS: ______PARTICIPANTS’ SEATS: ______OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: ______A photographer must be available at the post-Championship ceremonies
RADIO: CALL LETTERS ANNOUNCERS Host ______Team 1 ______Team 2 ______Team 3 ______Team 4 ______Team 5 ______Team 6 ______
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS:
Room/Location:______
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Championship is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Conference office and the host Championship Manager/Athletic Administrator.
DATES AND SITE
The winner of the regular season championship shall host the Big Sky Women’s Basketball Championship. If they cannot host, the opportunity to host will go to the teams in order of seeding. The championship will begin on Thursday of the week prior to the start of the NCAA Championship. The Semifinal and Championship games will be played on Friday and Saturday following the first round games.
First Round Semi-finals Championship March 14, 2013 March 15, 2013 March 16, 2013
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
Seedings
A. The Basketball Championship will consist of the eligible teams finishing one (1) through seven (7) at the conclusion of the regular season. Seeding is determined by the Conference standings at the end of the regular season.
B. The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official "Conference Regular Season Champion" with the understanding that the Big Sky Championship Champion is the Conference champion for the purpose of representing the Conference in the NCAA Championship. If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared "Conference Regular Season Co- Champions." The tie-breaking system will be used only for the purposes of determining seeding and the site of the Conference championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Quarterfinal Round Semifinal Round (Friday) Championship (Saturday) (Thursday) Game 4 -- other two Game 6 -- Semifinal Game 1 -- 2 vs. 7 quarterfinal winners Winners Game 2 -- 3 vs. 6 Game 5 – 1 vs. LRS Game 3 -- 4 vs. 5 Order of play and times to be determined by the Conference office.
The host institution shall have the option to choose the time slot for its semi-final game.
GAME TIMES
A. Starting times for all games will be determined by the host institution and approved by the Big Sky Conference Commissioner.
B. Normal starting times for the first round will be 4:00; 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Starting times may be changed in order to facilitate requests by the host institution, the other participating institutions or for television.
C. The starting time for the Championship game will be determined by the Conference office with input from the host institution and any television partners.
DETERMINING CHAMPION - NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1-seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
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TIE BREAKER
To eliminate ties that result at the end of the season, rank all teams using the criteria listed below:
1. Head to Head Competition
a. Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season. In double round robin play, a team would have to sweep the opponent to break a tie with this method.
b. In the case of more than two tied teams, consider the Conference regular season record for head- to-head competition among all of the tied teams. This process is used to break ties between any of the tied teams with any remaining tied teams returning to the process at criteria 1.a. (above).
(Example: Teams A, B, C, and D have identical records from a double round robin season. In head-to-head competition, team A emerges with a 4-2 record against the other tied teams, team B and team C have a 3-3 record and team D has a 2-4 record. Teams A and D can be placed in the final standings at that point, while teams B and C return to criteria 1.a. If B and C have split their regular Conference season games, they will move to criteria 2, performance against other teams in descending order.)
c. In the case of three or more teams having identical win-loss records, the normal tie-breaking procedure would be used. When one or more of these teams is eliminated by using the tie- breaking procedure, the remaining teams involved would then return to the criteria listed in a., above, to break the tie. This will be done until a team is established for that particular seeding position.
2. Performance Against Conference Teams This will be determined in descending order of finish, beginning with the No. 1 team. (Example: Teams B and C remained tied after head-to-head criteria from above. Team A has been declared the Conference champion based on the above criteria. Team B has split the Conference season games with team A, and team C has lost both of the conference games to team A. Team B is now placed in second place ahead of team C.)
3. RPI Rating
4. Coin Toss.
Note: In all tie-breaking procedures, if more than one tie exists, the tie among/between the teams lower in descending order will be broken first, to facilitate the process of breaking the tie between/among teams higher in the order. (Example: Teams A and B are tied for first and second, and teams C and D are tied for fourth and fifth. All tied teams have “split” the regular Conference season with their tied opponents. Teams C and D both have a 1-3 combined record vs. teams A and B. Team C has beaten team A, and D has beaten team B. Assuming all previous tiebreakers are the same, teams C and D will have their placing decided by their RPI ranking first [Criteria 3], and then teams A and B enter the tie-breaking procedures.)
Specific Examples of Tie Breakers are listed below:
Breaking a head-to-head tie for the No. 4 seed between Montana and Idaho State: Portland State 14-2 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 10-6 Idaho State 8-8 Montana 8-8 Montana State 7-9
Process The teams split their regular-season meetings Both teams went 0-2 vs. No. 1 Portland State Idaho State went 1-1 against No. 2 Northern Arizona Montana went 0-2 against No. 2 Northern Arizona
Idaho State gains the No. 4 seed by virtue of its win over Northern Arizona Montana is seeded No. 5 74
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Breaking a three-way tie for second, and a two-way tie for fifth: Montana 15-1 Idaho State 11-5 Northern Arizona 11-5 Weber State 11-5 Portland State 8-8 Montana State 8-8 E. Washington 5-11 Northern Colorado 2-14 Sacramento State 1-15
Process: Idaho State, Weber State and Northern Arizona are tied for second place. In head-to-head competition amongst the three, Idaho State was 3-1, Northern Arizona was 2-2 and Weber State was 1-3. Therefore, Idaho State is the No. 2, Northern Arizona is the No. 3 and Weber State is the No. 4 seed.
The tie between No. 5 and No. 6 could not be broken by head-to-head, and could not be broken until the tie for second was determined because both MSU and PSU went 0-2 against UM and policy states ties must be broken in descending order.
Both teams went 1-1 vs. No. 2 Idaho State Montana State went 0-2 against No. 3 Northern Arizona Portland State was 1-1 against No. 3 Northern Arizona
Therefore, Portland State is the No. 5 and Montana State is the No. 6 seed. Breaking a tie for third and a tie for sixth Montana 13-3 Idaho State 12-4 Montana State 11-5 Portland State 11-5 Northern Colorado 8-8 Northern Arizona 6-10 Weber State 6-10
Montana State went 2-0 vs. Portland State. Montana is the No. 3 seed. Portland State is the No. 4 seed
Northern Arizona went 2-0 vs. Weber State. Northern Arizona is the No. 6 seed. Weber State is No. 7 and eliminated from postseason contention
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all championship sessions.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Press Credentials Subject to limitation of space, credentials shall be assigned to the working press in accordance with the following priorities: 1. Two writers representing and designated by the athletic administrator and/or sports information personnel of each participating institution.
2. Press agencies in the locale of the participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and championship.
Official Photographer The host institution is responsible for having an official photographer present at the post-championship awards ceremony.
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Radio
The official designated station(s) of each institution will be accommodated for game broadcasts. Stations desiring to broadcast any game or session of the Championship should contact the host institution’s media coordinator for permission to broadcast and reserve space. There will be a $100.00 150.00 per station originating fee to broadcast the Championship. University radio stations shall be exempt from rights fees.
Television
All television rights, both "live" and "taped," shall be under the jurisdiction of the Conference office.
1. There is no black-out restriction if the session is sold out. If the session is not sold out 48 hours in advance, there is a 250-mile television broadcast restriction. Exceptions to the 250-mile restriction may be negotiable through the Conference office.
2. All television contracts are negotiated through the Conference office.
News Video
Television stations approved by the media coordinator at the site shall be limited to two (2) minutes of footage on a regular news sports broadcast. A television station may not sell, loan or give away championship footage to any individual agency or use footage on any non-sports news program produced or aired by the station.
Sideline Video Cameras 1. The media coordinator at the site may permit a television station to air two (2) minutes of video footage on a sports news broadcast. If a video camera is utilized to document championship action, a television station may not broadcast live reports from the site of the competition. Videotape game coverage only may be presented on a sports news broadcast after the game being documented has been completed.
2. A television station also is prohibited from airing live video reports of any part of a championship game in progress for any purpose.
COACHES AND ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS’ MEETING
The head basketball coaches, athletic administrators and sports information personnel will meet via conference call before the first round games to review championship procedures. It is mandatory that the head coach from each institution participate in this call.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
Championship games require:
1. The presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care.
2. The presence of a physician, preferably a team physician, for prompt medical evaluation.
3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services.
4. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
Athletic Training Facilities
Athletic training facilities will be available to the competing institutions. It is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany their team. In the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, the institution must make arrangements for athletic training services, if available, with the host institution in advance of the Championship.
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AWARDS 1. The Conference maintains a standardized awards program for all Conference sponsored championships. (See Appendix Index)
2. A representative from the Conference office and a representative from the host institution will present the awards immediately following the Championship game.
All-Championship Team
Before the Championship game, the Conference/host institution media coordinator(s) shall distribute ballots to the All-Championship Team Selection Committee. The Committee shall determine a six member All- Championship Team including the Most Valuable Player. The ballots shall be collected immediately following the completion of the Championship game. An effort should be made to "balance" the number of individuals voting among the participating institutions. The team will be announced as part of the awards ceremony immediately following the game. Ballots will be furnished by the Conference office.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS Arrival All participating teams must be at the championship site no later than 3:00 p.m. the day preceding their competition.
Lodging
All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office with a list of the hotel(s) it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve rooms 25 rooms for each institution.
Practice
Practice times shall be arranged by the host institution and shall be equal in length.
Squad Size
1. The travel party for the Conference championship shall be a maximum of fifteen (15) players with no limit on the total number in the party. Replacements are permitted up to the starting time of any game; after the game starts, no replacements shall be permitted for any reason.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student- athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel up to a total of 22 individuals. No more than seven (7) of the team party shall be non-student athletes.
Mileage Policy
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
Team & Coaches Seating Area
1. The team bench shall seat a minimum of nineteen (19) individuals. The championship manager may provide an additional chair for a championship physician and a security representative. 2. The host institution shall determine procedures for admission and seating of participants and official party members.
3. Bench assignments shall be determined by seeding and assigned by the championship manager.
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Non-Participant Seating
1. First round games: A special section with eighty-eight (88) seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants, which would cover the 22 members of each institution’s official travel party.
2. Semi-final Session: A special section with forty-four (44) seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants which would cover the twenty-two (22) members of each institution's official travel party.
3. Championship Session: A special section with 44 seats shall be available, upon request by the non- winning teams of the semi-finals, if they wish to remain for the championship game. This would cover the 22 members of each institution's official travel party.
Scouting
Each institution still in contention shall be provided two scouting seats during each game.
Uniforms
Each competing team shall have both light and dark uniforms available. The higher-seeded team will wear light colored uniforms. Each player is required to wear the official uniform of her institution during the competition.
Game Balls The host institution shall provide practice and game balls at no expense to the championship. The official championship ball shall be the Wilson Solution.
Game Video
1. All game videos of the Championship will be filmed and exchanged with the exchange to be coordinated by the host institution. All teams advancing shall receive a DVD of the opponent’s game.
National Anthem
The National Anthem shall be played before the start of each championship session.
Team Introductions
The alternating introduction format shall be used:
1. The announcer shall introduce the starting players in the following order, beginning with the designated visiting team and alternating players from each team: Forward, Forward, Center, Guard, Guard 2. The first player introduced shall proceed to the center jump circle and remain there. Next, the first player from the home team is introduced. This individual proceeds to the jump circle, and these two athletes shake hands; then each goes to the free-throw line in front of the respective bench. The same procedure is observed until the final starter from the home team has been presented.
3. The two head coaches shall be introduced, visiting coach first, and they will shake hands in front of the official scorer's table.
Bands
1. The championship manager is encouraged to have a band available to play the National Anthem, entertain at half time, and play during warm-ups for all games. The host band and all visiting bands will be admitted free to the championship. Names of band members, up to 25 individuals, must be on a pass list. The host institution must be notified by the preceding Monday that a band will be present. Visiting bands shall have equivalent seating arrangements to the host institution’s band.
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2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Women’s Basketball 2. Bands or any component thereof, are not allowed to play during a free throw attempt or while the ball is in play. Bands shall be seated in rows designated by the championship manager. If a band does not comply with championship policies, the athletic administration of the involved institution will be asked to rectify the situation.
3. Artificial noisemakers, airhorns, and electronic amplifiers are not permissible. Non-amplified megaphones are permissible by cheerleaders only, but may not be used as noisemakers. The championship manager is responsible for removing non-permissible instruments from the arena.
Cheerleaders & Mascots 1. Cheerleaders and/or pompon squads, in uniform, not to exceed twelve (12) in number and one (1) costumed mascot, shall be admitted via a pass list submitted to the championship manager by the competing institutions for sessions in which their teams are competing. 2. A maximum of twelve (12) cheerleaders and/or pompon squad members and one (1) mascot shall be allowed on the floor when the clock is stopped when their team is participating. Additional cheerleaders will be allowed to perform before the game and at half-time only, and those additional cheerleaders must sit in the stands while the game is being played. 3. The twelve (12) cheerleaders and one (1) mascot shall be located in an area at the end of the playing court as designated by the championship manager. Cheerleaders are allowed in this designated area only when their institution is participating. 4. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with the school mascots toward game officials. 5. All other institutional representatives shall be admitted only upon presentation of a ticket.
Half-Time Entertainment
Visiting institutions interested in providing half-time entertainment should contact the host institution as soon as the championship site is determined.
Banners and Signage
No commercial banners may be posted at any session of the championship other than television and radio banners. All other signs and banners are subject to Conference standards of sporting and ethical behavior.
Programs
The official championship program shall be the responsibility of the Conference office. The Sports Information Directors of the competing institutions shall forward requested materials to the Conference information personnel.
Advertising
Refer to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Handbook for complete advertising policies.
Statistics & Reports
1. The media coordinator from the host institution shall furnish official NCAA basketball box score statistical forms. A copy of the official box score and statistics of each championship game and a list of the All- Championship Team and the Most Valuable Player shall be filed with the Conference office. These reports should be sent immediately following the championship. 2. Each participating institution's sports information personnel shall update her/his statistics after each game. At the championship, wireless connection, computers and copiers will be available in the press room at the championship headquarters. Statistics shall be prepared for distribution before each session.
Scorer's Table/Personnel
1. The game staff shall be provided by the host institution and shall include; official scorer, timer, shot clock operator, scoreboard operator, public address announcer, two ball persons, a dressing room attendant or athletic trainer for each team and a championship physician.
