Anonymous communication received by the IGHSAU shall be forwarded to the school administrator of the school in question by the IGHSAU staff, with no further action taken unless a violation is reported by the member school. Anonymous callers shall be informed that the IGHSAU staff has no authority to act upon anonymous calls, emails or letters.

Boys Playing on Girls Teams

Males shall be excluded from female athletic teams.” This action by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Board of Directors, September 9, 1990. “... because the purpose of Title IX is to provide females with more opportunities, because keeping males off female teams is a permissible means of achieving this purpose, and because the majority of courts have held that there is a reasonable distinction between females and males in the athletic context, ... Directors re-affirm the policy of the IGHSAU to exclude males from high school and junior high female teams.” This action by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Board of Directors, June 28, 2006.

Summer Camp & Clinics, Coaching Contact Out of Season & Non-School Team Participation

It is strongly recommended athletic directors have a preseason meeting with all coaches to clarify the rules. The coaches should then have a preseason meeting with players to explain the limitations they face under the rules. The following guidelines are taken from the 2017–2018 By-laws.

36.15(6) Summer camps and clinics and coaching contacts out of season.

• School personnel, whether employed or volunteers, of a member or associate member school shall not coach that school’s student-athletes during the school year in a sport for which the school personnel are currently under contract or are volunteers, outside the period from the official first day of practice through the finals of tournament play. Provided, however, school personnel may coach a senior student from the coach’s school in an all-star contest once the senior student’s interscholastic athletic season for that sport has concluded. In addition, volunteer or compensated coaching personnel shall not require students to participate in any activities outside the season of that coach’s sport as a condition of participation in the coach’s sport during its season.

• A summer team or individual camp or clinic held at a member or associate member school facility shall not conflict with sports in season. Coaching activities between June 1 and the first day of fall sports practices shall not conflict with sports in season.

• Penalty. A school whose volunteer or compensated coaching personnel violate this rule is ineligible to participate in a governing organization-sponsored event in that sport for one year with the violator(s) coaching.

36.15(7) Nonschool team participation.

The local school board shall by policy determine whether or not participation in non-school athletic events during the same season is permitted and provide penalties for students who may be in violation of the board’s policy. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 256.46, 280.13 and 282.18.

Definitions

1. Who is a “volunteer” as used in 36.15(6)?
   A volunteer is an unpaid person who holds a coaching authorization or a coaching endorsement and who is acting under the direction of an employed coach and with the knowledge and approval of the school administration.

2. Who is a “coach” as used in 36.15(6)?
   “Coach” means an individual, with coaching endorsement or authorization as required by Iowa law, employed by a school district under the provisions of an extracurricular athletic contract or employed by a nonpublic school in a position responsible for an extracurricular athletic activity. “Coach” also includes an individual who instructs, diagnoses, prescribes, evaluates, assists, or directs student learning of an interscholastic athletic endeavor on a voluntary basis on behalf of a school or school district.

3. What is covered by the term “coaching”?
   Can a school’s coach have his/her spouse or friend serve as the “declared coach” of a non-school team while the school’s coach is providing instruction in the background?
   
   A coach diagnoses, prescribes, evaluates and directs student learning and supervises assistant coaches and volunteers in the performance of coaching objectives. If a coach is “directing” student-athlete learning through another person, “prescribing” who should play, at what position, “evaluating” skills and determining who needs to work on certain skills, then the coach is coaching.

4. What does “conflict with sports in season” mean?
   If a student-athlete has to make a choice between participating in a practice, game or other team activity for a sport in season or participating in an activity for a sport that is not in-season held at a member or associate member school facility, or supervised or sponsored by an out-of-season school coach, a conflict exists. The sport in season takes precedence. In cases of emergency or rescheduling, the priority is with the sport in season.

5. What is “summertime” as defined in 36.15(6)?
   Summertime is defined as June 1 until the first day of fall sports practices.

6. What is “participating” as defined in 36.15(7)?
   If a student is a member of the school team, she is “participating” in that sport. A student is “participating” on a non-school team when the team is involved in a competition. Practice with a non-school team does not constitute participation.

7. What is covered by the term “school facility”?
   Any facility on campus or off-campus that represents a practice or competition site that is directly affiliated with a school-based activity.

General Interpretations

Can a school impose stricter guidelines on its coaches and/or students than those imposed by these rules?
Yes. Stricter policies than outlined by these rules are the prerogative of the local district.

Who is covered by these rules?
Students in grades 9–12 and personnel under contract to coach or who serve as volunteer coaches of a school team involving students in grades 9–12. Students and coaches in grades 7 and 8 are NOT covered by the provisions of these rules. However, local school districts may choose to extend non-school participation rules to junior high school students.

