281—36.7(280) Interscholastic athletics.

1. 36.7(1)  Physical examination. Every year, each student will present to the student’s superintendent a certificate signed by a licensed physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, osteopath, qualified doctor of chiropractic, licensed physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner, to the effect that the student has been examined and may safely engage in athletic competition.

   Each doctor of chiropractic licensed as of July 1, 1974, is to affirm on each certificate of physical examination completed that the affidavit required by Iowa Code section 151.8 is on file with the Iowa board of chiropractic.

   The certificate of physical examination is valid for the purpose of this rule for one calendar year. A grace period not to exceed 30 calendar days is allowed for expired physical certifications.

2. 36.7(2)  Sportsmanship. It is the clear obligation of member and associate member schools to ensure that their contestants, coaches, and spectators in all interscholastic competitions practice the highest principles of sportsmanship, conduct, and ethics of competition. The governing organization has the authority to penalize any member school, associate member school, contestant, or coach in violation of this obligation.
3. 36.7(3)  Awards. At no time may any student accept an award of cash.
4. 36.7(4)  Interstate competition. Every student participating in interstate athletic competition on behalf of the student’s school must meet the eligibility rules.
5. 36.7(5)  Competition seasons. The length of training periods and competition seasons is determined solely by the governing organization.
6. 36.7(6)  Tournaments. The number and type of state tournaments for the various sports is solely determined by the organization. In scheduling and conducting these tournaments, the organization has the final authority for determining the tournament eligibility of all participants. Organization bylaws are to provide for a timely method of seeking an internal review of initial decisions regarding tournament eligibility.

7. 36.7(7)  Ineligible player competition. Member or associate member schools that permit or allow a student to compete in an interscholastic competition in violation of the eligibility rules or that permit or allow a student who has been suspended to so compete are subject to penalties imposed by the executive board. The penalties may include forfeiture of contests or events or both, involving any ineligible student(s); adjustment or relinquishment of conference/district/tournament standings; and return of team awards or individual awards or both.

   If a student who has been declared ineligible or who has been suspended is permitted to compete in an interscholastic competition because of a current restraining order or injunction against the school, registered organization, or department, and if such restraining order or injunction subsequently is voluntarily vacated, stayed, reversed, or finally determined by the courts not to justify injunctive relief, the penalties listed above may be imposed.

In addition to the requirements of rule 281—36.8(280), organizations will implement the provisions described below for participants in interscholastic athletic competition.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 280.13.

[ARC 7657C, IAB 3/6/24, effective 4/10/24]