Bona Fide Team Members Captain's Practice
From MIAA Rules http://www.miaa.net/MIAA-Handbook-07-09.pdf
Part IV - Rules Affecting an Individual Student
Athlete or Coach
Rule Number Page
45. Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members ............................ 42
45. Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members
A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for,
and actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts,
competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high
school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic
activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. First Offense: Student athlete
is suspended for 25% of the season (see chart on Rule 62). Second Offense:
Student athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season, and is
ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the
violation. See Rule 96 for additional tournament restriction and Rule 86 for waiver
guidelines.
Rule Number Page
85. Student Eligibility Waiver -- The Process .......................................................... 86
86. Bona Fide Team Member Waiver Guidelines..................................................... 89
86. Bona Fide Team Member Waiver Guidelines
The Bona Fide rule requires that members of a school team actively participate in all
team practices and competitions. Members of a school team are precluded from
missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non school
event/activity in any sport recognized by the MIAA.
On occasion, a student might find himself/herself in potential conflict with this rule.
This can happen when a student-athlete has an association with an out-of-school team
or has an opportunity to participate in some special tournament or on a special team.
A waiver of the bona fide team rule excusing the student from the school activity that
day and allowing the student to participate in such a non-school event is possible
under the guidelines set forth below. Before a waiver request (See White Book for
form) is submitted ALL of the following considerations must be present:
86.1 The non-school event must be a significant experience -- not one normally
available to most anyone.
86.2 The invitation must have come from a personalized invitation -- not a form
letter that went to a large number of students.
86.3 It must be clear that the student is not being exploited and that the student
is truly being singled out to participate.
86.4 The amount of time being missed from school will definitely be considered.
86.5 The number of school team activities being missed will be a factor
considered.
86.6 There is a limit to the number of times that a student could qualify for a
waiver. It would be extremely rare that a student-athlete would be granted
more than one waiver.
86.7 The request for a waiver must have the written support of the school
principal, the athletic director, and the coach.
Waivers will be considered on an individual basis on the merits of each case.
Requests for a waiver should be addressed to the MIAA. The above points should be
addressed in the waiver request.
Tournament Participation
96. Each Student Participant Must Be A Bona Fide Team Member ............... 104
96. Each Student Participant Must Be A Bona Fide Team Member
96.1 A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently
present for, and actively participates in, all high school team practices and
competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from
missing a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non
school activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Any student who
violates this standard twice becomes ineligible for the MIAA tournament(s)
in that sport for that season. (See also Rule 45, for additional regular season
consequence.)
24. Captain's Practice
The term "Captain's Practice" usually means the team's captain(s) organizing and
conducting, without adult supervision, out-of-season practice for that sport.
The MIAA does not in any way sanction, encourage, or condone "Captain's Practice" in
any sport. "Captain's Practice", depending on the member school's involvement, may
be a clear violation of the rule defining season limitations.
There is also a serious practical consideration. If it can be demonstrated that a school
is allowing "Captain's Practice", the liability responsibility for an injured athlete may
be quite serious.