Chapter 03. Interscholastic Athletics in the State
Regulation .01 Authorization.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The following regulations have been established by the State Superintendent of Schools to govern the athletic program for all high school students in Maryland public secondary schools which are members of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA).
B.
Local school systems may adopt rules governing their athletic programs that are more restrictive than those of the MPSSAA. Less restrictive rules may not be adopted.
Regulation .02 Eligibility.LinkCopy Citation
Student eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics at the high school level shall be based on the following criteria:
A.
Students shall be officially registered and attending the member MPSSAA school they are authorized to attend under regulations of the local school system. They may represent only the school in which they are registered and at which it is anticipated they will complete their graduation requirements.
B.
Each local school system shall establish standards of participation which assure that students involved in interscholastic athletics are making satisfactory progress toward graduation.
C.
Students who are 19 years old or older as of August 31 are ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics.
D.
Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 may participate in interscholastic athletic contests for a maximum of four seasons in any one sport.
E.
Middle, intermediate, or junior high school students are not eligible to compete or practice with high school teams. However, ninth grade public school students who reside in the attendance area of a high school organized grades 10—12 may participate in the interscholastic athletic program of that high school.
F.
Students shall maintain amateur status as defined by Regulation .10 of this chapter.
G.
Students, while participating on a school team, are permitted to participate on sports teams outside of school during the high school sport's season. This participation shall meet the following criteria:
(1)
The outside participation may not conflict with the practice or contests schedule of the school including district, regional, and State championship play unless prior written approval has been obtained from the school principal and coach;
(2)
Students who elect to participate on an outside team and do not participate and practice with the school team throughout the designated sport's season are ineligible to represent the school in all contests that determine a county, district, regional, or State championship during that sport season.
H.
Students shall present to their high school principal a certificate of permission to participate signed by their parent or parents, or guardian or guardians.
I.
Students shall be examined and certified to the high school principal as being physically fit to participate in any try-out, practice, or contest of a school team. The examination shall be performed by a licensed physician, certified physician assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician, or certified nurse practitioner.
J.
Students legally transferred to another school may participate. “Legally transferred” means a change of residence or a transfer from one school to another by action approved by the local superintendent of schools.
K.
Graduates.
(1)
Graduates of high schools are not eligible to practice with or participate on interscholastic sports teams. However, they may participate in the remaining athletic contests of that semester.
(2)
Students are considered graduates when they have completed the work required for graduation and are declared graduates by the local board of education.
Regulation .03 Sports Season.LinkCopy Citation
Member MPSSAA schools shall conduct all interscholastic athletic contests and practice sessions in accordance with the following:
A.
The sports seasons shall be defined as follows:
(1)
“Fall” means the 6th Wednesday following the first Sunday of July, until the final date of the local, conference, district, regional, or State tournament.
(2)
“Winter” means November 15th until the final date of the local, conference, district, regional, or State tournament.
(3)
“Spring” means March 1st until the final date of the local, conference, district, regional, or State tournament.
(4)
When November 15th or March 1st falls on Sunday, practice will start the preceding Saturday.
(5)
Sanctioned Events. Local school systems may approve the participation of member schools to practice and compete in sanctioned National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and MPSSAA events outside the defined sport season.
(6)
Required Practice. A member MPSSAA school may not participate in a regularly scheduled game until at least 20 calendar days have elapsed after and including the first day of practice. Golf is the only exception to this regulation.
B.
Maximum Number of Contests Permitted During a Sports Season.
(1)
All school athletic schedules shall be established according to the following instructions:
(a)
Badminton:
(i)
15 regular season games;
(ii)
Not more than two matches per week; and
(iii)
Three matches in one week may be scheduled twice during the season.
(b)
Baseball:
(i)
18 regular season games or 20 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than three games per week;
(iii)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two or three-game tournament;
(iv)
If a team elects to play in a designated optional three-game tournament, only 17 regular season games may be scheduled; and
(v)
If a team elects to play in the designated optional two or three-game tournament, a fourth game may be played during that week.
