TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

The name of the organization will be the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

ARTICLE II

The Purpose of TAPPS is and shall be to organize, to stimulate, to encourage and to promote the academic, athletic and fine arts programs in an effort to foster a spirit of fair play, good fellowship, true sportsmanship and wholesome competition for boys and girls.

ARTICLE III

Membership:

1. Membership in TAPPS is limited to private and parochial schools in the state of Texas, with students enrolled in grades 9-12.

1. Private schools are defined as those schools that are established, conducted and primarily supported by a non-government agency -or- primarily supported by student tuition.
2. Parochial schools are defined as those schools that are controlled by, supported by, or within the jurisdiction of a church parish.

2. All member schools shall submit the annual contract and payment of annual dues and event fees to the state office by September 1 of the current year.
3. Applications for membership of new schools must be made to the state office in writing by the school's chief administrator. Applications will be considered by the Executive Board and its decision will be reported to the membership. Note: Former TAPPS member schools having withdrawn in good standing will be required to follow all procedures as outlined in Article III of the Constitution. Any former TAPPS member school not in good standing will be required to follow all procedures as outlined in Article III of the Constitution and in the By-Laws - Probation and Sanctions. New members accepted will be placed in a district by the means of:

1. realignment which takes effect in even years or
2. odd years with the approval of a district that could adapt its schedule to accommodate the new member school. Any new addition to a district will not compete in any sport/event until the beginning of each school year.                                     Exception: Football is a two-year contract, so a new school may have to compete as an independent until it can be absorbed into a schedule or added during realignment.

4. A TAPPS member school shall not be a member of another organization for the purpose of concurrent athletic competition. Nor shall a member school come into conflict that would prevent its participation in TAPPS District or State competition. (Fine Arts Competition See By-Laws Section 202.A).
5. Each member school shall be represented by a delegate who will have voting privileges for that member school in association business. The delegate from each school must be a professional (contracted) faculty member of that school and registered as a delegate in the TAPPS State Office.
6. The executive management, control, and final authority of this association belong to the Executive Board consisting of nine (9) members. Any new member to the Board is nominated by the President for appointment. This Board and all new board members must be approved by a majority vote of the Board. A President shall be elected from the nine board members by the board members. The Vice-President and Treasurer shall be appointed by the President with the majority approval of the Board. Board members are appointed to a place (numbered 1 through 9) and serve two-year terms, including the President. Each board member is subject to re-election within the Board. Re-elections will occur within the Board at the March meeting. Place(s) 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 shall be elected in odd numbered years, while place(s) 2, 4, 6 and 8 shall be elected in the even numbered years.
7. A majority of the Board must be present to act on association business. A majority number of votes of the quorum in attendance shall be required in order for the board to pass any motion.

ARTICLE IV

1. State Academic, Art, Athletics and Fine Arts championships will be conducted each year. A state champion will be recognized in both boy and girl designated sports/events.
2. The general operations of TAPPS will follow the guidelines as set by the TAPPS         Constitution, By-Laws, Athletic, Academic, Art and Fine Art Plans.

ARTICLE V

Eligibility qualifications for competition. A student/athlete:

1. has not reached 19 years of age prior to September 1 of the current school year; and
2. initially enrolled in the ninth grade not more than four years ago nor in the tenth grade not more than three years ago. A student may participate in TAPPS contests during a normal program of high school courses over a period of four consecutive calendar years after the student first enrolls in the ninth grade. Students who never entered the ninth grade but were placed into the tenth grade have three consecutive years from their first entry into tenth grade to complete their high school eligibility. NOTE: If a player competes for or against a varsity team before enrolling in the ninth grade, the Player’s four years of eligibility begins on the date of competition for or against the varsity team. It is a violation to allow students not yet in high school to participate with or against high school students.
3. has not graduated from high school or other school of equal or higher status; and
4. is a full  time, day student at the member school; and
5. allowed to participate in TAPPS competition or contests only if the student is in good and regular standing which included but not limited to:

1. enrollment in at least four accredited academic courses
2. failing no more than one course during the grading period

1. in determining whether or not the student is passing his or her work from the beginning of the semester to seven days before contest must be considered.
2. the length of time for ineligibility after a grading period shall be at least two weeks;
3. NOTE:see Section 77 for details

6. is enrolled in an accelerated Christian education school he/she must be proceeding toward graduation on a credit basis and on a passing basis with a regularly checked procedure by each school to ensure they are in good academic standing. If a question of eligibility arises, a school may be required to present the student’s transcript concerning eligibility to the state office; and/or
7. must meet guidelines of TAPPS transfer rule. See By-Laws - Transfer Rule; and
8. shall not take part in any competition or contest of TAPPS if participant has received money or gifts or valuable consideration for participating in any sport or contest, with the exception of FFA or 4-H participation. NOTE: TAPPS reserves the right in the Executive Board to assess and         make the final judgment of whether or not money or valuable consideration were given, or if either TAPPS rules and regulations and/or amateur status were violated; and
9. has not been induced for athletic purposes.

ARTICLE VI

The Amending Process: Amendments to the State Constitution of TAPPS must be proposed in writing to the Executive Board by member schools. A proposed amendment will be included on the agenda only if it is endorsed in writing by at least two other member schools and if it is submitted to the state office prior to the summer Convention and Coaches Clinic. The Executive Board shall make a recommendation to the membership for each amendment submitted. Ratification of amendments shall be a 2/3 vote of the membership.

  ARTICLE VII

TAPPS shall deem all games in which an ineligible player participates to be a loss even if the team had obtained a victory in said game/games. Participation will include but not be limited to dressing in the team uniform, playing in a game against any opponent or any other act which TAPPS considers to be participation.

General Bylaws-Sections 1-129

Subchapter A – Definitions and General Provisions

  Section 1 – Definitions

In the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. Calendar week means 12:01 a.m. on Sunday through midnight on Saturday.
2. Constitution means the Constitution of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
3. Contest includes competition.
4. Contest Rules means the rules governing TAPPS contests and competitions adopted by the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
5. District means a grouping of participant schools within an established classification that is determined to facilitate reasonable competition among the schools in TAPPS contests for a two-year period (designated as region in some instances).
6. District Executive Committee means the committee of superintendents or designated representatives of participant schools within an assigned district.
7. Director means the director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
8. Enrollment begins the day of a student’s registration and attendance in the minimum number of required daily class periods and ceases with the last day of attendance.
9. Fan(s) means devotees of a germane activity, e.g., spectators at a sporting event or a performance involving school students.
10. High school means a school that offers instruction in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades, or any combination thereof, whether all of the grades are offered instruction in the same building.
11. (Not playing for TAPPS Honors - Withdrawn from TAPPS District Participation)): A school may play as a “withdrawn team” if

1. the school declares withdrawn status prior to realignment
2. If the team is placed in a TAPPS district and later withdraws from competition in the district to play a non-TAPPS schedule

1. During the first year of an alignment, the school must compete as a non-TAPPS school for the remainder of the Alignment Cycle.
2. During the second year of an alignment, the school may not return to TAPPS competition for the following Alignment Cycle.

3. This ‘Withdrawn Team” is subject to all TAPPS rules.
4. A $250 per school fee is owed to TAPPS for withdrawal.
5. If a team is placed in a district and later withdraws without competing in interscholastic competition for that season, the district shall approve reentry into the district. A $250 per school fee is owed to TAPPS for the withdrawal. All provisions of Section 9 apply.

12. Junior high school means a school that offers instruction in the seventh and eighth grades, whether it also offers instruction in the sixth or ninth grade, and whether it occupies a building separate from an elementary or high school.
13. TAPPS means the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
14. TAPPS contest means competition between a TAPPS school, any other school (TAPPS or non-TAPPS member), and any organized homeschool group in any contest listed in Section 73.
15. Nonparticipating school means a member school that has not elected to participate in the germane activity.
16. Participant school means member private or parochial school for which the annual event fee has been paid.
17. Probation - A given period of time during which a member school, employee(s) of the member schools or a specific program of the member school is subject to critical examination and evaluation to determine if the subject on probation is in compliance with the TAPPS constitution, By-Laws, and contest rules.  If the component, while on probation, is found to be in violation of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws or Contest rules, that component will be subject to more stringent sanctions.
18. Inducement means to encourage students to come to or remain at a member school for the purpose of participating in TAPPS events. Inducement includes but is not limited to the following: offer or acceptance of the payment of tuition; offer or acceptance of board; offer or acceptance of lodging;

1. offer or acceptance of transportation;
2. offer or acceptance of a job for parent or student;
3. offer or acceptance of the payment of athletic camp registration;
4. offer or acceptance of payment of cash;
5. offer or acceptance of a University or College Scholarship;
6. offer or acceptance of free or reduced cost private instruction;
7. offer or acceptance of any other valuable consideration to induce the student to enroll in a participant's school.

19. Region means a grouping of districts of participant schools that is determined to facilitate reasonable competition among schools certified to represent their districts in League contests.
20. School week means the week beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the first instructional day of a calendar week and ends at the close of instruction on the last instructional day of the calendar week, excluding holidays.
21. Sponsor means any person who is principally responsible, or responsible by delegation of or directing or coaching any student in TAPPS contests.
22. TAPPS Executive Board means the State Executive Board of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools as described in Article III, #6 of the Constitution.
23. Summer months or summer vacation means from the time TAPPS activities end in May until TAPPS activities begin for the new school year as published in the TAPPS calendar.
24. Traditional school year means an approximate nine consecutive months instructional period with an approximate three-month vacation during the summer months.
25. Valuable consideration means any tangible or intangible property or service, including anything that is wearable, usable or salable.
26. Varsity means a contest entry at the highest level of competition as provided for in the fine arts and athletic plans at which the team, team member, or individual student is designated by the school to represent it in TAPPS district, bi-district, region, state or non-conference contests.
27. Athletic Executive Committee means the elected committee described in Section 24 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
28. Fine Arts Executive Committee means the appointed committee described in Section 25 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
29. Coach:

1. Any person who interacts with students in practice or competition in an extracurricular activity including but not limited to:

1. Training
2. Teaching a skill
3. Instruction
4. Tutoring
5. Drilling
6. Exercising
7. Preparing

2. For TAPPS purposes, coaches positions include but are not limited to all of the following arrangements:

1. Paid
2. Unpaid
3. Full-time
4. Part-time
5. Stipend Only
6. Volunteer
7. Team or
8. Skills only (pitching, kicking, serve/serve return, goalkeeper, etc.)

30. Recreational Opportunities – Open Gym or Open Weight Room

1. Schools may provide recreational opportunities for students with advance approval of the school board or administration
2. The dates and times of the recreational opportunities (open gym times) shall be announced, posted, or publicized so that every student attending the school is aware of the opportunity to participate.
3. Activities shall be on a first come, first serve basis
4. School Coaches are responsible for notifying student athletes in their sport that any attendance to or participation in the open gym is strictly voluntary, never required, and is in no way a prerequisite for making a team or gaining playing time.
5. No instruction may be given during the open gym.
6. Someone other than the coach may be appointed to supervise the gym or facilities.
7. Coaches should not participate with their athletes in the athletes’ sport.
8. Coach participation with their students places the responsibility on the coach and school to prove they are not violating Sunday and off-season regulations.
9. Use of facilities may be restricted to that school’s student body. Note: If only members of an athletic team are participating in their sport in an open recreational facility, it could be deemed a violation of off-season regulations.

31. Open Gyms

1. During open gyms, the following are acceptable:

1. Attendance may be taken
2. School equipment may be used

2. During open gyms the following are not acceptable:

1. Mandatory Attendance
2. Posting workouts
3. Directing activities
4. Demonstrating techniques
5. Charting of student achievement
6. Grouping of student by performance level or other criteria
7. Organizing teams
8. Organizing contests or drills

32. Open Weight Room

1. During open weight, the following are acceptable:

1. Attendance may be taken
2. School equipment may be used
3. Posting workouts
4. Directing activities
5. Demonstrating techniques
6. Charting of student achievement
7. Grouping of student by performance level or other criteria

2. During open weight rooms the following are not acceptable:

1. Mandatory Attendance

33. Camp is defined as an organized event with

1. a definite beginning and ending date not to exceed 7 consecutive days
2. where specific instruction and training in a

1. Sport,
2. Position,
3. skill or
4. activity is offered.

3. Camp participation should not be mandatory.

34. Guardianship (also known as conservatorship) In regards to student eligibility for varsity participation, the board or appointed committee shall determine eligibility.  If the student is residing with a guardian, the following conditions may allow a student to participate upon approval and not wait one year from the application for eligibility.

1. If a student’s parents are alive but a guardian of his/her person has been established by the appropriate authority and recorded in the county clerk’s office more than one year prior to application,
2. If a student’s parents are alive but no legal guardian of his/her person has been established by the appropriate authority and recorded in the county clerk’s office, guardianship may be established if the student has resided with  and been supported by the guardian for more than three (3) years prior to application,
3. If a student’s parents are deceased and the student resides with and is supported by grandparents, aunt/uncle or brother/sister for TAPPS eligibility purposes.
4. If students are placed in a Boarding Facility, as licensed by the state of Texas as a child care facility. This includes students whose parents are living or deceased.

35. Gender Identity 

1. TAPPS recognizes a student’s gender as that which is denoted on the student’s birth certificate as entered at or near the time of the student’s birth.
2. TAPPS shall recognize a birth certificate as presented from

1. a recognized authority of the State of Texas or
2. another such governing body authorized to issue birth certificates for citizens of their jurisdiction in keeping with part A above.

Section 2 – Computation of Time to Act

1. Counting after an event.  When action is required within a specified period of time after a spec­ific act or occurrence, coun­ting starts the day after the act or occurrence.  Do not count Saturday, Sunday or federal or state holidays.
2. Counting before an event. When action is required within a spec­ified period of time before a spec­ific occurrence, counting ends the day before the act or occurrence.  Count backwards beginning with the day prior to the event to find the date action must be taken.  Do not count Saturday, Sunday or federal or state holidays.

Section 3 – Scheduling Restrictions/Accommodation

1. In order to provide at least one day of respite from involvement in interscholastic activities each week, TAPPS and TAPPS member schools shall not schedule contests or practices on Sunday. Travel on Sundays is a decision left to the governance of each member school.
2. Schools founded on religious tenets that observe the Sabbath other than Sunday may schedule practice or competition on Sunday provided they have notified TAPPS of this request prior to September 1 of each year.
3. Under no circumstance shall a school schedule practice or competition which would require the student athlete to participate for seven (7) consecutive days.
4. TAPPS shall not schedule practice or contests on Christmas and Easter.
5. Individual member schools shall establish their competition schedules in keeping with their individual guiding principles and governance.
6. In determining contest dates, member schools should demonstrate the utmost respect for other member schools’ religious observances governing the schools ability to participate.
7. Team Sports:

1. No member school shall be required to participate on a day of Sabbath observance or a day of traditional religious holidays, to include but not limited to the following:

1. Christmas, Easter, Yom Kippur.
2. This requirement applies to contests , practices and travel.

2. Schedules subject to change in consideration for those schools submitting a request for accommodation for religious observance include

1. District
2. Post-District
3. State

3. State Contests

1. Any request for accommodation for religious observance must be forwarded to the TAPPS office.

8. Individual Competitions:

1. Based on the nature of the individual competitions, competitors must compete on the same day and conditions as all other contestants.
2. Individual contests are therefore not subject to accommodation for religious observance.
3. District, Regional and State competition schedules shall be construed so that religious days of observation are considered when setting the dates of competition.
4. Weather related or other emergency situations, which by nature are not planned nor predictable, may necessitate changes that conflict with religious days of observance.

Section 6 - Application for TAPPS Membership

TAPPS has developed the following basic requirements for membership based upon research of those schools applying for and gaining acceptance to the organization.  While TAPPS encourages private and parochial schools to view TAPPS membership as an option, schools that are unable to meet their participation goals and commitments harm the district and organization structure.  The membership requirements are in place to protect both the applicant schools and the existing member schools.

1. Applicant schools must meet the requirements for membership presented in Article III of the TAPPS Constitution
2. Requirements at the time of application

1. have students in grades 9-12 at the time of application and acceptance for participation
2. have a minimum of 20 students in grades 9-12. This is an average of 5 students per grade
3. have participated in athletic interscholastic contests at the High School level
4. have the recommendation of at least three (3) current TAPPS member schools
5. Schools must participate in at least six (6) TAPPS activities upon acceptance

1. Boys and girls activities may be counted separately
2. Fine Art activities will be included as one activity each

6. If the applicant school is a member of an organization similar to TAPPS for extracurricular activities, the school must be in good standing with that organization and eligible for continuing membership in that organization

3. Initial request for information

1. Complete the Information Request form located on the TAPPS website
2. TAPPS office will contact Head Administrator for a phone interview

4. Application process

1. Phone interview
2. After the phone interview, schools meeting the requirements for membership will be forwarded an application for TAPPS membership
3. School must complete and return the application with all requested documentation to the TAPPS office
4. The Application for Membership must be accompanied with a $200 non-refundable application fee

5. Board interview

1. Upon receipt of the application and supporting documentation, applicant schools shall be scheduled to interview  with the TAPPS executive board
2. The interview may be in person or other options as determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.

6. Notification

1. TAPPS will notify applicant school of acceptance or denial

Subchapter B – Membership in TAPPS

Section 7 – Qualifications for Membership

A member school in good standing is defined as a private or parochial school as described in Article III of the TAPPS Constitution which has:

1. returned its annual contract and paid its annual dues and fees by the deadline indicated on the current TAPPS calendar (September 1);
2. has met deadlines in submitting required forms and reports to district and state offices;
3. has met obligations in regard to competition in scheduled contests;
4. has followed the rules and guidelines of the TAPPS Constitution and By-Laws;
5. has not been involved with litigation against TAPPS with­in the past five (5) years; and
6. has been approved by an annual majority vote of the TAPPS Executive Board.
7. Maintain the minimum number of events required by membership as outlined in Section 6 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
8. The first two years a school is a member of the organization, shall be considered a probationary time during which the school’s membership may be subject to review and termination with or without cause.
9. If a school voluntarily withdraws membership in TAPPS, the school must wait three realignment cycles before application for reinstatement in TAPPS.

Section 8 – School’s Eligibility to Participate

1. General. Unless its right to participate has been suspended or revoked by the TAPPS Executive Board, a school that is a member of TAPPS and has paid the annual TAPPS membership dues and event fees for the particular activity is eligible for competition.
2. Exception:  Some member schools that do not meet the criteria of private or parochial school as described in Article III of the TAPPS Constitutions that were approved for membership prior to the current definition of private or parochial school, shall remain members of TAPPS so long as they are in good standing and oper­ate as they did when accepted as members of TAPPS.

Section 9 – Membership Dues

1. Annual Dues. A school shall pay annual membership dues in an amount determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.
2. Event Fees. Each high school that wishes to participate in TAPPS contests shall pay an annual event fee based on the number of activities indicated on the annual contract. The amount of the events fee is determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.
3. A school may request to withdraw from an event for which an event fee was paid, however,

1. the school must request the withdrawal on the TAPPS form
2. there will be a fee of not less than the event fee charged for this action

4. A school may request to add an event after submitting their annual contract. In order for the request to be considered,

1. the school must request the addition on the TAPPS form
2. there will be an additional fee of not less than the event fee charged for this action
3. the school must notify the TAPPS office more than 30 days prior to the first competition in the event
4. payment must be received in the TAPPS office prior to adding the school to an event or district.

5. Special Fee. Events may be assessed a special fee as determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.

Section 10 – Membership and Right to Participate

Each school is re­sponsible for having READ and COM­PLIED with the Constitution, By-Laws and Academic, Art, Athletic and Fine Art plans.  TAPPS requires all member schools to give each administrator and coach the proper information concerning the parti­cular contest or event and that each school is in compliance with all TAPPS rules and regulations.  Each of the following are specific requirements.

1. Return the annual contract and certificate of accreditation by the specified date; and
2. Pay all dues and fees in full by the specified date; and
3. fill out and file the proper eligibility form for each sport and send copies to the District President and TAPPS State office by the specified date; and
4. Complete all transfer require­ments as set by the TAPPS Con­stitution, Article V, Item 7 (See By-Laws – Transfer Rule, Section 104); and
5. Complete the membership contract and return within the yearly assessment by September 1 of the current year; and
6. Complete and mail in by the designated deadline all season reports required; and
7. Require a school representative to attend any meeting designated “mandatory” by the TAPPS Executive Board; and
8. Comply with the “letter and spirit of the rules and regu­lations” of the TAPPS Constitu­tion, By-Laws, Athletic, Aca­demic, Art and Fine Art plans; and
9. Respond to all requests made by the TAPPS Executive Board and TAPPS State office by the deadline indicated in the correspondence or on the Official TAPPS calendar; (examples include but not limited to: Referendum votes, annual contract, directory information, enrollment forms, surveys, questionnaires; and
10. Make provisions for liability and medical insurance on all coaches and players for all TAPPS events.
11. The member school must provide the name of the insurance carrier in item #10 when submitting their annual contract.
12. RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE. A member school’s right to continue to par­ticipate in TAPPS contests may be continued by the school’s timely payment of its annual dues and of the school’s events fee.
13. ACCREDITATION.

1. A member school shall maintain the accreditation of the school.
2. Accreditation must be with one of the following agencies approved by TEA:

1. National Christian Schools Association
2. Independent Schools Association of the Southwest
3. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
4. Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools
5. Lutheran Schools Accreditation Commission
6. Accreditation Commission of the Texas
7. Association of Christian Schools International
8. Texas Catholic Conference Education Department
9. International Christian Accrediting Association
10. Texas Seventh Day Adventist School System
11. Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools
12. Association of Christian Teachers and Schools
13. Accreditation Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools
14. Texas Education Agency  See the website for more information

3. If a school is not accredited, the school must submit a written statement regarding the school’s academic plan and reason for lack of accreditation. Documentation may be requested by the TAPPS Director or Executive Board to confirm the school’s commitment to student success and achievement of educational goals.
4. The accreditation of each TAPPS school is subject to review by the TAPPS Executive Board.

14. Fees. No school will be allowed to participate in any event on the district level if they have not paid their events fees for that event to the State Office.  A dis­trict allowing ineligible schools to participate could forfeit their playoff position in that contest or event.

Section 11 – Event Passes

1. The number of events passes each school receives will be determined by the Executive Board.
2. The TAPPS card will admit cardholder, spouse and minor children in their company free of charge.
3. Passes issued from the following professional organizations will be honored for the cardholder only:

1. TASO
2. THSBOA
3. THSADA
4. THSCA
5. TGCA
6. TABC
7. TSMCA
8. CCAT
9. TTFCA
10. TTCA
11. TISCA
12. TETA
13. TAVC
14. THSBCA
15. TSMCA

4. These passes will be good for any TAPPS contest; including regular season, district, post district and tournaments.
5. All TAPPS schools are required to honor the Official TAPPS Pass and the passes from the organizations listed above.
6. Schools failing to honor a TAPPS Pass will be subject to sanctions by the TAPPS Executive Board.
7. The coach of a team at a championship event will not need a pass; the coach’s spouse may use the coach’s pass for admittance.
8. Students or minor children may not present the TAPPS Pass for admittance without the adult holder present.
9. Lost passes will not be replaced by the TAPPS office.
10. Additional passes may be purchased for $350.00 each.

Section 12 – Legal Action

1. In the event that any civil judicial action, including but not limited to a TRO or Temporary Injunction, is brought against TAPPS, the Executive Board, the Fine Arts Executive Committee, the Athletic Executive Committee, any District Committee, any ad hoc or other Committees of the organization, any officer or member of such Boards or Committees, or a TAPPS Member School, for any decision, interpretation, implementation, execution or enforcement of the provisions of the TAPPS Constitution and/or By-Laws, the following actions may be taken:

1. stripping awards from teams and/or individual;
2. probation of the individual student seeking judicial action and/or the TAPPS member school he/she attends;
3. Disqualification from participation for the individual student and/or the full team seeking judicial relief for a full year from the conclusion of the legal action;

2. If a lawsuit or judicial action as described in 1 above is filed by a TAPPS Member School, its employee, representative, volunteer, student, or parent or guardian of a student, TAPPS and all of its related representatives and parties shall be reimbursed for any and all expenses and fees in connection with the investigation, defense and resolution of said action.
3. Written notice shall be provided for the payment of all expenses and fees incurred as described in 2 above to the party who brought the action. If, within 90 days after receiving said notice, the expenses and fees remain unpaid, the TAPPS Executive Board shall suspend from participation in all TAPPS activities the student(s) and/or TAPPS Member School for a period of one to three years.

(Section 13-15 reserved for expansion)

Subchapter C – Organization and Administration

Section 16 – Composition of TAPPS

Subchapter C

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINI­STRATION

Section 16

COMPOSITION OF TAPPS

SEE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE III, 1.

Section 17 – TAPPS Binding Actions

TAPPS shall be bound only by those of its actions that are reasonably undertaken by TAPPS officers, pursuant to the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, or to the written resolution or motion passed by the affirmative vote of  a 2/3 majority of the members of the TAPPS membership.  Actions taken pursuant to this section shall be referred to as binding actions.

