ARTICLE 4 ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS 4.1 MEETINGS 4.1.1 The CAA will have two annual meetings. The meeting held in the Spring will be the annual Constitutional meeting. This meeting will be a time for CAA member schools to vote on Constitutional matters. 4.1.1.1 All CAA Member schools will be held to the decisions made by the Executive Board or at each of the annual CAA meetings. 4.1.1.2 No proxy votes will be allowed at the annual meetings. A representative from the CAA member school must be present to cast a vote for that school. 4.1.1.3 On an annual basis, the school athletic director or school representative shall attend the annual Constitutional Meeting each April. Failure to comply will subject the member school to possible penalty. (2017) 4.1.2 Teams canceling their season after the seasonal coach s meeting will not receive a refund for the participation fee and the school will incur a $200.00 fine. The school canceling its season after the seasonal coaches meeting will also be subject to other Disciplinary Committee actions per Article 7. 4.2 COMMUNICATION 4.1.2.1 A member school must declare its intentions to participate in a sport 30 calendar days prior to the first day of practice for that sport season. 4.1.2.2 Failure to declare intentions to participate in a seasonal sport by these dates will result in the member school not being allowed to participate in that sport that season. 4.1.2.3 The League will set timelines for each member school to declare their participation in that sport and thus requesting a schedule. A fine will occur if member school cancels a team after the schedule has been distributed. (2017) 4.2.1 Participating schools must name an individual as Athletic Director. This individual will be the primary contact person for the league and all schools within the league. 4.2.2 The Athletic Director must have a valid, regularly checked e-mail address and work phone. 4.2.3 The Athletic Director is responsible for posting all scores into the CAA website within 24 hours after the game was played regardless of when the game was played (e.g. weekend, holiday, etc.). A $25 fine for each delinquent score will be assessed to schools that do not comply. Continued failure to comply could lead to Disciplinary Committee action per Article 7. 4.2.4 All mandatory league games must be entered into the CAA website (Arbiter sports) by all participating schools by the deadline posted on the CAA website calendar. 4.2.4.1 In the event that a game/event is cancelled or changed from what is on the published CAA schedule, a member school Athletic Director must notify the CAA Directors and the other schools involved. 4.2.4.2 If a change/cancellation is made more than 48 hours prior to the date and time of the originally scheduled game, no member school will be responsible to reimburse the other member school(s) or referees for any costs incurred because of the change or cancellation of a game. 4.2.4.3 If a game change/cancellation is made less than 48 hours of the date and time of the originally scheduled game, the member school responsible for making the change or cancellation is required to notify the CAA Directors and the other school(s) involved by both phone and email, of any change or cancellation made to the published CAA website game schedule. 1 2016-17
4.2.4.4 The school initiating the change/cancellation will be responsible for all debts incurred due to the change, including a $100 facility cost and referee expenses. Any other verifiable expenses will be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, which will determine any further reimbursement by the delinquent school. 4.2.4.5 If a school cancels a game within the allotted 48-hour period, it is the responsibility of that school to reschedule the game at the leisure of the school cancelled upon. Both schools must actively pursue a reschedule and must make all possible efforts to get the game rescheduled. If the school cancelled upon can demonstrate the impossibility of a reschedule, the school that originally cancelled must forfeit. Two or more forfeitures in a season will leave the team ineligible for post-season play. 4.2.4.5.1 Teams cancelling a game within 48 hours of the agreed upon scheduled game) not due to weather or issues beyond school s control, game must be rescheduled and the offending school is subject to the following penalties: - 1 st Offense - $200 Fine plus responsible for paying officials - 2 nd Offense - $400 Fine plus responsible for paying officials and is NOT eligible for post-season play. - $100 of the fine will be credited to the opponent for any expenses incurred due to the cancellation. - School may appeal fine to the Executive Board. (2017) 4.2.4.6 If a member feels that a forfeit is too harsh due to reason beyond its control, it may appeal the forfeiture to the Disciplinary Committee. 4.2.5 The first team roster is due for each season 24 hours prior to the first game played by that school. All players must be listed (name, grade & jersey #) on the roster for them to be eligible to play. The final roster and age verification form for each season is due by the deadline posted on the CAA website. 4.2.5.1 Failure to submit age verification form by the deadline will cause the delinquent school to become ineligible for the postseason tournament. 4.2.5.2 Schools must provide detailed information on the roster only when requested. Schools must provide proof of age, grade level, school enrollment and academic eligibility if requested by the Directors. 4.2.5.3 If a player who is not on the submitted roster plays in a game, that game is declared a forfeit by the team with the ineligible player. 4.2.5.4 Rosters can be checked anytime during the season by a Director or designated CAA official. 4.2.5.5 JH Only. Roster-Age Verification from will be used for Playoff roster. Player(s) cannot be listed on both team rosters and cannot move between teams after the Roster-Age Verification deadline date (2017). 4.2.6 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.2 will be held accountable per 4.3 COACHES REQUIREMENTS 4.3.1 All CAA coaches must have either a PCA Certification or NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Certification in order to coach any CAA contest. This certificate must be current and valid. The coach must be certified before the first game of the season. 4.3.2 All CAA coaches must be certified through CDC concussion awareness. 4.3.3 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.3 will be held accountable per 2 2016-17
