Foreword
The Academy Athletic Conference was formed in 1969 with fourteen charter members. It sponsored athletic competition in football, basketball, and baseball. By November 1970, there were approximately sixty member schools. At a meeting on November 21, 1970, the Executive Committee of the Academy Athletic Conference was formed to conduct the business of the conference. Member schools felt that a small representative body of people could conduct the business more efficiently than the entire membership.
The Academy Athletic Conference merged with the Mississippi Private School Association during the summer of 1971. In August of 1971, the name of the governing body for athletic activities was changed from the Executive Committee to the Academy Activities Commission. The purpose of this change was to avoid confusion with the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Private School Association, and to indicate that all activities would come under the jurisdiction of this body.
In the summer of 2009, the name of the association was changed to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. In the summer of 2019, the name of the association was changed to the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools.
At the AAC meeting held in April of 2018, the commission approved major updates to the handbook. The purpose of these updates was to better organize each section for readers, to remove any language that no longer applies to current governing policies, and to give as much clarity as possible to the enclosed content. The updated version was designated version 2.0.
An online version of the handbook can be found at: aac.msais.org
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Disclaimer
Even though this handbook is accessible online through the MAIS website, it is not intended to be used by parents to make any decisions related to athletics and activities, or the eligibility status of their child or children. This handbook is intended to be used by member school administrators and their staff.
Additional information related to the AAC rules, policies, and procedures is routinely communicated to member school administrators and coaches through electronic postings, emails, rules clinics, and other means. The decisions made by the AAC and its committees will be made based on all of the rules, policies, and procedures that have been passed or otherwise approved by the AAC, or any of its committees, regardless of whether the updates to this handbook have been made at the time. Past precedent may also be considered in the decision-making process.
The MAIS staff shall endeavor to keep this handbook up to date with the most recent decisions made by the commission. It is noted, however, that typographical errors and/or information that has been inadvertently added to or omitted from the handbook will not affect the commission's decision making process. Questions or concerns that a parent or guardian may have regarding MAIS rules, policies, and procedures should not be directed to the MAIS Office. Any such communication, or alleged communication, between any family member and MAIS Office staff will not carry any weight with any committee making a decision on the enforcement of MAIS rules. Should students, parents or guardians have a question or concern related to AAC rules, policies, and procedures, they should contact the head of the school that their child currently attends, has been attending, or will be attending. If the head of school chooses to do so, he/she will make any needed queries or requests to the appropriate MAIS staff member, the school's AAC representative, or the appropriate committee chairman.
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Section I - Academy Activities Commission
- Election of Members
With the exception of Class 5A (all sports except football), each district shall elect one representative to the Academy Activities Commission prior to the July AAC meeting to serve a two-year term. Class 5A (all sports except football) shall elect two representatives to serve in the same capacity. This election should take place in a timely manner after the athletic alignment has been approved, and will be conducted using whatever process the district chooses (secret ballot at a called meeting, conference call, etc.). The head of school of each school (or his/her designee) will get one vote. A representative elected to the AAC must be the head of school from that athletic district.
A member may be elected for one (1) additional term for a total of four (4) years. A member must be off the AAC for two (2) years before he/she can be re-elected. Newly elected members will take office at the July AAC meeting. Any member that comes in as a replacement, and serves less than a year, will not have that service count against his/her 4 year term limit total.
The representative elected in each district will serve as chairman of that district during his/her term of office. It shall be his/her duty to call and conduct all district meetings, to chair and preside at these meetings, and see that accurate records of all decisions are recorded. These recorded decisions shall be duplicated and sent to all district members as official minutes, with a copy of said minutes also being emailed to the MAIS Office. (ltriplett@msais.org and/or ddrake@msais.org) It is noted that each AAC member has the authority to designate another person to chair and conduct district business if he/she is unable to attend a district meeting.
If re-alignment or other factors cause a current member to move out of his/her present district, this position will be considered vacant and said member will cease to be a member of the Academy Activities Commission unless he/she is elected back to the Academy Activities Commission by the new district into which he/she moves.
Any AAC member that is no longer employed by the school from which he/she was serving at the time of election to the commission, shall cease to serve as an AAC member. The district will elect a new AAC member to fill the vacancy.
Academy Activities Commission members are expected to attend all regular meetings. When an AAC member misses two (2) consecutive meetings, this can be grounds for expulsion by the AAC. Should expulsion occur, the district represented will be empowered to elect a new representative to take his/her place.
- Election of Officers
At the July meeting each year, the Academy Activities Commission shall elect from its membership a president, and a vice-president. This shall be done by secret ballot. Neither the president, nor the vice-president, may succeed himself/herself in that office.
The secret ballot election shall be held using the following guidelines:
- A ballot listing all AAC members shall be given to each member. Members will be allowed to remove their names from consideration before the first vote is taken.
- After the first ballot:
- Should any member receive more than 50% of the votes, said member will be declared the winner.
- If no member receives a majority of the votes on the first ballot, and:
- there are only two people who received the highest number of votes, both names will be placed on the ballot, and another vote will be taken.
- there is a tie for first, all of the names of the individuals involved in the tie shall be placed on the ballot, and another vote will be taken.
- one individual receives more votes than the rest of the members (but not a majority), and there is a tie for second, all of the names of the individuals tied for second will be placed on the ballot along with the individual receiving the top number of votes, and another vote will be taken.
- If after multiple votes, the Director determines that the AAC members are unable to break a tie, the names of the individuals that are tied will be placed on a piece of paper and placed in a container. The Director, or his/her designee, will draw one name from the container in the presence of the members. The member whose name is drawn shall be declared the winner.
- After the president is elected, the same guidelines will be used to elect the Vice- President. Once these two (2) officers are elected, control of the meeting shall be handed over to the President.
The President shall:
- Preside at all regular and special called meetings of the AAC.
- Make appointments of standing and special committees during his term.
- Be familiar with and abide by all policies and procedures set forth in this handbook.
- Vote only when his vote will either pass or defeat a measure.
Vice-President: The vice-president shall act in place of the president should the president be absent or unavailable.
- AAC Meetings
- Order - Each meeting of the Academy Activities Commission shall be presided over by the President (or the Vice President in the absence of the President).
- The AAC Secretary - The Director of Activities or his/her designee shall serve as secretary of the AAC. He/she shall be responsible for the taking and distribution of the minutes. The roll of members shall be called at each meeting. Absences shall be recorded in the minutes.
- Regular Meetings - Regular meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the President of the AAC and the Director of Activities based on necessity and urgency or upon recommendation from the membership.
- Conflict Of Interest Policy - An AAC member involved in and/or reporting an incident referred to any committee shall be excused during discussion of said incident. Any such member does, however, have the right to cast a vote on any committee on which he/she serves. This vote shall be cast after the other committee members have voted, and the excused member is allowed back in the room.
- Establishing a quorum and conducting business:
- Regular Business: A simple majority of the AAC members must be present, and voting, to establish a quorum to conduct business.
- AAC Handbook Change - Any handbook rule change must receive a favorable vote at two (2) consecutive meetings. The first vote must receive a simple majority of all of the AAC members present and voting (proxies accepted). The second vote must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote of all of the AAC members present and voting in order for the change to become effective (proxies accepted).
- Waiver of 2nd Vote: When it is in the opinion of a three-fourths majority of the AAC Members present that it is necessary, and in the best interest of all member schools, the second (2nd) vote requirement for an AAC Handbook rule change may be waived (proxies accepted).
- Proxy Votes - No AAC representative may hold more than one (1) proxy vote. The proxy vote may NOT be used to establish a quorum.
- Voting By Electronic Means - The AAC President has the authority to instruct the Director of Activities to obtain an official vote on time-sensitive issues from AAC members using electronic means. The recommendation being voted on, and the resulting vote, will be recorded in the AAC minutes of the next meeting. It is noted that this procedure is intended to allow the committee to deal with time-sensitive issues without the president having to call a special meeting, and is not to be used if any member objects.
- Meetings Procedure - The AAC will meet at least five (5) times during the school year during years in which realignment is done. In off years, the AAC will meet at least four (4) times. The Academy Activities Commission representatives should come to each meeting prepared to discuss, and vote, on issues affecting the association. Prior to these meetings, member schools should contact their AAC representative to inform them of their preferences toward the issues that will be voted on.
Member schools should pay particular attention to items that have had a "first vote" only label attached to them in the minutes, as these items will be voted on at the next AAC meeting.
- Meeting Dates
- Tuesday, July 30, 2019
- Thursday, October 17, 2019
- Thursday, January 9, 2020
- Thursday, April 9, 2020
- Reimbursement For Expenses
- All Academy Activities Commission members will be reimbursed for their expenses incurred for regular monthly meetings, and special meetings called by the President.
- Committees appointed by the President will be reimbursed when their duties necessitate a meeting.
- AAC members will be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of all duties assigned to them by the Academy Activities Commission, or by the President with the approval of the AAC.
AAC Responsibilities
The AAC shall be responsible for conducting the business of all of the extra-curricular activities covered in this handbook. This responsibility may be delegated to the Director of Activities, the Associate Director of Activities, and/or to committees appointed by the president of the AAC.
Committees
- General Information - All committees functioning within the responsibility of the Academy Activities Commission shall operate with the full authority of the AAC, being limited only by the guidelines established. All committee decisions may be appealed to the AAC.
- Standing Committees - The mission of the AAC Standing Committees is one of fact finding, and making recommendations to the AAC. Once a recommendation has been made to the AAC, and the AAC acts, the only appeals that can be made are to the AAC. Any such appeal must be made in writing by the head of school of the school. The head of school, or his/her designee, may appear before the committee to make the appeal. Only administrators, athletic directors, board members or coaches are allowed to make an appeal. Parents of children involved in an issue will not be allowed to come before the committee. They can, however, submit in writing any information that they would like for the committee to consider. No AAC decision can be appealed at the same meeting at which a decision is made, unless two-thirds of the AAC members feel that allowing such an appeal is warranted.