(c)
Basketball:
(i)
20 regular season games or 22 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than two games per week;
(iii)
Three games in one week may be scheduled twice during the season;
(iv)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two or three-game tournament; and
(v)
If a team elects to play in a designated optional three-game tournament, only 19 regular season games may be scheduled.
(d)
Cross Country:
(i)
10 regular season meets;
(ii)
Not more than two meets per week; and
(iii)
Three meets in one week may be scheduled once during the season.
(e)
Field Hockey:
(i)
12 regular season games or 14 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than two games per week;
(iii)
Three games in one week may be scheduled twice during the season;
(iv)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two or three-game tournament; and
(v)
If a team elects to play in a designated optional three-game tournament, only 11 regular season games may be scheduled.
(f)
Football:
(i)
10 regular season games; and
(ii)
Not more than one game per week.
(g)
Golf:
(i)
12 regular season matches; and
(ii)
Not more than three matches per week.
(h)
Gymnastics:
(i)
8 regular season meets;
(ii)
Not more than two meets per week; and
(iii)
Meets may not be held on consecutive days.
(i)
Indoor Track:
(i)
10 regular season meets;
(ii)
Not more than two meets per week; and
(iii)
Three meets in one week may be scheduled once during the season.
(j)
Lacrosse:
(i)
12 regular season games or 14 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than two games per week;
(iii)
Three games in one week may be scheduled twice during the season; and
(iv)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two-game tournament.
(k)
Outdoor Track:
(i)
10 regular season meets;
(ii)
Not more than two meets per week; and
(iii)
Three meets in one week may be scheduled once during the season.
(l)
Soccer:
(i)
12 regular season games or 14 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than two games per week;
(iii)
Three games in one week may be scheduled twice during the season;
(iv)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two or three-game tournament; and
(v)
If a team elects to play in a designated optional three-game tournament, only 11 regular season games may be scheduled.
(m)
Softball:
(i)
18 regular season games or 20 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than three games per week;
(iii)
A team may elect to play in one designated optional two or three-game tournament;
(iv)
If a team elects to play in a designated optional three-game tournament, only 17 regular season games may be scheduled; and
(v)
If a team elects to play in the designated optional two or three-game tournament, a fourth game may be played during that week.
(n)
Swimming:
(i)
12 regular season meets;
(ii)
Not more than two meets per week; and
(iii)
Three meets in 1 week may be scheduled once during the season.
(o)
Tennis:
(i)
18 regular season matches; and
(ii)
Not more than three matches per week.
(p)
Volleyball:
(i)
15 regular season matches or 14 with designated optional tournament;
(ii)
Not more than two matches per week;
(iii)
Three matches in one week may be scheduled twice during the season;
(iv)
A team may elect to play tri-matches provided the total number of opponents does not exceed 15 during the season; and
(v)
Teams may play 14 matches plus one designated optional multi-team tournament.
(q)
Wrestling:
(i)
14 regular season contests including dual meets and a maximum of three tournaments and three tri-meets;
(ii)
Not more than two contests per week including a maximum of one tournament;
(iii)
Multi-team events may be used to make up postponed contests between teams originally scheduled;
(iv)
Three contests may be scheduled one time during the season on a nontournament week;
(v)
A city/county/conference tournament required to qualify for the state tournament will not be counted as one of the three allowed tournaments; and
(vi)
Wrestling tournaments and meets are defined by Regulation .04D(3) and (4) of this chapter.
(2)
Conference/League Championships. One additional contest beyond the maximum allowable number may be played to determine a conference/league championship. The results of that contest may not count towards MPSSAA standings.
(3)
Postponed Games. Postponed contests may be rescheduled during the season, provided the number of games does not exceed the maximum number permitted in a week plus one additional contest.
Regulation .04 Operational Guidelines.LinkCopy Citation
The regulations given below are established for all MPSSAA interscholastic sports:
A.
Equal Opportunity for Participation.