9–12 Coaching Interpretations

1. Is a team meeting during the school year, outside the season legal?
   Each coaching staff is allowed one preseason team meeting during the school year, outside the season.

2. If a player works as an instructor at a grade school camp run by their coach during the school year, outside the season, is the coach violating the coaching contact?
   During the school year, outside the sport season, each student may work at a one-time, one-day clinic for elementary/middle school students run by their coach without their coach violating the coaching contact rule.

3. Can coaches officiate their athletes outside the sport season, during the school year or during the summer?
   Yes. Officiating does not constitute coaching contact.

4. During the school year, outside the sport season, can a coach practice or compete with or against his/her students in the sport(s) he/she coaches?
   No. Practicing or competing with or against students on a coach’s team constitutes coaching.

5. During the softball season and after May 31, a softball player has enrolled in an off-campus basketball camp in which her basketball coach is a member of the camp staff. Can the softball player still attend the camp?
   Yes. The student can participate in any camp, clinic, etc. she chooses. However, the student’s basketball coach shall not require his/her students to participate in the camp.

6. Does transportation during the school year, outside the season count as contact?
   No. The act of transporting students to non-school competitions, camps, clinics, etc. is permissible during the school year, outside the season as long as no coaching occurs. If school transportation is used, it must be used subject to Iowa Code 285.10 (9) and (10).

7. Softball practice is scheduled from 1–3 p.m. A student is attending an on-campus camp that causes her to miss softball practice.
   If a potential conflict exists when an on-campus summer camp, clinic, workout or other team activity is scheduled at the same time as a baseball or softball practice or game, the student-athlete shall go to the in-season sport activity, unless released by the in-season coach. The in-season sport has priority. Local school administration shall determine how to avoid conflicts.

8. Can the coach of the high school basketball team coach a club or AAU volleyball team during the school year outside the volleyball season?
   Yes, as long as the high school basketball coach is not also serving as a high school volleyball coach (paid or volunteer) for his/her school.

9. Can the coach of the high school baseball team coach the high school softball players during the school year?
   Yes, as long as the high school baseball coach is not also serving as a softball coach (paid or volunteer) for that school.

10. Can the coach of a high school basketball team coach an all-star team that includes a player from his own team?
    Yes, as long as that player is a senior whose interscholastic athletic season for that sport has concluded.

11. Can the coach of a high school girls’ or boys’ team coach a junior high team or club team in that same sport during the school year, outside the season, if that team does not include any of his/her high school student-athletes?
    Yes, the coaching contact rule is specific to 9–12 coaches and their 9–12 student-athletes.

12. During the school year, outside the season, can the coach of the high school girls swim team coach the youth girls swim club program practice (all students under the 9th grade) at the same time the high school girls club program is practicing? The youth program practices in lanes 1–3 and the high school girls are practicing in lanes 4–6.
    No. This is a violation of the coaching contact rule and would apply to all sports where the same facility is being used at the same time for students in grades below the 9th grade and 9th grade and above.

13. During the summer, can an out-of-season high school coach require attendance at any workouts, camps, clinics or other activities?
    No. Attendance at any out-of-season activities must be totally voluntary and cannot be required. Coaches cannot punish or reward student-athletes based on attendance at any out-of-season activities.

14. May a high school coach of an out-of-season sport require a player to attend an out-of-season camp in that sport during the school year?
    No. A high school coach may not require his/her student-athletes to attend a camp outside the high school season at any time.

15. During the school year outside the season, can a coach of a high school team coach his/her student-athletes in a sport in which he/she is under contract (paid or volunteer) with the school district?
    No, during the school year outside the sport season, coaching contact is illegal. However, a coach may supervise a workout or open facility with approval of the local school administration. This is for supervision purposes only and no coaching can occur.

16. Can the high school basketball coach open and supervise the weight room for his/her basketball players for strength and conditioning during the school year?
    Yes, but the basketball coach shall not coach sport specific drills or techniques.

17. During the school year outside the season, can the coach of a high school team coach a non-school team if there are no members of his or her high school team on the non-school team, but they are competing against a non-school team comprised of members of the coach’s high school team?
    Yes, because the coach is not coaching the student athletes from his/her high school team.

Non-School Participation Interpretations

1. What procedure must be followed if a student wishes to participate in a non-school event in the same sport during the school team season?
   The local school board shall by policy determine whether or not participation in non-school athletic events during the same season is permitted and provide penalties for student-athletes who may be in violation of the board’s policy.

2. May the high school coach of a summer sport give a player permission to miss a practice, contest or team activity to attend an out-of-season camp on his/her own in a different sport?
   Yes. No violation occurs because permission was given.
   Or to attend a camp in an out-of-season sport in which the student’s out-of-season sport will have contact?
   Yes, the in-season coach may give permission, but does not have to give permission.

