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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Q&A) 

 

17.1.0  SCHOOL YEAR Q&A:WhendotheWIAArulestakeeffect?

TheschoolyearbeginsonAugust1andendsthefirstdayfollowingthespringsportstournaments.

17.2.2  IN‐SEASON Q&A‐1:Myteamdidnotqualifyforpostseasonplayoffs.Howlongcanwecontinuetopracticeasateamwithourcoach?

Theseasonconcludeswiththefinaldayofthestateeventinforthatsport.Eventhoughtheteamdidnot qualify, your coach could continue to coach your team until the conclusion of the statetournamentforthatsport.Q&A‐2:OurbasketballteamisplanningtoplayinasummerbasketballtournamentontheSundayafter the spring tournaments. With the impendingweatherreports, the state softball tournamentmaybepostponeduntilafterthatdate.Willourcoachviolatetheout‐of‐seasonruleifshecoachesusonSunday,eventhoughthesoftballtournamentmaynotbecompleted?

NO. Coaches cannot be responsible for the spring tournament being postponed due to inclementweather.

17.3.4   ALTERNATE SEASON CONTESTS Q&A: Ourleagueplaysgirlstennisinthefall,butwewouldliketoholdthefinaldistrictqualifyingeventoneweekpriortothestatetournament.Isitokforourteamtobeginpractice20schooldayspriortothedistrictqualifyingtournament?

NO;yourteammaybeginpracticetwenty(20)dayspriortothe firstdayofthestatetournament,with any contests held only after ten (10) practices have been completed. The deadline fordeterminingdistrictentriestostatetournamentshallbemidnightSaturdaypriortotheweekofthestate‐levelevents.

17.4.0  POSTSEASON CONTESTS     

Q&A‐1:Whencanateamthatparticipatesinthealternatefallseasonbeginpracticeforthespringstatetournament?

Whetherornottheteamqualified inthefall foraspringstatetournament,theteam isallowedtobeginpracticenosoonerthantwenty(20)schooldayspriortothefirstdayofthestatetournament.Q&A‐2: With the season limitation forbaseballat twenty (20)games, ifour team schedulesandplays inonlynineteen(19)gamesduringtheregularseason,wouldwebeallowedtoplayagameduringtheweekbetweentheregionalsandthesemifinals?

YES.Q&A‐3:Iqualifiedinthefalldistricttournamentforthestatetennistournamentinthespring.Aretherepractice requirementsand, if so, canany ofmy teammateshitballswithmeduring springpractice?

Youarerequiredtohaveten(10)daysofpracticepriortothestatetennistournament.Anyofyourteammates,whethertheyqualifiedforthestatetournamentornot,couldparticipateinthepractices.

 

17.5.4   OUT‐OF‐SEASONQ&A‐1:Mayaschoolholdastudentbenefitfund‐raiserbasketballgameout‐of‐seasonthatinvolvesonlyseniors?

NO; school sponsorshiporpromotionorpracticeand/orparticipation is limited to thedesignatedWIAAseasonforthatsport.Q&A‐2:Isitpermissibleforaschooltosponsoraspringvacationbasketballtournamentandinviteotherschoolteams?

NO;thiswouldbeaviolationforeachschoolinvolved.Q&A‐3: Is itaviolationwhena school vehicle isused to transport students toawinter freestylewrestlingtournament?

ItisaviolationonlyifthetournamentoccursoutsidethedesignatedWIAAwrestlingseason.Q&A‐4:Couldtheschoolprovidetheinsuranceorassistinpromotinganout‐of‐seasontournamentsponsoredbythatschool’sboosterclub?

NO;providing insurance indicates school sponsorship,whichwouldbea violation. Itwouldbeaviolationforanyagentoftheschooltopromoteanout‐of‐seasonevent.

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Q&A‐5: Canschooluniformsorequipmentbeusedbystudentsparticipatinginallstarorallstatecontests?

SchooluniformsmaybewornONLYiftheallstatecontestsaresponsoredbytheWashingtonStateCoachesAssociation.

Q&A‐6:Sinceuniformsareconsideredtobetheschool‐issuedcontestuniform,ifaschoolsurplusesoldschooluniforms,orifthestudentathletespurchasetheoldschooluniforms,couldtheybewornduringacommunitybasketballtournament?

YES.Q&A‐7: Coulda schoolprovide facilities, sport specificapparatus (suchasbatting cages, footballsleds,nets,etc.),schoolequipment(suchasfootballhelmetsandshoulderpads,balls,etc.)tobeusedduringthesummer?

YES;schoolsmayprovideequipmentwhenapprovedbythelocalschoolboard.Q&A‐8: Couldaschoolauthorizeschooldistrictvehiclestobeusedtotransportindividualsand/orteamstosummercampsorclinicsifapprovedbythelocalschoolboard?

YES;schoolsmayprovidevehiclestotransportindividualsand/orteamstosummercampsorclinicswhenapprovedbythelocalschoolboard.Q&A‐9:Areschoolsauthorizedtoprovideinsurancetocoversummerprograms?

YES;schoolsmayprovide insurancetocoversummerprogramswhenapprovedbythe localschoolboard.Q&A‐10:AnASBpaystheleagueentryfeeforsummerleaguecompetition.Isthisaviolation?

NO.Q&A‐11:Althoughnotcoachingtheteam,couldabasketballcoachtakehis/herplayerstoaspringtournament?NO; thecoachmayprovide,postordistribute information tohis/herplayersregarding the springtournament,butcouldnottransportthemtothesiteorbeinvolvedincoaching.

 

17.5.5  COACHES ARE ALLOWED TO COACH ONLY DURING THE SEASON    Q&A‐1:Ifaschooldoesnothaveajuniorhighprograminasport,maythehighschoolcoachofthatsportworkwithseventhandeighthgraders?

In theabsenceofa sportbeingofferedat themiddle level, the local schoolboardcoulddesignatetwelve (12) consecutiveweekswithin thehigh school season foramiddle level season. Thehighschoolcoachcouldthenworkwiththosemiddleschoolstudentsduringtheconcurrentseasons.Q&A‐2:Atwhatpointdoesanindividualbecomea“coach”andatwhatpointdoestheout‐of‐seasonruleapplytothatnewcoach?

Anewlyhiredcoachisconsideredacoachwhenaverbal/writtenagreementismadewiththeschooldistrict.

1) IfthenewbaseballcoachwashiredbytheschooldistrictafterAugust1forthatschoolyear,thenhe/shemaycontinue tomeetpreviousnon‐schoolcoachingcommitments through theschoolyearuptoandthroughthebaseballseason. Nonewprogramsmaybeadded,unlessalreadyamemberofthenon‐schoolprogram,anystudentsfromthatschoolmaynotjointheteam,andpracticewithcurrentand/orpotentialathletesattendingthatschoolmaynotbeheld.

2) Ifthenewbasketballcoachwashiredbytheschooldistrict inthespringfortheproceedingschoolyear,thatcoachmaynotbegincoachingcurrentand/orpotentialathletesbeforethefirstday following the spring sport championshipsandmustend involvementwith currentand/orpotentialathletesonJuly31.

Q&A‐3: Couldagymnastics coachbe coaching in the same training facilitywith currentand/orpotentialathletesifthoseathletesarebeingcoachedbysomeoneelse?

YES;acoachmaybe inthesamefacility,as longasthatcoach isnotcoachinganycurrentand/orpotentialathletes.

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Q&A‐4:WehaveaformerNBAplayernowlivinginourcommunity.Isitpermissibletobringhimintoassistinpracticesonceinawhile?

Thispersonwouldbeconsideredavolunteercoachandmustbeapprovedasavolunteeraccordingtolocalschooldistrictpolicies.Volunteercoachesaresubjecttotheout‐of‐seasonrulesandcoachesstandardsinthesamemanneraspaidcoaches.Q&A‐5:Arethereanyrestrictionsregardingalumnireturningtotheschoolduringthewinterbreaktoassistwiththewrestlingprogram?

Alumniassisting inanymannerwithaschoolsportsprogrammustbeapprovedvolunteercoachesaccording to local school district policies and are subject to the out‐of‐season rules and coachesstandards.Q&A‐6: Couldamiddle levelcoachworkwith thehighschool teamatany timeduring theWIAAschoolyear?

NO,notunlessthepersonhasawrittenagreementwiththeschooldistricttocoachatbothlevelsandthen,onlyduringthedesignatedseasonforeachlevel.Thespecificsportscoachesareconsideredtobecoachesofallstudentathleteswithinthatschooldistrict.Q&A‐7: Icoachedvolleyballinthefall. Attheendofthevolleyballseason,Iresignedandcoachedmany of the same players on a club volleyball team. Can I reapply for thehigh school coachingpositionagaininthefall?

NO,whenacoachishiredtocoachaninterscholasticteam,thatcoachhascommittedtofollowingallWIAA rules throughout theWIAA school year. You would not be considered for that school’scoachingpositionuntilatleastonecalendaryearhadelapsedsinceyourpreviousemploymentwiththatschool.Q&A‐8:Couldacoachbeinvolvedincoachingoneofhis/herathleteswhohasbeennominatedasamemberofaregionalornationalteaminthatsportduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod?

YES,ifthatathleteisasenior.NOforanyotherageathleteunlessawaiverhasbeenprovidedbytheWIAAExecutiveBoard.

Q&A‐9: Could a coachworkwith his/her student athletes at a club, YMCA, YWCA, college, etc.,during the school yearoutofhis/her sport season, if thatpositionwashis/herprimary sourceofincome?

NO.Q&A‐10:Mayacoachtakeaplayertoasportclinicforhis/hersportduringtheschoolyear?

YES,duringthesportseason.NO,duringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod.Q&A‐11:Mayacoachtakehis/herteamtoacoaches(only)clinicinordertodemonstratedrills?

YES,providedthereisnocoachingthattakesplace.Thecoachmaymerelyintroducetheplayersandthedrill.Q&A‐12: Couldacoachutilizesomeofhis/herplayerstoassist inconductingaclinicorcamp forstudentsingradessixorbelow?Notifduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod.Q&A‐13:Mayaprospectivecoachrunpracticedrillsinvolvingtheplayersatthatschoolduringtheinterview/screeningforanewposition?

YES.Q&A‐14: Could the high school basketball coachworkwith themiddle school basketball teamduringthefall(whichisthedesignatedseasonforthismiddlelevelbasketballleague)?

YES;butONLYiftheschooldistricthasawrittenagreementwiththiscoachtocoachatbothlevels.Ahigh school coach could coachmiddle levelplayersduring their seasonandhigh schoolplayersduringthehighschoolseason.Q&A‐15:Couldahighschoolbasketballcoachparticipateinevaluatingplayersandselectingteamsinaspringbasketballleague?

NO, the coachmaynotbe involved inany coachingactivityduring theout‐of‐season timeperiod.Evaluatingplayersandselectingteamsisacoach’sresponsibility.

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Q&A‐16:MayahighschoolcoachserveastheheadorassistantcoachforanAAUbasketballteamcomprisedofhighschoolplayersfromdifferenthighschools?

YES;ahighschoolcoachcouldcoachanAAUbasketballteamiftheathletesarenotfromthecoach’shighschoolteamorifthecoachingtakesplaceduringthesummer.Q&A‐17: Is ita violation fora coachor schooldesignee todistribute information for clinicsandcampspriortothelastspringstatetournament?

NO;thisisnotaviolation.Thedistributionofmaterialsshouldbeapprovedbyschooladministratorsandispermitted.Q&A‐18: Theswimcoachofourhighschool,whoisemployedtocoachswimmingonly,alsoworksforthecommunitypoolandservesstudentsfromtheschoolinthefollowingsituations:

ThisindividualcoachesanAAUswimteamduringthesummer.Violation?

NO.

ThisindividualcoachesanAAUswimteamduringApril.Violation?

YES.Q&A‐19:Acoachreceivesafreetripifhe/shesolicitsfiveparticipantsforaninterscholasticathletictrip.Isthispermitted?

Thisisaviolationifitoccursduringtheschoolyearandoutsidethedesignatedseason.Q&A‐20:During the summer,a school coachattends campalongwith squadmemberswhohaveremainingeligibilityand,whileatcamp,instructssquadsofstudentsfromthatcoach’sschool.Isthispermitted?

Noviolation.Q&A‐21: A coach organizes an after‐school team of students for a summer league. Is this aviolation?

NoWIAAruleswouldnotbeviolatedifacoachorganizesasummerleagueteamduringthesummer.

Q&A‐22:IsitOKforacoachtoorganizestudentsduringtheschoolyeartoattendsummer“team”camp?

YES;provideditisunderstoodthatparticipationisoptionalandnotarequirementorprerequisitetoturningoutforthesportthefollowingyear.Q&A‐23: A coach organizes squad members to participate in a non‐school activity out of thespecifiedsportseasonduringtheschoolyear.Isthisaviolation?

YES.Q&A‐24:Couldatrackcoachtransporthis/herstudentstoanindoortrackmeetpriortotheWIAAtrackseason?NO.Q&A‐25: Maythebasketballcoachofaschoolteamcoachoneoftheschool’sbasketballplayersinanAAUleagueduringtheWIAAbasketballseason?YES.Q&A‐26:IhaveasoftballcoachtravelingtoSouthernCaliforniainJanuarywithaclubteam.Oneofourgirlsmadetheteam.Canhecoachtheteamifheisinthestandswhenourgirlplays,andourgirlisinthestandswhenhecoaches?NO.Q&A‐27:Thehighschoolvolleyballcoachalsocoachesvolleyballatthejuniorhigh.ThejuniorhighseasonisduringJanuaryandFebruary.Couldshetakefiveofthehighschoolplayerstodemonstratespecificskillsduringajuniorhighpractice?Notunlessthehighschoolathletesregisterwiththeschooldistrictasavolunteercoachandmeetthebeginninglevelofcoachesstandards.

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Q&A‐28: Asa statechampionshipbasketballcoach, Ihavebeenasked toassist in thedraftingofhighschoolplayersforanallstarspringbasketballtournament?IsthatOK?Youmayassistinevaluatinganddraftingplayersontoallstarteamsonlyifnoneofyourplayersareinvolved. Analyzingplayerson theirperformanceandability isaprimary functionanda regularresponsibility of a coach during a practice and is permissible only during the designatedWIAAseason.Q&A‐29:IsitwithinWIAArulesforthevolleyballcoachtoplaywiththestudentsduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod?YES;acoachmayplaywithstudentsfromhis/herschoolaslongasnocoachingistakingplace.Q&A‐30: Ifwehirea club softball coach for thehigh school, can she continue coaching the clubathletes?IftheclubcoachwashiredafterAugust1forthatschoolyear,thenshemaycontinuehernon‐schoolcommitmentandcontinuetocoachtheclubathletesuptoandthroughthespringsportsseason. Ifany of the club athletes are also students at the schoolwhere she is hired to coach, they couldcontinuewiththeclubteamcoachedbythatcoach,butnonewstudentsfromthatschoolcouldbeaddedtotheteam.Q&A‐31: Ifwehireaclubsoftballcoach forthehighschool,canshecontinuecoachingtheclubathleteswhoalsoattendourschool?IftheclubcoachwashiredafterAugust1forthatschoolyear,thenshemaycontinuehernon‐schoolcommitmentandcontinuetocoachtheclubathletesuptoandthroughthespringsportsseason. Ifany of the club athletes are also students at the schoolwhere she is hired to coach, they couldcontinuewiththeclubteamcoachedbythatcoach,butnonewstudentsfromthatschoolcouldbeaddedtotheteam.Q&A‐32: If thehigh school coach isa relativeofanathleteon the team, can that coachcoachhis/herrelativeduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod?NO;parentsmaycoachonlytheirownchildindividuallyduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod.

17.5.7  COACHES MAY HOLD TWO MEETINGS OUT‐OF‐SEASON    Q&A‐1: Is it permissible for a preseasonmeeting to take place at a University ofWashingtonbasketballgamepriortothestartoftheWIAAbasketballseason?

YES;sinceWIAArulesallowfortwopreseasonmeetings,eachschoolhastheauthoritytodeterminethedate,timeandplaceforthosemeetings.Q&A‐2: Ourbasketballcoachwouldliketosponsorathree‐on‐threespringbasketballtournamenttoraisemoneyforourteamtogotoasummerteambasketballcamp.Wouldthatbepermissible?

NO, fundraising activities cannot be specific to the sport coached during the out‐of‐season timeperiod.

 

17.5.8   OUT‐OF‐SEASON COACHING RESTRICTIONS   Q&A‐1:Whichstudentsareaffectedbytheout‐of‐seasoncoachingrules?

“Currentmembersorfuturesquadmembersgrades7‐12”appliestostudentsintheschooldistrictinwhichthecoachishiredtocoach.

1) Theschooldistrictforpublicschoolsisdefinedbypublicschoolboundaries.

a) If a school district has specific boundaries for its high school(s) and middleschool(s), a high school coachmay coach students in the high school and themiddleschool(s)thatfeeddirectlytothehighschoolonlyduringtheirdesignatedseason(whenthehighschoolandmiddlelevelprogramsoverlaporifthatcoachishiredtocoachatboththehighschoolandmiddlelevel)orduringthesummer.

i. During the out‐of‐season time period, the coach could coach high schoolstudentsattendingadifferenthighschooloramiddleschool thatdoesnotfeeddirectlytothehighschoolinwhichthatcoachwashiredtocoach.

b) Ifaschooldistricthasanopenenrollmentpolicy,thenahighschoolcoachmaycoachstudentsonlyinthehighschoolinwhichthecoachishiredtocoachduringthedesignatedhighschoolseasonorduringthesummer.

2) Duringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod,aprivatehighschoolcoachmaynotcoachmiddlelevelstudentswho:

a) attendadesignatedfeederschoolownedandoperatedbythehighschoolwherethecoachishiredtocoach;or

b) in thecasewherenodesignated feederschoolexists,reside in thepublicschooldistrictwheretheprivatehighschoolislocated.

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Q&A‐2: Could amiddle level softball coach hit ballswith his/her daughter in the neighborhoodpark?

YES;WIAAout‐of‐season rulesdonotprohibit immediate familyobligations. However, ifanothermemberofthedaughter’steamparticipates,theout‐of‐seasonruleswouldbeviolatedexceptduringtheseasonorduringthesummer.

Q&A‐3:Couldaseventhgradevolleyballcoachalsocoachahighschoolageclubvolleyballteam?

Onlyifthehighschoolstudentsattendedahighschoolinadifferentschooldistrictthantheoneinwhichtheseventhgradecoachishiredtocoach.

Q&A‐4: Are there anyWIAA regulations governing the participation of a high school athletebetweenschoolsportturnoutsorseasons?

NO;studentsmayparticipateinnon‐schoolprogramsastheychoose.TheWIAAout‐of‐seasonrulesprohibittheinvolvementofschoolcoachesexceptduringthedesignatedWIAAseasonorduringthesummer.Q&A‐5:IsitOKforacoachtoworkwithseniorsaftertheyhavefinishedtheirseason?

YES.Q&A‐6:MayhighschoolplayersplayonaUSAVteamifcoachedbytheirschoolcoach?

YES; current and/or prospective playersmay be coached by their school coach during theWIAAvolleyballseason,butnotduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod.Q&A‐7: Isunsuperviseduseofschooloutdoor facilities forspecificsportpracticebyseveral ‘teammembers’inviolationofout‐of‐seasonrules?

This“practice” isaviolationonly if theschoolorcoachorganizesorpromotes it. Ifschool‐ownedequipment is not used and it is not during school time, it is permissible for students to practicetogether.Q&A‐8:Mayasoftballcoachofaschoolteamcoachamemberofthatschool’sbasketballteaminanAAUleagueduringthesoftballseason?

YES;aslongashe/sheisnotunderthedirectionoftheschool’sbasketballcoach.Q&A‐9:OurfootballteamisplanningateamcampinthesecondweekinAugust,whichwerealizeisduring theout‐of‐seasonperiod forour footballcoach. Thecoachwillnotassist inorganizingorcoachingand,infact,hewillnotattend.Theschoolisnotsponsoringthecamp.WillitbeOKforthestudentstoparticipate?

YES; theout‐of‐seasoncoachingrulesdonotprohibit students fromparticipating ineventsatanytime.Q&A‐10:Weareplanningtohaveastaffvsstudentendoftheseasonbasketballgameatourmiddleschooltoraisefundsfornextyear. Thegamewillbeplayedduringthebasketballseasononadaywithoutanygamesandwillbeattheendofaschooldayasanassembly,withtheA‐squadboysandgirlsagainsttheteachers.Threeofthemiddleschoolteacherscoachatthehighschool.Theathleticdirectorandactivities coordinatororganize thekidsand there isno coachingother thanhelpingthemtorotateinandouttoinsurethateveryonegetstoplay.Isthisok?

YES;theeventisbeingheldduringthemiddlelevelseason.Q&A‐11:Mayahighschoolcoach,coachUSAVjuniorhighageteams?

YES; if the coaching occurs outside theWIAA season and none of the USAV teammembers arepotentialmembers of the high school team. There isno such restriction if done during the timeperiodthejuniorhighandhighschoolseasonsoverlap.Q&A‐12:Aspartoftheselectionprocess,myschoolisaskingcoachingcandidatestorunasimulatedpractice.Wouldthatviolateanyout‐of‐seasonrules?NO; since the individualhasnotyetbeenhiredand the simulatedpractice ispartof the selectionprocess.

 

17.5.9  STUDENTS AS MANAGERS   Q&A‐1:Couldafemaleswimmerserveasmanagerfortheboys’swimteam?

YES;aslongassheisnotreceivinganycoaching.

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Q&A‐2:Couldaneighthgradeboyserveasmanagerforthehighschoolboys’basketballteam?

YES;aslongasnodirectcoachingistakingplace. 17.5.10  STUDENTS AS VOLUNTEER COACHES   

Q&A:Couldahighschoolseniorassistwiththemiddlelevelbasketballprograminthefall?

YES;highschoolstudentsmayserveasmiddlelevelvolunteerassistantcoachesduringthedesignatedmiddleschoolseasonwhenunderthedirectsupervisionofthemiddlelevelcoach.ThesehighschoolstudentsmustmeetWIAAcoachesstandardsminimumrequirementstoholdavalidFirstAidCertificationandavalidCPRcard.

 

17.7.0  OFF SEASON CONDITIONING  Q&A‐1:CouldafootballcoachsupervisetheweightroominAugust?

Schoolsmaysponsoranoffseasonweighttrainingandconditioningprogramthatmustbeopentoallstudentsandcannotincludeinstructioninspecificsportskillsand/ordrills. Eachschoolhastheauthoritytodeterminewhowillsupervisetheweightroom.Q&A‐2: My school has advertised in the school bulletin that theweight roomwill be open forwrestlersbeginningOctober1st. Can studentsnot interested inwrestlingbedeniedaccess to theweightroom?

NO;access to theweightroom isconsidered tobepartofayear‐roundconditioningprogramandmustbepostedandadvertisedasbeingopentoallstudentswithintheschool.Q&A‐3: Couldaschooldistrictapprovedconditioningcoachorsupervisor test theparticipants inthatsummerprogramduringthethree‐weekperiodpriortothestartofthefallsportsseason?

YES; testing of participants is permissible as long as the testing is a normal portion of theconditioningprogramand the testdoesnot includeanyactivity that resemblesadrill or specificfunctionofanyfallsport.Q&A‐4:Couldatrackcoachrunwithhis/herteamduringthewinterforconditioningpurposes?

YES;runningisconsideredaspartofanyconditioningprogramandthiswouldbelegalaslongasnocoachingistakingplace,andtherunningispartoftheoffseasonconditioningprogram.Q&A‐5:Couldacrosscountrycoachfollowinacarbehindhis/hersquadduringthespring?