Current Standing Committees
- Affairs Committee: The Affairs Committee shall be responsible for investigating any breach of rule or policy of the Academy Activities Commission.
- Eligibility Committee: The Eligibility Committee shall be responsible for applying the eligibility rules to all situations where rules may not be completely clear. It is also their responsibility to interpret the eligibility rules where there is any question as to their intent. The Eligibility Committee will hear any hardship cases that are referred to them by the Director of Activities after the July meeting. They will also hear any cases referred to them by the Director in which a member school has filed a complaint alleging that another member school is playing an ineligible player. The MAIS Office will assist the Eligibility Committee by attempting to gather any information that the committee deems necessary to make a final judgement. Other current or former AAC member may also be used in the investigative process.
- Rules Committee: The Rules Committee shall be responsible for drafting proposed rules concerning any new activity established by the AAC and for proposing clarification for which it may be deemed necessary. This committee is available for consultation with the Director of Activities concerning interpretation of existing rules.
The Eligibility Committee and the Affairs Committee shall operate with the full authority of the AAC, being limited only by the guidelines established. All Affairs Committee and/or Eligibility Committee decisions shall go into effect immediately. Decisions rendered by the Affairs and Eligibility Committees can be appealed to the full body of the AAC.
All standing committees must be composed of currently serving AAC members.
- Special Committees - From time to time, it may be necessary for the President to appoint special committees for specific purposes that are not within the jurisdiction of the standing committees.
- Appeal To Executive Committee - The Executive Committee serves as the final appellant body for all issues unresolved by any MAIS commission and/or group under its direction. It is noted that the Executive Committee will only hear appeals pertaining to inter-school athletic competition after all appeals to the AAC have been exhausted.
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Section II - The Duties of the Director of Activities
- Activities Commission
- Administrate and enforce the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools. The Director is authorized to grant an exemption to any rule or policy should special circumstances arise.
- Prepare the agenda, and make all necessary arrangements for each meeting of the Activities Commission.
- Be responsible for dispersing all information concerning inter-school activities to member schools.
- Provide the proper number of athletic passes to each school.
- Oversee gathering of eligibility information, and maintain a central eligibility file.
- Athletic Playoffs
- Be responsible for the coordination and supervision of all playoffs.
- Assign officials for playoffs.
- Assign starter for Overall Track Meet.
- All-Star Games
- The MAIS shall sponsor all-star games for the following sports: football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer.
- Work with Activities Commission in promoting and making arrangements for the games.
- Serve as the coordinator of the All-Star Selection process.
- Awards and Trophies
- The Director of Activities shall purchase and arrange for the delivery of trophies according to the following:
- Football
Jr. High District - Championship Only Varsity District - Championship Only
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
- Basketball
Jr. High District - Championship and Runner-up Varsity District - Championship and Runner-up
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
Overall - Championship and Runner-up
- Baseball
Varsity District - Championship Only
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
- Track
Jr. High District - Championship Only Varsity District - Championship Only
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
- Fast-Pitch Softball
Varsity District - Championship Only
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
Overall- Championship and Runner-up
- Golf
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
Overall - Championship and Runner-up
- Tennis
Regional (when applicable) - Championship and Runner-up
Class - Championship and Runner-up
Overall - Championship and Runner-up
- Soccer
Division I - Championship and Runner-up Division II - Championship and Runner-up Division III - Championship and Runner-up
- Swimming
Overall - Championship and Runner-up
- Cross Country
Overall- Championship and Runner-up
- Volleyball
Overall- Championship and Runner-up
- Purchase and arrange delivery of all ribbons for all post-district track meets.
- Purchase and arrange delivery of all-tournament awards for tournaments past the district level.
- Master Football Schedule
- Publish the final master football schedules and send them to schools, news media, and major colleges.
- Oversee any updates due to member school closings, or the failure of a member school to field a team.
- Athletic Officials
- Register all MAIS athletic officials.
- Maintain roster and permanent records of all registered MAIS athletic officials.
- Provide best training possible for athletic officials.
- Coordinate training clinics in each district as needed.
- Provide rulebooks, patches, etc.
- Interpret rules for officials and coaches.
- Appoint and supervise district secretaries in organization of district associations as necessary.
- Intervene in and resolve disputes between athletic officials and school officials as the chief representative of the Academy Activities Commission.
- News Media
Contact and work with news media in an effort to promote better coverage of Academy Conference activities.
- Other Duties As Assigned By The AAC
The Director shall endeavor to carry out all duties assigned to him by the AAC.
- Associate Director Of Activities
The Director of Activities shall be assisted by the Associate Director of Activities in all of his duties and responsibilities. At the discretion of the Director, the Associate Director shall act on his behalf, and has all of the authority and privileges afforded the Director as described in this handbook.
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Section III - Membership & Classifcation
Member schools agree to abide by all AAC rules and adjudications, including the disciplinary decisions of the AAC and/or any of its committees, or the Executive Committee. The sole remedy for any member school that refuses to abide by said rules and adjudications is to resign its membership. Likewise, the sole remedy of the MAIS for any school that refuses to abide by said rules and adjudications is cancellation of its membership.
- Conference Membership
All members in good standing of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools are eligible to be members of the Academy Athletic Conference.
It is the responsibility of members to familiarize themselves with all rules and regulations of the Academy Athletic Conference.
Membership in good standing in the Academy Athletic Conference entitles a school to compete in inter-school activities with other member schools. The AAC guarantees a member school the opportunity to make an athletic schedule to qualify for a district, class, or overall championship in all sports sanctioned by the MAIS so long as that member school is in full compliance with AAC regulations and the provisions of their division.
- Athletic Realignment
Every two (2) years the Academy Activities Commission will re-align member schools for athletic competition.
- Alignment Criteria
The Commission shall consider the following criteria when re-aligning member schools for athletic competition:
- Enrollment figures for grades 8-11 (would be next year's 9-12) shall be used for classification.
- Any sizable or substantial increase or decrease in enrollment of member schools.
- Any survey results directed to member schools.
- Executive Committee Mandate
The Executive Committee of the MAIS has mandated that the realignment of member schools for the purpose of athletics and activities be the responsibility of the Academy Activities Commission with the stipulation that the realignment of schools into competitive classes be based on a pre-determined number of member schools in each classification.
- Alignment Timetable
- The AAC has mandated that the Director of Activities determine the number of classes, and the number of schools in each class, for each alignment cycle. This data will be presented to the AAC at the July AAC meeting in the year that alignment data (October 1 enrollment figures) is to be collected.
- Once the October 1 enrollment figures have been obtained, the Director of Activities will develop a realignment plan. This plan will include the number of districts in each class along with the schools in each district. This plan will be submitted as a starting point for the AAC at the October meeting. The AAC will then review the plan, making any desired modifications. The AAC is required to pass an alignment proposal as a first vote item at this meeting.
- After the AAC has approved an alignment proposal as a first vote item, member schools will have the right to appeal their position in the proposed alignment at a special called meeting. No school, or group of schools, will be allowed to appeal the position of another member school.
- The AAC, after hearing appeals, should take a second vote on the proposed alignment. If the proposed alignment fails to pass a second vote, the AAC will establish a new timetable and criteria and make it known to member schools in a timely manner.
It is noted that if multiple schools are tied for the last position in a class, all schools tied will be assigned to that class even though it will increase the originally agreed upon number of schools for that class. In addition, if a school that has been placed in a lower class, petitions the AAC to move up in classification, the granting of this request will not cause any other school to be displaced from the class into which it was originally placed.
- Participating "Up" In Classification
Member schools may choose to participate in a higher classification. They cannot, however, appeal to participate in a lower classification* unless both of the following qualifications are met:
- The member school must be 150 miles (or more) away from the majority of schools in their district.
- The member school must be within five (5) students of the largest school(s) in the lower classification.
*It is noted that the AAC has the authority to combine schools of different classes into a district and/or division when, in their opinion, there are not enough teams in a sport to justify competing for a championship otherwise (example: girls' soccer, boys' soccer, volleyball).
- Participation in Major Sports
Member schools must compete for the championship in any of the major sports in which they field a team. The major sports are defined to be football, basketball, baseball and fast-pitch softball. Failure to compete for the championship in any one of the major sports would automatically disqualify a member school from competing for the championship in any MAIS sanctioned sport. It is noted that the Director of Activities has the authority to grant an exemption to schools with startup programs, or schools that have other extenuating circumstances.
- 2019-20 Athletic Alignment
See MAIS website for current alignment in all sports
Section IV - General Information
- Definition Of Terms
- Bona Fide Move
Eligibility to participate in MAIS athletic competition is a privilege granted to certain qualified students. To protect the integrity of interscholastic athletics, MAIS prohibits for a period of twelve (12) months all students in grades 9-12 who transfer from one member school to another member school from participating in any interscholastic athletic competition.
An exception may be granted if all the following conditions are true:
- All principal members of the family have moved to a new place of residence that is closer driving distance wise to the new member school than to the previous member school.
For purposes of verification, the shortest available driving route from the new residence to the old school and from the new residence to the new school will be used.
For the purpose of this rule, the principal members of the family include the parents (or guardians), the student seeking eligibility, and all other minor children in the custody of the parents (or guardians) that have not graduated from high school (or the equivalent).
- All household furniture and personal effects must be removed from the previous residence.
- The previous residence must be closed, rented, or disposed of and not used by the family. This would include any adjoining property associated with the residence. Any continued usage of any adjoining property must be approved by the Director of Activities or the Eligibility Committee.
