2016-17 BIG WEST CONFERENCE MANUAL
SECTION 13 – MEN’S SOCCER REGULATIONS – August 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Awards ......................................................................... 13-2
All-Conference ..................................................... 13-2
All-Conference Team Selections .......................... 13-2
All-Freshman Team Selections............................. 13-2
Players of the Week .............................................. 13-3
Academic All-Conference .................................... 13-3
Championship Awards.......................................... 13-3
Ball Retrievers ............................................................. 13-3
Coaches Meetings ........................................................ 13-3
Conference Signage ..................................................... 13-4
Contest Arrangement and Contact Information ........... 13-3
Contracts ...................................................................... 13-4
Crowd Control ............................................................. 13-4
Debris .................................................................... 13-4
Noisemakers ......................................................... 13-5
Team Security ....................................................... 13-5
Sporting Behavior Announcements ...................... 13-5
Procedures in the Event of Spectator Disruption .. 13-5
Ejections and Suspensions ........................................... 13-6
External Disruption Procedures ................................... 13-7
Facilities ....................................................................... 13-7
Locker Rooms ....................................................... 13-7
Parking .................................................................. 13-7
Practice Facilities .................................................. 13-7
Game Ball .................................................................... 13-7
Game Countdown ........................................................ 13-7
Game Management Director ........................................ 13-7
NCAA Automatic Qualification .................................. 13-7
Official Scorer and Timer ............................................ 13-8
Substitutions ......................................................... 13-9
Officials........................................................................ 13-9
Assignments .......................................................... 13-9
Communications ................................................... 13-9
Complimentary Items ........................................... 13-9
Criticism of Officials .......................................... 13-10
Crowd Control .................................................... 13-10
Headsets .............................................................. 13-10
Identification of Officials ................................... 13-10
Locker Rooms ..................................................... 13-10
Parking ................................................................ 13-10
Vanishing Spray.................................................. 13-10
Public Address Announcer Regulations .................... 13-10
Use of Microphone ............................................. 13-11
Sporting Behavior ............................................... 13-10
Disciplinary Action ............................................. 13-10
Schedules, Conference ............................................... 13-11
Schedules, Nonconference ......................................... 13-11
Scouting/Video Exchange .......................................... 13-11
Seeding/Tiebreakers ................................................... 13-12
Sports Information/Media .......................................... 13-13
Sports Medicine ......................................................... 13-13
Sportsmanship Protocol ............................................. 13-14
Tickets ........................................................................ 13-15
Travel ......................................................................... 13-15
Uniforms .................................................................... 13-15
Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Subsequent Penalties ...... 13-16
Video Review by Conference Office ......................... 13-16
Video Board Replays ................................................. 13-16
APPENDICES
1-Contest Arrangement and Contact Information...... 13-17
2-Game Management Director Responsibilities ........ 13-18
3-Game Countdown ................................................... 13-20
4-External Disruption Procedures .............................. 13-21
5-Procedures for Contest Postponement for
Force Majeure Situations .................................... 13-22
Section 13-1 • Men’s Soccer
13.1
Awards
All-Conference
13.1.1 The Conference coaches shall select recipients for the All-Conference first,
and second teams, the All-Freshman team as well as Offensive Player of the
Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Goalkeeper of
the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
13.1.2 Coaches shall not vote for themselves or for their own student-athletes for
any of the awards except for Freshman of the Year. (Revised 5/11/09.)
13.1.3 Student-athletes named to an All-Conference first team shall be awarded a
plaque from the Conference. Those named to an All-Conference second
team and/or the All-Freshman team shall be awarded a certificate from the
Conference. Plaques shall be awarded to individuals named Players of the
Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year. (Revised 5/17/13.)
13.1.4 Up to 10 student-athletes—including three forwards, three midfielders, three
defenders and one goalkeeper—will be named honorable mention if they
receive votes on two or more ballots but are not named to the first or second
team. They shall be awarded a certificate from the Conference. (Revised
7/14/08.)
13.1.5 The All-Conference first team shall consist of 13 players, including the
Players of the Year, with the following breakdown by position: four
forwards, four midfielders, four defenders and one goalkeeper. The second
team shall consist of 11 players as follows: three forwards, three
midfielders, three defenders, one goalkeeper and one at-large position. The
All-Freshman Team shall consist of 11 players. (Revised 5/17/13.)
All-Conference Team Selections
13.1.6 The following process shall be used in selecting the All-Conference team:
1. Coaches may nominate an unlimited number of players for Conference
awards and shall forward their nomination ballot to the Conference
Office.
2. The Conference Office shall distribute to the coaches a voting ballot
containing all nominations. (Revised 5/14/12.)
3. The coaches shall meet on a telephone conference call on the Monday
or Tuesday prior to the Conference Tournament to discuss their
respective nominations. (Revised 5/14/12.)
4. On the coaches' conference call, coaches may nominate a player from
their team for Freshman of the Year honors. Each coach will then vote
for a Freshman of the Year on the ballot. The Goalkeeper of the Year,
Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and
Midfielder of the Year honors will go to the player who finished with
the most points in the All-Conference balloting for those positions.
5. The voting ballot shall be emailed or faxed to the Conference Office by
no later than 1 p.m. PT the day of the coaches' conference call. A
second conference call shall be held prior to the team being released.
(Revised 7/12/04, 5/14/15.)
13.1.7 Results of the All-Conference balloting shall be released by the Conference
Office no later than the day after the coaches' conference call.
All-Freshman Team Selections
13.1.8 The following process shall be used in selecting the All-Freshman team:
1. The nomination process and voting deadline shall be the same as for the
All-Conference Team.
Section 13-2 • Men’s Soccer
2.
The 11 players receiving the most votes shall be named to the Allfreshman team and each shall be awarded a certificate from the
Conference.
3. The player receiving the highest point total in the balloting shall be
named Freshman of the Year in addition to being placed on the AllFreshman team. If a different freshman is selected to the AllConference first team ahead of the player receiving the highest point
total in the balloting for Freshman of the Year, the other player shall be
named Freshman of the Year. (Adopted 5/17/13.)
Players of the Week
13.1.9 The Conference shall select an “Offensive Player of the Week and a
Defensive Player of the Week” using the following process: Sports
Information personnel shall submit nominations by no later than 10:00 a.m.