3. May a high school coach of a sport not in season require a player to attend an out-of-season camp in that sport?
   No. A high school coach may not require his/her student-athletes to attend a camp outside the high school season.

4. When does the school team season begin and end?
   The first legal date of practice defines the start of the school team season, and the school season ends on the final day of the state tournament.

5. Do the non-school participation rules prohibit any participation in sports that are not currently in season?
   No. The only non-school sports prohibited by this rule are those that are concurrent with the school team season.

Family — Coach Contact

1. I’m a coach and my son or daughter plays basketball for me on the high school team. Is it permissible for me to have contact at any time of the school year or between June 1 and the first day of fall sports practices?
   Yes. At no time is contact with a son or daughter a violation of any rule. However, during the school year outside the basketball season, if other members of the high school team are present, this becomes a violation.

2. A team’s head coach and assistant coach each have a daughter playing for the school’s volleyball team. May the head coach and the assistant coach be in the gym giving instruction to their respective daughters at the same time?
   Yes. Coaches may work with their family members at any time without being assessed contact. If other members of the team are in the gym, contact occurs.

College Tryouts

Scholarship Rule 36.15(2) h prohibits high school students from participating and/or training with or against college athletes who are representing their collegiate institution or as part of an event sanctioned or sponsored by a collegiate institution. Nothing in the rules prohibits a high school student from participating in a one-time tryout with or against members of a college team with permission from the member school’s administration and the respective collegiate institution’s athletic administration.

Student Activity Fund & Camp/Clinic Rule

Several issues keep recurring regarding these topics. This document attempts to give information regarding some of those issues.

General Principles:

• There may be no out-of-season contact between coaches/students during the school year.

• Summertime out-of-season contact between coaches/students is allowed, but only if the student voluntarily engages in the activity.

• We cannot help what the colleges call their camps, but a so-called “team” camp is subject to all the same rules as any other camp attended by a secondary student.

• NO district funds can be used for any student to pay for a student’s participation, either in whole or in part, in any out-of-season camp or clinic.

1. Booster clubs that are independent of the district may offer financial assistance.

2. If a student-athlete wants to use school equipment, including school apparel (e.g., a jersey), the district must charge fair rental value.

• When a coach employed by a school district sponsors a summertime, out-of-season camp or clinic, student-athlete participation must be voluntary and there can be no use of district funds. The camp or clinic may be operated under either of the following models:

• The camp/clinic is NOT a district activity. (This is the model favored by the DE, IHSAA and IGHSAU.)

  •        If the district’s facilities or equipment is used, the district charges the coach rent. 

  •        All accounting and bookkeeping is done apart from district funds.

• The camp/clinic is sponsored by the district as a community service.

  • The camp/clinic is NOT considered to be either a co-curricular or extracurricular activity.

  • Therefore, any funds associated with it are not to be run through the student activity fund. If the camp/clinic is a
    regular event, use the enterprise fund; if the camp/clinic is not a regular event, use the general fund.

  • Public funds cannot be used to help students with registration fees.

Any remuneration to the district’s coaches that work the camp/clinic is not part of the coach’s chapter 279 contract. Have a separate contract for payment to the coaches. Again, this is because the camp/clinic is NOT a co-curricular or an extracurricular activity of the district.

Department of Education Administrative Rules

281—98.70(279,280,298A) Student activity fund. The student activity fund must be established in any school district receiving moneys from student-related activities such as admissions, activity fees, student dues, student fund-raising events, or other student-related co-curricular or extracurricular activities. Moneys collected through school activities are public funds that are the property of the school district and are under the financial control of the school board. Upon dissolution of an activity, such as a graduating class or student club, the surplus must be used to support other student activities in the student activity fund. Prudent and proper accounting of all receipts and expenditures in these accounts is the responsibility of the board. School districts may maintain subsidiary records for student activities if those records are reconciled to the official records on a monthly basis; however, all official accounting records of the student activity fund shall be maintained within the school district’s chart of account pursuant to Uniform Financial Accounting for Iowa School Districts and Area Education Agencies.

98.70(1) Sources of revenue in the student activity fund. Sources of revenue in the student activity fund include income derived from student activities such as gate receipts, ticket sales, admissions, student club dues, donations, fund-raising events, and any other receipts derived from student body co-curricular or extracurricular activities, contests, and exhibitions as well as interest on the investment of those moneys.

98.70(2) Appropriate uses of the student activity fund. Appropriate expenditures in the student activity fund include ordinary and necessary expenses of operating school district-sponsored and district-supervised student co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including purchasing services from another school district to provide for the eligibility of enrolled students in interscholastic activities provided by the other school district when that school district does not provide an interscholastic activity for its students.