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2. The scorer’s table should be designated in a distinctive manner and the scorer should wear a distinctive shirt or jacket to facilitate identification. It is recommended that an official's shirt be used for this purpose. There shall be no ornamentation in front of the scorer's table other than that provided by the Conference. 3. The Official NCAA Basketball Scorebook will be used for scoring championship games.
TICKETS
1. Ticket prices for the championship shall be determined by the host institution with the approval of the Conference office. 2. 200 tickets for each of the six traveling teams shall be held until 8:00 a.m. two days prior to the date of the first round games. These will include five complimentary tickets to be used for additional members of the travel party not seated on the team bench. Any tickets ordered by a visiting team shall be considered sold. The visiting team may release part of the 200 tickets back to the host institution if it is known before the two-day 8:00 a.m. deadline that tickets will not be sold. 3. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Host institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
FINANCES
Travel Expenses
Travel expenses are the responsibility of the traveling teams' institutions.
Promotions
1. Promotion of the Women's Postseason Basketball Championship is the responsibility of the host institution in consultation with the Conference office. 2. Promotions expenditures may be allowed as approved by the Conference office not to exceed $1500.00. These expenses shall be itemized on the championship financial report. 3. Free tickets may be provided to the media for promotional give-aways.
Championship Hospitality
1. Championship hospitality is the responsibility of the host institution in consultation with the Conference office. 2. Hospitality expenditures may be allowed as approved by the Conference office not to exceed $750.00.
Gross Receipts
Gross receipts shall be all revenues derived from the sale of tickets, advertising, television and radio rights and any other income derived from the operation of the championship except concessions, program sales, parking and a ticket convenience fee which is normally charged when using a computerized ticketing system, including off-campus outlets. Concessions revenue, parking revenue, program sales and the ticket convenience fee shall accrue to the host institution.
Championship Expenses
The host institution shall be allowed to retain 15% of gross receipts after taxes to pay game management expenses related to hosting championship games. Game management related expenses include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Cost of printing tickets 2. Ticket sellers 3. Ticket takers 4. Ushers 5. Security officers 6. Building and grounds charges 7. Parking 80
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8. Building rental fees 9. Additional expenses as approved in advance by the Conference office
Net Receipts
Net receipts shall be the total revenue minus expenses for game officials, taxes, other pre-approved expenses and the 15% allowance to the host institution.
Financial Report
The championship manager/athletic administrator of the host institution shall, within sixty (60) days after the completion of the championship, file a financial report of the championship with the Conference office. The financial report shall be prepared and submitted on the Women's Basketball Championship Report.
Distribution of Receipts
The net receipts generated from the Conference championship shall be disbursed in seven (7) equal shares to the participants and the Conference office.
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2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Women’s Basketball WOMEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX I – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS This is a sample Schedule of Events
Wednesday, March 13 11:00 am Teams begin arriving at host site (All teams required to be on-site no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted due to arrival times or facility conflicts) 11:00 - 12:30 pm #7 Seed 12:30 - 2:00 pm #3 Seed 2:00 - 3:30 pm #2 Seed 3:30 - 5:00 pm #4 Seed 5:00 - 6:30 pm #6 Seed 6:30 - 8:00 pm #5 Seed
Thursday, March 14
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 7:30 am - 8:30 am #7 Seed 11:30 - 12:30 pm #4 Seed 8:30 am - 9:30 am #2 Seed 12:30 - 1:30 pm #5 Seed 9:30 am - 10:30 am #3 Seed 1:30 - 3:00 pm #1 Seed 10:30 - 11:30 am #6 Seed
Game Times 1:00 prior to game time Floor Available for First Game Warm-up 4:05 Game One: #2 Seed vs. # 7 Seed :30 minutes following Game Two: #3 Seed vs. # 6 Seed :30 minutes following Game Three: #4 Seed vs. # 5 Seed
Hospitality Room Information One hour prior to first game - after games Media Hospitality Open :30 prior to first game - after halftime last game VIP Hospitality Open
Friday, March 15
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 10:00 – 11:00 am Game One Winner 11:00 – Noon Game Two Winner Noon – 1:00 pm Game Three Winner 1:00 – 2:00 pm #1 Seed Game Times 1:00 prior to game time Floor Available for First Game Warm-up 6:05 Game Four: highest two remaining seeds from quarterfinals :30 minutes following Game Five: #1 Seed vs. Lowest remaining seed quarterfinals
Saturday, March 16
Practice Times (Examples: may be adjusted) 11:00 – Noon Game Four Winner Noon – 1:00 pm Game Five Winner
Game Time 1:00 prior to game Floor available for Championship Game Warm up 7:05 pm Championship Game
Hospitality Room Information One hour prior to game - completion of game Media Hospitality Open :30 prior to game - following halftime VIP Hospitality Open
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX II – CHAMPIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER MEDIA COORDINATOR Arena Setup Arena Setup Athletic Training Room Media Credentials Awards Display/Setup Media Seating/Setup Bands Official Photographer Banners Participant Packets Financial Report Press Conferences Hospitality Functions Public Address Announcer/Accountability Locker Room Assignments Publicity and Promotions Lodging/Championship Headquarters Scoring Table Personnel Game Video Statistics Medical Facilities/Physicians Team Introductions Meetings Television/Radio National Anthem Participant Seating CONFERENCE INFORMATION STAFF Pass Lists All-Tournament Team Selection Committee Practice and Game Balls All-Tournament Ballots Practice Schedules Awards Program Sales Awards Ceremony Script Publicity and Promotion Media Credentials Security and Crowd Control Media Seating/setup Sponsors Press Conferences Television and Radio Television/Radio Tickets/Ticket Prices PARTICIPANTS SID PERSONNEL CONFERENCE OFFICE STAFF Awards Ceremony Team List All-Tournament Team Selection Committee Assistance with Statistics Awards Updating Team Statistics Following Each Banners Round Championship Guide Credentials/Passes Meetings Officials’ Assignments Officials’ Lodging Officials’ Travel and Per Diem Officials’ Game Fees Sponsors Television/Radio
ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS Band Cheerleaders Meeting Attendance Pass List Team Lodging Team Travel/Transportation
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX III – FINANCIAL REPORT RECEIPTS: Ticket Sales: All-Session Student All-Session Team 2 ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Team 3 ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Team 4 ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Team 5 ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Team 6 ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______TOTAL ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Individual Session Student Individual Session Quarterfinals ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Semifinals ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______Finals ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______TOTAL ______@ $ ______= $ ______@ $ ______= $ ______TOTAL TICKET SALES: $ ______OTHER REVENUE: Television Rights $ ______Radio Rights $ ______Program Sales $ ______TOTAL OTHER REVENUE: $______Less sales tax - ______TOTAL GROSS RECEIPTS $ ______GAME EXPENSE: Pre-Approved Expenses: Promotions (as approved by Conference office, not to exceed $1500) $______Hospitality (as approved by Conference office, not to exceed $750) $______Other (please itemize): ______$______$ ______TOTAL GAME EXPENSE: $______NET RECEIPTS: $ ______PER SHARE VALUE: (NET RECEIPTS DIVIDED BY 8 SHARES) $ ______
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX IV – CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKLIST CHAMPIONSHIP STAFF Championship Manager ...... ______(Designated Administrator) Big Sky Conference Representative...... ______(Conference Representative) Media Coordinator...... ______(Host Sports Info. Director) Big Sky Conference Information Director ...... ______(Conference Representative)
TEAM ARRIVALS: DATE TIME TRANSPORTATION (Airline, Flight No.) Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______
LODGING: HOTEL/MOTEL, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______CHAMPIONSHIP HEADQUARTERS: ______PRACTICE TIMES AND LOCATION: To be announced by host institution and Conference office DRESSING ROOMS: Thursday Friday Saturday Host ______Team 1______Team 2______Team 3______Team 4______Team 5______Team 6______Officials ______
HOSPITALITY ROOMS: Media: Location______Hours: Thursday______Friday______Saturday______
VIP: Location______Hours: Thursday______Friday______Saturday______
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL APPENDIX IV – CHAMPIONSHIP CHECKLIST (continued)
GAME STARTING TIMES: Quarterfinals Game Number 1 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 2 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 3 ______vs. ______Time:______Semifinals Game Number 4 ______vs. ______Time:______Game Number 5 ______vs. ______Time:______Championship Game Number 6 ______vs. ______Time:______
GAME BALL: Wide Channel Wilson Solution ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITIES: ______HOSPITAL/DOCTORS: ______GAME FILM CONTACT: ______TICKET PRICES: All-Session Ticket $ ______Individual Session Ticket $ ______Student All-Session Ticket $ ______Student Individual Session Ticket $ ______
SCOUTING SEATS: ______PARTICIPANTS’ SEATS: ______OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: ______A photographer must be available at the post-Championship ceremonies
RADIO: CALL LETTERS ANNOUNCERS Host ______Team 1 ______Team 2 ______Team 3 ______Team 4 ______Team 5 ______Team 6 ______
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS:
Room/Location: ______
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2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Men & Women’s Cross Country
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
NCAA rules shall govern cross country meets conducted at all Big Sky Conference institutions. These rules may be altered by existing Conference rules.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championship is under the control, direction, and supervision of the host institution, subject to requirements, standards, and conditions prescribed by the Conference and the NCAA. Championship policies, dates, and sites of these championships are subject to approval by the Presidents’ Council.
DATE AND SITE
The Championship shall be held two weeks prior to the NCAA District qualifying meets. The site of the Championship shall be reviewed and set annually by the Presidents’ Council at the Spring Conference meeting. (See Calendar of Events for the current year's date and site.)
MEET MANAGEMENT
The Athletic Director of the host institution shall appoint a committee to supervise the conduct of the championship. The committee shall include the cross country coaches of the host institution, or their designated representative, who will serve as Chair. The Chair may appoint additional persons to this committee as he/she deems necessary. It is recommended that someone other than the head coaches at the host institution serve as the meet or tournament director for all Conference championships.
ENTRIES Entries shall comply with NCAA Rules.
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competing institutions are expected to communicate with their fans prior to the competition to encourage enthusiastic support within the confines of good sporting behavior.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Requests for all media credentials should be directed to the sports information staff of the host institution. All coaches are requested to make themselves available to media representatives ten (10) minutes after the conclusion of the competition. Results of the meet will be reported to Media Outlets by the sports information staff of the host institution. Should local media covering individual schools request more information than the wire service provides, coaches or a representative of their team are asked to contact the local media to provide additional information. Copies of meet results shall be available after the competition. Five (5) copies of the meet program and results shall be forwarded to the Conference office. One copy of the program and final results shall be forwarded to each competing institution's sports information staff.
COACHES PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
The evening prior to the actual competition a dinner should be planned by the host institution for meet officials and coaches of competing teams. This time should be used by meet officials to review the race procedures and answer any questions from the competing coaches. Upon conclusion of this meeting, the coaches will discuss the championship and take whatever action is needed.
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MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES The Championship Policies shall require:
1. the presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care;
2. planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or nearby presence for prompt medical evaluation;
3. planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services, and;
4. a thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
INTERRUPTED EVENT
If a threat of Lightning exists, and to avoid a stoppage of competition during a race, the Games Committee/Referee will determine 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the first race if the Championship will start at the scheduled time. If necessary, a new race time will be determined making every effort to run the Championship on the same day. Should the Big Sky Conference Championship be interrupted due to Lightning during either race and the competitors have raced less than half of the total distance, it is the policy of the Conference that there will be a five-hour period prior to a restart of the affected race. If time constraints do not allow for the five-hour period, or the competitors have completed more than half of the total distance, the race will be restarted the following day at an agreed-upon time.
AWARDS The Conference maintains a standard award structure for all Conference sports. See Appendix for details.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS 1. The host institution will provide a list of approved hotel properties to each competing team, with every effort made to secure discount room rates. Each institution is responsible for securing its own accommodations, and it must be at a property on the list provided by the host institution.
2. Athletic training facilities will be made available, if requested, to competing teams by the host institution.
3. Transportation arrangements to and from the site of the meet shall be made by the competing teams.
4. Each competitor is required to wear the official uniform of his/her institution during the competition.
SQUAD SIZE LIMITATION A team shall consist of eight (8) team members with five (5) used in team scoring. Those teams falling under five (5) members will be counted as individuals and no team score will be kept.
MILEAGE POLICY
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
SCORING - DISTANCE 1. NCAA rules shall apply to scoring. Distance - 8,000 meters, men; 5,000 meters, women.
COURSE ACCESS
The designated course to be run on for the Big Sky Cross Country Championship shall be made available the day prior to the actual competition. The host institution will inform all competing teams of the time the course will be open the day prior to the competition.
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WOMEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
U.S.G.A. rules, as supplemented or altered by local and Conference rules, shall govern play at all Big Sky Conference Championships.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Championship is under the control, direction, and supervision of the host institution subject to requirements, standards, and conditions prescribed by the Big Sky Conference coaches and the NCAA. Championship policies, dates, and sites of these championships are subject to approval by the Big Sky Presidents’ Council.
DATES AND SITE
The dates and site of the Championship shall be reviewed and set annually by the Presidents at the Spring Meeting. (See Calendar of Events for the current year's dates and site.)
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
The athletic director of the host institution (or in the case of a neutral site, the Conference representative) shall appoint a committee to supervise the conduct of the championship. The committee shall include the golf coach(es) of the host institution or their designated representative, who will serve as Chair (or those members assigned by the Conference office representative). The Chair may appoint additional persons to this committee as he/she deems necessary. It is recommended that someone other than the head coach(es) at the host institution serve as the championship director for all Conference championships.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Requests for all media credentials should be directed to the sports information staff of the host institution. All coaches are requested to make themselves available to media representatives ten (10) minutes after the conclusion of the competition.
COACHES PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
A pre-championship meeting will be held on the evening prior to the championship. Officials will be introduced, the Rules Chair will review local rules, and other championship business will be discussed.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
The Championship Policies shall require:
1. The presence of a CPR certified and/or CPR certified licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care;
2. planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or nearby presence for prompt medical evaluation of the situation; 3. planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services, and 4. a thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
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AWARDS
The Conference maintains a standard award structure for all Conference sports. See Appendix Index.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS
1. The host institution will provide a list of approved hotel properties to each competing team, with every effort made to secure discount room rates. Each institution is responsible for securing its own accommodations.
