Page 69 - 2021-22 By-Laws

Rule 14 - Officials
A. The Contest may be conducted provided the participating Schools and the Official
who did show up, agree to conduct the Contest with the One (1) IHSAA licensed
Official.
Q. 14-12 When a Season Contest requires only One (1) Official (e.g., track and field,
swimming, cross country, wrestling) and the One (1) IHSAA licensed Official fails
to show up, what procedure should the Schools follow?
A. The Contest shall not be held unless a licensed Official can be found. (rule 14-1)
Q. 14-13 If an Official fails to attend a junior varsity Season Contest in wrestling, can a willing
and knowledgeable parent or fan step in for the missing Official?
A. No. Only an IHSAA licensed Official may officiate a Season Contest which requires
an Official. However, if the parent or fan is an IHSAA licensed Official in wrestling,
then that parent or fan can step in and officiate the Contest. (rule 14-1)
Q. 14-14 Can a high school student qualify for and then officiate a Season Contest involving
a member School.
A. No. A high school student may not become an IHSAA licensed Official, and therefore
cannot officiate any Contest in an IHSAA Recognized Sport involving a member
School. (rule 14-8)
Q. 14-15 Is a Registered Official qualified to officiate Contest involving member Schools in
all IHSAA Recognized Sports?
A. No. A Registered Official is qualified to officiate Contests involving member Schools
only in the IHSAA Recognized Sports in which the Registered Official is licensed.
Q. 14-16 Is there an IHSAA regulation regarding a licensed Officials playing in a Non-School
Contest with or against a student from a member Schools?
A. No. While a high school student is not eligible to be an IHSAA license Official, the
IHSAA does not prohibit a student from playing with or against an IHSAA licensed
Official in a Non-School Contest. (rule 14-8)
Challenges To and Criticism of Officials Decisions
Q. 14-17 What is the policy of the IHSAA regarding protesting or appealing a Contest decision
by a Contest Official?
A. The decisions of Contest Officials are considered final and binding and are not
subject to appeal or waiver. (rules 9-5, 16-2, 17-8.1)
Q. 14-18 Does the IHSAA have a rule that prohibits School personnel from publicly criticizing
officials?
A. Yes. Under rule 8-2, all member School principals are responsible for initiating
appropriate disciplinary measures against coaches for improper and unethical
practices and, at the request of the Commissioner, are to report to the Executive
Committee about such practices and about such measures taken. Criticism of
officials is considered to be inappropriate, improper and unethical, and therefore a
member School’s principal shall immediately take steps to correct their coaching
staff regarding such public criticism of IHSAA licensed Officials and at the request
of the Commissioner, report to the Executive Committee about the same.

RULE 15 – PARTICIPATION
Philosophy
Students should have the opportunity to voluntarily engage in non-school sponsored sports
activities provided such activities do not interfere with the student’s educational development
and the activities do not conflict with the principles of wholesome amateur athletics. The
IHSAA wishes to enhance that opportunity while at the same time discouraging the exploitation
of student athletes by overzealous individuals and organizations who attempt to impose an
obligation on the student, to participate in their programs at any cost. There has been growing
evidence of commercialism of high school athletes. In far too many instances non-school
sponsored sports events have been the “market place” where the students have been lured
to display their “athletic wares.” Experience has revealed that such events tend to divide
the allegiance of the students, undermine their respect for their high school coaches, and
encourages the type of adulation which gives the students an exaggerated notion of the
importance of their own athletic prowess rather than reinforcing the idea that athletic ability
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