(1)
Students may not be excluded on the basis of sex from overall equal opportunity to participate in athletic programs. If a school sponsors a team in a particular sport for members of one sex but sponsors no such team for members of the opposite sex, and before July 1, 1975, overall opportunities for members of the excluded sex have been limited, the excluded sex shall be allowed to try out for the team.
(2)
Athletics Equity for Students with Disabilities.
(a)
Students who meet the eligibility requirements of Regulation .02 of this chapter may not be excluded on the basis of disability from the opportunity to try out for and if selected, participate in mainstream interscholastic athletic programs.
(b)
Member MPSSAA schools shall provide reasonable accommodations necessary to provide students with disabilities with equal opportunities to participate to the fullest extent possible in mainstream athletic programs.
(c)
Students with disabilities who meet the eligibility requirements of Regulation .02 of this chapter may be excluded from mainstream athletic programs if inclusion:
(i)
Presents an objective safety risk to the student or others based on an individualized assessment of the student; or
(ii)
Fundamentally alters the nature of the school's mainstream athletic program.
B.
MPSSAA Coaching Eligibility.
(1)
Member MPSSAA schools shall employ as coaches:
(a)
Teachers or certificated professional educators employed by the local Board of Education.
(b)
Persons certifiable as professional educators by the State Department of Education according to 13A.12.01.
(c)
Credentialed coaches who meet the following requirements:
(i)
Are eligible to hold a Maryland certificate under COMAR 13A.12.01.03D;
(ii)
Possess a MPSSAA/MSDE Coaching Certification;
(iii)
Have completed 2 years of successful coaching as an emergency coach; and
(iv)
Have spent the previous 1 year as a successful emergency coach at the school of hire in the position of hire.
(2)
If no acceptable and qualified coaches are available from the teachers or certifiable professional educators employed by the local board of education, temporary emergency coach may be employed if the following procedures are followed:
(a)
The person shall be officially appointed by the local superintendent of schools on a one-season basis for a specific coaching assignment;
(b)
The coaching salary of the appointed coach shall be paid exclusively by the local school system;
(c)
After July 1, 2010, an emergency coach is required to possess an MPSSAA/MSDE coach certification prior to the start of his or her fourth year as an emergency coach;
(d)
Teams having more than one coach, emergency coaches may not comprise more than 50 percent of that sport staff;
(e)
The emergency coach shall be at least 21 years old and possess a high school diploma.
(3)
All coaches shall have completed or be enrolled in a one-credit course in the prevention and care of athletic injuries.
(4)
Member MPSSAA schools may permit volunteer athletic coaches to assist their coaching staff. The volunteer coaches may not serve as head coaches at any level and shall work only under the direction of the head coach. The volunteer coach may be used if the following procedures are followed:
(a)
The volunteer coach is at least 21 years old and possesses a high school diploma or equivalent;
(b)
The volunteer coach shall have completed or be enrolled in a one-credit course in the prevention and care of athletic injuries;
(c)
The volunteer coach shall be formally appointed on a 1-season basis for a specific coaching assignment.
C.
Limits of Participation.
(1)
Each local school system and state tournament committee shall establish guidelines that ensure a minimum loss of instructional time for coaches and students involved in interscholastic athletic contests.
(2)
Students who participate on both varsity and junior varsity teams may not play in a number of contests that exceed the maximum number allowed for that sport in a week or season. Students may not compete on both a varsity and junior varsity level against the same school on the same day.
(3)
Except as set forth in Regulation .03 of this chapter, school athletic teams may not participate in any contests representing their school.
(4)
Member MPSSAA schools may not play or practice on Sundays.
(5)
Individual students may participate in all-star games and events, upon completion of their eligibility in the sport in which this participation occurs.
(6)
Member MPSSAA schools shall practice with or play against only high school teams as defined in §H of this regulation.
(7)
Individual students or teams representing a member MPSSAA school shall participate only in games, meets, or tournaments which are conducted by appropriate educational institutions.