YES;aslongasnocoachingtakesplace. 

17.8.0   OPEN GYM  Q&A‐1:Couldacoachhaveanopengymtimeperiodforhis/hersportduringthenoonhourorafterschooloutsidetheregularsportseason,duringtheschoolyear?

NO;schoolsmaysponsoranopengymprogram,whichisopenandpromotedtoallstudents,witharangeofactivitiesavailable.Nocoachingispermitted.Thegymsupervisormustbeapprovedbytheschool.Q&A‐2: A coach opens the gymnasium and supervises but does not direct drills for students. Avarietyofactivitiesareavailableandthegymisopentoall.Isthisaviolation?

NO.Q&A‐3: Thesoftballcoachwantstosetupthebattingcageduringtheopengymtimeperiodeachday.Isthislegal?

YES;as longasanumberof sportopportunitiesareavailable for the interested students (battingcage,volleyballnetandstandards,basketballhoop,etc.).Coachesmaynotgiveinstruction,butmayprovidegeneralsupervision.Q&A‐4: Is it legal for the basketball coach to be supervising the gymwhile the basketball teamplayersarerunningdrillsorplaysduringopengymtime?

YES;aslongastheplayersarenotbeingcoached.Q&A‐5:Iplaybasketballata3Aschool.Mycoachhasbeenaskedtocoachanon‐schoolteaminatournamentthatisscheduledforthelastweekendinFebruary.Sinceourteamdidnotqualifyforthe3Astatetournament,weareoktoplayonhisteamright?

YES; the season for 3A basketball ends on the Sunday following the conclusion of the 3A statebasketballtournament,notfollowingyourfinalregularseasoncontest.

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Q&A‐6: Is it legal for our school to sponsor basketball intramurals in the spring and have thebasketballcoachsupervise?

NO;schoolsponsorshipandpromotioninagivensportisrestrictedtotheWIAAdesignatedseasonforthatsport.Q&A‐7:Ourboysswimcoachplanstoapplyforanopencoachingpositionwiththelocalswimclub(notaffiliatedwiththehighschool) inwhichoneathlete fromaschoolthatcoopswithourschoolteamisamember.Woulditbeaviolationforthispersontocoachbothprograms?

YES; this coach cannotbe coachingANYof the students in the school feeder system,grades7‐12,includingallstudentsattendingtheschoolofanycooperativeprogramduringtheout‐of‐seasontimeperiod.Q&A‐8: Ourcoach isplanning to sponsoranopengym for thebasketballplayers inOctoberasapreparationfortheupcomingseason.Hehasawrittenscheduleforconditioningandplaystoworkon,andhewillbetheretoassistasneeded.Isthatlegal?

NO;coachesmayconductpracticeONLYduringtheWIAAsportseason.

17.9.0  SPORT CAMPS OR CLINICS     Q&A:Couldabasketballcoachusesomeofhis/herplayerstodemonstrateateachingskilltoothercoachesduringaclinic?YES;providedtheonlycontactwiththeteamistonotifythemofthetimeanddateoftheclinic,andtheskillstheywillbeaskedtoperform. Duringtheclinicitself,thecoachcanmerelyintroducetheplayersandtheskill.

 

17.10.0  SUMMER ACTIVITIES   Q&A‐1:AlocalWIAAmemberhighschoolhasasummerfootballprogram.ThemiddleschoolintheschooldistrictisnotamemberoftheWIAA.Canthemiddleschoolstudentswhowillattendthehighschoolduringthenextfallparticipateinthesummerprogram?

There isnoWIAArule toprohibitparticipation in thesummerprogramas longas the lastmiddleschoolsportseventhasbeencompletedandthelocalschooldistrictallowssummerparticipationforthesestudents.Q&A‐2:Mayahighschoolbaseballcoachbeactivelyinvolvedinasummerbaseballprogrambeforeschoolisout,ifthemajorityofthesummerteamrosteriscomposedofthatcoach’shighschoolteam?

YES; a coachmay coach non‐school teams and players during the season. However, requiringparticipation by student‐athletes as a condition for playing on a school teamwould constitute aviolation.Q&A‐3: Arestudentsthatparticipate inaschool‐sponsoredsummerprogramrequiredtomeetallWIAAeligibilityrequirements?

WIAArulesandregulationsdonotgovernsummerprograms,otherthantodefinethetimeperiodforsummer,adtoallowschooldistrictstosponsorprograms.Localschooldistrictshavetheauthoritytodetermine what programs will be sponsored by the school(s) within that district, andmay addrestrictionsasdeemedappropriate.TheWIAArulesofeligibilitydonotapply,althoughlocalschooldistrictscouldaddthatstipulation.

 

17.11.0   PHYSICAL EXAMINATION     Q&A‐1: A family friend is aDoctor of Chiropractics and has agreed to provide athletic physicalexamsforourfamily.Willthisphysicalexambeacceptedforinterscholasticparticipation?

NO; only those licensed to perform physical examinations are able to provide physical exams forathleticparticipation.Q&A‐2:IhadaphysicalexaminAprilforspringsports.Forhowlongismyphysicalgood?

Physicalexamsaregoodfor24monthsunlesstheschooldistricthasamorerestrictivepolicy.Q&A‐3: Iwasinjuredfortheearlypartofthebasketballseason,buthavefinallybeenclearedbyachiropractortoresumeathleticparticipation.Isthemedicalreleasefromachiropractoracceptable?

NO; thewritten release to resume participationmust come from a physician licensed to performphysicalexaminations.

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Q&A‐4:CanastudentgetawaiverofthePhysicalExamrequirementforreligiousreasons?

NO;thephysicalexamrequirementisahealthandsafetyrequirementforallstudentswhochoosetoparticipateinathleticsatamemberschool.

 

17.12.0  PRACTICE REGULATIONS     Q&A‐1: One of our volleyballplayerswillbeon vacationwithher family theday that volleyballpractice starts. Sinceherdad isaclubcoach,couldhe runher throughpracticedrills so shecancountthosedaystowardmeetingtheminimumpre‐contestpracticerequirements?NO;only thepracticesrunbyauthorized schoolcoachesmaycount towardmeeting theminimumpracticerequirements.Q&A‐2: Oneof thewrestlerswill return frombasicmilitary trainingoneweek into thewrestlingseason.Canbasictrainingcounttowardsthepre‐contestpracticerequirements?NO;only thepracticesrunbyauthorized schoolcoachesmaycount towardmeeting theminimumpracticerequirements.Q&A‐3: One of the soccerplayers on our teamhasbeen trainingwith theOlympicDevelopmentProgram (ODP) in another state. Can those practices count towards the pre‐contest practicerequirements?NO;only thepracticesrunbyauthorized schoolcoachesmaycount towardmeeting theminimumpracticerequirements.Q&A‐4:FourofthefootballplayerswillbeshowingtheirsteersatthecountyfairinAugustandwillmissthreedaysoffootballpractice.Couldthecoachrunapracticeforthemonthefairgrounds?YES;contingentupontheschooladministrationapprovingthesitewiththeschoolcoachrunningthesamepracticeasthatconductedattheschoolsite.Q&A‐5:Oneoftheplayersonourvolleyballteamhasajobthatconflictswithafterschoolpractice.ThecoachalsoteachesanadvancedPEclassandiswillingtorunaspecialpracticeforherduringtheclass.Willthatallowforhertoplayinourfirstmatch?NO;participatinginphysicaleducationclassesdoesnotconstituteapractice.Q&A‐6:Insteadofapracticeonthefield,ourcoachplansfortheteamstowatchgamefilmsandtalkstrategytoprepareforanupcominggame.For thepurposeofmeeting thepre‐contestpracticerequirements, thepracticemustbeaphysicalactivity.Q&A‐7: One of the gymnasts on our team also participates in club gymnastics. She intends topracticeforabout15minutesatschoolthencontinuethepracticeattheclubwhereshecompetes.Isthatlegal?NO; students cannot be given special treatment (late arrival, early dismissal, etc.) for non‐schoolprogramsonaregularbasisandcanonlycountthosepracticesconductedbytheauthorizedschoolcoach.Q&A‐8: Afteroneofthevolleyballplayershadparticipatedintwopractices,itwasdiscoveredthather physicalwasnot valid. Do those two practices count towardmeeting theminimum practicerequirement?NO;avalidphysicalMUSTbeonfilebeforeastudentmayparticipateandcountthepractices.Q&A‐9:Wehadastudentwhoturnedoutforbaseballandpracticedwiththeteamforfivedaysandthendecidedtoparticipateintrackinstead.Canthosebaseballpracticesapplytotrack?YES;thefive(5)baseballpracticescouldcounttowardmeetingtheminimumpracticerequirementintrack,sothatonlyfive(5)trackpracticeswouldberequiredbeforethestudentwouldbeeligibletocompeteinatrackmeet.Q&A‐10: One of the girls on the basketball teamwas ill and unable tomeet the tenminimumpracticerequirementbeforethefirstgame.Sincethegirlsteamswillbeawayfortheirgame,couldshepracticewiththeboysteamtogetinavalidpractice?YES;provided thepracticewith theboys team is identical to thegirls teampractice,and theboyscoachisalsoundercontractbytheschooldistricttocoachthegirlsteam,thepracticecouldcount.Q&A‐11:Cantheboysbasketballplayerspracticeagainstthegirlsbasketballteam?YES;itdoesnotcountasagameanddoesnotcountasapracticeunlessduringascheduledpracticetimewherethecoachesofbothteamsareinvolved.

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Q&A‐12: Cantheseventhand/oreighthgraderspracticewiththehighschoolteamifthatsportisnotofferedatthemiddlelevel?YES;providedthepracticesessionsdonotextendbeyondthetwelve(12)weekmiddle levelseasonlimit and the school district assumes all responsibility and liability for the different age groupspracticingtogether.Q&A‐13: Since participation in physical education classes cannot count as a practice, could thecoachscheduleateampracticebeforeschool?YES;practicesmaybeconductedpriorto,orafter,theschoolday.

 

17.12.3  ATHLETE MUST BE MEDICALLY CLEARED TO PARTICIPATE   

Q&A‐1: One of theboys on thebasketball teambrokehishandandhasnotbeen clearedbyhisphysiciantoscrimmagewiththeteam,althoughhehasbeenclearedtorunforconditioning. Ifherunsonthesidelinesduringapracticewhiletheteamisscrimmaging,canthatcountasapractice?

NO;theplayermustmedicallyclearedtofullyparticipateinpracticeinorderforittocounttowardmeetingtheminimumpracticerequirements.Q&A‐2:Duetoaseverelysprainedankle,oneofourswimmersisunabletoswimatthispoint.Ifsheassiststhecoachwithtimingandothermanagerialduties,canthosepracticesessionscounttowardmeetingthepracticerequirements?

NO;shemustmedicallyclearedtofullyparticipateinpracticeinorderforittocounttowardmeetingtheminimumpracticerequirements.

 17.12.6  ONE DAY EQUALS ONE PRACTICE 

Q&A:Duetoanillness,oneofoursoccerplayersmissedthreepractices.Thecoachiswillingtoruntwopractices inaday,oneearly in themorning,andone later in theafternoon, inorder for thisplayertobeeligibleforthefirstgame.Willthatbeacceptable?

Each school has the authority to decide when, where, and how long practice sessions will beconducted. However,whetherthestudentparticipates inoneortwopractices inaday,oneday isequaltoonepracticeforthepurposesofmeetingtheminimumpracticerequirements.

 

17.12.7  PRACTICE DAYS Q&A‐1:Ineedonlyonemorepracticetobeeligibleforourfirstsoccergame,andmycoachiswillingtohaveaspecialpracticeonSunday.

WhileWIAArulesdonotprohibitaSundaypractice,afullteampracticemustbeheldinorderforthepracticetocount.Q&A‐2: OurfamilygenerallytravelsoutofstateonThanksgivingtospendtimewithrelatives,butmy gymnastics coach has scheduled practice on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of that holidayweekend.Canhedothat?

