GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION VOL. 113 NUMBER 1 CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS 2019-2020 A Member of the National Federation of State High School Associations P.O. Box 271 151 South Bethel Street Thomaston, Georgia 30286-0004 706-647-7473 FAX 706-647-2638 www.ghsa.net GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Revised BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES FOR 2019-2020 9/4/19 DATE FOR FIRST FIRST MAXIMUM LAST GHSA STATE PLAYOFF DATES AREA/REGION ACTIVITY PRACTICE CONTEST GAMES/DATES PLAY DATE First Round/ Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals QUALIFIERS Sectionals DETERMINED FOOTBALL July 25 (Conditioning) Feb. 1 or later (Spring) Aug. 23 10 (7 JV) Nov. 9 Nov. 9 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 22-23 Nov. 29-30 Dec. 6-7 Dec. 13-14 CHEERLEADING July 29 Aug. 10 6 (4 JV) Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 9 Nov. 15 Nov. 16 Feb. 1 or later (Spring) (Class A & Coed) (Coed & A Finals) (2A through 7A) SOFTBALL (FP) July 29 Aug. 2 26 (18 JV) Oct. 5 Oct. 5 Oct. 8-10 Oct. 15-17 Oct. 24-25 Oct. 26 SOFTBALL (SP) Feb. 17 Feb. 22 16 April 11 April 11 April 15-16 April 22-23 VOLLEYBALL July 29 Aug. 5 18 (13 JV) Dates Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 22-23 Oct. 26 Oct. 29 Nov. 2 CROSS COUNTRY July 29 Aug. 5 10 (7 JV) Dates Oct. 26 Oct. 26 Nov. 1-2 ONE ACT PLAYS July 29 Aug. 2 – Oct. 26 Oct. 26 Nov. 2 & Nov. 9 LITERARY July 29 Aug. 2 – March 4 March 4 March 14 & 21 RIFLERY July 29 Oct. 28 – March 14 March 14 March 28 April 11 April 25 SWIMMING Oct. 14 Oct. 28 10 (7 JV) Jan. 31 Feb. 6-8 BASKETBALL Oct. 21 Nov. 8 25 (18 JV) Feb. 8 Feb. 8 Feb. 14-15 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 25-26 Feb. 29 March 4-7 WRESTLING Oct. 21 Nov. 8 20 (14 JV) Dates Feb. 1 Du - Jan. 10-11 Du - Jan. 16-18 Tr - Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Tr - Feb. 7-8 Tr - Feb. 13-15 GYMNASTICS Jan. 6 Jan. 27 10 (7 JV) April 19 April 23-24 April 25 TENNIS Jan. 6 Jan. 27 18 (13 JV) April 16 April 16 By April 21 By April 25 By April 30 By May 5 May 9 (Class A Areas) (Class A 1st Round) SOCCER Jan. 13 Feb. 3 18 (13 JV) April 16 April 16 April 21-24 April 27-30 May 5-6 May 12 May 14-16 (Class A Semis) TRACK Jan. 13 Feb. 10 10 (7 JV) May 2 May 2 May 9 May 14-16 BASEBALL Jan. 13 Feb. 10 30 (21 JV) April 18 April 18 April 22-24 April 28-29 May 4-5 May 9, 11 May 15-18 LACROSSE Jan. 20 Feb. 10 18 (13 JV) April 25 April 25 April 29-30 May 4-5 May 7-8 May 12-13 May 16 GOLF Feb. 10 Feb. 15 12 (8 JV) Dates May 5 May 5 May 18-19 NOTE: 2020 "DEAD" WEEK: Sunday, June 28 through Saturday, July 4, 2020 – the GHSA Office is closed. GHSA DEADLINE DATES - 2019-20 Due Date Material to be Submitted Sent To July 25, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Football GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Cheerleading GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Cross Country GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - One Act Play GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Literary GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Riflery GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Fast Pitch Softball GHSA July 29, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Volleyball GHSA August 1, 2019 Directory & Pass Information Due (Post Electronically) GHSA October 1, 2019 Final Date to Withdraw from Coed Cheerleading GHSA October 1, 2019 Notice of Entry - Cheerleading (Post Rosters Electronically) GHSA/Reg. Sec. October 1, 2019 Notification of Entry - One Act Play Region Secretary October 14, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Swimming GHSA October 15, 2019 Membership Dues Form & Payment Deadline GHSA October 18, 2019 Contestants List - Cross Country (Post Electronically) Meet Director October 21, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Wrestling GHSA October 21, 2019 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Basketball GHSA January 6, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Gymnastics GHSA January 6, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Tennis GHSA January 13, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Soccer GHSA January 13, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Boys & Girls Track GHSA January 13, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Baseball GHSA January 20, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Lacrosse GHSA January 28, 2020 Contestants List for Literary Competition Region Secretary February 10, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Golf GHSA February 17, 2020 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Slow Pitch Softball GHSA March 1 , 2020 Football Schedules Due GHSA April 1 , 2020 Participation Survey GHSA April 1 , 2020 Notice of Intent to Enter Golf, Gymnastics, Riflery, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Wrestling, SP Softball, Esports, Dance, Gameday Cheerleading & A Soccer (2020-21) GHSA April 27, 2020 Golf Rosters