(8)
Member MPSSAA schools may not enter competition preliminary to a college or professional game.
(9)
A varsity or junior varsity team member of the previous season may not participate in interscholastic competition and in intramurals or school sponsored athletic programs in the same sport outside the sport season.
D.
Policies Pertaining to Wrestling.
(1)
Students shall have their minimum weight class in which they can wrestle certified by a qualified physician before the students' first match.
(2)
Students may not wrestle below the minimum weight class established for them at the time of certification.
(3)
A wrestling meet is a contest involving two or three schools.
(4)
A wrestling tournament is a contest involving four or more schools.
E.
Out-of-Season Practice.
(1)
Member MPSSAA schools and coaches of member schools shall confine school practices to:
(a)
The seasonal limitations as defined in Regulation .03 of this chapter; or
(b)
Approved local school system sponsored camps.
(2)
A coach may not coach a team representing the coach’s school beyond the defined competition opportunities designated in Regulation .03 of this chapter unless during approved local school system sponsored summer camps.
F.
Sports Officials. Schools involved in interscholastic contests shall use only those officials certified by MPSSAA. Only qualified officials shall be used in all sports when MPSSAA certified officials are not available.
G.
Summer Camps.
(1)
Students may attend a summer sports camp of their choice.
(2)
Students and member schools may participate in summer camps that are sponsored by the local school system.
(3)
MPSSAA member schools and coaches may not require school personnel or students to participate in a summer camp.
(4)
Participation in summer camps is strictly voluntary and does not have any bearing on seasonal participation.
(5)
It is a violation of the out-of-season practice rule established in Regulation .03 of this chapter for coaches of member MPSSAA schools, while affiliated with a camp that is not sponsored by the local school system, to conduct any form of team or group practice involving their school.
(6)
A member MPSSAA school may not provide school uniforms or equipment for students who attend a camp outside of the defined sports season in Regulation .03 of this chapter.
H.
Competitors.
(1)
Member MPSSAA schools shall only practice with or play against high school teams that:
(a)
Ensure fair competition, athlete safety, and appropriate supervision by a responsible entity;
(b)
Maintain athletics as an integral part of the total educational program;
(c)
Promote academic progress;
(d)
Develop leadership; and
(e)
Deter exploitation of students.
(2)
High school teams that meet these purposes include high school teams that:
(a)
Are members of a state interscholastic athletic association recognized by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS);
(b)
Have been approved to play members of a state interscholastic athletic association recognized by the NFHS;
(c)
Are members of an athletic conference that:
(i)
Formally adopts the standards of competition as established by the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools as part of its constitution and bylaws; and
(ii)
Has enforcement authority; or
(d)
Represent a school that verifies compliance with standards of competition as established by the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools.
(3)
To verify compliance under §H(2)(d) of this regulation, the administrative head of the school who is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the school shall:
(a)
Sign the verification provided by the Maryland State Department of Education; and
(b)
Submit the verification for approval to the State Superintendent of Schools annually before the first practice or athletic competition against a member MPSSAA school team.
Regulation .05 Violations, Penalties, and Appeals.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Failure to comply with these regulations shall constitute a violation which will result in the following penalties against the member MPSSAA school and either the student or the coach, or both. Depending upon the severity of the violation, more than one penalty may be imposed against the member MPSSAA school, student, or coach, or all of the above. Penalties shall be imposed in the order listed below:
(1)
Against a member MPSSAA school:
(a)
First — Declare forfeit of all games in which the violation occurred.
(b)
Second — Declare the member MPSSAA school ineligible for championship honors for the current school year in the sport in which the violation occurred.
(c)
Third — Declare the member MPSSAA school on probation for one school year which shall render the school ineligible to compete in any approved State meet or tournament for that year.
(d)
Fourth — Impose additional penalties as may seem justified in the particular case considered.
(2)
Against a student:
(a)
First — Declare the student to be ineligible for the next 60 school days following the date the student was found to be in violation. These 60 school days will carry over into the next school year if the violation occurs during the second semester.