Section 18 – Liability Insurance

TAPPS will pay the premium on and be covered by a liability insurance policy.  The policy will be in effect as follows:

1. All official TAPPS contests and events in which TAPPS secures the site will be covered. This does not include district, bi-district, and some regional events or non-TAPPS activities attended by a TAPPS member school.
2. Minimum coverage limits shall be:

1. $1,000,000.00 bodily injury
2. $1,000,000.00 property damage.

3. The TAPPS insurance will not cover participants while actively engaged in practice or games. TAPPS recommends that all member schools provide Liability or Medical insurance for their staff and students who participate in all TAPPS events.
4. TAPPS liability insurance will be funded for by using membership assessment monies as directed by the Executive Board.
5. This information will be updated as information comes to TAPPS from selected insurance agents.

Section 19 – TAPPS Leadership

1. DIRECTOR.  The TAPPS Executive Board appoints a person to serve at its pleasure as the Director of Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.  The Director is an employee of TAPPS.
2. SUPERVISION. The Director of TAPPS has the responsibility:

1. to serve as the chief admini­strative officer of TAPPS;
2. to employ, in accordance with all applicable employment policies of the TAPPS Executive Board, all TAPPS staff and consultants;
3. for day to day operation of TAPPS state organization;
4. to work within the guidelines set by the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws, Contest Rules and Executive Board;
5. to work closely with the TAPPS Executive Board President on contractual and fiscal matters, board meeting agenda, and other association business;
6. for the administration of all events/contests sponsored;
7. to prepare the annual budget for TAPPS and submit for approval to the TAPPS Executive Board;
8. to take such other, further, and reasonable actions that are necessary or desirable under and consistent with:

1. the binding actions taken by the TAPPS Executive Board;
2. the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws, and Contest Rules;
3. the law.

3. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR. The TAPPS Executive Board approves a person to serve at  its pleasure as the Associate Director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The Associate Director is an employee of TAPPS.
4. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. The TAPPS Executive Board approves a person to serve at  its pleasure as the Assistant Director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The Assistant Director is an employee of TAPPS.
5. SUPERVISION.  The Associate / Assistant Director has the responsibility:

1. To assist the TAPPS Director in the day to day operation of the Association;
2. To act as the chief administrative officer of TAPPS in the absence of the Director;
3. To become familiar with the duties of the TAPPS staff;
4. To perform those duties assigned by the Director;
5. To be considered for the role of TAPPS Director when that position is available.

Section 20 – Executive Board

1. The executive management, control and final authority of this association belong to the TAPPS Executive Board.
2. Composition

1. Nine (9) Members as denoted in Article III of the TAPPS Constitution
2. The Board members shall occupy one of the nine (9) places
3. Members elected to the board shall be subject to reelection as noted in the following:

1. Nominations for the odd numbered places shall be accepted and voted upon at the March board meeting each odd numbered year.
2. Nominations for the even numbered places shall be accepted and voted upon at the March board meeting each even numbered year.
3. In the event a board member cannot finish the elected term, the place shall be filled in accordance with the selection criteria listed herein.

3. Requirements

1. Full time employee of a TAPPS member school
2. Active in the administration, athletic or fine art endeavors of the member school
3. New Members must have served TAPPS as active member of one of the leadership committees which include

1. Leadership Advisory Council
2. Athletic Executive Committee
3. Fine Art Executive Committee

4. Selection

1. Members shall be nominated for open positions on the Executive Board
2. Nominees must be presently serving or have served on one of the committees.
3. Self-nominations shall be accepted
4. Nomination shall include

1. Submission of letter of interest
2. Submission of resume

5. Members of the TAPPS Executive Board shall make final selection based on nominations submitted

5. Term

1. Board members shall be elected at the March board meeting
2. Board member term shall begin with the June board meeting of the election year
3. Board member term shall end with the June meeting two years after election
4. There is no limit to the number of terms to which a board member can elected

6. Duties

1. Fulfill the obligations as required by the TAPPS Constitution and By-Laws.
2. Establish such guidelines, regulations, policies and procedures as authorized by the TAPPS Constitution and Bylaws
3. Establish and levy annual dues and fees.
4. Oversight of the financial operations of the organization
5. Develop and establish the organization’s annual budget
6. Employ an Executive Director and staff as necessary to oversee and direct the daily operations of the associations
7. Oversee the membership of the organization including:

1. Interview / acceptance of new schools
2. Annual review of member school contracts
3. Review of member relations and conduct

8. Approve and insure events are conducted in accordance with established TAPPS rules, protocols and design.

7. Authority

1. The TAPPS Executive Board is the full and final authority of the organization
2. Assign responsibility for operation of the organization to

1. Athletic Executive Committee
2. Fine Art Executive Committee
3. Ad hoc committees as established by the Executive Board
4. TAPPS staff

3. The board has the authority to

1. Initiate and require investigation
2. Impose penalty and sanctions
3. Hear appeal of previous decisions

Section 21 – Leadership Advisory Council

Section 22 – Athletic Executive Committee

1. Composition:

1. The AEC will be comprised of one elected member from each classification and three at large members. The elected AEC shall make recommendations to the TAPPS Executive Board for an additional three members. The Board will appoint at  large members from the list of nominations presented by the AEC.
2. Members are not eligible for election or selection if their school is represented with a sitting member on the Executive Board. Every effort will be made to not overlap representation with the Fine Arts committee. The Executive Board shall make final determination should participation on the AEC come into question.
3. AEC elected members shall be elected every two years in even numbered years to run with re-classification. If an AEC member moves to a different classification during their term, then the sitting AEC will appoint an interim member to serve the rest of that term. Appointed AEC members shall be re-appointed at the end of each classification year.
4. Appointed members are only eligible for reappointment for 3 consecutive terms. There are no term limits for elected AEC members.
5. Elections shall be held by the end of August whenever possible. Special elections or amended election dates shall be at the discretion of the Executive Board.

2. Criteria of Elected and Appointed AEC Members:

1. Serve or Served as a District President, Vice President or existing AEC member and
2. Be employed in a Full time Position with TAPPS Member School
3. Appointed members must have been on the most recent AEC election ballot.

3. Responsibilities:

1. Athletic Policy

1. Review all athletic policies as shown in Sections 103 – 199 of the TAPPS Bylaws
2. Make recommendation on athletic policy to the Executive Board
3. Advise the TAPPS board on policy impact and financial implications.

2. General Policy 

1. Review general policies as shown in Sections 1 -129 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
2. Make recommendation on general policies to the Executive Board

4. Governance

1. Facilitate and assist District Executive Committees in meetings regarding potential TAPPS violations by students or school personnel.

1. The District shall determine any violations
2. The District will issue any sanctions necessary.
3. In the event of an appeal, the AEC representative will report findings to the Board at the appeal meeting.
4. A committee of a minimum of 3 AEC members may be created to conduct an intermediary hearing with issues that may cross districts or classifications. The AEC will issue sanctions in these situations. In the event of an appeal, the AEC representative(s) will report findings to the Board at the appeal meeting.

1. The AEC will also hear appeals and issue sanctions involving athletic competition governed in the Athletic Bylaws.

5. Local mentorship of AEC members to Athletic Directors.
6. The AEC may be directed to create ad hoc committees to assist with sport specific concerns.

Section 23 – Fine Arts Executive Committee

1. Composition

1. The Fine Arts Executive Committee shall be a selected body consisting of not more than ten (10) members.
2. Term of office

1. Each term shall be no longer than 3 years
2. An FAEC representative may be  selected for no more than two consecutive terms.

2. Governance

1. General Governance (Sections 1-129 of the TAPPS By-Laws)

1. Recommend changes to governance to the Executive Board
2. Review and recommend changes to governance presented by membership

2. General Athletic Governance (Sections 130-142)

1. Recommend changes to governance to the Executive Board
2. Review recommend changes to governance presented by membership

3. Fine Art Activities (Sections 199-263)

1. Recommend changes to governance to the Executive Board
2. Review recommend changes to governance presented by membership

3. Duties of the FAEC

1. Mentoring

1. Mentoring Fine Art Directors new to the position in TAPPS
2. Provide Educational Training at TAPPS sponsored events.

2. Assist District / Regional meetings pertaining to

1. Planning
2. Disciplinary issues.

3. Alignment

1. Fall Activities
2. Spring Activities

4. Championship Planning

1. Approve Championship Formats
2. Approve / Assist in planning of District or Regional Events

5. Activities hosted by TAPPS

1. Committee members shall attend and represent TAPPS at Regional or State events hosted by TAPPS.
2. Committee members shall provide assistance as necessary for Fine Art events with duties to include:

1. Event Management
2. Awards

Section 24 – District Executive Committee

1. JURISDICTION.  The district execu­tive committee shall decide reports of violations concerning eligibility and other violations of the Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules that occur within its district.  A person who represents a school involved in a report may not partici­pate in the committee’s decision.
2. COMPOSITION. The district executive committee is composed of the superintendents of participant schools competing in the assigned TAPPS playing district.  The super­intendent may designate adminis­trators to represent participant schools on the district executive committee.  The superintendent may appoint an alternate to serve in the event the superintendent or the designated representative cannot attend a meeting.
3. DISTRICT ORGANIZATION.

1. Organizational Meeting.  The temporary district president shall call a district meeting to organize the district.  Subsequent regular and special business meetings shall be called by the district president as needed or upon the request of a member of the committee.
2. New District.  In each new district a temporary president shall be appointed by the TAPPS Director.  This temporary president shall serve until the district executive commit­tee elects a president.
3. Temporary President.  Until a president for the current school year’s district has been elected, the president of the previous district executive committee or the person appointed by the TAPPS Director shall serve as temporary president and be authorized to call meetings of the partici­pant schools.
4. Vice President.  The district executive committee shall elect a vice president to represents a participant school involved in a matter which would prevent the president from casting a vote.
5. Vacancies.  In the event a president or vice president has been elected by the committee and becomes for any reason unable to serve, the district executive committee shall elect another president or vice president.  The vice president shall serve in the capacity of acting president until the committee elects a new president.
6. Failure to create a district executive committee in accordance with the above procedures will result in sanctions against the district and the schools involved.

4. MEETINGS. In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, a district executive committee may hold meetings.
5. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. The president of the district executive committee shall direct the work of the com­mittee pursuant to the TAPPS Con­stitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.  The business of the committee may be conducted informally.
6. VOTES.  Each participant school in the assigned district shall have one vote.
7. VOTING ON BUSINESS ITEMS. In order to take binding actions on items of business, the committee must vote in accordance with the Constitution.
8. VOTING ON QUESTIONS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

1. Inquiry Concerning Involvement.  Prior to calling for a vote, the district president shall ask each member if he or she or the participant school represented is involved in the question.
2. Determination of Involvement.  Involvement in a question shall be determined on a fac­tual, case by case, basis.
3. Involved Not Entitled to Vote.  A member of the committee shall not be entitled to vote in a case in which he or she or the participant school represented is involved.  This includes the representative from the school:

1. that is making a report of violation;
2. that is being charged with a violation;
3. that the student in quest­ion is leaving; or
4. that the student in ques­tion is changing to.

4. Transferal of Case.  If the president determines that fewer than three members of the committee remain entitled to vote in the case, the president may immediately transfer the record of the case to the TAPPS Executive Board for disposition.

9. RESPONSIBILITIES. In addition to those responsibilities found else­where in the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules for a district executive committee, it shall have the following responsibilities:

1. Enforcement.  The district executive committee shall enforce all rules contained in the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.  This includes assessing a penalty for every rule violation.
2. Investigations.  The district executive committee shall investigate the eligibility of contestants.
3. Assist Other Participant Schools.  The district execu­tive committee shall furnish, upon the request of participant schools in the district, a list of eligible players submitted by each participant school.
4. Disputes; Eligibility Questions.  The district executive committee shall try to settle within the district all disputes and shall decide all questions of eligibility according to the Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.  The district executive commit­tee may, by majority vote, request the TAPPS Executive Board to assume original jur­isdiction of disputes or eligi­bility questions.
5. Notification of Appeals.  The district executive committee shall make appeals in writing to the president of the TAPPS Executive Board, through the TAPPS Director.
6. Determination of Tie Breaker Process.  The district execu­tive committee shall determine in writing prior to a con­­­test’s season the method to determine the district repre­sentatives in the event two or more schools are tied in win/loss percentages.
7. Other Required or Desirable Actions.  The district execut­ive committee shall take such other action that is reasonable, necessary or desirable, and consistent with the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, and the law.
8. The District Executive Committee shall appoint a representative from the district schools to report the district standings as required by TAPPS in each team sport.

10. PERMISSIBLE ZONES. The district executive committee, by majority vote, may subdivide for contest purposes into geographic zones.  The zones of a district shall con­tain an equal number of teams, or as nearly equal as possible.  For example: a 16-team district shall be divided 8-8; a 14-team district shall be divided 8-6 unless by unanimous vote the district wants a 7-7 division.  Districts with fewer than 14 schools shall divide into zones with an equal number of teams, or as nearly equal as poss­ible.
11. PROHIBITED ACTIONS.

1. Eligibility Questions.  The district executive committee does not have the authority to vote a student eligible when that student does not meet the requirements of the TAPPS Constitution or By-Laws.
2. Subdividing into Zones.  The district executive committee may not subdivide into zones for contest purposes according to the size of the schools, previous success, or win/loss records.

12. CONSEQUENCES OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMIT­TEE ACTION. The TAPPS Executive Board shall have the authority to reject for post-district competition any participant school or its representative contestant whose district executive committee is found to have failed to comply with any rule of the Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, or the TAPPS Executive Board.

Section 25 – Responsibilities of the Superintendent / Head Admin.

The superintendent/headmaster of a member school:

1. shall exercise direction and man­agement of all TAPPS contests and scrimmages in which schools in the district compete, including ap­pointing a game administrator for all home TAPPS varsity athletic team contests;
2. shall enforce all rules of eligi­bility with respect to the students in their school;
3. shall be responsible for fully cooperating with persons who are appointed by the District President, the TAPPS Executive Board, Fine Arts/Athletic Executive Committees or the TAPPS Director, to investigate allegations against the school, student representatives, or school district personnel;
4. shall promptly report to the dis­trict executive committee any viola­tion of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules by a student or participant school within the school or other schools unless the violation has already been reported;
5. shall provide the district executive committee with full disclosure when a student’s grade, given by a teacher, is modified by an admini­strator in such a manner that affects TAPPS eligibility;
6. shall determine that the events fee is paid;
7. shall require the Professional Acknowledgment Form for all of the school’s coaches and sponsors of TAPPS academic, art and music activities (grades 9-12); a Student Acknowledgment of Rules Form from each competing student (Fine Arts and Athletics); and a completed Medical History and Physical Examination form for all athletes at the beginning of each school year. These forms shall be kept on file in the superinten­dent’s office.
8. shall require an annual orientation for all 9-12 grade TAPPS directors, sponsors, advisers and coaches regarding TAPPS rules, expectations regarding appropriate conduct during TAPPS contests, goals and pur­poses;
9. shall approve all athletic and fine arts schedule; and
10. shall insure that results from all TAPPS contests are reported within 48 hours as prescribed in the TAPPS manual.

Subchapter D – Violations and Protests

Section 26 – Violations / Penalties Reported to the TAPPS Office

Failure to follow rules listed in the constitution, by-laws and athletic manual is a violation.

The minutes of the district meeting, including violations and penalties imposed by the District Executive Committee are to be sent in writing to the state office within three working days.

Section 27 – Conduct Subject to Protest

1. PROTEST OF PARTICIPANT SCHOOL. A participant school may protest an act or omission that is a violation of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws or Contest Rules, but may not pro­test a contest judge’s / referee’s or other official’s decision.
2. PROTEST OF AN INDIVIDUAL. If an individual protests an act or omission that is a violation of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws or Contest Rules,

1. the superintendent should try to resolve the protest within 15 days.
2. If the individual is not satisfied with the dispo­sition of the protest, the superin­tendent shall notify the individual that the individual may file the protest with the District Executive Committee.
3. If still dissatisfied with the District Executive Commit­tee’s disposition of the case, and if further information is forthcom­ing, the case may referred to the

1. Athletic Executive Committee
2. Fine Arts Executive Committee

4. If still dissatisfied with the District Executive Commit­tee’s decision, the case may be referred to the TAPPS Executive Board to determine if there is substance to rehear the case.

3. PROTEST OF DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISION. If an individual or school is not satisfied with the decision and/or sanctions of the District Executive Committee,

1. The Individual or School may file a protest with the TAPPS office to be directed to the

1. Athletic Executive Committee; or
2. Fine Arts Executive Committee

2. If still dissatisfied with the District Executive Commit­tee’s decision, the Individual or School may file an appeal of the case to be referred to the TAPPS Executive Board to determine if there is substance to rehear the case.

Section 28 – Filing a Protest

The superintendent or designated administrator must file the protest in writing with either the executive committee or the TAPPS Executive Board, whichever is appropriate.  The protest must be filed within a reasonable time, not to exceed ten days from the date of official notification from TAPPS.  The committee shall determine on a case-by-case basis what is a reasonable time, however, there is no time limit to pro­test eligibility or any other rule which imposes mandatory penalties.

Section 29 – Report of a Violation

A superintendent, principal, school administrator, teacher, coach, or sponsor may report an alleged violation of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and/or Contest Rules by his or her school.  The report must be in writing and filed with the district executive committee or the TAPPS Executive Board, whichever is appropriate, within a reasonable time.  The committee shall determine on a case-by-case basis what is a reasonable period of time, however, there is no time limit to protest eligibility or any other rule which imposes mandatory penalties.

Section 30 – Investigation of Protests or Allegations

1. DIRECTOR’S INVESTIGATION.  The Director shall investigate each protest or allegation filed that is within the jurisdiction of the TAPPS Executive Board and report all findings to the appropriate committee.
2. SUBMISSION OF RECORDS. In response to a request by the TAPPS Executive Board, Athletic Executive Committee, Fine Arts Executive Committee, district executive committee, or Director, a member school shall submit its records that are germane to the protest filed or being investigated.
3. INVESTIGATION BY OTHERS. The dis­trict executive committee, or an ad hoc committee approved by the dis­trict executive committee, may investigate protests or allegations within the district.

                        Evidence Review

Section 31 – Probations and Sanctions

1. A school that returns its membership contract but fails to submit the contract by September 1 of the current year, or the completed enrollment form by the published due date, is considered late and will result in the following Executive Board actions.
2. Failure to comply with any part(s) of Section 10 “Membership and Right to Participate” may result in the member school being placed on probation. Failure to correct the situation and demonstrate positive membership in the state organization will lead to:

1. The school’s being able to participate on the district level, but not the play-offs.
2. Ultimately a year (or more) suspension from membership in TAPPS may be handed down by the Executive Board.
3. Schools leaving TAPPS while on probation will serve that probation upon re-admittance to TAPPS.

3. TAPPS member schools eligible for participation in state athletic play-offs or state fine arts competition, but refuse to participate in the play-offs, will be sanctioned.

1. No member of that team will be considered for all state recognition.
2. Schools must submit in writing a detailed explanation for nonparticipation.
3. The member school will be assessed a fee of not less than $100, which must be received by the TAPPS office prior to the school participating in any other TAPPS sponsored event (District, Regional, or State).                                                                                                            Exception: See Section 141.A.13 for the exception to this rule.

4. Probation – either the District Executive Committee or the TAPPS Executive Board may place a member school, employee(s) of the school, or specific program of the member school on probation for a given period of time in order to examine and evaluate if the subject on probation is in compliance with the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and/or Contest Rules. The District Executive Committee may place schools on probation for up to one year. The Executive Board may place schools on probation for up to three years, followed by reevaluation.

(Sections 32-34 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter E – Committee Meetings and Appeals

Section 35 – Committee Meetings and Appeals

When it is necessary for a district executive committee, the Fine Arts Executive Committee, Athletic Executive Committee or the TAPPS Execu­tive Board, to make a determination with regard to the applicability of TAPPS rules to persons within the jurisdiction of TAPPS, including eligibility cases or alleged violations of TAPPS rules, the applicable committee shall have the option of making a decision on the matter based upon written submissions or convening an informal meeting to discuss the matter in an effort to achieve an equitable resolution.  Cases involving school district personnel shall be heard by the Fine Arts Executive Committee or the Athletic Executive Committee pursuant to the rules adopted by the TAPPS Executive Board. Final appeals shall be heard by the TAPPS Executive Board.

If a decision is made to hold an in­formal meeting (hearing), the interested parties should be given written notice of the meeting and invited to attend.  All decisions by committees shall be in writing, whether based upon a written submission or testimony at an informal meeting.

(Sections 36-39 reserved for expansion.)

  Section 40 – Appeals

1. APPEALS TO TAPPS Decisions by a district executive committee may be appealed to the Executive Board which shall have the discre­tion to either accept or decline to hear the appeal.  If the appeal is heard:

1. The appeal may be

1. Referred back to the original committee
2. Granted
3. Rejected-The committee hearing the appeal may accept the sanctions presented, reduce the sanctions or add additional sanctions based on their findings.

2. An appeal to the Executive Board shall carry a minimum fee of $200. This fee shall be nonrefundable and due within 10 days of the appeal.
3. An additional fee may be charged for any in person appeal in which the board must convene outside of its posted meeting schedule.

2. APPEAL PROCEDURE

1. Method of appeal shall be determined by the Executive Board.  Methods of appeal may include the following:
2. Appeal by email – All information, representing both sides of appeal, is submitted to the TAPPS Office on the appeal form located on the TAPPS website, which in turn is forwarded to the appropriate executive committee for decision without discussion. TAPPS office will contact both parties involved in the appeal, make sure all documentation and written testimony is complete before faxing it to the Board. The executive committee’s decision may be appealed to the TAPPS Executive Board, whose decision is final.
3. Appeal by conference call –

1. All information, representing both sides of appeal, is submitted to the TAPPS Office on the appeal form located on the TAPPS website
2. At the request of the person making the appeal, a conference call hearing is held.

4. IN PERSON APPEAL–

1. All information, representing both sides of appeal, is submitted to the TAPPS Office on the appeal form located on the TAPPS website
2. Parties involved in an appeal can wait for the next scheduled board/committee meeting and appear for a hearing in person.

5. Appealing party is responsible for all costs associated with the special meeting if the timing of the issues requires a special meeting of the committee or board.

3. Appeal of a District, Executive Committee, or Executive Board action must be received in the TAPPS office within ten days of notification of findings. After ten calendar days, the District, Executive Committee or Board action will become final if no appeal has been received.
4. A member school may have a legal representation present at an appeal to provide advice for the school. However, only the school personnel will be allowed to make a presentation or direct questioning to the ruling body.
5. APPEALS OF DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT.

1. Decisions of the TAPPS Executive Board may be appealed by partici­pant schools affected by the deci­sion.
2. Schools whose original appeals are denied by the TAPPS Exe­cutive Board may not appeal.

(Sections 41-44 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter F – Rules and Amendments

Section 45 – Official Interpretations of Rules

1. APPLICATION TO TAPPS EXECUTIVE BOARD. Anyone may request through the TAPPS State Office that the TAPPS Executive Board issue an Official Interpretation of a TAPPS rule.
2. BINDING EFFECT OF OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION. The Official Interpret­ation of any of these rules by the TAPPS Executive Board shall be the final, authoritative explanation of the rules so interpreted; no other interpretation by any person is binding on TAPPS.
3. RELIANCE ON OTHER INTERPRETATIONS. Anyone relying on an interpretation other than the TAPPS Executive Board, except as provided for under Section 46, below, regarding official TAPPS staff interpretations, risks the consequences, including the imposition of penalties.
4. CONTENTS. The TAPPS Executive Board in determining its Official Interpretations of the rules of TAPPS shall state clearly and concisely:

1. the language of the interpretation; and
2. any consequent instructions to the Director for his subsequent execution or administration of actions on the Board’s behalf including the publication of brief summaries of the Official Interpretations in the TAPPS News briefs and in the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.

Section 46 – Official Staff Interpretations

1. AUTHORIZED INTERPRETATIONS. Those staff members of TAPPS who are authorized by the Director may issue written staff interpretations of general applicability that con­stitute binding actions of TAPPS so long as the conditions set out below have been fulfilled in advance.
2. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUANCE. If a person requests a staff ­interpretation in writing, and accompanies the request with an application for an Official Interpretation by the TAPPS Executive Board, then the staff member may issue a written statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes TAPPS policy or procedure or practice requirements.  This statement shall be referred to as a staff interpretation.
3. EFFECT OF STAFF INTERPRETATION. The statement issued to the appli­cant may be relied upon until the TAPPS Executive Board issues its order on the application.
4. NO ORAL REQUESTS ACCEPTED. No oral requests for staff interpretation will be accepted.
5. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN OPINIONS BINDING. No oral or written opinions will be considered staff interpret­ations and they will not be considered binding on TAPPS.  Persons relying upon oral or written opinions do so at their own risk.

Section 47 – Rules of Construction

1. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION. Generally, the rules of TAPPS shall be broadly construed to give reasonable effect to the intentions, purposes, and objectives of TAPPS.  However, rules involving eligibility, rules involving violations, and rules involving penalties shall be strict­ly construed.
2. MANDATORY, PERMISSIVE, DIRECTORY, FACTUAL. Rules are mandatory if the word “shall” is written; per­missive if the word “may” is written, directory if the word ”should” is written; and state factual or expected events of past, present, or future times by writing those tenses of the verb “to be” or in the present tense.
3. TAPPS CONSTITUTION PREVAILS OVER CONTEST RULES. Where any term or section of the Contest Rules is found to be inconsistent with the Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail and apply and the remaining terms and sections of the Contest Rules shall continue in effect.
4. STATE LAW PREVAILS OVER TAPPS CON­STITUTION, BY-LAWS AND CONTEST RULES. Where any term or section of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules is found to be inconsistent with the laws of the State of Texas, the laws shall prevail and the remaining terms and actions of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules shall continue in effect.
5. EFFECT OF TITLES. The titles appearing throughout the TAPPS Cons­titution, By-Laws and Contest Rules are for descriptive purposes only.

(Sections 48-51 reserved for expansion.)

Section 52 – Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws and Contest Rules

                       Amendment Proposal Form

                       Process Flow Chart

Subchapter G – Classifications and Districts

Section 57 – Establishing Classifications

1. Before May 1 of each even numbered year, TAPPS shall establish classifications for TAPPS contests, and shall assign each participant school wishing to compete in TAPPS
2. activities to an appropriate district, division, and region, where applicable.
3. These classifications, divisions, regions, and districts shall be maintained for the next two school years.
4. TAPPS shall publish the classification, division, region, and district assignments for each participant school.

Section 58 – Classification Based on Enrollment

1. ENROLLMENT. Participant schools shall be assigned to a classification on the basis of an average enrollment of three dates taken from the previous school year and one date taken from the current school year. The formula used to determine enrollment shall be:

1. Enrollment Dates and Calculation.

1. Enrollment on each of the three (3) transfer deadlines from the previous school year for grades 9-12;
2. three times the enrollment on the Fall transfer deadline of the current school year for grades 9-12;
3. the sum of 1 and 2 above to be divided by six to produce the average enrollment used in determining classification for the next two year cycle.

2. The alignment cycle shall begin the Fall of the next even numbered school year. Other formulas may be reviewed by the Executive Board or appointed committee for use in the classification process.
3. Enrollment of New Participant School. New schools shall be assigned to a classification based on

1. previous enrollment figures;
2. current enrollment; or
3. projected enrollment as determined by the Executive Board.

4. CLASSIFICATIONS (CLASSES). Participating high schools shall be divided into classifications for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years according to the following enrollments:

2022-24 General Alignment Table

Section 59 – Competition by a New School

1. NEW MEMBER SCHOOL

1. A participant school just admitted to TAPPS for competition shall be assigned to a classification, division, region, and district, and the member schools of that district shall be notified by TAPPS.
2. If district schedules are already set with all schools playing the maximum number of games and tournaments allowed, the district is not required to change the schedule to admit the new school, until schedules for the next year are established

2. SCHEDULING NEW SCHOOL

1. District schools having open dates during the district schedule or within two weeks of the beginning of the district schedule are to schedule the new school where possible
2. If by using open dates, the new school can play all district schools as required, the new school may compete for district honors
3. If the new school cannot play all district schools as required, it cannot be considered for district honors

3. DISTRICT CORRESPONDENCE. The new school is to be included in all district correspondence, meetings, and communication in order to establish relations with the member schools of the district
4. COMPETING FOR HONORS. If a new school cannot compete for district honors due to the schedule, the new school shall not be required to pay event fees for that activity
5. Due to two-year contracts, it may be two years before a new school can be included in a football district.

Section 60 – District Reassignment by Agreement

A school may seek reassignment to a new district by agreement.

1. After the district assignments have been published, and within the time frame posted for filing appeals, if a school seeks to change its district assignment by agreement, it must:

1. obtain the unanimous written approval of the schools in the district to which it was assigned (email confirmation will suffice); and,
2. obtain the unanimous written approval of the schools in the district to which it wants to be assigned (email confirmation will suffice); and,
3. promptly inform TAPPS of the proposed reassignment.
4. If TAPPS determines that the school is entitled to be reassigned, TAPPS shall reassign the school as it proposed and notify all the schools and districts affected by the district reassignment.

2. Final approval of all district assignment(s) rests with the TAPPS Executive Board.

Section 61 – Appeal of District Assignment

1. APPEAL REVIEW. The TAPPS Executive Board is responsible for assigning all schools to classifications, divisions, regions, and districts. The TAPPS Executive Board serves as the FINAL review for appeals.
2. APPEAL

1. A school may appeal its assignment to a classification, division, region or district, after the district assignments have been posted and within the time frame posted for filing appeals.
2. The school shall file its appeal on the form provided for realignment appeals located on the TAPPS website.

3. REVIEW. Upon timely receipt of an appeal, the TAPPS Executive Board shall review the request, taking into consideration all information as to the impact of the request on all member schools and what is in the best interest of the association.
4. MEMBER INVOLVED. If a member of the TAPPS Executive Board is involved in or affected by the appeal, that member shall abstain from all deliberations and voting.
5. GROUNDS FOR CLASSIFICATION REVIEW. With respect to classification decisions, a ground for review is an error in the enrollment basis. Schools may not appeal to be assigned to a smaller classification or division based on evidence that they submitted figures that were too high, unless original documents verifying the error(s) are presented to TAPPS. Additional grounds for review may be established by the TAPPS Executive Board.
6. DECISION OF THE BOARD. After review of the appeal, the TAPPS Executive Board shall issue a decision in writing. TAPPS shall promptly notify each school and district affected by the Board’s decision.

Section 62 – Final District Assignments and Contracting Games

1. When all reviews and appeals of classification decisions and assignments to districts have been made, the classifications and assignments to districts shall be final on the date shown on the TAPPS calendar.
2. Until the classification and district assignments are final, contracts for contests by schools are not effective.
3. A school may be disqualified for district honors for up to two years in that sport for contracting games with schools prior to the finalization of the reclassification and realignment process.
4. All football games shall be contracted with a fully executed copy of the agreement kept on file by both schools, and submitted to the TAPPS office.

(Sections 63-66 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter H – Non Discrimination Policy

Section 67 – Non-Discrimination Policy

No student otherwise eligible under TAPPS Constitution shall be denied, because of race, color, sex, or national origin, the equal opportunity:

1. to try out for and if selected, participate in the Fine Arts Plan contests offered by the member school district;
2. to try out for and, if selected, participate in

1. Cross Country,
2. Golf,
3. Swimming and Diving,
4. Tennis, or
5. Track and Field
6. Wrestling
7. Individual Athletic Plans
8. Schools that offer any of these plans may not permit mixed or unequal plans for boys and girls.  Each of the above named activities is classified as an individual sport and therefore, female students may not participate on boys teams as the opportunity exists to participate at the district, regional and state levels as an individual.

3. to try out for and, if selected, participate in the corresponding Athletic Plans as follows:

Schools offering these plans may not permit boys to participate on girls’ teams, nor girls to participate on boys’ teams, nor permit mixed team participation.

4. TAPPS football – girls may participate, but any accommodations shall lie with the member school and not the host school for any contest.
5. TAPPS Volleyball is for girls only. Boys may not participate in TAPPS Volleyball.
6. TAPPS Wrestling is for boys only. Girls may not participate in TAPPS Wrestling.
7. Exceptions: If one of the following con­ditions exists, a female student may try out for and, if selected, participate on the corresponding boys’ team:

1. the school does not have the corre­sponding Girls’ Basketball Plan to the TAPPS Boys’ Basketball Plan it offers; or
2. the school does not have the corre­sponding Girls’ Soccer Plan to the TAPPS Boys’ Soccer Plan it offers;
3. the female student desires to participate in the high school Baseball Plan, however, girls shall not participate in both baseball and girls’ softball at the same time.

Section 68 – Exceptions to Non-Discrimination Policy

Only girls eligible under Article V of the TAPPS Constitution may try out for and participate under the High School Athletic Plans designated for girls’ teams.  Boys shall not play on girls’ teams.

(Section 69-72 reserved for expansion.)

(Subchapter I reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter J – Contests

Section 72 – Henderson Cup

1. OVERALL STATE CHAMPION. In order to recognize state champions in Art, Academics, Vocal and Instrumental Music, and various team sports, TAPPS awards an Overall State Championship Trophy – The Henderson Championship Cup to the school in each classification that accumulates the most points in all competitions. The HENDERSON CUP shall keep the traveling trophy for one year, then return  it for presentation to the next year’s winner.  A plate shall be added to the trophy each year indicating the school name and year of the latest recipient.
2. POINTS

1. Awarded as outlined in the chart below  

3. Ties:

1. See the TAPPS Tie Breaker Manual for additional information.

Section 73 – TAPPS Contests

TAPPS shall conduct ANNUAL CONTESTS, as follows:

1. Academics

1. Ready Writing
2. Spelling
3. Science
4. Social Studies
5. Number Sense
6. Calculator
7. Mathematics
8. Advanced Mathematics
9. Spanish
10. Current Events and Issues
11. Literary Criticism
12. Persuasive Speaking
13. Poetry Interpretation
14. Prose Interpretation
15. Original Oratory
16. Solo Acting
17. Duet Acting
18. Lincoln-Douglas Debate

2. Art

1. Drawing Black and White
2. Drawing Color
3. Communication Design
4. Computer Rendered Art
5. Painting
6. Printmaking
7. 2D Mixed Media
8. Photography Black and White
9. Photography Color
10. Sculpture
11. Relief
12. Fashion Design, Textile Arts, and Jewelry Design
13. Applied/Industrial Design
14. Pottery, Ceramics, Plastic Arts
15. Senior Portfolio
16. On-Site Drawing
17. Art History
18. Seek & Sketch – Black and White
19. Seek and Sketch – Color
20. Short Film

3. Vocal Music

1. Male Solo­
2. Female Solo
3. Small Ensemble
4. Pop/Show Ensemble
5. Sacred Ensemble
6. Large Ensemble
7. Piano Solo

4. Band Music

1. Woodwind Solo
2. Brass Solo
3. Percussion Solo
4. Piano Solo
5. Small Ensemble
6. Handbell Ensemble
7. Medium Ensemble
8. Jazz Band
9. Large Ensemble

5. String Music

1. String Solo
2. Piano Solo
3. Small Ensemble
4. Medium Ensemble
5. Large Ensemble

6. Drumline
7. Fall Band

                             A. Marching Band

                             B. Field Band

8. One Act Play
9. Spirit

1. Cheer
2. Dance

10. Robotics
11. Athletics

1. Baseball -Boys
2. Basketball -Boys
3. Basketball -Girls
4. Cross Country -Boys
5. Cross Country -Girls
6. Fall Soccer -Boys
7. Football ( 6-man) -Boys
8. Football (11-man) -Boys
9. Golf -Boys
10. Golf -Girls
11. Softball -Girls
12. Swimming/Diving -Boys
13. Swimming/Diving -Girls
14. Tennis -Boys
15. Tennis -Girls
16. Track and Field -Boys
17. Track and Field -Girls
18. Volleyball -Girls
19. Winter Soccer -Boys
20. Winter Soccer -Girls
21. Wrestling -Boys

Section 74 – Official Calendar Published

Before June 15 the Director shall announce the official calendar for TAPPS contests for the coming year.

Section 75 – Scheduling Contests

The TAPPS Executive Board shall establish dates for district certification, playoff games and state championship games.

1. Districts will design their schedules to complete the district contest, including makeup or playoff games, prior to the district certification deadline.
2. If it appears not to be feasible to hold a contest at the scheduled place or time because of weather, facilities, or other cause, the Director shall determine where, when, or if the contest will be held.

(Section 76 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter K – Eligibility

Section 77 - No Pass, No Play

This section applies to the eligibility of students based on grades.TAPPS rules in this section provide the minimum requirements. Member school rules may be more restrictive.

1. Time Frame

1. The rules presented in this section govern student eligibility

1. During the school year and
2. the school year grading periods.

2. No Pass / No Play requirements do not apply to

1. Summer participation
2. Breaks between semesters/trimesters(exception: District Contests)

2. Activities

1. Athletics
2. Fine Arts

3. Courses

1. All courses in which a student is enrolled
2. Course structure includes the following

1. Brick and Mortar
2. Virtual
3. Dual Credit

4. Grading

1. Passing grade levels shall be established by the TAPPS member school.
2. Any additional grade points for Honors/Accelerated courses shall be local control.
3. Grading may be numerical or pass/fail.
4. A grade of incomplete shall be considered a failing grade for purposes of establishing student eligibility if not resolved within one week of the end of the grading period.
5. Students whose courses are graded on a semester basis are still required to have a grade review at no later than nine weeks for eligibility purposes in alignment with the member school grading periods.(including Dual Credit)

5. Grading Periods 

1. Grading periods shall be established by the TAPPS member school.
2. For the purpose of this section, student grades must be reviewed after each grading period.
3. For the purpose of this section, grades must be checked no longer than each 9 weeks.

6. Period of Ineligibility

1. Students failing more than one course are ineligible for a minimum of two weeks.
2. The period of ineligibility shall begin no later than 1 week  after grades are announced and shall continue for 14 days.
3. A student who continues to fail more than one course (not limited to the initial courses) shall be ineligible on a week to week basis until such time as the student is failing no more than one course.
4. A student who is failing no more than one course after the 14 days shall be considered eligible to participate in activities.

Section 78 – Border Schools – International Commuter Student Eligibility

This section applies to those students who attend a TAPPS member school located near an international border.

1. In order to establish eligibility, these students must

1. Reside with their parents
2. In a residence no more than 75 miles from the school
3. Not reside on a temporary basis with any other party either in the

1. United States or
2. foreign country

4. Students are in good standing with all local regulations regarding commuting across international borders.

2. Students must be full time day students at the TAPPS member school
3. The Transfer Process as described in Section 104 of the TAPPS Bylaws must be followed for all students.
4. All students who are not citizens of the United States are subject to the eligibility restrictions set forth in Section 102 of the TAPPS By-Laws.  This includes but is not limited to eligibility being withdrawn (Section 102) if the student

1. Receives advanced training or
2. participates on any international team

5. Students who meet the above conditions shall be subject to the eligibility considerations as citizen students.
6. The TAPPS member school shall maintain records which verify residency and status which shall include

1. Visa or Passport
2. Proof of Residence

1. Lease or purchase agreement for housing
2. Utility bills for this primary student residence.
3. Or any other documentation as requested by TAPPS.

Section 79 – Boarding School

For the purposes of Student Eligibility, TAPPS will review and approve schools to be Approved Boarding Schools.  The TAPPS Executive Board will approve all Boarding schools.

1. DEFINITION

1. A boarding school is a residential private school.
2. Students actually live in dormitories or resident halls on school owned property.
3. The dormitories are supervised by members of the school’s staff who are usually faculty.
4. Reasonable payment for Boarding is made to the school.

2. REQUIREMENTS

1. Make application to the TAPPS Executive Board
2. Meet with the TAPPS Executive Board
3. Gain approval from the TAPPS Executive Board

3. DOCUMENTATION

1. Transfer Forms will be obtained from all incoming 9-12th grade students who have participated in athletics at their previous school.
2. Boarding School Questionnaire will be obtained from all Students if directed by the board

1. Attested to by Student
2. Attested to by Parent

3. All International Student documentation will be kept on file and available for review

1. Application
2. I-20
3. Room and Board Agreement
4. Medical Release
5. Copy of Passport
6. Copy of Visa
7. Other Documentation as requested by TAPPS

4. MEETINGS

1. Schools shall attend all scheduled TAPPS Approved Boarding School meetings

5. ELIGIBILITY

1. Day students who attend the Boarding School are subject to all TAPPS rules and regulations, including Section 80 for those students who do not live with their parents.
2. The eligibility of students attending and residing in boarding schools as defined in this section is established as outlined below. For TAPPS purposes, the number of students in the boarding program does not include those not yet in high school or those whose four years of high school eligibility has been exhausted.

1. Schools in which boarding students account for 50% of the total high school student enrollment.

1. School must register with and be approved by TAPPS as a Boarding School.
2. Students must be reported to TAPPS as BOARDING STUDENTS in TAPPS database
3. Student eligibility will be established with attendance at the school and after transfer approval if required.

2. Schools in which boarding students account for less than 50% of the total high school enrollment.

1. School must register with and be approved by TAPPS as a Boarding School.
2. Approved Boarding schools may assist in the placement of students in the school operated boarding facility as defined in part A of this section.
3. Students must be reported to TAPPS as BOARDING STUDENTS in TAPPS database
4. Student eligibility shall be established by the following:

1. Application
2. Documentation
3. Committee Approval

3. Students who reside in the Boarding School program and subsequently leave the program to live with a guardian will be subject to all provisions of Section 80 – Students not Living with Parents – but application and required documentation are not required.

1. Students who are granted eligibility as a boarding student, who leave the boarding program to reside with a guardian are not eligible for varsity participation for a period of one year.

6. GUARDIANSHIP

1. Regardless of the student’s age, to be eligible for participation in TAPPS, a student must live with

1. Parent(s),
2. approved relatives,
3. approved guardians or
4. other approved adults.

 Section 80 – Students Not Living With Parents

1. Students not Living with Parents must submit the approved application prior to participation at the school.
2. The approval process cannot begin until enrollment at the new school and withdrawal from the previous school.
3. Students not Living with Parents are ineligible if they have been induced to come to or remain at a member school. Inducement includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Offer or acceptance of the payment of tuition
2. Offer or acceptance of a reduction in tuition payments (outside of School Financial Aid Programs)
3. Offer or acceptance of board
4. Offer or acceptance of lodging
5. Offer or acceptance of transportation
6. Offer or acceptance of a job for a parent or guardian
7. Offer or acceptance of payment for athletic camp registration
8. Offer or acceptance of payment for summer conditioning programs, or conditioning camps
9. Offer or acceptance of cash payments
10. Offer or promise of University or college scholarships
11. Offer or acceptance of free or reduced cost private instruction
12. Offer or acceptance of any other valuable consideration

4. Students not Living with Parents must complete the application and certification process in order to establish eligibility at the TAPPS member school.

1. Students not Living with Parents who attend a member school’s elementary/junior high school for one or more years may be eligible for Varsity Athletic participation upon entering high school.
2. Students not Living with Parents may be eligible for Varsity Athletic participation upon review and approval by TAPPS in the following instances:

1. If a student’s parents are alive but a guardian of his/her person has been established by the appropriate authority and recorded in the county clerk’s office more than one year prior to application,
2. If a student’s parents are alive but no legal guardian of his/her person has been established by the appropriate authority and recorded in the county clerk’s office, guardianship may be established if the student has resided with  and been supported by the guardian for more than three (3) years prior to application,
3. If a student’s parents are deceased and the student resides with and is supported by grandparents, aunt/uncle or brother/sister for TAPPS eligibility purposes.
4. If students are placed in a Boarding Facility, as licensed by the state of Texas as a child care facility. This includes students whose parents who are living or deceased

3. Students not residing with Parents at least five (5) days per week must be complete the Student not living with Parent process prior to Varsity participation.
4. For purposes of this section,

1. the term family member refers to biological or adopted parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and  uncles.
2. Cousins and other family members do not qualify for TAPPS purposes.
3. The Host family and the Guardian must be the same person

5. Previous Athletic Participation Form is required on all students in accordance with Section 104 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
6. If a change in guardianship occurs, a new Students not Living with Parents Form must be submitted to the TAPPS Executive Board for review and approval. The student will not be eligible for interscholastic participation until such approval is made.

5. Regardless of the student’s age, to be eligible for participation in TAPPS, a student must live with

1. Parent(s),
2. approved relatives,
3. approved guardians or
4. other approved adults.

Section 81 – High School Graduate

1. COMPLETION OF HIGH SCHOOL. A person is considered a high school graduate if that person received a diploma or other certificate signifying successful completion of high school from a high school or other institution of equal or higher rank, participated as a graduate in the graduation exercises of a high school, or complied with the requirements for graduation during a normal four-year program, whether or not the student participated in the graduation exercise.
2. GED TESTING PROGRAM. A student who receives an equivalency credential based on the General Education Development Testing Program is not considered a high school graduate, if that student remains in or returns to high school, and has not otherwise met the requirements for high school graduation.

Section 82 – Full-Time Day Student

A person is considered a full-time day student if that person:

1. is enrolled in a participant school whose annual contract, dues and fees are current.
2. is enrolled in at least four aca­demic classes for which:

1. Credit is given toward graduation at the member school and reflected on the student’s transcript; and,
2. A grade is given and calculated in overall GPA.
3. Courses which satisfy this requirement include:

Core Courses

Bible/Theology/Religion Courses

Fine Arts Courses

Dual Credit

4. Courses which do not satisfy this requirement include:

Study Hall

Teacher’s Aide

Courses for which no grade is given

Athletics/PE Courses

3. is attending the required classes:

1. On the campus of the participant school; or,
2. Dual credit courses may be taken on the campus of the participant school, online, or at the location designated by the university.
3. PACES or similar Self-Paced Curriculum if approved by the participant school and follows the requirements of section II. above.

4. is in compliance with written transfer and admission and attendance policies of the member school.
5. A full time student at a TAPPS member school may not be concurrently enrolled in or seeking graduation from another school or homeschool program and/or participate in activities sanctioned by TAPPS on

1. A sports team at another school
2. A homeschool sports team
3. Any other such group organized for interscholastic competition.

Section 83 – Regular Attendance

1. A student is in regular attendance even though he or she is absent for ten class days or less after enrol­ling in school because of illness or other unavoidable cause, if the parent or guardian submits a written statement certifying this as the reason for the absence and the principal approves the absence.
2. Students who are not enrolled during the current academic year, at the member school, are ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activity, including, but not limited to off season workouts and spring training.
3. A student who drops out of a member school, transfers to another school, becomes homeschooled, or is expelled from a member school must re-establish eligibility at the TAPPS member school by following the transfer guidelines outlined in section 104 of the TAPPS Bylaws in order to participate in varsity athletic competition. This applies to all students, regardless of whether they participated in athletics at the new school/home school.

 Section 84 – Four Year Normal Program of High School Courses

1. A student may participate in TAPPS contests during a normal program of high school courses over a period of four consecutive calendar years after the student first enrolls in the ninth grade.
2. This includes enrollment in a home school, online or other alternative school program.
3. Students who never entered the ninth grade but were placed into the tenth grade have three consecutive years from their first entry into tenth grade to complete their high school eligibility.

 Section 85 – 8th Grade Participation

1. Students not yet in high school may not compete with or against high school students.
2. Eighth grade students currently enrolled in another school cannot participate for the member school.
3. Contact football camps and spring football practice for eighth grade students not currently enrolled in and attending the member school are not permitted.
4. Students in the Seventh and Eighth grade are allowed to participate in the school’s largest musical ensembles in band, fall band, drumline, orchestra and vocal competition. Please see music rules for further clarification.

Section 86 – Participation of Seniors on Junior Varsity Teams

1. Seniors (12th graders or students who are playing their last season due to age) may compete on a member school’s junior varsity team(s).
2. Seniors (12th graders or students who are playing their last season due to age) may participate on the high school’s sub-varsity teams only if their participation is required in order for the school to field a sub-varsity team.
3. The purpose for playing a junior varsity (JV) schedule is to allow younger, inexperienced players the opportunity to participate and gain game condition experience. In some cases, unless one or more seniors are allowed to play on the JV, the school might not have enough players to field a JV team, therefore depriving the younger players an opportunity to play.  Member schools should be very careful that seniors playing on the JV are not taking playing time from younger players nor should seniors be included on the JV in order to make the team stronger.
4. It should be made clear to the opponent prior to the contest if seniors are participating on the sub-varsity team.

 Section 87 – Solicitation of Students

The following rules apply to all TAPPS member schools in regards to high school students and those entering high school.  For those TAPPS member schools which provide educational opportunities prior to high school, these rules extend to students in all grades provided at the TAPPS member school.

1. SOLICITATION Unlike public schools, our member schools are not aided by geographically drawn attendance zones to provide a given student enrollment base.  Families choose private and parochial schools for a variety of reasons other than geographic location, such as religious affiliation, parental participation, class size, academic programs, faculty and staff.  For our member schools to survive, it is essential to solicit families to choose one of our member schools to educate their child / children.

1. Forms of Acceptable Solicitation

1. Billboard Advertising
2. Mailings
3. Open House
4. Campus Visits to feeder schools
5. Visits to churches
6. Those things that promote the school to prospective families.

2. Examples of Unacceptable Solicitation The unacceptable solicitation of students by school personnel, school volunteers, parents, or any other third party is a violation of TAPPS rules and may result in the loss of the affected student’s eligibility to participate in TAPPS events.

1. School personnel campus visits targeting athletes
2. Mailings to specific athletes or groups of athletes
3. Open House for athletes
4. Tryouts or combines for athletes
5. Those things that target specific students for their athletic ability
6. Materials that negatively reflect on other TAPPS member schools

2. INDUCEMENT What is not to be included in the solicitation or retention of students is the inducement of students by a member school. The inducement of students by school personnel, school volunteers, parents, or any other third party is a violation of TAPPS rules and may result in the loss of the affected student’s eligibility to participate in TAPPS events.  Inducement includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Offer or acceptance of the payment of tuition
2. Offer or acceptance of a reduction in tuition payments (outside of School Financial Aid Programs)
3. Offer or acceptance of board
4. Offer or acceptance of lodging
5. Offer or acceptance of transportation
6. Offer or acceptance of a job for a parent or guardian
7. Offer or acceptance of payment for athletic camp registration
8. Offer or acceptance of payment for summer conditioning programs, or conditioning camps
9. Offer or acceptance of cash payments
10. Offer or promise of University or college scholarships
11. Offer or acceptance of free or reduced cost private instruction
12. Offer or acceptance of any other valuable consideration

3. TAMPERING Tampering is not to be included in the solicitation of students by school personnel, school volunteers, parents, or any other third party. Tampering is a violation of TAPPS rules and may result in the loss of the affected student’s eligibility to participate in TAPPS events. Tampering occurs when any of the aforementioned people directly or indirectly

1. Entices
2. Induces
3. Persuades
4. Recruits
5. Targets for athletic purposes
6. Or attempts to entice, induce, persuade, recruit or target any student to attend a TAPPS member school while the student is registered at another school.

 Section 88 – Burden of Proof for Eligibility

If a student’s eligibility to compete in a TAPPS contest is questioned, the student has the burden in any proceeding to establish that he or she is eligible.

Section 89 – Burden of Proof in Allegations of Violations

If at any level, it is determined that a complaint or report of a violation has enough validity to hold a hearing, the burden to disprove the allegation rests with the accused.

Section 90 – Denial to Renew Membership

Being that Article III.6 states the executive management, control, and final authority of this association belong to the Executive Board; and being that the Executive Board votes each year whether to accept or deny any school desiring membership into TAPPS by application or contract renewal; the TAPPS Board reserves the right to deny membership to any school that it determines has brought discredit to the integrity of TAPPS or is a detriment to the good reputation of the TAPPS organization.

(Section 91 reserved for expansion.)

Section 92 – Eligibility for Fine Art Contests

Subject to the other sections of this Subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a TAPPS academic/art contest fine art contests as a representative of a partic­ipant school if that individual meets all the requirements set forth in the TAPPS Constitution and By-Laws.

(Sections 93-101 reserved for expansion.)

Section 97 – Eligibility for Music Contests

Subject to the other sections of this subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a TAPPS  music contest as a representative of a participating school if that individual meets all the require­ments of the TAPPS Constitution and By-Laws.

(Sections 98-101 reserved for expansion.)

  Section 102 – Eligibility of Foreign Students

For the purpose of establishing a student’s eligibility to participate in TAPPS sponsored activities, any student who is not a citizen of the United States must be approved by the process defined in Section 102 of the TAPPS Bylaws prior to participation. The student’s eligibility will not begin until TAPPS approval. Schools should forward application and information to the TAPPS office when students first attend the school in order to begin the approval process.  

1. Foreign Students must meet the following guidelines to be considered for eligibility at TAPPS member schools:

1. Has produced a copy of a valid visa.
2. Has not received advanced training (defined as training which is above and beyond that which is normally provided in TAPPS schools) in the germane activity, such as pre-Olympic training, being nationally ranked or having similar status in a sport (home country or United States, or participation on a national team.

1. School may appeal to the Executive Board for relief from this provision
2. Relief would be limited to one exception per school year
3. A one year sit out period would be required of any student being granted eligibility to participate in TAPPS activities

3. Has met the eligibility requirements as outlined in Article V of the TAPPS Constitution.
4. Has not graduated from high school or other school of equal or higher status.
5. Initially enrolled in the ninth grade not more than four (4) years ago or tenth grade not more than three years ago.
6. Is a full time, day student at the certified member school.
7. $30 fee will be charged for each submission.

2. Foreign Students are ineligible if they have been induced for athletic purposes to come to or remain at a member school. Inducement includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Offer or acceptance of the payment of tuition;
2. Offer or acceptance of board;
3. Offer or acceptance of lodging;
4. Offer or acceptance of transportation;
5. Offer or acceptance of a job for parent(s) or student;
6. Offer or acceptance of the payment of athletic fees;
7. Offer or acceptance of the payment of athletic camp registration and fees.
8. Payment of cash;
9. Promise of a University or College scholarship;
10. Reduction of entry requirements of member school;
11. Use of outside agents or agencies that are connected (i.e. school, parents or school personnel employed by agent or agency) to enrolling school to locate students, pay tuition, payment of athletic fees, provide or arrange board, lodging and/ or transportation; and
12. Any other valuable consideration.

3. FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

1. Foreign Exchange Students are students who are certified through a Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) United States Foreign Exchange Program.
2. Students may qualify as Foreign Exchange Students for only one year during their academic career for eligibility purposes.  This includes attendance at TAPPS member schools and nonmember schools.
3. Students are eligible for one year, provided they are enrolled at and attend a certified member school.
4. They are under the age of 19 prior to September 1 of the current school year.
5. They may not have graduated in their own country.

4. FOREIGN RESIDENT STUDENTS residing with family members.

1. Students who reside with a family member must apply and be approved prior to    competition.

1. For TAPPS eligibility purposes, the term family members includes Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Brothers and Sisters.
2. Cousins and other family members do not qualify as family members for TAPPS eligibility purposes.
3. If a court has appointed guardianship of the minor to a guardian(s), the guardian shall be considered as parent and eligibility shall begin with approval by TAPPS.
4. A Power of Attorney or Notarized Statement of Guardianship does not change the status of the guardian to family member.
5. Upon approval of the Foreign Student Committee, students residing with a family member may be granted immediate VARSITY eligibility without having to sit out a year.
6. If at any time the student ceases to reside with a family member and resides with a guardian who is not a family member as described above, the student’s varsity eligibility status is suspended until approval is  granted by the Foreign Student Committee.
7. If a change in guardianship occurs, a Change in Guardianship form must be submitted to the TAPPS office for review and approval. The student will not be eligible for varsity participation until such approval is made.

5. FOREIGN RESIDENT STUDENTS residing IN TAPPS APPROVED BOARDING PROGRAMS - Foreign Students who are enrolled and attend a boarding school are under the same guidelines as Citizen Students, provided the boarding school at which they are enrolled and attending is a certified member school.

1. Boarding Schools are schools that have been identified by the TAPPS Board as being a boarding school.
2. Boarding Schools must apply to the TAPPS Executive Board to be identified as such.

6. FOREIGN RESIDENT STUDENTS residing with GUARDIAN - Foreign Students who live in the United States with someone other than immediate family members (The Host family and the Guardian must be the same person) are eligible to participate at the Varsity level provided the approval process has been completed .

1. A Previous Athletic Participation Form is required on all students in accordance with Section 104 of the TAPPS By-Laws.
2. If a change in guardianship occurs, a Change in Guardianship form must be submitted to the TAPPS office for review and approval. The student will not be eligible for varsity participation until such approval is made.

7. Schools enrolling Foreign Students should review the information posted on the TAPPS website.

Section 103 – Amateur Athletic Status

An amateur participates in athletics for the aesthetic, physical, mental, and social benefits derived there from.  There­fore, the purpose of such partici­pation is playing for the intrinsic rewards rather than for valuable consideration.  The amateur rule is a safeguard against exploitation and commercialization of high school students.  It poses a responsibility on the student at all times (whether in school or outside school) to abide by the letter and intent of amateurism. Schools are charged with the responsibility of informing students of all applicable subsections of this rule and enforcing this rule.  Administrators and coaches must ensure that athletes receive only services specifically permitted by written rule.  Any breach of the rule undermines the educational goals of interscholastic athletics.

1. NOT AN AMATEUR. For purposes of competing in an athletic contest, a student in grades 9-12 is not an amateur if that individual, within the preceding 12 months received money or other valuable consideration for participating in a TAPPS sponsored school sport or received valuable consideration for allowing his or her name to be used in pro­moting a product, plan, or service related to a TAPPS contest or accepted money or other valuable consideration from school booster club funds for any non-school pur­pose.
2. EXCEPTIONS:

1. Seniors may sign a letter of intent or scholarship agreement which contains the con­ditions of a scholarship with a post-secondary institution.
2. For purposes of competing in an athletic contest, the par­ticipant school, school dis­trict or a student’s parent(s) may provide medical examination and services, athletic insurance, transportation and other travel expenses incurred in competing away from home, or supplies and services during and in connection with a game or practice period.
3. Participant schools may permit student athletes to attend contests by permit admission through a pass gate.

3. STATUS REGAINED. If a student did not realize that accepting the valuable consideration was a viola­tion of the amateur rule, and returns the valuable consideration within 30 days after being informed of the violation, that student may regain athletic eligibility as of the date the valuable consideration is returned.  If a student fails to return it within 30 days, that student remains ineligible for one year from when he or she accepted it.  During the period of time a student is in possession of valuable consideration, he or she is ineligible for all varsity athletic competition.  Any games or contests in which the student participated during that time may be forfeited as the minimum penalty.
4. TEAM VIOLATION. If the team violates this section, the penalty shall be assessed against the team and not against each individual.

Section 104 – Transfer Rule

Purpose of the Transfer Rule

1. The TAPPS Transfer Rule

1. has been developed to protect, not inhibit students who wish to participate in interscholastic competition.
2. is preventative and is devised to eliminate the incentive to transfer schools once a student (family) has initially enrolled in and attended a school of their choice.
3. is designed to protect students who have previously participated in interscholastic competition at any school from being replaced by students who transfer for athletic or other purposes, including the effects of student, or family, shopping for schools or being recruited for athletic purposes.
4. encourages fair play, discourages the abuses of overenthusiastic promotion of school programs, and protects the integrity of interscholastic athletic programs for both member schools and the TAPPS organization.

2. Transfer Rule Application

1. All students transferring to a TAPPS member school must complete the Transfer Process to establish eligibility.
2. The transfer rules apply to all students who attended traditional schools, participated with Home School teams, or any other such team organized for interscholastic competition.
3. Transferring students may not participate in any interscholastic competition (Scrimmage, Sub-Varsity or Varsity) until the transfer process is complete and the student is approved by the TAPPS OFFICE.
4. The eligibility roster for all sports in which a student will participate, along with the completed transfer form, shall be on file with the TAPPS State Office before the transferring student is eligible to participate in any level interscholastic competition.

3. Transfer Deadlines

1. Transfer Deadlines are posted on the approved TAPPS calendar located on the TAPPS website. The transfer deadlines are included on the calendar for

1. Fall
2. Winter
3. Spring

2. In order to be eligible to compete in a given season, the student must be

1. Withdrawn from the previous school
2. Enrolled in the new school and
3. in attendance at the new school prior to or on the date of the Transfer Deadline for that season.

3. Senior Transfer Deadline

1. Students transferring to a new school for their senior year must be withdrawn from their previous school, enrolled and attending the new school by the date shown on the TAPPS calendar.
2. The senior transfer deadline applies to all activities throughout the school year.
3. If a senior transferring student arrives at the new school after the date shown on the TAPPS calendar, an appeal can be made to the TAPPS Executive Board by completion of the Senior Transfer Appeal Form along with payment of any fees owed.

4. Transfer Rule Process and Procedures

1. The approval process cannot begin until the student is

1. enrolled at the new school and
2. withdrawn from the previous school.

2. For students who transfer to a member school during the school year, the transfer process must be initiated within two weeks of their first day of attendance at the new school.
3. The Transfer Process begins with the completion of the student profile in the TAPPS database.
4. All students transferring to a new school

1. must complete the Student Transfer Form in the TAPPS database.  
2. must complete a Previous Athletic Participation Form if they participated in athletics at a previous school during the current or previous school year.

1. if the student participated in a sport in either sub-varsity (JV) or varsity in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the current or previous school year.
2. Participation includes practices

1. held before the beginning of school for Fall Activities
2. in Cross Country, Fall Soccer, Football and Volleyball.

3. If the new student did not compete either during the current or the previous school year, a PAPF is not re­quired.

5. TAPPS must approve the student’s participation prior to the student participating at any level at the new school. Approval shall be made through the TAPPS database.
6. Prior to approval by the TAPPS office

1. The student may practice or participate in off season activities.
2. The students may not participate in any interscholastic competition (Scrimmage, Sub-Varsity or Varsity) until the transfer process is complete and the student is approved by the TAPPS OFFICE.

7. Please see Article VII of the TAPPS Constitution for the definition of participation.
8. The TAPPS office shall review the STF and PAPF (if required) to determine the student’s eligibility
9. If questions arise,

1. the TAPPS office shall notify the school for clarification.
2. A letter of explanation or other documents as requested shall be provided to the TAPPS office.

10. The TAPPS office shall notify district schools of the Transfer Student approval.
11. Approval by the TAPPS office or district committee does not preclude additional review of the student’s eligibility by TAPPS should additional information be presented regarding the student’s previous participation or compliance with eligibility standards
12. If any district school raises an objection,

1. The district president shall notify the TAPPS office
2. a district meeting may be held in order to determine the student’s eligibility as determined by the TAPPS office
3. The student will not be eligible until the meeting is held and eligibility is determined.

13. After a district hearing, any party to the decision may appeal the decision to the TAPPS Executive board by completing the Appeal Form and the payment of any required fees.

5. Previous Student / New School Personnel Interaction

1. A student who transfers to a TAPPS member school shall not be eligible for Varsity competition in a sport for a period of one year if:

1. a coach in that sport at the new school coached or trained the student at the previous school during the previous 12 months.
2. a coach in that sport at the new school coached or trained the student on an AAU, select, club, 7 on 7, 6 on 6  or similar team during the previous 12 months.
3. a coach at the new school provided individual or group instruction to the student during the previous 12 months.
4. a coach at the new school provided skills training, fitness training, personal training or other such training to the student during the previous 12 months.

2. EXCEPTION to the rule:

1. Adopted or birth children are eligible if their parent who is the coach changes schools.
2. If the previous school attended by the student and coach has closed, the above rule does not apply.
3. Camps as defined in section 1, hosted by a member school are not subject to this rule.

3. Removal of the coach after the student contact with the school does not provide relief from this section.

6. Summer Participation

1. Participation in the following activities

1. Sand Volleyball, 6 on 6 or 7 on 7
2. Including leagues ot tournaments

2. The student must be withdrawn from the previous school and fully enrolled in new school prior to practices or contests with the new school

7. Ineligible at the Previous Schools

1. Students ineligible at the previous school cannot regain immediate eligibility at the new school without the approval of TAPPS.
2. If a student has been placed in an ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL or similar scholastic setting for disciplinary reasons by the previous school district, the student is not eligible to participate in TAPPS activities until the length of the alternative school placement has been served at the new school.
3. If a student has been expelled from the previous school, the student is not eligible to participate in TAPPS activities until the following school year.
4. If a student has been removed from an activity or team by the previous school, TAPPS shall determine the student’s eligibility to participate at the new school in accordance with the new school’s published guidelines.

Section 105 – Eligibility Forms

1. Eligibility Forms for TAPPS are due each year and must be submitted to the TAPPS Office PRIOR to interscholastic competition in each

1. Sport, including

1. Tournaments or meets hosted by schools
2. Tournaments or meets hosted for high school participation

2. Fine Arts competition.

2. Schools should list all high school students participating in the activity (both varsity and sub-varsity) should be listed.
3. Separate forms should be submitted for boys and girls sports. For co-ed activities, a separate list is not necessary.
4. For students who may be added for participation after the initial eligibility report has been filed:

1. Add the STUDENT to the ACTIVITY ROSTER
2. Save the ROSTER
3. The Eligibility Form will be automatically updated to reflect the addition.

Section 106 – Proof of Age

1. A date of birth shall be denoted as that which is entered on the student’s birth.
2. TAPPS shall recognize a birth certificate as presented from

1.  a recognized authority of the State of Texas or
2. other such governing body authorized to issue birth certificates for their citizens of their jurisdiction in keeping with Section 1

3. If no birth certificate is available, other credible evidence may be submitted for review. The TAPPS Executive Board shall determine if such evidence meets acceptable standards for application.

Subchapter L Awards

Section 107 – Limitations of Awards

1. A participant school may give awards such as letter jackets, letter sweaters, blankets, individual letters, patches, rings, watches, trophies, medals, plaques, or certificates for participation in TAPPS activities.  Cash awards are not permitted.
2. AMATEUR STATUS. See Section 103 for rules governing amateur athletic status.
3. INDIRECT AWARD. An award given to a second party to be held for later delivery to the student is considered received by the student when the award is given to the second party.  This conduct is a violation by the participant school or school district.

(Sections 108-110 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter M – Records

Section 111 – Open Records

1. As a non-profit, private association, that receives no federal or state funding, the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) is not subject to the Texas Public Information Act (Open Records Act), Chapter 552 of the Government Code.
2. The Director shall collect, assemble, and maintain all records of official TAPPS business within the TAPPS State Office and, except as otherwise provided by law, all information so collected, assembled, or maintained by TAPPS in connection with its transaction of official business is public information under the provisions of the Open Records Act and is available for public inspection and disclosure during normal business hours.
3. The above named materials, records and documents are available only on a “need to know” basis.
4. The TAPPS Executive Board shall determine which individual(s) or groups have a “need to know”.

Section 112 – Requests for Inspection of Records

1. NOTICE.  A request to inspect TAPPS records must be made with reasonable prior notice in writing.
2. PROPER IDENTIFICATION. A person requesting to inspect TAPPS records must establish proper identification and a need to know.
3. PRODUCTION BY DIRECTOR. The Director shall upon written request produce information for inspection or duplication.  If a requested record is in storage, the Director shall notify the requesting party in writing and shall set a time when the record will be available.
4. NO REMOVAL OF RECORDS. No person shall remove an original record from the offices of TAPPS.
5. PRODUCTION COSTS. Any expense incurred in the reproduction, preparation or retrieval of records shall be paid by the person requesting the record at the rate of $1.00 per page.
6. MAILING CHARGES. TAPPS may, at the rate of $1.00 per page, mail upon request reproduced records to any person who so requests, and has a need to know.  If TAPPS mails the requested records, a charge for postage may be included in the charge for reproduction.
7. COSTS OF COMPUTERIZED DOCUMENTS PRODUCTION. Requests for documents or records kept by TAPPS on computer will be billed at the rate of $1.00 per page.

Section 113 – Contest Records

Each school year, the Director shall collect, assemble, maintain and publish the previous year’s list of the winners of the TAPPS state contests.

(Sections 114-117 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter N – Publications

Section 118 – TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules

The Director shall publish the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, and all amendments thereto shall be posted to the TAPPS website upon approval of the TAPPS Executive Board.

Section 119 – TAPPS News Briefs

1. The Director shall post new/current and updated material on  the TAPPS web site.
2. OFFICIAL INTERPRETATIONS. The Director shall post on the TAPPS website, the TAPPS Executive Board’s Official Interpretations of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.
3. TAPPS EXECUTIVE BOARD ORDERS. The Director shall post on the TAPPS website, any other written order of the TAPPS Executive Board when the order requests such distribution.
4. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AB­STRACTS. The Director may post on the TAPPS website, abstracts of written orders of district exec­utive committees in cases when the orders request such distribution.
5. OTHER MATTERS: DISCLAIMER. The Director may post any other writing submitted for distribution, but only with appropriate and prom­inently displayed disclaimers that the writing does not constitute, under the provisions of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules, an Official Interpretation or an official staff interpretation.
6. PARTICIPANT SCHOOLS, MEMBERS, DIS­TRICTS PENALTIES. The Director shall post at least annually on the TAPPS website, the list of participant schools, member school districts, and contest districts that are currently being penalized.
7. SCHOOL PERSONNEL PENALTIES. The Director shall post at least annually on the TAPPS website, the list of school district personnel who are currently being publicly penalized.

Section 120 – Forms

The Director shall publish to the TAPPS website or other landing page all forms required under the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws and Contest Rules.

Section 121 – Other Publications

The Director may publish other documents that are necessary or desirable for the activities of TAPPS.

Section 122 – Publication Charges

Except as otherwise provided above, the Director shall establish and charge reasonable prices for all TAPPS publications.

(Sections 123-126 reserved for expansion.)

Subchapter O – Finances

 Section 127 – Annual Report

This section involves policies of the TAPPS Executive Board.

1. SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL REPORT, BUDGET. The TAPPS Director annually prepares a report on the financial and programmatic conditions and activities of TAPPS and a budget for the next year and submits them to the TAPPS Executive Board.
2. APPROVAL OF BUDGET REQUIRED. The TAPPS budget shall be approved by the TAPPS Executive Board.
3. AUDIT. All of the financial affairs of TAPPS are audited in accordance with the policies of TAPPS Executive Board.
4. AUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES. All expenditures of TAPPS funds shall be authorized consistent with the rules, regulations, and practices of the TAPPS Constitution, By-Laws, and Contest Rules, and the TAPPS Executive Board.

Section 128 – Sources of Income

TAPPS sources of income are as follows:

1. membership dues (based on the school overall classification)

1. 1A $400
2. 2A $450
3. 3A $500
4. 4A $550
5. 5A $600
6. 6A $650

2. event fees (a fee is charges for each activity entered);
3. contest fees ( an entry fee may be charged for those events designated by the Executive Board);
4. publication sales (programs);
5. filing fees (new school applica­tions, appeals, etc);
6. admission – gate, at the prices established by the Executive Board;
7. proceeds from radio and television broadcasting and telecasting con­tracts;
8. merchandise sales; and
9. income from advertising and licensi­ng the use of trademarks and logos.

 Section 129 – Media

It is the intent of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) to provide media access to the TAPPS Regional and State events.  TAPPS understands that different media concerns have different needs and attempts to address those concerns as follows.

1. CREDENTIALED MEDIA PERSONNEL

1. Approval

1. Submit MEDIA REQUEST FORM
2. Must be approved prior to event.

2. Limitations

1. Media Personnel are limited to four (4) people per recognized media outlet
2. Includes Print, Photography, Digital and Video Media

3. Access

1. Pass grants admission to event
2. Floor or Field access as allowed by event host
3. Pass may be revoked by TAPPS Administrator

2. SCHOOL MEDIA

1. Approval

1. Submit SCHOOL MEDIA REQUEST FORM
2. Must be approved prior to event.

2. Limitations

1. School Media are limited to two (2) people per school
2. Includes Print, Photography, Digital and Video Media

3. Access

1. Pass does not grant admission to event
2. Floor or Field access limited to designated areas
3. Pass may be revoked by TAPPS Administrator

3. ON SITE PHOTOGRAPHY

1. TAPPS does not recognize one official photographer for TAPPS events.  Those wishing to work events shall:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the forms tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of $150. per event.
4. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events.

2. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

1. The use of electronic flash equipment is prohibited at all indoor events.
2. The use of a strobe flash is allowed.
3. If either team head coach, or event director at individual sport events, request strobe flash be discontinued, their request shall be honored.

4. RADIO

1. If permitted by TAPPS for the event.
2. Radio broadcasts, whether over air or internet, are limited to one per team per game.
3. Each station or broadcaster will be limited to two (2) media passes per game.
4. TAPPS does not guarantee power, phone or internet access at the event sites.
5. Upon approval, Broadcasters should contact the event host if additional resources are necessary upon approval from the TAPPS office.
6. To Broadcast a TAPPS game, the following steps apply:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of

1. Live Broadcast            $300 per game
2. Delayed Broadcast     $150 per game

4. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events.

5. INTERNET RADIO BROADCASTS

1.  If permitted by TAPPS for the event.
2. Radio broadcasts, whether over air or internet, are limited to one per team per game.
3. Each station or broadcaster will be limited to two (2) media passes per game.
4. TAPPS does not guarantee power, phone or internet access at the event sites.
5. Upon approval, Broadcasters should contact the event host if additional resources are necessary upon approval from the TAPPS office.
6. To Broadcast a TAPPS game, the following steps apply:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of

1. Live Broadcast            $300 per game
2. Delayed Broadcast     $150 per game

4. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events.