PDT/PST every Monday. Institutional votes must be recorded by no later
than noon PDT/PST Monday. A sports information director may not vote
for his/her own nominees. In case of a tie, Conference Office personnel
may also vote. A sports information director who misses the voting
deadline shall incur a letter of admonishment from the Commissioner with a
copy to the director of athletics. (Revised 7/15/02, 5/11/09, 5/11/10,
5/9/11.)
Academic All-Conference
13.1.10 The Conference shall sponsor annual Academic All-Conference teams in
each Conference sport. Student-athletes shall be named to the Academic
All-Conference Teams for their respective sports if the following standards
are met:
1. Student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.00 cumulative institutional
grade point average (no rounding);
2. Student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at the
member institution prior to the season for which the award is being
received (at least a sophomore academically);
3. Student-athlete must have competed in at least 50 percent of the
institution's contests in the student-athlete's respective sport.
Academic All-Conference forms shall be supplied to each institution and a
submission date shall be determined by the Conference Office. All students
so honored shall receive a certificate appropriate for framing, as well as
recognition in the form of a media release. (Adopted 11/9/93, Revised
7/15/02, 11/1/13.)
Championship Awards
13.1.11 The North and South Division Championship team(s) shall receive a trophy.
For tournament awards see 14.2. (Adopted 5/14/12.)
13.2
Ball Retrievers
Host teams must provide a minimum of six experienced ball persons who are at least
10 years of age for each conference game. The game referees will coordinate the
ball retrievers regarding their location and duties. (Adopted 5/12/14.)
13.3
Bands
Bands may not be stationed behind the end lines or the visiting team bench. (Adopted
5/17/13.)
13.4
Coaches Meetings
Head coaches shall meet if issues warrant. The Big West Council Liaison for men's
soccer, in consultation with the Commissioner, shall determine if a meeting is to be
scheduled. If the annual business meeting of the coaches is necessary, it shall be
3
scheduled the Wednesday following the NCAA championship. (Revised 7/1/01,
7/14/08, 5/9/11, 5/13/16.)
13.4.1 Head coaches are required to participate in all official Conference meetings
of their sport's coaches. (Revised 7/1/01, 7/14/08.)
13.4.2 All excused absences must be granted by the Conference Office prior to the
meeting. In the event of an excused absence or a head coach vacancy, the
institution must be represented by an athletics department staff member. All
substitutes must be approved in advance by the Conference Office. (Revised
11/12/14.)
13.4.3 Institutions that are represented by an assistant coach, rather than the head
coach (unless he or she is excused per 13.4.2), lose their voting privileges at
the meeting of head coaches.
13.4.4 Institutions that are either not represented or do not receive prior approval
for a head coach’s absence at a Conference meeting are subject to an
institutional private reprimand and a $1,000 penalty to be paid to the
Conference Office. (Adopted 5/9/91. Revised 11/12/14.)
13.4.5 All round robin sports coaches meetings shall be held in Southern California
with travel expenses to be prorated among all Conference members.
(Adopted 7/17/00.)
13.5
Conference Signage
Each member institution is required to display a Big West banner/sign at its
competition site. (Adopted 7/10/06.)
13.6
Contest Arrangement and Contact Information
The home team's Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator or his/her
designee shall send out Conference contest arrangement and contact information to
the visiting team's Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Sports
Information Director and the Head Coach at least 30 days in advance of each
Conference contest. See Appendix 1 for a recommended format for this purpose.
13.7
Contracts
There shall be no financial agreement between institutions in Conference soccer
contracts.
13.7.1 The director of athletics/senior woman administrator or his/her designee of
the home institution shall send out conference pregame information at least
one month in advance of each Conference game. The director of
athletics/senior woman administrator or his/her designee of the visiting
institution shall respond with visiting team information at least 21 days prior
to the contest. (Revised 5/29/87, 7/9/01.)
13.8
Crowd Control
Should any situation arise in which there is a concern about the crowd, the Event
Manager should be alerted. The Event Manager must inform the visiting team’s head
coach regarding procedures to follow if a situation arises requiring his/her immediate
attention.
At no time are either the home or visiting coaches vested with the authority to either
stop or refuse to continue to play. Coaches unilaterally taking their teams off the field
or refusing to play will be subject to conference sanctions and possible forfeiture of
the contest.
4
If need be, the Director of Athletics, his/her representative, or head coach should go
to the public address system and request cooperation when unsporting crowd
behavior becomes prevalent.
13.8.1
Debris
The throwing of debris by spectators shall not be tolerated, nor encouraged
or condoned by the host institution, at any Big West Conference event. In
the event debris is thrown onto the playing surface during a contest, play
shall be halted at the discretion of the game officials until such a time that
the host institution game management has removed the debris to the
satisfaction of the officials.
The host institution at Big West contests shall make every effort to prevent
the throwing of debris through public address announcements, etc.
Spectators who violate this policy shall be subject to expulsion from the
athletic venue.
13.8.2
13.8.3
13.8.4
Institutions that violate this policy shall be subject to penalties imposed by
the Big West Conference Compliance Committee. (Revised 5/11/10.)
Noisemakers
Except for canned air horns and whistles, artificial noisemakers are
permitted at Big West soccer facilities. (Revised 5/9/11.)
Team Security
1. A two row or aisle “buffer” zone shall exist between team benches and
spectators. In the event that a sufficient barrier is not possible,
additional security should be provided in order to ensure player safety.
All fans must be in the venue’s designated seating area.
2. At the conclusion of the game, the field should be secured and all
coaches, players and officials should depart to their locker rooms as
soon as possible. A plan to separate the teams as they leave the field
should be in place to prevent possible altercations. The team closest to
the locker rooms should exit the field first. Game management
personnel should inform the visiting team of the exit protocol prior to
the start of the game.
Sporting Behavior Announcements
One or more of the following sporting behavior announcements should be
made a minimum of twice per contest. It is suggested that the announcement
be made prior to the contest and during halftime. In addition, the same or
similar announcement should be included in a prominent place in the line up
cards or programs distributed to fans. This shall serve as a “first warning” to
unruly spectators.
1. The (name of institution) promotes good sporting behavior by studentathletes, coaches and spectators, and requests your cooperation by
supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity,
racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at
officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be
tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition.