(b)
Second — Declare the student to be ineligible to compete in the sport in which the violation occurred during the subsequent season.
(c)
Third — Impose additional penalties as may seem justified in the particular case considered.
(3)
Against a coach:
(a)
First — Censure.
(b)
Second — Declare the coach ineligible to coach a team for the current school year in the sport in which the violation occurred.
(c)
Third — Declare the coach ineligible to coach a team in any sport for the current year.
(d)
Fourth — Impose additional penalties as may seem justified in the particular case considered.
B.
Procedure.
(1)
First — Any member MPSSAA school, student, or coach shall notify the local supervisor of interscholastic athletics and the MPSSAA Executive Director of the alleged violation.
(2)
Second — The superintendent or the superintendent's designee of the local school system in which the school allegedly in violation is located shall convene a hearing within 5 school days.
(3)
Third — If the superintendent or the superintendent's designee of the local school system in which the school allegedly in violation is located concludes that a violation has occurred, a penalty shall be imposed in accordance with this regulation.
(4)
Fourth — A report of the hearing and decision in the local school system shall be forwarded to the Executive Director of the MPSSAA.
(5)
Fifth — The MPSSAA Executive Director, in consultation with the appropriate committees, or the Executive Council of the MPSSAA, shall review the report of the local hearing and decision in the local school system. The MPSSAA Executive Director shall either accept the penalty imposed or modify the penalty in accordance with this regulation.
C.
Penalties imposed by local school systems for violations of local school system rules adopted in accordance with Regulations .01B and .02B shall be uniform with the penalties designated in Regulation .05A of this chapter.
D.
Appeals.
(1)
A member MPSSAA school, student, or coach may appeal the imposed penalty within 30 days and request a hearing before the Appeals Committee of MPSSAA.
(2)
The Appeals Committee of the MPSSAA serves in a quasi-judicial capacity.
(3)
The membership of the MPSSAA Appeals Committee shall include one representative from each district in the Association and a representative from the Association of Secondary School Principals. Five members will constitute a quorum.
(4)
The MPSSAA Executive Director shall notify the Appeals Committee of the hearing and establish a date, time, and hearing site. The appealing school, student, or coach, or all of the above, shall be notified of the date, site, and time of the hearing.
(5)
The MPSSAA Executive Director or the Executive Director's designee shall present the case to the Appeals Committee on behalf of the MPSSAA.
(6)
The principal of the involved school, the student, or coach, or all of the above, shall present grounds for appeal. If appropriate, the local school system's supervisor of interscholastic athletics involved in the appeal may present the case.
(7)
The MPSSAA Appeals Committee shall convene in closed session and vote to deny or uphold the appeal or modify the penalty. A majority vote is required to deny or uphold an appeal or modify the penalty.
(8)
The MPSSAA Appeals Committee shall report its findings to the concerned parties.
(9)
Any party aggrieved by the MPSSAA Appeals Committee decision may appeal the decision to the State Superintendent of Schools within 30 days after receipt of the Appeals Committee decision. The State Superintendent of Schools, upon examination of the facts, may, in his or her discretion, allow the appeal and appoint a special committee of three local superintendents of schools to hear the appeal. The committee of superintendents may deny or uphold the appeal or modify the penalty.
(10)
Unless otherwise ordered by the State Superintendent of Schools, the application for appeal to the State Superintendent of Schools may not stay the enforcement of the MPSSAA Appeals Committee decision, or excuse the person affected thereby from complying with its terms.
(11)
The decision of the committee of local superintendents of schools is final.
(12)
A member of the MPSSAA Appeals Committee or the committee of local superintendents of schools may not hear an appeal if that member has offered advice, made a recommendation, rendered a decision, or in any other way participated in the case being appealed.
Regulation .06 Classification.LinkCopy Citation
A.
For the purpose of parity in competition in meets and tournaments administered by the MPSSAA, member schools shall be divided into classifications based on enrollment. If, in this calculation, two or more schools with equal enrollments fall between two classifications, they shall be placed in the lower classification.