2. Athletic training facilities will be made available if at all possible.
3. Transportation arrangements to and from the site of the meet shall be made by the competing teams.
4. Each competitor is required to wear the official uniform of her institution during the competition.
MILEAGE POLICY
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
SPECIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP FORMAT
Administration
1. The golf coach of the host institution (or the Conference office representative) shall act as the Chair of the Conference golf coaches.
2. Primary responsibilities of the Chair are to:
A. Contact all coaches prior to the championship for agenda items to be considered at the coaches’ pre-championship meeting.
B. Preside at the coaches’ meeting. The meeting should include the following business matters: 1) Championship administration 2) Distribute and discuss copies of rules sheets governing local rules that may supplement USGA rules for championships.
C. Coordinate the activities of the following championship officials: 1) Provide official scorer and assistant to collect, check and certify score cards. 2) Assign marshals or spotters on trouble holes when and where necessary. 3) Coordinate championship times and details with the USGA Rules Official selected by the Conference office. This person will serve as the official Rules Supervisor, and his/her decision shall be final. 4) Assign an individual to act as the official starter.
Championship Conduct
1. Play shall consist of 54 holes. Each school shall be represented by five players with the four low scores each round counting as the team score. Two 18-hole rounds may be played on the first day and one 18-hole round played on the second day, or 18-hole rounds may be played on each of three consecutive days. Less than 54 holes may be played only under circumstances where courses are not available or inclement weather conditions prevail.
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Players shall tee off in descending order from the #5 players to the #1 players.
2. In case of extreme weather conditions, or other extenuating circumstances which may cause delays or cancellation of play, the following guidelines shall be used:
A. All three 18-hole rounds shall be completed under the format of #1 above, if possible.
B. If one or two rounds on any day must be canceled, 36 holes should be played on the following day, if possible.
C. A minimum of 18 holes of play must be completed before team and individual championships can be determined and if early rounds are completed and subsequent rounds canceled, the scores at the end of the last completed round will constitute the team and individual championship.
D. If play is temporarily suspended due to Lightning, players are to mark their position according to the United States Golf Association (USGA) playing rules and retreat to the nearest shelter. Once it has been determined play may resume, players shall restart using the same USGA Rules of Golf. While it is the policy of the NCAA that outdoor activities may resume 30 minutes following the last noticeable thunder clap, the Conference will also utilize the SkyScan Lightning and Storm Detector to determine safety.
E. If circumstances occur that do not allow for the conducting of the Championship, the Conference’s NCAA automatic bid will be awarded to the highest ranked institution prior to the championship according to GolfStat.
3. In case of a tie for the team championship, the sudden-death NCAA tie-breaking format will be used. (See the NCAA Men's and Women's Golf Championship Handbook). Pairings and hole selection used for the playoff will be determined at the coaches meeting prior to the championship. If the course is not available or time does not allow this procedure to be followed, then the fifth score of the final round will be used to determine the team winner. If a tie still exists, the fifth score of the second 18-hole round will be used and so on. Individual ties will be determined by a sudden-death playoff.
4. The Conference Golf Championship shall not be played on a nine-hole course. The host institution shall be responsible for arranging the championship on an 18-hole course of the highest caliber available.
5. No participant in the golf championship will be allowed to wear cut-offs, blue jeans or similar types of attire; nor will players be permitted to wear tee shirts or other clothing not in keeping with standard golf attire.
6. During the round, defined as from the time the player hits the first shot until the score card is submitted in the box, a player will be assessed a two-stroke penalty for misconduct (i.e., willful acts of defacing the golf course, club throwing or breaking, abusive language, violation of the tobacco policy or any acts contrary to the spirit of the rules of golf). If two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties occur in the same round, the player will be disqualified for that round. A player will be disqualified from the championship for flagrant acts of misconduct or for receiving three misconduct penalties for the entire championship, including practice rounds.
7. The coach will be notified prior to the announcement of a student-athlete’s disqualification for any reason.
8. The course for the golf championship will be available for a practice round the day prior to the opening day of competition.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Big Sky Conference Women’s Soccer Championship is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Conference Office and the host Championship Manager/Athletic Administrator.
DATES AND SITES
The Big Sky Conference Women’s Soccer Championship will be played two weeks following the end of regular season competition at the site of the regular season winner. Semifinal games will be played Thursday and the championship game on Saturday, or semifinals on Friday with Championship on Sunday.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
The championship will be held on three days; the two semifinal games scheduled on day one, with a day of rest before the championship on the third day. Teams must arrive at the championship site by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the semifinals.
Semifinal Pairings
The semifinals will consist of the number two seed playing the third seed, and the number one seed playing the fourth seed.
Final Pairings
The winners of the two semifinal games will play in the championship game; the winner will be the Conference Championship champion and the Conference’s automatic representative in the NCAA Championship.
Scheduling Format
The host team shall play in the second semifinal game.
GAME TIMES
1. Starting times for the semifinals and championship games will be determined by the host institution in consultation with the Conference office.
2. Starting times will be set to ensure the completion of all games with at least thirty (30) minutes between games.
3. The NCAA procedure for overtimes will be used for the Conference championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
1. The championship will consist of the Conference’s top four (4) eligible teams at the end of regular Conference season.
2. The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official “Conference Regular Season Champion” with the understanding that the Big Sky Tournament Champion will be the league champion for the purpose of representing the Conference in the NCAA Championship. If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared “Conference Regular Season Co-Champions.” The tie breaking system will be used only for the purpose of determining seeding and the site of the Conference Championship.
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3. The team with the best win-loss Conference record shall host the championship. If that team cannot host the championship, the opportunity to host will go to the teams in order of seeding.
DETERMINING CHAMPION - NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1- seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
TIE-BREAKER
Ties for entry and seeds in the Championship will be decided by the results of head-to-head conference competition. The tiebreaker for soccer will be as follows:
1. Head-to-head competition among tied teams. 2. Points against all teams in descending order. 3. Goal differential between/among tied teams, maximum of three. 4. Goal differential against all teams, maximum of three. 5. Goals allowed between/among tied teams. 6. Goals allowed - rest of Conference. 7. Goals for tied teams against tied teams. 8. Goals for tied teams against the rest of the Conference. 9. Coin toss.
PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
The head soccer coaches, athletic administrators, and sports information personnel will meet via conference call prior to the semifinal games to review championship procedures. Attendance by coaches is mandatory.
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in both championship sessions.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Press Credentials
Subject to limitation of space, credentials shall be assigned to the working press in accordance with the following priorities:
1. Two writers representing and designated by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution.
2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and championship.
Photo Credentials
Subject to limitations of space, photo credentials are issued in accordance with the following priorities:
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1. One photographer representing and certified by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution. 2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and championship. 3. Photographers may not place tripods on the playing field.
Press Conferences
If a press conference is scheduled, each coach shall participate. It is also recommended that each institution have players available at all scheduled press conferences, if requested to do so.
1. Each coach shall select a minimum of two student-athletes to accompany her/him to the interview area ten minutes after the conclusion of the game - winning team first.
2. The Sports Information Director, representing each institution in the championship game, shall obtain quotes from the coaches during the trophy presentations to distribute to the media facing early deadlines.
Official Photographer
The host institution is responsible for having an official photographer present at the post-championship awards ceremony.
Radio
The official designated station(s) of each institution will be accommodated for game broadcasts. Stations desiring to broadcast any game or session of the championship should contact the host institution’s media coordinator to reserve space. There will be a $100.00 per station originating fee to broadcast the championship. A check, payable to the Conference office must be submitted to the Championship Manager prior to the start of the first game. University Radio Stations shall be exempt from rights fees.
Television All television rights, both live and taped, shall be under the jurisdiction of the Conference office and all television contracts are negotiated through the Conference office.
News Video
Television stations approved by the media coordinator at the site shall be limited to two (2) minutes of footage on a regular news sports broadcast. A television station may not sell, loan, or give away championship footage to any individual agency or use footage on any non-sports news program produced or aired by the station.
Sideline Cameras
1. The media coordinator at the site may permit a television station to air two (2) minutes of game footage on a sports news broadcast. If a sideline camera is utilized to document championship action, a television station may not broadcast live reports from the site of the competition. Videotape game coverage only may be presented on a sports news broadcast after the game being documented has been completed.
2. A television station is also prohibited from airing live video reports of any part of a championship game in progress for any purpose.
94 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Women’s Soccer MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
Championship games require:
1. The presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care.
2. Planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or on-site presence for prompt medical evaluation.
3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services.
4. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
Athletic Training Facilities
Athletic Training facilities will be available to the competing institutions. It is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany its team. In the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, the institution must make arrangements for athletic training services with the host institution in advance of the championship.
AWARDS
1. The Conference maintains a standard award structure for all Conference sports. See Appendix VI for details.
2. A representative from the Conference office and a representative from the host institution will present the awards immediately following the championship game.
All-Championship Team
Before the championship game, the Conference and host institution media coordinator(s) shall distribute ballots to the All-Championship Team Selection Committee. The Committee shall determine a twelve (12) member All-Championship Team including the Most Valuable Player. One of these must be a goalkeeper. The ballots shall be collected immediately following the completion of the championship game. An effort should be made to balance the number of individuals voting among the participating institutions. The team will be announced as part of the awards ceremony immediately following the game. Ballots will be furnished by the Conference office.
PRACTICE
Practice times will be arranged by the host institution and will be equal in length. If, due to field or weather conditions practices must be held at another location, all teams practicing must be allowed to use the same field. The decision to not allow practice on the game field will be made by the Athletic Director of the host institution in consultation with the Conference office.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS
Lodging
All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office the hotel(s) it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the
95 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Women’s Soccer property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve rooms for the Conference office staff at championship headquarters, and will reserve 20 rooms for each institution.
Travel Party
1. There is no limit to the total number on the Conference Championship travel party. 2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include student- athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel up to a total of 32 individuals.
Squad Size
The squad size for Championship matches shall be a maximum of twenty-two (22) players in uniform, with replacements permitted up to the starting time of the game. After the game starts, no replacements shall be permitted for any reason.
Mileage Policy
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
Area Team and Coaches Seating Area
1. A maximum of 32 persons shall be allowed in the team bench area. This total covers all student- athletes (including the 11 players on the field), coaches, athletic trainers and managers.
2. The host institution shall determine procedures for admission and seating of participants and official party members.
3. Bench assignments shall be determined by seeding and assigned by the Championship Manager.
Non-Participant Seating
1. A section with fifty-two (52) seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants which would cover the 26 members of each institution’s travel party.
2. A section with up to fifty-two (52) seats shall be available, upon request by the non-winning teams of the semifinals, if they wish to remain for the championship game.
Scouting Each institution shall be provided two scouting seats during the semifinal games.
Uniforms Each competing team shall have both light and dark uniforms available. The top-seeded teams will wear white or light colored uniforms (with matching stockings). Each player is required to wear the official uniform of her institution during the competition.
Game Balls The host institution shall provide practice and game balls at no expense to the championship. Any brand of regulation, top grade ball shall be used in the Conference Championship.
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Game Video All game video of the Big Sky Conference Women’s Soccer Championship will be taped and coordinated by the host institution upon request. The cost for such taping is the responsibility of the requesting institution.
National Anthem
The host institution will ensure that the National Anthem will be played at the start of each championship contest.
Team Introductions
Introductions will be in accordance to the NCAA Championships manual.
Bands
1. The host band and all visiting bands will be admitted free to the championship. Names of band members, up to 25 individuals, must be on a pass list. The host institution must be notified by the preceding Monday that a band will be present. Visiting bands shall have equivalent seating arrangements to the host institution’s band.
2. Bands, or any component thereof, are not allowed to play during free or penalty kick attempts or while the ball is in play. Bands shall be seated in rows designated by the Championship Manager. If a band does not comply with championship policies, the athletic administrator of the involved institution or Championship Manager will be asked to rectify the situation.
3. Artificial noisemakers, air horns and electronic amplifiers are not permissible. Non-amplified megaphones are permissible. The championship manager is responsible for removing non- permissible instruments at the championship site.
Cheerleaders and Mascots
1. Cheerleaders and/or pompon squads, in uniform, not to exceed twelve (12) in number and one (1) costumed mascot, shall be admitted via a pass list submitted to the championship manager by the competing institutions for sessions in which their teams are competing.
2. The twelve (12) cheerleaders and one (1) mascot shall be located in an area as designated by the championship manager. Cheerleaders are allowed in this designated area only when their institution is participating.
3. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with the school mascots toward game/match officials.
4. All other institutional representatives shall be admitted only upon presentation of a ticket.
Banners
No commercial banners may be posted at any session of the championship other than television and radio banners (broadcasting the event). All other signs and banners are subject to Conference standards of sporting and ethical behavior.
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Programs
The official championship program shall be the responsibility of the host institution. Conference and host institution’s sports information personnel will request the appropriate information and materials from each institution to be included in the program.
Advertising
Refer to the NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Handbook for complete advertising policies.
Statistics & Reports
1. The media coordinator from the host institution shall furnish official NCAA soccer box score statistical forms. A copy of the official box score and statistics of each championship game and a list of the All-Championship Team and the Most Valuable Player shall be filed with the Conference office. These reports should be sent immediately following the championship.
2. Each participating institution’s sports information personnel shall update her/his statistics after each game. Upon request, the host institution will have typewriters/computers and copiers available at the championship for the visiting institutions’ sports information personnel.
Scorer’s Table/Personnel
1. The game staff shall be provided by the host institution and shall include official scorer, timer, scoreboard operator and public address announcer. At least two people are required to perform the tasks at the scorer’s table. In the event that the game is televised, the television coordinator shall also be provided space at the scorer’s table.
2. The scorer’s table should be designated in a distinctive manner and the scorer should wear a distinctive shirt or jacket to facilitate identification. It is recommended that an official’s shirt be used for this purpose. There shall be no ornamentation in front of the scorer’s table other than that provided by the Conference.
3. The official NCAA Soccer Score Book will be used for scoring championship games.
Tickets
1. Ticket prices for the Championship shall be determined by the host institution with the approval of the Conference office.
