The South Carolina Independent School Athletic Association

Agreement For Participation 2020-21

1. Statement of Philosophy
   The primary purpose of school is education. The participation in athletics is a privilege for those students who are eligible according to rules and policies of The South Carolina Independent School Association.

2. Summary of The Code of Conduct:
   All fans, spectators, coaches, and student-athletes are encouraged to enthusiastically support his/her school and team. We all must realize that the athletic arena is an extension of the classroom. Valuable lessons other than winning and losing are taught. The safety and well-being of students, coaches, and officials is of utmost importance to us all. Athletic events shall be conducted in accordance with the policies, rules, and regulations of the South Carolina Independent School Association. Participants, coaches, and spectators shall at all times conduct themselves in a reasonable and sportsmanlike manner.

   A participant, coach or fan will be in violation of the Code of Conduct upon any one or more of the following actions:

   • By making any degrading remark about any fan, official, coach, or athlete during or after a game, either on or off the field/floor of play. School officials, coaches and players shall not criticize other schools, coaches, players or officials in the media or on social media.
   • By arguing with an official or going through motions indicating dislike or disdain for a decision.
   • By using any foul, abusive, inappropriate, or profane language at any time.
   • By entering the playing area or field to protest, question, or object to a call or play.
   • By hitting, shoving, grabbing or striking any official, coach, athlete or fan at any time (or attempting to do so).
   • By being ejected/removed from any contest.
   • By detaining an official following the contest to request a ruling or explanation. By following/chasing after the official after a game to express your displeasure or opinion with a call or result of a play or game.
   • By the use or display of alcohol, tobacco or an unauthorized drug.

   Violations of the Code of Conduct could result in a school, player or fan being fined, suspended or placed on probation. The school shall be notified of the action taken by SCISA and will be responsible for the enforcement of the action.

3. Warning of Inherent Risk/Dangers of Athletic Participation
   Participation in athletics includes the risk of injury which may range in severity from minor to disabling to even death. Although serious injures are not common in supervised programs, it is impossible to eliminate the risk. Participants can and do have a responsibility to help reduce the chance of injury. Participants must obey all safety rules, report all physical problems, follow guidelines for safe play and inspect his/her own equipment and report any problems.

   We understand that Participation in athletics and by attending public events (such as sporting events) includes possible exposure to an illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19.

4. Guardianship:
   A student must reside with his/her parent(s) to be eligible for athletic participation. Refer to the SCISA Blue Book for the complete guardianship requirements.

5. Summary of Student Eligibility Rules
   Eight Semester Rule: A student has Eight (8) Consecutive Semesters of eligibility from the time he/she first enters the ninth (9th) grade.

   Academic Requirements:
   

   - A student in grades 9-12 must take and pass at least four (4), one unit CORE courses or any five (5), one unit courses each grading period/semester. Students below the 9th grade must pass four (4) subjects each grading period/semester. A senior who has met or is meeting all requirements for graduation must pass four (4), one credit courses each marking period/semester. Note: a student must have earned at least four (4) core units or any five (5) units of credit to be declared eligible at the start of a school year. Also, credits or courses taken by the “Home School” method during the school year are not eligible for athletic eligibility determination.

   - Any student who did not receive credit for at least 50% (one-half) of all courses taken the previous school year cannot be declared eligible for athletic participation until the successful completion of the first semester.

   - A student who is academically ineligible to participate is also prohibited from practicing with the team until the time he/she is academically eligible to participate.

   Grade Level Requirements/Restrictions:
   Varsity Teams: Eligible students in grades 8-12 may participate on varsity teams in baseball, basketball, soccer, football, lacrosse and softball. Eligible students in grades 6-12 may participate on all other varsity teams. Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level and physical competitiveness of students below the 9th grade before permitting participation on any varsity team. Specialty sport programs may have additional restrictions.
   
   Junior Varsity Teams: Sport specific grade restrictions exists for junior varsity teams. Eligible students in grades 5-10 may participate on junior varsity teams in track, cross country, swimming, volleyball, golf, and tennis. Eligible students in grades 6-10 may participate on junior varsity teams in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, and wrestling.
   
   Junior Varsity Football: Eligible students in grades 6-9 may participate in junior varsity football. (*Agreement Exception)
   Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level and physical competitiveness ofstudents below the 9th grade before permitting participation on any junior varsity team.