Any family making a bona fide move must meet the conditions stated above for a period of one year (12 months). If during this 12-month period, the family fails to meet one of the above criteria, the bona fide move status will be lost, and the student(s) enrolled and participating in athletics will become ineligible for one (1) year from the date of non-compliance. However, if the student(s) did not participate in athletics at the new school, the period of ineligibility would be twelve (12) months from the date of the student's enrollment at the new school.
The Director of Activities or the Eligibility Committee may consider a hardship application from the school to which a student who is ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition and does not qualify for the standard exception. The Committee's willingness to consider a hardship application is not a guarantee that eligibility will be granted. The Committee may consider evidence presented by the school as to why the student's failure to prove he or she falls under the exception policy should, nevertheless, be granted an exemption. In weighing its decision, the Committee may also consider evidence contrary to the school's evidence. In no wise is the Committee bound by the Rules of Civil Procedure or evidentiary rules in state prosecutions during its deliberations.
- Correspondence and Online Courses
Correspondence and/or online courses taken to meet eligibility requirements must be taken through an accredited institution, and must be acceptable toward graduation in the member school.
- District
Each class shall be divided into districts consisting of schools in the same class. Exception: The AAC has the authority to combine schools of different classes into a district and/or division for a sport when, in their opinion, there are not enough teams in that sport to justify competing for a championship otherwise.
- Financial Consideration
A financial consideration is any contribution, donation, or assistance (monetary or job) given to a student to increase his personal income or to defray his educational expenses, by a school, or school official, or school related organization. Any student-athlete who is receiving financial consideration from a school must be so noted on the athletic eligibility form.
- Guardian
The adult person or persons who have the responsibility of caring for a minor. In reference to athletic eligibility, this term denotes legal responsibility in practically all instances. If either parent is still living, he/she will be considered as having responsibility for his/her child. Only as the result of a judge ordered decree will a guardian be allowed to be used to establish eligibility if either of the child's parents is still living. Any exceptions must be approved by the Director of Activities or the Eligibility Committee.
- Hardship Case
Any case where extenuating circumstances concerning the eligibility of a student warrants a review by the AAC or the Eligibility Committee.
- Major Sports
Football, basketball, fast-pitch softball and baseball are recognized as the major sports.
- Junior High Athletics
Any contest that is restricted to players in the 9th grade and below. The use of sixth-graders is allowed in basketball, cross-country, fast-pitch softball, golf, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball. No student below the sixth grade may participate at the jr. high or varsity level in athletics.
Sixth graders are allowed to participate in 6th-7th grade football games. They cannot, however, compete in a football game which includes players above the 7th grade level. Sixth graders are NOT allowed to play baseball. They can, however, play soccer, but cannot compete against any soccer player above the 8th grade.
Seventh graders are not allowed to compete in a football game which includes players above the 9th grade level.
- Major Subject
A major subject is one that meets at least five class periods per week (or the equivalent of minimum accrediting standards), is tested by a teacher, and carries at least one full unit of credit for the session, or at least 1/2 unit credit for the semester. Physical education, debating, oratory, newspaper staff, yearbook staff, driver education, 4-H Club, and other such activities shall NOT be considered as major subjects. Any questions as to whether a course qualifies as a major subject should be directed to the Director of Activities.
- Residence
For the purposes of addressing eligibility issues, the term residence refers to the permanent housing occupied by an athlete's parent or parents.
- Varsity Athletics
Any contest in which a 10th, 11th, or 12th grade student is eligible to participate shall be termed varsity athletics.
- Gender
For the purposes of interpreting AAC rules, an athlete's gender is determined by the primary sex characteristics observed at birth.
- Special Promotion
The practice of advancing a student below the ninth (9th) grade to the next grade even though he/she may not have passed all of their courses the previous school year is referred to as "special promotion." It can also be referred to as "social promotion."
- Head of School
The person that has been hired by the board of directors at a MAIS member school to oversee the day-to-day operations of the school. This is the person that the MAIS Office will routinely communicate with concerning MAIS policies and procedures.
- Staff
As it relates to member school employees, the term staff refers to the individuals who have assigned responsibilities in one of the following areas: administration, faculty, coaching staff. For the purposes of establishing eligibility, this does not include non-professional positions such as secretaries, bookkeepers, custodians, bus drivers, public relations, food service personnel, etc.
- Discipline
The concept of the MAIS is that member schools will make every effort to conduct all of their athletic contests on the basis of good sportsmanship, fair play and ethical conduct. It is the duty of every school board member, administrator, faculty member and coach to uphold and promote this concept.
The administrator, or his/her designated representative at each athletic contest, is responsible for the conduct and control of players, students and fans of their school. The administrator of the host school has the overall responsibility for crowd control and behavior (availability of police, general rules and arrangements, etc.); however, this, in no way, relieves the representative of each school of the responsibility for the direct control of their players, students and fans.
All unsportsmanlike incidents must be reported to the MAIS Office within a 72-hour period by all parties involved (both schools and officials). The minimum penalty for failing to report unsportsmanlike incidents is $100. This penalty may be modified by the Affairs Committee should circumstances warrant.
Regardless of the best intentions and plans, it is understood that, at times, there may be a breakdown in discipline and an incident may occur. In this event, the following rules and procedures apply: All major incidents on the field of play and those involving officials must be reported to the Commission for action. This report is to be made online through the MAIS website using the incident report form.
The Director of Activities and/or the Affairs Committee Chairman, will make, or cause to be made, any investigations deemed necessary.
- Penalties
Penalties will include but will not be limited to warnings, probation, probation with additional penalty, and suspension depending on the circumstances involved in the case. All of these infractions carry a fine payable to the MAIS within 30 days of notification. Failure to pay shall result in suspension. The various levels of discipline include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Warning: A letter to a school or individual calling attention to a violation of the rules or minor misconduct and requesting that it not recur. In addition, a fine in the amount of $100.00 will be administered.
- Probation: This puts the school on notice that a second offense during the period of probation could result in suspension and/or additional action. Probation will carry a minimum fine of $300.00 and may result in a school not being eligible for the championship, or could result in suspension from all activities and/or activities programs.
- Suspension: A school will not be allowed to participate in the MAIS athletic and/or activities programs for a specified period of time. Suspension will carry a minimum of $500.00 fine payable upon resumption of participation. During the period of suspension, athletes from said school would be ineligible at any other MAIS member school unless they made a bona fide move. In the event that a school on suspension withdraws from the MAIS, athletes from the suspended school would immediately become eligible to transfer to a MAIS school. Said transfers would be treated as non-member school transfers.
- Appeal Hearings
The AAC will not be bound by common law, or statutory rules of evidence, or by technical or formal rules of procedure. The president of the AAC, or his/her designee, will preside at appeals hearings. The Director of Activities has the authority to appoint any MAIS office personnel (or any other individuals deemed necessary should special circumstances arise) to assist with any committee meeting.
- A written request from the headmaster for an appeal shall be presented for placement on the agenda no later than 48 hours preceding the regular AAC meeting. Email requests are excepted.
- The written request should include the sanction(s) that are being appealed, and the relief requested.
- There shall be a thirty (30) minute time limit for the appeal.
- There shall be no financial obligation for any appeal conducted during a regular scheduled meeting. The expenses of any special called meeting shall be the responsibility of the school(s) making the appeal. The party making the appeal will pay the expense fee to the MAIS Office prior to the meeting being held.
It is noted that any special called meeting of the AAC must be called by the president of the AAC with the approval of the majority of the AAC. Only administrators, athletic directors, board members and/or coaches are allowed to participate in appeal hearings. Parents of children involved in an issue will not be allowed to come before the committee. They can, however, submit in writing any information that they would like for the committee to consider.
C. Presentation of Awards
The presentation of class awards in football, overall awards for basketball, and overall awards for volleyball will be the responsibility of the Director of Activities, or his/her appointee. All other presentations shall be managed by the tournament/meet directors.
D. Athletic Passes
- Credit-Card Type Passes
The head of school of each school will be issued a special "credit card" type pass that will serve as an all access pass. This pass will allow the head of school, plus one, to gain access to ANY MAIS athletic event. Each school will also receive an all-access pass to be used by a designated game administrator for those games when the head of school is unable to travel with a team.
- Regular Athletic Passes
At the beginning of each alignment cycle, each school will be given a specified number of passes according to its athletic classification.
Class 1A & 2A schools will receive 13 passes
Class 3A schools will receive 19 passes
Class 4A & 5A schools will receive 25 passes
The regular athletic passes shall have a unique number on them. These passes can be given to any ADULT that the administration sees fit.
Regular athletic passes are intended to be used by the school for two years, as no new passes will be sent out during the second year of the alignment cycle.
No additional regular athletic passes may be purchased.
- Sign-In Sheets
Each school will have access to the regular pass identification numbers issued to a member school. This access will come via the MAIS website. The info posted will be in a format that can be used as a "sign in" sheet.
MAIS regular athletic passes (the numbered passes) must be honored by member schools at all regular season athletic events.
They will NOT be honored for any events held after the regular season has concluded.
This would include:
- any district / regional / class / overall tournaments, meets or matches
- any playoff games, meets or matches leading to a championship
- any all-star games
- MAISCA Membership Cards
The membership card of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Coaches' Association (MAISCA) will be treated the same as the administrator / game administrator cards. This "credit card" type pass entitles MAISCA members, plus one, to gain access to ANY MAIS athletic event.
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Section V - Eligibility Rules
Member schools should make available a copy of MAIS eligibility rules to any transfer student upon his or her entering school. The following eligibility rules apply only to students who participate in activities on an inter-school competitive basis.