98.70(3) Inappropriate uses of the student activity fund. Inappropriate expenditures in the student activity fund include the following:
a. Maintenance of funds raised by outside organizations.
b. The cost of bonds for employees having custody of funds derived from co-curricular and extracurricular activities in the conduct of their duties. These are costs to the general fund.
c. Expenditures that lack public purpose.
d. Payments to any private organization unless a fundraiser was held expressly for that purpose and the purpose of the fundraiser was specifically identified.
e. Transfers to any other fund of any surplus within the fund.
f. Payments more properly accounted for in another fund such as public tax funds, trust funds, state and federal grants, textbook/library book fines, fees, rents, purchases or sales, sales of school supplies, or curricular activities.
g. Use of the student activity fund as a clearing account for any other fund.
h. Cash payments to student members of activity groups.
i. The cost of optional equipment or customizing uniforms.
j. The cost of uniforms when the following two tests are not met:
(1) The activity is a part of the school's educational program, and
(2) The wearing of the uniform or equipment is necessary in order to participate.
k. Hospital or medical claims for student injuries or procurement of student medical insurance.
l. Optional costs related to activities that are not necessary to the co-curricular and extracurricular program such as promotional costs.
m. Membership fees in student activity-related associations if the fees are optional, i.e., nonmember schools may participate in sponsored events.
n. Costs to participate in or to allow students to participate in any co-curricular and extracurricular interscholastic athletic contest or competition not sponsored or administered by either the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

36.15(6) Summer camps and clinics and coaching contacts out of season.
a. School personnel, whether employed or volunteers, of a member or associate member school shall not coach that school’s student athletes during the school year in a sport for which the school personnel are currently under contract or are volunteers, outside the period from the official first day of practice through the finals of tournament play. Provided, however, school personnel may coach a senior student from the coach’s school in an all-star contest once the senior student’s interscholastic athletic season for that sport has concluded. In addition, volunteer or compensated coaching personnel shall not require students to participate in any activities outside the season of that coach’s sport as a condition of participation in the coach’s sport during its season.
b. A summer team or individual camp or clinic held at a member or associate member school facility shall not conflict with sports in season. Summertime coaching activities shall not conflict with sports in season.
c. Rescinded IAB 4/20/11, effective 5/25/11.
d. Penalty. A school whose volunteer or compensated coaching personnel violate this rule is ineligible to participate in a governing organization-sponsored event in that sport for one year with the violator(s) coaching.

Ejections

If a coach/player is ejected from a game/match, he/she does not coach/play for the remainder of that game/match or any additional games/matches on that same date. Any sanction issued by the school or State Office will be served on a subsequent date after review of the filed reports.

When a coach is serving a suspension, he/she may not coach and must be out of sight and sound of the contest venue. He/She is not permitted to watch the contest(s) as a spectator unless he/she has a daughter playing in the contest(s). If a player is serving a suspension, she may not be in uniform or participate in the contest(s) or pre-game warm-up, but local policy determines if she may be in street clothes on the bench, dugout, etc.

Should a coach or player be ejected from a contest in any sport, the following procedure is in effect.

First Offense

The school administration and game officials shall notify the State Office the following business day. The school administration must meet with the offender and file the Ejection Report form (found online at the IGHSAU website) with the State Office. The Offender must write a written summary of the events which led to the ejection with the State Office. Ejected players must watch the NFHS Sportsmanship Video.  This is a free video. Ejected coaches must view the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior Video. There is a fee to view this video. Players and coaches must watch this video before being able to return to play or coach. The normal penalty for a first offense is a one-date suspension. However, a lesser or more severe penalty may apply upon review of the incident.

Second Offense

The school administration and game officials shall notify the State Office the following business day. Written report is mandated, as required procedurally with a first offense. The standard penalty for a second offense within one year of the initial offense, is school membership sanction and the violator is subject to a multi-date suspension. However, more severe penalties may apply if warranted.

Third Offense

The school administration and game officials shall notify the State Office the following business day. Written report is mandated, as required procedurally with a first and second offense. The penalty for a third offense will be determined after a formal hearing by the Board of Directors.

• To file a rejection, please fill out the Ejection Report. 

• All coaches are required to view the NFHS Sportsmanship video, and coaches who are ejected are required to view the NFHS Coaching video. 

It is the expectation of the Board of Directors that each school, coach and participant fully complete any contest, match or game sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Any school, coach or participant who compromises this expectation by failing to complete play, withdrawing or otherwise forfeiting prior to the completion of a competition shall be subject to sanction, including suspension for up to one calendar year.