   Grade Level Requirements/Restrictions:
   - B-Teams: Eligible students in the 5th-8th grades may participate on B-Teams in all sports except football.
   
   - B-Team Football: Eligible students in the 5th-7th grades may participate on B-Team football.
   
   Note: To address player safety, coaches and parents must carefully evaluate the skill level and physical competitiveness of students below the 6th grade before permitting participation on any B-Team.

   Age Requirements/Restrictions:Note: There are no exceptions to the age standards.

   • A student is INELIGIBLE to participate in athletics if his/her 19th birthday is before July 1, 2021.
   • Junior Varsity: In order to participate in junior varsity athletics a student must not have reached his/her sixteenth (16th) birthday before July 1, 2021.
   • B-Team: In order to participate in B-Team athletics a student must not have reached his/her fifteenth (15th) birthday before July 1, 2021. Exception: B-Team Football: In order to participate in B-Team football, a student must not have reached his/her fourteenth (14th) birthday before July 1, 2021.

   Transfer Rules:
   Member School-to-Member School Transfer.
   
   Sixty (60) Day Rule: A student who transfers after either having: A. attended one class during the school year or B. practices with team on or after the first official practice date must wait sixty (60) days to become eligible to participate (game or scrimmage).
   
   Note: This may be waived for a bono fide change in residence.
   
   Non-Member School-to-Member School Transfer.
   
   A student who transfers from a non-member school, if approved, must participate in ten (10) days of practice before he/she isallowed to participate in a game.
   
   Transfer Procedure
   
   - The student shall file a completed Transfer Form, including a statement detailing the reason for the transfer.
   Deadlines for Non-member-to-Member Transfers:
   
   Fall Sports: Enrolled and attending classes by September 15th - Winter Sports: January 9th (or the ends of the student’s 1st semester)
   

   All Second Semester transfers (member-to-member or non-member-to-member) are subjected to the Sixty Day Rule.
   
   The following additional policies are also in effect:
   
   - A transfer must have attended classes for thirty days prior to the start of the play-offs to be eligible to participate in the play-offs.
   
   - An academically eligible transfer student (school year transfer as defined above) must have been eligible to represent his/her former school under any school, student, or athletic policy that was in place when the student transferred or the student must wait for ninety (90) calendar days to become eligible. The Committee reserves the right to extend this period if conditions so warrant.
   
   - A student who transfers before the start of the school year (has not attended one class and has not practiced with the team on or after the first official practice date) and has met all eligibility standards is eligible for athletic participation.
   
   - The stated wait period for a transfer student shall begin on the first day the student attends a class.
   

   Medical Insurance Coverage Statement
   It is important for a parent to understand the school’s medical insurance coverage policy. SCISA requires that each school participate in the associational catastrophic plan which provides coverage in the event of a catastrophic injury.

   New Student / Transfer Student
   Any new student to your school or transfer student who plays a varsity sport must complete a New Student/Transfer Student Form (Parent Form and School form).

   Recruiting:
   A student must not have transferred as a result of recruiting or undue influence. Refer to SCISA Blue Book for clarification of
   recruiting.

   All-Star Participation: If selected, you also give permission for your son or daughter to participate in SCISA All-Star Games. You also agree not to hold the South Carolina Independent School Association, the host school or any of its agents, members, employees, or affiliate organizations responsible in the event of an accident or injury. By your allowing your son and daughter to participate you authorize any and all emergency medical treatment for the player named and understand that you will be responsible for any and all such cost.

Participant and Parent/Legal Guardian Permission

(student’s name) has my permission to participate in athletics. We have read and understand the philosophy of the SCISA, the Code of Conduct, and the Summary of Eligibility Rules. We understand that there are inherent risks in all athletics and that injuries do occur. The South Carolina Independent School Association may examine school records of the student whose name appears above in order to verify eligibility. I understand that this form is considered to be a binding contract. The student whose name appears above may only participate in athletics for the school named below. Transfer to another school after this form has been filed will subject the student to the Sixty Day Rule. I also agree not to hold the South Carolina Independent School association or any of its agents, members, employees or affiliate Organizations responsible in the event of an accident or injury. I further authorize any and all emergency medical treatment for the student named and will be responsible for any and all such cost while participating in a SCISA.

Name of School:
Date:

By placing your initials in this box, you are officially signing this form.
Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian:

Signature of Student: