Page 46 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 6 - Awards, Prizes, Gifts

RULE 6 – AWARDS, PRIZES, GIFTS
6-1 Acceptable Sports Awards – Generally
It is a violation of the awards rule for a student, directly or indirectly to accept merchandise,
or to accept the use of merchandise, or to purchase merchandise for an amount which is not
commensurate with the value of the merchandise, as an award for participation in a sport
recognized by the Association. It is also a violation of the award rule for the member School to
give an award which fails to comply with the spirit of the award rule. The giving and receiving
of awards shall be kept within reasonable bounds, shall have symbolic value only and shall
only be accepted with the consent and under the supervision of the member School principal.
Note: The word “symbolic” shall be understood to refer to a symbol, an emblem or a token. A
diamond ring, an automobile or a similar award does not fall under the term “symbolic” even
if the award is duly inscribed. An inscription cannot validate such awards.
6-2 Acceptable School Sports Awards
A member School may give, and a student may accept, annually, in each sport recognized
by the Association, the following:
a. One sweater, jersey, jacket, blanket or similar article in recognition of a student’s participation
in each sport.
b. A trophy or similar article of symbolic value in addition to the One (1) award permitted above,
provided the cost of the award shall not exceed the cost of the One (1) award permitted
under Item a.
6-3 Acceptable Non-School Sports Awards
A student may accept the following, relative to sports recognized by the Association, provided
they are made within the bounds of rule 6-2:
a. An award from an athletic conference which is given to the winning or successful schools
and winning or successful participants.
b. An award from an athletic conference which is given to a winning or successful participant.
c. An award from a local organization, such as a service club, patriotic organization, civic
group, and dad’s or mother’s club, provided the award is approved by the member School’s
principal.
d. A symbolic tribute to a member School’s athletes, the naming of a player of the game or
week, or similar honor, from a commercial business, provided the student does not accept
merchandise, meals, cash, etc. for such honor
6-4 Acceptable College Awards
Students who participate in a sport recognized by the Association may not accept, directly or
indirectly, awards, medals, recognitions, gifts or honors from colleges, universities or other
institutions of higher learning, or their alumni. A student, however, may accept transportation
and expenses paid by a college, university or other institution of higher learning for recruiting
purposes during the student’s junior or senior years, if conducted within the limitations of
college athletic codes and if approved by the Member School’s principal. Likewise a student
may accept a scholarship award to attend a college, university or other institution of higher
learning after graduation, provided the scholarship is not paid until after the student’s athletic
eligibility has expired.
6-5 Tournament Series Awards
All awards for teams and students participating in Association tournament series’ shall be
determined by the Executive Committee.
a. These official awards shall be the only awards presented at the tournament site.
b. No member School shall accept a State Finals championship or runner-up award in an
IHSAA recognized sport unless the award is approved by the IHSAA and the member
School principal.
c. Additional state championship or runner-up medals, as needed, may be ordered by the
principal through the Commissioner.
d. A member School may purchase, at its own expense, the official IHSAA State Finals
championship or runner-up ring. NOTE: The application for approval to order must be
submitted by the principal, to the Commissioner on the application form provided by the
IHSAA. A School check to cover the expense of the ring must accompany the order.
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