High school graduates cannot practice with or against a high school team, or a student representing his/her high school team, during the given sport season. Only coaches, students in good standing at the school, or students from another school participating through an enrollment option provided for within the rules can participate in a school’s practice sessions. This rule does not prohibit high school students from participating with or against high school graduates through the Non-school Team Participation Rule (36.15(7).  This rule does not prohibit the local school district from allowing high school graduates to use their facilities for practice purposes, but not for the purpose of practicing with or against a high school team, or a member of a high school team, during the given sport season.  Scholarship Rule 36.15(2)h prohibits high school students from participating, and/or training, with or against college athletes who are representing their collegiate institution or as part of an event sanctioned or sponsored by a collegiate institution. Nothing in the rules prohibits a high school student from participating in a one-time tryout with or against members of a college team with permission from the member school’s administration and the respective collegiate institution’s athletic administration.  

Interscholastic competition is prohibited between December 25 and January 1. Practices and scrimmages are permitted during this time.

Section 1. All senior and junior high schools in the state desiring membership or associate membership in the IGHSAU may make application to the Board of Directors. Application for membership is subject to approval by the Board of Directors. Membership shall be for the year July 1 to June 30. Membership expires at midnight of June 30 of each year.

Policies Regarding Officials

Competition involving high school students in volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball must have at least two registered officials. Track, cross country and swimming competitions require one registered official. (EXCEPTION – non varsity volleyball may use one registered official per court. When only one registered official is used, that official must be registered and shall be the first referee). It is recommended that competition involving junior high students in volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball have at least two registered officials. Track, cross country and swimming competitions require one registered official. Any competition involving junior high students must have at least one registered official. High school students are permitted to officiate junior high contests if they are registered with the IGHSAU or if the other official is registered. In soccer, high school students may officiate sub varsity level matches. Students must be a registered interscholastic soccer official and may NOT officiate matches involving the school they attend.

Game officials shall be agreed upon by both schools.

High school officials must be registered and approved by the IGHSAU. In the event any of the officials are not present, the game may be played with one registered official by mutual agreement. (EXCEPTION non-varsity volleyball may use one registered official per court. When only one official is used, that official must be registered and shall be the referee.) Any competition involving junior high students must have at least one registered official.

The executive director shall be allowed to temporarily suspend officials, pending a hearing by the Board of Directors, who are guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct at athletic contests, who fail to observe professional officiating ethics or who fail to file requested reports with the general office.

A school may drop an official from a game after he/she has been engaged. If a school decides that it is necessary to break its agreement with an official, it may be done by paying the official the regular fee for the game. Cancelled and postponed games do not come under the above provision, provided the official is duly notified. In the case of postponed games, the officials that were originally employed must be given the opportunity to work on the new date.

A school associated with breaking a contract with an official is relieved of responsibility for paying the normal fee to the official in the event the official contracts for a game on the same date with any other member school.

Officials Code of Ethics

The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Board of Directors has officially adopted the following Code of Ethics for high school athletic officials.

• Officials at an interscholastic athletic event are participants in the educational development of high school students. As such, they must exercise a high level of self-discipline, independence and responsibility. The purpose of this Code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all interscholastic officials.

• Officials shall master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, consistent and controlled manner.

• Officials shall work with each other and their state associations in a constructive and cooperative manner.

• Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, colleagues and the public.

• Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately, and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the standards of the profession.

• Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual obligations.

• Officials shall remain mindful that their conduct influences the respect that student-athletes, coaches and the public hold for the profession.

• Officials shall, while enforcing the rules of play, remain aware of the inherent risk of injury that competition poses to student-athletes and themselves and shall notify the event manager of any condition that might not be conducive regarding participation.

• Officials shall be cognizant of adverse conditions (including weather) that might arise during the competition and react appropriately to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants.

• Officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, officiating assignments, or to local association membership. This includes selection for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin.

The IHSAA and IGHSAU serve as a licensing agency for Iowa junior and senior high school athletic officials. Officials are registered as independent contractors with both entities. This Code of Ethics relates to the license status of each official registered with the IHSAA and/or the IGHSAU.

Failure to comply with any of the above items may result in probation, suspension or loss of license for the official. Any sanction issued by the Iowa High School Athletic Association or the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union as a result of a violation to this Code of Ethics shall apply equally to each organization the official is registered with

281.36.15(4) Open enrollment transfer rule. A student in grades 9 through 12 whose transfer of schools had occurred due to a request for open enrollment by the student’s parent or guardian is ineligible to compete in interscholastic athletics, during the first 90 school days of transfer except that a student may participate immediately if the student is entering grade 9 for the first time and did not participate in an interscholastic athletic competition for another school during the summer immediately following eighth grade. The period of ineligibility applies only to varsity level contests and competitions. (“Varsity” means the highest level of competition offered by one school or school district against the highest level of competition offered by an opposing school or school district.) The student will become eligible at 4:00 PM on the 90th day. This period of ineligibility does not apply if the student:

“j. if the district of residence determines that the pupil was previously subject to a founded incident of harassment or bullying as defined in section 280.28 while attending school in the district of residence.”