Spectators are prohibited from entering the playing area. Violators will
be removed from the venue.
2. The (name of institution) promotes good sporting behavior by studentathletes, coaches and spectators, and requests your cooperation by
supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity
or any remarks or actions referring to a participant’s name, number,
heritage, body parts or sexual orientation will not be tolerated and are
5
13.8.5
13.9
grounds for removal from the site of competition. Spectators are
prohibited from entering the playing area. Violators will be removed
from the venue.
3. In the spirit of sporting behavior, the (name of institution) asks that all
fans act responsibly and courteously to those around you. Abusive
language or disorderly conduct is unacceptable and unwelcome (here,
in our home, at name of institution etc.) Spectators are prohibited from
entering the playing area. Violators will be removed from the venue.
Let’s afford the student-athletes and your fellow fans the respect they
deserve. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Procedures in the Event of Spectator Disruption
The referee has the authority and the discretion, under the playing rules, to
suspend play for any reason. In the event of a disturbance, which is of such
character and proportions it disrupts the game, the following action should
be initiated:
1. The referee shall call a halt to the game (Official’s time-out) and
instruct each team captain to send his teammates to their respective
benches. Coaches will make special efforts to see that players do not
become involved in the disturbance by holding them in the team area,
or upon instruction, taking them to their dressing rooms.
2. The referee will make note of the time and ball possession. The clock
operator will freeze the game clock at that point. This being
accomplished, the officials will return to the sideline. The referee must
then be available to game management (“Game management” is the
host Director of Athletics or a designated representative), for further
instruction.
3. Game management will assume responsibility immediately after the
teams and officials have cleared the field. Under no circumstances are
players, coaches or officials to become involved.
4. Should the disturbance be of such proportions that a long delay is
imminent, or is such that it threatens the involvement and safety of the
players, coaches or officials, the teams and officials will be instructed
by game management to return to their respective dressing rooms.
5. Teams and officials will remain in their dressing rooms until the
disturbance has been brought under control.
6. Game management will notify the referee of the “All-clear” when order
has been restored, making continuation of play possible.
7. The teams will return to the field, after which a five-minute warm-up
period will be permitted. Following the warm-up period the game will
be resumed from the exact point at which it was stopped.
8. Should the disturbance be of such proportions that further play would
be impossible, the status of the game will revert to the Directors of
Athletics of the institutions involved.
9. At no time are either the home or visiting coaches vested with the
authority to either stop or refuse to continue to play. Coaches
unilaterally taking their teams off the field or refusing to play will be
subject to Conference sanctions and possible forfeiture of the contest.
Ejections and Suspensions
An ejected player, coach or other bench personnel shall leave the premises of the field
of play to the point that the individual, in the opinion of the referee, shall not be a
disruptive influence on the further progress of the game. Prior to the start of the
game, a safe area for ejected players shall be designated by the host institution.
6
A coach who has been suspended from a contest by the Big West Conference, the
NCAA or as a result of a violation of Playing Rules shall not be within sight and
sound of the contest. Additionally, a suspended coach shall be precluded from
communicating with any team personnel or officials, from participating in
any official pre-game activities at the site of the contest directly preceding the
competition and from being in the facility once pre-game activities have
started through the end of the contest. (Adopted 5/14/12.)
13.10 External Disruption Procedures
If the contest is disrupted due to weather, power failure or any other occurrences that
make it impossible to either start or continue a contest, the procedures outlined in
Appendix 4 should be implemented.
13.11 Facilities
13.11.1 Locker Rooms
The host institution shall provide adequate facilities for the visiting team and
officials prior to the contest, during intermissions, and after the contest.
Toilets, showers, soap, towels and drinking water shall be made available.
The visiting team locker room should be made available two hours prior to
the game start time. If the locker room is not adjacent to the field, a covered
meeting area adjacent to the field shall also be provided for both teams use
at halftime. (Revised 5/17/13.)
13.11.2 Parking
The home team will provide free parking for a maximum of five vehicles
used to transport the official traveling party of the visiting team. Parking
shall be in a lot close to the competition facility.
13.11.3 Practice Facilities
If the visiting team requests practice time for the day prior to the contest, the
home team should make every attempt to provide or arrange for practice
time in the game (or other suitable) facility. Requests must be made a
minimum of three weeks prior to the contest. If the visiting team requests
practice time for the day of the contest the home team must accommodate
them in the game facility for a minimum of one hour. If the game facility is
not available for the visiting team but time is reserved for the home team
then the home team shall either share time with the visitors or use the
alternate site as well. The visiting team should contact the home team as
soon as possible if it intends to cancel any practice time that has been
reserved.
The host institution shall have someone assigned to greet the visiting team at
this practice site. This person shall be available to review the practice
schedule, the pregame schedule, etc., and to make sure the visiting team has
all of its requirements met.
13.12 Game Ball
The brand of game ball shall be in accordance with NCAA regulations.
13.12.2 The host institution shall provide a minimum of six game balls for each
conference game. The game referee shall coordinate the ball retrievers
regarding their location and duties.
13.13 Game Countdown
The Big West Conference has a standard countdown format for all hosted soccer
games. See Appendix 3 for this format.
7
13.14 Game Management Director
At each Conference game, the home institution shall provide and identify to game
officials and the competing teams, an athletics department designee on the premises
as the person in charge of game management at that event. See Appendix 2 for the
Game Management Directors' responsibilities.
13.15 NCAA Automatic Qualification
The winner of the Conference Championship Tournament shall be the Conference's
automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. (Revised 6/27/07, 7/14/08, 8/22/12.)
13.15.1 In the event a postseason Conference Soccer Tournament is not held, the
division champion with the best overall Conference record shall be the
automatic qualifier.
13.15.1.1 If a tournament cannot be held and two division champions have
the same overall Conference record, the automatic qualifier shall
be determined as follows:
1. The winner of the regular season Conference game(s)
between the tied teams shall be declared the automatic
qualifier.
2. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the greatest goal
differential in the head-to-head games between the tied
teams shall be declared the automatic qualifier.
3. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the most goals
scored in total conference away games shall be declared the
automatic qualifier.
4. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the greatest goal
differential in all conference games shall be declared the
automatic qualifier.