The purpose of all of the following rules is to promote and encourage well-regulated, ethical, and sportsmanlike conduct in inter-school competition. It is realized that it is impossible to cover every possible contingency; therefore, the Academy Activities Commission Affairs Committee, or Eligibility Committee is empowered to review and consider any act or practice by a member school or one of its families in this regard, even though this act or practice is not specifically covered in these regulations.
In order to be eligible to participate in all inter-school activities regulated in this handbook, a student is subject to the eligibility requirements that follow, along with any other regulations that have been communicated to member schools through electronic means, unless an exemption has been granted by the Eligibility Committee or the Director of Activities.
- Must Be A Bona-Fide Student (see definition in Section IV)
A student shall be enrolled in school and taking at least four (4) major academic subjects, and a member in good standing according to the school's and/or conference's regulations. If a participant represents a school in an inter-school competitive event before the start of that school's opening session, he or she must enroll in that member school at the opening of that school's session in the same year. If a participant who has represented a school in a competitive event before the opening of that school's session fails to enroll in that school at the start of that school's session, MAIS transfer rules will apply to said participant, and the school will be subject to disciplinary action by the Affairs Committee.
Should the student-athlete be a new transfer student from a member school, a copy of the cumulative record / insert / transcript must be complete and on file. If the former school is withholding any part of the cumulative folder for reasons of indebtedness incurred at the previous school, said student shall be ineligible until his/her financial obligation is met at the former school. The administrator of the receiving school should verify with the previous administrator that the family has satisfied all of their financial obligations.
No student may practice at any member school unless he/she has registered at said school. Registering for school is deemed to include those requirements any new student must complete to secure a place in that school. These activities generally include such things as meeting with the school administrator, paying a registration fee, signing an educational contract, etc.
- Date Of Birth
A student athlete shall not have reached his/her 19th birthday before August 1 in the school year in which he/she wishes to participate. For the 2019-20 school year, this means anyone born before August 1, 2000, would be ineligible.
- Student Must Be A Non-Graduate
A student athlete shall not be a graduate of a high school (foreign or domestic).
- Competition Above High School Level Prohibited
A student athlete shall not have participated in athletics above the high school level. This does not mean that a student cannot attend sports camps that are held on college campuses and often instructed by college coaches and/or professional players and coaches.
- Four Consecutive Years of Participation
Upon entering the 9th grade, a student will have four (4) consecutive years of eligibility in inter-school contests.
- First and Second Semester Eligibility
1. First Semester Eligibility
To be academically eligible for the first semester of a school year, a student must have accumulated four (4) major units (credits) the previous academic year. The previous academic year is interpreted to be a complete year or any part of a school year in which a student is enrolled at either a member school, non-member school or home school.
2. Students Eligible At Beginning of School Year
Any student athlete academically eligible at the beginning of a new school year, shall be academically eligible for the entire school year.
3. Gaining Second Semester Eligibility
A student-athlete who is academically ineligible the first semester can become academically eligible the second semester if he/she passes four (4) major subjects during the first semester of that same academic year.
- Summer School / Correspondence Courses / Online Courses
Courses taken in summer school shall be considered as an extension of a school year, and credits earned this way may be used in determining scholastic eligibility of students.
Accredited correspondence and/or online courses started in the spring or summer may be accepted for establishing athletic eligibility for the first semester of the next school year. Eligibility would begin upon written verification from the accredited institution that the course(s) needed had been successfully completed, and credit awarded. The last date that a correspondence and/or online course could be started, and still be used for first semester eligibility, is the day before the first day of school for a new school year.
- Financial Consideration
No student may be eligible to participate in inter-school athletics if he has been shown financial consideration by a school, or any of its associated organizations, on the basis of his value to the activity program of the school. A student shown financial consideration of any kind shall be so noted on the eligibility lists that are submitted to the Director of Activities. If the ownership of stock is a requirement for entrance to a school, the gift of such stock to a student who enters into school on someone else's share of stock is considered to be receiving financial aid, and must be so noted.
An acceptable school supported financial aid plan should:
- Be in writing and on file in the school office
- Be approved by the school board
- Be controlled and supervised by the school board
- Contain details of the qualifying criteria for aid
- Include all students in the grade structure of the school
- Demonstrate through documentation, the application and approval process
- Comply with MAIS athletic eligibility reporting, i.e., mark "yes" on online Eligibility Form for students receiving financial aid
- Show evidence of including non-athletes
Signs of Misguided and Faulty Financial Aid
- A pattern of transfers into an athletic program receiving financial aid, especially at the senior high level
- Shear numbers of athletes receiving financial aid
- Involvement of Boosters' Clubs with financial aid
- Discovery of transfers receiving aid, but not listed on the MAIS Eligibility Report
- Aid to athletes coming from one source, or benefactor, over an extended period of time
- No evidence of inclusion of non-athletes
- Consistent reports from other member schools that a problem exists with the competitions financial aid as it relates to recruiting.
- Physical Examinations
Before participating in athletics, a student must present a physician's certification stating that he or she is physically fit for competition. A statement is included on the Head of school/AD Form that is submitted to the MAIS Office certifying that physical examination certificates are on file with the school. This statement must be signed by the school administrator.
- Player Ejections
Schools will be responsible for disciplining an athlete after his/her first ejection. Any player that is ejected for the second time during a school year will not be allowed to participate in athletics for two (2) weeks.
Example: An athlete receiving his second ejection on a Monday, would not be allowed to play until the Tuesday two weeks later.
Any player ejected for the third time during a school year will be banned from participating in athletics for the remainder of that school year.
It is the responsibility of both schools involved in a contest, and that of the officials, to report player ejections via the incident report form on the MAIS website.
- Amateur Standing
A student must be an amateur in order to represent his school in athletic competition. For a student-athlete to lose his amateur standing, he must commit one of the following acts:
- Enter competition for a money guarantee.
- Enter competition for a share of gate receipts.
- Accept a purse of money.
- Teach or coach an athletic sport for money. An amateur high school athlete may referee or coach a YMCA or Girls / Boys Club team and accept necessary expenses.
- Accept payment of excessive expense allowances. It shall be permissible for an eligible athlete to accept only actual and necessary expenses on athletic trips. This applies to American Legion Baseball and to other summer amateur baseball and to bowling.
- Sign a contract to play professional athletics for a money consideration or play on a professional team and receive any form of financial assistance from a professional sports program.
- Compete under a false name.
A student may:
- A student may play as an amateur on any team not under the jurisdiction of a professional sport, providing he / she does not receive any pay for participation.
- Accept meals, travel or lodging expenses.
- Give swimming and lifesaving instruction and receive pay for the service.
- Serve as a lifeguard at swimming pools and receive reasonable pay.
- Accept the usual athletic jackets, letters, medals, ribbons and trophies from the school and the AAC as well as trophies given by outside parties with the approval of the school.
- Residence and Transfer
- Students Who Have Completed A Season
- A student shall not have completed a season in any sport, and then transfer to a member school and represent that school in the same sport during the same school year.
- Expelled Students
- If a student is expelled from a member school, or non-member school, he/she will not be eligible to participate at another member school for a period of one year. Students are considered to be expelled when documentation of such is provided on the student's cumulative folder. A case may be appealed to the Eligibility Committee by a member school providing the school feels it warrants further consideration as a result of unusual circumstances.
- Transfers From Non-Member Schools
- Student-Athletes Must Be Enrolled - A student transferring from a non-member school to a member school will be eligible when he/she enrolls provided all other eligibility requirements are met.
- One School Year "Sit Out" Period - A student who transfers from a member school to a non-member school, and then to another member school, will not be eligible to participate in inter-school activities until one year has lapsed from the time he/she left the first member school.
- One Week "Sit Out" Period - There is a one (1) calendar week waiting period before any transfer can participate in inter-school competition. This waiting period only applies to students who transfer in after the first day of school. The waiting period begins on the first day that the transfer student attends a class at his/her new school.
Example 1: A student transfers to School A (registers and attends classes) on Tuesday of the second week of October. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible to compete in inter-school activities on the following Tuesday. It is permissible, however, for the transfer student to practice with the team during the one-week waiting period.
Example 2: A student transfers to School A (registers and attends classes) on Monday of the second week of December. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible to compete in inter-school activities on the following Monday. The transfer student would NOT be eligible to play in a basketball game on the Saturday following his/her first day of school.
Example 3: A student transfers to School A (registers) during the first Monday of the Christmas break. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible on the following Monday. In this scenario, the fact that the student has not attended any classes would not prohibit the athlete from playing after the one-week waiting period. Should the athlete play, however, and fail to attend class when the second semester begins, all games the transfer student participated in would be forfeited, and the Affairs Committee will determine if further sanctions are warranted.
- Transfers From MAIS Member Schools
- One School-Year "Sit Out" Period - Any student-athlete who transfers from one member school to another member school shall be ineligible to participate for a period of one (1) year. The Director of Activities and/or Eligibility Committee must approve any hardship case.
- Eligibility Rulings - The Director of Activities has full authority to rule on eligibility cases. Any needed investigations will be conducted by the Director of Activities, the AAC or their designee.
- Change of Residence - When a student's parents' legal residence is changed due to a bona fide move (see definition of "Bona Fide Move" in Section IV-A-1 of this handbook), and is verified by the head of school of the new school or his/her designee, he may choose to attend that member school which is closer to his new residence, or he may continue to attend the school that he has been attending prior to his change of residence. If he continues to attend his former school, he shall be eligible for the remainder of that school year. Then he will make a final choice. If he changes residence during months school is not in regular session, his choice is final. However, if a student moves closer to the school that he is presently attending, he must return to that school to maintain his athletic eligibility. When a change of residence results in making a student eligible, the parents/guardians must occupy the residence (or another residence that is closer driving distance wise to the new school than the previous school) for one year following the move in order to maintain "bona fide move" status.