2. Fifty (50) tickets for each of the three traveling teams shall be held until 8:00 a.m. two days prior to the date of the semifinal games. These will include the complimentary tickets to be used for additional members of the travel party not seated on the team bench. Any tickets ordered by a visiting team shall be considered sold. The visiting team may release part of the 50 tickets back to the host institution if it is known before the two-day 8:00 a.m. deadline that the tickets will not be sold.
3. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
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SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Big Sky Conference Softball Championship is under the immediate jurisdiction of the Conference office and the host Championship Manager/Athletic Administrator.
DATES AND SITE
The Big Sky Conference Softball Championship will be played the week following the end of regular season competition at the site of the regular season champion. The Championship will be a four-team, double- elimination bracket played Thursday-Saturday, with Sunday as an as-necessary inclement weather makeup day.
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
1. The championship will consist of the Conference’s top four (4) eligible teams at the end of regular Conference season. A team must complete 65 percent of its Conference games to be eligible for the post season Championship.
2. The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official “Conference Regular Season Champion” with the understanding that the Big Sky Tournament Champion will be the league champion for the purpose of representing the Conference in the NCAA Championship. If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared “Conference Regular Season Co- Champions.” The tie breaking system will be used only for the purpose of determining the site of the Conference Championship.
3. The team with the best regular season win-loss Conference record shall host the championship. If that team cannot host the championship, the opportunity to host will go to the teams in order of seeding.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
The Championship shall be held on three consecutive days.
Thursday: Game 1: Seed #3 vs. Seed #2 Game 2: Seed #4 vs. Seed #1
Friday : Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (loser eliminated) Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (loser eliminated)
Third Day: Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 Game 7: If necessary (game five winner must win twice)
**The host team shall play in the second first day game.
DETERMINING CHAMPION – NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1-seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
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TIE-BREAKER
1. Head-to-Head Competition
a. Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season.
b. In the case of more than two tied teams, consider the Conference regular season record for head-to-head competition among all of the tied teams. This process is used to break ties between any of the tied teams with any remaining tied teams returning to the process at criteria 1.a. (above). (Example: Teams A, B, C, and D have identical records. In head-to-head competition Team A emerges with 6-3 record against the other tied teams, team B and Team C have a 4-5 record and team D has a 3-6 record. Teams A and D can be placed in the final standings at that point while teams B and C return to criteria 1.a.
c. In the case of three or more teams having identical win-loss records, the normal tie-breaking procedure would be used. When one or more of these teams is eliminated by using the tie- breaking procedure, the remaining teams involved would then return to the criteria listed in a., above, to break the tie. This will be done until a team is established for that particular seeding position.
2. RPI ranking
GAME TIMES
1. Starting times for all games will be determined by the host institution in consultation with the Conference office.
2. Starting times will be set to ensure the completion of all games with at least thirty (30) minutes between games.
PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
The head softball coaches and the Conference office shall meet via conference call with the athletic administrators, sports information personnel and other essential members of the host institution prior to the quarterfinal games to review championship procedures. Attendance by coaches is mandatory.
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Press Credentials
Subject to limitation of space, credentials shall be assigned to the working press in accordance with the following priorities:
1. Two writers representing and designated by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution.
2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and championship.
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Photo Credentials
Subject to limitations of space, photo credentials are issued in accordance with the following priorities:
1. One photographer representing and certified by the Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director of each participating institution. 2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their games on a regular basis throughout the season and championship.
3. Photographers may not place tripods on the playing field.
Press Conferences
It is recommended that post-game interviews be scheduled. If a press conference is scheduled, each coach shall participate. It is also recommended that each institution have players available at all scheduled press conferences, if requested.
1. Each coach shall select a minimum of two student-athletes to accompany her/him to the interview area ten minutes after the conclusion of the game - winning team first.
2. The Sports Information Director, representing each institution in the championship game, shall obtain quotes from the coaches during the trophy presentations to distribute to the media facing early deadlines.
Official Photographer
The host institution is responsible for having an official photographer present at the post-championship awards ceremony.
Radio
The official designated station(s) of each institution will be accommodated for game broadcasts. Stations desiring to broadcast any game or session of the championship should contact the host institution’s media coordinator to reserve space. There will be a $100.00 per station originating fee to broadcast the championship. A check, payable to the Conference office must be submitted to the Championship Manager prior to the start of the first game. University Radio Stations shall be exempt from rights fees.
Television All television rights, both live and taped, shall be under the jurisdiction of the Conference office. 1. There is no black-out restriction if the session is sold out. If the session is not sold out 48 hours in advance, there is a 250-mile television broadcast restriction. Exceptions to the 250-mile restriction may be negotiable through the Conference office.
2. All television contracts are negotiated through the Conference office.
News Video
Television stations approved by the media coordinator at the site shall be limited to two (2) minutes of footage on a regular news sports broadcast. A television station may not sell, loan, or give away championship footage to any individual agency or use footage on any non-sports news program produced or aired by the station.
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Sideline Cameras
1. The media coordinator at the site may permit a television station to air two (2) minutes of game footage on a news broadcast. If a sideline camera is utilized to document championship action, a television station may not broadcast live reports from the site of the competition. Videotape game coverage only may be presented on a sports news broadcast after the game being documented has been completed.
2. A television station also is prohibited from airing live video reports of any part of a championship game in progress for any purpose.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
Championship games require:
1. The presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care.
2. Planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or on-site presence for prompt medical evaluation.
3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services.
4. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
Athletic Training Facilities
Athletic Training facilities will be available to the competing institutions. It is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany its team. In the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, the institution must make arrangements for training services with the host institution in advance of the championship.
AWARDS
1. The Conference maintains a standard award structure for all Conference sports. See Appendix VI for details.
2. A representative from the Conference office and a representative from the host institution will present the awards immediately following the championship game.
All-Championship Team
Before the championship game, the Conference and host institution media coordinator(s) shall distribute ballots to the All-Championship Team Selection Committee. The All-Championship Team Selection committee shall consist of at least the non-working Umpire-in-chief, the tournament director, and the sports information directors of the tournament’s participating teams. The Committee shall determine a 15 member All-Championship Team including the Most Valuable Player. The ballots shall be collected immediately following the completion of the championship game. An effort should be made to balance the number of individuals voting among the participating institutions. The team will be announced as part of the awards ceremony immediately following the game. Ballots will be furnished by the Conference office.
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WARM UP
Each team shall be allowed seven minutes of infield warm-up prior to each game, with the designated home team going first. The conference championship tournament will follow the NCAA softball championship tournament protocol.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS
Lodging
All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office with a list of the hotels it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve rooms for the Conference office staff at championship headquarters, and will reserve 18 rooms for each institution.
Squad Size
1. The travel party for the Conference championship shall be a maximum of twenty (20) eligible players in uniform, with no limit on the total number in the party. Replacements are permitted up to the starting time of any game; after the game starts, no replacements shall be permitted for any reason.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student- athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel up to a total of 28 individuals.
Team and Coaches Seating Area
1. A maximum of 28 persons shall be allowed in the team bench area. This total includes the nine (9) players on the field.
2. The host institution shall determine procedures for admission and seating of participants and official party members.
3. Bench assignments shall be determined by seeding and assigned by the Championship Manager.
Non-Participant Seating
1. A section of 56 seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants which would cover the 28 members of each institution’s travel party.
2. A section with up to 56 seats shall be available, upon request by the non-winning teams if they wish to remain for the championship game.
Scouting Each institution shall be provided two scouting seats during all games while still in contention.
Uniforms Each competing team shall have both light and dark uniforms available. The home team in each game will wear white or light colored uniforms, the visitors the opposite. Each player is required to wear the official uniform of her institution during the competition.
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Game Balls The host institution shall provide game balls at no expense to the championship. The designated NCAA post-season ball shall be used in the Conference Championship, unless an approved ball sponsor is secured and mutually agreed upon.
Bat Tester The host institution shall provide an NCAA approved bat tester at no expense to the championship, and each team shall test all bats prior to its first contest and throughout each day of the tournament following applicable NCAA Softball Championship policy. The Tournament Director and the Umpire in chief shall communicate these policies and respective implementation at the pre-championship meeting with the coaches.
Game Video All game video of the Big Sky Conference Softball Championship will be recorded and coordinated by the host institution.
National Anthem
The host institution will ensure that the National Anthem will be played at the start of each day’s championship contest.
Team Introductions
For the first round games, all student-athletes will be introduced and will line up on the team’s respective baseline. The visitors shall be introduced first (non-starters, starters, coaching staff) followed by the home team. For all subsequent games, only the starters will be announced.
Banners No commercial banners may be posted at any session of the championship other than television and radio banners (broadcasting the event). All other signs and banners are subject to Conference standards of sporting and ethical behavior.
Programs
The official championship program shall be the responsibility of the host institution. Conference and host institution’s sports information personnel will request the appropriate information and materials from each institution to be included in the program.
Statistics & Reports 1. The media coordinator from the host institution shall furnish official NCAA box score statistical forms. A copy of the official box score and statistics of each championship game and a list of the All- Championship Team and the Most Valuable Player shall be filed with the Conference office. These reports should be sent immediately following the championship.
2. Each participating institution’s sports information personnel shall update her/his statistics after each game. Upon request, the host institution will have computers and copiers available at the championship for the visiting institutions’ sports information personnel.
Official Scorer/Personnel
1. The game staff shall be provided by the host institution and shall include official scorer, scoreboard operator and public address announcer. At least two people are required to perform the tasks at the scorer’s table. In the event that the game is televised, the television coordinator shall also be provided space in the scorer’s booth.
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Gametracker
The host institution shall utilize Gametracker in all Conference Championship contests.
Tickets
1. Ticket prices for the Championship shall be determined by the host institution with the approval of the Conference office.
2. Fifty (50) tickets for each of the three traveling teams shall be held until 8:00 a.m. two days prior to the date of the semifinal games. Any tickets ordered by a visiting team shall be considered sold. The visiting teams may release part of the 50 tickets back to the host institution if it is known before the two-day 8:00 a.m. deadline that the tickets will not be sold.
3. Umpires and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
Umpires
All umpires for the Softball Championship will be assigned by the Conference office in conjunction with the respective local assignor. The Game Fee shall be $100.00 per umpire per game, and per diem shall correspond to the Conference rate. Travel will be dependent on site and availability, and paid by the Conference.
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MEN’S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Championship is under the control, direction, and supervision of the host institution subject to requirements, standards, and conditions prescribed by the coaches and the NCAA. Championship policies, and dates and sites of these championships are subject to approval by the athletic directors and faculty representatives of the Conference.
DATES AND SITE
The Tennis Championship shall be held two weeks prior to the NCAA Championships.
The sites for all championships will be determined annually by the Presidents at the Spring meeting. (See Calendar of Events for current year's dates and sites.) The site rotation shall be as follows:
2013 Sacramento State (Bid) 2018 Weber State University 2014 Sacramento State (Bid) 2019 Northern Arizona University 2015 Portland State University 2020 University of Northern Colorado 2016 University of Montana 2021 Idaho State University 2017 Eastern Washington University 2022 Sacramento State 2023 Montana State University
If a school passes in the rotation, it will go to the end of the rotation, unless otherwise approved by the Championships and Competition Committee for circumstances out of the control of the original hosting institution.
All teams will play a Big Sky Conference regular season schedule. Conference teams are permitted to fulfill regular season Conference obligations at neutral sites. There will be a championship site rotation for teams that accept hosting and meet the minimum requirements. The Conference will set the schedule, travel partners, and start date.
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
The Tennis Championship will be a six-team format -- men and women at the same site -- with annual alternating sessions (men first odd years; women first even years). The championship will consist of the eligible teams finishing one (1) through six (6) at the conclusion of the regular season.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Quarterfinal Rounds Semifinal Rounds Championship Friday morning Saturday Morning Sunday Morning 3 vs. 6 2 vs. HRS semifinal winners 4 vs. 5 1 vs. LRS Sunday afternoon Friday afternoon Saturday Afternoon semifinal winners 3 vs. 6 2 vs. HRS 4 vs. 5 1 vs. LRS
DETERMINING CHAMPION - NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1- seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
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TIEBREAKER
The tie-breaking system will be used for the purposes of determining Championship seeding and the site of the Conference Tournament.
1. Head-to-Head Competition: Consider the head-to-head record during the Conference season 2. In the case of more than two tied teams, consider the Conference regular season record for head-to-head competition among all tied teams. This process is used to break ties between the tied teams, but once a team (or teams) can be broken out from the others, the remaining tied teams will return to the process of criteria 1 (Head-to-Head, above). 3. If more than two teams remain tied after utilizing criteria 2 (above), consider in order:
a. Won-Loss record versus teams in descending order of finish
b. Total matches won among tied teams
c. Total matches won versus teams in descending order of finish
d. Total sets won among tied teams
e. Total sets won versus teams in descending order of finish
4. ITA Rankings 5. Coin Toss
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
An independent referee shall be selected, with approval of the Big Sky Conference office, whose responsibility shall be to conduct the championship according to (in order of application) the Big Sky Conference, NCAA and ITA rules, where applicable.
A championship committee consisting of the championship director (non-voting), an administrator from the host institution, a representative from the Conference office, the head championship official, and two neutral coaches shall be utilized when critical decisions relating to the championship need to be made.
MILEAGE POLICY
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the championship director. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times.
Prior to the start of competition each day, the public address announcer shall read the following statement: “The Big Sky Conference and (name of institution) promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches, and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition.”
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Requests for all media credentials should be directed to the sports information staff of the host institution. All coaches are requested to make themselves available to media representatives ten (10) minutes after the conclusion of the competition.
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A Conference office representative shall chair a coaches meeting the evening prior to the start of the championship. The purpose of this meeting is to: a) present lineups for the championship; b) be informed on championship conduct, referees, facilities, and pertinent information by championship officials; c) review all championship regulations; d) hear discussion on all timely matters; e) review, approve or disapprove and correct the placement of all players in the lineups. The coaches may change, alter, or add to any provision of the mechanics of the Championship by a three-fourths majority vote on any subject. Such changes shall apply to the current championship.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
The Championship requires:
1. The presence of a CPR certified/and or CPR certified licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care;
2. Planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or nearby presence for prompt medical evaluation;
3. Planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services, and
4. A thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
AWARDS
The Conference maintains a standard awards structure for all Conference sports. See Appendix for details.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS
1. All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office with a list of the hotel(s) it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve 6 rooms for each institution.