B.
The local superintendent of schools shall submit to the MPSSAA Executive Director a report on the actual school enrollment of students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 in each of the member MPSSAA schools as of September 30, in each even-numbered year. The MPSSAA Executive Director and Classification Committee shall present a recommendation for classification of member schools for each MPSSAA-administered sport to the MPSSAA Board of Control for adoption. Classification shall be determined every 2 years based on the September 30 enrollment of the previous year.
C.
When the MPSSAA Board of Control adopts classifications for member schools, the classifications shall remain in effect for the next 2 school years.
D.
A new member MPSSAA school that opens or a member school whose enrollment is significantly changed by growth or consolidation during the two-year period shall be placed in the proper classification by the Classification Committee. “Significantly changed” means a decrease or an increase in enrollment of more than 25 percent. This new placement shall affect only the involved school and may not affect the classification of other member schools.
E.
When a member MPSSAA school does not have all three grades included in the enrollment figures upon which the classification is based in the even-numbered year, but will have all three grades in the following odd-numbered year when classification becomes effective, the enrollment figure shall include the existing grades and average of the current class sizes applied to each projected grade.
Regulation .07 State Tournament Policies.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The MPSSAA games or tournament committees representing all of the districts shall administer and supervise tournaments in the various sports at the district, regional, and State level.
B.
All participating schools shall abide by the rules established by each MPSSAA tournament committee.
C.
Although certain aspects of a tournament may vary from year to year, the following basic policies shall be observed by all tournament committees:
(1)
The tournament may not interfere with local board of education policy.
(2)
A member MPSSAA school or local school system may decide whether or not to participate in the tournament.
(3)
A member MPSSAA school shall compete in its classification when the tournament is so structured.
(4)
Certified and approved officials' organizations shall be assigned games in a fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory manner.
(5)
All awards and recognition shall conform to Regulation .08 of this chapter.
(6)
MPSSAA tournament committees shall make every effort to establish game sites to avoid extensive travel for participating teams.
(7)
All policy and procedure changes for State tournaments shall be subject to the approval of the MPSSAA Executive Council with the Association Tournament Committee serving in an advisory capacity. Emergency decisions on tournament policies and procedures may be made by the MPSSAA Executive Director.
(8)
When a student is found ineligible during the progress of a tournament, the contest last played shall be forfeited, and the team which was defeated shall take its place.
(9)
“All-star teams” or best “individual athlete” awards may not be selected from approved tournaments.
(10)
Sports at the State tournament level shall be governed by approved game rules.
(11)
If a team or any students participating in a State tournament contest leaves the field of competition before completion of a contest, or fails to continue play when eligible to do so, or is guilty of misconduct detrimental to the tournament, then the team, coach, or students may be suspended from further participation in the current tournament, and from the same tournament in the succeeding year, upon the determination of the tournament committee and the Executive Director.
(12)
The rules of the MPSSAA do not provide authority to order games replayed. Protests arising from decisions and interpretations by officials during the game will not be considered. Officials' decisions and interpretations are final.
D.
Expansion of any sport to the State level shall be recommended by the State Board of Control of the MPSSAA and approved by the State Superintendent of Schools after consultation with local superintendents of schools.
E.
Tournament rules and procedures established by the MPSSAA may be appealed on behalf of a student, coach, or school by a local superintendent of schools to the State Superintendent of Schools. The appeal shall be adjudicated by a committee of three local superintendents of schools appointed by the State Superintendent of Schools. The decision of the committee shall be final.
Regulation .08 Awards and Recognition.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Awards may be made as follows:
(1)
A school, school related, or nonprofit group may purchase and present to a student for athletic achievement a school insignia, medal, pin, or similar article;
(2)
Awards from outside the school may be given to individual athletes or school teams provided the awards are approved by the local superintendent, meet MPSSAA guidelines, and the presentation is made at a school-approved function.
B.
Recognition of student athletes and teams, other than through awards, shall be limited to appreciation banquets approved by the local superintendent.