6. TELEVISION

1.  If permitted by TAPPS for the event.
2. Television broadcasts limited to one per team per game if approved TAPPS.
3. Each station or broadcaster will be limited to four (4) media passes per game.
4. TAPPS does not guarantee power, phone or internet access at the event sites.
5. Upon approval, Broadcasters should contact the event host if additional resources are necessary upon approval from the TAPPS office.
6. To Broadcast a TAPPS game, the following steps apply:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of

1. Live Broadcast (per TAPPS approval)        $600 per game
2. Delayed Broadcast                                $200 per game

7. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events

7. INTERNET VIDEO BROADCASTS

1. If permitted by TAPPS for the event. 
2. Internet video broadcasts,are limited to one per team per game.
3. Each station or broadcaster will be limited to two (4) media passes per game.
4. TAPPS does not guarantee power, phone or internet access at the event sites.
5. Upon approval, Broadcasters should contact the event host if additional resources are necessary upon approval from the TAPPS office.
6. To Broadcast a TAPPS game, the following steps apply:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of

1. Live Broadcast            $600 per event.
2. Delayed Broadcast $300 per event

7. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events

8. VIDEOTAPES, CDs, DVD or other DIGITAL MEDIA

1.  If permitted by TAPPS for the event.
2. Video, CD, DVD, and Digital Media,are limited as necessary by TAPPS.
3. Entity will be limited to four (4) media passes per game.
4. TAPPS does not guarantee power, phone or internet access at the event sites.
5. Upon approval, Broadcasters should contact the event host if additional resources are necessary upon approval from the TAPPS office.
6. To Broadcast a TAPPS game, the following steps apply:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of

1. Event Fee                $100 per event.
2. Additional Fees        15% of Gross Sales

7. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events

9. INTERNET MAGAZINES / SITES / MESSAGE BOARDS

1.  If permitted by TAPPS for the event.
2. TAPPS will consider requests on an individual basis. Those wishing to work events shall:

1. Complete the MEDIA REQUEST FORM found on the TAPPS website under the FORMS tab.
2. Submit the form to the TAPPS office for approval prior to the event.
3. Make payment to TAPPS in the amount of $150. per event.
4. Baseball and Softball are considered two (2) separate events.

3. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

1. The use of electronic flash equipment is prohibited at all indoor events.
2. The use of a strobe flash is allowed.
3. If either team head coach, or event director at individual sport events, request strobe flash be discontinued, their request shall be honored.

4. The following sites will not be granted media credentials:

1. Personal page internet site publishers
2. Paid Subscription-based internet sites
3. Internet sites associated in any way with the promotion of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, political election issues/candidates or lewd subject matter as determined by TAPPS,
4. Any site determined by TAPPS to be in poor taste or out of compliance with the TAPPS mission
5. Sites that do not produce original content on a daily basis. These sites are at the discretion of TAPPS.

10. TAPPS USAGE – TAPPS will be provided with

1. up to 15 Digital images,
2. a complete copy of any DVD or similar instrument ,
3. and free access to any live or delayed broadcast.

11. NOTIFICATION TO MEDIA – TAPPS member schools shall

1. notify local media of these requirements,
2. insure payment will be made to TAPPS for all broadcasts if broadcast is initiated by the schools involved.

12. CONTRACTS

1. Contracts for photography, radio, TV or video for sale must be made through the Director at the TAPPS State office.

13. FEES All fees shall be

1. PAID IN FULL prior to event
2. FEES are paid to TAPPS.

Athletic Bylaws - Sections 130-198

Subchapter A - Athletic Plan

Section 130 – Purpose of High School Athletics

NOTE: Rules that list the sport or sports to which they apply shall apply only to the sport(s) listed.

The purposes of the athletic program for the participant schools are:

1. to assist, advise and aid the private and parochial schools in organizing and conducting interscholastic athletics;
2. to devise and prepare eligibility rules that will equalize and stim­ulate wholesome competition between schools of similar size, and reinforce the curriculum;
3. to regulate competition so that students, schools, and their fans can secure the great­est educational, social, recreational and aesthetic benefits from the contests;
4. to reinforce the concept to all participant schools that athletics is an integral part of the educational program;
5. to preserve the game for the overall benefit of the contes­tant and not sacrifice the contestant to the game;
6. to promote the spirit of good sportsmanship and fair play in all contests;
7. to promote among the players, schools and fans a spirit of friendly rivalry and a respect for the rules; and
8. to forward the concept of accepting decisions of sports officials without protest and treating officials as co-part­ners in the educational process of competition.

Section 131 – Athletic Codes

The Athletic Code and the Athletic Code for Coaches carry the force of rule.  Member schools, participant schools and/or covered school district personnel who violate any of the pro­visions of these codes will be subject to penalty.

1. THE ATHLETIC CODE.  The general Athletic Code means to:

1. Play the game in the spirit of fairness and sportsmanship, observing all rules, both in letter and intent.
2. Coach and sponsor the teams and individuals without resorting to unethical tactics, trickery which attempts to skirt the rules, or any unfair tactic which detracts from sound educational principles.
3. Accept decisions of sports and school officials without pro­test, and without questioning their honesty or integrity, and extend protection and courtesy to sports officials from participants, school personnel, and spectators remembering that officials are guests.
4. Regard opponents as guests, putting clean play and good sportsmanship above victory at any cost.  Win without boast and lose without bitterness.  Victory is important, but the most important thing in sports is striving to excel and the positive feelings it fosters between those who play fair and have no excuse when they lose.  The development of re-creative aspects and positive human relations should be stressed in all competitions.
5. Provide information or evidence as soon as possible regarding eligibility of any contestant or school to the local administration, then to the proper district executive committee.  To withhold infor­mation is considered dishonor­able and contrary to good sportsmanship.  Schools guilty of violating this section may be subject to penalty as described in Sections 23 and  25 including disqualification from district honors in the germane activity.  Covered school district personnel guilty of violating this sec­tion may be subject to the range of penalties as describ­ed in Sections 23 and 25.
6. Not provide inducement for athletic purposes.  Inducement means to encourage a student to change schools for the purpose of participating in TAPPS activities by offering the student or the student’s parent cash, waiver of tuition, board or lodging, tran­sportation, a job, or other valuable consideration to induce the student to enroll in a participant school.
7. Avoid tampering with students whether the student is enrolled in a TAPPS or other school.

2. THE ATHLETIC CODE FOR COACHES.  The code for athletic sponsors includes the principles described in Subsection 131 and the purposes listed in Section 130.  Further, the coach’s code includes:

1. Being aware of, understanding, and following all rules governing the competition for which the coach is responsible.
2. Informing one’s immediate supervisor in writing the next school day after a contest if ejected from that contest for unsportsmanlike actions, or, in football, if given two 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties during one contest, knowing that such conduct requires automatic penalty
3. Abstaining from removing the team from the contest in protest.
4. Treating athletes based on what is best for the education, general welfare, and health of the student.
5. Professional loyalty to other coaches.
6. Adhering to in season and out of season practice reg­ulations.
7. Adhering to policies which do not force athletes to special­ize or restrict them from participation in other sports.
8. Allowing students to participate in one school sport with­out requiring, as a prereq­uisite, participation in an­other school sport.
9. Abstaining from any practice which would bring financial gain to the coach by using a student’s participation in a camp, clinic, league, or other non-school athletic event, such as a rebate for each player sent to a particular camp or from each player using a particular product.  Coaches shall not charge a fee for private instruction to student athletes during the school year.  The restriction on charging fees for private instruction applies only to those students who are:

1. in grades 9-12;
2. from the coach’s school; and
3. participating in the sport for which the coach is responsible.

10. Abstaining from any practice that makes a student feel pressured to participate in non-school activities.
11. Avoiding any coaching practice which would endanger the wel­fare or safety of any player.
12. Emphasizing the academic pro­gress of all participants by a regular, documented check of their academic standing, both in season and out of season.
13. Scheduling games and practices to avoid unnecessary loss of study or class time.
14. Utilizing the best and most current teaching, coaching, and training methods through affiliation with professional associations and publications.
15. Abstaining from any practice that solicits teachers to modify a participant student’s grade for eligibility purposes.
16. Avoiding any actions that encourage, condone, or tolerate the use of performance enhanc­ing drugs by any student ath­lete.
17. Emphasizing a chemical aware­ness program that informs and educates students of the damaging effects of anabolic steroids and other illegal drugs.
18. Disclosing to opposing schools any known conflict of interest with an assigned sports offi­cial prior to a contest.
19. All coaches with less than five (5) years coaching experience in either public or private schools must complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course prior to coaching at a TAPPS member school. See Section 138.
20. Individuals who are under suspension or are ineligible to coach in recognized athletic leagues (TAPPS, UIL, NCAA, etc.) are not eligible to participate in TAPPS as Athletic Director, Coach, Assistant Coach or other such capacity, whether paid or unpaid for these services.

3. Intentional Participation of Ineligible Student

1. If a coach knowingly and intentionally allows participation by an ineligible player, sanctions include, but not limited, to the following:

1. forfeiture of all games in which player participated;
2. removal of team from playoffs;
3. public reprimand and
4. probation for coach and school.
5. Coach is suspended for a minimum of

1. 5 games in football and
2. 10 games in all other team sports,
3. subject to review by TAPPS leadership

2. Suspensions will carry over to the next season if necessary.
3.  A team sport tournament counts as 2 games.
4.  Suspensions in individual sports will be for 5 events, excluding dual matches.

Section 132 – School Authority

1. SCHOOL AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE.  Responsibility for the proper administration, contracts, arrangements, control and scheduling of athletic contests in all member schools shall be under the supervision of the superintendent or a designated administrator.
2. PREVIOUS SUSPENSION. The TAPPS Executive Board shall forfeit any contest won by an individual or school if it finds a school employee previously suspended under Section 23 participated on behalf of the individual or school in the contest plan while prohibited from doing so under order of the TAPPS Executive Board.
3. COACH OR ADULT SUPERVISOR. No student shall represent his or her school at any time in connection with TAPPS competition unless accom­panied by a coach or another appointed member of the school faculty.  The coach or sponsor must have completed TEaMs and training for the activity in question. Exception: A non-school employee may serve as the adult supervisor of students when ap­pointed by the administrator in areas where no coaching/directing takes place.  These individuals may provide the transportation to and from the activity and be responsible for the supervision of partici­pants.
4. PROFESSIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM. All personnel coaching in grades 9-12 shall sign a Professional Acknowledgement Form prior to the beginning of their coaching responsibilities each school year. These forms shall be on file in the superinten­dent’s office or designated location at the TAPPS member school.

  Section 133 – Duties of Athletic District Executive Committee

1. DISTRICT ORGANIZATION.  Refer to Section 24 for general responsibilities.
2. PRINCIPLES. The district executive committee shall uphold the principle that high school athletics, when properly controlled, are worthwhile and educational.
3. RECRUITING/INDUCEMENT/TAMPERING. Refer to Section 87 for specific information. The district executive committee may investigate (as directed by the TAPPS Executive Board or staff)  any efforts to induce players for athletic purposes. Inducement and tampering are violations and may subject the school at fault to disqualification.  Disqualification may be made by the committee after the school has been given an opportunity to be heard.  A school in violation shall remain disqualified for the period of time specified as recommended by the district and determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.
4. SCHEDULING.

1. The district executive committee shall arrange a schedule to determine district representatives prior to the deadline specified in the current TAPPS calendar.
2. The district and regional executive committees shall refer to the TAPPS calendar and shall avoid scheduling district contests on the same dates as TAPPS Regional and State contests in other activities, including Fine Arts activities.

5. CERTIFICATION OF DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES. The district president shall certify in writing, eligible district representatives in all athletic activities by the date directed on the TAPPS playoffs calendar. Failure to submit timely and accurate information may result in disqualification of the district from the playoffs. The district president must certify eligible representatives without any conditions attached to this certification.  In case of dispute, certification to the TAPPS State Office shall be in the form of a written notice naming the eligible schools and must be signed by the majority of the district executive committee.
6. DISTRICT DISQUALIFICATION. All teams in a TAPPS district shall be disqualified in the playoffs if the district executive committee knowingly certifies a team which has used an ineligible player in any district game unless appropriate action has been taken.  Disqualification shall be determined by the TAPPS Executive Board only upon presentation of sufficient evidence.
7. ZONES. Refer to Section 24.  Districts which subdivide into zones for team sports shall deter­mine district representation.  If no other plan is agreed to prior to the season, representatives shall be determined by cross-playing the number 1 teams in each zone against the number 2 teams in each zone.  The winners of these two inter-zone games (matches) shall be the district representatives.  District executive committees shall determine in writing before the season which teams will be the number 1 and number 2 teams from the district in the event both number 2 teams or both number 1 teams win the inter-zone games.  If four teams advance in the playoffs, the top two teams from each zone shall play to determine district ranking 1 through 4.
8. TIES. The district executive committee shall determine in writing prior to the season the method to determine the district representatives in the event two or more schools are tied in win/loss percentages.  If the district executive committee has not provided a procedure prior to the season, the following tie breaker procedures shall apply:

1. For Team Sports Playing A Single Round-Robin Format:

1. Two Teams Tied In Percentage For First Place.  The team that defeated the other in head-to-head competition will be the winner.  The other team will be the runner-up.
2. Three Teams Tied in Percentage For First Place.    

1. Step 1: If one of the teams defeated the other two, that team is the champion.  The other teams flip to determine the second place team.
2. Step 2: If none of the three defeated the other two, flip (odd coin is the winner, the other two flip again to determine runner-up).
3. Step 3: If the tie is three-way for second place in the district and none of the three has beaten the other two, flip (odd coin wins the runner-up spot).

3. Four Teams Tied In Percentage for First Place.

1. Step 1: If one of the teams has defeated the other three, that team is the winner.  The other three teams then flip (odd coin wins the runner-up spot).
2. Step 2: If none of the four has defeated the other three, the four teams have a blind draw for the winner and the runner-up.  Teams who win the draw are the playoff representatives.

4. Four Teams Tied in Percentage for Second (Or Third) Place.

1. Step 1: If one team has defeated the other three, that team is second (or third) place.  If none of the remaining three schools has defeated the other two, then the teams will draw for third place.
2. Step 2: If none of the four has defeated the other three, then the four teams have a blind draw for the winner.  The team who wins the draw is the runner-up.

2.  For Team Sports Playing A Double Round-Robin Format.

1. Two Teams Tied in Percentage.  The team that defeated the other in head-to-head competition will be the winner. If the season competition is split, the two teams shall play one game or match (if rules permit).
2. Three Teams Tied In Percentage.  Teams play a district tournament.  A draws bye; B plays C and C wins; C plays A.  If A wins, C is the district runner-up.  If C wins, A plays B for runner-up spot.
3. Four Teams Tied in Percentage.  Teams play a district tournament.  Draw for spots.  A plays C; B plays D.  Winners of the first games play for championship; the loser is the runner-up.
4. More Than Four Teams Tied In Percentage.  Teams play a district tournament.
5. Three Teams Tied In Percentage For Runner-Up.  Teams play a tournament.  A draws bye; B plays C and C wins; C plays A.  Winner between C and A is the runner-up.

3. Tournaments shall be on consecutive days at one site, where possible.  The district executive committee may authorize preliminary round games to be played at additional sites.
4. Any situation not covered in the above tie breaker criteria shall be determined by lot.  Unless the district executive committee specifies otherwise prior to the season, tie games shall count as one-half game won and one-half game lost.

9. EXPENSES OF DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES IN ALL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES.The district executive committee has authority to finance its expenses.  It is recommended that the district activity assessment for a sport be determined at the organizational meeting.

1. Delinquent Assessments.  The failure of a school to pay its assessment promptly after having been notified is a violation.
2. Disqualification.  If a school refuses or fails to pay its assessment, it may be disqualified from participation the current and following year until the amount is paid.
3. Statement. At the close of the season the district executive committee shall furnish each participating school in the district a financial statement showing all receipts and disbursements for the season.

  Section 134 – Officials

1. AGREEMENT. All officials must be satisfactory to both parties and agreed upon in advance.  However, beginning a game with an official constitutes agreement.
2. Participant schools shall use officials approved by TAPPS.

1. Officials

1. All individuals officiating contests involving TAPPS schools must be

1. Registered with an approved Chapter
2. Assigned by an approved Chapter

2. Chapters                                  

1. All officials’ chapters must be approved by TAPPS in order to assign officials for TAPPS contest. Official chapters are approved by the method listed below.
2. Registered and in good standing with TAPPS through the following process.

1. Submission of Application
2. Submission of Supporting Documentation

1. Chapter Bylaws
2. Letters of Reference
3. SCOPE Video Certification From
4. Letter stating that all officials have had background checks done.

3. Review and Approval by the TAPPS Athletic Executive Committee.
4. Submitted prior to the deadline published on the TAPPS yearly calendar as shown on the TAPPS website.

3. TASO and all UIL approved chapters listed on Arbiter Sports in good standing are approved by TAPPS.

3. Insurance

1. All approved chapters shall meet the minimum requirements as established by TAPPS prior to being approved by TAPPS.
2. The minimum limits of coverage shall include the following:

1. General Liability                             $1,000,000      Occurrence
2. General Liability                             $2,000,000      Aggregate
3. Personal and Advertising Injury     $1,000,000      Occurrence
4. Sexual Abuse and Molestation          $100,000
5. Accident Insurance                              $50,000      Occurrence

3. TAPPS shall be named as a Certificate holder and certificate of insurance shall be forwarded to the TAPPS office annually.

4. NEUTRAL OFFICIALS. In all contests, schools should always attempt to secure neutral officials.
5. HOST RESPONSIBILITY.   The responsibility to obtain satisfactory officials is upon the host school which must provide names of officials to the visiting school at least 4 days prior to the contest.
6. NOTIFICATION. When names of officials are received by the visiting school, the visiting school shall immediately notify the host school if officials are not satisfactory.  Failure of the visiting school to solicit names of officials from the home school within four days of the contest constitutes agreement.
7. FAILURE TO SHOW.

1. If agreed upon officials fail to show, the visiting school shall not be in violation by refusing to play.

1. Host school shall make written notification to the assigning chapter.
2. Host school shall make written notification to the TAPPS office.

2. However, earnest effort should be expended to find officials so that the game may be played without additional travel expenses for team and fans.
3. A host school does not have to forfeit the contest unless the district executive committee rules that they have been negligent in contracting and securing officials.
4. If the contest is rescheduled, the home team will host the game at a mutually agreed date and time and reimburse the visiting school 50 cents per mile.
5. By mutual agreement, the visiting team may host the make-up game and no travel allowance be required.

8. SCRATCHES.

1. When officials who have been previously agreed upon by both teams are scratched, the school scratching the officials shall pay them the fee they would have received had they worked the game minus any travel expenses and shall also pay the additional travel costs in obtaining new officials. If scratched officials obtain another game, they do not have to be paid.
2. After a school has accepted an official, and then scratches the official prior to a contest, this action must be approved by the athletic director and the principal of the school taking the action. Note: Officials shall not be scratched the day of the game, except by mutual consent of both schools.
3. TAPPS discourages indiscriminate scratching of entire chapters except in cases when potential problems could result with fans and/or school employees.
4. Officiating chapters should be fair in their game assignments, offering smaller schools the opportunity to use higher level officials when possible.
5. When officials do not show, or when the previously agreed upon officials do not show, and the game has to be rescheduled, the chapter shall be responsible for the rescheduled game fee, unless it is determined by the school that an emergency arose beyond the control of the officials

9. CANCELLATION of contest by a member school

1. When officials who have been previously scheduled and the contest is canceled, the school canceling shall

1. pay them the fee they would have received had they worked the game
2. minus any travel expenses.

2. This rule applies in the event the officials are not rescheduled.
3. Acts of God are not subject to this provision.

10. PENALTY. The penalty for failure to provide officials is forfeiture of the game or match.  The district executive committee shall determine whether or not forfeiture is applicable.
11. FEE VIOLATIONS. If the rules in regard to fees of officials are violated by a participant school, the facts shall be reported to the district executive committee at a meeting to be called as soon as possible after the game.  The committee shall decide on the merits of the case and apply the penalty; or, if an emergency is declared, waive  the penalty.  The district executive committee may declare that, in its judgment, an emergency arose and, therefore waive the penalty.
12. MAXIMUM MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT.                                                                                                                    

1. Officials shall be paid travel reimbursement in accordance with the following:
2. Metro

1. As listed on approved Fee Sheets

13. OTHER ALLOWABLE EXPENSES.

1. Meals. If there is previous agreement between officials and schools, schools may pay up to the state rate per day for meals.
2. Lodging. As necessary and previously agreed upon by the officials and schools, schools may pay lodging.
3. Ground Transportation. If prior agreement exists, schools may pay taxi fare, etc., for officials.

14. LIMITATION. No other item shall be included in payment of officials.
15. FEE APPROVAL.    Fees are to be paid by the host school or by the game management as approved by the school.  TAPPS recommended fee schedule posted under the “Officials” tab on the TAPPS website.
16. PROMPT PAYMENT. Fees are to be paid promptly.
17. EXCEEDING MAXIMUM FEES. The maximum fee listed should be paid to officials working varsity contests.  For sub-varsity contests, unless otherwise specified, fees less than the maximum may be negotiated between the chapter and the school.  If a participant school exceeds the maximum fee schedule, the district executive committee shall meet as soon as possible to decide if an emergency warranted the excess fee(s).  If the school in question proves an emergency caused the overpayment, the district executive committee does not have to assess a penalty.
18. TAPPS SCHOOL, COACHES AND OFFICIALS POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS MEETING (SCOPE) AND REGISTRATION.

1. Coaches and Officials Required to Register With TAPPS and Attend Meetings. All officials and all coaches in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball shall complete TEaMs training as  prescribed by TAPPS prior to their sport season.  TAPPS schools may meet this requirement by providing meetings or seminars  conducted by the Head Coach/Athletic Director, prior to the season.  Officials from a local chapter should be invited to attend.
2. Registration List. Coaches and officials who register and attend will have their names placed on a registration list which will be forwarded to the TAPPS office or the Officials Association office, or placed on file at the local school.  This information will be provided by the local chapters and other groups who hold these meetings.  Other information to be provided for each official is: address, division and Social Security number.
3. TAPPS Registration Fee. TAPPS may charge a registration fee for officials to help offset costs of programs for officials (rule books, other educational materials, development of materials and meeting costs).
4. Failure of Official to Register; Loss of Registration.

1. A report of a coach ejection from an official may not be considered or adjudicated by TAPPS unless the official has registered prior to the season.
2. Officials who are not registered will not be allowed to work post district games, and should not be used for regular season games. Exceptions will be handled through the TAPPS office.
3. Officials must report all ejections of coaches, severe verbal and physical abuse, and any major disruptions that occur during a game. The game administrator is to be informed of the problem the night of the game. Reports from each official involved are to be made to the TAPPS office within the next two working days following the game or match. In order for TAPPS to review each situation, the sooner a report the more effective the TAPPS staff can administer any necessary penalty. Officials should use the form provided on their association’s website.  
4. Officials are to conduct themselves in a professional manner before, during and after a contest.
5. Officials who violate the provisions of this rule may be removed from the list of registered officials.

19. NO PROTESTS. A protest based on a game or contest official’s decision will not be considered.

Section 135 – Athletic Eligibility

1. INDIVIDUAL REPORT FORMS.  It shall be the responsibility of each school to keep on file the following recommended/required annual forms for each student who participates in any practice, scrimmage, or game. These forms should be kept at the school and uploaded into the TAPPS database as instructed.

1. Medical.

1. Upon entering high school and each year thereafter, a MEDICAL HISTORY and PHYSICAL EXAMINATION form must be completed by each student as entered in the TAPPS database.  A standardized form is avail­able from TAPPS, which school officials may furnish to physicians if they wish. This form is to be kept on file in the TAPPS database.
2. Each year students and parents shall be provided education in the areas noted below.  Parents shall acknowledge receipt of this information on the Parent Acknowledgement of Rules form signed annually.;

1. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
2. Concussion
3. Steroid and Substance Abuse
4. Injury Reporting and Return to play protocols

2. Parent or Guardian Permit.  Annual acknowledgement of rules is required and as found in the TAPPS DATABASE.
3. Rules Acknowledgment.                                                                                                                                

1. An Annual TAPPS Rules Acknowledgement Form signed by the student and the student’s parent or guard­ian is required and kept on file in the school office must be completed in the TAPPS database.  
2. Even if the student is 18 or older, the parent or guardian must complete the form.

.

2. VARSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

1. Subchapter K, By-Laws.  Only students satisfying all the requirements in Article V of the TAPPS Constitution and in Subchapter K in By-Laws are eligible for interscholastic competition.
2. Non-District Games.  In any interscholastic games or contests, only eligible students may participate.  Each school shall complete an eligibility list for each sport.
3. Eligibility Forms.  Schools must submit comprehensive eligibility ROSTER in the TAPPS database for all athletic and fine art contests prior to the first interscholastic contest in those events.

1. Schools which fail to certify student eligibility in advance of the first interscholastic contest shall be subject to the following sanctions:

1. First Offense - Warning
2. Second Offense - Reprimand / 1 Game Suspension for head coach
3. Additional Offense - Penalties shall escalate

4. Certification.  Completed eli­gibility ROSTER in the TAPPS database shall be to be submitted before a contes­tant is allowed to participate in a contest.
5. Suspension.  Failure to furnish correct and complete information may, upon request by the proper committee, constitute grounds for suspension.

3. PREVIOUS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM. Students who represented their former school in a varsity or sub-varsity athletic contest in grades 9-12 the previous or current school year must have a Previous Athletic Participation Form completed prior to participation in any interscholastic contest in that sport at the new school.  This completed form must be filed with the TAPPS office and approved by the district executive committee prior to the student’s participation in any interscholastic contest.

