Page 42 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 5 - Amateurism and Assumed Name Prohibition

Tournament Series and includes all Contests and all sessions which comprise
the championship event (e.g. in tennis, the State Finals championship event
includes the Contests at each satellite location. (rule 4-1)
Q. 4-4 When does the “State Finals in a sport” occur for purposes of the Age Rule?
A. For purposes of the Age Rule, the “State Finals in a sport” occurs on the date
the finals are scheduled to play, regardless of the date the Contests are actually
played. (rule 4-1)
Q. 4-5 Is a student who turns Twenty (20) years of age on a day of the basketball State
Finals also ineligible in swimming where the State Finals occur several weeks
before?
A. No, the Age Rule is sports specific, and a student may be too old to participate in
One (1) sport during a season and yet eligible in another sport that same season.
(rule 4-1)
Q. 4-6 Is a football player on a Class 1A team, who turns Twenty (20) years of age on
the day after the 1A championship game is scheduled, but on the day the 5A
championship game is scheduled, eligible?
A. Yes, under the Age Rule, in sports which are divided into Classes, the date which
controls is the date the State Finals is scheduled in the student’s Class. (rule 4-1)
Proof of Age
Q. 4-7 What is considered evidence of age?
A. If there is doubt as to a student’s age, One (1) or more, of the following documents,
duly authenticated and in the order named, will be considered evidence of age:
a. birth certificate, properly recorded at or near time of birth;
b. baptismal certificate;
c. documentary evidence such as family record of birth in Bible, certificate of
arrival in the United States, a passport or a life insurance policy of at least a
few years standing;
d. grade and high school records;
e. written and signed statements by superintendent of Schools, public health
physician, attending physician, parent or Guardian;
f. other credible evidence.
Procedure to Follow in Determining Age
Q. 4-8 If doubt exists regarding the age of a student, may a student be permitted to
participate in Contests pending removal of doubt?
A. No, the student is ineligible until documentation proving the student’s age is
provided. (rule 3-8)
Q. 4-9 What should be done in cases of doubt as to age?
A. When there is doubt as to the age of a student, a determination of age should
initially be made by the member School principal after a complete investigation.
If there is still doubt, the member School’s principal shall submit all evidence to
the Commissioner for a determination. Until a determination is made regarding
the qualification of a student under the Age Rule, the student may practice with a
team but may not participate in interschool athletics as a member of the School’s
team. (rules 3-8, 17-2.5)
Q. 4-10 If, after all available data regarding the age of a student is submitted, and the
date of birth of a student cannot be determined, what step should a School take?
A. The Commissioner will establish a date for athletic eligibility purposes on the data
submitted. This date shall control unless new credible evidence can be located
and submitted to the IHSAA for a determination. (rule 17-5)

RULE 5 – AMATEURISM AND ASSUMED NAME PROHIBITION
5-1 Amateurism – Sport-Specific
To be eligible to participate as a representative of a member School in a sport recognized by
the Association, a student must be an amateur in that sport.
5-2 Definition of Amateurism
An amateur is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social and
pleasure benefits derived from the activity. To be an amateur in a sport, a student cannot have:
a. Accepted remuneration, or a benefit other than of a symbolic nature, directly or indirectly,
29