5. In the event the two teams are still tied, the automatic
qualifier shall be determined based on a coin toss conducted
by the commissioner. (Revised 7/14/03, 7/10/06, 7/14/08.)
13.15.1.2 If a tournament cannot be held and more than two teams have the
same overall Conference record, the automatic qualifier shall be
determined as follows:
1. The tied teams' head-to-head records against each other
shall be compared. If one team lost all of its games
against the other tied teams, it shall be ranked below the
other teams and the tie between the remaining teams
shall be broken based on the two-way tiebreaker
formula. If still tied and one team won all of its games
against the other tied teams, it shall be declared the
automatic qualifier.
2. If more than two teams are still tied, the team with the
most goals scored in total conference away games shall
be declared the automatic qualifier.
3. If more the two teams are still tied, the team with the
greatest goal differential in all conference games shall
be declared the automatic qualifier.
4. In the event more the two teams are still tied, the
automatic qualifier shall be determined based on a coin
toss conducted by the commissioner. (Adopted
7/14/08.)
13.15.2 In the event the postseason Conference Soccer Tournament cannot be
concluded, the highest remaining seed shall be the automatic qualifier.
8
13.15.2.1 If the postseason Conference Soccer Tournament cannot be
concluded and two teams are equally the highest remaining
seeds, the automatic qualifier shall be determined using the tiebreaker formula in 13.15.1.1.
13.16 Official Scorer and Timer
The host institution shall provide at least two competent adults knowledgeable of
NCAA soccer statistics to keep the game statistics. Current squad members,
including redshirts, or recent squad members (within two years' completion of
eligibility) shall not serve as the official scorer or timer at Big West institutions.
13.16.1 The timer must be seated at the official scorer's table.
13.16.2 The host institution shall provide the NCAA statistics form and score sheet
to the visiting team within a half hour of the end of the game.
Substitutions
13.16.3 A field level substitution desk shall be required for all Conference games.
13.16.4 A staff member of the host institution shall be responsible for recording
substitutions and sounding an air horn to indicate when substitutions are to
take place during games. This staff member must be an adult who is not a
redshirt or a current/recent squad member. (Revised 5/11/10.)
13.17 Officials
13.17.1 Assignments
1. Referees shall be assigned by the Conference’s Coordinator of Men’s
Soccer Officials. Costs associated with the assigning program,
including the coordinator's fee and the cost of traveling any referees to
conference games, are to be prorated out among the conference's men's
soccer-playing members.
2. A minimum of three referees shall work each nonconference game.
Four officials shall work each conference game. The home institution
is responsible for providing the funds to the Big West to pay these
officials (Revised 7/8/09, 5/14/15.)
3. The home institution shall make available two complimentary tickets
for each referee assigned to a Big West contest. The referee must
request these tickets/admissions a minimum of 48 hours prior to the
contest.
4. Composite officiating assignments for each institution will be posted on
the assigning web site prior to the start of the season.
5. Game officials are to arrive at the venue one hour before the scheduled
starting time of the contest and shall be on the field 30 minutes prior to
the scheduled kickoff. Officials must contact the Coordinator of
Officials if their arrival will be delayed or if they are unable to make
the contest. If they are unable to reach the Coordinator of Officials they
must contact the Game Management Director of the home institution.
13.17.2 Communications
1. Communication between game officials and coaches, student-athletes
or other members of each team's official party shall be prohibited
before, during and after the game except for common courtesies.
Communication during the game is permitted via the team captains
only for rules clarification. Following the game, officials shall leave
the field immediately. (Revised 5/9/11.)
2. Officials should not assess sanctions against spectators or the crowd.
The host institution event management and event security personnel
shall be responsible for crowd control and handling any
unsportsmanlike actions of the crowd.
9
3.
Coaches shall not contact officials directly through correspondence or
telephone. All matters pertaining to officials or officiating shall be
directed to the Conference Office or the Conference Officials
Coordinator. Likewise, this policy precludes officials from contacting
coaches in a similar manner.
4. Officials should not be included in any social gatherings held in
conjunction with the game.
13.17.3 Complimentary Items
Under no circumstances are officials to be provided with any complimentary
items such as hats, shirts or promotional items by the host institution.
13.17.4 Criticism of Officials
1. Institutional personnel are prohibited from commenting on the game
performance of referees to or through any source other than the
Conference Office. Failure to comply with this policy may lead to
Conference disciplinary action as described in Big West Constitution
1.9.
2. All reports or comments pertaining to officiating, game management
responsibilities, players, coaches or officials shall be directed only to
the Conference office.
3. Video shall not be used by coaches or other institutional personnel for
criticism of contest officials or officiating; specifically, this prohibits
the use of footage for the purpose of highlighting officiating calls. No
reference shall be made in any public forum on officiating matters.
13.17.5 Crowd Control
1. The Director of Athletics or a designated representative shall attend the
referees' pregame conference on game day to review procedures to be
followed in the event of a spectator disturbance and to acquaint them
with game management officials available in the vicinity of the venue.
2. Referees shall be escorted to their locker room and to their vehicles by
security or game management if requested by the officials or deemed
necessary by game management.
13.17.6 Headsets
Institutions shall provide a headset communication system to officials for
use during all home contests.
13.17.7 Identification of Officials
Sports Information Directors and coaches will make no reference
whatsoever to officiating in institutional press releases or in any other
institutionally published materials, such as coaches’ newsletters, game
programs, etc. Names of game officials will not be listed in the official game
program, but shall be listed on the official box score.
13.17.8 Locker Rooms
A secure locker room should be provided for the officials’ use. Drinking
water shall be provided. The officials’ dressing room should be private and
not in proximity to team dressing rooms. Admittance to the officials’
dressing room shall be limited to the game officials and representatives of
the Conference office. The host institution’s designated liaison with game
officials may enter the dressing room for a brief period to perform his/her
prescribed duties.
13.17.9 Parking
The home team shall provide parking for the game officials' vehicles in a
secure lot close to the competition facility. Parking passes or arrangements
for complimentary parking shall be provided to the officials prior to the
contest.
10
13.17.10 Vanishing Spray
Institutions shall provide vanishing spray to be used by officials in all
home contests.
13.18 Public Address Announcer Regulations
Member institutions shall provide public address announcers at all home Conference
soccer games.
1. Use of Microphone
The public address facilities should not be available to or used by spectators,
student yell leaders or any non-contest administrative personnel.