Non-public school students are not provided relief under this exception since the law only pertains to students who open enroll from the resident public school to another public school district. 

IGHSAU management requests that the Board of Directors grant the Executive Director of the IGHSAU the authority to use discretion to recommend that students entering or leaving a private school have immediate eligibility under 36.15(3) a. 9 of the General Transfer Rule in cases when there is a founded case of bullying and harassment.

Situations involving the General Transfer Rule when there is a case of founded bullying and harassment may be handled between the Executive Director and Board via email to streamline the process. All other cases under this exception would continue to be heard by the Board as appeals.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Board of Directors approved a policy change at its November 14, 2015, meeting to allow boys to participate in a girls’ practice in all sanctioned sports. This is totally subject to each local school district approval. Each school district can establish their own procedure and protocol of whether to allow or not allow. This policy change is effective at all 7–12 grade levels.

The initial concern centered around the sports of cross country, swimming and diving, bowling, track and field, tennis, and golf where practice facilities were shared, and many times the school had the same coach for both boys and girls. The other four sports (volleyball, basketball, softball and soccer) were of greater concern with regard to participation and risk of injury.

The general feeling was that this should be decided locally. Each district will need to determine whether they choose to allow boys to be involved in the girls’ practice and if any limitations will be included. Topics of eligibility, good conduct, academic checks, etc. will need to be addressed. The IGHSAU is requiring a physical be on file with the local school in order to participate.

It is important to recognize that the boys will not be considered as a part of the team roster. They may only be utilized in a practice setting, never allowed to formally compete or scrimmage against any opposing team or player.

Rules Meetings

Rule meeting attendance viewing for head coaches is mandatory. A head coach who does not attend/view a rule meeting will be prohibited from coaching his/her team during the tournament series.

Find you the current rules meeting for your sport by logging into your school's Bound page.

Issuing Sanctions to Member Schools

The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the following sanctions to member schools and individuals.

Probation

The Board of Directors shall have power to place any member school on probation for violation of any of the rules of the Union or for other just cause.  Where the penalty is not fixed, the probationary period shall be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors. Upon successful completion of an established probationary period, a school will automatically return to the status of a member in good standing.

Should a school wish to be removed from probation before the automatic reinstatement date, that school may be reinstated by the Board of Directors upon application made in writing to the Executive Director by the Administrator 20 days in advance of the time it desires to be reinstated. The Executive Director shall present the application of the school on probation to the Board of Directors for its consideration. The Administrator shall agree in writing that the school will abide by all the rules of the Union in the future. The Administrator shall sign the statement on behalf of the school.

Violation of any of the rules of the Union or other form of misconduct by a member school during that school’s probationary period may result in said school’s suspension.

Probation will allow a school to continue interscholastic competition, conditional to the school’s adherence to all rules of the Union.

Suspension

The Board of Directors shall have power to suspend or otherwise penalize any member school for the violation of any of the rules of the Union or for other just cause. The period of suspension or other penalty shall be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors where the penalty is not fixed. Any school under suspension, if it has restricted its athletic program to intramural athletics for the period of suspension may be reinstated by the Board of Directors upon application made in writing, 20 days in advance of the time it desires to be reinstated, to the Executive Director by the Administrator. The Executive Director shall present the application of the suspended school to the Board of Directors for its consideration. The Administrator shall agree in writing that the school will abide by all the rules of the Union in the future. The Administrator shall sign the statement on behalf of the school. Suspension nullifies all existing contracts between the suspended school and other member schools.

Sanctioning for In-State Competition Hosted by Non-Member Schools/Organizations

1. Any event in which more than two member schools participate and is not sponsored, organized or managed by a member school shall require an intrastate sanction.

2. No same sport events will be sanctioned on the date of state governing organizations sponsored events.

3. All rules, regulations and playing rules of the IGHSAU shall apply.

Schools choosing to participate in intrastate events not sponsored, organized or managed by a member school are responsible for making certain the event is properly sanctioned by the IGHSAU.  Sanctioning forms are available for intrastate events not sponsored, organized or managed by a member school by contacting either the IGHSAU.

Frequently Asked Questions

The McLeod Center at the University of Northern Iowa holds an eight-team basketball event. All participating schools are from Iowa. Each school only plays one game. Does this event require an intrastate sanction? Yes. The event is not organized by a member school.