As an alternate procedure, the host institution will provide a list of approved hotel properties to each competing team, with every effort made to secure discount room rates. Each institution is responsible for securing its own accommodations, and it must be at a property on the list provided by the host institution.
2. Athletic Training facilities will be made available to competing teams by the host institution.
3. Transportation arrangements to and from the site of the meet shall be made by the competing teams.
4. Each competitor is required to wear clothing with institutional identification during the competition.
5. The courts on which the championships will be played shall be made available for practice the day prior to the competition. The host institution will inform all competing teams of the times the courts will be available.
6. To host the Championship an institution shall have available 12 outdoor courts (can be 2 sites of 6 courts) and 6 indoor (back up) courts (1 site), all in playable condition.
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MECHANICS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Big Sky Conference championship shall follow (in order of application) Big Sky Conference, NCAA, and ITA rules except as specified below:
1. In the event that indoor courts are needed at the championship, the host institution shall be responsible for the cost.
2. During the championships, the host institution will have the option of playing matches so that classes are not missed.
3. The 4-0 rule will apply in the championship.
4. Line-ups will be presented the night before the championship begins. Challenges will take place at this time with the coaches’ votes being final.
5. There shall be three (3) USTA officials and one (1) athletic trainer onsite at each Big Sky championship match; the cost to be shared by all the Conference members.
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MEN’S AND WOMEN'S INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
RULES FOR CONFERENCE PLAY
NCAA rules, supplemented or altered by Conference rules, shall govern Indoor/Outdoor Track meets conducted at all Big Sky Conference institutions. These rules may be altered by existing Conference rules.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
The Championship is under the control, direction, and supervision of the host institution subject to requirements, standards, and conditions prescribed by the coaches and NCAA. Championship policies, dates and sites of these championships are subject to approval by the Joint Athletic Council and Presidents’ Council of the Conference.
DATES AND SITES
The Indoor Track Championship shall be held two weeks prior to the NCAA Championships.
The Outdoor Track Championship shall be held two weeks prior to the NCAA Regional Championship, with the understanding that the institutions and the Conference be allowed the scheduling flexibility necessary to avoid a conflict with commencement exercises and final examinations.
The dates and site of the Championship shall be reviewed and set annually by the Presidents’ Council at the Spring Conference Meeting. (Refer to Calendar of Events for current year's dates and site.)
MEET MANAGEMENT
The athletic administrators of the host institution shall appoint a committee to supervise the conduct of the meet. The committee shall include outdoor track and field coaches of the host institution, or their designated representatives, one of whom will serve as Chair. lt is recommended that someone other than the head coach at the host institution serve as the meet director for a Conference Championship.
The meet director shall: 1. Serve as the administrator and supervisor for the meet. 2. Coordinate the promotional and planning activities of all aspects of the meet. 3. Coordinate and supervise the activities of the officials and groups involved in administration of the meet. 4. Provide and disseminate information to the coaches of competing institutions relative to the meet. 5. See to the needs of contestants, officials, and spectators and ensure that all technical details of the meet have been taken care of within the rules of the Big Sky Conference and as prescribed by this manual.
OFFICIALS Referee
The referee shall be reminded of his/her role and responsibility in the meet. The referee shall be knowledgeable and qualified to interpret the NCAA Track and Field Rules, above all other officials, to ensure fair competition for all contestants and to disqualify those individuals whose acts violate the rules of fair competition. The referee's decisions in all these matters shall be final and without appeal except in those meets for which a jury of appeals has been established for that special purpose. The jury of appeals then will have the final authority.
The powers and duties of the referee shall be:
1. To take such actions and make such decisions to provide each contestant a fair and equal opportunity.
2. To decide all questions for which the rules make no provisions.
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3. To have sole power to disqualify contestants as provided by these rules (exception 3-8-1). For example, the referee may disqualify a contestant for unsportsmanlike conduct or for willfully disobeying (the referee's) orders. The referee shall notify, or cause to be notified, disqualified athletes or teams.
4. To decide place winners in track events when the judges of the finish cannot reach a decision.
5. ln the event of record performance, the referee shall verify the results of the finish and shall check all measurements and related conditions in field events.
6. Make final decision on all protests.
Starter
Recall Starter
Three-Person Jury
To be used by the referee. The referee's decisions will be final. During competition, the referee and jury members will not be responsible for heating and seeding. These responsibilities will be delegated to other qualified officials.
Other Officials
The host institution will select and train all other officials in accordance with the NCAA Track and Field Rules. All officials and their duties will be as outlined in the NCAA Track and Field Guide unless the Conference meet manual stipulates otherwise. These officials are as follows:
1. General Officials: Games Committee Scorers Medical Doctor Meet Director Press Steward Announcers Field Event Referee Custodian of Awards Marshals Running Event Referee Athletic Trainers Surveyor
2. Track Events Officials: Clerks of Course Inspectors Records Clerk Chief Finish Evaluator - (FAT) Judges of Finish Starters Hurdle Setters and Block Setters Timers Inspectors Timing Device Operator(s) - (FAT)
3. Field Events Officials: Chief Field Judge Markers Field Judges Measurers
CROWD CONTROL
The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all tournament sessions.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Requests for all media credentials should be directed to the sports information staff of the host institution. All coaches are requested to make themselves available to media representatives ten (10) minutes after the conclusion of the competition. Results of the meet will be reported to Associated Press wire service by the sports information staff of the host institution. Should local media covering individual institutions request more information than the Associated Press provides, coaches or a representative of their teams are asked to contact the local media and provide additional information. Copies of meet results shall be made available after the competition. Five (5) copies of the meet program and results shall be sent to the Conference office. One copy of the program and final results should be forwarded to each competing institution's sports information staff.
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COACHES PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
A meeting shall be conducted by the host institution on the evening preceding the first day of formal competition. Placement in heats and lane assignments for preliminaries shall be made available by the meet director. At the meeting, meet officials will be available to explain procedures of the competition and entertain questions by the coaches. A dinner should be planned by the host institution for coaches of all competing teams.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
The Championship requires:
1. the presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care;
2. planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or nearby presence for prompt medical evaluation;
3. planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services, and;
4. a thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved. lt is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany its teams. ln the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, arrangements must be made for such services with the host institution prior to the Championship.
AWARDS
The Conference maintains a standard award structure for all Conference sports (See Appendix VI) and will provide the awards on site.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS
1. The host institution will provide a list of approved hotel properties to each competing team, with every effort made to secure discount room rates. Each institution is responsible for securing its own accommodations, and it must be at a property on the list provided by the host institution.
2. Athletic training facilities will be made available to competing teams by the host institution.
3. Transportation arrangements to and from the site of the meet are the responsibility of the competing teams.
4. Each competitor is required to wear the official uniform of his/her institution during the competition.
5. The track on which the meet will be run shall be available to competing teams the day prior to the beginning of the competition. The host institution shall inform all competing teams of track availability prior to the competition.
6. The host school is required to provide one soft-shell throwing implement per gender for the weight throw.
SQUAD SIZE
The maximum squad size will be twenty-two (22) for indoor, twenty-five (25) for outdoor.
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MILEAGE POLICY There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the Conference Championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
ENTRIES Rosters shall be sent to the host institution two weeks prior to the competition. Updated conference rankings will be e-mailed to each Conference institution by 6 p.m. MST on the Sunday prior to the championships. Entries will need to be submitted to Direct Athletes by Noon MST on Monday prior to the championships. No need to send in rosters as the Conference office will pull them from Direct Athletes. The Conference office shall make the scratches event by event and determine the wildcards. The Conference office will then make a performance list and highlight who didn’t make it into the meet and send them to the appropriate school. The Conference office will call each school starting at 4 p.m. MST on Monday to get the wildcards and finalize the entries. On Tuesday, the Conference office will seed the meet and send out seeding to the institutions by 5 p.m. MST.
LATE ENTRIES A $50.00 fine will be assessed by the Conference office for each late entry or change, and a letter will be written to the athletic director of the penalized institution.
QUALIFICATION/SEEDING Only marks established by a student athlete while he/she is eligible to represent the institution in competition may be submitted for qualification/seeding. Qualifying times/marks must be received in the Conference office by Noon ST on Sunday prior to the official declaration of entries.
MEET PROCEDURES Indoor and outdoor track meets shall be conducted on two consecutive days. NCAA Rules shall govern the events to be held. NCAA conversion standards for track size shall be used in events up through 800 meters.
SCORING International scoring through 8 places (10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1) shall be used in the Conference Championships.
DECATHLON and HEPTATHLON Decathlon and heptathlon competition shall be held on the two days preceding the scheduled outdoor Conference meet. First and second day decathlon and heptathlon events will be as specified in the NCAA Rules. There will be thirty (30) minutes between each event. Decathlon and heptathlon competition shall not begin before 10:00 a.m. Coaches may make adjustments by majority vote at a coaches meeting prior to the outdoor championship. Coaches are not permitted on the field to coach.
HEPTATHLON and PENTATHLON The heptathlon (for men) and pentathlon (for women) shall be contested at the indoor Big Sky Championship.
SPECIFIC MEET FORMAT
1. Total electronic timing and photos shall be official. Time shall be officially recorded to the 1/100 of a second. Two officials will be appointed by the host institution to determine the results of each race from the photos. The head judge (fully-automatic-timing) must sign and okay each photo before it becomes official. If there is an equipment failure, the manual timing and judging will then be official. All times on digital watches shall be rounded up to the next highest 10th. If qualifiers are picked by time in an event, manual timing must cover each place in case of an equipment failure with the electronic device.
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2. Official pictures under protest will be viewed only by the referee. The jury and the coach involved in the protest may view the pictures with the referee's consent.
3. Runners legally entered and declared in all events must run and give an honest effort or be disqualified from all remaining competition. Points scored prior to disqualification stand.
4. Preferred lanes shall be included in the coaches’ packet distributed by the host institution prior to the meet.
Suggested opening heights for high jump and pole vault are as follows: High Jump: Two increments less than the Big Sky Standards Men’s Pole Vault: Two increments less than the Big Sky Standards Women’s Pole Vault: Two increments less than the Big Sky Standards
PROTESTS
Protests relating to matters which develop during the meet shall be made no later than 15 minutes after the results have been officially announced in a preliminary event or 30 minutes after the results have been officially announced in a final. Any such protest must be made in writing by the head coach and submitted to the protest table. The protest shall be submitted to the referee, who shall render a decision.
An appeal may be made to the referee. Upon receiving the appeal, the referee is required to consult with the jury before making a final decision. The jury of appeals shall consist of three (3) certified USAFT officials, to be assigned by meet management. The Referee shall not be one of the three members. This decision is final and without appeal.
In matters relating to official photos, the coach may ask to view the film with the referee. If a photo is under protest, the referee will consult only with the jury before rendering a decision. The finish judge and film evaluators shall not be consulted.
RESULTS
All results and new semifinal heats shall be posted during the competition after each event in locations where all coaches and athletes have equal access to them.
ORDER OF EVENTS/QUALIFYING STANDARDS
No changes in the published procedure/schedule shall be allowed without the consent of the Conference office. The Conference shall have a qualifying standard for all individual events with the exception of 5000 meters indoors, and 10,000 meters outdoors. (If an athlete has a mark in these two events, they will be considered qualified.) Methods of qualifying for the Big Sky Conference Championship are:
1. Achieve one of the top twelve (12) declared marks for Indoor Track and one of the top fourteen (14) declared marks for Outdoor Track.
2. Meet minimum qualifying standards as determined at the annual coaches meeting.
3. If above standards are not met, an athlete may compete in an event by using one of the two wild cards given their team. Wild cards will be used only if there are more than twelve (12) competitors in an indoor event and fourteen (14) competitors in an outdoor event and the athlete has not met the qualifying standard. Wild cards cannot be used for relay teams.
MEET RULES Track and field rules as specified by the NCAA will be strictly followed. The recommended order of events for the indoor and outdoor championships follow: (Exceptions are permissible due to facility constraints.)
114 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Men & Women’s Track & Field
The recommended order of events for the indoor championships follows: (Exceptions are permissible due to facility constraints.)
INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP
EVEN NUMBERED YEAR SCHEDULE ODD NUMBERED YEAR SCHEDULE
DAY ONE DAY TWO DAY ONE DAY TWO Weight Throw – Men Weight Throw – Women Weight Throw – Women Weight Throw – Men Pole Vault – Men Pole Vault – Women Pole Vault – Women Pole Vault – Men High Jump – Women High Jump – Men High Jump – Men High Jump – Women Long Jump – Men Triple Jump – Men Long Jump – Women Triple Jump – Women 55 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women Mile – Women 55 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men Mile – Men 55 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men Mile – Men 55 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women Mile – Women 55 Meter Trial – Women 55 Meter Hurdle Final – Women 55 Meter Trial – Men 55 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 55 Meter Trial – Men 55 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 55 Meter Trial – Women 55 Meter Hurdle Final – Women Long Jump – Women 400 Meter Final – Women Long Jump – Men 400 Meter Final – Men Shot Put – Women 400 Meter Final – Men Shot Put – Men 400 Meter Final – Women 400 Meter Trial – Women Shot Put – Men 400 Meter Trial – Men Shot Put – Women 400 Meter Trial – Men Triple Jump - Women 400 Meter Trial – Women Triple Jump - Men 800 Meter Trial – Women 55 Meter Final – Women 800 Meter Trial – Men 55 Meter Final – Men 800 Meter Trial – Men 55 Meter Final – Men 800 Meter Trial – Women 55 Meter Final – Women 200 Meter Trial – Women 800 Meter Final – Women 200 Meter Trial – Men 800 Meter Final – Men 200 Meter Trial – Men 800 Meter Final – Men 200 Meter Trial – Women 800 Meter Final – Women 5000 Meters – Women 200 Meter Final – Women 5000 Meters – Men 200 Meter Final – Men 5000 Meters – Men 200 Meter Final – Men 5000 Meters – Women 200 Meter Final – Women Distance Medley Relay – Women 3000 Meters – Women Distance Medley Relay – Men 3000 Meters – Men Distance Medley Relay – Men 3000 Meters – Men Distance Medley Relay – Women 3000 Meters – Women 1600 Meter Relay – Women 1600 Meter Relay – Men 1600 Meter Relay – Men 1600 Meter Relay – Women
114 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Men’s & Women’s Track & Field
The recommended order of events for the outdoor championship follows: (Exceptions are permissible due to facility constraints.)
OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP
EVEN NUMBERED YEAR SCHEDULE ODD NUMBERED YEAR SCHEDULE
DAY ONE DAY TWO DAY ONE DAY TWO Hammer – Women Hammer – Men Hammer – Men Hammer – Women Pole Vault – Men Pole Vault – Women Pole Vault – Women Pole Vault – Men High Jump – Women High Jump –Men High Jump –Men High Jump – Women Long Jump – Women Triple Jump – Women Long Jump – Men Triple Jump – Men Javelin – Men Javelin – Women Javelin – Women Javelin – Men 3000 Steeplechase – Men 400 Meter Relay – Men 3000 Steeplechase – Women 400 Meter Relay – Women 3000 Steeplechase – Women 400 Meter Relay – Women 3000 Steeplechase – Men 400 Meter Relay – Men 110 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men Shot Put – Women 100 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women Shot Put – Men 100 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women 1500 Meter – Men 110 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men 1500 Meter – Women 400 Meter Trial – Men 1500 Meter – Women 400 Meter Trial – Women 1500 Meter – Men 400 Meter Trial – Women 110 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 400 Meter Trial – Men 100 Meter Hurdle Final – Women 100 Meter Trial – Men 100 Meter Hurdle Final – Women 100 Meter Trial – Women 110 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 100 Meter Trial – Women Triple Jump – Men 100 Meter Trial – Men Triple Jump – Women Long Jump – Men Discus – Men Long Jump – Women Discus – Women Shot Put – Men 400 Meter Final – Men Shot Put – Women 400 Meter Final – Women Discus – Women 400 Meter Final – Women Discus – Men 400 Meter Final – Men 800 Meter Trial – Men 100 Meter Final – Men 800 Meter Trial – Women 100 Meter Final – Women 800 Meter Trial – Women 100 Meter Final – Women 800 Meter Trial – Men 100 Meter Final – Men 400 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men 800 Meters – Men 400 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women 800 Meters – Women 400 Meter Hurdle Trial – Women 800 Meters – Women 400 Meter Hurdle Trial – Men 800 Meters – Men 200 Meter Trial – Men 400 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 200 Meter Trial – Women 400 Meter Hurdle Final – Women 200 Meter Trial – Women 400 Meter Hurdle Final – Women 200 Meter Trial – Men 400 Meter Hurdle Final – Men 10,000 Meters – Men 200 Meter Final – Men 10,000 Meters – Women 200 Meter Final – Women 10,000 Meters – Women 200 Meter Final – Women 10,000 Meters – Men 200 Meter Final – Men 5000 Meter – Men 5000 Meters – Women 5000 Meter – Women 5000 Meters – Men 1600 Meter Relay – Men 1600 Meter Relay – Women 1600 Meter Relay – Women 1600 Meter Relay – Men
103 2012-2013 CHAMPIONSHIP POLICIES - Women’s Volleyball
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION The Big Sky Conference Women's Volleyball Championship is under the immediate jurisdiction of the host institution, Conference office and the host Championship Manager/Athletic Administrator.
DATES AND SITE The Big Sky Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship will be played the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving week.
CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
1. The Volleyball Championship will consist of the eligible teams finishing one (1) through six (6) at the conclusion of the regular season and will be played on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving Day.
2. The team with the best regular-season Conference record from the previous season shall host the championship. If that team is not one of the top six (6) teams, the Conference championship will include a play-in match with the host playing the No. 6 seed on Thursday evening with the winner of that match advancing to Friday morning’s quarterfinal round and will play the No. 3 seed.
3. Host will automatically play in late semifinal game.
4. The regular season champion shall be recognized as the official “Conference Regular Season Champion.” If two teams end the regular season with identical records, they will be declared “Conference Regular Season Co-Champions.” The tie-breaking system will be used only for the purposes of determining Championship seeding and the site of the next season’s Conference Championship. The Big Sky Conference Championship winner is the Conference Champion for the purpose of receiving the league’s automatic bid in the NCAA Championship.
CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Play-in match Semifinal Round (Friday Evening) (Thursday evening -- if necessary) Match 3 -- 2 vs. HRS Host Institution vs. No. 6 seed Match 4 – 1 vs. LRS
Quarterfinal Round (Friday Morning) Championship (Saturday) Match 1 -- 3 vs. 6 Match 5 – semifinal winners Match 2 -- 4 vs. 5
DETERMINING CHAMPION - NON COMPLETION
In the case where the post-season tournament cannot be completed by NCAA Selection Day (e.g., inclement weather), the automatic representative to the NCAA Championship shall be the No. 1- seeded team as determined by the tiebreaking procedure, or the highest remaining seed if the tournament is already in progress.
TIE BREAKER Ties for entry and seeds in the Championship will be decided by the results of head-to-head Conference play, i.e.:
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1. Results of head-to-head (match) competition between/among institutions. 2. Percent of total games won between/among tied teams: games won total games 3. Scoring margin of games between/among tied teams: Offensive points minus defensive points total games played 4. Results of competition against the remaining Conference institutions in descending order (1, 2, 3, etc.). 5. RPI rating last week prior to the championship.
MATCH TIMES
1. Starting times for all matches will be determined by the host institution in consultation with the Conference office.
2. There will be a minimum of thirty (30) minutes between matches.
PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING Head volleyball coaches, athletic administrators, and sports information personnel will meet via conference call on the Tuesday prior to the Championship to review championship procedures. Attendance by coaches is mandatory.
CROWD CONTROL The responsibility for crowd control rests with the host institution. Competitors and fans alike are expected to demonstrate good sporting behavior at all times. The Conference sporting behavior statement will be read by the public address announcer prior to each game in all championship sessions.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS Press Credentials Subject to limitation of space, credentials shall be assigned to the working press in accordance with the following priorities:
1. Two writers representing and designated by the athletic director and/or sports information personnel of each participating institution.
2. Press agencies in the locale of the participating institutions which have staffed their matches on a regular basis throughout the season and championship.
Photo Credentials Subject to limitations of space, photo credentials are issued in accordance with the following priorities: 1. One photographer representing and certified by the athletic director and/or sports information personnel of each participating institution.
2. Press agencies in the locale of participating institutions which have staffed their matches on a regular basis throughout the season and championship. Photographers may not place tripods on or beside the playing court.
Press Conferences It is recommended that pre-championship and post-match interviews be scheduled. If a press conference is scheduled, each coach shall participate. It is also recommended that each institution have players available at all scheduled press conferences, if requested to do so.
1. Each coach shall select a minimum of two student-athletes to accompany her/him to the interview area ten minutes after the conclusion of the match - winning team first. 2. Sports information personnel, representing each institution in the championship match, shall obtain quotes from the coaches during the awards ceremony to distribute to the media facing early deadlines.
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Official Photographer
The host institution is responsible for having an official photographer present at the post-championship awards ceremony.
Radio
The official designated station(s) of each institution will be accommodated for match broadcasts. Stations desiring to broadcast any match or session of the championship should contact the host institution’s media coordinator to reserve space. There will be a $150.00 per station originating fee to broadcast the championship. A check, payable to the host institution must be submitted to the championship manager prior to the start of the first match. University radio stations shall be exempt from rights fees.
Television
All television rights, both "live" and "taped,” shall be under the jurisdiction of the Conference office. 1. There is no black-out restriction if the session is sold out. If the session is not sold out 48 hours in advance, there is a 250-mile television broadcast restriction. Exceptions to the 250-mile restriction may be negotiable through the Conference office.
2. All television contracts are negotiated through the Conference office.
News Video Television stations approved by the media coordinator at the site shall be limited to two (2) minutes of footage on a regular news sports broadcast. A television station may not sell, loan or give away championship footage to any individual agency or use footage on any non-sports news program produced or aired by the station.
Sideline Cameras 1. The media coordinator at the site may permit a television station to air two (2) minutes of video footage on a sports news broadcast. If a sideline camera is utilized to document championship action, a television station may not broadcast live reports from the site of the competition. Videotaped match coverage only may be presented on a sports news broadcast after the match being documented has been completed.
2. A television station also is prohibited from airing live video reports of any part of a championship match in progress for any purpose.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL/FACILITIES Championship Matches Require:
1. the presence of a certified and/or licensed athletic trainer to render emergency care;
2. planned access to a physician, preferably a team physician, by phone or nearby presence for prompt medical evaluation;
3. planned access to a medical facility, including a plan for communication and transportation between the athletic site and medical facility for prompt medical services; and
4. a thorough understanding by all parties, including the leadership of visiting teams, of the personnel and procedures involved.
ATHLETIC TRAINING FACILITIES Athletic training facilities will be available to the competing institutions. It is recommended that each institution have an athletic trainer accompany its team. In the event that an institution is not able to send an athletic trainer, the institution must make arrangements for athletic training services, if available, with the host institution in advance of the championship.
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AWARDS 1. The Conference maintains a standardized awards program for all Conference sponsored championships. (Refer to Appendix – Awards Chart)
2. A representative from the Conference office and a representative from the host institution will present the awards immediately following the Championship match.
All-Championship Team
Before the Championship match, the Conference/host institution’s media coordinator(s) shall distribute ballots to the All-Championship Team Selection Committee. The Committee shall determine a seven member All- Championship Team including the Most Valuable Player. The ballots shall be collected immediately following the completion of the Championship match. An effort should be made to "balance" the number of individuals voting among the participating institutions. The team will be announced as part of the awards ceremony immediately following the match. Ballots will be furnished by the Conference office.
PRACTICE Practice times will be arranged by the host institution and will be equal in length.
INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPETING TEAMS Lodging All hotel/motel selections will be made by the host institution, with assignments determined by the Conference office. The host institution will provide the Conference office with a list of the hotel(s) it has secured, and a Conference representative shall contact participating teams in order of seed to choose their hotel. Teams are required to stay in the hotel assigned, must reconfirm the reservations with the property and thereafter are responsible for payment of the rooms. The host institution will reserve rooms for the Conference office staff at championship headquarters, and will reserve 15 rooms for each institution.
Squad Size
1. The travel party for the Conference Championship shall be a maximum of fifteen (15) players in uniform, with no limit on the total number in the party. Replacements are permitted up to the starting time of any match; after the match starts, no replacements shall be permitted for any reason.
2. The official team party will be admitted through the pass gate and will include participating student- athletes, participating coaches and other university personnel up to a total of 22 individuals.
Mileage Policy
There shall be a 450 mile limit under which air travel shall not be used for team travel to the conference championship. Waivers of this policy may be granted in unique circumstances by the Commissioner.
Team & Coaches Seating Area
1. The team bench shall seat a minimum of seventeen (17) individuals. The championship manager may provide an additional chair for a championship physician and a security representative.
2. The host institution shall determine procedures for admission and seating of participants and official party members.
3. Bench assignments shall be determined by seeding and assigned by the championship manager. Non-Participant Seating 1. Semifinal matches: A section with 44 seats shall be reserved for non-playing participants that would cover the 22 members of each Institution’s official travel party.
2. Championship Session: A section with 44 seats shall be available, upon request by the non-winning teams of the semifinals, if they wish to remain for the championship match. This would cover the 22 members of each institution’s official travel party.
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Scouting Each institution still in contention shall be provided two scouting seats during the semifinal matches.
Uniforms Each competing team shall have both light and dark uniforms available. The higher-seeded teams will wear light colored uniforms. Each player is required to wear the official uniform of her institution during the competition.
Match Balls The host institution shall provide practice balls and match balls at no expense to the Championship. The official Championship ball shall be the Molten NCAA Championship volleyball.
Match Video
All match videos of the Women's Volleyball Championship will be photographed and coordinated by the host institution upon request. The cost for such filming is the responsibility of the requesting institution.
National Anthem
The National Anthem shall be played before the start of each championship session.
Team Introductions
Unless specified otherwise by NCAA rules, the introduction format shall be national anthem first followed by introduction of starters, the libero, and head coaches only. Starters and libero should be on the end- line while being introduced.
Bands
1. The championship manager is encouraged to have a band available to play the National Anthem, entertain at time-outs and between games and matches. The host band and all visiting bands will be admitted free to the championship. Names of band members, up to 25 individuals, must be on a pass list. The host institution must be notified by the preceding Monday that a band will be present. Visiting bands shall have equivalent seating arrangements to the host institution’s band.
2. Bands or any component thereof, are not allowed to play during serving or while the ball is in play. Bands shall be seated in rows designated by the championship manager. If a band does not comply with championship policies, the athletics administrator or representative of the involved institution will rectify the situation.
3. Artificial noisemakers, air horns and electronic amplifiers are not permissible. Non-amplified megaphones are permissible, but may not be used as noisemakers. The championship manager is responsible for removing non-permissible instruments from the arena.
Cheerleaders & Mascots 1. Cheerleaders and/or pompon squads, in uniform, not to exceed twelve (12) in number and one (1) costumed mascot, shall be admitted via a pass list submitted to the championship manager by the competing institutions for sessions in which their teams are competing.
2. A maximum of twelve (12) cheerleaders and/or pompon squad members and one (1) mascot shall be allowed on the floor when the clock is stopped when their team is participating. Additional cheerleaders will be allowed to perform before the game and at half-time only, and those additional cheerleaders must sit in the stands while the game is being played.
3. The twelve (12) cheerleaders and one (1) mascot shall be located in an area at the end of the playing court as designated by the championship manager. Cheerleaders are allowed in this designated area only when their institution is participating.
4. There shall be no interaction, verbal or otherwise, with the school mascots toward match officials.
5. All other institutional representatives shall be admitted only upon presentation of a ticket.
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Banners and Signage No commercial banners or signs except radio or television banners may be posted at any session of the championship. All other signs and banners are subject to Conference standards of sporting and ethical behavior.
Programs The official championship program shall be the responsibility of the host institution. Conference and host institution’s sports information personnel will request the appropriate information and materials from each institution to be included in the program.
Advertising Refer to the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Handbook for complete advertising policies.