When there is any possibility of doubt about a move being bona fide, the head of school shall present the facts in writing to the Director of Activities. The Director of Activities will review the facts submitted, and may conduct an investigation if necessary.
- No Change of Residence - A student who transfers from one member school to another member school, and whose parents' residence has not changed, shall not be eligible for competition until the corresponding date one year later. Exception: The maximum time of ineligibility after one (1) change back to school A is one (1) year.
Example: Student 1 leaves School A in December to go to School B - no change of residence involved. Ruling: Student 1 is ineligible for one year from the corresponding date (December); however, after two months (February) Student 1 desires to transfer back to School A - no change of residence. Ruling: Ineligible until corresponding transfer date to School B (December), as the maximum time of ineligibility after (1) change back to School A is one (1) year.
- Dropping Football, Basketball, Fast-Pitch or Baseball - A student transferring from one member school to another member school for the purpose of participating in a major sport that has been discontinued at his/her former school, shall be eligible to participate in all sports provided the student transfers in accordance with the required timeline. Only those players who are going out for the major sport at the time it is dropped will be allowed to transfer to another member school without having to sit out a year from the date of transfer. The school dropping the major sport shall provide the Director of Activities with a list of said players. The AAC has defined football, basketball, fast-pitch and baseball to be the four major sports. All financial obligations to the previous school must be satisfied.
- Children of Staff Members - Children of school staff members, who have assigned responsibilities at the school for the majority of the instructional day, and are under contract to the school, are eligible for athletic participation at the school where said parent teaches even though there is no change in residence. The same is true for the administrator. This excludes all non-professional positions such as secretaries, bookkeepers, custodians, bus drivers, public relations, food service personnel, etc.
A student may continue to attend the school he or she has been attending prior to the parent changing positions, if such a change is during the regular school year. Said child or children would be eligible immediately (no one-week waiting period) if the move is made at the same time the parent moves. If the child continues to attend the former school, said student shall be eligible for the remainder of that school year. Then the student will make his or her final choice.
- Establishing Eligibility At A Member School - The first member school that a student attends after reaching the 9th grade will be considered the student's home school, regardless of the distance that the school may be from the student's residence.
- Transfer From School That Loses MAIS Accreditation - Any student attending a member school that loses MAIS accreditation shall be allowed to transfer to another MAIS member school, and become eligible for participation in inter- school activities.
- Transfer Occurring During School Year - During the same school year, if a student athlete transfers from one member school to another member school with a legal change of residence, said student will not be eligible at his/her new school in the sport in which he/she was, or had been, participating at the former school.
Exception: Should a student make a bona fide move of 60 miles or more, said student would be allowed to participate, assuming the student meets all other eligibility requirements.
- One-Week Waiting Period - There is a one (1) week waiting period before any transfer can participate in inter-school competition. This is interpreted to mean seven (7) calendar days, and applies to students who transfer after the first day of school. A student is considered to have transferred when he/she has registered and attended class.
Example 1: A student transfers to School A on Tuesday of the second week of October. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible to compete in inter-school activities on the following Tuesday. It is permissible, however, for the transfer student to practice with the team during the one-week waiting period.
Example 2: A student transfers to School A on Monday of the second week of December. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible to compete in inter-school activities on the following Monday. The transfer student would NOT be eligible to play in a basketball game on the Saturday following his/her first day of school.
Example 3: A student transfers to School A during the first Monday of the Christmas break. Said student meets all eligibility requirements. The student will be eligible on the following Monday. In this scenario, the fact that the student had not attended any classes would not prohibit the athlete from playing after the one-week waiting period. Should the athlete play, however, and fail to attend class when the second semester begins, all games the transfer student participated in would be forfeited.
- All financial obligations to a previous member school must be satisfied before eligibility status will be granted at a new member school. The previous member school has the responsibility of notifying the new member school of such obligations when they send the student's records to the new school.
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Driver's Education - Participation in driver's education courses at member schools will not have any bearing on athletic eligibility.
- Recruiting
The recruiting and/or undue influence of a student-athlete of a MAIS member school by anyone directly or indirectly associated with another member school shall result in said school being placed on probation, and not being eligible for the championship in all sports for a period of one (1) year. In addition, a fine in the amount of $500.00 shall be assessed the school in violation. Further, such recruiting and/or undue influence shall cause the student-athlete to be ineligible for one (1) year if he or she transfers. Recruiting and/or undue influence would include (but not be limited to) a student-athlete receiving merchandise such as clothing and equipment and/or moneys for the individual's expenditures.
- Last Date Transfers Can Join A Team
Athletes who transfer to a member school after the dates listed below, will not be allowed to compete in the indicated sport during the same school year. This is true regardless of whether the transfer is coming from a member school, a non-member school or a home school.
Exception: Should a student make a bona fide move of 60 miles or more driving distance wise after the dates indicated below, said student would be allowed to participate, assuming the student meets all other eligibility requirements. For purposes of verification, the shortest available driving route from the new residence to the previous residence will be used.
It is noted that a student is considered to have "transferred" when he/she has registered and attended class.
- Guardianship and/or Legal Custody
- Legal Custody
If the parents are living and a legal guardian or legal custodian is appointed by the court, the student-athlete must live with the legal guardian or legal custodian twelve (12) months before he or she can become eligible if the student is transferring from a member school. Hardship cases will be heard by the Eligibility Committee.
- Special Circumstances
In situations involving the loss of one or both parents by a student-athlete that result in a change of guardianship, a change of legal custody, or an adoption, such cases may be considered under the hardship rule by the Director of Activities and/or the Eligibility Committee.
- Joint Custody
In the case of joint custody, the student athlete will establish eligibility and be eligible with the parent that has primary custody (begins with the 9th grade year). Any changes of custody that are ordered by the courts will be honored.
- Parent A to B Rule
Once a student athlete establishes eligibility (9th grade year), said student is allowed to move from Parent A to Parent B and be eligible at another member school. Neither the location of parent B's house, nor the member school Parent B wants to send his/her child to, will be factors in declaring eligibility in this situation. If at any point, the student chooses to move back to Parent A, the student will be eligible to participate in athletics at the previous school. The student would not, however, be allowed to move again without sitting out a year from the date of the last move.
All financial obligations to the previous member school must be satisfied before eligibility status will be granted at the new member school. The previous member school has the responsibility of notifying the new member school of such obligations when they send the student's records to the new school.
- Reporting Eligible Athletes
All eligibility lists will be submitted on-line through the MAIS website.
A $200.00 fine will be assessed to any member school whose eligibility lists are not submitted to the MAIS office prior to the prescribed time.
The deadline for submitting eligibility data is the Thursday before the first varsity football game.
- Athletic Participation of Foreign Students
- Foreign Students
Any student that is not a citizen of the United States and whose parent(s) do not live in the United States is considered a foreign student, and as such, is ineligible to participate in sports unless one of the items in Section V-Q-2 is satisfied.
- Becoming Eligible
In order to be eligible to participate in MAIS athletic contests, a foreign student must be:
- a student that has entered this country through a foreign exchange program which has been approved by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET). Approved programs can be found at the following website: www.csiet.org. A student approved through one of the CSIET programs will be allowed eligibility for one-year. Should the year of eligibility be used at a non-MAIS school, said student would be ineligible at a MAIS member school.
- a student who has come to this country with a F1 visa, and who is enrolled at a member school holding I-20 status with the federal government. Foreign students becoming eligible with a F1 visa through a school holding I-20 status will be eligible for as many years as they meet all other MAIS eligibility requirements.
- Team Participation
Member schools may have as many eligible foreign students participate in athletics as they want, with the following restriction: No school may have more than one (1) foreign student dress out for any given athletic contest.
- Student Shall Not Be A Graduate
A foreign student shall not be a graduate of a high school (foreign or domestic).
- Use Of Ineligible Participants
A player that participates in an athletic contest in violation of any of the rules found in the AAC Handbook is considered an ineligible player. Any member school that is found to be using an ineligible player in inter-school competition shall have all games won while the ineligible player was participating, forfeited to their opponents. The minimum sanctions for using an ineligible player are the member school shall be placed on probation for a period of 6 months, and the school will be fined $300. The school shall also be subject to any further disciplinary action deemed necessary by the Affairs Committee and/or the Eligibility Committee.
- Interpretation of Eligibility Rules
- Any interpretation of the eligibility rules is subject to the Director of Activities of the MAIS in coordination with the proper committee chairman, or by the AAC. The Eligibility Committee will hear hardship cases.
- All requests for an appeal or ruling on eligibility must be submitted to the Director of Activities by the administrator (regular mail, fax, or preferably email). Requests should be received a minimum of 48 hours before the case is to be heard.
- All requests for interpretation of rules shall be submitted in writing, and signed by the administrator of the requesting school. All replies shall likewise be in writing. It is noted that email from the administrator making an official request will suffice.
- Hardship
The Director of Activities, AAC or the Eligibility Committee will hear hardship cases. The following criteria will NOT be considered as grounds for an appeal on a hardship case:
- The eight-semester rule
- Age
- Distance and transportation
- Curriculum
- Financial Situation
The above criterion does not include hardships of an extreme or unusual nature.
- Junior High Division
- Eligibility - Age
In order to participate in junior high athletics, a student shall not have reached their 16th birthday before August 1* of the school year in which they wish to participate. In 7th and 8th grade competition only, no participant shall have reached their 15th birthday before August 1** of the school year in which they wish to participate.
* For the 2019-20 school year, this means anyone born before August 1, 2003, would be ineligible.
**For the 2019-20 school year, this means anyone born before August 1, 2004, would be ineligible.
- Eligibility - Participation
- Students Entering Seventh Grade - Students entering the 7th grade shall have three (3) consecutive years of eligibility in junior high. Any student who repeated the 7th or 8th grade would not be eligible as a 9th grader on the junior high level - only the varsity level (assuming all other requirements are met).