2. Sporting Behavior
a. The public address announcer shall instruct the spectators that the visiting
players, coaches, and game officials are guests of the home institution and
should be treated as such.
b. One or more of the designated sporting behavior announcements should be
made a minimum of twice per contest (See Bylaw 13.8.4). It is suggested
that the announcement be made prior to the contest and at intermission.
3. Disciplinary Action
Public address announcers are considered to be part of game management staff
and as such are subject to disciplinary action under Big West Constitution
Sections 1.9 and 1.10 (Bylaw 13.29) for any violation of these soccer game
administrative guidelines.
13.19 Schedules, Conference
The Conference Championship regular season schedule shall be conducted in
Divisional play. The schedule shall include 10 games, with each team playing
intradivision opponents twice (home and away) and interdivision opponents once.
Intradivision matches shall be scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays and
interdivision matches shall be scheduled for Fridays and Sundays. Any deviation
from this schedule shall be by mutual agreement of the institutions involved and
approved by the commissioner. Exceptions may be made for television. (Revised
7/15/02, 7/14/08, 5/11, 5/12/14.)
13.19.1 All Conference matches played on the last Saturday of the regular season
must kick off at 1:00 p.m. for day games or 7:00 p.m. for night games.
(Revised 5/11/09.)
13.19.2 The regular season Conference standings shall be determined by awarding
three points for every victory, one point for every tie, and no points for
losses.
13.19.3 The Conference Divisional Champion shall be the team in each division
with the highest point total from the regular season standings. If there is a
tie, co-champions shall be declared.
13.19.4 If the regular season schedule cannot be completed, conference winning
percentage shall be used to determine the conference champion. (Adopted
7/15/02.)
13.19.5 See Appendix 5 for procedures to follow in postponing games for force
majeure situations. (Adopted 5/11/10.)
13.20 Schedules, Nonconference
Each Conference institution may schedule no more than one non-Division I contest in
a season.
11
13.20.1 Failure to adhere to the stipulation in 13.20 shall result in a $500 fine per
game. (Adopted 7/10/06.)
13.21 Scouting/Video Exchange
13.21.1 The home team must provide a copy of the film to the visiting team before
the team leaves the match site. Format shall be agreed upon in the prematch communication. (Revised 7/14/03, 7/10/06, 5/11/09, 5/14/15.)
13.21.1.1 Failure to comply with the regulations in Bylaw 13.20.1 will result
in a $250 fine for the first offense, a $500 fine for the second
offense, and a $1,000 fine for the third offense. (Revised 7/14/08.)
13.21.2 Each team must declare a minimum of seven nonconference contests (not
scrimmages) that will be uploaded to the video exchange server. The
contests must be declared prior to the first contest (non-scrimmage) of the
season. All conference matches must be uploaded. For home contests, the
team shall upload game video by noon on the Monday following home
weekend conference or nonconference games and by noon on the day
following a midweek game. The conference office will release all
conference matches for downloading at the time of the uploading deadline.
Road teams in nonconference games shall upload video by noon on
Tuesdays. (Adopted 5/14/12. Revised 5/17/13, 5/12/14.)
13.21.2.1 Failure to comply with the regulations of 13.21.2 will result in
a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 fine for the second
offense, a $500 fine for the third offense, and a $1,000 fine for
the fourth offense. An exception may be made for
demonstrated technical failure. (Adopted 5/14/12.)
13.21.3 All institutions are required to use video equipment that meets quality
standards established by the Conference Office. All matches must be filmed
from midfield at the minimum height of a Hi-Pod camera. All video
uploaded must be in HD format with no icons present. (Adopted 5/11/09.
Revised 5/17/13, 5/14/15.)
13.21.3.1 Failure to comply with the regulations of 13.21.3 will result in
a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 fine for the second
offense, a $500 fine for the third offense, and a $1,000 fine for
the fourth offense. An exception may be made for
demonstrated technical failure. (Adopted 5/14/12.)
13.21.4 With the exception of conference mandated video exchange, no Conference
member shall be allowed to exchange scouting information about a
Conference member with any opponent.
13.21.4.1 Failure to comply with the scouting regulations of 13.21.4 will
result in a conference reprimand. (Adopted 7/10/06.)
13.22 Seeding/Tiebreakers
Seeding for the tournament is determined by the final regular season conference
standings. The top three teams in each division shall advance to the tournament
bracket, with each division's No. 1 team receiving a bye in the first round. Each
division’s No. 2 team shall host the third-place team from the opposite division.
No. 1 North shall host the winner of the No. 2 South vs. No. 3 North game and
No. 1 South shall host the winner of the No. 2 North vs. No. 3 South game. The
championship game shall be hosted by the highest remaining seed. If both No. 1,
No. 2 or No. 3 seeds win the semifinal games, the championship game shall be
hosted by the team from the division that has the highest number of total points
in games against the opposite division. (Revised 5/17/13)
Tiebreakers
12
13.22.1 In the event of a two-way tie for a position in the final divisional
standings:
1. The winner of the regular season Conference games between the
tied teams shall be declared the higher seed.
2. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the greatest goal
differential in the head-to-head games between the tied teams shall
be declared the higher seed.
3. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the most goals scored
in road games within the division shall be declared the higher seed.
4. If the two teams are still tied, the team with the greatest goal
differential in all games within the division shall be declared the
higher seed.
5. In the event the two teams are still tied, the higher seed shall be
determined based on a coin toss conducted by the commissioner.
(Revised 7/14/03, 7/10/06, 7/14/08, 5/14/12.)
13.22.2 In the event more than two teams tie for a position in the final
divisional standings:
1. The teams shall be ranked based on point total against the other
tied teams. If a team is ranked ahead of the other teams, it shall
receive the higher seed and the tie between the remaining team
teams shall be broken based on the two-way tiebreaker formula. If
still tied and one team is ranked behind the other tied teams, it shall
fall behind and the tie between the remaining teams shall be
broken based on the two-way tiebreaker formula.
2. If more than two teams are still tied, the teams shall be ranked
based on goals scored in road games within the division. If a team
is ranked ahead of the other teams, it shall receive the higher seed
and the tie between the remaining team teams shall be broken
based on the two-way tiebreaker formula. If still tied and one team
is ranked behind the other tied teams, it shall fall behind and the tie
between the remaining teams shall be broken based on the twoway tiebreaker.