Statistics & Reports 1. The media coordinator from the host institution shall furnish official NCAA volleyball box score statistical forms. A copy of the official box score and statistics of each championship match and a list of the All-Championship Team and the Most Valuable Player shall be filed with the Conference office. These reports should be sent immediately following the championship.
2. Each participating institution’s sports information personnel shall update her/his statistics after each match. Upon request, the host institution will have wireless connection, computers and copiers available at the championship for the visiting institution’s sports information personnel.
Scorer's Table/Personnel 1. The match staff shall be provided by the host institution and shall include an official scorer, timer, scoreboard operator, public address announcer, and television coordinator, if needed.
2. The scorer’s table should be designated in a distinctive manner and the scorer must wear distinctive shirts or jackets to facilitate identification. It is recommended that an official's shirt be used for this purpose. There shall be no ornamentation in front of the scorer's table other than that provided by the Conference.
3. The Official NCAA Volleyball Score Book will be used for scoring championship matches.
Tickets 1. Ticket prices for the Championship shall be determined by the host institution with the approval of the Conference office.
2. 100 tickets for each of the five traveling teams shall be held until 8:00 a.m. two days prior to the date of the first round matches. These will include five complimentary tickets to be used for additional members of the travel party not seated on the team bench. Any tickets ordered by a visiting team shall be considered sold. The visiting team may release part of the 100 tickets back to the host institution if it is known before the two-day 8:00 a.m. deadline that tickets will not be sold.
3. Officials and observers are entitled to two (2) complimentary admissions to all games they observe or officiate. Institution personnel are responsible for distribution of these tickets.
REVENUE
Net revenue generated from the Conference championship shall be disbursed in seven equal shares to the participants and the Conference office.
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BIG SKY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER Arena Set-up PARTICIPANTS’ ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS Athletic Training Room/Medical Facilities/Physicians Band Awards display/set-up Cheerleaders Bands Meeting Attendance Financial Report Pass List Hospitality Functions Team Lodging Locker room assignments Team Travel/Transportation Lodging/Championship Headquarters Game Video MEDIA COORDINATOR Meetings Arena Set-up National Anthem Banners Participant Seating Media Seating/set-up Pass Lists Official Photographer Practice and Game Balls Participant Packets Practice Schedules Public Address Announcer Accountability Program Sales Publicity and Promotions Publicity and Promotion Scoring Table Personnel Security and Crowd Control Statistics Sponsors Television/Radio Television and Radio Tickets/Ticket Prices CONFERENCE OFFICE INFORMATION STAFF All-Championship Team Selection Committee CONFERENCE OFFICE STAFF All-Championship Ballots All-Championship Team Selection Committee Awards Awards Awards Ceremony Script Banners Media Credentials Credentials/Passes Press Conferences Hospitality Functions Sponsors Meetings Television/Radio Officials’ Assignments Officials’ Game Fees PARTICIPANTS’ SPORTS INFORMATION Officials’ Travel and Per Diem PERSONNEL Sponsors Awards Ceremony Team List Television/Radio Assistance with Statistics Ticket Prices Updating Team Statistics Following Each Round
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BIG SKY CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINANCIAL REPORT
DATE: ______HOST INSTITUTION: ______
CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER: ______
GROSS REVENUE: Semifinal Tickets @ = $______Final Tickets @ = $______Program Sales $______Less Sales Tax - ______
TOTAL $______EXPENSES: Tickets and Passes $______(printing, ticket sellers and takers - maximum of 5% of ticket sales)
Promotion $______(maximum of 5% of ticket sales)
Supplies $______(stat forms, consumable supplies - specify) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Labor $______(set-up, custodial, security, ushers, equipment/locker room personnel)
Event Personnel $______(rated officials' match fees, per diem and travel expenses; fees for scorer and line judges)
Public Address and Stat Crew $______
TOTAL $______GROSS REVENUE: $______
LESS APPROVED EXPENSES -______
TOTAL: $______**
**Gross revenue minus approved expenses shall be disbursed in five equal shares to the participants and the Conference office.
124 2012-2013 Appendix INDEX
APPENDIX INDEX
Page
Appendix I FACT SHEET 126-130
Appendix II ROTATION SCHEDULE - Spring Meetings, JAC & FAR Chairs 131
Appendix III AWARD STRUCTURE 132
Appendix CPR CERTIFICATION 133
NLI SIGNING DATES Website
ATHLETIC EVENT AGREEMENT Website
SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUEST FORM Website
FORM FOR SUBMITTING AGENDA ITEMS Website
MEDICAL HARDSHIP FORMS Website
125 Appendix I
BIG SKY CONFERENCE 2012-13 FACT SHEET
1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS A student-athlete becomes eligible to compete in the Big Sky Conference only upon the completion of the required NCAA documents, and certification of eligibility by the Faculty Athletic Representative. Falsification of any data on this, or any, report may render the student-athlete ineligible for intercollegiate competition.
Enrollment A. All student-athletes must be registered for a minimum course of study of twelve (12) semester or quarter hours to be eligible to participate in any organized practice activity or competition. If the competition takes place between terms, they must have been so registered in the term immediately preceding the date of competition. A student-athlete with eligibility remaining may participate in practice and competition while enrolled in less than 12 hours if they are enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that they are enrolled in the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. Repeat or remedial courses may be counted toward the twelve (12) hours needed for full time enrollment but not toward the twenty-four (24) hours needed for satisfactory progress each year. Remember that repeated classes in which credit was earned for a "D" grade, for example, do not earn credit again when they are repeated. A student-athlete may only receive credit toward satisfactory progress for remedial courses during the first academic year of collegiate enrollment. See your Faculty Athletic Representative or Compliance Coordinator for more information.
B. A student-athlete must be enrolled in ten (10) semester or quarter hours to receive athletically-related aid. However, during any term in which there is PRACTICE OR COMPETITION in the respective sport, the student-athlete must be enrolled in twelve (12) credits to participate in these activities. Enrollment in less than 12 credit hours per term is not recommended, and some institutions may require 12 credits to receive aid. Also, continuing eligibility may be jeopardized.
C. All student-athletes must be regularly enrolled in their institutions and certified eligible as well as in compliance with Big Sky Conference and NCAA regulations by the Faculty Athletic Representative. The Eligibility Center also must certify all student-athletes entering the institution.
D. A student-athlete must be attending a full-time, on-campus course of study by the 10th institutional instructional day of the term in which competition occurs.
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E. All prospective student-athletes intending to enroll in an NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time on or after August 1, 2007, must complete the NCAA Amateurism Certification questionnaire. Student-athletes who enrolled full time in a Division I or II institution prior to the Fall of 2007 do not need to complete the amateurism questions. The Eligibility Center will certify all prospects entering Division I or II institutions, and a final certification must be provided from the Eligibility Center before a recruited or non-recruited student-athlete may compete. If a recruited prospect reports for athletics participation before the student’s amateur status has been certified, the student may practice only for a maximum of 14 days. If a non-recruited prospect reports for athletics participation before the student’s amateur status has been certified, the student may practice only for a maximum of 45 days. Eligibility for institutional financial aid is not contingent on the student-athlete’s amateurism certification.
Grade Point Average Requirements Student-athletes will be subject at all times to institutional and NCAA regulations regarding initial-eligibility, satisfactory progress and good academic standing.
Intra-Conference Transfer Rule In all Big Sky Championship Sports, a student-athlete who receives athletically- related financial aid and transfers directly to another big Sky member institution must fulfill a residence requirement of one full academic year (two full semesters or three full quarters excluding summer term) before competing. During that period, the student-athlete shall not be offered, provided or have arranged directly or indirectly any earned or unearned athletically-related financial aid. A recruited non- qualifier, although not receiving athletically related aid, is bound by this provision unless released in writing from the Director of Athletics of the previous institution. On written petition from the student-athlete clearly explaining all extenuating circumstances and hardships, the Eligibility Committee may waive the year in residency requirement and/or financial aid restriction for an intra-conference transfer.
Continuing Eligibility Continuing Eligibility rules for the NCAA are very complex. Consult regularly with your Faculty Athletic Representative, Compliance Coordinator, and/or Academic Advisor.
Sanctions In the event that a student-athlete deemed ineligible for any reason represents a Big Sky Conference institution in any intercollegiate contest, Conference or non-Conference, that institution is subject to various penalties, including possible forfeiture or suspension from future contests.
2. ELIGIBILITY NCAA Initial Eligibility requirements are outlined in more detail in NCAA Bylaw 14. The Eligibility Center must review all the initial eligibility documentation and then issue a qualification status for each student-athlete. Ask your Faculty Athletic Representative or Compliance Coordinator if you have questions on your qualification status.
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3. FINANCIAL AID Financial aid is another NCAA topic that is extremely complex. Administrators have to discern how certain types of aid count against the full grant-in-aid and cost of attendance of particular student-athletes. Your institution must keep track of both individual and team limits. It is critical that you report all sources of aid to the Athletic Department to avoid NCAA violations. The bottom line is that your institutional and/or athletic aid may not exceed the value of your full cost-of-attendance. The NCAA defines "cost of attendance" is an amount calculated by an institutional financial aid office, using federal regulations, that includes the total cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution.
4. AMATEURISM You will lose your amateur status and will not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a sport if you:
A. Use your athletic skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport;
B. Accept a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;
C. Sign a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received;
D. Receive -- directly or indirectly -- a salary, reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based upon athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations;
E. Compete on any professional athletic team, even if pay or remuneration for expenses were not received;
F. After initial full-time collegiate enrolment, enter into a professional draft; or
G. Enter into an agreement with an agent.
5. SPORTSMANSHIP The Big Sky Conference member institutions subscribe to NCAA principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct required for membership in the NCAA and the Conference. In your role as a student-athlete, you are expected to adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. If you fail to comport yourself in a manner consistent with these values during competition or otherwise representing your institution, you could face disciplinary action by your institution or by the Conference office. Penalties include reprimand, suspension and the permanent loss of eligibility. Actions requiring such penalties vary, but include such issues as flagrant disqualifying fouls at the competition site or other unsporting acts. In addition, the Conference Commissioner will review films of all fights in contests and make an appropriate determination. Each institution is required to have a sportsmanship and ethical conduct policy. Institutional penalties may be imposed separately from Conference penalties. Ask an athletic administrator for details about your institution's policy. Additional information about the Conference policy may be found in the Big Sky Conference Code. 128
BIG SKY CONFERENCE 2012-13 FACT SHEET
6. UNETHICAL CONDUCT The NCAA and the Big Sky Conference take very seriously ethical conduct violations by athletics department staff members and student-athletes. Disciplinary action that could result from ethical conduct violations includes ineligibility for further intercollegiate competition. Student-athletes should be knowledgeable of these rules and should not put themselves in a position of losing their eligibility. Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student- athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA, Big Sky Conference, or the institution.
B. Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete.
C. Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or an enrolled student- athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid.
D. Knowingly furnishing the NCAA, Big Sky Conference or the institution false or misleading information concerning an individual’s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA or Conference regulation.
E. Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent or advisor (e.g., "runner").
F. Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA Eligibility Center or an institution’s admission office regarding your academic record.
G. Fraudulence or misconduct in connection with entrance or placement examinations.
7. GAMBLING ACTIVITIES Student-athletes, athletic department and Conference office staff shall not knowingly: A. Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
B. Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
C. Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
D. Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g. cash, shirt, dinner) that has any tangible value;
E. Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.
129
BIG SKY CONFERENCE 2012-13 FACT SHEET
Sanctions A student-athlete who engages in activities designed to influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest or in an effort to affect win-loss margins (i.e., "point shaving") or who solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity through a bookmaker, a parley card or any other method employed by organized gambling that involves wagering on the student-athlete’s institution shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.
A student-athlete who solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling, shall be ineligible for all regular-season and postseason competition for a minimum period of one year from the date of the institution’s determination that a violation has occurred and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of competition. A request for reinstatement may be submitted on behalf of a student-athlete who has participated in such activity only upon fulfillment of the minimum condition indicated above. If the student-athlete is determined to have been involved in a subsequent violation of any portion of Bylaw 10.3, the student-athlete shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports.