Due (Boys and Girls) (Post Electronically) Region Secretary End Regular Season Contestants List - Boys & Girls Track Region Secretary End Regular Season Team Tennis Roster Region Secretary TABLE OF CONTENTS GHSA CONSTITUTION.................................................................................................................................................................7 BY-LAW SECTION 1.00 - STUDENT..........................................................................................................................................14 By-Law 1.10 - Certification of Eligibility....................................................................................................................14 By-Law 1.20 - Enrollment and Team Membership.....................................................................................................14 By-Law 1.30 - Age...........................................................................................................................................................15 By-Law 1.40 - Limits of Participation...........................................................................................................................15 By-Law 1.50 - Scholastic Standing / Scholarship.........................................................................................16 By-Law 1.60 - School Service Areas / Transfer / Migrant Student..........................................................................19 By-Law 1.70 - Recruiting / Undue Influence...........................................................................................................22 By-Law 1.80 - Financial Aid..........................................................................................................................................22 By-Law 1.90 - Amateur Status / Awards.......................................................................................................................23 BY-LAW SECTION 2.00 - SCHOOL...........................................................................................................................................24 By-Law 2.10 - School Membership to GHSA..............................................................................................................24 By-Law 2.20 - Administrative Responsibilities...........................................................................................................25 By-Law 2.30 - Eligibility Reports Filed By The School.............................................................................................26 By-Law 2.40 - Student Retention for Athletic Activities............................................................................................26 By-Law 2.50 - Qualifications to Coach........................................................................................................................26 By-Law 2.60 - Interscholastic Contests and Practices (Heat and Concussion policies)..........................................28 By-Law 2.70 - Sportsmanship........................................................................................................................................33 By-Law 2.80 - Media and Filming Regulations...........................................................................................................35 By-Law 2.90 - Regulations of Competitions................................................................................................................37 BY-LAW SECTION 3.00 - REGION.............................................................................................................................................38 By-Law 3.10 - Region Authority....................................................................................................................................38 By-Law 3.20 - Region Responsibilities to State Association.....................................................................................39 By-Law 3.30 - Region Financial Obligations to State Association...........................................................................39 BY-LAW SECTION 4.00 - STATE................................................................................................................................................39 By-Law 4.10 - GHSA Administrative Responsibilities to Member Schools............................................................39 By-Law 4.20 - Reclassification......................................................................................................................................40 By-Law 4.30 - State Association Contest / Event Responsibilites.............................................................................42 By-Law 4.40 - State Passes to GHSA Events...............................................................................................................43 By-Law 4.50 - Certification of Athletic Officials........................................................................................................44 By-Law 4.60