The Southern Miss Recreational Sports staff
invites you to participate in an action-packed competitive intramural
sports program. More than 40 activities are offered, featuring team
and individual/dual competition. The goals of Recreational Sports
are to be as diverse as possible, offering each student the opportunity
to participate, regardless of ability.
How to Enter
To enter any activity, please follow the suggested guidelines:
Check the official Recreational Sports bulletin boards located outside the Recreational Sports office in the Payne Center (Room 101) and Intramural Sports Complex for information pertaining to entry dates and schedules for all activities. Additionally, check the Southern Miss Recreational Sports Web site at www.usm.edu/recsports.
Team entries will be accepted via online registration at http://www.usm.edu/recsports using the IM Online program. If you have any questions regarding team registrations, please contact the recreational sports office at 601.266.5405. Check the activity information sheet for the times and dates of the sport entries. All individual and dual sports registration will take place on-site at the event. Each participant must present a Southern Miss ID card and fill out the proper entry form in order to play.
Individuals desiring to play in a team sport but who are not affiliated with any organization may also register online by placing his or her name on the Free Agent board. Team captains who are short a player or two are encouraged to draft players from the free-agent board.
How to Organize
Fraternities, sororities, residence halls and independent organizations should choose a manager or chair to be in charge of intramurals. There are managers’ meetings at the start of each semester as announced on the Recreational Sports bulletin boards. At these meetings, managers will be given information to pass on to the other members of their organizations.
Assumption of Risk
Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and obtain adequate health and accident insurance PRIOR TO PARTICPATION in Recreational Sports activities. Individuals who participate in Recreational Sports will be doing so at their own risk. The University of Southern Mississippi is not responsible for any injury that may occur to an individual participating in any Recreational Sports activity. Participation in Recreational Sports is on a voluntary basis. Student health and accident insurance information may be obtained at the university clinic.
Sportsmanship
A part of the philosophy of the Intramural Sports program is that good sportsmanship is vital to every intramural contest. In order to encourage proper conduct during games, officials, supervisors and administrative personnel shall make decisions to warn, penalize or eject players, teams or spectators for poor sportsmanship. These decisions are final. In addition, the intramural sports program has adopted a sportsmanship code and rating system in order to improve sportsmanlike behavior in intramural sport contests. The following rules of sportsmanship will be enforced.
Prohibited Conduct
No player, coach or spectator shall
• Use abusive language, threaten or abuse any other player or intramural sports employee before, during, or after any intramural contest.
• Participate in a game for which he or she is ineligible
• Argue with the game official. Only the captain may address (courteously) the game official concerning the interpretation of a rule.
• Intentionally strike or shove any other unsportsmanlike conduct towards another player or employee of Intramural Sports.
• Mistreat the facility, equipment or supplies of Intramural Sports.
Fighting
Under no circumstances will fighting be tolerated. Participants involved in any fighting shall be immediately removed from the contest and subject to further disciplinary action. (See Mandatory Penalties)
Spectators and Equipment
Team captain(s) are responsible for his/her own spectators and equipment.
Spectators are subject to the policies and regulations of the Intramural Sports program (see Mandatory Penalties)
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse of intramural sports employees will not be tolerated. The University of Southern Mississippi specifically prohibits the use of grossly abusive language that insults, taunts or challenges another person. This includes swearing, obscenities and epithets directed at an individual’s race, color, ethnic identity, religion or sex. Participants should refrain from using language that which is personally abusive, degrading and insulting.
Alcohol or Drug Use
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are not permitted on or in the vicinity of intramural sports contests or facilities on University property. Participants who are considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate in intramural sports contests.
Sportsmanship Rating System
Sportsmanship rating will be given to teams after each contest by the intramural sports supervisor or officials. These ratings reflect behavior before, during and after the contest. In order for a team to qualify for the playoffs in a major sport or to continue playing in a minor team sport, that team must maintain a “B” (3.0) average sportsmanship rating. The sportsmanship rating will be based on the following criteria:
A
(4.0) |
Excellent
Conduct and Sportsmanship: Players
cooperate with the intramural staff officials and other
team members. The captain calmly converses with the
intramural staff and officials about interpretations and
calls. The captain also has full control of his or her
teammates and spectators. |
B
(3.0) |
Good Conduct
and Sportsmanship: Team members complain about some
decisions made by intramural staff or officials or show minor
dissension which may or may not receive an unsportsmanlike
penalty (technical foul, yellow card). Teams that receive
one unsportsmanlike penalty will receive no higher than a
“B” rating. |
C
(2.0) |
Average
Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team shows verbal
dissent towards intramural staf/ or officials or the
opposing team, which may or may not merit an unsportsmanlike
penalty. Captains exhibit minor control over his or her
teammates and spectators. Teams receiving two unsportsmanlike
penalties will receive no higher than a “C” rating. |
D
(1.0) |
Below Average
Conduct and Sportsmanship: Teams constantly
commenting to the intramural staff or officials or
opposing team from the field or sidelines. The
team captain exhibits little or no control over teammates
or himself or herself and spectators. Teams receiving
more than two unsportsmanlike penalties or having a
player ejected due to unsportsman like conduct will
receive no higher than a “D” rating. |
E
(0.0) |
Poor Conduct
and Sportsmanship: Team is completely uncooperative.
Captain has no control over teammates or himself or herself.
Any team causing a game to be forfeited by result of
unsportsmanlike behavior or having multiple unsportsmanlike
penalties, and/or having more than one player ejected
will receive an "E" rating. |
| Note: Any team that
receives an “E” rating will automatically
be suspended until the team captain meets with the coordinator
of Recreational Sports prior to participating in any
additional intramural contests. |
Special Contest Situations
• If a game is cancelled and not rescheduled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, both teams will receive an "A" (4.0) rating.
• A team winning a game by forfeit or default will receive an "A" (4.0) rating.
• A team losing a contest by forfeit or default will receive a "B" (3.0) rating.
Sportsmanship Ratings for Minor Sports
In order for teams to continue to play in the playoffs and minor sports, they must receive an "A", "B", or "C" sportsmanship rating in every game. Any team that receives a "D" or "E" rating will automatically be suspended until the team captain meets with the intramural coordinator prior to participating in any additional intramural contests.