        Section 136 – In Season-Off Season Summer Regulations

1. CALENDAR

1. DEFINITION - The TAPPS Calendar shall provide information pertaining to those activities governed by TAPPS. For TAPPS purposes

1. School Year is defined as the first day of Dead Week through the last day of classes at the member school.
2. Summer is defined as the last day of classes at the member school through the first day of Dead Week.
3. Dead Week shall be published on the TAPPS calendar
4. First and Last day of school shall be determined by the dates published on the calendar of the member school.

2. ACTIVITIES

1. Activities include interscholastic competition in which the school sponsors the students or team.
2. Team Activities

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Football
4. Soccer
5. Softball
6. Volleyball

3. Individual Activities

1. Cross Country
2. Golf

1. Fall
2. Spring

3. Swim
4. Tennis

1. Team Tennis
2. Spring Tennis

5. Track and Field

1. Outdoor
2. Indoor

6. Wrestling

3. SABBATH

1. Day of observance shall be defined as either Saturday or Sunday
2. TAPPS member schools shall determine their recognized day of sabbath observance.
3. In no instance shall a school conduct organized activities for more than 6 consecutive days.
4. A TAPPS  school shall not participate on their recognized day of sabbath. This includes participation

1. In any athletic contest or
2. Conducting any practice,
3. Teaching any plays, formations, or skills

1. Any showing of films to, or meetings of athletes for the purpose of instruction or reviewing of plays, formations, or skills in any sport will be construed as a violation.

4. (Exceptions may be allowed upon appeal to the TAPPS Executive Board, with each case individually considered).

5. Coaches’ Meetings

1. This does not prevent coaches from meeting on Sunday or from seeing films or planning an instructional program, provided that no athletes are involved in this meeting.

6. EXCEPTIONS:

1. Travel on Sunday is permitted when required by any TAPPS Competition which occurs on Monday. This exception does not include Easter Sunday.
2. If the regional and/or state golf tourna­ments are scheduled on a Monday, the one 18-hole practice round allowed at the regional and/or state tournament site may be played on the Sunday afternoon preceding the meet (no earlier than 12:00 noon) if permitted by the regional or state meet director.
3. Tennis. If the regional and/or state tennis tour­naments are scheduled on a Monday, and if participants arrive at the site on the preceding Sunday because of travel distance, it will not be construed as a violation of this rule if school dis­trict personnel accompany or transport participants to a tennis court for the purpose of practicing on their own, if permitted by the regional or state meet director.

7. REGIONAL AND STATE TOURNAMENT COM­PETITION ON SUNDAY.

1. Regional or state tournament directors may reschedule postponed or weather delayed tournaments on Sunday afternoon or evening.
2. District or Regional tournaments or meets not hosted by TAPPS may reschedule as noted above, but only with prior approval of the tournament director and the participating schools, and with prior permission from the TAPPS director.

4. PERIODS OF NO ACTIVITY OR FACILITY USE

1. DEAD WEEK

1. There will be a “Dead Week” prior to the beginning of TAPPS activities for the new school year. No school or team activities may be held during the week. The Dead Week period will be noted each year on the TAPPS calendar.
2. Athletic Camps are allowed on the high school campus, however, high school students (including incoming freshmen) from the member school may not attend the camp.
3. The following Activities are not allowed for team or individual sports:

1. High School Team Meetings
2. High School Team Building Activities
3. High School Team Camps
4. High School Team Travel / Lodging
5. High School Physicals
6. Open Gyms
7. Open Weight Rooms

4. FINE ARTS EXCEPTION:

1. Fine Art activities are not subject to the Dead Week restrictions.  These activities include:

1. Band
2. Cheer
3. Dance
4. Drum Line
5. One Act Play
6. Orchestra
7. Robotics
8. Vocal Music

2. WINTER BREAK

1. A school shall not conduct contests or practices, use school facilities, personnel or equipment, or travel for a period of three days to be determined by the member school.  
2. The member school shall determine the three day period and that period of no activity shall apply to all activities.
3. School facilities shall not be used, nor shall school employees have contact with students during this time.
4. Any organized or required practice; or travel will be a violation of this regulation.

3. OTHER PERIODS
4. The following are subject to the in season and out of season limitations as defined for each activity. Individual member schools may make the determination as to which time limitations apply.

1. Fall Break
2. Spring Break
3. Holidays such as Easter and Christmas

2. LIMITATIONS

1. IN SEASON

1. General Provisions

1. Instructional week is defined in Section 1.3.3. above
2. Students are limited to 15 Contact Hours per week

2. Contact Hours include

1. Team and Individual Practices
2. Team and Individual Sports Specific Skill Training
3. Weight Training
4. Speed and Agility Training
5. Conditioning
6. Open Gym / Facility
7. Open Weight Room
8. Classroom Study / Film Study
9. Time

1. Class Period
2. Before School
3. After School
4. Extended Days

10. Contact hours do not include games.

3. Team Activities

1. Team Activities are considered in season

1. From the first practice date shown on the official TAPPS calendar
2. Through the last contest eligible for play in district or post season play
3. Subvarsity contests must be concluded prior to or on the date of district certification

4. Individual Activities

1. Individual activities are considered in season

1. When preparing for interscholastic competition while participating in interscholastic competition
2. If students are not participating in interscholastic competition then the individual sport is subject to all the restrictions of off season shown herein
3. Examples

1. Golf and Tennis may be considered in Season if the school is participating in interscholastic competition during the fall months
2. Track and Cross Country may be considered in season when students are competing in meets for those events

2. OFF SEASON

1. General Provisions

1. Instructional week as defined in Section 1.3.3. above
2. Students are limited to 10 Contact Hours per week

2. Contact Hours include

1. Team and Individual Practices
2. Team and Individual Sports Specific Skill Training
3. Weight Training
4. Speed and Agility Training
5. Conditioning
6. Open Gym / Facility
7. Open Weight Room
8. Classroom Study / Film Study
9. Time

1. Class Period
2. Before School
3. After School
4. Extended Days

3. Leagues

1. TAPPS coaches and school employees may not coach students from their school in off season leagues during the school year.

3. SUMMER

1. General Provisions

1. Instructional week is defined as shown above
2. Students are limited to 15 Contact Hours per week

2. Contact Hours include

1. Team and Individual Practices
2. Team and Individual Sports Specific Skill Training
3. Weight Training
4. Speed and Agility Training
5. Conditioning
6. Open Gym / Facility
7. Open Weight Room
8. Classroom Study / Film Study
9. Contact hours do not include games.

4. OFF SEASON / SUMMER PARTICIPATION

1. Student Participation

1. Students shall not be required to play on a non-school team in any sport as a prerequisite to playing on a school team.
2. Schools and school personnel shall make every effort to see that students understand the participation in off season leagues, tournament, teams, open weight rooms and open gyms

1. Is strictly voluntary and
2. Is never required.
3. Shall not be a prerequisite for trying out or participating on a school team.

2. Out of Season Leagues / Tournaments

1. Students shall not be required to play on a non-school team in any sport as a prerequisite to playing on a school team.
2. Schools and school personnel shall make every effort to see that students understand the participation in off season leagues, tournament, teams, open weight rooms and open gyms

1. Is strictly voluntary and
2. Is never required.
3. Shall not be a prerequisite for trying out or participating on a school team.

3. Summer Leagues / Tournaments

1. Students shall not be required to play on a non-school team in any sport as a prerequisite to playing on a school team.
2. Schools and school personnel shall make every effort to see that students understand the participation in off season leagues, tournament, teams, open weight rooms and open gyms

1. Is strictly voluntary and
2. Is never required.
3. Shall not be a prerequisite for trying out or participating on a school team.

5. SPRING ACTIVITIES

1. General Info (Football) - In-season contact hours apply

1. Spring Football

1. 14 Days of Instruction within 21 consecutive days from first to last day of instruction

2. General Info (Volleyball) - In-season contact hours apply

1. Spring Volleyball

1. 14 Days of Instruction within 21 consecutive days from first to last day of instruction

3. ATTENDANCE

1. TAPPS does not determine daily attendance policies for student participation in In-Season Activities.

1. Daily Attendance rules shall be determined by the TAPPS member school.
2. The specific requirements for student attendance on game days should be developed and published by the member school

2. Partici­pation in an off-season program shall not be required for varsity athletes on the day of an in-season varsity competition, or for non-varsity athletes on the day of an in-season non-varsity competition.

4. ALL STAR CONTESTS

1. Seniors

1. May participate in All Star Contests

2. Underclassmen

1. May participate in All Star Contests provided the schools high school coaches are not coaching the event if the event occurs during the school year.
2. May participate in All Star Contests if the school's high school coaches are coaching the event and the event occurs during the summer.                

5. TRYOUTS / COMBINES

1. College / University / Organized Tryouts or Combines are subject to this rule
2. Neither schools nor coaches shall provide

1. Transportation,
2. equipment or
3. defray expenses for students attending college tryouts.

3. Any contest at which a higher admission fee is charged to college coaches than is charged to parents or other adults is considered to be a college tryout.
4. This includes

1. individual tryouts,
2. group tryouts and
3. camp activities.

1. Coaching Restrictions 

1. These restrictions apply to all coaches (See Section 1 of the TAPPS Bylaws for definition) and students of the member school.  The only exception is a coach coaching his or her own child in other than school activities. Dead week restrictions apply to coaches and their children.
2. School Year

1. Coach participation in AAU, Club, Select or similar programs.

1. For students not yet in high school, Coaches may

1. Coach in AAU, Select, Club or similar programs
2. Coach students from their school in AAU, Club, Select or similar programs

2. For high school students who attend the TAPPS member school, Coaches may not

1. Coach students in AAU, Select, Club or similar programs

1. This rule applies to both teams coached or not coached by personnel at the member school.

2. This rule applies to all coaches at member schools for the entire school year regardless of the actual length or dates of the   employment contract or agreement.

2. Coach providing private instruction, group instruction, skills instruction, personal training and similar programs.

1. For students not yet in high school, Coaches may

1. Coach in these programs or provide these services
2. Coach students from their school in these programs and provide these services

2. For students who attend the the TAPPS member school, Coaches may not

1. Coach in these programs or provide these services
2. Coach students from their school in these programs and provide these services

3. Coaches with school year teams may

1. Organize

1. An out of season team
2. An out of season league
3. An out of season tournament

2. Select and determine teams

4. Coaches / school employees with school year teams may not

1. Provide Private or Group instruction for players from his / her school
2. Charge for private or group instruction during the school year
3. Coach players from his / her school

1. On out of season team or
2. In an out of season league or tournament

4. Provide transportation for players from his / her school to

1. Out of season team practice
2. Out of season league / tournament contests

5. Schools may not

1. Provide payment for

1. An out of season league
2. An out of season tournament

2. Financial Aid or Scholarships for

1. An out of season league
2. An out of season tournament

3. Summer

1. Coaches may

1. Organize

1. An out of season team
2. An out of season league
3. An out of season tournament

2. Select and determine teams
3. Coach players from the TAPPS member school
4. Provide Private or Group instruction for players from his / her school
5. Coach players from his / her school

1. On out of season team or
2. In an out of season league or tournament

6. Provide transportation for players from his / her school to

1. Out of season team practice
2. Out of season league / tournament contests

2. Schools may

1. Provide payment for

1. An out of season league
2. An out of season tournament

2. Financial Aid or Scholarships for

1. An out of season league
2. An out of season tournament

Section 137 – Rules, Violations and Penalties

1. Rule Violations. Students who violate the rules in the specific athletic plans shall be subject to the penalty in the specific athletic plan, or subject to the range of penalties applicable to student representatives in Sections 23 and 24.  The regulations in the ath­letic plans govern all varsity and sub-varsity teams and contestants.  Ninth grade (whether in junior high, on a separate campus, or with other high school grades) and other sub-varsity teams and contestants are restricted to the same game limitations, season, etc. as the varsity team.
2. Eligibility Rules. In addition to rules in individual sports plans, each varsity team and athlete shall observe all rules contained in Article V of the Constitution.
3. Minimum Penalty For Using Ineligible Player. In the event an ineli­gible contestant is used in any TAPPS game or contest, knowingly or unknowingly, the minimum penalty shall be forfeiture of the game, contest or event.
4. Unattached Participation. In any school sponsored athletic meet or tournament, TAPPS school students shall not be permitted to enter unless prior approval is obtained from their high school and the sponsoring school.  The penalty for violation of this rule shall be assessed against the high school sponsoring the meet.

Section 138 – Athletic Regulations

Schools shall abide by rules in the Constitution, by rules in the By-Laws, by rules in the Contest Rules, by rules in the TAPPS News Briefs, by regulations issued from the TAPPS office in the coaches and administrators sports manuals, and other official notices from the TAPPS office.  Where any term or section of the Contest Rules and/or the coaches and administrators’ sports manuals is found to be inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws, the Constitution and Bylaws shall prevail and apply and the re­maining terms and sections of the Contest Rules and/or the coaches and administrators sports manuals shall continue in effect.

1. SCHEDULE / SCORE REPORTING IN TAPPS DATABASE

1. SCHEDULES

1. Varsity schedules for all team activities are to be entered into the TAPPS Database prior to the start of interscholastic competition (including scrimmages). Schedules must be visible to the public and amended as changes occur.
2. Schools which fail to enter schedules in advance of the first interscholastic contest shall be subject to the following sanctions:

1. First Offense                        Warning
2. Second Offense                Reprimand to Head Coach / 1 Game Suspension
3. Additional Offense                Penalties shall escalate

2. SCORE REPORTING

1. Varsity scores for all team activities are to be entered into the TAPPS Database no later than 48 hours after the conclusion of the contest.  This includes all interscholastic competition including tournaments, non district, district and post season contests.
2. Schools which fail to input scores in a timely manner (48 Hours) shall be subject to the following sanctions:

1. After 1 game in FOOTBALL or 2 games in other TEAM SPORTS
2. First Offense                        Warning
3. Second Offense                Reprimand to Head Coach / 1 Game Suspension
4. Additional Offense                Penalties shall escalate

2. ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS - A school shall not participate in a sports activity unless that sport is indicated on the current contract, signed by the superin­tendent or designated administrator, and on file in the TAPPS office by September 1 of the current school year. Exception: A school which does not participate in foot­ball the first year of a new align­ment may not participate the second year except by unanimous consent of the district executive committee.
3. DISTRICTS and CLASSIFICATIONS

1. Classifications.  Schools are placed in classifications according to enrollment figures.
2. District Assignments. Schools will be assigned to districts by the TAPPS Executive Board.  District assignments and a list of tentative chairs will be mailed out to participant schools prior to the season.  The district shall select a permanent president and notify the TAPPS office.  However, the superintendent, principal, or coach in each school competing under this plan, is ultimately responsible for ascertaining the name of the district president, time of meeting, etc.  If the president moves from a member school, each school in the district has a responsibility to see that a new president is elected and to notify the TAPPS office.

4. SCHEDULES

1. Eligible Schools

1. TAPPS Member Schools shall schedule contests with school sponsored teams.

1. TAPPS Member Schools may schedule contests with Homeschool teams.
2. The eligibility requirements for these teams includes:

1. No Students not yet in High School are participating in the contest
2. No students who have graduated high school are participating in the contest
3. No students who started ninth grade more than four years ago are participating in the contest
4. No students enrolled in a school or other home school association are part of the home school team

3. TAPPS schools shall not participate in games or contests with Home School Groups who do not meet the above requirements.

2. TAPPS Member Schools shall not schedule contests with Homeschool teams who have other than home school students in their organization.
3. TAPPS Member Schools shall not schedule contests with teams comprised of students from multiple schools or homeschool groups.
4. TAPPS Member Schools shall not schedule contests with select, AAU, Club or other similar teams.
5. TAPPS Member Schools shall not schedule scrimmages or contests with post-high school teams.
6. TAPPS Member Schools may schedule scrimmages or contests with schools, home school organizations, or other such groups who are members of a league organized for high interscholastic competition. Examples include but are not limited to schools in good standing with the leagues listed below:

1. University Interscholastic League (UIL)
2. Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC)

7. If new organizations are formed for competitive opportunities for schools, TAPPS shall not review the league for inclusion in the above list until the league has operated for a minimum of two years.  Review of any organization shall not deem the organization eligible.
8. Schools, home school organizations or other such groups who are not members of an organization are subject to the same rules and regulation as presented in Part A.b above.

2. Interstate and International Opponents

1. Schools wishing to schedule interstate opponents must obtain approval from TAPPS prior to participating in any single contest or tournament event.
2. Schools may not participate against schools not in GOOD STANDING with the recognized NFHS organization for their state in pool play, tournament play or individual contests.  It is the responsibility of the TAPPS member school and not the tournament organizer to insure compliance with this rule.
3. Schools may not participate against schools or teams who are located outside of the United States without prior approval. In no circumstance will international teams comprised of students from more than one school be approved.
4. For contests in which the out of state opponent is traveling to Texas,

1. School must be a member in good standing of a recognized State High School organization with eligibility rules in keeping with TAPPS standards.
2. OUT OF STATE OPPONENT Application must be completed and approved prior to the date of competition.

5. For contests in which the TAPPS member school is traveling out of Texas.

1. The single contest or tournament must be sanctioned and approved by the NFHS.
2. OUT OF STATE OPPONENT Application must be completed and approved prior to the date of competition.

3. District Schedules

1. are set by action of the District Executive Committee.
2. Game days originally agreed upon, either by district schedule or agreement between schools can only be changed by mutual agreement of the schools involved.  Change is only valid when agreed upon in writing by both schools.
3. If a school forfeits a district game, and does not play that game,

1. the forfeiting school shall not be eligible for the playoffs.
2. None of the games involving the team who cancels the game will count towards the district standings. It is as if the team was never a part of the district.
3. The individual players on the team are still eligible for consideration for all-district and all-state.
4. If the game is played and later ordered to be forfeited by the District Executive Committee or if the school willingly forfeits the game after discovering an ineligible player, or some other rule violation, the team is not automatically removed from the playoffs.
5. The team’s won/loss record for district play, including any losses due to the forfeiture of teams that have played, shall be considered to determine if the team qualifies for a playoff berth.

4. Schools shall not forfeit any district games in order to play non-district games. Schools in violation of this provision will be subject to the range of penalties.
5. At the time of district certification, the district president shall certify all schools that will participate in the playoffs. Upon qualifying for the playoffs, schools must notify the TAPPS office in writing if their team will not participate in all playoff games in which they qualify as scheduled by TAPPS. If for any reason, the team cannot follow the schedule as provided by TAPPS the school shall remove itself from the playoffs without penalty so that the next highest ranked team may represent the district in the playoffs.
6. If a contest cannot be played as scheduled or completed as defined by the governing rules of the activity and the visiting team was not notified in advance of the situation or if the situation occurs during the contest

1. earnest effort should be expended to find an acceptable playing site so that the game may be played without additional travel expenses for team and fans.
2. A host school does not have to forfeit the contest unless the district executive committee rules that they have been negligent
3. If the contest is rescheduled, the home team will host the game at a mutually agreed date and time and reimburse the visiting school 50 cents per mile.
4. By mutual agreement, the visiting team may host the make-up game and no travel allowance shall be required.
5. If at the time of game stoppage one team has outscored the other, the losing coach may choose to accept the score as final.

4. Failure to Complete a Season

1. Regular Season.  A school that does not participate in a sport after signing the intent to participate form should notify the TAPPS office as soon as possible if declaring no participation..  A school may be sus­pended by the TAPPS Executive Board in that activity for a period of one year, unless sufficient justification is shown for not participating.
2. A school failing to participate in a sport after declaring for the sport(by submission of fees and contract) shall not participate in other district, regional, or state events until a fee equal to the event fee has been paid to the TAPPS office.
3. A game or match canceled after the contract has been signed, unless both parties agree to the cancellation, shall be forfeited by the team canceling the game or match.
4. In football, when two schools agree to play on a 2-year basis, a contract should be signed by the two schools, and agree that the home team shall keep 100% of the gate receipts, and the game is canceled the second year by the team that received 100% of the gate receipts the first year, the team that received no gate the first year is entitled to 50% of the net gate receipts from the first game unless mutually agreed otherwise.  This is in addition to the forfeiture fee included in the contract.
5. Playoffs. Any school which qualifies for the playoffs in a sport and fails to participate or complete the official schedule of games/ matches, unless excused for valid reasons by the TAPPS Executive Board, may be suspended from that activity for a period not to exceed one calendar year.

5. Weather Considerations

1. Lightning

1. In the absence of Lightning Detectors or Predictors, TAPPS rules are as follows:

1. When thunder is heard or cloud to ground lightning is observed, the storm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.
2. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.
3. Distance Rule: This rule is in place for lightning strikes within 10 miles of the game location.
4. Thirty Minute Rule: Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play. After beginning application of the 30 minute rule, any subsequent thunder or flash of lightning shall reset the clock and teams shall wait an additional 30 minutes from that point prior to resuming play.

2. Temperature

1. In the event the outside temperature or heat index reaches 100 degrees as determined by the home team or event host, inter school contests shall not be played without the mutual consent of all teams involved in the contest.
2. In the event the outside temperature or chill factor reaches 32 degrees as determined by the home team or event host, inter school contests shall not be played without the mutual consent of all teams involved in the contest.
3. A school that is following the above guidelines shall not be required to forfeit contests.

3. Travel

1. In the event of snow, ice or other weather conditions affecting travel, consideration should be given to the travel involved before and after a contest.
2. A school that determines travel conditions to be unsafe shall not be required to forfeit contests.

6. Win/Loss Percentage - Non-district games shall not count on a team’s district win/loss percentage.
7. Practice/Scrimmage - A scrimmage is a practice that is a simulated contest between not more than four (4) teams.  The following restrictions apply:

1. Do not count towards the maximum number of games allowed
2. Maximum Number

1. Three (3) for football

1. Five (5) days between scrimmages
2. Five (5) days between last scrimmage and first game

2. Four (4) for all other sports

3. No admission may be charged
4. Officials may be used
5. Officials shall not be paid

1. May be reimbursed for:

1. Meals
2. Mileage

6. A scrimmage may be scheduled after games have been played.
7. A scrimmage contract should be obtained between the official’s chapter and the host school. A reasonable fee may be paid to the official’s chapter.

8. Playing Rules - Game Balls    

1. TAPPS shall determine the official ball to be used in all team activities.

1. The official ball shall be used for:

1. All home games by TAPPS teams
2. All tournaments hosted by TAPPS schools
3. All district contests
4. All postseason contests

2. The official balls include the following:

1. LINK TO OFFICIAL BALLS
2. Volleyball - must be tricolor panels
3. Football - must be all leather construction

2. Schools which fail to use the TAPPS approved Ball for any high school contest shall be subject to the following sanctions:

1. First Offense                        Warning
2. Second Offense                Reprimand to Head Coach / $150 fine
3. Additional Offense                Penalties shall escalate

9. GAME ADMINISTRATOR. In all TAPPS varsity athletic team contests, a game administrator shall be ap­pointed by the home school. It is highly recommended that a game administrator be present for all sub-varsity games as well.  Teams advancing to the state playoffs must insure that an administrator is appointed and present for each game which is held for football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball. The administrator should make themselves known to and be available to assist officials prior to, during or after the contest.  That person must be a coach (other than the game coach), teacher, or admin­istrator.  It is recommended that a game administrator be designated by the home school for all non-varsity athletic team contests.  The responsibilities of the game administrator are as follows:

1. Health and Safety

1. Shall be trained in the Emergency Action Plan for the facility
2. Shall know the location of the AED at the facility
3. Shall be trained in the use of the AED

2. Officials

1. see that officials are directed to their dressing room;
2. meet with the officials prior to game time (preferably on the playing field or court);
3. inform the officials where the game administrator will be seated;
4. assist the officials if they need to discourage unsportsmanlike conduct of a fan, player, or coach (such as removal from the gym);
5. check with the officials after the game to see if there is any misconduct that needs to be reported;
6. provide an escort for the officials to their cars;

3. Report

1.  all incidents to the school administrator (home team or visitor) including;

1. severe verbal abuse or physical contact of any game official
2. Verbal or physical contact between fans and any ejections of coaches and fans to the TAPPS office in writing within the next two working days.

10. COACH TRAINING

1. All TAPPS athletic directors and coaches (all levels of high school participation) shall complete the annual TAPPS Coach Education training prior to the start of their sports season.
2. Coach Education Training will include:

1. Solicitation of Students
2. Student Eligibility
3. Transfer Students
4. Contest Officials
5. Game Administration
6. Removal from a Contest
7. Reporting Game Scores
8. All District / All State Selection
9. Fan Behavior
10. Concussion in Sports
11. First Aid

1. Heat Illness

12. Sudden Cardiac Arrest
13. Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs
14. Blood Borne Pathogens
15. Coach Acknowledgement of Rules

3. The names of all coaches who complete the Coach Education training is verified in Rank One. Contact the TAPPS office for assistance if needed.
4. It is the joint responsibility of the coach and athletic director to ensure that the Coach Education and any other training are completed annually prior to the start of the individual’s high school coaching duties.
5. Coaches with less than five (5) years experience coaching in public or private schools must complete the following through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) beginning in the:

1. Fundamentals of Coaching
2. Sport Specific

1. Baseball

1. Pitch Smart

2. Basketball
3. Cross Country / Track
4. Field Hockey
5. Football
6. Golf
7. Soccer
8. Softball
9. Swim
10. Tennis
11. Track
12. Volleyball
13. Wrestling

3. Click HERE for the NFHS Learn Link.

6. Exceptions to Part E with approval from the TAPPS Office

1. Coaches with more than five (5) years scholastic coaching experience in either public or private school
2. Verifiable college courses representing the curriculum listed in Part E
3. Verifiable attendance at Coach Education course offered at the TAPPS June convention.