Regulation .09 Sanction Rules.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Students or teams representing a member MPSSAA school shall participate only in contests conducted by educationally related organizations.
B.
Member MPSSAA schools may not compete in any contest in any other state if either school's participation violates the regulations or established policies of either state's high school interscholastic athletic authority.
C.
Sanctioning Guidelines.
(1)
Sanctioning for Interstate Competition.
(a)
Member MPSSAA schools may not compete in any of the following contests unless the contest has been sanctioned by each of the interested state authorities through the NFHS:
(i)
Any interstate meet in which four or more schools participate;
(ii)
Any competition involving schools from three or more state athletic associations;
(iii)
Any interstate two school contest which is not sponsored by a NFHS state association or a state member school;
(iv)
Any interstate two-school contest which involves travel outside the United States of America; or
(v)
Any interstate two-school contest, regardless of distance to be traveled, which is sponsored by an individual or an organization other than a member MPSSAA high school.
(b)
A school or school system that wishes to serve as a host for an interstate contest shall file the appropriate sanction request form prior to the first play date and at least 15 days prior to the event for events within the first 2 weeks of the season.
(c)
Schools participating in interstate contests shall use the National Federation contract form furnished by the MPSSAA Executive Director.
(d)
In all interstate contests, each participating school shall follow the rules of the host state athletic authority.
(2)
Sanctioning for Intrastate Competition.
(a)
Member MPSSAA schools may only compete against other member MPSSAA schools or schools approved through the Standards of Competition.
(b)
Approval of the MPSSAA Executive Director is required for any intercounty contest involving more than three teams and sponsored by a non-member educational institution.
(c)
The host school shall file the appropriate sanction request form with the MPSSAA Executive Director prior to the first play date and at least 15 days prior to the event for events within the first 2 weeks of the season.
(d)
Member MPSSAA schools may host intercounty contests involving only other member MPSSAA schools or schools approved through the Standards of Competition without sanctioning approval.
(3)
MPSSAA Sanction Guidelines. The following criteria shall be met for sanction approval by the MPSSAA:
(a)
The competition may not determine a regional or national championship;
(b)
The competition is not preliminary to a college or professional game;
(c)
The competition is sponsored by an educational institution or similar nonprofit organization;
(d)
Participation in the event is within the United States of America, does not involve loss of instructional time, and complies with the local school system policies and procedures for school-sponsored travel; and
(e)
All awards shall comply with Regulation .08 of this chapter.
Regulation .10 Amateur Rules.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Students who have not used or are not using their athletic skill as players for financial gain, or who have not competed under assumed names as players, shall be considered amateurs. Employment as an instructor, counselor, or official may not be considered a violation.
B.
Students who have ceased to be amateurs in a particular sport may not represent their school in interscholastic athletics in that sport.
C.
Students who have lost amateur standing may apply for reinstatement to the MPSSAA Appeals Committee after the lapse of 60 days. The 60 days shall commence with a letter of determination from the local superintendent of schools.
D.
Students may not lose amateur standing by playing with or against professional players as long as they do not receive pay for their services.
E.
Students shall lose their amateur status in a particular sport if they sign a professional contract in that sport.
Regulation .11 Amendments.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Proposed written amendments to these regulations may be submitted only by a member MPSSAA school, local superintendent of schools, MPSSAA committee, or the MPSSAA Executive Director. Proposed amendments shall be received by the MPSSAA Executive Director at least 45 days before the annual meeting of the MPSSAA Board of Control.
B.
Upon receipt, proposed amendments shall be referred to the Constitution Committee for appropriate action and recommendation.
C.
Notice of the proposed amendments shall be sent to each member MPSSAA school, local superintendent of schools, and the State Superintendent of Schools at least 15 days before the annual legislative meeting of the MPSSAA.
D.
Ratification of the proposed amendments shall require a majority vote of the delegates present at the annual legislative meeting of the MPSSAA.
E.