130 2012-2013 Appendix II
FALL MEETINGS ARE HELD IN Salt Lake City, UTAH
SPRING MEETINGS ROTATION SCHEDULE
The next Presidents’ Council meeting date is October 16-17, 2012 at the Hotel Park City, Park City, Utah. NOTE - Administrators Fall Meeting September 30, October 1 & 2, 2012 - Salt Lake Airport Hilton, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Administrators - Spring meetings May 20-22, 2013 (Monday Tuesday Wednesday) TBD Presidents’ Council Spring meeting June 5-6, 2013 (Wed-Thurs) The University of Montana
ROTATION OF CHAIR - JOINT ATHLETIC COUNCIL Academic Year University 2012-13 UM 2013-14 UND 2014-15 UNC 2015-16 SAC 2016-17 SUU 2017-18 WSU 2018-19 PSU 2019-20 NAU 2020-21 EWU 2021-22 ISU 2022-23 MSU
ROTATION OF CHAIR - FACULTY ATHLETIC REPRESENTATIVES Academic Year University 2012-13 WSU 2013-14 UND 2014-15 UNC 2015-16 EWU 2016-17 MSU 2017-18 UM 2018-19 SAC 2019-20 SUU 2020-21 PSU 2021-22 NAU 2022-23 ISU
131
2012-2013 Appendix III
2012-2013 AWARDS CHART
INDIVIDUAL SMALL SPORT TEAM AWARDS AWARDS INDIVIDUAL LARGE AWARDS CERTIFICATES
st st 1 Place Team 1 Place Team (22) MVP - Regular Season Coach of the Year All Conference Player of the Week Basketball (Regular Season) All-Tournament Team (5) Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (22) st Top Newcomer MVP Champ./All tourney 1 Place Team (Champ) Freshman of the Year Defensive Player of the Year – Men’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Year – Women’s Basketball
Cross 1st Place Team 1st to 10th Place Coach of the Year All-Conference Player of the Week Country 1st Place Team (10) Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (10)
Football 1st Place Team 1st Team - All Conference MVP-Defense Top Newcomer All-Conference Player of the Week (Offense, Defense & MVP-Offense Coach of the Year Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (70) Special teams player)
Golf 1st Place Team 2nd to 5th Place-All Conf. Medalist Plaque Coach of the Year All-Conference Player of the Week 1st Place Team (10) Player of the Year Freshman of the Year Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (10)
Soccer 1st Place Team 1st Place Team (25) Top Newcomer Golden Boot All-Conference Player of the Week (Regular Season) All Tournament Team (12) MVP Regular Season Offense Coach of Year Academic All Conf. Championship Team (25) 1st Place Team (Champ) MVP Regular Season Defense MVP Champ./All tourney Goal Keeper of the Yr*cannot be the same as MVPD
Tennis 1st Place Team 1st Place Team (10) MVP All-Conference Player of the Week Coach of the Year Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (10)
Indoor 1st Place Team (25) MVP Championship (track) All-Conference Player of the Week Track 1st Place Team 1st to 3rd in each Event MVP Championship (field) Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (25) Coach of the Year
Outdoor 1st Place Team (30) MVP Championship (track) All-Conference Player of the Week Track 1st Place Team 1st to 3rd in each Event MVP Championship (field) Academic All-Conf. Championship Team (30) Coach of the Year
1st Place Team 1st Place Team (22) MVP Regular Season MVP Champ/All-Tourne All-Conference Player of the Week Volleyball (Regular Season) All-Tournament Team (6) Top Newcomer Libero of the Year Academic All Conf. Championship Team (22) 1st Place Team (Champ) Freshman of the Year Coach of the Year
st Softball 1 Place Team 1st Place Team (25) MVP (reg season) Coach of the All-Conference (first team, second team) (Regular Season) st All Tournament Team (15) Year Academic All Conf. Player of the Week 1 Place Team MVP Champ./All tourney Freshman of the Pitcher of the Week Championship Team (25) (Champ) Year Top Newcomer Pitcher of the Year
Special Scholar Athlete: Plaque to Institution All-Sports Trophy: One for Men Presidents’ Cup Awards Plaque to Award Winner One for Women
CHAMPIONSHIP GIFTS: Each participant in a Big Sky Conference Championship shall receive a memento supplied by the Conference Office. 132 2012-2013 Index
INDEX
Page
Academic Requirements...... 15-16 Action Following Hearings ...... 20-21 Administrative Reports...... 23-24 Athletic Aid Agreement ...... 24 Eligibility Reports...... 24, 112-116 Responsibility for Transmission...... 22 Affiliation ...... 1 Affiliate Membership ...... 3 Agendas for Meetings...... 35 Form for Submitting Agenda Items...... BigSkyConf.com All-Conference Teams ...... 25-26 Amendments to Constitution and Operating Code ...... 12 Appeals Deadline, Presidents’ Council Actions ...... 6 Appendix Index ...... 125 Athlete of the Week...... 22 Athletic Aid Agreement ...... 24 Awards...... 22-24 All-Sports Award / Presidents’ Cup ...... 23 Athlete of the Week ...... 22 Awards Structure Chart...... 132 Championship Participants ...... 27 Coach of the Year...... 24 Institutional Awards ...... 24 Scholar-Athlete...... 22 Basketball Regulations, Regular Season, Men's & Women’s...... 36-41 Bands ...... 39 Cheerleaders & Mascots ...... 39 Coaches Meeting...... 33 Complimentary Passes...... 37 Determining Champion...... 39 Guarantees...... 38 Host Institution Obligations...... 38 Official Ball ...... 37 Officiating Bureau...... 30-32 Pre-Game & Half-Time Format...... 41 Rules ...... 36 Scouting...... 37 Statistical Services ...... 38 Tie-Breaker...... 40-41 Travel Squad ...... 36 Uniforms ...... 37 Video Tape Policies & Exchange ...... 37 Basketball Championship, Men’s...... 58-72 Bands ...... 65 Cheerleaders & Mascots ...... 65 Coaches’ and Athletic Administrators’ Meeting ...... 62 Division and Distribution of Receipts...... 63 Game Balls ...... 64 Half Time Entertainment...... 65 Introduction Format ...... 64 134 2012-2013 Index
Media Arrangements ...... 61-62 Scouting...... 64 Seedings ...... 58 Squad Size ...... 63 Uniforms ...... 64 Basketball Championship, Women’s ...... 73-86 Bands ...... 78-79 Cheerleaders & Mascots ...... 79 Coaches’ and Athletic Administrators’ Meeting ...... 76 Division and Distribution of Receipts...... 80 Game Balls...... 78 Half Time Entertainment...... 79 Introduction Format ...... 78 Media Arrangements ...... 75-76 Scouting...... 78 Seedings...... 73 Squad Size ...... 77 Tie-Breaker ...... 74-75 Uniforms ...... 78 Calendar of Events ...... Inside Back Cover Championship Policies ...... 58-124 Basketball, Men’s...... 58-72 Basketball, Women’s...... 73-86 Cross Country, Men’s & Women’s ...... 87-88 Golf, Women’s...... 89-91 Soccer, Women’s ...... 92-98 Softball ...... 99-105 Tennis, Men’s & Women’s...... 106-109 Track & Field, Indoor & Outdoor, Men’s and Women’s ...... 110-116 Volleyball, Women’s ...... 117-124 Cheer Squads...... 26 Coach of the Year...... 24 Commissioner...... 10 Duties ...... 10-11 Commissioner's Authority Regarding Misconduct ...... 22-23 Committees - Standing ...... 8-9 Championships & Competition ...... 8 Committee on Committees...... 8 Current Assignments...... v Eligibility Committee ...... 8 Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee...... 8 Legislative Committee ...... 8 Officiating Committee ...... 9 Television Committee...... 9 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee…….……………………………………………………………………………9 Conference Council ...... 6 Function...... 6 Officers ...... 6 Quorum...... 5 Contracts for Sporting Events...... 25 & BigSkyConf.com Constitution and Code ...... 1-35 Amendments ...... 12 Councils ...... 4-7 135 2012-2013 Index
Rotation of Chair, Athletic Administrators' and Faculty Representatives ...... 131
134 2012-2013 Index
Current Chairs ...... v Cross Country Championship, Men’s & Women’s ...... 87-88 Annual Meeting ...... 87 Coaches’ Pre-Championship Meeting ...... 87 Course Access ...... 88 Date and Site ...... 87 Media Arrangements...... 87 Meet Management ...... 87 Scoring – Distance ...... 88 Squad Size ...... 88 Delayed Telecasts ...... 29 Discontinued & Interrupted Contests ...... 26-27 Dissolution ...... 12 Division of Receipts ...... 28 Dropping Sports...... 13 Eligibility...... 14-15 Academic Requirements ...... 15 Committee ...... v, 8 Cumulative GPA...... 14 Enrollment Requirements...... 15 Financial Aid...... 15-16 Intra-Conference Transfer Rule...... 14 Official Interpretation ...... 15 Registration and Attendance ...... 14 Residence Requirements ...... 15 Rule Change...... 15 Status ...... 14 Ethical Conduct...... 19-22 Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee ...... v, 8, 20 Expulsion and Suspension of Members ...... 4 Fact Sheet...... 126-130 Faculty Representatives' Council...... 6-7 Functions...... 6 Meetings...... 11-12 Officers and Duties...... 6-7 Quorum...... 5 Financial Aid ...... 15-16 Eligibility for ...... 16 Employment Rules...... 16 Grants-in-Aid ...... 15-16 Summer School...... 16 Flagrant Acts...... 21-22 Football Regulations ...... 42-45 Coaches Meeting ...... 33 Complimentary Passes...... 44 Championship...... 44-45 Game Balls...... 43 Guarantees...... 42 Headsets ...... 44 Kicking Net ...... 44 Protocol ...... 45 Schedule Requirements ...... 44 135 2012-2013 Index
Tie-Breaker ...... 45
136 2012-2013 Index
Travel Squad ...... 42 Uniforms ...... 43 Videotape Exchange ...... 42-43 Gambling Policy...... 20 Golf Championship, Men’s & Women’s ...... 89-91 Coaches Pre-Tournament Meeting ...... 89 Date and Site...... 89 Media Arrangements ...... 89 Specific Tournament Format ...... 90 Championship Conduct …………………………………...…...………………………………………………….90-91 Championship Management ………………………………………………………………………………………….89 Grade Point Average ...... 15-16 Grants-in-Aid...... 18 Hardship Case Form...... BigSkyConf.com Incomplete Grades...... 16 Institutional Awards...... 25 Institutional Control ...... 2 Interviews, Player...... 26 Intra-Conference Transfer Rule ...... 14 Waiver ...... 14 Investigations...... 17-19 Joint Athletic Administrators' Council...... 7 Functions...... 7 Meetings...... 12 Officers and Duties...... 5 Quorum...... 4 Junior College Transfers...... 15 Academic Requirements ...... 15 Legislative Committee...... v, 8 Management Regulations...... 28-30 Championship Expense ...... 30 Contracts for Sporting Events ...... 25, BigSkyConf.com Discontinued & Interrupted Contests...... 26-27 Medical Hardship Case Form ...... BigSkyConf.com Meetings ...... 11-13, 33, Inside Back Cover Coaches ...... 33 Commissioner's Call for...... 10 Dates and Sites ...... Inside Back Cover Faculty Representatives' Council ...... 6-7 Fall Meeting...... 11 Form for Submitting Agenda Items...... BigSkyConf.com Format, Presidents Council ...... 12 Joint Athletic Administrators' Council ...... 12 Minutes...... 35 Order of Business...... 34 Presidents' Council...... 11 Procedure and Agendas...... 35 Sports Information Directors...... 35 Spring Meeting Rotation Schedule...... 131 Membership ...... 3-4 137 2012-2013 Index
Affiliate Membership...... 3 Current Membership List ...... Inside Front Cover National Letter of Intent...... BigSkyConf.com NCAA Championship Participation ...... 27 NCAA Regulations...... 1, 35 New Members...... 3 Official Interpretation...... 17 Officiating Bureau ...... 30-32 Per Diem, Fees, Travel...... 31-32 Policies ...... 30-31 Officiating Committee, Men's and Women's ...... v Operating Code...... 13-35 Operations ...... 34-35 Finances...... 35 Travel...... 35 Organization...... 4-10 Conference Council...... 6 Faculty Representatives' Council ...... 6-7 Joint Athletic Administrators' Council ...... 7 Presidents' Council...... 5-6 Post-Season Competition ...... 27 Preamble...... 1 Presidents' Council ...... 5-6 Functions...... 5 Meetings...... 12 Officers and Duties...... 5 Quorum...... 4 Principles of Ethical Conduct ...... 19-20 Probation of Member Institution...... 4 Public Comment on Conf. Programs and Institutional Personnel/Student Athlete Conduct...... 21-22 Quorum...... 4 Radio Policies ...... 28 Time-Outs, Basketball ...... 28 Recognized Sports...... 13 Recruiting...... 16 Registration...... 14 Reinstatement of Members...... 4 Residence Requirements...... 15 Scholar-Athlete Award ...... 22 Scouting Basketball, Men's & Women’s Regular Season ...... 37 Basketball, Men’s Championship ...... 64 Soccer ...... 47 Soccer Championship ...... …………96 Softball ...... 50 Softball Championship...... 103
138 2012-2013 Index
Volleyball, Women’s, Regular Season ...... 55 Volleyball, Women’s, Championship ...... 121 Soccer Regulations, Regular Season, Women’s...... 46-48 Coaches’ Meeting...... 33 Host Institution Obligations...... 46-48 Rules for Conference Play...... 48 Scouting...... 47 Squad Size ...... 46 Statistical Services ...... 47 Tickets ...... 46 Uniforms ...... 48 Videotape Policy...... 47 Soccer Championship, Women’s...... 82-98 Bands ...... 97 Cheerleaders and Mascots...... 97 Dates and Sites ...... 92 Introductions...... 97 Media Arrangements ...... 93 Meeting, Pre-Championship...... 93 Scouting ...... 96 Squad Size ...... 96 Tickets ...... 98 Tie Breaker...... 93 Tournament Schedule ...... 92 Tournament Structure...... 92 Uniforms ...... 96 Sports Policies, Regular Season ...... 36-57 Basketball - Men's & Women’s...... 36-45 Football...... 42-45 Soccer, Women’s ...... 46-48 Softball...... 49-52 Tennis, Men’s & Women’s...... 51 Volleyball, Women’s ...... 54-57 Summer School ...... 17 Support of Programs...... 22-23 Suspension ...... 4 Television Committee ...... v, 9 Television Policies Basketball, Men’s Championship ...... 62 Basketball, Women’s Championship...... 76 Live Telecasts...... 28 “Red Hat”...... 29 Delayed Telecasts...... 29 Tennis Championship, Men’s & Women’s ...... 106-109 Track & Field Championships, Indoor & Outdoor - Men’s & Women’s ...... 96,102 Coaches’ Pre-Championship Meeting...... 112 Dates & Sites...... 110 Decathlon/Heptathlon...... 113 Entries/Late Entries ...... 113 Media Arrangements ...... 111 Meet Management...... 110 139 2012-2013 Index
Meet Rules ...... 114 Officials...... 114 Order of Events/Qualifying Standards...... 110-111 Protests ...... 114 Qualification/Seeding ...... 113 Scoring ...... 113 Specific Meet Format...... 113-114 Squad Size ...... 112 Transfer Rule ...... 14 Transmission of Reports...... 22 Travel for Conference Meetings...... 34-35 Videotape Exchange Basketball, Men’s & Women’s...... 37 Football...... 42-43 Soccer, Women’s ...... 47 Volleyball ...... 55 Violations ...... 17-19 Volleyball Regulations, Regular Season, Women’s ...... 54-57 Coaches’ Meeting...... 33 Host Institution Obligations...... 55-56 Protest Procedure...... 57 Protocol ...... 56 Scouting...... 55 Tickets ...... 54 Travel Squad Limitations...... 54 Videotape Policy...... 55 Volleyball Championship, Women’s ...... 117-124 Bands ...... 121 Cheerleaders and Mascots...... 117 Dates and Site...... 117 Match Times...... 118 Media Arrangements ...... 118 Pre-Tournament Meeting...... 118 Revenue ...... 122 Scouting ...... 121 Squad Size ...... 120 Tickets ...... 122 Tie Breaker...... 107-118 Tournament Schedule ...... 117 Tournament Structure...... 117 Uniforms ...... 121 Voting...... 5 Withdrawal from Conference ...... 3-4
140