Two member schools choose to play a regular season volleyball match at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. Does this require an intrastate sanction? No. The event does not involve more than two member schools.

A local civic organization sponsors an eight-team soccer tournament. The tournament is organized and managed by a member school. Does the tournament require an intrastate sanction?  No. The event has a sponsor; however, the organization and management of the event is the responsibility of a member school.

A professional group put together an eight-team softball event. Member schools are invited to move one of their regular season games to the event venue and be played as part of the event. Does this event require an intrastate sanction? Yes. The event is not organized and managed by a member school.

Rule 36.15(2)

IGHSAU follows the Guidance on Scholarship Rule 36.15(2) for all athletes participating in Iowa high school sports. Our goal is to work with school districts to encourage the participation of all qualifying athletes in a school sanctioned sport. It’s in the student athletes’ best interest to set guidelines of eligibility for the well-being of all students.

2024-25 Starting Dates

Guidance on Scholarship Rule

Scrimmages between member schools shall be permitted between the date of first legal practice and the final day of State Tournament play. Teams may travel for scrimmages, providing such is effected without loss of school time. 

If a school is scrimmaging at an out-of-state school, the scrimmage rules of that state shall apply. Iowa scrimmage rules will apply for scrimmages held in Iowa. A scrimmage shall be defined as that which takes place between member schools at one site on one calendar day, as well as established definition relating to the mandatory absence of scorekeeping and spectator charge. In order for a player to be charged with a scrimmage, she must have participated in the scrimmage.

Sportsmanship

It is the clear obligation of contestants and coaches in all interscholastic competitions to practice the highest principles of sportsmanship and ethics of competition. The governing organization shall have authority to penalize any contestant or coach in violation of this obligation.

Spectator Conduct

Public Conduct on School Premises for high school and junior high competition 

This Policy Primer from the Iowa Association of School Boards is devoted to the topic of the behavior of individuals at school district activities. The Iowa High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union asked the Iowa Association of School Boards, Iowa Department of Education and School Administrators of Iowa to assist them in developing a sample spectator policy. There have been increasing concerns and incidents at athletic events where spectators, both students and adults, have been verbally and physically abusive to participants, officials, coaches and other spectators. Included with this Policy Primer is a sample “Public Conduct on School Premises” policy. Some school districts will already have this policy in place, since it was included in the IASB Policy Reference Manual. Those districts will not need to consider a new policy unless they want to incorporate the minor changes made to the sample policy.

The following is taken from IASB Policy Primer, Volume 12, Number 3, June 15, 1999:

School District Authority 

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 279.8, boards have the authority to adopt rules for the school district. Included in this general authority is the right to develop rules to protect students, employees, visitors and school property. Iowa trespass law is used to criminally prosecute individuals whose presence or behavior is prohibited. Trespass is defined as follows in Iowa Code § 716.7:

1. Entering upon or in property without the express permission of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession with the intent to commit a public offense, to use, remove therefrom, alter, damage, harass, or place thereon or therein anything animate or inanimate, or to hunt, fish or trap on or in the property. This paragraph does not prohibit the unarmed pursuit of game or furbearing animals lawfully injured or killed which come to rest on or escape to the property of another.

2. Entering or remaining upon or in property without justification after being notified or requested to abstain from entering or to remove or vacate therefrom by the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession, or the agent or employee of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession, or by any peace officer, magistrate, or public employee whose duty it is to supervise the use or maintenance of the property.

3. Entering upon or in property for the purpose or with the effect of unduly interfering with the lawful use of the property by others.

4. Being upon or in property and wrongfully using, removing therefrom, altering, damaging, harassing, or placing thereon or therein anything animate or inanimate, without the implied or actual permission of the owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession.

School officials have the legal authority to ask people to leave when their behavior is interfering with the ability of others to participate in or watch a school activity pursuant to Iowa Code § 716.7. 

Misbehavior Defined

School officials should develop a working definition of what they consider to be misbehavior warranting an individual’s temporary or permanent removal from school activities. The sample policy uses the following definitions:

1. Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials or sponsors of activities or at other spectators will  not be tolerated.

2. Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials or sponsors of activities will not be tolerated.

3. The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in an extracurricular activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.

For purposes of this Policy Primer and the sample policy, “activities” includes all school-sponsored or approved activities and co- and extra-curricular activities.