3. If more the two teams are still tied, the teams shall be ranked based
on goal differential in all games within the division. If a team is
ranked ahead of the other teams, it shall receive the higher seed
and the tie between the remaining team teams shall be broken
based on the two-way tiebreaker formula. If still tied and one team
is ranked behind the other tied teams, it shall fall behind and the tie
between the remaining teams shall be broken based on the twoway tiebreaker.
4. In the event more the two teams are still tied, the higher seed shall
be determined based on a coin toss conducted by the
commissioner. (Adopted 7/14/08. Revised 5/14/12.)
13.23 Sports Information/Media
1. Each sports information director is charged with the responsibility of keeping the
Conference information director advised as to schedule changes, time alterations,
etc., for all Conference recogni1zed sports.
2. The Sports Information Directors must exchange pertinent information (i.e., team
rosters, press release, updated cumulative statistics and two latest box scores,
where applicable) with the SID(s) of that week’s opponent(s) no later than
Monday of the week of the event. In situations where there are multiple events
that week (i.e., Wednesday and Saturday soccer), opposing SIDs must exchange
13
3.
4.
5.
latest box score and updated statistics on the middle day.
The visiting SID is responsible for providing the home SID with media email
lists for post-game reporting. The home SID is responsible for disseminating
post-game statistics/stories in a timely manner to the addresses on that list.
(Revised 5/17/13.)
The home SID must provide credentialed working media with a parking pass and
working space, including access to phone, internet and electrical outlets.
(Revised 5/17/13.)
The home SID must provide media equal access to coaches and competitors from
each team after a 10-minute cooling-off period. Equal access must be given to all
media representatives regardless of gender at any time interviews with coaches
and/or student-athletes are conducted, including after competition. Equal access
is defined as access to coaches and/or student-athletes at the same time and the
same place. Bringing student-athletes to a separate area for reporters of the
opposite sex is not considered equal access. The exact method of ensuring equal
access shall be determined by the institution.
13.24 Sports Medicine
A certified athletic trainer is required to be on site or on call for all home soccer
games. On call is defined as being within five minutes of the site. (Adopted 7/13/05.)
13.24.1 Each host institution shall provide reasonable athletic training facility access
for the certified athletic trainer of the visiting team prior to or during
practice preceding a conference contest. Advance scheduling awareness and
communication are the responsibility of the visiting institution’s athletic
trainer. Training facilities shall be made available to both teams prior to and
at the conclusion of each contest. (Adopted 7/13/05.)
13.24.2 Host institutions must provide the visiting team with a bio hazard kit
consistent with OSHA guidelines. (Adopted 7/13/05.)
13.24.3 Host institutions shall provide drinking water for the visiting team's use
during and immediately after the contest as well as during any scheduled
practice sessions. These items shall be made available one hour prior to the
start of competition and practices.
13.24.4 In the case of an injury to a visiting player, the home team is not required to
provide transportation to a hospital or other medical facility. The host
institution should assist in making arrangements and should provide
directions to the closest emergency room available when ambulance service
is not deemed necessary.
13.24.5 All Big West conference head coaches and assistants must attend an inperson, hands-on training course in CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator) and First Aid and be
certified. New coaches shall have a 45-day window from his/her start date
at the institution to be certified. (Adopted 7/10/06, Revised 6/25/09,
5/12/14.)
13.25 Sportsmanship Protocol
13.25.1 Following the National Anthem, the home team—led by the coaches—shall
initiate handshakes with the visiting team. (Adopted 5/9/11.)
13.25.2 During the game, nonparticipating players in the bench area must remain
seated. The head coach and one assistant coach shall be the only individuals
permitted to be up off the bench. (Adopted 5/9/11.)
13.25.3 Coaches shall exchange handshakes immediately following the game.
(Adopted 5/9/11.)
14
13.26 Suspended Coaches
A coach who has been suspended from a contest by the Big West Conference, the
NCAA or as a result of a violation of Playing Rules shall not be within sight and
sound of the contest. Additionally, a suspended coach shall be precluded from
communicating with any team personnel or officials, from participating in
any official pre-game activities at the site of the contest directly preceding the
competition and from being in the facility once pre-game activities have
started through the end of the contest. (Adopted 5/14/12.)
13.27 Tickets
13.27.1 The home institution shall provide 40 complimentary tickets to the visiting
team for each Conference game. Information regarding ticket
arrangements to each visiting institution prior to the beginning of each
season. This information shall be provided to the ticket manager with cover
letter copied to the Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator, Sports
Information Director and Head Coach. (Revised 11/30/12.)
13.27.2 The home institution shall make available two complimentary tickets for
each official assigned to a soccer contest, which must be requested by the
official at least 48 hours in advance.
13.28 Travel
Visiting teams are prohibited from traveling more than 22 eligible student-athletes for
all Conference games. (Revised 7/13/05, 7/10/06, 5/17/13.)
13.28.1 Teams are prohibited from traveling squad members over the 22-player limit
and having them serve in a non-playing capacity (i.e., team manager,
assistant trainer, scorer, etc.). (Revised 7/14/03, 5/17/13.)
13.28.2 Failure to comply with the travel squad regulations of 13.27 and 13.27.1 will
result in a letter of admonishment to the head coach from the commissioner
and a fine equal to the cost of traveling the student-athlete(s). A second
offense within five years shall result in the suspension of the head coach.
(Adopted 7/12/04, Revised 7/10/06.)
13.28.3 Home teams may dress and have 24 players on the bench, but must declare
22 players for competition prior to the start of Conference contests. (Revised
7/12/04, 7/10/06, 5/17/13.)
13.28.4 Visiting team student-athletes not on the official travel squad who arrive at
an away Conference game at their own expense shall be treated as any other
student spectators and shall not be permitted in the bench area. Violations
shall result in a letter of admonishment to the head coach. (Adopted 7/14/03,
Revised 7/10/06.)
13.29 Uniforms
13.29.1 All team members shall wear uniforms that prominently display the Big
West logo. A single competition exemption of the rule shall be permitted
annually for special occasion uniforms. (Adopted 5/19/94, Revised 7/14/08,
5/11/10.)