Each school has the authority to decide when, where, and how long practice sessions will beconducted.Anationallyrecognizedholidayisanallowablepracticeday.

 17.12.8  PRACTICE ON A GAME DAY 

Q&A:Oneofourbasketballplayersneedsonlyonemorepracticeinordertoplayinourfirstgametomorrownight.Ifthecoachrunsaspecialpracticetomorrowmorningwouldhebeeligibletoplay?

NO;while the coach could scheduleapractice,providing it isa full teampractice, it could counttowardtheminimumpracticerequirement,butpracticeonagamedaydoesnotallowanathletetobecomeeligibleforcompetitiononthatday.

 17.12.9  PRE‐CONTEST WARM‐UP EXERCISES   

Q&A: Oneofthesoccerplayersonourteamneedsonlyonepracticetoplay inour firstgamethisafternoon.Ifthecoachextendsthepre‐gamewarm‐uptoafullpractice,couldsheplayinthegame?

NO; participation in pre‐contestwarm‐up exercises cannot count as a practice and practice on agamedaydoesnotallowanathletetobecomeeligibleforcompetitiononthatday.

       

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17.12.10  INTERRUPTION OF PRE‐CONTEST PRACTICES Q&A‐1:Afterparticipatinginfivedaysofpractice,oneofthebaseballplayerswasinacaraccidentandunabletopracticefortwoweeks.Nowthathehasadoctor'sclearancetoparticipate,doesheneedonlythefiveremainingpracticesbeforebeingeligibletoplayinagame?

NO;hewillneedthefulltenpracticesbeforehewillbeeligibletoplay.Beginningwiththefourthconsecutivescheduledpracticedaythathemissed,thenumberofdaysmissedissubtractedfromthenumberofdayspracticed.Q&A‐2:Ifoneoftheplayersmissedanoptionalpractice,doesthatcountasamissedpracticeday?

YES;anypracticeheldbythecoachand/orauthorizedbytheschoolmustcountasaschoolscheduledpracticeday.

Q&A‐3:Oneofoursoftballplayersparticipatedintwelvepractices,thenbecameillandmissedthenexteightpractices.Howmanypracticesissherequiredtoparticipateinbeforesheiseligibletoplay?

Thatdecisionislefttothelocalschooladministration,thecoach,theparents,andherphysician.Oncethepre‐contestpracticerequirementshavebeenmet,theschoolwillmakethedeterminationontheminimumrequirementsregardingreturntoplay.

 

17.12.12  WAIVER OF INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS    Q&A‐1:BecauseIplayedinthepepbandduringthestatebasketballtournament,Imissedthefirstfoursoftballpractices.Iknowthebasketballplayersneedonlyfive(oftheten)pre‐contestpracticesinordertobeeligibleforourfirstgame,butIwastoldIhavetoparticipateinthefulltenpractices.Isthatright?

YES; onlyathletes competing inany level ofWIAA sanctionedpostseasonplayoffsareallowedupwaiveuptoone‐halfoftheminimumpre‐contestpracticerequirements.Band,cheerordance/drillparticipantswhoperformatasportstatechampionshipeventmustcompleteallprecontestpracticesinthesucceedingsportsseasonbeforecompetinginacontest.Q&A‐2:Severalofthefootballplayersonourteamalsoplaybasketball.Sincetheywonthefootballstatechampionship,weplantogivethemthenextweektorestbeforebeginningbasketballpracticessincetheywillneedtopracticeonlyfivedaysbeforeourfirstbasketballgame.

Theprovisiontowaiveuptoone‐halfofthepracticerequirements isavailableONLY iftheplayersareunabletomeetthepracticerequirement. Ifpracticesarescheduled,theyshouldbeexpectedtoparticipateandarenotallowedtowaivethatpractice.Iftheychoosetotakeaweekoff,theywouldhavetogetinthefulltenpracticesbeforeplayinginabasketballgame.

Q&A‐3: My doubles partner and I qualified for the state tennis tournament in the fall since ourschoolparticipatesinanalternateseasonprogram.Webothplayedbaseballinthespring,socouldwewaivehalfoftherequiredspringpracticesinthealternatesport?

YES; since the doubles team qualified in the fall (alternate) season and each member is alsoparticipatinginaspringsport,uptoone‐halfoftherequirednumberofpracticesmaybewaived.Q&A‐4:Couldthesonofoneofthefootballcoachespracticewithhisdad’steameventhoughthesonattends a different high school in amulti‐high school district? The son’s team did notmake theplayoffssohisteam’sseasonisover,buthewantstocontinuetopractice.

NO;onlystudentswhoaremembersoftheschoolmaypracticewiththeteam.Q&A‐5:Ourmiddleschoolprovidesafour‐sportseasonforstudentswithninthgraderscompetingatthehighschool level insportsnotofferedatthemiddleschool. Themiddle levelsportsseasonaresomewhatdifferentthanthethreehighschoolsportsseasons. Ifaninthgradercompletesamiddlelevel season then plays at the high school level in a different sport, is that student required tocompletealloftheprecontestpracticesorwouldthatstudentbeallowedtowaiveuptohalfofthosepracticesduetocompetinginanothersport?

The only waiver of the pre‐contest practices is for students participating in a sport statechampionshipevent.Q&A‐6: The  football  team at my  school  is  in  the playoffs.    Several  of  the  football  players  also  play basketball.    After  the  basketball  season  begins  and  while  the  team  is  still  involved  in  the  football playoffs,  if  the basketball  coach holds a morning practice and  the  football  coach holds an afternoon practice, can the morning practice count toward the minimum practice requirement for basketball? YES, provided  the practice was scheduled  for  the entire  team, and not  just  the  football players who also play basketball. 

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Q&A‐7: If  players  on  a  football  team  that  is  still  in  the  playoffs  beyond  the  start  of  the  basketball season also participate in two basketball practices, then miss the next four basketball practices due to conflicts with football practice or games, does the interruption of pre‐contest rule (17.12.10) apply? No,since the players continued to practice with the football team during the overlap, 17.12.10 would not apply. Q&A‐8: How many  practices  are  required  of  players  on  a  football  team  that  is  still  in  the  playoffs beyond the start of the basketball season? Whether the player participates  in one, two, or more practices during the football‐basketball overlap, the  player  is  required  to  participate  in  the  first  basketball  practice  following  the  conclusion  of  that team’s football season, and a minimum of five (5) practices must be completed before the player can participate in a basketball game.  Q&A‐9:  If the softball program is cancelled by the school midway through the season, could a student waive up to one‐half of the required practices in order to participate in track and field? Yes, since the program was cancelled by the school and the other sport is held during the same season.

 

17.15.2  EACH CONTEST CREDITED TO A SQUAD   Q&A‐1:Ifajuniorvarsityteamplaysavarsityteam,howdoesthatgamecount?

ItcountsasaJVcontestsfortheJVteam,andasavarsitygameforthevarsityteam.Q&A‐2: Does itcountasagame if thevarsitygirlsbasketball team scrimmagesagainst theboysjuniorvarsityteam?

NO;sincebothteamsare fromthesameschool,thescrimmagewouldbeconsideredthesameasapractice.Q&A‐3:ThebasketballteamisscheduledtoplayagameonMartinLutherKingDay.Sincethat’sanationalholiday,isitlegaltoplayonthatday?

YES;therearenoWIAArestrictionsforplayingonanationalholiday.

 

17.24.5   INTERSTATE COMPETITION  

Q&A: Our softball team has been invited to participate in a tournament inArizona over springbreak. Are there any special requirements our schoolmustmeet since the tournament is in adifferentstate?

Inadditiontoanylocalschooldistrictrequirementsregardingtravel,anyinterstateorinternationaleventinvolvingtwoormoreschoolswhichisco‐sponsoredbyortitledinthenameofanorganizationoutside the school community (e.g. a college/university, a theme park, an athletic shoe/apparelcompany)needstobesanctioned.Anyeventinnon‐borderingstatesifmorethanfiveormorestatesareinvolvedneedstobesanctioned.Anyeventinnon‐borderingstatesifmorethaneightschoolsareinvolvedneedstobesanctioned.ThehostschoolmustfillouttherequestforsanctionviatheNFHSWebsite. Your school would be allowed to participate after approval has been granted by theappropriatelevels.

 

18.3.0    PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION  Q&A‐1:Isabasketballplayerwhodoesnothavetheminimumnumberofpracticestocompeteinaninterscholasticcontestallowedtobeontheteambenchinuniformduringacontest?

NO;onlyplayerswhoarecurrentlyeligibletoparticipatemaywearthecontestuniformontheteambench.Q&A‐2:Ahighschoolvolleyballteamhasnineplayersontheroster,butonlysixplayersonthecourt.Theotherthreeplayersareservingaslinejudges.Oneofthesixcourtplayersbecomesinjured.Canoneoftheotherplayersservingaslinejudgenowplayinthecontest?

YES;thethreestudentsservingaslinejudgesareeligibleplayers.Thefactthattheyarecurrentlynotoccupyingaspotontheteambenchdoesnotprohibittheirparticipationinthecontest,providedtheplayersdonotexceedtheteamandindividualcontestlimitationsforthatday.Q&A‐3: I competed inwrestling atmy high school until January 25, and then switched to playbasketball.CanIcompeteinthepostseasonbasketballtournaments?

NO;youmusthavebeenonaschool’steamrosterforatleast50percentoftheregularseasoninthatsportinordertobeeligibleforpostseasonparticipation.

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Q&A‐4: My familyhas lived in schooldistrictA formany years, thenwemoved toanew schooldistrictat thebeginningof the second semester. It isnear theendofmywrestling season. Am Ieligibleatmynewschooltoparticipateintheremainderofthewrestlingseason?

YES;sinceyourentirefamilyunithasrelocated,youhave immediateeligibilityatyournewschool,providedyoumeetallothereligibilityrequirementsofparticipation.

Note: Your new school and coaches will make the decision on the level and degree of yourparticipation. YouwouldbeeligibleforpostseasoncompetitionbecauseyouhavebeenonATEAMROSTERformorethan50percentoftheseasoninwrestling.

Q&A‐5: One of our school’s basketball players broke her ankle after only the third basketballpractice,hadtositonthesidelinesthenexteightweeks,andwasjustclearedbyherdoctortoplay.Becauseshehasnotbeenplaying,willshestillmeetthe50%rule?

YES;shehasbeenontheeligibilitylistforbasketballfortheentireseasonandsinceparticipationisnotarequirement,shewouldbeeligibletoparticipateinthepostseasonprovidedshemeetsallotherconditionsofeligibility.

 

18.4.0    AGE LIMITS  Q&A‐1:Canastudentwhoturns20yearsofageinJulycompeteforafallsport?

NO;atthehighschoollevel,astudentmustbeunder20yearsofageonSeptember1forafallsport,December1forawintersport,andMarch1foraspringsport.Q&A‐2: Canastudentwho turns16 inMayof thepreviousschoolyearcompeteona juniorhighschoolathleticteam?

NO;astudentwhoturns16priortoJune1cannotcompeteatthe juniorhigh levelthenextschoolyear.Q&A‐3:Isastudentwhoturns15inAprilofthepreviousschoolyeareligibletocompeteonamiddlelevelathleticteam?

NO;astudentwhoturns15priortoJune1cannotcompeteatthemiddlelevelthenextschoolyear.Itmaybepossibleforthestudenttoparticipateatthehighschoollevel.Q&A‐4:Cananoveragemiddlelevelstudentcompeteonthehighschoolteam?

YES;astudentwhoisineligibletocompeteinthemiddleorjuniorhigh‐levelschoolathleticsduetotheagerulemayparticipateinallsportsinthepublicseniorhighschoolofthepublicschooldistrict,providedboth themiddleor juniorhigh levelandseniorhighschoolprincipalsconcernedapprovethestudent’seligibility.

Note:Thiswillbethefirstofthefourconsecutiveyearsofeligibilityatthehighschoollevel. 

18.5.2  ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION  Q&A‐1:Iattendaprivatehighschoolwithoutathletics.CanIcompeteinathleticsatthepublichighschoolofmychoice?