4.4 ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS 4.4.1 Each school must maintain and enforce an academic eligibility policy with a minimum of all passing academic grades (No F s). 4.4.1.1 If a player that is not academically eligible participates in a CAA game/contest, that game/contest is declared a forfeit. 4.4.2 Players must take no less than 51%of their schooling through the school s curriculum. 4.4.2.1 Students must be enrolled in three core curriculum classes at their school in order to be considered eligible for that school. 4.4.2.2 In a student s last year of high school, they are only required to take as many classes as necessary to complete their graduation requirements in order to be considered eligible. 4.4.3 Students transferring into a school after the official start date of a season (first official day of practice) must sit out that season unless they did not play that particular sport the year before with the exception of students who change address or domicile to a location closer to the school the student is transferring to. This includes junior high and high school. 4.4.4 High school students cannot be 19 on or before September 1 st. 4.4.4.1 Students are limited to four years of high school eligibility from 9 th -12 th grade per sport. (2016). No 5 th year seniors. Eligibility starts when student becomes a freshman (8 semesters) 4.4.4.2 Student athletes in 6 th grade or below may not compete on varsity level teams. 4.4.4.3 Junior Varsity athletes can be in 7 th 11 th grades only. 4.4.4 Varsity athletes can be in grades 7-12. Exception, Varsity football, players must be in 9-12 grades only. 4.4.5 Junior high students cannot be 15 on or before September 1 st. 4.4.6 Players must be in 8 th grade or below to compete in junior high sports. The individual school is responsible for determining the accurate grade level of the student based on that school s standards. 4.4.7 Due to the unique structure of home school curriculum, the grade level of a home school student shall be of no consequence and age will be the sole determining factor. 4.4.7.1 Once a home school student has met the Arizona State Department of Education requirements for graduation, they lose eligibility to continue to compete in the CAA, even if they still meet age requirement. 4.4.8 Once a 7 th or 8 th grade student has played in three or more regular season games with the varsity or junior varsity team they may not return to the junior high team. 4.4.9 For all high school competitions (except football, track and cross country) a varsity or junior varsity a team is only eligible to participate in a maximum of 24 games during the season with no more than two tournaments, not including the end of the season state tournaments. 4.4.9.1 Student-athletes are only eligible to compete in 24 combined games (JV & Varsity) during the regular season. Teams can schedule up to 24 games, but players cannot play in more than 24 games. This does not include in-season tournaments or post-season games. (2017) 4.4.9.2 A junior high team is only eligible to participate in a maximum of 16 games during a season with no more than two (2) tournaments, not including the end of the season state tournament. 4.4.9.3 High School basketball players must be rostered by the first game and cannot be rostered on any other roster outside of the CAA league. (9.6.17) 4.4.9.4 A high school basketball team requesting to play a tournament or game outside the association and during the CAA basketball season, the member school must submit the appropriate form to the CAA Executive Board at least 14 days prior to the event date for approval. (9.6.17) 4.4.9.4.1 CAA will provide a decision within two business days to the member school. (9.6.17) 3 2016-17
4.4.9.5 A member school that has a high school basketball program that plays outside of the CAA association and has a varsity team in the CAA, must submit both rosters with pictures prior to the first scheduled CAA game to the CAA Executive Director. (9.76.17) 4.4.9.5.1 Any member school who has a high school basketball program that plays outside of the CAA and has a varsity team, the varsity team will be assigned to the highest CAA Division. (9.6.17) 4.4.10 For all high school football, track and field, and cross-country competitions, a varsity or junior varsity team is only eligible to participate in a maximum of 12 games or competitions during the season, not including the end of the season state tournament. 4.4.11 A game is defined as contest against another team that five or more CAA athletes from one CAA team participate in together. 4.4.12 In accordance with Title IX, women may only participate on men s teams when a corresponding sport is not offered by the member school. A co-ed team must enter the league as a men s team. 4.4.13 All student athletes must watch the NFHS Concussion Awareness video to be eligible to compete in a CAA contest/game. See the CAA website for details. 4.5 HARDSHIPS 4.5.1 The joining together of students from two or more member schools in the same area or close proximity to form a single team (combining of teams) shall be permitted subject to the conditions outlined in Article 4.5) 4.5.2 Permission must be obtained from the Disciplinary Committee on an annual basis. 4.5.3 If a combined school team is approved, the team will be set into a division based on the combined 9 th 11 th grade enrollment of the schools. 