CHSAA BYLAWS – PARENT

CHSAA Competitors Brochure - Parent & Student Information

Participation in educational athletics and activities is a privilege that is earned in the classroom as well as on the playing field, court and stage. The CHSAA encourages all students to engage and explore in sports and activities of their choosing to enhance and enrich their high school experience. Parents are also encouraged to contribute to this experience through their positive support and encouragement. Please remember that with that participation comes the accountability of earning the privilege to take part.

CHSAA requires that all information provided regarding any aspect of the eligibility of a student must be true, correct, accurate, complete and/or not false; penalty for providing false information is ineligibility and/or contest forfeitures. A student's participation in high school activities is dependent on his/her eligibility. Protect that eligibility. Read the following summary of Colorado High School Activities Association rules that govern a student’s participation. Students and parents alike need to review these rules and ask questions of their coaches/directors, athletic director and school administrators. (Bylaw 1800.54)

Please review the following information and acknowledge your understanding of the CHSAA Bylaws by signing at the end and submitting to your School’s Athletic Director. ( Bylaw 1710.1 & 1710.2)

The CHSAA

The Colorado High School Activities Association has been the governing body of high school athletics and activities (esports, speech, student council and music) in the state since 1921. CHSAA’s Code of Ethics is integral to its Mission and Vision. The student’s school is a voluntary member of the CHSAA and has agreed to follow its rules. Both your school and the Association believe in equal competition among schools and the close relationship between academics and activities.

I. Discrimination (300)

A student-participant will not participate in or condone unfair discriminatory practices against a fellow participant due to age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability, nor shall the student be discriminated against under the same criteria.

II. Hazing & Bullying (1710.2)

The Colorado High School Activities Association, in conjunction with its member school, prohibits bullying, hazing, intimidation or threats. Hazing includes humiliation tactics, forced social isolation, verbal or emotional abuse, forced or excessive consumption of food or liquids, or any activity that requires a student to engage in illegal activity. I understand that hazing of any type is not permitted in any CHSAA sanctioned activity. I will not engage in any of the prohibited conduct. I further understand that it is my responsibility to immediately report any acts of hazing that I become aware of to a sponsor, teacher, counselor, school support staff, coach or administrator in my school.

The CHSAA Rules of Participation

Academic (1710)

A school must select one of three options listed in our bylaws for determining the eligibility of all its students. The schools have the right to impose stricter standards.

Make-up Work (1740)

Each student must be academically eligible in accordance with the above section at the time of participation and during the previous semester. Make-up work shall not be permitted after the close of the semester for the purpose of becoming eligible. (Cases involving special circumstances should be referred to your principal.)

If eligibility has been lost from a previous semester, students may regain their athletic eligibility per the "Fall/Winter/Spring Regain Dates" Table in the Bylaws. Students who need to regain from the previous semester, and are not eligible on that regain date are not eligible to participate in a game or scrimmage for the remainder of that particular season.

Summer school credits accepted by the school may be used to replace credits In subjects failed during previous semesters as long as the course is completed by the Monday of Week 9.

Dropping a class may make you ineligible. If you play while ineligible, you may cause your team to forfeit any contests in which you played.

Citizenship (1700)

The school principal must approve the student to be a representative of the school's standards of citizenship, conduct and sportsmanship.

Conduct - Ejections (2200)

if a student is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct, he/she will be ineligible for the next scheduled match or contest played at that level including qualifying and state contests. The student may not participate In any contests at any other level during this period. For the season, the student will be permitted to compete in one fewer contest than the maximum allowed each participant in the sport.

A second ejection during the season shall result in a 2-contest suspension. A third ejection will result in a review of the student's future eligibility by the CHSAA Commissioner.

If a student is ejected in the final contest of a season, he/she is ineligible for the first contest of the next sport in which he/she competes and completes the season. Players leaving the bench during a fight shall be ejected and Ineligible for the next contest.

CHSAA BYLAWS - PARENT & STUDENT INFORMATION

Outside Competition (2100.2)

As a member of any high school team, a student may practice or compete in that sport during that sport season in a non-school event with prior written permission of the principal.

Members of high school teams may compete in non-school events in that sport without written permission on the day following the completion of the season for the level (freshman, sophomore, junior varsity, varsity) of the team on which they are competing. NOTE: A student becomes subject to the outside competition rule on or after the first date of formal practice, when he or she reports out for practice and is in contention for a berth on the team.

- Sports Specialized Training (1850)

A student who attends or transfer to a specialized sports training facility or competes with a program sponsored by a specialized sports training facility is ineligible for concurrent varsity interscholastic competition at a CHSAA member school in the sport sponsored by that facility. A "specialized sports training facility" is a non-school program or organization intended to develop elite athletes through extended practice, training, competition, and travel programs. These facilities provide specialized sports competitive teams or rosters composed of high school athletes from diverse locations and residences, with the purpose of maximizing their sports training and competition opportunities. Specialized sports training facilities are not eligible to be members of the CHSAA and operate outside of the recognized programs of CHSAA member schools. The facility's practice, training, competition, and/or travel programs exceed the opportunties of education-based CHSAA member school programs. These facilities do not typically offer a high school academic curriculum, but enroll their athletes in on-line school curricula. (Please see the bylaws for specific examples)

Undergraduate (1710)

A student may not be a graduate of any high school and participate in high school athletics.

Recruiting (1900)

Any recruiting based on athletic ability or interest is prohibited.