Removal Procedure 

There is no specific procedure for invoking school authority pursuant to § 716.7, and depending upon the severity of the behavior, the procedure followed by school officials may differ. For most incidents, the appropriate procedure would be to give the offending individual a warning to allow him or her to correct the misbehavior. Upon continued misbehavior, either at the same or future event, the school official could either repeat the first step or ask the individual to leave. Following the removal, the school official should follow-up with a letter.  The letter should come from an individual with authority, such as the board president, superintendent, principal or school attorney.  A number of issues should be addressed in the letter, such as:

1. Behavioral expectations of spectators.

2. Whether the individual is banned from future activities.

3. Whether and when the individual will be allowed back into future activities.

4. Whether the ban on attendance will be enforced outside the school district (the issue of reciprocity is discussed below); and, if the individual is a parent, to what extent, if any, does this impact the parent’s ability to participate in his or her child’s education program.

If the individual either ignores prior warnings or the offense is so egregious to warrant immediate removal, school officials have the authority to remove an individual without giving prior warning. School officials also have the authority to get an order from an Iowa district court to prohibit an individual from entering school grounds. While the court order is uncommon, it has been done successfully and should be done when necessary to protect students and others. This step obviously involves the school attorney and administration working closely to ensure the order prohibits the specific conduct. If the individual is also a parent, the court order should include provisions for the parent to maintain some contact with the school district regarding his or her child’s education. Provisions may need to be made that meetings take place at a mutually agreeable time and place.

Reciprocity 

A concern raised by school officials is their ability to control the behavior of an offending individual off school grounds, such as the UNI Dome or at another school district. In discussions with school attorneys, there is some belief that a school district may have the authority to ban an individual from all school activities ­ no matter the location. This authority has yet to be tested, however. In the absence of clear authority one way or another, school officials may want to ban an individual’s presence at all activities. If a court order is sought, the court order should also include a ban on all activities outside the school district.

Another option available to school officials is to get athletic conferences to agree on similar policies and procedures and include reciprocity in the language. This language would give greater weight and authority to the reciprocity in the case of a challenge. The athletic associations are considering adopting similar language so the provision would be in effect for contests sponsored by their associations.

Tips

There are a number of practical issues to consider when developing and implementing a visitor conduct policy. Some tips are:

1. Have signs posted at entrances to facilities where activities are taking place stating that individuals whose behavior violates board policy may be removed from the activity, and the removal could be permanent. The athletic associations are considering mass producing removal signs and making them available to school districts.

2. Make an announcement at the beginning of an event letting those present know the level of behavior expected of them and that a violation could warrant removal from the activity which could lead to a permanent removal.

3. School officials should be working with law enforcement when developing the policy to ensure they have law enforcement’s support. Having a local law enforcement officer available at activities helps control behavior.

4. Use the media to spread the message that the school district is serious about the behavior of individuals at school events and won’t tolerate the harassment of students, officials or coaches.

The athletic associations also will work with officials, athletic directors and coaches about their respective roles in controlling misbehavior at events.

In conclusion, while a policy on public conduct on school premises is not required, it appears to be necessary.  Boards and administrators should think carefully about the behavior they want to encourage and prohibit.  They should also develop the procedures they will use when removing individuals from events, both temporarily and permanently.  And, they should let the public know the behaviors expected and prohibited at school activities.

Note: This is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered.  It is furnished with the understanding that the Association is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services.  If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Public Conduct on School Premises

School sponsored or approved extracurricular activities are an important part of the school program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day. School sponsored or approved Extracurricular activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.

Spectators are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved extracurricular activities only as guests of the school district, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the school district’s rules and policies. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating,other spectators or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the school sponsored or approved extracurricular activity. Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship. The failure of spectators to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the school district and the entire community.

To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference, and to permit the sponsors and officials of sponsored or approved extracurricular activities to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect:

• Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved extracurricular activities or at other spectators will not be tolerated.

• Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved extracurricular activities will not be tolerated.

• The use of vulgar or obscene or demeaning expression language directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in an sponsored or approved extracurricular activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.

If a spectator at an sponsored or approved extracurricular activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, or obscene or demeaning expression language, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the spectator may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and the superintendent may recommend the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved extracurricular activities. (The ____________________________ Athletic Conference has approved this policy for conference-wide implementation.)

Upon recommendation of the superintendent, the board shall cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved extracurricular activities to be sent to the spectator involved. The notice shall advise the spectator of the school district’s right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion. If the spectator disobeys the school official or district’s order, law enforcement authorities may will be contacted and asked to remove the spectator. If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved extracurricular activity, the spectator shall be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities.

Approved________________________________ Reviewed ______________

Revised ___________________

NOTE: This policy reflects the Iowa trespass law and outlines a school district’s authority to enforce the law. This policy is not a mandatory policy. Boards can amend the language as needed to fit their individual needs. The sentence in parentheses and italics is optional language to be added if the school district’s athletic conference adopts a similar policy.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7 (1999).
Cross Reference: 205–Board Member Liability
504–Student Activities
802.6–Vandalism
903–Public Participation in the School District

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.)