(c)
A team which participates in the playoffs while using an ineligible student-athlete must return its
awards to the NCHSAA. The revenue from said playoff games must also be returned to the NCHSAA
for distribution to the impacted schools during the playoffs. Its finish in the playoffs shall be vacated,
even if the playoffs have concluded.
(1)
Once the seeding process is completed and the brackets have been finalized, if a team or indi
vidual is disqualified, no other team or individual will be substituted in or added to the playoff
brackets, even if there is an incorrect or an adjusted record.
(2)
If a winning team is disqualified at the conclusion of the first round and prior to the second
round, the losing team will advance. Otherwise, if a disqualification occurs after the second
round or after the playoffs have concluded, that place or position remains vacant.
(d)
If documented proof of a student-athlete's eligibility is found to have been falsified by the student-ath
lete or his or her parents or legal custodian, and this could not be determined by reasonable scrutiny
of the school, then the student-athlete shall be dropped from the team for the remainder of the season
but the team’s record and playoff privileges will not be affected.
(1)
In cases of conflicting, blemished, altered or illegible records, the onus rests with school of
ficials to determine the correct information. Documents which should be checked by school
officials would include, but not be limited to, all permanent records on file in the school office
such as cumulative records, transcripts, and teacher’s grading records, but do not include re
port cards or other non-controlled records. If there are conflicts or discrepancies found, they
must be examined and resolved by school officials. Negligence, or failure to make a good faith
effort to determine the accuracy of a student-athlete's records on the part of school officials
would require all contests in which the ineligible student-athlete participated to be forfeited.
(2)
The student-athlete will be ineligible for 365 days from the date of notification to the NCH
SAA. This would also include summer workouts or team camps in the summer.
3.3.10 Restitution Rule - A member school shall be assessed the full cost including, but not limited to, court costs,
counsel fees and actual expenses, of any litigation instituted by, or on behalf of, the school, its staff, coach(es),
team(s), or participant(s), that unsuccessfully challenges a rule, by-law or article of incorporation of the As
sociation or any decision of the Commissioner or Board of Directors.
(a)
A member school shall likewise be assessed such costs resulting from any unsuccessful litigation
brought against the Association when the school is made a necessary co-defendant or a third-party
defendant in the litigation.
(b)
Any member school that does not make full payment of such costs within sixty days of the assessment
shall be prohibited from playoff participation in all sports. The restriction shall continue until the full
amount plus interest at the statutory rate is paid.
3.3.11 Penalties that May be Imposed by the State Department of Public Instruction
(a)
Participation Ban — Violations of the State Board Rules, negligence or poor sportsmanship may result
in forfeiture of the right of the school to participate in interscholastic athletics for a given period of
time to be determined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
(b)
Suspension of Accreditation — If any school engages in athletic activities in violation of the rules and
regulations and in such manner as to interfere with the required instructional services adopted by the
State Board of Education for use in the public schools, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
shall notify such school to desist from further violation of these rules and regulations; and upon fail
ure of such school to desist therefrom within such time as the State Superintendent may require, he
may suspend the accreditation of said school until such time as the same may have been corrected.
3.3.12 Statute of Limitations - September 1 of the following year is the deadline for all incidents, violations, etc., to
be reported to the NCHSAA.
3.4
OFFICIATING
3.4.1
Sport by Sport Officials Information and Fees
(a)
Officials - Each school must use only NCHSAA-registered officials in all competition, and must work
through an approved regional supervisor.
(1)
Baseball - Two-person crew is mandatory for junior varsity and varsity contests.
(2)
Basketball - Three-person crew is mandatory for varsity play.
(3)
Diving - To serve on a diving judges’ panel, a high school coach must pass the NCHSAA diving
judge test; a USA diving official must be registered as a NCHSAA Official; and all other persons
must be registered as a NCHSAA swimming official and pass the NCHSAA diving judge test.
(4)
Football - Five-person officiating crews are used in all regular-season contests; post-season
varsity football contests will be determined by the NCHSAA. It is recommended that junior
varsity games have a five-man crew.
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