Age (1770.1)

A student's 19th birthday must fall on or after August 1 of the current school year. Exceptions to this rule, based on educational handicaps, may be requested, provided the student's original dass has not graduated.

Semesters (1770.2)

Upon entering high school, a student's eligibility will continue only until his/her original class graduates. Once entering ninth grade, a student has eight consecutive semesters of eligibility. NOTE: If a student drops out of school or misses competition due to an injury, he/she will not receive additional eligibility.

Seasons (1770.6)

A student is allowed a maximum of 4 seasons in any sport.

Physical Exam (1780)

A student may not practice or compete (music, student council and speech participants are exempt) without a physical exam that is:

• Signed by an MD, DO, chiropractor who is school physical certified (DC, SPC), nurse practitioner or physician's assistant licensed by the State of Colorado.

• Current within the last 12 months.

• On file with principal or athletic director prior to first practice.

Practice (2310)

A total of 3 different days of practice is required before participating in any interscholastic game or scrimmage (except football which needs 9 days). OTHER EXCEPTIONS: (A) Golf, skiing, softball and tennis players. (B) Participants in state playoff games completed on or after the first day of formal practice.

** No contact between a coach and player is allowed on Sundays during the competitive season unless it is for a social, academic or service related activity that is strictly voluntary. A student cannot be required to practice or compete outside of the season as a condition of making the team.

Transfer Rule (1800)

The CHSAA supports school choice in academic pursuits and encourages its student participants to enhance their academic achievement. In concert with this approach, the Association's philosophy addresses the establishment of a fair playing field for all student athletes. A student entering high school for the first time shall be eligible for all interscholastic athletic competition.

- Varsity Eligibility (1800.1)

A student who establishes his/her eligibility at a member school and subsequently transfers, will be ineligible for varsity competition for 365 days from the date of their last participation (in an interscholastic practice, scrimmage, contest or foundation game), in the sports they participated in during the last 365 days.

Any transfer substantially motivated by athletic considerations will cause the student to be ineligible for varsity competition for 365 days from the date of the transfer in any sports(s) they participated in during the last 365 days.

- Athletic Transfer (1800.4)

Any transfer substantially motivated by athletic considerations will cause the student to be ineligible for varsity competition for 365 days from the date of last participation (in an interscholastic practice, scrimmage, contest or foundation game) in any sports(s) they participated in during the last 365 days. This includes transferring with a club coach or previous coach. Student-athlete will be subvarsity only in the sport associated with the club coach transfer.

- Return to Original School (1800.43)

A student who participates in a sport (practice, scrimmage, contest, foundation games) at School A and subsequently transfer to School B and participates in any sport at School B, will be sub-varsity eligible only upon their return to School A in any sports they have participated in during the last 365 days at either School A or School B. NOTE: Participation is defined as an interscholastic practice, contest, scrimmage, or foundation game.

General Transfer Information

It is the parent’s and student’s responsibility to know the CHSAA Transfer Rule and how it affects the student’s eligibility. The CHSAA Commissioner may grant exceptions to this rule in unusual cases. Only schools may submit a waiver. If a waiver of the transfer rule is requested, the student is not eligible until the waiver is approved by the CHSAA Commissioner.

Any waiver submitted that contains legal guardian references must have the appropriate court signed legal documentation of that guardianship before the waiver will be considered. Parents should review all situations with the school administration.

Awards (2010)

Individuals participating in any interscholastic athletic/activity sponsored and/or approved by the Association shall not accept cash or merchandise awards. Awards must be symbolic in nature with no functional or intrinsic value with a cost of no more than $100.00.

Amateur (2000)

If a student participates in a CHSAA approved sport, in other than CHSAA competition, his/her amateur status is determined by the rules of the amateur governing body of that sport. Amateur status of Colorado high school athletes applies only to sports sanctioned by the CHSAA.

Checklist for Student Eligibility

If a student cannot check any of the below items, he/she needs to contact the school's athletic director.

Enrolled in at least 5 full credit classes (2.5 Academic Units).

Will abide by the rules as outlined and/or defined by school’s academic plan.

Physical exam within the last calendar year.

Parent permit form on file at the school.

Have not changed schools during the current school year without a corresponding move by parents.

Will not or have not turned 19 before August 1.

Has not been in high school longer than 8 consecutive semesters.

Will not play more than 4 seasons in any sport.

Will not compete or practice in any non-school events in my sport once reporting out for the team, without the permission of my principal.

Has complied with all other school, district, and local eligibility requirements.

Agreement & Understanding by Parent & Student

I have read and understand the CHSAA Eligibility Rules as documented here as well as specifically read in the CHSAA Bylaws. I understand and acknowledge the inherent risks of participating in Athletics & Activities, and by signing this acknowledgement, I affirm my responsibility to prevent and report bullying and hazing. I also understand that any violation of this could result in school or team consequences that could include dismissal from the activity or further disciplinary consequences and/or referral to law enforcement.

The CHSAA retains athletic trainers for all Championship events. By signing below, you agree to allow CHSAA’s on-site athletic trainer to administer medical attention as needed and to communicate follow-up care to your student-athlete, school coaches, school athletic trainers and/or parents.

The CHSAA reserves the right to reproduce and use for promotions any pictures taken during CHSAA playoff games. By participating in CHSAA events, you consent to the photographing and grant CHSAA an unrestricted, perpetual, non-exclusive and sublicensable license, to take, use, display, perform, or distribute for any lawful and commercial purpose.