Amendments approved by the MPSSAA shall be forwarded to the State Superintendent of Schools who will receive recommendations from local superintendents of schools before the State Superintendent of Schools submits recommendations to the State Board of Education.
F.
The amendments approved by the State Board of Education shall be in effect according to the date established by the Board.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Education Article, §§2-205 and 2-303(k), Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: October 1, 1975 (2:22 Md. R. 1373)
History: Regulations .01, .04, .07A, .09A, and .12 amended effective August 4, 1976 (3:16 Md. R. 853)
History: Regulations .02A, F, .03B, .04, and .07C amended effective August 31, 1977 (4:18 Md. R. 1399)
History: Regulations .02F, J; .03B; .04B; .05; and .07C amended effective September 19, 1980 (7:19 Md. R. 1808)
History: Regulation .03B amended effective February 27, 1984 (11:4 Md. R. 317); August 27, 1984 (11:17 Md. R. 1493)
History: Regulations .03B, .04B, .06D, .07C amended effective August 10, 1979 (6:16 Md. R. 1332)
History: Regulations .03B and .04B amended, .05 repealed, and new .05 adopted effective October 24, 1983 (10:21 Md. R. 1903)
History: Regulations .03B, .05, and .09A, E, G, H amended effective August 11, 1978 (5:16 Md. R. 1260)
History: Regulations .03B and .11A amended effective August 2, 1982 (9:15 Md. R. 1517)
History: Regulations .04B, .07C, and .11 amended effective August 31, 1981 (8:17 Md. R. 1420)
History: Regulations .06E, .09I, and .10E adopted effective August 10, 1979 (6:16 Md. R. 1332)
History: Regulation .12 repealed effective August 10, 1979 (6:16 Md. R. 1332)
History: Chapter revised effective August 15, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1916)
History: Regulation .02 amended as an emergency provision effective August 14, 1989 (16:17 Md. R. 1882); adopted permanently effective December 25, 1989 (16:25 Md. R. 2713); August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .02D amended effective September 12, 1994 (21:18 Md. R. 1511)
History: Regulation .02G amended effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608)
History: Regulation .02I amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .03 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345); August 22, 2022 (49:17 Md. R. 790)
History: Regulation .03A amended effective April 21, 2008 (35:8 Md. R. 807)
History: Regulation .03B amended effective October 6, 1997 (24:20 Md. R. 1405); September 1, 2003 (30:17 Md. R. 1204); January 7, 2016 (42:26 Md. R. 1596); December 27, 2021 (48:26 Md. R. 1112)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .04A-1 adopted effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 618)
History: Regulation .04B amended effective December 24, 1990 (17:25 Md. R. 2908); August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608); November 29, 2010 (37:24 Md. R. 1659)
History: Regulation .04C amended effective December 27, 2021 (48:26 Md. R. 1112); August 22, 2022 (49:17 Md. R. 790)
History: Regulation .04D amended effective January 6, 2005 (31:26 Md. R. 1864); July 3, 2006 (33:13 Md. R. 1064)
History: Regulation .04E amended effective October 6, 1997 (24:20 Md. R. 1405); August 22, 2022 (49:17 Md. R. 790)
History: Regulation .04G amended effective August 22, 2022 (49:17 Md. R. 790)
History: Regulation .04J adopted effective July 3, 2006 (33:13 Md. R. 1064)
History: Regulation .05 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .05B amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .05C amended effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608); July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .06 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .06A amended effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608)
History: Regulation .06A, B amended effective August 27, 2018 (45:17 Md. R. 804)
History: Regulation .06B amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .06B, E amended effective December 24, 1990 (17:25 Md. R. 2908)
History: Regulation .07A, C amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .07C amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .07E adopted effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1608)
History: Regulation .09 amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)
History: Regulation .09B, C, G amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .09E, H amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1943)
History: Regulation .11A amended effective July 3, 1995 (22:13 Md. R. 968)
History: Regulation .11A, C amended effective August 19, 2013 (40:16 Md. R. 1345)