NO;youcanonlycompeteattheresidentpublichighschoolthatyouwouldnormallyattend.Q&A‐2:Asahomeschoolstudent,wherecanIcompeteinathletics?

Ahomeschoolstudenthasathleticeligibilityinhis/herresidentpublicschoolofrecord.Inordertoparticipateinactivities/athleticsthestudentmustbearegisteredhomeschoolstudentwiththeschooldistrictandmustmeetalltheeligibilityrequirementsforparticipation.Q&A‐3:Asahomeschoolstudent,canItransfertoanotherpublicschoolforathletics?

YES;butyouneedtobereleasedbyyourpublicschoolofresidenceandthenregisterwiththenonresidentschooldistrictasahomeschoolstudent.Inaddition,yourathleticparticipationwillbesubjecttothetransferrule,andyourparticipationwillbelimitedtothejuniorvarsitylevelforoneyearinthosesportsyouparticipatedinthepreviousyearattheschool,cluborcommunitylevels.Q&A‐4:Iattendtwodifferenthighschools:IattendschoolAfor75percentoftheschooldayandschoolBfor25percentoftheschoolday.CanIcompeteforathleticsatschoolB?

NO;youmustbeenrolledhalftimeormoretobeamemberofaschoolandrepresentthemininterscholasticathleticcompetition.YourathleticeligibilityisatschoolA.

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Q&A‐5:Myprivateschoolhadtodropitssoccerprogramoneweekintotheseasonduetolackofparticipation.WhereamIeligibletoplaysoccer?

Becauseyourschoolnolongerhasasoccerprogram,youareeligibletoplaysocceratyourpublicschoolofresidence.Ifinamultiplehighschooldistrict,thenyouareonlyeligibleatthehighschoolofyourresidence.Q&A‐6:Iattendanalternativeschoolwithoutathletics.Priortothisschoolyear,IattendedatraditionalpublicschoolthatofferedathleticsandIparticipatedinbasketball.Whereismyeligibilitythisyear?

Youremaineligibleatyourpublicschoolofrecord.Q&A‐7:Iamattendingaprivateschoolthatdoesnothaveagymnasticsprogram.CanIparticipateatthepublicschoolclosesttomyprivateschool?

No;youmayonlyparticipateatyourresidentpublicschoolthatyouwouldnormallyattend.Q&A‐8:MyresidentpublicschooldoesnotofferthesportinwhichIwanttoparticipate.MayIparticipateatanotherpublicschool?

No;youmustbeenrolledhalftimeormoretorepresentaschoolininterscholasticactivities.Q&A‐9:TheprivateschoolIattendhasnotbeenofferingasoccerprogram,andIhavebeenreturningtomypublicschoolofresidencetoparticipateinsoccer.Butnextyear,myprivateschoolwillbestartingasoccerprogram.CanIstillparticipateformypublicschoolofresidencesinceIhavealreadybeenplayingontheirsoccerteam?

Youwillhavetostartplayingforyourprivateschoolonceitbeginsofferingthesport.

Q&A‐10:IwillbetakingaDistanceLearningProgramofferedbyaschooldistrictinanotherpartofthestate.Whereismyathleticeligibility?

Sinceyouwillbeanout‐of‐districtstudenttakingcoursesfromanalternativeschoolwithoutathletics,yourathleticeligibilityisatyourpublicschoolofresidence.Q&A‐11:Iattendaprivatehighschoolwithoutathletics.CanIcompeteinathleticsatanotherprivatehighschoolofmychoice?

NO;youcanonlycompeteattheresidentpublichighschoolthatyouwouldnormallyattend.

18.6.0   RUNNING START ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS  Q&A‐1:IamafulltimeRunningStartstudent.WhereamIeligibleforathletics?

Yourathleticeligibilityisatyourhighschool“ofrecord,”whichisyourpublicschoolofresidence.Ifyouareatransferstudenttoanotherschooldistrict,yourathleticeligibilitywouldbesubjecttothetransferrulesandallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.

Q&A‐2:ItakeclassesatthecommunitycollegeaspartoftheRunningStartprogramandalsotaketwoclassesatmyhighschool.HowdoIcomputemygradesforathleticcompetition?

Youwillhavea“blended”GPAofcollegeandhighschoolcredits.Beginbydetermininghowmanyclassperiodsareinthenormalsemester/trimesterclassscheduleandthecreditsthatcanbeearnedatyourhighschool.Example:Yourhighschoolhasasix‐periodday(six.5creditclasses).TheWIAAminimumclassloadandnumberofclassesthatmustbepassedwouldbefiveclassperiodsortheequivalentof2.5credits.Afive‐hourRunningStartclassequals1credit.IfyoutakeeighthoursofclassesatRunningStart(theequivalentof1.6credits)blendedwiththetwoclassesathighschool(equivalentto1credit),youwouldhave2.6creditsforthesemester.2.5creditsormorewouldmeettheWIAAstandardinasix‐periodday.Beawarethatmostschooldistrictshaveamorerestrictiveacademicrequirementthatyoumustmeetforathleticparticipation.Q&A‐3:IattendaprivateschoolandwouldliketoaccessRunningStartclasses.Whereismyathleticeligibility?

RunningStartisapublicschooleducationalprogramoffering.YoureligibilityisatyourpublicschoolofresidencewhereyouaccesstheRunningStartprogram.Youwillbeconsideredatransferstudentbacktoyourpublicschoolofresidencewithpossiblerestrictionsonyourathleticparticipationforoneyear.Youcouldstillcompeteathleticallyforyourprivateschoolifyoumaintainenrollmentattheprivateschoolforatleast50percentoftheschooldayattheprivateschool.

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Q&A‐4:IsitconceivablethataRunningStartstudentcouldtakeenoughcreditswithablendedscheduleandnothavetoattendschoolthesecondsemester,yetstillbeabletocompete?

Yes;itispossiblethestudentwouldnothavetoattendschoolduringthesecondsemester,providedthattherequirednumberofcreditshasbeentaken.

 

18.7.6  ACADEMIC SUSPENSION PERIOD   Q&A‐1:Iamaseniorwhowillgraduatethisyearandamenrolledinonelessclassthanrequiredbytheotherstudentsatmyschool.WillIstillbeeligibleifIdropafullcreditclass?

NO;seniorsmustmaintainpassinggradesinallclassesinwhichtheyinitiallyenrolledinordertoremainacademicallyeligible.CouldIdropafullcreditclassandaddaTAclass?NO;seniorsmaynotdroporwithdrawfromaclassinordertobeeligible.Q&A‐2:Iwasacademicallyineligibleatthestartofmyfirstsemesterthisyearduetopoorgradesattheendofthesecondsemesterlastyear.Basketballismyfirstsportthisyear.DoIhavetositoutthefirstfiveweeksofthebasketballseason?

NO;theacademicsuspensionperiodforhighschoolshallbefromtheendoftheprevioussemesterthroughthefourth(4th)SaturdayofSeptemberinthefallandthefirstfive(5)weeksofthesucceedingsemester/trimester.YoucanbecomeeligibleontheMondayofthe6thweekofthesemester,providingyouarenowpassingtheminimumnumberofclassesrequiredbyyourschoolandtheWIAAforathleticeligibility.Note:Schooldistrictscanadoptastricterscholasticpolicy.Q&A‐3:Howshouldaschoolperiodicallymonitortheacademicprogressofathletestoguaranteetheyareacademicallyeligible?

Eachmemberschoolmustestablishaperiodicgrademonitoringsystemtoguaranteethatallathletesaremeetingtheacademicstandardsofthecurrentsemester.ItwouldnotbenecessarytoestablishaGPAwhenmonitoringstudents’academicprogress.Aschoolwouldneedtodetermineifthestudentiseligibleacademically.SchooldistrictstandardsmaybemorerestrictiveandcouldrequireaGPA.Amonitoringsystemwouldcheckathlete’sgradestwoorthreetimesduringeachnine‐weekacademicquarterorequivalent.Q&A‐4:Iamparticipatinginvolleyballinthefallsportsseason.Iwasacademicallyeligibleatthebeginningofthesemester,butnowfourweeksintotheseasonIamfailingthreeofmysixclasses.CanIstillcompeteincontests?

NO;youmustmeettheWIAAandschoolminimumgradestandardsatalltimesduringthecurrentsemester.YouwouldbeabletobegincompetitionatanypointinthesemesterthatyourgradesimproveandyoumeettheWIAAandschoolstandardsofeligibility.Note:Yourschoolmayhaveapolicythatrequiresaperiodofineligibilitywhenyoudonotmeettheminimumgradestandardsduringtheseasonandsemester.Q&A‐5:Canascholasticallyineligiblestudentparticipateinpractices,butnotcompeteinterscholastically?

YES;anineligiblestudentmaypracticesubjecttolocalschoolregulations.Q&A‐6:Forscholasticeligibilitypurposes,isitnecessarytocheckeighthgradetranscriptsforincomingninthgraders?

YES;studentsmustmeetalleligibilitystandards.Thesecondsemestereighthgradetranscriptisusedtodeterminefirstsemesterninthgradescholasticeligibility.Q&A‐7:Myhighschoolhasapass‐all‐classesscholasticrequirementforathletics.Duringthemid‐termgradecheck,Ifailedoneclass.ImeettheWIAAscholasticstandardbutdonotmeettheschooldistrictscholasticstandard.CanIstillparticipateinathleticcontests?

NO;youareanineligibleathletebecauseyoudonotmeetyourschooldistrictscholasticstandard.Q&A‐8:Iwillbeattendingsummerschool.Howarethesegradesusedformyathleticeligibility?

Summerschoolgradesbecomepartofthesecondsemestergradesofthepreviousschoolyear.Q&A‐9:Iamaseniorandhavealmostenoughcreditstograduate.Myhighschoolisonasix(6)periodday,sodoesthatmeanIonlyneedtotakethree(3)classes?

NO;eachstudentmustmeettheWIAAscholasticrule.

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Q&A‐10:Iattendaprivateschoolandgotomypublicschoolofresidencetoswimasmyprivateschooldoesnothaveaswimprogram.Whichschool’sacademicgradestandardamIheldtoforathleticeligibility?

Youareheldtothegradestandardoftheschoolthatyouacademicallyattend.Q&A‐11:Iamonthefootballteambutacademicallyineligibleduetomysecondsemestergradesfromthepreviousschoolyear.Ourfootballteamhasajamboreepriortothestartofschoolthisyear.CanIplayinthejamboree?

NO;theacademicsuspensionperiodisfromtheendoftheprevioussemesteruntilthecompletionoftheacademicsuspensionperiod.Q&A‐12:Iwasacademicallyineligibleatthestartofmyfirstsemesterthisyearduetopoorgradesattheendofthesecondsemesterlastyear.IwillbeaRunningStartstudentbeginningthisfallandclassesatthecommunitycollegedonotstartuntilthethirdweekofSeptember.Whendoesmysuspensionperiodend?

Youracademicsuspensionperiodwillendafterthefourth(4th)SaturdayofSeptember,providingyouarenowmeetingtheWIAAandschooldistrictscholasticstandards.

 18.8.0    PREVIOUS SEMESTER  

Q&A‐1: Idroppedoutofschoolwith fiveweeksremaining inthesemester lastspring. Can Inowplayfootballthisfall?

Ifyoureceivedgradesforthesemesterandyoumeettheacademicstandards,youareeligible.IfyoureceivedNO academic credit the previous semester, you are ineligible until you have attained aprevioussemester.Q&A‐2:Myfamilymovedtoanewschooldistrictattheendofthefirstsemesteroftheschoolyear.Ididnotdowellacademicallyatmy old schoolandwouldhavebeen ineligibleat the start of thesecond semesterdue tomypoorgrades. Atmynew schooldistrict Iwouldbeeligiblebecause itsgradestandardisnotasrestrictive.Whichgradestandardisapplicableinmysituation?