13.29.1.1 Failure to adhere to the stipulation in 13.28.1 shall result in a
$250 fine. An additional fine shall be levied if Conference logos
are not displayed at the next available opportunity. (Adopted
7/10/06.)
13.29.2 The home team in Conference contests shall wear dark uniforms, with the
following exception: When games are played in a Friday-Sunday sequence,
the home team shall wear dark uniforms on Friday and light uniforms on
Sunday. (Revised 7/15/02, 7/10/06.)
15
13.30 Unsportsmanlike Conduct and Subsequent Penalties
All student-athletes and coaches participating in Big West Conference sports are
required to read and sign a letter of sportsmanship prior to the start of their respective
seasons. Each member institution must submit a certification letter for each
Conference sport to the Conference Office that states all student-athletes have signed
the letter. (Revised 6/12/07, 5/12/14.)
13.30.1 Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Striking or physically abusing an official, opposing coach, or player.
2. Intentionally inciting participants or spectators to violent or abusive
action.
3. Using obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or
action toward officials, opponents, or spectators.
4. Being critical publicly of any game official, Conference personnel,
another university, or its personnel. Any person who, after an
investigation by the Conference Office, is found to have committed one
of the listed acts or any other act of unsportsmanlike conduct, shall be
subject to appropriate penalty. The penalties may include a private or
public reprimand, ejection from the contest, and/or suspension for one
or more contests. (Adopted 5/23/83, Revised 5/29/87.)
13.30.2 Bench personnel, other than the head coach, are prohibited from leaving the
confines of the bench area when a fight may break out or has broken out on
the field. Persons violating this rule shall be disqualified from participating
in the contest and shall go to the team’s locker room until the contest has
ended. (Adopted 8/2/90.)
13.30.3 Under no condition may a player, coach, or other team bench personnel
proceed into any area where spectators are present to retaliate for, or to
initiate, any verbal or physical abuse. Bench personnel may not throw
objects into areas containing spectators. Violations will result in the
offenders' disqualification from participating and the offenders must go to
the team's locker room until the contest has ended. (Adopted 8/2/90.)
13.30.4 The decision of the commissioner is binding on the parties unless it is
overruled by an appeal to the Conference Executive Committee. The
decision of the Conference Executive Committee is binding on the parties
unless it is overruled by an appeal to the Board of Directors. (Revised
12/16/83, 5/29/87, 7/15/02, 7/12/04, 5/17/13.)
13.31 Video Review by Conference Office
At the request of member institutions or the Conference Office, game video may be
reviewed by the Conference Office to examine allegations of unsportsmanlike
conduct or to assess an official's performance.
13.31.1 If an institution requests that the Conference Office review men's soccer
game video, the video must be received by the office within 72 hours of the
conclusion of the game. Video received after this deadline will not be
reviewed.
13.31.2 If the Conference Office requests video for review, institutions must submit
the video with 72 hours. There is no deadline for the completion of this
review.
13.32 Video Board Replays
Member institutions with video scoreboards are limited to showing one replay of
controversial plays or officials' calls. During timeouts or inaction, institutions may
show unlimited replays of non-controversial plays. (Adopted 5/11/10.)
16
APPENDIX 1 - Contest Arrangement and Contact Information
The home team’s Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator or his/her designee
shall send out Conference contest arrangement and contact information to the visiting team’s
Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Sports Information Director and the
Head Coach at least 30 days in advance of each Conference contest. Institutions may use the
Big West Conference suggested format for this purpose or they may use other similar
methods of communicating the information. Any changes in scheduled time, date or contest
site made subsequent to final master schedule must be mutually agreed upon by the parties
involved, approved by the commissioner and submitted in writing.
The home team will provide the following information to the visiting team in writing at least
30 days in advance of the contest. Items 6-12 should be provided in a separate visitors
handbook to include any additional information that may be of use to teams traveling to the
institution.
1.
Event Manager Contact
2.
Home Team/Visiting Team
3.
Sport
4.
Contest Location
5.
Day, Date and Time of Contest
6.
Colors worn by the home team
7.
Parking Arrangements for Visiting Team Vehicles
a. Parking Contact
b. Directions or map to parking and game facility
8.
Individual to contact regarding practice arrangements
a. Contact no later than
b. How to cancel practice if not using the reserved practice time (voice mail etc.)
9.
Locker Room Facilities Available
a. Training Facility Contact
10. Laundry Service Availability
a. Equipment Room Contact
11. Media Information
a. Media Contact
12. Ticket Exchange Information
a. Procedures for Will Call and Player Complimentary Tickets
17
APPENDIX 2 - Game Management Director Responsibilities
At each Conference game, the home institution shall provide and identify to game officials
and the competing teams, an athletics department designee on the premises as the person in
charge of game management at that event. The Game Management Director should have
access to means of electronic communication in order to promptly address any game
management issues during the contest. He/she shall be available to the game officials and the
visiting team’s personnel for any matters, which may arise during the contest.
The director is charged with the administration and operation of the facilities that host Big
West Conference intercollegiate contests. To assist in establishing a top quality environment
at these facilities, the following responsibilities are recommended:
1.
Coordinate pregame and intermission activities when applicable and inform both
coaching staffs. It is recommended that there be a coordinator for pregame and/or
intermission.
2.
Plan to play the national anthem during the pregame interval.
3.
Arrange for adequate security for officials to and from their locker room. In some
situations, an escort to their vehicles after the game may be necessary. All reasonable
precautions should be taken.
4.
Secure the playing area, if possible, at game’s end, and have all coaches, players, and
officials depart to their locker rooms as soon as possible.
5.
Meet during the preseason and postseason on campus with the appropriate
representatives to review all aspects of positive contest control. These individuals may
include the following:
a. Athletic Director or other Senior Administrator
b. Head coach for respective sport
c. Sports information directors
d. Campus security director and/or staff
e. Public address announcer
f. Head cheerleader and adviser
g. Student body president or official student representative
h. Student newspaper sports editor
i. Student booster head
j. Alumni director
k. Band director
l. Other pertinent officials as needed
6.
Establish a command post in the venue to coordinate crowd control programs.
7.
Avoid placing the visiting team in front of the home team student section.
8.
Restrict access to the locker rooms to only those people having official business or
possessing proper credentials to enter the locker room.
9.