- Jr. High Status / Up-and-Down Rule - A student who plays a varsity sport before reaching the 9th grade does not lose any of his/her varsity eligibility. Upon entering the 9th grade, the athlete will still have four (4) consecutive years in which they are eligible to play sports assuming they meet all of the eligibility requirements.
In an attempt to help schools that have insufficient varsity numbers in football, basketball and track, the AAC has adopted the following up-and-down rules. It is noted that no such rules exist for fast-pitch, cross-country, swimming, soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, archery or cheer-dance, as the AAC has not sanctioned a jr. high championship at the district level for these sports. Eligible athletes in the aforementioned sports where no jr. high championship has been sanctioned by the AAC, can legally play in A-games or B-games.
Football Up-and-Down Rule: Eighth and ninth grade football players (but not seventh graders) can be used on both the junior high football team and varsity football team in the same week without penalty, as long as the players do not exceed the six (6) quarter per week rule. A district that wants to enforce a limit other than the 6 quarter per week rule, and that is less than 6 quarters per week, is allowed to do so for district games only. Playing any part of a quarter counts as a quarter.
The minimum sanction for violating the football up-and-down rule, is as follows: The member school shall be fined $300.00 and placed on probation for a period of six (6) months. In addition, any games won while using an ineligible player will be forfeited. Additional sanctions will be considered depending on the circumstances of the case.
Basketball Up-and-Down Rule: Seventh, eighth and ninth grade basketball players can be used on both the junior high basketball team and varsity basketball team in the same day without penalty, as long as the players do not violate the six (6) quarter per day rule. A district that wants to enforce a limit other than the 6 quarter per day rule, and that is less than 6 quarters per day, is allowed to do so for district games only. Playing any part of a quarter counts as a quarter.
The minimum sanction for violating the basketball up-and-down rule is as follows: The member school shall be fined $300.00 and placed on probation for a period of six (6) months. In addition, any games won while using an ineligible player will be forfeited. Additional sanctions will be considered depending on the circumstances of the case.
Track Up-and-Down Rule: During the regular season, jr. high athletes may be used in jr. high competition and also varsity competition in the same meet. Any points earned by the jr. high athlete in this circumstance would count toward both team totals for the meet.
All such participation by a jr. high athlete in the above case would count against the athlete's participation limit for the meet. Example: An 8th grader could run the jr. high 100 dash, the varsity 200 dash, the varsity long jump, the jr. high 400 relay, the varsity 800 relay and the jr. high 1600 relay. This would be legal because the athlete has adhered to the 6 total events per meet rule, with no more than 3 being individual events.
The minimum sanction for violating the track up-and-down rule is as follows: The member school shall be fined $300.00 and placed on probation for a period of six (6) months. In addition, any athlete that participates illegally will be disqualified from all of the events in which he/she participated. The loss of said athlete's points due to this disqualification could cause a new team champion to be awarded. Additional sanctions will be considered depending on the circumstances of the case.
- Sixth Grade Participation In Varsity Sports - A sixth (6th) grader who is a student of a MAIS member secondary school, may participate on a varsity level in golf, track, cross-country, tennis, volleyball, archery and softball.
- Sixth Grade Participation In Junior High Sports - A sixth (6th) grader may participate on a junior high level in basketball, track, cross-country, golf, softball, volleyball and tennis. Sixth graders can play football, but cannot compete against any football player above the 7th grade. Sixth graders can also play soccer, but cannot compete against any soccer player above the 8th grade.
- Students Below The Sixth Grade - No student below the sixth grade may participate at either the jr. high or varsity level in any sport.
- Seventh Grade Participation In Football - Seventh graders are not allowed to play in any football game in which a player above the 9th grade level is participating.
- Junior High Academic Eligibility
- First Semester
Seventh (7th) must graders pass four (4) major subjects the previous school year. (see "Special Promotion" exception below)
Eighth (8th) graders must pass four (4) major subjects the previous school year. (see "Special Promotion" exception below)
Ninth (9th) graders must pass four (4) major subjects the previous school year. (see "Special Promotion" exception below)
- Students Eligible At Beginning of School Year - Any student athlete academically eligible at the beginning of a school year, shall be academically eligible for the entire school year..
- Special Promotion - Special promotions are permissible if school policy provides same, and if the student meets all other eligibility requirements.
Students who are eligible for special promotion, but are being held back at the request of the parents or guardians, will be treated as if they were in fact specially promoted.
- Second Semester - A student-athlete who was academically ineligible the first semester, could become academically eligible the second semester, if he or she is passing four (4) major subjects during the first semester of the same academic year.
If a school is not on a semester basis, the student must be passing four (4) major subjects when the school breaks for Christmas Holidays.
- Residence
When a 7th or 8th grader transfers from one member school to another member school, said student will not be eligible at his/her new school in any sport in which he/she was, or had been, participating at the former school. He/she will, however, be eligible in all other sports assuming that all other eligibility requirements are met.
Exception: In lengthy moves of 60 or more miles (measured from previous house to new house), the student would be allowed to play a sport in which he/she had been participating. For purposes of verification, the shortest available driving distance from the new residence to the previous residence will be used.
Example 1: During football season, a 7th (or 8th) grade student leaves School A and enrolls in School B (no change of residence). The student has been playing football at School A. Said student would be ineligible to participate in football at School B. He would, however, be eligible to play basketball at School B after sitting out the required one week, assuming all other eligibility rules are met.
Example 2: During football season, a 7th (or 8th) grade student leaves School A and moves 65 miles to his new residence. He then enrolls in School B. The student had been playing football at School A. After sitting out the required one week, and assuming all other eligibility rules are met, said student would be eligible to participate in football at School B since the move was 60+ miles in length.
- Ninth Grade Transfers
Ninth grade transfers who are participating at one member school, must meet the rules involving change of residence if they transfer to another member school.
- Transfers From New Member Schools
For athletic eligibility purposes, a new member school shall fall under the student transfer restrictions and protection afforded member schools as of the date that they are approved by the Executive Committee for acceptance into our association.
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Section VI - Rules Governing Athletic Contests
A. General Rules
- Sports Sanctioned By MAIS
The MAIS will sanction twenty-one (21) different sports during the school year. The sports sanctioned for boys are archery, football, basketball, baseball, track, golf, soccer, cross-country, tennis and swimming. The sports sanctioned for girls are archery, fast-pitch softball, basketball, cross-country, track, soccer, tennis, golf, cheer/dance, and swimming.
- National Federation Rules
National Federation Rules will used where applicable. There are a few exceptions. These exceptions and/or clarifications are so noted in the sections below describing the rules that govern each individual sport. The Director of Activities may also notify members of additional modifications through postings on the Post Office page.
- Required Number Of Officials To Play A Contest
To start the game there should be at least four (4) uniformed certified officials to officiate a varsity football game, two (2) officiating a basketball game, two (2) officiating a soccer match, and two (2) umpires to call a baseball or softball game. All officials must be registered with the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Athletic Officials Association unless otherwise permitted by the AAC or the Director of Activities. After a game has started, should the number of officials fall below the aforementioned numbers, both schools must agree to finish the contest with the reduced number of officials or the game will be postponed.
- Playing Non-MAIS Schools
No athletic contest shall be held with any school not belonging to the MAIS unless permission has been granted from the Director of Activities. School must request permission to participate against a non-member school by sending an email to the Director at ltriplett@msais.org, or the Associate Director at ddrake@msais.org.
- Penalty For Removing A Team From Play
Any school that removes a team from the playing floor, or field, in protest of an official's decision, or for any other reason, shall be subject to automatic probation, and any other penalty deemed necessary by the AAC. The removal of a team in protest is considered to be a gross act of unsportsmanlike conduct. If an emergency arises which makes it advisable to discontinue a contest, it should be done by mutual consent of the teams involved through the referee.
- Ejection Procedure
Removal of individuals from the premises (game site) as a result of behavior:
- Coach: The referee shall suspend the contest until the coach has left the premises and coaching duties are assumed by another school representative. Failure of the coach to leave the premises and be replaced by another school representative in a reasonable period of time shall cause that team to forfeit the game.
- Player: The referee shall suspend the contest until the player has left the playing field/court. An ejected player should remain on the bench after ejection unless further unsportsmanlike conduct warrants removal. Should the referee feel that the player is interfering with proper game administration, the referee shall suspend the game and instruct the coach that the player must leave the premises under the supervision of a coach or other school representative. Failure of a player to leave the premises under supervision in a reasonable period of time shall cause that team to forfeit the game. It is noted that this section does not refer to the player ejections that result from receiving two technical fouls in basketball, receiving a red card in soccer, etc. It refers to those times when bench personnel act in a way that disrupts the game.
- Spectator: The referee shall suspend the contest until the home game administrator removes the spectator from the premises. The failure of a spectator to leave in a reasonable period of time shall cause that team to forfeit the game. Game administrators and officials should be cognizant of the problem in games that are held at neutral sites and situations where the offending spectator may not be associated with the crowd in which he/she is sitting.
The National Federation recommends these procedures by combining a little law with a little common sense, as well as experience in rules writing, for use by State Associations in dealing with the removal of individuals from the game site.
Should fans become abusive at an athletic contest, the following procedure should be followed:
- The official should notify the host school administrator to warn the fan, that if the abusive behavior continues, he/she will be ejected from the contest. It is strongly recommended that if the fan is from the visiting team, the host administrator communicate this through the visiting headmaster (or his/her representative). It is noted that a warning to any fan by an official serves as a warning in general to all fans.