The grade standard of the school that issued the grades is the standard that you will be heldaccountable to at the start of the second semester at your new school. Your academic progressduringthesecondsemesterwillbeundertheacademicstandardofyournewschool.

 

18.9.0    REGULAR ATTENDANCE  Q&A: Ioversleptthismorninganddidnotgettoschooluntilthestartof4thperiod. CanIplayintonight’sgamebecauseImissedpartoftheschoolday?

TheWIAAdoesnothavearuleonattendancethedayofacontest.Manyschooldistrictsandleagueshave an attendance rule for practice and game days. Please check with your athletic directorregardingyoureligibilitytocompeteintonight’sgame.

 

18.10.0    DEFINITION of RESIDENCE and FAMILY UNIT Q&A‐1:Arethereanyrestrictionsonlegalcustodyandastudent’sathleticeligibility?

YES;thecourtestablishedguardianshiporlegalcustodymusthavebeenineffectforaperiodofatleastoneyearwhendeterminingathleticeligibility.Q&A‐2:DoIneedtoownmyhomeinorderformysontohaveathleticeligibility?

NO;homeownershiphasnothingtodowithathleticeligibility.Theimportantfactorinestablishingathleticeligibilityistheschooldistrictwheretheentirefamilyunitlivesfulltime.Q&A‐3:Publicschooldistrictshaveestablishedboundaries.Whataretheestablishedboundariesofaprivateschool?

Theprivateschoolresidenceboundaryisa50‐mileradiusfromtheschool. 

18.11.0    TRANSFERRING STUDENTS  Q&A‐1:Iamabasketballplayer,andmyentirefamilyunitmovedfromanotherstatetoWashingtonStateovertheweekend.CanIplaybasketballatmynewschool?

YES; you are immediately eligible as soon as you enroll in your new school and providedocumentationtomeetallconditionsofathleticeligibility.

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Q&A‐2:Ihaveattendedahighschooloutsideofmyresidentschooldistrictthepasttwoyears.Myfamilyismovingagaintoanotherschooldistrict.Whereismyathleticeligibility?

Youactuallyhave initialeligibilityat twoschools. 1)Youcanremainatyourcurrenthighschoolwithfullathleticeligibilitybecauseyouhavemorethanoneyearofcontinuousenrollment. 2)Youcouldmovetoyournewhighschoolandalsohaveimmediateathleticeligibilitybecauseyourentirefamilyunithasrelocated.Youmustmeetallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.

Q&A‐3:Myparentsarelegallydivorced,andIhavebeenlivingwithmymothersincethedivorce.Asa10thgraderIwanttolivewithmyfather.Whatismyathleticeligibility?

Youwillhavefullresidenceeligibilitywhenyoumovetolivewithyourfather,ifyoumeetallotherconditions of athletic eligibility. If youwere to go back to livewith yourmother, youwould beconsideredatransferstudentwithlimitationsonyourathleticparticipation.Q&A‐4: Myparentsarenotgettingalongandhaveseparatedtoliveindifferentschooldistricts. Iwanttolivewithmyfatherandattendschoolinanewschooldistrict.Whatismyathleticeligibility?

Youwouldbeconsideredatransferstudentwithlimitationsonyourathleticparticipationatthenewschool,becausetheentirefamilyunitnolongerlivestogetherandyourparentshavenotobtainedacourtapprovedlegalseparationordivorce.Q&A‐5:Iama7thgraderandwanttoattendaschooloutsideofmyresidentpublicschooldistrict,because it is easier formy parents to provide transportation. Are there any restrictions onmyathleticeligibility?

Youwillhavefullathleticeligibilityatyournewmiddleschool.Therearenotransferrestrictionsatthemiddlelevelfor7thand8thgraders.Q&A‐6: Ihavecompletedthe8thgradeatmypublicmiddleschoolandnowwanttotransfertoalocalprivateschoolforthe9thgrade.WillIhaveanyeligibilityproblems?

By rule you are transferring at the break between themiddle level and high school andwill beeligible,providedyoumeetallconditionsofathleticeligibility.Q&A‐7:Ihavebeenattendingmyprivateschoolforthepastfiveyearsandjustcompletedthe11thgrade. Inowwanttotransfertomypublichighschool inordertotakemoreadvancedplacementclasses.WillIbeabletoplayonthevarsityteamasasenior?

NO;youwouldbeconsideredatransferstudentand limitedto JVparticipation inthosesportsyouparticipatedinthepreviousyearattheschool,cluborcommunitylevels,providedyoumeetallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.Q&A‐8: Our son attends an alternative high school in another school district. He wants toparticipateinsportsthisyear.Canheparticipateatthenearestout‐of‐districthighschool?

Therearetwooptionsforparticipation: 1)Asanout‐of‐districtalternativeschoolstudent,youcanreturn to your public school of residence and competewith full athletic eligibility, or 2) you cancompeteatoneofthehighschoolsintheschooldistrictofthealternativeschoolyouattend. Ifyouchooseoption2,youdosoasatransferstudentwithrestrictionsforyourfirstyearofparticipation.Q&A‐9:Ihavebeenattendinganout‐of‐districtalternativehighschoolthepastthreeyearsandnowwanttoattendthepublicout‐of‐districthighschool formysenioryear. Ihavenotparticipated inathleticsatanylevelthepasttwoyearsandwouldliketobeontheswimteamformysenioryear.Isthispossible?

You will now be considered a transfer student at the out‐of‐district high school. Your athleticeligibilitylimitsyourparticipationtotheJVlevelforoneyearinthosesportsyouparticipatedinthepreviousyear. Sinceyoudidnotparticipate inany sports thepreviousyearat the school,cluborcommunity level, youwillhave full varsity eligibility as a transfer student, provided youmeet allotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.Q&A‐10:Mydaughterhasbeenstrugglingatherresidenthighschoolwithhergradesandwefeelachangewouldbebestforher.Shewillenrollintheneighboringschooldistrictnextfallandwantstoplayvarsityvolleyball. Shehasbeenplayingvolleyballat theschoolandclub level thepast threeyearsandisverytalented.Willthischangeofschoolsimpactherathleticeligibility?

YES;yourdaughterisnowconsideredatransferstudentandissubjecttothetransferrule.Sincesheplayed volleyball last year, shewillbe limited to JVparticipation forone year. Afterone yearofcontinuousenrollment,shewouldregainvarsityeligibility,providedshemeetsallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.

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Q&A‐11:Iamanout‐of‐districtstudentattendingajuniorhighasa9thgrader.Iplayjuniorgolf,asportnotofferedatthejuniorhighschool,andwanttoparticipateonthehighschoolgolfteam.Arethereanyrestrictionsonmyabilitytoplayonthehighschoolvarsityteam?

YES;youcouldparticipateonthehighschoolgolfteambecausethesportisnotofferedatthejuniorhigh school,butyourparticipationwouldbe limited to the juniorvarsity teambecauseyouareatransferstudent,providedyoumeetallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.Note: Ifyouhavehadcontinuousenrollmentofmorethanoneyearatthe juniorhighschool,youwouldhavefullvarsityeligibilityonthehighschoolgolfteam.

Q&A‐12:IattendaK‐8publicschooldistrict.WhereismyathleticeligibilitywhenIbecomeaninthgrader?

UponcompletionoftheeighthgradeintheK‐8non‐highschooldistrict,youcanchooseanypublicorprivate school as your new resident school district. Once youmake a choice, that school districtbecomesyourresidentschool forathleticeligibility,andany furtherschoolchangeswouldbewithtransferstudentrestrictions.Q&A‐13: My fatherworks inadifferent schooldistrict thanwherewe live. If Iattend the schoolwhereheworks,itwouldbeeasierformyfathertoprovidetransportation,especiallyafterpractices.WillIloseeligibilityifItransfer?

Youwillbeatransferstudent,subjecttoalltransferrules.Q&A‐14:Itransferredtoamiddleschooloutsidemyresidentschooldistrictatthebeginningofthesecondsemesterofmy8thgradeyear. Howwillthisaffectmyhighschooleligibilityattheout‐of‐districthighschool?

Youareconsidereda transfer student foroneyear from thedateyoubeganattending theout‐of‐districtschool. Duringthesecondsemesterofyour8thgradeyear,thiswillhavenoeffectonyourathleticparticipationas there isno transferrule formiddleschoolstudents. But,asahighschoolstudent, youwillbea transfer studentwith limitationson yourathleticparticipation for the firstsemesterofyourhighschoolseasonuntilyouhaveoneyearofcontinuousenrollmentintheschooldistrict. Afterone year of continuous enrollment in the schooldistrict, youwillhave fullathleticopportunity.Q&A‐15:Ihavebeenattendingmyresidenthighschoolforthepastthreeyears,butmyparentsaremovingtoanotherareaofthestateoverthesummer.Iwanttostayandfinishmysenioryearatmycurrenthighschool.WouldIbeathleticallyeligible?

YES;youhavemorethanoneyearofcontinuousenrollmentatyourcurrenthighschool.Aslongasyoumaintaincontinuousenrollment,youhavefullathleticeligibility,regardlessofwhereyourfamilyunitresides,providedyoumeetallotherconditionsofathleticeligibility.

 18.11.1  ELIGIBILITY ‐ INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 

Q&A‐1:IwillbecomingtoWashingtonStateaspartofayearlongculturalexchange.WillIbeabletoparticipateinathleticsatmyhostschool?

YES,youwillhaveoneyearofvarsityeligibilityasanInternationalexchangestudentaslongasyouhavenotgraduatedfromhighschoolinyourhomecountry.YourhostschoolwillhavetosubmittheInternational Exchange Form of the WIAA Eligibility Packet to the WIAA District EligibilityChairperson. The contract and related issues/international exchange student contract(entering/leaving)canbefoundatwiaa.com/publications/forms/studenteligibility.

Q&A‐2:IamagraduateofmyhighschoolinmyhomecountryandwillbespendingayearinahighschoolinWashingtonState.CanIparticipateinsportsatmyhostschool?

NO;youareagraduateofhighschoolandhavenofurtherhighschoolathleticeligibility.Yourhosthighschoolmayallowyoutopracticewiththeteam,butyouwillnotbeabletoparticipate inanylevelofinterscholasticcompetition.Q&A‐3:IwillbepartofaRotaryClubExchangeformyjunioryear.IdonotknowifIwillbeabletoparticipateinathleticsinmyhostcountry,butwanttobeabletocompetebackatmyresidentpublicschoolwhenIreturnformysenioryear.HowdoImakethishappen?

You need to submit International Exchange Form to yourWIAA District Eligibility ChairpersonPRIORtodeparture,andyouwillbeeligibleuponyourreturnaslongasyoumeetallothereligibilityrules. Thecontractandrelated issues/internationalexchangestudentcontract (entering/leaving)canbefoundatwiaa.com/publications/forms/studenteligibility.

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Q&A‐4:IamanInternationalexchangestudentwhograduatedinmyhomecountry.AtwhatlevelofcompetitionwillIbeabletoparticipate?

Sinceyouhavealreadygraduatedinyourhomecountry,youareineligibletoparticipateatanylevelofcompetitionatthehighschoolyounowattend.Q&A‐5:IamanInternationalexchangestudentwhohasbeenreassignedtoanewhostfamilyandanewschool.AmIeligibletoparticipateatmynewschool?

NO;youareconsideredatransferstudent,subjecttoalltransferrules.Q&A‐6:IparticipatedinanInternationalexchangeprogramwhenIwasineleventhgrade.Ifailedtosubmitthe InternationalExchangeFormtomyWIAADistrictEligibilityChairpersonpriortomyexperience.WhatdoIneedtodoinordertobecomevarsityeligible?

Youwillneed togobefore yourdistrict eligibility committeewhere your casewillbeheard. Thecontractandrelatedissues/internationalexchangestudentcontract(entering/leaving)canbefoundatwiaa.com/publications/forms/studenteligibility.

Q&A‐7: Iattendedhighschool intheUnitedStates forthreeyearsbefore I leftthecountry foranInternationalexchangeprogram. Duringmyyearabroad, Iparticipatedat thehigh school Iwasattending. Ihavereturnedhomeandwanttoattendhighschoolforanotheryeartofinishcredits.WillIbeabletoparticipate?