11. Removal from Contest

1. RULES GOVERNING REMOVAL  

1. Conditions requiring the removal from a contest shall be determined by the governing organization for each sport as specified in the TAPPS By-Laws (i.e., NFHS, NCAA, USGA, USTA, etc.) as outlined in the published rules for that sport.

2. SANCTIONS FOR REMOVAL

1. Every removal from a contest will result in a suspension from participation and a monetary fine. The length of the suspension and the amount of the fine will be determined by the circumstances of the removal as stated in the sections below. Subsequent or more serious removals may include additional sanctions as stated herein or as determined by the Athletic Executive Committee or the Executive Board.

1. Removal.   A coach or player removed from a contest shall immediately leave the field, stadium, press box, gymnasium or fieldhouse and have no communication of any kind with the coaching staff or team. If removing a student would result in a lack of supervision for that student, then the student is allowed to remain on the bench or team area where supervision is present.
2. Suspension.   While serving a suspension, a coach or student cannot be on the field, in the stadium, in the press box, in the gymnasium or fieldhouse, or have communication of any kind with the coaching staff or team during the contest.

3. REGULAR SEASON OR TOURNAMENT GAME

1. Student Suspension – In all sports but football, a student removed from a contest shall serve a one game suspension at the next scheduled contest as shown on the schedule submitted to the TAPPS office prior to the season (single game or tournament game). Football suspensions are served in the 1st half of the next scheduled contest.  

1. Student Fine -- $100 per ejection for the student. The School is responsible for payment of a fine.

2. Coach Suspension -- In all sports, a coach removed from a contest shall serve a one game suspension (football) or two games for all other activities at the next scheduled contest(s) as shown on the schedule submitted to the TAPPS office prior to the season (single game or tournament game).  

1. Coach Fine -- $300 per ejection for the coach. The School is responsible for payment of a fine.
2. TEaMs – A coach who has documented TEaMs training:

1. Public Reprimand issued to the coach; and,
2. Coach must complete the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior or other similar course prior to the next contest.

3. NO TEaMs – A coach who has no documented TEaMs training:

1. Public Reprimand issued to the Coach;
2. Public Reprimand issued to the Athletic Director;
3. Coach must complete the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior or other similar course prior to the next contest; and,
4. If in football, the suspension is increased to two full game.

4. FAN BEHAVIOR

1. Fan Removal

1. School shall be fined a minimum of $250
2. Fine to be paid by school fan represents

2. Fans rushing the court, field or pitch

1. Players and Officials are no longer on the court

1. First Offense                  

1. Warning
2. Probation for the school

2. Second Offense        

1. $1,500. fine to the school
2. Probation for the school
3. Public Reprimand

3. Additional Offense        

1. $1,500 fine to school
2. Additional sanctions as determined by TAPPS
3. No fans allowed at next contest
4. Public Reprimand

2. Players and Officials are still on the court, field or pitch

1. First Offense

1. $1,500. fine to the school
2. Probation for the school
3. Public Reprimand

2. Second Offense

1. $1,500 fine to school
2. Additional Sanctions as determined by TAPPS
3. No fans allowed at next contest
4. Public Reprimand

3. Additional Offense

1. Sanctions to be determined by TAPPS
2. Public Reprimand

5. PLAYOFFS

1. Student Suspension -- In all sports but football, a student removed from a playoff game shall serve a one (1) game suspension at the next contest, if it is the first ejection of the year. Football suspensions are served in the 1st half of the next contest. If the student has a previous ejection, the minimum suspension is two (2) games. If the ejection occurs in the final game of the season, the suspension carries forward to the next year in that sport for all underclassmen. Seniors would serve the suspension in the next sport played. Removed players are not eligible for All Tournament honors.

1. Student Fine -- $200 per ejection for the student. The School is responsible for payment of a fine.

2. Coach Suspension – In all sports, a coach removed from a playoff game shall serve a minimum of a two (2) game suspension, if it is the first ejection of the year.

1. Coach Fine -- $500 per ejection for the coach. The School is responsible for payment of a fine.

      3.        Post season warmup games shall not count towards satisfying the suspension
         requirement.  However, any ejections in a warm up game shall be treated as a
         playoff ejection.

6. SUBSEQUENT EJECTIONS

1. The second and any subsequent ejections are subject to review by the Athletic Executive Committee or Executive Board for further sanctions.

1. Minimum Penalty to include 2 game suspension
2. Minimum financial penalty equal to twice original fine
3. Coach must complete the NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior or similar course prior to the next scheduled contest as shown on the schedule submitted prior to the season to the TAPPS Office.

7. FINES

1. The School is responsible for the payment of all fines under this section. The fine is due in the TAPPS office ten (10) days from the date of ejection. Failure to submit the fine by this deadline will result in the fine being doubled and all games occurring after the ten days being declared a forfeit.  Once the fine has been paid games will not be forfeited; however, any games which were forfeited for nonpayment will not be reversed.

8. CUMULATIVE EJECTIONS REVIEW (STUDENT, COACH, SCHOOL)

1. If three ejections, coaches and players combined, are received in a sport during the season, the coaches and athletic director will be required to meet with the TAPPS Office.
2. If five ejections, coaches and players combined, are received by a member school during the school year, the athletic director and coaching staff of the member school will be required to meet with the TAPPS Office.
3. If more than three ejections occur in a sport for a member school, the Athletic Executive Committee or Executive Board will determine the amount of the fine.

9. CONTACT WITH AN OFFICIAL OR THREAT TOWARDS A GAME OFFICIAL

1. A coach or player deliberately coming into physical contact with, or threatening harm to, an official shall receive at a minimum

1. Monetary fine
2. Five (5) game suspension
3. Public Reprimand
4. Probation
5.  as determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.

10. CONTACT WITH AN OFFICIAL OR THREAT TOWARDS OPPOSING PLAYER OR TEAM PERSONNEL BY TEAM PERSONNEL

1. A coach or player deliberately coming into physical contact with, or threatening harm to, an opposing player or team personnel shall receive at a minimum

1. If TEaMs compliant

1. Monetary fine
2. Five (5) game suspension
3. Public Reprimand - Team Personnel
4. Probation - Team Personnel
5.  as determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.

2. If not TEaMs compliant

1. Sanctions as shown in Part A
2. Additional sanctions

1. Public Reprimand - Athletic Director
2. Probation - Athletic Director and School
3. Additional game suspension - Team Personnel

11. PROCESS

1. Any coach or player removed from a contest must file a report with the TAPPS Office on the form located in the TAPPS database.

1. The form is due the following school day (within 24 Hours if possible).
2. Both TAPPS schools involved in the contest must report any ejection occurring in the contest.
3. Fines for an ejection not reported to the TAPPS office by the deadline will be doubled.
4. Schools who fail to report an ejection are subject to further sanctions as determined by the Athletic Executive Committee or Executive Board.

12. NO APPEAL

1. A protest based on a game or contest official’s decision will not be considered. Removals from a contest are not subject to appeal, except for targeting ejections in football. Targeting ejections may only be appealed through the procedures established by the TAPPS office.

12. GUARANTEES.

1. Football.  In district and non-district football games, the home team shall keep 100% of the gate receipts after payment of game officials as stated in the game contract unless other­wise mutually agreed upon by both schools.
2. Other Team Sports.  In district and non-district games/matches unless there is mutual agreement or district executive committee ruling, the home team is entitled to 100% of the gate receipts.
3. Playoffs.

1. In playoff games, at a neutral site,

1. expenses are to be paid from the gate receipts, as well as sharing any profit or loss from the game, and
2. must be agreed upon prior to the game by both schools involved.
3. This agreement should be in writing and signed by both school representatives.

2. In playoff contests,

1. if the schools cannot agree on the officials
2. and the chapter is determined by

1. coin toss (or similar manner)
2. or assigned by TAPPS,

3. both schools are equally responsible for the payment of the officials before any other expenses are deducted from the gate.

4. Expenses.  Expenses must be mutually agreed upon by the participants.

13. VIDEOTAPING AND FILMING.

1. Non-Conference and District Contests.

1. Videotaping/Filming by Schools.

1. It is a violation to videotape or film a non-conference or district athletic contest in which your school or team is not competing unless prior consent of the two schools involved has been obtained.
2. A school does not have to obtain permission to film or tape a non-conference or district contest in which it is competing.  However, the film or videotape may not be utilized until after the contest has been completed in Football as described in the current year NCAA football rules.
3. Films and videotapes become the property of the school doing the filming unless by district rule or by consent of the schools involved in the contest.

2. Film/Video For Scouting.

1. TAPPS does not have a rule about exchanging film.  It does have a rule that prohibits taping/filming a game in which your school is not involved, UNLESS you have consent of both schools.

2. The film/video belongs to the school that film/tapes a game/scrimmage in which their team is participating, unless district rule or mutual agreement of the schools involved, states otherwise.  The film/video cannot be used during the game for coaching purposes in Football as described in the current year NCAA football rules.
3. Exchanging films with an opponent is a recognized and accepted practice for scouting purpose.  For example; team A is playing team B in game 3 of the season, the  coach from A trades his film from game 1 and/or 2 with the coach from team B for his film from game 1 and/or 2.  The films are the property of the school doing the filming and they do not have to get permission from anyone to exchange their own property.
4. For a coach to contact a team that has played his opponent and arrange to “borrow” or trade for that film is not a violation. The film is the property of the school that made it legally, since they were involved in the game.
5. Districts may make a rule that member schools may not “loan out” films, after the play-offs begin, in order to “protect” their district representatives.  This is a district rule - not a TAPPS rule!
6. Schools in the football play-offs are REQUIRED to exchange 3 quality tapes with their opponent (recipient’s choice)

1. No later than 10:00 am on Monday, before a Friday Game.
2. Videotaping/ Filming by Individuals.  Any individual taping or filming must have permission from the schools involved in the contest and may not obstruct the view of other spectators of the contest.
3. Commercial Uses.  Use of the films or tapes for commercial purposes must be approved by all schools involved in the contest.

7. Regional and State Playoffs.

1. Schools and/or individuals must have prior approval of the tournament director to film or videotape a regional or state tourna­ment, and may not obstruct the view of other spectators of the contest.
2. Commercial enterprises must have prior approval of the tournament director and the TAPPS director to film or videotape a region­al or state tournament, and may not obstruct the view of other spectators of the contest.

14. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

1. Live animal mascots, cannons, firearms, fireworks, etc. are prohibited at TAPPS athletic contests.
2. No dogs or other animals are allowed at TAPPS hosted contests.
3. Except in their normal course of business, emergency vehicles shall not flash lights or sound sirens during the course of a game.
4. Noisemakers are prohibited at TAPPS events held at ­field houses and/ or gymna­siums.
5. In events held in field houses/gyms, megaphones may be used only by cheerleaders, in uniform.  Megaphones must not be used to strike walls or playing surfaces.
6. Bands, when permitted, shall play only during time-outs and intermissions. Individual instruments may not be used as noisemakers. (For football see Section 158 item G.)
7. No sound systems, other than the one(s) provided by the host school are allowed at TAPPS Secured sites or at neutral sites unless mutually agreed.
8. Body paint and like decoration shall not be permitted by players or spectators. (Exception: Small markings as sold by cheer or other school organization on the cheek are permitted) This rule applies to all games held at neutral sites. If a TAPPS school is not going to permit this activity at their facility, the opponent should be notified in advance of the contest.
9. Air horns and bullhorns, handheld or otherwise, are not permitted at any TAPPS contest.
10. The use of, or appearance of using, any controlled substance (alcohol, drugs,etc.) before, during or after games at contest sites is prohibited by TAPPS.
11. Streamers, confetti or other such materials.

15. State Playoff Information - Playoff information for all applicable sports will be ­posted on the TAPPS website by the TAPPS office.

16. All-Star Games

1. Students may participate in an all-star game if that student has eligibility remaining in that sport. However, if the student has eligibility remaining in that sport, they may not participate on an All Star team that is being coached by a coach from their school.

17. Jurisdiction of Inter-District Disputes - The Athletic Executive Committee shall have jurisdiction in all disputes arising between district winners that have been duly certi­fied.

18. Cheerleaders; Spirit Groups - All cheer and spirit performances at any TAPPS activity shall be in accordance with safety standards as prescribed by the National Feder­ation High School Spirit Handbook.

19. Concussions

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in Concussion Management on an annual basis.
2. Any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors associated with a concussion

1. Must be removed from the contest
2. May not return to play on the same day
3. Shall not return until cleared to play by an appropriate health-care professional as determined by the school administrator.
4. Written clearance must be obtained from the appropriate health care professional prior to student participation in any

1. Practice
2. Scrimmage
3. Athletic Contest

5. A report of all concussions will be made to the TAPPS office

20. Tattoos

1. TATTOOS MUST BE COVERED BY TAPE OR THE UNIFORM AT ALL TIMES. This includes while preparing for competition, during competition and for awards presentations.

1. Exception: In swimming, athletes must have tattoos covered when not competing in a race and during warm-up/cool down.

21. Game Uniform

1. Athletes shall not remove their Game Jersey or uniform while inside the playing arena.
2. Removal of one’s uniform shall be considered Unsportsmanlike Conduct and shall be considered grounds for removal from a contest.
3. Penalty for noncompliance of governing rules uniform guidelines

1. FIRST OFFENSE

1. Two year probation
2. Public Reprimand
3. $500 fine

2. SECOND OFFENSE

1. Penalty to be determined after meeting with AEC and recommendation to the Executive Board.

4. For Football in game penalties, please review the current NCAA Football Rules manual.  The uniform guidelines are stated in Rule 1. Article 4.

22. Use of Drones during competition

1. Coverage

1. TAPPS Drone Policies apply to school based personnel and
2. Any other operators attending TAPPS or member school hosted events

1. On behalf of the TAPPS member school or
2. Otherwise engaged for the event

2. Contests

1. This section applies to all contests hosted by

1. TAPPS member schools
2. TAPPS

2. Level of contests includes

1. Interscholastic competitions including

1. Scrimmages
2. Games
3. Tournaments
4. meets

3. Time

1. Prior to competition

1. When people are present on site including

1. Walkthroughs
2. Warmups

2. During timeline of competition including

1. Introductions
2. Timeouts
3. Halftimes

1. Presentations
2. Performances
3. Warmups

3. Post competition including

1. When people are present
2. Postgame ceremonies or activities

4. Location

1. Indoor Activities

1. All activities fine art and athletic which take place indoors

2. Outdoor Activities that are Stadium based

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Football
4. Soccer
5. Softball
6. Volleyball

3. Outdoor Activities that are other than stadiums

1. Cross Country
2. Golf
3. Swim
4. Tennis

5. Certification of Drone Pilots

1. Certification of Drone Pilots

1. Drone pilots employed by or operating for a school are

1. by definition a commercial enterprise and
2. all drone operators should hold current commercial drone pilot certificates (FAA Part 107) before operating for a TAPPS school.

2. All drone pilots not associated with a schools must

1. Receive permission from TAPPS at least 14 days prior to the event  
2. Must hold a current commercial drone pilots certification
3. Possess insurance

1. with $1,000,000 minimum limits for Bodily Injury and Property Damage
2. Naming TAPPS as an Additional Named Insured under the policy
3. Present certificate of insurance meeting the requirements

1. at the time of any waiver submission
2. Prior to any approval for Drone Usage at an event hosted by TAPPS of a member school

6.  Waiver for drone use

1. TAPPS may at its discretion entertain a waiver to allow drone use at a contest
2. The conditions of such waiver and agreement shall be developed by TAPPS and available upon request.
3. Limitation:

1. TAPPS cannot grant a waiver which would be in conflict with any local facility, municipality, or other state or federal governmental agency
2. TAPPS shall have full and final authority over drone use regardless of host facility rules, regulations or approval

23. Pregame Policy

1. At TAPPS hosted events the designated home team shall provide

1. the pregame prayer
2. performance of the National Anthem or TAPPS shall provide if requested.

2. At events not hosted by TAPPS, the home team shall determine pregame policies.
3. At neutral site games, the two schools shall agree on pregame policies prior to the competition.

24. Performing Groups

1. Basketball and Volleyball

1. In order to maintain a proper perspective and to insure equity in competition for the participating teams, the following guidelines must be followed.
2. The guidelines apply to

1. Marching Bands
2. Drum Lines
3. Other live performance groups
4. Music played over sound systems

3. Band instruments, including drums, are not to be played at any time other than when the entire band is playing.
4. During the contest, bands are to play only

1. during pregame,
2. Halftime,
3. Postgame,
4. the time between quarters,
5. time-outs (except injury time-outs)

5. Because the band acts as a spirit group,

1. members should always act in a positive manner and
2. must not do anything to distract or negatively affect the opposing team.
3. It is the director’s responsibility to prevent his/her band from
4. playing at inappropriate times,
5. playing inappropriate music, or
6. taunting the opposing team.

2. Football and Soccer

1. In order to maintain a proper perspective and to insure equity in competition for the participating teams, the following guidelines must be followed.
2. The guidelines apply to

1. Marching Bands
2. Drum Lines
3. Other live performance groups
4. Music played over sound systems

3. Band instruments, including drums, are not to be played at any time other than when the entire band is playing.
4. During the contest, bands are to play only

1. during pregame,
2. Halftime,
3. Postgame,
4. the time between quarters,
5. time-outs (except injury time-outs) and
6. between plays (stopping prior to the referee’s whistle for “ready for play”).

5. Bands seated near the end zone should not play if the line of scrimmage is inside the 10-yard line on the end close to the band.
6. The band may play the school fight song, etc

1. After a touchdown,
2. field goal,
3. extra point, or
4. Safety
5. However, the director must be sure to stop playing when the official blows the ready for play whistle to start the next play.

7. When bands want to warm-up prior to halftime, directors should arrange this so that it is done in an area that is not a distraction to the contest. Note: No whistles may be used while the game is in progress.
8. Because the band acts as a spirit group,

1. members should always act in a positive manner and
2. must not do anything to distract or negatively affect the opposing team.
3. It is the director’s responsibility to prevent his/her band from
4. playing at inappropriate times,
5. playing inappropriate music, or
6. taunting the opposing team.

Section 139 – Honors (All District, All State, Academic All State)

1. Academic All State

1. In all sports, TAPPS recognizes an Academic All State
2. Nominations

1. Nominate Students in TAPPS database

1. Enter GPA for QUALIFYING students
2. Save information

2. Deadline for Nomination

1. Thursday following state competition
2. Indicated on the TAPPS Calendar

3. Qualifications

1. Junior or Senior
2. Cumulative Grade Point Average of 90 or better or 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Conversion chart located below.)
3. Students must achieve the following to be eligible for Academic All State team:

1. Baseball

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

2. Basketball

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

3. Cross Country

1. Place in the Top fifteen (15) in TAPPS State Meet

4. Football

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

5. Golf

1. Qualify for the state tournament
2. Individual or Team Member

6. Soccer

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

7. Softball

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

8. Swim

1. Swim

1. Qualify For State
2. Individual or
3. Relay Team Member

1. Relay Alternates at Regional do not qualify for this honor

9. Tennis

1. Qualify for State Tournament

10. Track and Field

1. Qualify for State Meet
2. Individual or Relay Team Member

11. Volleyball

1. First Team All District
2. Second Team All District

12. Wrestling

1. Top 3 in each weight class at State Tournament

4. Awards

1. Academic All State listing on TAPPS website
2. Academic All State Certificate

5. Failure to meet deadline

1. Complete Appeal Form
2. PRIVATE Reprimand will be issued to the Athletic Director

GPA Conversion Chart:

GPA        Percentile            Letter Grade

4.0           95-100                 A

3.9           94                        A

3.8           93                        A

3.7           92                        A

3.6           91                        A

3.5           90                        A

3.4           89                        B

3.3           88                        B

3.2           87                        B

3.1           86                        B

3.0           85                        B

2. All District / All State Selection

1. All District Teams TAPPS recognizes All District and All State teams as determined by committees in the following team activities:

1. By Position

1. Football
2. Soccer

2. Not by Position

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Softball
4. Volleyball

3. Follow guidelines listed in Section 139.G (no additional players will be recognized)

2. All State Teams TAPPS recognizes All State Teams in the following activities as determined by order of finish in state competitions as outlined in the individual activity information:

1. Cross Country

1. First Team only (top ten runners)

2. Golf

1. First Team only (top ten finishers)

3. Swim

1. First Team - state champion
2. Second Team - state runner up
3. Honorable Mention - state bronze medal winner

4. Tennis

1. First Team - state champion
2. Second Team - state runner up
3. Honorable Mention - state bronze medal winners

5. Track and Field

1. First Team - state champion
2. Second Team - state runner up
3. Honorable Mention - state bronze medal winner

6. Wrestling

1. First Team - state champion
2. Second Team - state runner up
3. Honorable Mention - state bronze medal winner

3. All District Organization

1. Each school shall be represented at the All District Selection meeting
2. Each school shall rank their players for consideration
3. Each school shall have only one vote towards All District Selection
4. Each school shall present student information for consideration

1. Statistics
2. Other information

5. Each District shall determine the number of players to be represented on

1. First Team
2. Second Team
3. Honorable Mention
4. Not to exceed the number of players on the All State teams

6. Superlatives

1. Districts may determine superlatives (Offensive Player of the Year, etc)
2. Superlative winners should be determined after the initial ranking of the All District Teams
3. Superlatives winner must also be ranked for All State Consideration

4. All District Selection Process

1. The top ranked player from each school shall be placed in consideration for the All District Team
2. The committee shall vote to determine the number one player in the District.
3. The number two player from that school will now be elevated for consideration with the remaining top ranked players from the other schools.
4. The committee shall vote to determine the number two player in the District.
5. The next player from that school will be elevated to be considered with the remaining player pool.
6. The committee shall vote to determine the number three player in the District.
7. The process shall continue in this manner until the All District Teams are complete.
8. Districts should review the First Team All District rankings in respect to the All State meetings to insure that the player rankings will best serve the district when All State team are selected.
9. Districts should not predetermine player rankings based on the order of team finish in the district. (ie. District champion receives first two places, runner up next two places, etc.)

5. District President shall

1. Compile All District Rankings
2. Complete the TAPPS All District selection process on TAPPS database
3. Complete the All District Selection Process prior to the first round of playoffs for the classification or division as shown on the official TAPPS Calendar. District shall not wait to determine playoff success in advance of submitting the All District teams.

6. All State Organization

1. Each DISTRICT First Team shall be represented at the All STATE Selection meeting
2. The meeting Chair shall be determined in the following order if present at the All State Meeting.

1. State Champion
2. State Runner Up
3. Final Four Participant

3. Each DISTRICT shall present their players as ranked on the All District Form for consideration
4. Each DISTRICT shall have only one vote towards All STATE Selection
5. Each DISTRICT shall present student information for consideration

1. Statistics
2. Other information

6. Each All State Committee shall determine the

1. First Team
2. Second Team
3. Honorable Mention

7. Superlatives

1. All State Committees shall not determine Superlatives

7. All State Teams

1. No additional players will be recognized
2. By Position

1. Football (6 Man)

1. Offense

1. 1 Tight Ends
2. 2 Receivers
3. 1 Center
4. 1 Quarterback
5. 2 Running Backs
6. 1 Spread Back
7. 1 Utility Back
8. 1 Kicker
9. 1 Offensive Lineman

2. Defense

1. 3 Linemen
2. 3 Linebackers
3. 4 Defensive Backs
4. 1 Punter

3. Football (11 Man)

1. Offense

1. 5 Linemen
2. 4 Backs
3. 4 Receivers
4. 1 Tight End
5. 1 Quarterback
6. 1 Kicker
7. Athlete

2. Defense

1. 5 Linemen
2. 5 Linebackers
3. 5 Secondary
4. 1 Punter

4. Soccer

1. 4 Offensive Players
2. 4 Midfield Players
3. 4 Defensive Players
4. 2 Goalkeepers

3. Not by Position

1. Baseball

1. 15 players on each team

2. Basketball

1. 12 players on each team

3. Softball

1. 15 players on each team

4. Volleyball

1. 12 players on each team

8. All State Selection Process

1. The top ranked player from each DISTRICT shall be placed in consideration for the All STATE Team
2. The committee shall vote to determine the number one player in the STATE.
3. The number two player from that DISTRICT will now be elevated for consideration with the remaining top ranked players from the other schools.
4. The committee shall vote to determine the number two player in the STATE.
5. The next player from that DISTRICT will be elevated to be considered with the remaining player pool.
6. The committee shall vote to determine the number three player in the STATE.
7. The process shall continue in this manner until the All STATE Teams are complete.
8. The State Committee shall not add additional places to the All State Teams.
9. Honorable Mention teams are determined by the State Committee and not by the districts or schools.
10. The State Committee should not predetermine player rankings based on the order of team finish in the district. (ie. State champion receives first two places, runner up next two places, etc.)