- Following the warning, if the abuse continues, the official should notify the host school administrator to eject the fan. The host school administrator is responsible for removing the fan, not the official.
If an unsportsmanlike incident occurs at a sporting event, and the game administrator is directed by an official to inform a fan(s) that their behavior must cease, verbal abuse from the offending party may occur. In such a case, should the incident be reported to the Affairs Committee, the fan(s) will be subject to a minimum $250 fine, and the school will be placed on probation for a period of one year. This will be the case regardless of whether or not the fan is ejected.
Also, it is noted that there are some types of behavior (using profanity, throwing objects, making threats or extreme cases of disrespect towards the officials and/or game administration) that will not be tolerated, and will result in immediate removal.
MAIS officials should NEVER become engaged in any type of confrontation with fans.
- Coaching Ejections
The ejection of a coach from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct will automatically result in the following minimum disciplinary action:
- Coach will be placed on probation for at least one (1) year.
- Coach will be fined a minimum of $250.00; maximum of $1000.00.
- Coach will be suspended for the next game; he/she will not be allowed to attend. For further clarification, the Affairs Committee has interpreted this to mean the next regularly scheduled game at the time of the ejection. For example, if an additional game is scheduled, said game cannot be used to satisfy the 'sit out' portion of this sanction. In addition, a suspended coach is not to have ANY kind of input (cell phone, text message, etc.) in the game.
- Case will be reviewed by the AAC, with possibility of coach being excluded from coaching all-star game.
- School will be placed on probation for at least one (1) year.
- School will be fined a minimum fine of $300.00.
- Fan Ejections
Any fan ejection from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct will automatically result in the following minimum disciplinary action:
- Fan will be fined a minimum of $250.00 and will not be allowed to attend any further MAIS athletic events for the next seven days beginning with the day after the ejection occurred. It is noted that after the sit-out period is over, and upon payment of the fine and receipt of a letter of apology to the appropriate party, the attendance ban could be lifted. This would be dependent on the severity of the fan's actions. Example: A fan is ejected on Monday, October 1. The sit-out period would be Tuesday, October 2 through Monday, October 8. The first possible contest that the fan could attend would be on Tuesday, October 9.
- School will be placed on probation for at least one (1) year.
- School will be fined a minimum fine of $300.00.
- It is noted that once the Affairs Committee has made a judgement that a fan ejection is valid, and sanctions have been levied, the only appeal that a school can make to the full body of the AAC concerning it's fine is about the validity of the ejection. Schools cannot appeal to have their portion of the sanctions for a valid ejection removed or reduced. An appeal can, however, be made to reduce the sanctions on a fan.
- Player Ejections
Rule As It Pertains To Players
- First Ejection - Schools will be responsible for disciplining an athlete after his/her first ejection.
- Second Ejection - Any player that is ejected from an athletic contest for the second time in a school year will not be allowed to participate in athletics for two (2) weeks. It is noted, for example, that this is interpreted to mean that an athlete receiving his/her second ejection on a Monday, would be eligible to play on the Tuesday two weeks later.
- Third Ejection - Any player ejected from an athletic contest for the third time in a school year will be banned from participating in athletics for the remainder of the school year.
Should the Affairs Committee determine that a player has committed an act of gross misconduct, suspension for an indefinite period of time could result.
Rule As It Pertains To Schools
- Fines - The fine for schools receiving their first, second, third, fourth and fifth ejections during a school year will be as follows: $0, $100, $300, $500 and $1000 respectively. It is noted that fines of $100 and $300 carry a sanction of 'warning' and 'probation' respectively.
No school shall be fined more than $1000 for any one incident involving multiple player ejections.
- Third Player Ejection - Schools that have a third player ejected could be required to appear before the Affairs Committee. The right to participate in post-season play and/or the right to host home games could be taken away should three or more player ejections occur.
- Fourth Player Ejection (or more) - Schools that have four or more player ejections in a school year could be required to appear before the Affairs Committee.
- Local Officials' Association
It is mandatory that each member school be serviced by the football, basketball, soccer, softball and baseball officials' associations formed in their area.
- An assessment fee shall be paid to the Secretary of the local Officials' Association for assigning varsity games.
- Attendance at MAIS rules clinics is mandatory for the varsity and jr. high head coach during years in which they are held. In years when the information is disseminated online, participation is also required for the varsity and jr. high head coach. This participation could include but is not limited to watching appropriate videos, taking rules test, etc. Failure to appropriately comply in either case shall result in a $100.00 penalty assessment against the school.
- Proper And Improper Cheers
No cheers or yells shall include profanity. Any member school guilty of this violation shall automatically be placed on probation for one (1) year. In addition, administrators shall remind their cheerleaders and pep squads that they should cheer for their teams, and not against the other teams. Derogatory remarks and unsportsmanlike language should be discouraged, and in no way condoned.
- Participation Rule For Girls & Boys
Girls shall be permitted to participate in any sport unless a comparable sport is offered to girls during that particular school year. When a school has a boys' and girls' team in a particular sport, or a COMPARABLE sport (ex. - baseball and softball), participation by girls is limited to the girls' team only.
At no time will boys (see definition) be allowed to participate in the following sports: girls' cross country, girls' swimming, girls' fast-pitch softball, girls' slow-pitch softball, girls' soccer, girls' volleyball, girls' basketball, girls' tennis, girls' golf, girls' track & field.
- Employment Status Of A Coach
During a regular season game or any playoff series, coaches in all sports must be on the faculty or be an employee of the member school that they serve. Exception: It is permissible for a coach to have a letter of understanding regarding employment with said member school.
- Protests
The MAIS does not recognize protests in any sport. Once an athletic contest has officially ended, the results are final.
- Improper Filming Of A Contest
No individual and/or member school shall be allowed to film or tape games in which they are not directly participating. The Affairs Committee will investigate any violation of this rule.
- Sub-Standard Facilities
Any school reported to have sub-standard facilities will be investigated by at least two (2) AAC members who will recommend whatever actions necessary. Schools found to have sub-standard facilities may not be allowed to host playoffs.
- Participation Status
A student-athlete is considered to have participated in a sport any time he/she has played in a jamboree, a pre-season game or tournament, or a regular season game or tournament for the school. This status will be used when determining if an athlete has played the same sport in the same school year at two different schools.
- Early Dismissal Policy
Students are allowed only one (1) early dismissal from an academic class per week per sport.
- No Play Dates
The AAC has removed all no-play dates from the calendar. Schools are, however, asked to be sensitive to the academic events that are posted on the MAIS calendar.
- Pre-Game Meeting With Officials
The game administrator for any sport requiring officials is required to meet with the officials and coaches at a pregame meeting. This will give the officials an opportunity to meet the game administrator, and find out where he/she will be located for the upcoming game(s). In any instance where there are multiple sets of officials used, multiple meetings would be required (Ex: 2 officials calling 7th-8th grade basketball games; 2 different officials calling jr. high basketball games; 2 different officials calling varsity basketball games).
- Junior High Team Participation Rule
Any school that fields a jr. high team in an assigned conference, must compete for the jr. high championship in that conference, or forfeit the privilege to compete for the championship in that varsity sport. The Director of Activities may grant exceptions should special circumstances exist.
- P.A. Announcer Policy
The announcer on a public address system has a primary responsibility to inform fans and supporters of the host and visiting schools regarding the starting line-ups, participants involved in plays that are occurring on the field, and in general, to be as IMPARTIAL as possible. It is extremely important that a PA announcer's remarks be conducive to good sportsmanship and in the best interest of the interscholastic athletic program within the MAIS. Schools are responsible for the actions of their public address announcers.
- Case Book / Rules Book Distribution
Member schools are required to have at least one (1) copy of a rules book and case book for each sport offered at their school.
- Print Media, Photographers, Radio Announcers - Ethics Policy
- Concerning Game Officials - There shall be no negative remarks made toward or about game officials.
- Showing Partiality - No partiality shall be shown by any on-field media personnel during the game(s) they are working.
- Professionalism - True professionalism shall be exhibited at all times.
- Radio Announcers - Any "on air" blatant criticism of the game officials or the officiating of the game will not be tolerated.
- Violations - Any violation of the above shall result in said person(s) having their media credentials confiscated and said person(s) shall not be allowed to work the remainder of the games from the field area or press area. Additional sanctions may be levied by the Affairs Committee.
- Student-Athlete / Law Enforcement Policy
The MAIS strongly recommends that any student participating in extracurricular activities, who has been indicted for a felony, not be allowed to participate during the time of indictment and/or conviction.
- Steroids And Other Performance Enhancing Supplements
The MAIS strongly discourages the use of performance-enhancing supplements to include (but not be limited to) steroids. Any violations may result in some type of disciplinary action.
- Tobacco And Tobacco Related Products Prohibited
Any coach or player who uses tobacco, or tobacco related products, within the confines of the playing area shall be immediately ejected from the contest. Failure to comply with this ejection shall result in the contest being forfeited.
- School Officials And Negative Comments To Media
There will be a minimum fine of $100 levied against any coach, or school official, who makes negative remarks to any media about officiating, the opposing school, or its student athletes. Additional sanctions may be considered by the Affairs Committee.
- All-Star Player Requirement
In order for a player to be eligible for all-star competition, he/she must be enrolled in their MAIS member school no later than the first playing date for the respective sport. It is noted that this is interpreted to mean the first game played by the individual school involved.
- Failure Of All-Star Player To Participate
Coaches should make sure that any player that they nominate for an all-star team will be able to participate. This includes being able to report at the proper time, and staying with the team until the conclusion of the all-star game.
Schools will be responsible for paying the entire all-star fee for players that make the team, regardless of whether or not they attend.
- All-Star Coaching Requirement
Coaches are not eligible to coach in an all-star game unless they are members of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Coaches' Association.