NO;youhavehadfouryearsofhighschoolandhaveparticipatedeachofthosefouryears. 

18.14.0    SEASON LIMITATIONS  Q&A‐1:Ihadtorepeattheeighthgrade.Iplayedsportsinseventhandbothyearsofeighthgrade.DoIhavefouryearsofeligibilitywhenIenterninthgradeatthehighschool?

Ifyouareabletoprovidedocumentationfromtheschoolprincipalthatyouhadtorepeateighthgradebecauseofacademicdeficiencies,thenyouwillhavefourconsecutiveyearsofhighschooleligibility.Q&A‐2:IhavehadsomeacademicdifficultyandwillnotgraduatewithmyclassinJune.Iwillreturntohighschoolnextyeartocompleteallmycreditsandwanttoparticipateinathletics.Ihavebeenamemberofthehighschoolfootballteamallfouryears.Arethereanylimitationsonmyathleticparticipationasa5thyearsenior?

YES;youhavenoathleticeligibilityremaining;youhavealreadyparticipatedforfour(4)consecutiveyearssinceenteringorbeingeligibletoenterthe9thgrade.Yourhighschoolcanchoosetoallowyoutopracticewiththeteam,butyoucannotcompeteinanyinterscholasticcontests.

Q&A‐3:IwasinvolvedinaseriouscaraccidentwhenIwasasophomoreandwashospitalizedforanextendedperiodoftime.Iwasunabletoattendschoolformostofmysophomoreyearandambehindincreditsandwillnotgraduatewithmyclass.Iwillreturntoschoolforafifthyeartoearnenoughcreditstograduate.WillIbeabletoparticipateinathletics?

YouwillneedtoappealyourathleticeligibilitytoyourWIAADistrictEligibilityCommittee.Youwillneedtodemonstrateahardshipbeyondyourcontrolthatcausedyoutobebehindincreditsandnotgraduatewithyourclass.Ifgranted,eligibilitywillonlybegrantedfortheportionoftheseasonthatwasmissedduetothehardship.Q&A‐4:Myfamilymovedtoanewschooldistrictattheendofthefirstsemester.Myoldschoolplayedgolfduringthefallsportsseason.Mynewschoolplaysgolfinthespringseason.AmIeligibletoparticipateingolfatmynewschool,eventhoughIhavealreadyplayedgolfforaschoolthisschoolyear?

YES;ifyourmovetoanewschoolisaresultofarelocationofyourentirefamilyunit,youcanparticipateingolfinthespringseasonatyournewschool.(Ifyouhadbeenatransferstudentwithoutamoveofyourfamilyunit,youwouldnotbeeligibleforgolfinthespringseasonatyournewschool.)Q&A‐5:Iamahomeschoolstudentintheeighthgrade.Myparentsaregoingtoholdmebackasaneighthgraderforanadditionalyear.Howwillthisaffectmyathleticparticipation?

Iftheseventhoreighthgradeisrepeated,andsuchrepetitionisbasedupondocumentedacademicreasonsbytheschoolprincipal,therepeatedyearshallnotcountagainstyoursix(6)interscholasticcompetitiveyears.Itwillbetheresponsibilityofyourparentstodemonstratetotheschoolprincipalthatyouarebeingheldbackforacademicreasons,whichwouldbecomparabletothemainstreamstudentbeingheldbackforacademicreasons.

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Q&A‐6:OursonwillnotgraduatefromhighschoolthisJunewithhisclass;basicallyhehasjustbeenlazyandhasnotearnedenoughcreditstograduateontime.Hewilleithertakesummerschoolorgobacktoschoolnextfalltoearnenoughcreditstograduate.Weunderstandthereisanappealprocessforathleticeligibility.Wewanttocompletetheprocessthisspringsowecanmakeadecisiononcompletinghiscredits.Ifhewillhaveathleticeligibilitynextfall,hewillreturntoschoolinthefall.Ifnot,hewilltakesummerschooltoearnhiscredits,thengotocommunitycollegenextfall.

Yoursonwillnotbeabletoappealhiseligibilityuntilthefallwhenhebecomesafifthyearstudent.Youshouldbaseyourdecisiononthebestacademiccourseofactionforyourson,notonhispossibleathleticeligibility.  

Q&A‐7: Ifourschooldoesnothavea separateeighthgradeprogram,could thoseeighthgraderspracticewiththehighschoolteam?

Theschoolmustdesignateatwelve‐weekseason,eventhoughnotsponsoringaseparateprogram.Althoughtheywouldnotbeallowedtocompeteonbehalfoftheschool(unlessina1Bor2Bschool),theschoolthenhastheauthorityandresponsibilitytodetermineifeighthgraderswouldbeallowedtopractice.

18.20.0  EIGHTH GRADERS Q&A‐1:Ifourschoolutilizeseighthgradersonthejuniorvarsitybasketballprogramwhohavenotyetplayedanygamesat themiddle level,what is themaximumnumber ofhigh schoolgames inwhichtheycouldplay?

20games.Q&A‐2:Ifaneighthgraderhasparticipatedonamiddlelevelorjuniorhighbasketballteam,whatisthemaximumnumberofquartersinwhichtheycouldplayatthehighschoollevel?

40quarters.Q&A‐3: As  a  1B  school,  if  eighth  graders  are  brought  up  to  play  high  school  basketball,  are  they restricted to the junior varsity team? No,your school has the authority to determine not only if eighth graders will be brought up to play at the high school, but on which team (varsity or junior varsity) each will play.  Q&A‐4:   As a 2B school with an enrollment of 98, are we required to bring up eighth graders to play high  school  basketball  even  if  there  are  enough  high  school  participants  to  field  both  a  varsity  and junior varsity team? With an enrollment of 104 or below, 18.20.0 allows for eighth graders to play at the high school level, but each school determines whether or not to utilize eighth graders.  Q&A‐5:  As a 2B school with an enrollment of 115, can we bring up eighth graders to fill in some of the lower weight classes in high school wrestling? In a 2B school with an enrollment of 115, eighth graders could wrestle on the high school  team only with league approval and only if wrestling was not offered at the middle level.    Q&A‐6:  After an eighth grader has played in a high school basketball game, is she also allowed to play in a middle level basketball game since both are in season? Yes.  Combining the number of games played at the high school level with those played at the middle level, whether  concurrently  or  in  one  season  following  by  another,  each  eighth  grader  can  play  in  a maximum of 10 games at the middle level and 40 quarters at the high school level during the regular season.  The player is limited to 80 total quarters for the combined middle level and high school regular season.  Q&A‐7:   Since high school players can now participate  in up to 80 quarters  in a season, regardless of the number of games in which they enter, does the same hold true for eighth graders playing both at the middle level and the high school level? No.   Quarters  are  counted at  the high  school  level,  but games are  counted at  the middle  level.    If  a student  plays  in  only  one  quarter  of  a middle  level  basketball  game,  he/she  has  “used  up”  four  (4) quarters at the high school level.  Q&A‐8:  With league approval, eighth graders can participate on the high school basketball team if the participation numbers are at 16 or below.  Does that also mean that the team is limited to suit up only 16 players per game? No. There  is no  limit on the number of players who can participate  in any regular season game.   The roster is limited to 12 players during the postseason. 

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18.22.0  CONCURRENT SPORTS LIMITATION  Q&A‐1:Mydaughterisaverygiftedathlete.Weliveinaverysmalltownandourhighschoolisinthe1Bclassification. Shewantstoplaytwosportsduringthespringseason,softballandtrackandfield.Isthispossible?

YES; students are limited to participation in only one sport per season, except in the 1B or 2Bclassificationwhere,withschoolboardapproval,astudentmayparticipateinmorethanonesportinaseason.Q&A‐2:Mysonparticipatesintrackforthe1Bprivateschoolheattends.Hisschooldoesnotoffersoccer,butour4Aresidentschooldoes. Sincestudents in1Bschoolsareallowed toparticipate inmorethanonesportduringthesameseason,couldhealsoplaysocceratthatschool?

NO;thisruleisdesignedtoassistsmallschoolsinsalvagingsportsofferings,nottoprovideadditionalopportunitiesforstudentathletesattheirresidentpublicschool.Q&A‐3: Ifastudentishavingadifficulttimedecidingbetweencompetinginbaseballortrackandfield,isitoktopracticewithbothteamssohecangetintherequiredpracticesandthencompeteforonlyone?

YES;sincehewouldbecompetinginonlyonesport.Q&A‐4: Could a cross country athlete turn out for football following the conclusion of the crosscountrystatechampionships?

YES; thatstudentcouldpracticewith the football teambutcouldnotcompete in footballsincehecompetedincrosscountryduringthesameseason.

 18.23.0    NON‐SCHOOL PARTICIPATION 

Q&A‐1:Iamaselectsoccerplayer.CanIplayonmyselectclubteamatthesametimethatIplayonmyhighschoolteam?

YES;youcanparticipateonanon‐schoolteamatthesametimeyoucompeteonyourschoolteamwitha few restrictions. Youcannotbegiven special treatmentorprivilegesona regularbasis toenableyoutoparticipateonyournon‐schoolteam,e.g.,reducedpracticetimes,specialworkouts,latearrivalsorearlydismissals. Youalsocannotcompete inyourschooluniformatnon‐schoolevents.REGULARisdefinedasmeaningmorethanone(ifastudentisreleasedfromapracticeorgametoparticipateinanon‐schoolsportsprogram).Q&A‐2: Acollege is recruitingmeand theyhaveaskedme tovisitcampusandpracticewith theteam.Willthisjeopardizemyathleticeligibility?

NO;youareallowedtotryoutand/orpracticewithacollegeteam.Note:YouneedtochecktheNCAAregulationsforanyrestrictionsthatmayapply.Q&A‐3:IamaRunningStartstudentandhavestartedtoplayonthecollegebasketballteam.CanIstillplayonmyhighschoolbasketballteam?

NO;onceyouplayonacollegeteam,younolongerhavehighschooleligibilityinthatsport. 18.24.0    AMATEUR STANDING 

Q&A‐1: Ihavebecomeaprofessional in the sportofbowling. Can I stillplayonmyhigh schoolteamsinallothersports?

YES;youwouldstillbeconsideredanamateurintheothersports.

Q&A‐2:IhavebeeninvitedtoattendoneoftheNikeBasketballcampsthissummer.Aspartofthecamp,Iwillbegivenapairofshoesandworkoutgearwitharetailvalueofover$400.CanIacceptthismerchandisewithoutjeopardizingmyamateurstatus?

Inordertomaintainamateurstatusastudentcannotacceptmerchandiseor in‐kindgiftsofmorethan$500infairmarketvaluepersportduringanyonecalendaryearAugust1throughJuly31.Ifthemerchandise was part of the camp fee paid by the student, then he/she has purchased themerchandiseanditwillnotaffectamateurstatus.

Q&A‐3: My son has been invited to participate in a large invitation trackmeet this summer inCalifornia.Aspartoftheinvitationthemeetorganizershaveagreedtopayhistransportationtoandfrom the event, as well as provide housing and meals at the event. Is this allowable withoutjeopardizinghisamateurstatus?

YES;youcanacceptpaymentfortheactualexpensesfortheathletictrip.

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Q&A‐4:Oursonwonacarasaprizeforaholeinoneinacharitygolftournament.Willkeepingthecaraffecthisamateurstanding?

NO; thehole inonecontest isconsideredagameofchanceby thePGAGolfrules,and thestudentwouldbeabletoacceptthecarwithoutjeopardizinghis/herWIAAeligibility.Q&A‐5:IfIwin$700inmerchandisecreditforwinningagolftournamentmayIdonate$200oftheamount to my school and keep the other $500 under my name to not jeopardize my amateurstanding?

NO; youmay only accept $500 inmerchandise credit during any calendar year. Any additionalamountmustbeforfeited. 