The Game Management Director and staff should make every effort to identify
troublemakers and do everything possible to remove them from the facility.
10. Ensure that all visible posters, signs and handout literature are positive, noninflammatory, non-derogatory and in good taste.
18
11. Take immediate corrective action in the event of any objectionable and/or improper
chants by the host institution’s fans. Each institution must have in place a procedure to
deal with this issue and have it stated in its institutional policy manual for game
management and good sporting behavior.
12. Be familiar with the layout of the venue, so that accurate directions can be given in the
event of an emergency. A listing of any emergency procedures should be furnished to
the public address announcer.
13. Game management should have specific procedures in place to accommodate medical
aid situations in the spectator areas. All game management personnel should be briefed
regarding the steps to take in the event of an emergency.
19
APPENDIX 3 - Game Countdown
Standard Men’s Soccer Game Countdown
CLOCK
ACTIVITY
60:00
Teams may begin warm-up on game field
30:00
Game rosters submitted to official scorekeeper, referee, opposing coach
20:00
Captains and Officials meet
10:00
Teams clear the field
Introductions:
1. Officials
2. Visiting Team starters and head coach*
3. Home Team starters and head coach*
National Anthem
0:00
Home Team (led by coaches) initiates handshakes with Visiting Team
Game begins
Television coverage may dictate changes in start time. The home team shall make the
actual game day countdown available to the coaches, SIDs, officials’ table, officials,
and others no later than 90 minutes before game time. In addition, countdown sheets
should be posted in both locker rooms. The countdown sheet shall inform the visiting
team and contest officials of the procedures to be followed during the introduction of
players, playing of the national anthem, or special activities during halftime. Senior
recognition programs are to be conducted immediately prior to the team
introductions. The length of the senior recognition program and national anthem
shall not exceed seven minutes. The actual length of the entire ceremony shall be
determined by the host institution and inserted into the pregame countdown.
* Introductions must be uniform for both the visiting and home teams and
should be conducted in one of two manners:
1) Teams walk to midfield with the officials and are then introduced
(visiting team first);
2) Players are introduced and run to midfield individually (visiting
team first). Either way, it should be uniform for the visiting and home
teams.
20
APPENDIX 4 - External Disruption
If a contest is disrupted due to weather, power failure, or any other occurrences, making it
impossible to either start or continue a contest, the following will be implemented:
1. If a contest cannot start, the home game management official, the visiting institution’s
senior athletic department representative, if present, and the assigned game officials will
confer to determine:
a. If the contest can be played;
b. An alternate start time in the event the contest can possibly be played on the day
scheduled;
c. An alternate date if it cannot be played as scheduled. The contest must be
rescheduled unless it is determined that it has no bearing on the Big West
Conference Championship and both institutions and a majority of the remaining Big
West Conference institutions agree.
2. Once a contest is started and an external disruption occurs, NCAA playing rules will be
in effect.
21
APPENDIX 5 - Procedures for Contest Postponement for Force Majeure Situations
Big West Conference member institutions are committed to competing and maintaining the
integrity of the Conference schedule in all sports. However, in the event a situation develops
beyond the control of the institution that calls for the postponement of an athletic contest(s),
direct and timely communication between senior level administrators of the opposing
institution(s), the Conference Office and the officials’ coordinator is imperative. The health
and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and fans is our primary concern above all other
factors.
The postponement of a contest under these unique circumstances must be an institutional
decision beyond the athletic department. For example, health issues should be determined by
appropriate local, county, state or university health agencies; safety issues by the appropriate
law enforcement agencies; and issues affecting the entire institution by the institution’s Chief
Executive Officer. While many situations may be institution-wide, it is also recognized that
there may be particular circumstances affecting a single team that would otherwise fall
within appropriate guidelines.
The commitment to conference competition (referenced in Big West Administrative
Regulation 4.3.1.1) requires each institution to try to reschedule conference games to protect
participation opportunities for our teams. Any rescheduled contest is likely to cause less than
ideal competitive issues between the teams and could involve a change in venue. If
institutions are unable to reschedule a contest on their own accord, the Commissioner is
empowered to make the final determination of the date, site and time of the rescheduled
contest. The Commissioner also has the option of rescheduling other Big West contests
involving one or more non-affected schools if the revision of the conference schedule creates
a competitive advantage/disadvantage. However, in his/her analysis of all the factors
involved, the Commissioner can also determine that the contest will not be rescheduled and
shall be declared a “no-contest.
In consideration of the postponement of a contest, recognition of the opposing institution(s)’
interests must also be considered. Often there are direct and unrecoverable expenses that
have been incurred and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, the involved institutions should
work together to help mitigate those costs in a fair and equitable manner.
In the event that all teams do not play a complete conference schedule, the final regular
season standings (and possible championship tournament seeding) will be based on winning
percentage in conference contests. In the event of a tie for a position, tournament seeding
and/or the determination of the conference’s NCAA automatic qualifier shall be handled per
the tie-breaker system contained in that respective sport’s bylaws.
If a sport has a scheduled postseason championship tournament that cannot be held due to
extraordinary circumstances, the regular season champion (or the number one seed in the
tournament as determined by that sport’s tiebreaker system if two or more teams tied for the
regular season championship) shall be declared the conference’s NCAA automatic qualifier.
In the event a postseason tournament cannot be concluded, the highest remaining seeded
team shall be declared the conference’s NCAA automatic qualifier.
If any member’s Chief Executive Officer notifies the Conference Office at least 48 hours
prior to the scheduled start of a postseason tournament that his/her team cannot participate in
the event due to extraordinary circumstances, every attempt will be made to replace that team
with the next highest available seed and the bracket will be adjusted accordingly. If this is not
possible, the bracket will be adjusted accordingly and the highest seeded team will be given
the advantage.
If any member’s Chief Executive Officer notifies the Conference Office with less than 48
22
hours prior to the scheduled start of a postseason tournament that his/her team cannot
participate in the event due to extraordinary circumstances, that tournament will be
cancelled and the number one seed shall be declared the conference’s NCAA automatic
qualifier.
In the event of an issue beyond the control of the institution, a team shall be expected to
honor a scheduled contest if it can field a starting line-up and a suitable number of reserves
for that particular sport. A suitable number of reserves in the sport of soccer shall be 6
players.
23