Page 43 - 2021-22 By-Laws

Rule 6 - Awards, Prizes, Gifts

Q. 6-2 Does a student violate the Amateurism Rule or the Awards Rule by participating
in an athletic event in an IHSAA Recognized Sport where gifts, awards, prizes,
merchandise, cash, etc. are won by or offered to the student, but are not accepted
by the student?
A. No, it is not the winning of or the availability of a gift, award or prize, but the actual
acceptance of the prize which violates the Amateurism Rule or the Awards Rule.
(rules 5-2(a), 6-1)
Q. 6-3 Can a student who is selected as a member of a basketball all-tournament team,
receive a plaque without violating the Awards Rule, rule 6?
A. Yes, however, if the plaque is presented by a non-School organization, it must
be approved by the student’s School principal. (rule 6-5)
Q. 6-4 A student-athlete participates first in a cross country race sponsored by a member
School for school teams, then in another race sponsored by a local bank for any
interested individual and finally in a race sponsored by a running club for club
members and unattached individuals. In all Three (3) cases, the winners of the
races received ribbons & medals, along with a ‘winner’ T-shirts, and then all of
the participants receive a ‘participant’ T-shirt. Are these legal awards?
A. Yes, the winners of all three races may receive both ribbons and medals, as well
as winner’ T-shirts, provided the T-shirt is of nominal (symbolic) value, and the
race participants may receive a T-shirt for participation, provided the T-shirt is
also of nominal (symbolic) value. (rule 6-3)
Q. 6-5 Two girls from the same School participate in a non-school golf tournament in
the Summer. One girl places first and receives a trophy. The other girl does not
place in the competition, but does receive a golf bag and head covers for making
a hole-in-one. Is this legal?
A. The first girl may accept her first place trophy. The second girl may not accept the
golf bag and head covers since these items are considered athletic merchandise.
(rule 6-1)
Prizes Won in Drawing or Raffles
Q. 6-6 Can a student at a member School accept gifts and prizes won through drawings,
raffl es, 50-50’s, etc. at a Contest hosted by the School?

A. Yes, a student can accept gifts and prizes at a School’s Contest, provided they are
not won or awarded because of the student’s participation in an event involving
an IHSAA Recognized Sport. (rule 6-1)
School Awards, Prizes and Gifts
Q. 6-7 Is a member School permitted to give sweaters to athletes?
A. Yes, the IHSAA recommends that the giving of prizes, gifts, sweaters, etc., be
kept within reasonable bounds at all times and that such have symbolic value
only. (rules 6-1, 6-2, 6-3)
Q. 6-8 May students be awarded a second sweater in the same sport if they transfer to
another high school?
A. Yes, if they qualify in the new high School. (rule 6-2)
Q. 6-9 May Schools give awards to students for scholarship, sportsmanship and conduct?
A. Yes, such may be given if sanctioned and administered by the School principal.
(rule 6-1)
Awards, Prizes and Gifts from Outside Organizations
Q. 6-10 What are the regulations regarding prizes and awards made to member School
students by organizations outside the School?
A. Outside organizations may make awards under the following rules:
(a) Donors should be checked carefully regarding attitudes, purposes and types
of business.
(b) Recipients should be selected by committees on which the principal and
School authorities have control.
(c) All prizes and awards should be limited in number and confined to those
reasonable in price and having symbolic value only. Cash or merchandise
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