Sportsmanship Policy

The University of Arkansas’s Intramural/Recreational Sports Program places an emphasis on developing positive sportsmanship attitudes. Teams and individuals must be able to accept defeat and not place blame elsewhere. Teams are ultimately responsible for the individuals affiliated with their team and the actions that those individuals take part in. This responsibility exists before, during and after all Intramural events.

Unsportsmanlike conduct may be all of the following, but is not limited to:

Any individuals addressing a staff member or official in an unsportsmanlike or discourteous manner may immediately be disqualified and ejected from the game/event. A second ejection or incident deemed as more severe may result in disqualification from that sport for the remainder of the season or the entire academic year.
Team members, managers, spectators, or coaches displaying unsportsmanlike or disruptive behavior will be ejected from the game. Forfeiture of a contest may occur without warning team captains or individuals.
Shoving/striking a staff member or official shall result in suspension from all Intramural/Recreational Sports activities for the remainder of the school year, or the next academic year in some instances. An attempt to shove or strike regardless of contact will be treated in the same manner.
Involvement in a fight will result in suspension from the Intramural Sports Program until reinstatement by the Associate Director of Intramural Sports. All involved in a fight will be treated the same regardless of purpose for fighting. The most severe cases may be subject to further actions.
Team members and/or spectators who leave benches/viewing area to participate in any isolated alteration will be immediately ejected from the game/event.
Physical or verbal behavior that threatens officials, supervisors, or participants will result in indefinite suspension.
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are not permitted on or around the playing area. Any person who appears to have been drinking, or under the influence of drugs will be asked to leave the premises. The official(s) assigned to the game or any staff member has the authority to make a decision.
Any person/team that willfully causes damage to equipment or playing area shall assume responsibility for the full cost of repairs or replacement, and is subject to suspension from Intramural/Recreational Sports Programs.
Any individual playing on more than one team in any intramural activity will be suspended indefinitely from all intramural competition.

Sportsmanship Rating --- After each competition, teams will be assigned a sportsmanship rating by the game officials and/or sport monitor using the scale below. Teams must maintain a 2.5 sportsmanship rating for the season to be eligible for the playoffs. Any team that receives a rating of Abusive – 1, will receive a notice from the IMRS office indicating that another unacceptable rating received during the same sports season will result in the team being automatically dropped from further competition.

Excellent-4	Good-3	Poor-2	Abusive-1
This team did not cause any problems before, during, or after the game.	This team caused minimal problems. The nature of the team's behavior was overall acceptable	Team argued several calls, used inappropriate boy language and/or used unreasonable comments and conduct, etc.	This team's behavior was completely inappropriate. They received unsporting fouls, used foul language, and/or were involved in a physical altercation.