It is the mission of the IGHSAU to provide a safe, competitive and enjoyable experience for the players, fans, officials and all parties involved in a girls' high school sanctioned sport. We hold the safety of our players, coaches, spectators and officials in high regard. With that, behavior not supporting this mission will not be tolerated. If you see someone not upholding the high standards as outlined below, please contact your school administrator or the IGHSAU directly.

Alcohol, Tobacco at IGHSAU Sponsored Events

No alcohol or tobacco is to be sold or consumed on the grounds of any state tournament venue leased or provided to the Athletic Union for the purpose of conducting a State Championship.

Section 123.46 of the Iowa Code States: A person shall not possess or consume alcoholic liquors, wine or beer on public school property or while attending a public or private school-related function. A person shall not be intoxicated or simulate intoxication in a public place. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

Banned Spectators

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union honors the suspension and/or banning of attendance of spectators by member schools.

Any individual suspended or banned from attendance at interscholastic contests by a member school shall be similarly suspended or banned from attendance at any IGHSAU sponsored district, regional or state tournament competition.

The Board of Directors directs member schools who suspend or ban a spectator from attendance to notify the State Office in writing of the suspension in order the Athletic Union may formally implement this policy. Assistance from the local school administrator will be needed in order to identify the banned spectator.

Pets at IGHSAU-Sanctioned Events

Except as otherwise stated herein, no pets are permitted at events sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Any person found with a pet will be asked to remove the pet from the premises. Failure to comply will result in the person being asked to leave the premises.  

Service Animals at IGHSAU Events 

Member schools shall comply with the provisions of Iowa code 216c. As such, a person with a disability or a person training an assistive animal has the right to be accompanied by a service animal or an assistive animal, under control. The person is liable for damage done to any premises or facility by a service animal or assistive animal.  A “service animal” means an animal specially trained at a recognized training facility to assist a person with a disability, whether described as a service animal, guide animal, hearing animal, support animal, independence animal, or otherwise.  An “assisted animal” means a simian or other animal specially trained or in the process of being trained under the auspices of a recognized training facility to assist a person with a disability. 

School representatives are only allowed to ask two questions regarding service animals.  They may ask if the animal is a service animal that is required due to a disability and what type of work or task the animal has been trained to do.  

The ADA prohibits them from asking about a person's disability. 

Playing Up a Class During the Tournament Series

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union allows a member school to request permission to participate in the next higher classification in any sport. Schools may petition management for permission, following the criteria outlined below.

  1. The petition must be for an uninterrupted two-year period.
  2. The petition must be filed no later than 30 days prior to the first practice date.
  3. The petition must be signed by the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education President.

Each petition will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The petition must address the following.

  1. Purpose of the petition.
  2. Effect that grant of the petition will have on the applicant’s current class.
  3. Effect that grant of the petition will have on the applicant’s requested class.
  4. Analysis of regular season opponents and their current classification.
  5. Any other criteria relevant to the specific petition.

Management denial of any petition is subject to appeal before the Athletic Union Board of Directors. Management acceptance of a petition will not result in any schools dropping down a class. For example, if a 2A school’s petition to participate in the 3A softball tournament is accepted, class 3A would have 65 schools, and class 2A would have 95 schools.

Contact the State Office should additional question exist regarding the procedure for a school wishing to “opt up” to the next larger classification.

Public Address Announcement Policy

The public address system at any IGHSAU post-season event is not to be used as an open public forum for the expression of views by individuals or organizations concerning political, philosophical, religious, or other matters unrelated to the conduct of the event, or the management and safe use of the event site.  For example, conducting a prayer over the public address system is prohibited at IGHSAU post-season or sponsored events. 

Tournament Series Weather-Related Postponements

If weather conditions prohibit a school from safely traveling to and from an assigned site, or weather conditions at a site result in unsafe playing conditions, or an unsafe environment for participants and spectators, a delay or postponement of the contest is appropriate. Factors such as postponement or early dismissal from school shall not be the sole basis for postponement of any contest.

No contest shall be delayed or postponed without prior consultation with the State Office. Rescheduling of postponed contests shall occur at the earliest possible date, and shall be determined by the State Office. The previously assigned site of any rescheduled game is subject to change. 

Tournament Series Non-Weather Postponements

Extreme circumstances outside of anyone’s control may arise which do not necessarily prohibit a school from playing a tournament contest, but result in a school preferring not to play a tournament contest as scheduled. These circumstances are considered by the State Office on a case-by-case basis. The following criteria will be considered:

  1. Any contest postponed will be rescheduled within 24 hours, excluding Sundays or holidays
  2. Any postponement which forces rescheduling of subsequent round tournament games will not be considered
  3. Other logistical factors which may impact an on-going tournament series (i.e., officials or site availability, other scheduled events, etc.)