Q&A‐6: Our town’s radio stationwants to select a “player of the game” for each of the gamesbroadcastontheradioandgivethatplayeragiftcertificateforafreemealatalocalrestaurant.Isthatlegal?

Inorderfortheathletetomaintainhis/heramateurstanding,theathletecannotendorsethefooditemor therestaurant. Thevalueof thegiftcertificatemustapply toward the$500merchandiselimitallowedwithinacalendaryear.Q&A‐7: The local newspaper prints a special edition of the paper for each sports season withpicturesoftheathletes,schedules,highlightsoftheupcomingseason,etc.Thereisadvertisingfrommanyofthe localbusinessesaspartofthisspecialedition. IsthisaviolationofanyWIAArulesorregulations?

Articles that are congratulatory in nature are permitted. The trademarks associated with thebusinessmaybeincluded.Productreproductionsarenotpermitted.Q&A‐8: Iwillbe instructing,supervisingandofficiatingatasportscampthissummerandwillbepaidfortheseduties.Willbeingpaidaffectmyamateurstatus?

NO;youcaninstruct,superviseorofficiateforanyorganizedyouthsportsprogram,recreation,andplaygroundorcampactivitieswithoutjeopardizingyouramateurstatus.

 

18.25.0    USE OF ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES  Q&A‐1:Iwascaughtinpossessionofillegaldrugsatschool.IhavebeentoldthatIamineligiblefortheremainderofthesportsseason. Ihavecompletedthedrugandalcoholassessmentprocessandhavebeenattendingtheprescribedtreatmentsessions. IsthereanywayIcanregainmyeligibilitythisseason?

YES; your eligibility may be re‐instated for this violation for the current season based upon arecommendationfromyourschool,sinceyouarecurrentlyparticipatinginatreatmentprogramandfollowingtherecommendationsofthehealthcareprofessionals.Q&A‐2:Ihavehadadrugviolationinmiddleschoolandhaveagainbeeninvolvedinanotherdrugviolationatthehighschool. Aretheviolationscumulativeordotheyapplytothemiddlelevelandhighschoollevelsseparately?

Therepeatoffensesfortheuseof illegalsubstancesarespecifictothemiddle levelandhighschoollevel, thereby,making thisyour firsthigh schoolviolation,which is subject to local schooldistrictpoliciesthatmaybemorerestrictive.Q&A‐3: My school district has a 365 day or all year athletic code prohibiting the use of illegalsubstances forallathletes,butmy friendsataneighboringhighschoolhave indicatedtheirschoolathleticcodeisfortheseasononly.Whyaretheathleticcodesdifferent?

TheWIAA requires a school district to have an athletic code that covers the sports season ofparticipation.Schoolsandschooldistrictshavetherighttohavemorerestrictiveathleticcoderulesthatwouldcovertheentireschoolyearorthecalendaryear.

Q&A‐4:Doesapenaltyforviolationofuseofillegalsubstancescarryoverfromthemiddleschooltohighschool?

NO;thepenaltiesforuseofillegalsubstancesarespecifictothemiddlelevelandthehighschoollevelastheyrelatetothefirstviolation.

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Q&A‐5: Ihadanathleticcodeviolationatmyresidentschool. Ihavetransferredtoanewschool.WillIbesubjecttotheathleticcoderestrictionsofmyoldschool?

YES;astudentwhoisineligibleinamemberschoolmaynotbecomeimmediatelyeligibleatanothermemberschoolwithoutcompletingtheconditionsofineligibility.

18.26.0  HARDSHIP  Q&A‐1: MyschooldoesnotofferGermanasa foreign language. Iwillbe transferring toanotherschooldistrictinordertotakeGermanandotherAPclasses.WillIbeabletoplayvarsitysports?

NO;youwillhaveautomaticJVeligibilityforoneyearinthosesportsyouparticipatedinthepreviousyearifyoumeetallconditionsofathleticeligibility. Havingornothavinganacademicorathleticprogramisnotgroundsforhardshipbydefinition.Q&A‐2: Ibecamepregnant lastyearandmissedayearofathleticparticipation. Will Ibeabletoparticipateinmyfifthyear?

Inorder tobegrantedareplacementyear,youmustshow thatyouwereunable tocompletehighschoolinfourconsecutiveyearsasaresultofalong‐confiningillness,aninjuryorafamilyhardshipthatpreventedgraduationinfouryears.Q&A‐3: Our sonattendsour residentpublic school,but itdoesnothavea swimprogramandhewantstotransfertoaneighboringschooldistrictthathasaswimprogram.CanhegothroughtheEligibilityAppealProcesstogainathleticeligibility?

NO;bydefinition,havingornothavinganacademicorathleticprogramisnotgroundsforhardship.Note:Theonlywaytoparticipateinswimmingwouldbeforyourschooltoenterintoacombinedorcooperativeagreementwithaschoolthathasaswimprogram.

 18.27.0  EJECTION FROM CONTEST  

Q&A‐1: As theonly coachat thebaseballgame, Iwasejected forunsportsmanlike conduct. Theumpirecalled thegamebecause therewasnootheradultschoolrepresentativepresent toassumethecoachingduties.Wasthisthecorrectaction?

YES;when the coach is ejectedand thereareno otherauthorizedadult schooldistrictpersonnelpresenttosupervisetheteam,thecontestisterminatedandforfeituredeclared.Q&A‐2:Iwasejectedfromthebasketballgamebecauseofoffensivelanguagedirectedtowardstheofficial.Iwasupsetandwantedtoleavethegymandgetawayfromthegame.Mycoachrequiredmetostayontheteambench.Why?

Yourcoach isresponsible foryouuntilyoureturntoyourschoolafterthegameorarereleasedtoyourparentsbythecoach.Q&A‐3:IhadaplayerreceivehisfirstejectionfromthevarsityfootballgameonFridaynight.CanIplayhiminthejuniorvarsitygameonMondayandhavehimsitoutthenextvarsitygame?

NO;anyejectedplayerorcoachisineligibleforallcontestsuntilafterthenextschoolcontestinthatsportatthesamelevelofcompetitionfromwhichthepersonwasejected.Q&A‐4:Iamasenioronmysoccerteamandwasejectedinthepreviousvarsitygame.CanIsuit‐upandbeontheteambenchforthenextvarsitygame?

Onlystudentseligibletoplaymayappearintheschooluniform,butyoumaybeontheteamsidelineduringthesuspensionperiod.

MayIbeinthestandswatchingthegame?

YES;youmaybeinthestandsasaspectator.

MayIbeontheteambenchasamanagerandtakestatsforthisgame?

YES;anejectedstudentmaybeontheteambenchduringthesuspensionperiod.Q&A‐5: Ourwrestling coachwas ejected lastnight from the varsitymatch. Hewants to attendtonight’smatchsohecanscoutthevisitingteam.Dotherulespermitthis?

NO; any coach ejected cannot be involved in coaching to any degree and is not allowed into thefacilityduringthesuspensionperiod.Q&A‐6: My startinggoalkeeperwas ejected from the last soccergame of the season last spring.Whendoeshehavetositoutacontest?

If the athlete is unable to complete a suspension during the sports season inwhich the ejectionoccurred, the suspension shall be carried over into the participant’s succeeding season ofparticipation.

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Q&A‐7:Mysonwasejectedforthesecondtimeinlastnight’ssoccergame.Whatisthepenaltyforthesecondejection?

The second ejection in the same sport and season results in ineligibility for the remainder of theseason.Q&A‐8:Ilostmytemperatlastnight’sgameandphysicallyassaultedtheofficial.Iwasejectedandwillsitoutthenextgame.Willtherebeanyfurtherpenaltiesformyactions?

YES; the WIAA Executive Director has the authority to suspend an individual from furthercompetitionforaperiodnottoexceedone(1)calendaryear.Inaddition,theofficialinvolvedcouldbringlegalchargesagainstyouwiththelocallawenforcementauthorities.

 

19.1.0  APPEAL PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS Q&A:WherecanIfindtheWIAAEligibilityForms?

YoucanfindtheEligibilityformsthreeways:

1. On the WIAA Website at www.wiaa.com/publications/form/student eligibility and relatedissues/studenteligibilitypacket

2.Contacttheathleticdirectoratyourhighschool

3.CalltheWIAAOfficeat425‐687‐8585torequesttheforms 

19.7.0  ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE ‐ THE PETITION  Q&A:WheredoIsendthecompletedeligibilitypacket?

ThecompletedeligibilitypacketissenttoyourWIAADistrictEligibilityChairperson.Workwithyourathleticdirector incompletingtheeligibilitypacketandsendingor faxingthecompletedpackettoyourWIAADistrictEligibilityChairperson

 

19.8.0  ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE ‐ THE HEARING  Q&A:HowwillIbenotifiedofthedateandtimeofmyeligibilityhearing?

TheWIAADistrictEligibilityChairpersonwillnotifyyouofthedate,timeandplaceofyoureligibilityhearing.Yourathleticdirectorwillalsobeprovidedthehearinginformation.

 

19.9.0  ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE ‐ THE DECISION  Q&A:Iamverynervousaboutmyeligibilityhearing.Canyouexplainthehearingprocess?

YourhearingwillbewithaminimumofthreerepresentativesfromyourWIAADistrict. TheremaybemorethanthreemembersoftheEligibilityCommitteepresent.

Youshouldbepresent forthehearing,andyoucanbringanynumberofotherpeopletorepresentand support your appeal. The Eligibility Committee will review the eligibility packet you havesubmitted, and theywill then give you an opportunity to explain your unique circumstances andhardshipthathaveresultedinyourrequesttoappealyoureligibility. Therewillbeanopportunityforquestionsbyeveryonepresent.

Thehearingwillbetaperecorded,butallinformationatthehearingisconfidential.

Ahearingwill typically take15 to30minutesdependingupon the complexityof the informationinvolvedinyourappeal.Allinformationsharedduringthehearingisconfidential.

Youwillbenotifiedoftheresultsofyourappealfollowingyourhearing.Aletterwillbesentwithinfiveschoolbusinessdaysfollowingthedateofyourhearing.

 

19.10.0  EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/HEARING OFFICER ‐ APPEAL/NOTICE OF APPEAL  Q&A:IftheWIAADistrictEligibilityCommitteedeniesmyeligibilityappeal,doIhaveanyotherlevelofappeal?

YES: YoucanappealtotheWIAAHearingOfficer. YouwillbegivenappealprocedureinformationwithyourWIAADistrictEligibilityCommitteedecision.AnyappealtotheWIAAHearingOfficershallbebasedonallegederrorsfromtheWIAADistrictlevelhearingoradditionalrelevantevidencethatwasnotpresentedattheWIAADistrictEligibilityhearing.

 

19.13.0  APPEAL PROCESS FOR EJECTION FROM CONTEST  Q&A‐1:Thepitcheronoursoftballteamwasejectedfromtoday’sgame.Ididnotnotifytheumpireofmydesiretoappealuntilafterthegame.WhatistheappealprocessImustfollow?

Theschoolprincipalhasone(1)schoolbusinessdaytonotifytheWIAAstaffoftheappeal.

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Q&A‐2: Astheathleticdirector, Iwanttoappealtheejectionofmycoach fromyesterday’sgame.Thecoachnotified theofficialof the intent toappealat the timeof theejection. Iagreewithmycoachthattheofficialmadethewrongjudgmentcall.WhatistheappealprocessImustfollow?

Theprocessfortheappealofajudgmentcallthatledtoanejectionbyagameofficialisspelledoutintherule.

 

20.2.2  COACHING STIPENDS AND GIFTS TO COACHES  Q&A:Doesthe$500limitalsoapplyforacoachconductingclinicsand/ortrainingsessionsduringthesummer?

Yes, schoolboardapproval isrequired foranypaymentsand/orgifts toacoach inexcessof$500whileconductingcoachingdutiesoractivities, includinganyyearroundactivities,related toeachsporthe/shecoachesforthatschool. Thisincludespaymentbyaboosterclub,individual(s)orgroup(s)forcoachinginvolvementonbehalfoftheschool.