Page 72 - 2022-23 By-Laws

Rule 15 - Participation

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
is an endowed talent which students should use for the pleasure and satisfaction that they
may derive from athletic competition. By the promulgation and enforcement of these rules the
IHSAA strives to eliminate these abuses.
15-1 Individual Sports (Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Tennis,
Track & Field, and Wrestling)
15-1.1 During Authorized Contest Season
a. Participation by a student in any organized non-school sports competition during the
Authorized Contest Season, or at any time prior to the conclusion of the student’s
participation in the IHSAA Tournament Series, in that sport shall cause such students
to become ineligible for their School team in that sport for a period not to exceed Three-
hundred Sixty-five (365) days as determined by the Commissioner, unless an outstanding
student-athlete waiver for said competition is approved by the coach, principal and the
IHSAA office and is on file in the principal’s office. A maximum of Two (2) waivers may be
granted during a Contest Season.
b. Student-athletes may receive a Lesson [Note: one-on-one instruction; See Definitions] so
long as:
(1.) it is not mandated, scheduled or paid for by the School;
(2.) no School practices or competitions are missed; and
(3.) no member of the School’s coaching staff who provides a Lesson is compensated
for the Lesson beyond the compensation the coach earns from the School.
c. An outstanding student-athlete may participate as an individual during the Authorized
Season of a sport, without loss of interschool eligibility, provided the following criteria are
met:
(1.) a completed waiver application form signed by the student, parent, coach and principal
or his/her designee, shall be filed with the School and the electronic waiver process
shall be completed and submitted to the Commissioner for approval, prior to the event;
(2.) arrangements to complete academic lessons, assignments, test(s), etc. is made in
advance;
(3.) student may not miss an Association sponsored tournament series or School Contest
for which he/she is eligible. (It is the philosophy of this Association that students owe
loyalty to their school and team.); and
(4.) student and parent agrees to not accept, directly or indirectly, any awards, gifts, trips,
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