9. State Committee Chairman shall

1. Compile All State Rankings
2. Complete the TAPPS All State Form
3. Submit the TAPPS All State Form

1. Complete Form
2. Complete the Award Recap Form

10. Statistics

1. District Stats should be used for the All District Selection process
2. Season Stats should be used for the All State Selection process

3. All State Meetings

1. Activities

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Football
4. Soccer
5. Softball
6. Volleyball

2. Meeting Dates

1. As indicated on the TAPPS calendar
2. Following State Tournament

3. Meeting Information

1. Location

1. Bellmead Civic Center
2. 3900 Parrish St, Waco, TX 76705

2. Time

1. 10:00 am Meeting

4. Attendance

1. Mandatory that each district send a representative
2. District representation

1. At least one representative
2. May have more than one representative

1. Each district will have one vote

3. Failure to attend the meeting

1. Students will receive consideration for All State Teams
2. Public Reprimand for all schools in District
3. Probation for One year in that Activity

5. Team Composition

1. By Position

1. Football
2. Soccer

2. Not by Position

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Soccer
4. Volleyball

6. Information

1. TAPPS

1. All State Selection Process
2. All District Teams
3. All State Recap to be completed by committee

2. District Representatives

1. Player Statistics

1. For all players on District First Team
2. Statistics in keeping with published guidelines

1. NFHS

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Soccer
4. Softball
5. Volleyball

2. NCAA

1. Football

2. Other information

7. All State Teams

1. Return completed forms to TAPPS Office
2. Pick up materials for those schools in attendance

8. Announcement

1. TAPPS All State Teams

1. Posted alphabetically by school
2. Posted on TAPPS Website
3. Wednesday following All State Meeting

2. All District Teams

1. Ranked as submitted by District
2. Posted on TAPPS Website
3. Wednesday following All State Meeting

4. All Tournament

1. TAPPS recognizes All Tournament Teams for the following activities:

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Soccer
4. Softball
5. Volleyball

2. The teams shall be comprised of the following

1. Baseball 12 members
2. Basketball 10 members
3. Soccer 12 members
4. Softball 12 members
5. Volleyball 12 members

3. TAPPS will recognize an All Tournament Team based on a

1. Selection of the Coaches involved
2. Coaches will rank the top four players from their team
3. Coaches shall rank the top four players from their opponent(s)
4. Ballots shall be collected by the TAPPS staff at the event
5. Ballots shall be tallied by the TAPPS staff
6. Presentation of the Awards shall be made prior to the Presentation of medals to the state Champion and Runner Up at the conclusion of the Championship game

4. Any player ejected from a Final Four contest is not eligible for inclusion on the All Tournament Team.

5. All District Meetings

1. Activities (Team Sports)

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Football
4. Soccer
5. Softball
6. Volleyball

2. Meeting Dates

1. Prior to Deadline
2. Deadline Posted on TAPPS Calendar

3. Meeting Information

1. Location determined by district
2. Time determined by district

4. Attendance

1. Mandatory that each school send a representative
2. Failure to attend the meeting

1. Students will receive consideration for All District Team
2. Public Reprimand for Coach
3. Public Reprimand for School
4. Probation for One year in that Activity

5. Team Composition

1. By Position

1. Football
2. Soccer

2. Not by Position

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Soccer
4. Volleyball

6. Information

1. District Meeting Host

1. All State Selection Process
2. All District Recap to be completed by Host / President
3. District Representatives

1. Player Statistics

1. For all players to be considered

1. TAPPS Form for

1. Basketball
2. Baseball
3. Softball
4. Volleyball

2. Statistics in keeping with published guidelines

1. NFHS

1. Baseball
2. Basketball
3. Soccer
4. Softball
5. Volleyball

2. NCAA

1. Football

2. Other Information

7. All District Teams

1. Complete the All District Team Form

1. Submit to TAPPS Office
2. Provide copy for all district teams

2. Obtain Statistics for all First Team All District Players

1. Submit Statistics to TAPPS Office

8. Announcement

1. District

1. Determine release date

2. TAPPS

1. Posted on TAPPS website
2. Wednesday following All State Meeting
3. Ranked as submitted on All District Team
4. TAPPS information will only include information posted by the district president in TAPPS database.

6. Of The Year

1. TAPPS recognizes “Of the Year”

1. Recipients

1. One Coach - Male
2. One Coach - Female
3. One Female Athlete
4. One Male Athlete

2. Classifications

1. 1A
2. 2A
3. 3A
4. 4A
5. 5A
6. 6A

3. Students are eligible to win the award twice.

2. Nomination

1. Form on TAPPS database
2. Form must be completed prior to the Published Deadline
3. Schools may nominate

1. one person per category
2. Athletes Of the Year

1. JUNIORS and SENIORS
2. Preference will be given to SENIORS.

Section 140 – Concurrent Participation in Non-School Team Sports

TAPPS does not prohibit concurrent participation by TAPPS athletes during the season.  Athletes are to be reminded that TAPPS contests and practices take precedence over other league/tournament games or practices. Students attending a TAPPS school may not participate on Home School or Independent teams in a sport governed by TAPPS.

Section 141 – Playoff Format

1. Team Sports Contest Information

1. LINK TO PLAYOFF CONTEST CHECKLIST
2. Contests

1. Playoff Game days are

1. indicated on the TAPPS calendar,
2. unless both teams otherwise agree.
3. If game dates are changed by mutual agreement, the game cannot interfere with the next round of the state contests determined by TAPPS. The state contests may not be changed by individual agreement, only by the TAPPS Executive Board.

2. Game times are by

1. mutual agreement or
2. coin toss.
3. If game dates are changed by mutual agreement, the game cannot interfere with the next round of the state contests determined by TAPPS. The state contests may not be changed by individual agreement, only by the TAPPS Executive Board.

3. Playoff Practice Games

1. Teams that qualify for the playoffs are allowed one practice game, in each round of the playoffs until they are

1. eliminated or
2. the championship is decided.

2. Playoff practice games do not count in the total number of games allowed per season.
3. Practice contests must be held prior to the round of competition for which they are awarded.
4. Practice games shall not take precedence over nor interfere with the scheduling of playoff contests

3. Neutral Sites - When securing a neutral site

1. The game shall be scheduled approximately halfway between the two schools, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
2. If the two schools cannot agree,

1. each shall select a neutral site
2. and settle the game site by a coin toss.

3. Unless mutually agreed otherwise,

1. the game field or court
2. must meet the minimum standard for competition as indicated in the approved rules for that sport, to be used

1. in district and
2. play-off games.

3. Home Team

1. To be determined by

1. Mutual Agreement or
2. Coin Toss

2. Responsibilities

1. Securing Facility
2. Payment of Facility
3. Securing Officials
4. Payment of Officials

4. Expenses

1. In all play-off games, (other than regional, semi-final and finals provided by TAPPS)

1. All game expenses shall be paid from the gate receipts.
2. Any remaining funds are to be

1. equally divided by the two schools,
2. unless mutually agreed otherwise.

3. If the game is played at the facility of the home team, and gate receipts do not cover the game expenses,

1. the home team should absorb the loss, since the visiting team had travel expenses (see Part c below),
2. unless mutually agreed otherwise.

4. If the game is played at a neutral site, and the gate receipts do not cover expenses,

1. both teams should share in the expenses equally,
2. unless mutually agreed otherwise.

2. If the home team moves the game to a facility other than their home court or field,

1. the home team assumes the full expense of the facility rental,
2. unless otherwise agreed upon.

3. In playoff contests,

1. if the schools cannot agree on the officials
2. and the chapter to be used is determined

1. by coin toss (or similar manner)
2. or assigned by TAPPS,

3. both schools are equally responsible for the payment of the officials
4. before any other expenses are deducted from the gate.

2. Playoff Format - Bracket Development - Brackets in ALL Classes/Divisions with more than 3 districts are drawn so that the district champ and runner up from the same district do not meet in the play-offs until the semi-finals of the state tournament.

1. Basketball and Volleyball

1. All classifications.
2. Higher seed shall be the home team until the Regional round.

1. Exception: If a four (4) seed and a five (5) seed are matched in the bracket, this game shall be a neutral site contest.

3. Regional rounds shall be neutral site as determined by mutual agreement or coin toss.

2. Baseball and Softball

1. All divisions
2. Higher seed shall be the home team until the Regional round.

1. Exception: If a four (4) seed and a five (5) seed are matched in the bracket, this game shall be a neutral site contest.

3. Regional rounds shall be neutral site as determined by mutual agreement or coin toss.

3. Fall Soccer and Winter Soccer

1. All divisions
2. Higher seed shall be the home team until the Regional round.

1. Exception: If a four (4) seed and a five (5) seed are matched in the bracket, this game shall be a neutral site contest.
2. Regional rounds shall be neutral site as determined by mutual agreement or coin toss.

4. Game sites in Football for ALL Divisions

1. 11 Man Football

1. The higher ranked team is home in the Area round,

1. Exception: If a four (4) seed and a five (5) seed are matched in the bracket, this game shall be a neutral site contest.

2. after that, games to be played at a neutral site,

1. by mutual agreement or
2. coin toss,

3. until TAPPS schedules the site.
4. If a District Champion gets a bye in the first round, they are NOT home team in second round;
5. game must be neutral site by

1. agreement or
2. coin toss.

2. 6 Man Football

1. the higher ranked team is home in the first round only
2. after that, games to be played at a neutral site,

1. by mutual agreement or
2. coin toss,

3. until TAPPS schedules the site.
4. District Champs receiving a bye in the first round, are NOT home team in second round; game must be neutral site by

1. agreement or
2. coin toss.

5. Playoff Bracket Format

1. In Playoff Brackets, other than football,  the 50% rule will be used to determine playoff qualifiers from each district when possible.
2. Numbers will be rounded up to achieve 50% representation form the district (ie. 7 teams in the district would have 4 representatives)

1. Teams will be added to insure the brackets are set on a 12 team, 16 team, 24 team, or 32 team bracket.
2. If a team that would not have qualified for the playoffs under the above 50% rule is placed in the bracket, that team may opt to withdraw from the playoffs prior to the first round games without penalty.

1. This decision must be made prior to district certification and no team shall be advanced in the district rankings to take this position.
2. However, once entering the playoffs a team must complete the postseason

3. In all brackets where possible, at least one team shall not make the playoffs.
4. In the event byes are necessary, they shall be assigned

1. To district champions first
2. with geography of the first round in consideration.

1. If there are no eligible opponents in the neighboring districts, then teams shall not be selected in the opposite half of the bracket to fill the bye.
2. Teams from the same district will not be placed in the bracket to alleviate the bye.

3. Last resort shall be a coin toss to determine which district shall get byes.

Teams in District        Advance to Playoffs

1                                1

2                                1

3                                2

4                                2

5                                3

6                                3

7                                4

8                                4

9                                5

10                                5

11                                6

12                                6

3. Wildcard Information

1. The playoff format may utilize the Wildcard format to complete the playoffs as determined by the TAPPS Executive Board.
2. The point system as shown in the Wildcard Point Table shall be used to assign points

1. For wins only,
2. Over teams as classified by their division of play.

3. Wildcard points shall be calculated weekly throughout the season.

1. Schools shall record scores in TAPPS database.
2. Schools shall enter opponent code in TAPPS database.

4. The Wildcard teams shall be determined by

1. Total Points
2. In the event of a tie

1. Head to Head Competition
2. Athletic Executive Committee
3. Coin Flip

4. Wild Card Point Table

Six Man Football

6. Click HERE to view 2024-26 Qualifiers Tables

  Section 142 – Health and Safety

1. The purpose of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools is to organize and provide extracurricular activities for students attending our member schools. Paramount in the organization’s efforts is the safety of these students.
2. Emergency Action Plan

1. Schools shall develop emergency action plan for all facilities in which contests are hosted
2. Schools shall ensure that an AED is available in all facilities in which contests are hosted.

3. School - Student Health Awareness

1. Schools shall have a health and safety plan for extracurricular activities
2. Schools shall notify parents and students that reporting of injuries and health conditions is encouraged
3. Schools shall notify parents and students that the reporting of injuries and conditions will be viewed and treated in a positive manner by all school personnel
4. Schools shall notify parent and students that the course of treatment and return to play as offered by a licensed health care professional of the parents choosing shall be honored

4. First Aid

1. Training – School Personnel

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in Concussion Management on an annual basis.
2. Training shall encompass

1. Basic First Aid
2. Sports Specific First Aid

1. Cover injuries likely to occur in sporting activity

1. Wound Care
2. Contagious Disease
3. Breaks and Fractures
4. Asthma and other such conditions

2. Diagnosis
3. Emergency Treatment

3. CPR
4. AED use

3. Training may be provided by

1. Red Cross
2. TEA Recognized provider
3. NFHS Course
4. School Designated provider

4. Training – Student

1. Training shall be provided for Parents and Students
2. Training shall provide the school policy for injury awareness and treatment
3. Training shall identify the school personnel to be notified in the event of injury or health condition

5. Concussion

1. Training – School Personnel

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in Concussion Management on an annual basis.
2. This training shall consist of at least 1 hours training
3. Training shall encompass

1. Basic Concussion Awareness
2. School Concussion Protocol
3. Player Education

4. Training may be provided by

1. TEA Recognized provider
2. NFHS Course
3. School Designated provider

2. Training – Student

1. School personnel shall provide concussion awareness training for

1. Students
2. Parents

2. This training shall include

1. Basic Symptoms of Concussions
2. School protocol for diagnosis
3. School Protocol for return to play

3. Basic School policy shall encompass and endorse

1. Any player who shows signs, symptoms or behaviors associated with a concussion

1. Must be removed from the contest
2. May not return to play on the same day

2. Shall not return until cleared to play by an appropriate health-care professional as determined by the school administrator.
3. Written clearance must be obtained from the appropriate health care professional prior to student participation in any

1. Practice
2. Scrimmage
3. Athletic Contest

6. Sudden Cardiac Arrest

1. Training – School Personnel

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in Sudden Cardiac Arrest on an annual basis.
2. Training shall encompass

1. Recognition of the basic symptoms of SCA
2. Recognition of signs of Cardiac Distress

3. Schools shall document training in SCA

2. Training may be provided by

1. TEA Recognized provider
2. NFHS Course
3. School Designated provider

3. Students whose physical examination indicates the possible condition which may cause an SCA or exhibiting signs shall not be allowed to participate in athletic activities unless approved by a licensed health care professional of the parent’s choosing.
4. Training – Student

1. Parents and students shall receive basic training in SCA.
2. Training shall encompass

1. Recognition of the basic symptoms of SCA
2. Recognition of signs of Cardiac Distress

3. Schools shall document training in SCA

7. Temperature Illness – Heat and Cold Related

1. Training – School Personnel

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in Temperature Illness on an annual basis.
2. Training shall encompass

1. Recognition of Heat Distress
2. Treatment of Heat Distress
3. Prevention of Heat Distress
4. Prevention of Cold related distress

2.  Weather Policy for Temperature

1. In the event the outside temperature or heat index reaches 100 degrees as determined by the home team or event host, interschool contests shall not be played without the mutual consent of all teams involved in the contest.
2. In the event the outside temperature or chill factor reaches 32 degrees as determined by the home team or event host, interschool contests shall not be played without the mutual consent of all teams involved in the contest.
3. This determination should be made by the Athletic Directors at each school at the time of the contest with student safety at the forefront of the decision making process.

3. Heat in August

1. TAPPS supports the following health and safety option for early season games as a model for game management.

1. When the actual or heat indexed temperature at kickoff is 100 degrees or higher, this procedure shall apply.
2. A mandated official timeout shall be called during the first dead ball period following the 6 minute mark in each quarter for 11 man football and after the 5 minute mark for six man games.This will be an official timeout and shall not count towards the timeouts allotted either team.
3. This rule shall apply to games hosted by TAPPS schools

1. The home team is responsible for notifying each of the following in advance of the contest:

1. Visiting team
2. Assigned Officials

4. This rule shall apply to High School varsity and sub-varsity contests

8. Steroid Use and Abuse

1. TAPPS discourages the use of any performance enhancing drugs or substances.
2. This section applies to steroids whether natural or synthetic.
3. This policy applies to other substances used to mimic or achieve similar results as steroids
4. Training – School Personnel

1. Each TAPPS athletic director and coach will receive training in on an annual basis.
2. The training shall include

1. Dangers of steroid use
2. Dangers of performance enhancing drugs
3. Dangers of the use of energy drinks
4. Symptoms and signs of the use of steroids or drugs used for similar purposes.

3. Schools shall have a plan in place to handle potential or suspected steroid use or abuse.

5. Training – Student

1. Parents and students shall be trained in the dangers of steroid use and abuse
2. Parents should be trained in the school policy pertaining to suspected or confirmed steroid use.

9. Injury Reporting

1. In order to gather information for study and review in the area of student health and injury prevention, TAPPS requires schools to promptly report injuries.
2. Injuries are to be reported through the INJURY page on TAPPS database.

Section 143 - Tie Breakers

1. Please see the TAPPS Tie Breaker Manual for additional information.

TAPPS Athletic Contest Rules

Baseball Plan

Section 145 – Athletic Purpose, Code, Plan Applicable

Subchapter B

BASEBALL PLAN

(Boy Event; Six Classifications)

Rules in Sections 130-144 also apply to the Baseball Plan.

Section 146 – Qualifications

1. DISTRICT PLAY.  Teams must qualify for the state play-off by competition in district play.
2. PLAYING DATES. Starting dates for practice, scrimmages, first playing date, and district certification are shown on the current TAPPS calendar.
3. NUMBER OF GAMES.

1. No team shall compete in more than three (3) individual tour­naments, plus 22 games in a season, up to and including the last date for certifying district champions.
2. Games after district certification

1. No VARSITY games may be scheduled or played after the certification date, except by teams who are in the play-offs.
2. No additional games may be played by a team once it has been eliminated from the playoffs.
3. no SUB VARSITY games can be scheduled or played after the district certification date.

3. All District games must be played and all District games count as varsity games on the schedule.
4. No game is to be scheduled on Sunday.
5. Those students who play on both the JV and Varsity may play in no more than 3 tournaments plus a total of 28 games (Varsity and JV games combined).
6. A district tournament or district play-off does not count as one of the three tour­naments.
7. Teams in the play offs are allowed one practice game between each round of the playoffs.  These games do not count toward the total games allowed.
8. Schools may substitute two (2) games for each tournament dropped-or-add an additional tournament for each 2 dropped games.  These changes should be clearly noted on the school’s official schedule.
9. A varsity starter shall not play on a junior varsity team unless the opposing coach gives his permission, and there are not enough junior varsity players to begin the contest.  Under no circumstances should a varsity starter be allowed to play when there are junior varsity player(s) on the bench.

4. SCHEDULES AND ROSTERS

1. Schedules should be input into TAPPS database prior to the first interscholastic contest and should be updated as changes occur.
2. Rosters should be input into TAPPS database prior to the first district contest and updated as changes occur.

5. EXCEPTION TO RESOLVE DISTRICT TIES.

1. Two Schools Tied.  To resolve a two-way tie, the district executive committee may authorize a single elimination game.  The tie breaking game may be in addition to the 20 allowed games.
2. Three or More Schools Tied. If three or more schools are tied, the district executive committee may authorize a single elimination tournament in addition to the total number of games and tournaments allowed for the season.

6. QUALIFICATION BY CLASSIFICATION. The number of teams qualifying for the play-offs will be noted in Section 141.
7. CERTIFICATION OF PLAY-OFF QUALIFIERS. The District President shall certify the District Champion and other play-off qualifiers to the TAPPS office by the deadline shown on the current year TAPPS calendar.
8. SEND TO TAPPS OFFICE. The District President's certification and play-off entries, and program information (rosters, etc.) shall be sent to the TAPPS office by the deadline on the TAPPS current calendar, through TAPPS database.

Section 147 – Rules

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules shall govern all TAPPS games.

1. NATIONAL FEDERATION RULES EXCEPTIONS

1. Metal cleats may be worn.
2. For minor violation of the Bench and Field Conduct rule,
3. the umpire may restrict the coach to the dugout.
4. Offender may not be in coaches boxes and may not come on the field except to attend an injured player.
5. More abusive or flagrant behavior shall require banishment from the game.
6. The umpire may bypass this step with or without warning and eject a coach.

2. SPEED-UP RULES. Speed-up rules as outlined by the National Federation may be used:

1. in non-district and in playoff games by mutual consent of the schools prior to the beginning of the contest;
2. in district play by district executive committee approval prior to district play.
3. If prior mutual consent is not obtained in a., or if approval is not obtained by district executive committee in b., speed-up rules shall not be used; and
4. in the state tournament, by decision of the tournament director.

3. NATIONAL FEDERATION SPEED-UP RULES - RUNNERS.

1. The team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher as soon as they reach base.  The same runner may not be used for both positions.  Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.
2. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
3. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. NOTE: An unreported courtesy runner is an illegal substitute.  PENALTY: For illegal substitution, such substitute shall be ejected.

4. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.  See Section 138.
5. OFFICIAL BALL - For all contests TAPPS schools must use the Baden Perfection Pro Baseball.
6. PRACTICE BALLS.  Each team is responsible for its own practice balls for warm ups in batting and infield practice.
7. COACHING BOXES.  Student players in uniform or coaches may occupy the coaching boxes.
8. PRE-GAME WARMUP.  It is recommended that batting practice be eliminated and that each team be given 10 minutes for infield and outfield workouts prior to each game.
9. HEAD PROTECTORS. All players must wear head protectors when batting and when on the base paths.
10. RESOLVING TIES IN WON/LOSS PERCENTAGE.  Districts should outline procedures (before the season begins) for determining two representatives in their district.  Definite procedures should be outlined (in writing) to provide orderly facilitation for teams tied in win/loss percentage.  Especially remember to outline a procedure to be used when three teams are tied for the district runner-up spot.
11. GAMES

1. All games will be for seven innings (unless tied).

1. Exception: The 10-run rule after 4 ½ or 5 innings shall be employed
2. Exception: The 15-run rule after 3 innings shall be employed

2. In non-district games if a game is called before completion of the required number of innings, the umpire shall declare the contest "no game."
3. In district games, the game shall be considered suspended and the rules governing suspended games shall be followed. Pitch count shall be considered as if a tournament if the game is continued the next day.  If not resumed the next day, the pitch count rules and rest periods shall be applied.

12. TIE GAMES.  A regulation called game where a winner cannot be determined shall be counted as ½ game won and ½ game lost for each team and the game shall not be replayed.  If the game is called before the completion of the number of innings, the umpire shall declare the contest "no game."  The game shall be replayed from the start when and where determined by the two schools involved.
13. SUSPENDED GAMES IN PLAYOFFS. In playoff games past the district level, any suspended game shall be continued from the point of suspension at a later time.
14. RAIN (BAD WEATHER) POLICY FOR BASEBALL PLAYOFFS.  Teams may not play after the deadline for determining a district representative unless the following conditions are met:

1. Every effort must be made by both teams to determine the winner before the deadline.
2. If weather conditions make this impossible, then permission must be obtained from the potential next round opponents (or opponent).  Example:  District 1 winner and 2 runner-up find they cannot get their playoff decided by the deadline.  They must obtain permission from District 3 winner and 4 runner-up representatives to play after the deadline (or just District 3 winner, if District 3 has already defeated District 4 runner-up in their respective playoff game).
3. If the teams or team involved in District 3 winner and 4 runner-up fail to give approval, then District 1 winner and 2 runner-up will have to determine a representative before the deadline specified in the baseball playoff procedures.
4. Extreme scheduling difficulties such as those mentioned above could result in a coin flip determining the representative to the next round.
5. Every effort must be made to get the representative determined on time.  This includes obtaining neutral sites and scrambling for any available field.  This could mean giving up a home field advantage if another field is playable.
6. In single elimination playoffs a team deciding a round after the deadline with the approval of the next round opponents will have to play on the date specified by the next round opponent.

15. OFFICIALS.  See Section 134.
16. BI-DISTRICT/REGIONAL GAMES.  The first round play-off games shall be Bi-district games, if more than eight teams qualify for the play-offs. If less than eight teams qualify, the first round shall be regional games.
17. BI-DISTRICT/REGIONAL SITE.  Bi-District/Regional games shall be played at the site indicated in Section 141
18. ARRANGEMENTS.  The two teams involved shall be responsible for all arrangements for the game and shall pay all expenses.
19. GATE RECEIPTS.  Gate receipts, after expenses shall be divided between the two schools, unless mutually agreed before the game.
20. REPORTING SCORES

1. The winning coach shall report playoff scores in TAPPS database as soon as possible after the conclusion of the contest.
2. Coach shall enter the next playoff contest information in TAPPS database as soon as game information is concerned.
3. Pitch Counts shall be entered into TAPPS database immediately following any contest at both the varsity and sub-varsity level.

21. ROSTERS.  Team rosters must be in the TAPPS STATE OFFICE prior to the beginning of district play. ROSTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH TAPPS database.
22. PLAY OFF FORMAT