- Post-Game Interaction With Officials
No coach, player or fan should interact (verbally or physically) with officials after an athletic contest. Any violations of this rule will be handled by the AAC Affairs Committee.
- Security Plan / Host School Responsibilities
Every member school that participates in activities and athletics is required to properly fill out and return to the MAIS office a security plan by the Thursday before the 1st varsity football game.
Failure to comply will result in a fine of $100, and any other sanctions deemed appropriate by the Affairs Committee.
Security For Athletic Events - The following people should be included in a member schools safety and security plan: administrators, coaches, cheerleader sponsors, band directors, security personnel, game announcers and any other personnel that will be directly involved with the event. The security plan will be for all sports, realizing that the major sports will require more supervision. Plans must be signed by the Headmaster and the Athletic Director.
Copies of the security plan should be given to all personnel involved in any way with the conduct of the game.
The plan should include security precautions:
- before the contest
- during the contest and
- after the contest.
Responsibilities of Host School Before the game:
- Discuss with the student body in an assembly the need for showing good sportsmanship to visitors. It is suggested that all schools have a sportsmanship campaign at the beginning of each school year and promote sportsmanship throughout the year.
- Provide necessary game information to visiting schools; include directions to the game site and parking, location of ticket booths, seating arrangements, ticket prices, and game time.
- Arrange for adequate police supervision and keep them visible inside, as well as outside the stadium. Indicate on a chart where they will be located before, during and after the game. Make sure that you have proper security in areas that you know could be trouble spots. You will need to send in charts for football and basketball.
- Courtesy and protection of game officials - Arrange for someone to meet the officials. Provide escort on and off the field. Ensure that officials are treated well after the game and escorted to their car. The host school should provide a private area for the officials to dress, conference, etc. Any other amenities such as food, drink, etc. are not mandatory, but would certainly be appreciated by the officiating crew.
- Have the game announcer read the statements on sportsmanship, alcohol and drug use, as well as throwing objects and unruly behavior. Any of these violations will lead to expulsion from the game. (This should also be read during the game.)
- When possible, designate special seating for students, bands, adults and visitors. Student bodies should be kept separated at all times.
- Provide supervised parking. Use of service clubs or youth organizations are suggested. This will free your law enforcement officials to be in other possible trouble spots.
- Identify all supervising or "on duty" faculty members or personnel (examples - special T-shirts, arm bands, caps, etc.).
- The game administrator for any sport requiring officials is required to meet with the officials and coaches at a pregame meeting. This will give the officials an opportunity to meet the game administrator, and find out where he/she will be located for the upcoming game(s). In any instance where there are multiple sets of officials used, multiple meetings would be required (Ex: 2 officials calling 7th-8th grade games; 2 different officials calling jr. high games; 2 different officials calling varsity games).
During the Game:
- Station personnel in key areas. They will remain at their station throughout the contest until the areas have cleared.
- Bands need to provide an interesting half-time program. (For those schools that do not have bands, an interesting half-time program should be planned. Work with PTA groups and get others involved with ideas.)
- A doctor should be in attendance at all athletic contests when possible. (We know that it is difficult for some of our schools to obtain the services of a doctor for all athletic contests, but feel that, if possible, we need one in attendance at football games.)
- P.A. announcer should give instructions concerning concession stands, restrooms, and any information that will assist the visiting fans. He/she should show no partiality when announcing the athletic contest.
After the Game:
Post-game planning is probably the most important of the three stages in crowd control. Most incidents and encounters occur after the game when the fans are leaving the playing area, and students are leaving in cars and buses. Each school should:
- Develop a procedural plan for the exit of teams, officials, and spectators. You will need to keep personnel on duty in the trouble spots until the area clears. Usual Problem - Security is usually released near end of game to direct traffic. It is suggested that security be kept in problem areas.
- Direct the route for movement of all visiting school buses and all home team buses. (Include band, pep buses, spectator buses, etc.) Whenever possible provide an escort for these buses for several blocks as they leave the site. Communicate with police or security.
- Use the PA. system to:
- Caution spectators about not walking on the floor or field*
- Give directions for leaving the area
- Encourage fans to drive safely
* The AAC continues to be concerned about incidents involving spectators that occur on the field/floor following a game. Please emphasize this point before, during and after the game.
- To facilitate orderly movement of traffic, provide direction supervision (local police may assist) for cars exiting the parking area. You may want to use faculty members or a service club in order that you can better utilize police or security.
Responsibilities of Visiting School
The visiting school game administrator (headmaster or his/her representative) should alert the host school's game administrator when he/she arrives at an athletic contest. In addition, the home school administrator and visiting school administrator should communicate with each other as to their approximate location during the athletic contest.
When possible, the host school game administrator should make an effort to find the visiting school game administrator anytime a problem occurs with a visiting school patron, coach or player.
The AAC recommends that the visiting game administrator communicate with individuals from their school any time an incident occurs (warning from official, fan ejections, etc.). It is, however, the ultimate responsibility of the host school administrator to make sure that an official's instructions are carried out.
It is the hope of the Academy Activities Commission, that the game administrators of both schools will be pro-active in their efforts to control their fans, coaches and players. Many of the unsportsmanlike incidents that occur each year could easily be avoided if a game administrator would take steps to address a fan or coach who is obviously frustrated.
Game administrators should meet the following criteria:
- Be the headmaster (or his/her designee)
- Be non-bench personnel. Game administrators should locate themselves in a position where they can see as much of their crowd, the bench and the playing area as possible.
- Be a person who is willing to head off problems by making an effort to identify individuals who are becoming increasingly irritated, and warn such individuals of the possible negative consequences of their actions.
- Be willing to stay after a contest has ended to help ensure that no problems arise between fans and/or players.
- Have an understanding that the game officials are the authority on the field / court, and as such, are to be treated in a professional manner at all times.
- Sportsmanship Creed To Be Read Before Each Contest
The AAC has mandated that the following Sportsmanship Creed be read before every athletic contest.
"The MAIS recognizes that the spirit of the game of lives in skilled offense, effective defense, and a well-planned strategy. The spirit of this game cannot be maintained unless sportsmanship, ethics and integrity are our number one priority. Good sportsmanship will be expected from all groups associated with MAIS activities."
- Reporting Unsportsmanlike Incidents
When an incident occurs at an athletic contest, both schools and the head official must file a report with the MAIS office within 72 hours. Schools involved in an incident will be notified a minimum of 72 hours prior to an Affairs Committee meeting. The schools involved may, or may not, be requested to attend this meeting.
Once a decision is made, any schools affected will be notified within 72 hours of the committee's decision. Should any party involved in the decision wish to appeal, the appeal will be heard at the next assigned, or special called, meeting of the AAC.
- Last Game Of The Season For Any Sport
The last game of the season for any sport shall be the final game of the playoffs. No further inter-school competition can be played until the next school year unless approved by the Director of Activities.
- Penalty For Canceling An Athletic Contest
Any member school that cancels an athletic contest in any sport other that football (see special forfeiture fees for football below) after the beginning of the season for that sport shall be fined $1000. If the host school cancels, the fine shall be awarded to the visiting school. If the visiting school cancels, the fine shall be awarded to the host school. Any disputes concerning the application this rule will be settled by the Affairs Committee.
- Special Forfeiture Fees For Football
- The forfeiture fee in varsity football for an away game is $7,500.00. The forfeiture fee for a varsity home game is $5,000.00.
- The forfeiture fee in jr. high football for both a home game and an away game is $2500.
No fine will be levied in cases where there is mutual agreement between the headmasters of each school involved. In such cases, an email must be sent to the MAIS office by both headmasters verifying consent. Said email should contain the name of the sport, along with the date and location of the contest in question.
Should the headmaster of a school fail to obtain mutual consent for a cancellation that he/she feels is justified, said headmaster may appeal the fine to the Affairs Committee.
- Latest Possible Starting Time For MAIS Athletic Events
No MAIS athletic event shall start after 11:00 p.m.
- Mandatory Week of Inactivity
The Academy Activities Commission has mandated that each school set aside one week each summer during which no athletic workouts can occur. This period of inactivity can be any time from the last day of the previous school year, to the beginning of the next school year. This period of athletic inactivity can be the same for both female and male athletes, or these two groups can have different weeks of inactivity.
- All-Sports Award
Each year, the MAIS shall present an all-sports award to the school that receives the most all-sports points. All-sports points will be awarded to any school that finishes fourth or better in Class competition. The table below will be used for assigning points:
All-Sports Award Values |
Sport |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Archery |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Baseball |
10 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
Basketball |
10 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
Boys' Golf |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Cheer / Dance |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Cross Country |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Fast-Pitch |
10 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
Football |
10 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
Girls' Golf |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Slow-Pitch |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Socder |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Swimming |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Tennis |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Track |
10 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
Volleyball |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
- Concussion Issues
Athletes - A completed MAIS concussion form is required to be kept on file by the school for every athlete participating in sports.
Coaches - All coaches (full-time and part-time) are required to successfully complete the free NFHS concussion education course* each year after May 15th and before overseeing any school athletic outings. Such outings would include weight training, practices, scrimmages, games and/or any other activities normally associated with the role of a coach. A copy of the certificate of completion must be kept on file in the school's office.
Officials - All individuals officiating any sport offered by the MAIS must successfully complete the NFHS concussion education course* each year after May 15th and before officiating an athletic outing for any member school. An athletic outing would include games played at team camp, summer league games, a scrimmage, jamboree, and regular season and/or tournament games. A copy of the certificate of completion must be kept on file with the assigning secretary.
*Any equivalent substitute course must be approved by the Director of Activities.
- MAISCA Coaches' Clinic
The offerings made available by the MAISCA for various sports will be posted on the MAIS Post Office page.
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