4.5.4 Home school athletes who want to compete at a member school must submit a letter stating that 51 percent of their curriculum is received from home schooling. This letter must be signed by the student s parent or guardian. 4.5.5 Students who attend local junior high or high school that does not offer a particular sport and who request to compete for a current CAA member school must submit the CAA Hardship Form prior to the start of that sport season. 4.5.6 The league will entertain applications for hardship before each scheduling meeting but is under no obligation to accept them. 4.5.7 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.5 will be held accountable per 4.6 FEES, DEBTS, FINES and DEADLINES 4.6.1 Fees shall be recommended by the Executive Board and presented by the Executive Director for acceptance at the annual Constitution meeting. 4.6.2 Schools who are delinquent in paying their fees will be held accountable per the guidelines established in Article 7. 4.6.3 Schools who maintain debts with referees, gyms or anyone affiliated with the CAA will be held accountable per 4.6.4 The deadline for all participation fees will be at the seasonal organizational meeting. 4.6.5 Referee fees are decided on at the annual Constitution meeting. The CAA will pay for all officials for all CAA regulated games. The CAA will invoice all CAA schools for the cost associated with games payment of any assigned official to their school s preseason and regular season games. 4.6.6 Fines are different from participation fees. 4 2016-17
4.7 LIABILITY 4.6.7 If a CAA member school or that school s governing body files suit in a court of law against the CAA, the member school shall reimburse the CAA for all legal fees and reasonable expenses incurred by the CAA if the CAA wins the case in connection with the suit to remain a member in good standing. 4.6.8 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.6 will be held accountable per 4.7.1 Each school must maintain insurance coverage for their teams and venues. 4.7.1.1 All school must have accidental policies on file. Schools must be able to prove documentation if required. 4.7.1.2 The CAA will provide the general liability policy for all venues leased for state tournament games. 4.7.2 It is up to each school s coaches, Athletic Director and administration to determine the safety of facilities used prior to events. If a school is concerned about the safety of the facilities the CAA recommends they contact the league Directors. 4.7.3 All high school sports that are meant to be play ed indoors must be played indoors. (volleyball, basketball, wrestling, etc.) 4.7.3.1 Junior high games may be played outside. No indoor sports (basketball or volleyball can be played in/on an OUTSIDE court/venue (2017) 4.7.4 Member schools will ensure that all participants have a medical physical that is current (physicals are valid for 12 months) before participating in any CAA sporting event. All schools must be able to provide documentation, if asked, that all players are medically cleared. 4.7.5 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.7 will be held accountable per 4.8 SPORTSMANSHIP, BEHAVIOR and SAFETY 4.8.1 Athletic Director Responsibilities - to monitor his/her athletic program and to self-report to the appropriate governing body any violations of CAA bylaws as soon as the school is aware of possible violations. This responsibility extends to all administrators and coaches at the school. Each member school is responsible for the conduct of its administrators, coaches, athletes, students and parent(s)/guardian(s) and for any knowledge possessed by its administrators. 4.8.2 Member schools are responsible for ensuring proper sportsmanship, behavior, and safety at all CAA school events. 4.8.3 All member schools are expected to react with appropriate disciplinary measures when players, coaches, spectators and school personnel are involved in unsportsmanlike behavior or in the event of any safety issues for any participant at all CAA events. 4.8.4 All member schools are expected to maintain school policies that will ensure high standards of sportsmanship, behavior, and safety for all participants at all CAA events. 4.8.5 Players, coaches, spectators and all school personnel are expected to maintain high standards of sportsmanship and behavior at all CAA events. 4.8.6 League referees are encouraged to maintain the highest level of player, crowd and coach conduct by using technical fouls, ejections and forfeitures as enforcement per the appropriate National Federation High School rulebook. 4.8.7 Tattoos must be covered if deemed profane or gang related as defined by the official. 4.8.8 Players, coaches, spectators, and school personnel that are ejected by a referee or school administrator from a CAA event will be held accountable per the guidelines established in Article 7 of this Constitution. 5 2016-17
4.8.9 Spectators, parents, or other non-school personnel should not use inappropriate cheers in any CAA event. Inappropriate includes but is not limited to the use of profanity, cheers with the intent of sounding profane, heckling students/players, using derogatory statements or chants, using racist words or cheers, offensive cheers or comments directed towards fans or cheer sections, physical conflict, threatening or aggressive behavior towards school personnel, officials, players, coaches, or other spectators, or any other behavior deemed inappropriate by league or school officials. 4.8.10 All students participating in the CAA must complete concussion training. School Athletic Directors must submit documentation of this training to the CAA Directors. 4.8.11 Schools failing to comply with the guidelines defined in Article 4.8 will be held accountable per 4.9 TEAMS (9.6.17) 4.9.1 A member school may only enter one varsity team in any sport. 4.9.2 If the league does not offer a JV division for a specific sport, a member school may enter a JV team in the varsity division. 4.4.9.2.1 Only the varsity team is eligible to make postseason tournaments. 4.4.9.2.2 JV teams may schedule varsity level games if both teams agree to play. 6 2016-17