GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION VOL. 115 NUMBER 1 CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS 2021-2022 A Member of the National Federation of State High School Associations 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 2021-2022 6/23/21 DATE FOR FIRST FIRST MAXIMUM LAST PLAYOFF GHSA STATE PLAYOFF DATES QUALIFIERS ACTIVITY PRACTICE CONTEST GAMES/DATES PLAY DATE First Round/ Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals DETERMINED Sectionals FOOTBALL Aug. 2 Aug. 20 10 (7 JV) Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 12-13 Nov. 19-20 Nov. 26-27 Dec. 3-4 Dec. 9-11 CHEERLEADING Aug. 2 Aug. 7 6 (4 JV) Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 13 Nov. 19-20 GAME DAY Aug. 2 Nov. 6 – Feb. 19 Feb. 19 Feb. 26 SOFTBALL (FP) Aug. 2 Aug. 5 30 (21 JV) Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 12-14 Oct. 19-21 Oct. 28-29 Oct. 30 SOFTBALL (SP) Feb. 14 Feb. 18 16 April 9 April 9 April 13-14 April 20-21 VOLLEYBALL Aug. 2 Aug. 9 18 (13 JV) Dates Oct. 16 Oct. 16 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 23 Oct. 26-27 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 CROSS COUNTRY Aug. 2 Aug. 9 10 (7 JV) Dates Oct. 30 Oct. 30 Nov. 5-6 FLAG FOOTBALL Sept. 20 Oct. 7 12 (8 JV) Nov. 20 Nov. 20 Nov. 30 Nov. 30 Dec. 2 Dec. 6 Dec. 9 ONE ACT PLAYS Aug. 2 – – Oct. 30 Oct. 30 Nov. 13 & 20 LITERARY Aug. 2 – – March 12 March 12 March 19 & 26 RIFLERY Aug. 2 Oct. 25 – March 12 March 12 March 26 April 9 April 23 SWIMMING Oct. 11 Oct. 25 10 (7 JV) Jan. 28 Feb. 3-5 DANCE Oct. 25 Nov. 6 6 (4 JV) Feb. 5 Feb. 12 BASKETBALL Oct. 25 Nov. 12 25 (18 JV) Feb. 19 Feb. 19 Feb. 22-23 Feb. 25-26 March 1-2 March 4-5 March 9-12 WRESTLING Oct. 25 Nov. 12 20 (14 JV) Dates Jan. 29 Du - Jan. 7-8 Du - Jan. 15 Du - Jan. 15 Du - Jan. 22 6 (girls) Dates Tr - Jan. 28-29 Tr - Feb. 5 Tr - Feb. 10-12 GYMNASTICS Jan. 3 Jan. 24 10 (7 JV) April 13 April 21-22 April 23 TENNIS Jan. 3 Jan. 24 18 (13 JV) April 14 April 14 By April 21 By April 27 By May 3 By May 9 May 14 SOCCER Jan. 3 Jan. 24 18 (13 JV) April 9 April 9 April 12-15 April 18-21 April 25-26 April 28-29 May 3-6 TRACK Jan. 10 Feb. 7 10 (7 JV) April 30 April 30 May 7 May 12-14 (Class A Areas) LACROSSE Jan. 17 Feb. 7 18 (13 JV) April 23 April 23 April 27-28 May 2-3 May 5-6 May 10-11 May 14 BASEBALL Jan. 17 Feb. 14 30 (21 JV) April 23 April 23 April 27-29 May 3-4 May 9-10 May 14, 16 May 20-21, 23 GOLF Feb. 7 Feb. 19 12 (8 JV) Dates May 7 May 5 May 2-3 (5-7A) May 16-17 April 25 (5-7A) NOTES: Dates and more information for Bass Fishing and Esports may be found on the GHSA web site (www.ghsa.net). The "Dead Weeks" for the 2021-22 school year are Monday, May 30 through Sunday, June 5, 2022 and Monday, July 4 through Sunday, July 10, 2022. The GHSA office will be closed both weeks. GHSA DEADLINE DATES - 2021-22 Due Date Material to be Submitted Sent To July 26, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Football GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Cheerleading & GameDay GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Cross Country GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - One Act Play GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Literary GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Riflery GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Fast Pitch Softball GHSA August 2, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Volleyball GHSA August 2, 2021 Directory & Pass Information Due (Post Electronically) GHSA September 20, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Flag Football GHSA October 1, 2021 Notification of Entry - One Act Play Region Secretary October 11, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Swimming GHSA October 15, 2021 Final Date to Withdraw from Coed Cheerleading GHSA October 15, 2021 Notice of Entry - Cheerleading (Post Rosters Electronically) GHSA/Reg. Sec. October 15, 2021 Membership Dues Form & Payment Deadline GHSA October 22, 2021 Contestants List - Cross Country (Post Electronically) Meet Director October 25, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Dance GHSA October 25, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Basketball GHSA October 25, 2021 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Wrestling GHSA January 3, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Gymnastics GHSA January 3, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Tennis GHSA January 3, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Soccer GHSA January 10, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Boys & Girls Track GHSA January 17, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Baseball GHSA January 17, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Lacrosse GHSA February 1, 2022 Notification of Entry - Literary (Post Electronically) GHSA February 7, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Golf GHSA February 14, 2022 Initial Eligibility Report Due - Slow Pitch Softball GHSA March 1 , 2022 Notice of Intent to participate in all sports (2022-23) GHSA March 1 , 2022 Football Schedules Due GHSA April 1, 2022 Participation Survey Due GHSA April 15, 2022 Golf Contestants List Due (Post Electronically) GHSA End Regular Season Contestants List - Boys & Girls Track Region Secretary End Regular Season Tennis Roster & Playoff Lineup 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................................................................................................................36 BY-LAW SECTION 3.00 - REGION.............................................................................................................................................38 By-Law 3.10 - Region Authority....................................................................................................................................38 By-Law 3.20 - Region Responsibilities to State Association.....................................................................................38 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......................................................................................................................................39 By-Law 4.30 - State Association Contest / Event Responsibilites.............................................................................42 By-Law