Captain Responsibilities

• Team captains shall serve as the liaison between Michigan Recreation staff and their team.
• These include but are not limited to:
  • Reading and reviewing all intramural sport policies and rules: Ignorance of policies and rules is not an excuse for violations
  • Ensuring all team members have read and understand all Intramural policies and rules
  • Registering their team per the instructions on Fusion Play
  • Checking game results posted online to ensure proper win/loss records and roster eligibility
    • If your results or roster are not posted correctly, please contact the intramurals sports staff at [email protected]
  • Obtaining schedules and other pertinent information from the Fusion Play website
  • Communicating with their teammates about their schedule, scores, and other important information
  • The behavior and conduct of all teammates, coaches, and spectators

Participant Responsibilities

• While team captains serve as the primary liaison for administrative details and team conduct, individual participants carry their own distinct set of obligations to ensure games run smoothly, safely, and fairly.
• These include but are not limited to:
  • Reading, understanding, and adhering to all University of Michigan Intramural Sports policies, sport-specific rules, and code of conduct prior to participating.
  • Properly registering on Fusion Play and ensuring individual eligibility before stepping onto the field or court.
  • Presenting a valid MCard (or designated photo ID) to intramural staff before every game to check in—no ID means no play.
  • Maintaining respect toward game officials, supervisors, opponents, and teammates at all times.
  • Arriving in required uniform/apparel (e.g., proper footwear, non-conflicting jersey colors) and removing all prohibited items, such as jewelry, prior to match start.
  • Playing within the spirit of the game to avoid endangering oneself or others, reporting any injuries or blood immediately to intramural staff, and self-screening for health prior to play.
  • Adhering to all venue rules, including properly disposing of trash, leaving personal equipment in designated areas, and refraining from bringing prohibited substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco) onto recreation property.

Requirements to Participate

• Currently enrolled students and individuals with an active Michigan Recreation membership are eligible to purchase an Intramural Pass and participate in Intramural Sports.
  • A recreation membership must be active during the duration of an intramural season in which a member is registered to participate, to remain eligible for intramural sports.
  • Guests of members & Guest Pass Holders are not eligible to participate in Intramural Sports
• Spring & Summer Intramurals do not require a membership or active student status, and are open to anyone 18 years of age or older.

Participation Limitations

• Participants may register for and play on one (1) Co-Rec team roster and one (1) non-Co-Rec team roster in each sport, each season.
  • Co-Rec is the only league type that is considered co-rec. All other leagues are considered “non-co-rec”
    • Men’s & Women’s = Non-Co-Rec
    • Fraternity = Non-Co-Rec
    • Grad/Fac/Staff = Non-Co-Rec
      • As of Winter 2026, Grad/Fac/Staff Leagues are no longer offered in Intramural Sports
    • Open = Non-Co-Rec
• Participants must have a signed and current intramural sports waiver.
  • Waivers are completed during the registration process or can be done when checking in with the on-site supervisor

Roster Additions and Removals

• Participants will be allowed to join rosters for the entire duration of the regular season, assuming the individual:
  • Has purchased the appropriate pass for the corresponding season
  • Has NOT participated in a game for another team in that same season
  • Joining the team does not put the team over the roster maximum
• Captains can edit their rosters and remove players through the Fusion Play app until the final day of the regular season. Once a player has checked in and played in one (1) game, they will not be removed from the team roster.

Restricted Participants

• Each Intramural Sports team roster is limited to a maximum of two (2) combined restricted participants in the sport or a related sport of membership. Restricted participants include:
  • Club Sport Members – any individual who is listed on the official roster during that Academic Year, including Club Sport coaches. They are considered as such for the entire Academic Year.
  • Current Intercollegiate Athletes – all NCAA athletes (including active, inactive, and ineligible) are barred from participating in their sport or a related sport.
  • Former Intercollegiate Athletes – any individual who has practiced or competed with a varsity intercollegiate squad for more than 10 days.
    • Current Athletes become Former Athletes after one (1) entire term (Fall, Winter, or Spring/Summer) has elapsed, since the termination of participation with an intercollegiate team (i.e., if an individual’s sport ends in October, the entire Winter term must elapse, and they become a ‘Former Intercollegiate Athlete’ starting in the Spring/Summer term)
• Related sports are at the discretion of the Intramural Sports Program and are based on the sports offered.
• The Intramural Sports Program reserves the right to bar from, or limit the intramural competition, of any participant of varsity, Olympic, or professional caliber who may or may not be participating in varsity sports or playing as a professional.
• Teams found violating this policy will be subject to punitive action at the discretion of the Office of Intramural Sports.

Coaches

• The Intramural Sports Department does not acknowledge coaches’ roles in any activity offered by Intramural Sports.
• Any participant who is signed in may instruct or coach their team; however, they will not be granted privileges typically associated with official coaches.
• Only individuals listed on the roster are permitted to be present on the bench or within the team area during matches.
  • Any individual not on the roster must provide their information (name and photo ID) to an on-site supervisor so they can be accounted for in the event of an incident.

Eligibility Protests

• Eligibility protests, based on participant eligibility, must be filed for a contest in which the protesting team participated and must be submitted by the end of the business day following their game.

Ineligible Participants

• Any team found to be using ineligible participants will be held accountable by the Intramural Sports Program and may be subject to forfeiture of up to their entire season without eligibility for refund

Victors Season Sports

• These leagues are officiated leagues and are offered once per semester, and labeled as “Victors”
• These leagues will have longer regular seasons and be facilitated by trained Intramural staff
• Roster Limitations: Rosters are capped at the following for Victors Sports:
  • Flag Football – 15
    • Co-Rec – 16
  • 7v7 Soccer – 15
  • Basketball – 12
  • Volleyball – 13
  • Futsal – 10

Maize & Blue Season Sports

• These seasons are offered each semester and are non-officiated leagues with a shorter season
  • Maize season starts near the beginning of the semester
  • Blue season starts near the middle of the semester
• Roster Limitations: Sports offered during these seasons do not have a roster cap, but champ shirts are only available for a roster size twice the number of players on a team.

Passes Offered

• There are three pass options available to participants, each offering the chance to register and play each season.
• Passes purchased only apply to the semester in which they are purchased, and cannot be carried over, transferred, or refunded.
  • Semester Pass – offers access to any sport or activity for the entire semester
  • Victors Pass – offers access to all sports or activities for the Victors season only
  • Maize & Blue Combo Pass – offers access to all sports or activities in both the Maize and Blue season only

Men’s & Women’s Leagues

• A team must have a roster consisting only of the gender specified for that league.
  • Executive Order 14201, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”, requires that participants who are biologically male cannot participate in Women’s Intramural Leagues.
    • Women are allowed to participate in a Men’s league if they wish, but they are not allowed to participate in a Women’s league if they are on a Men’s roster for that same sport
  • League eligibility will be determined by the Gender listed in Fusion Play, and participants must select their gender in the app.
• Men’s & Women’s Leagues are considered “Non Co-Rec” in regard to eligibility for playing on multiple teams for one sport, during a single season.

Co-Rec Leagues

• A team must have at least two people of different genders to start and/or continue a game.
• While competing in Co-Rec leagues, gender counts must be as equal as possible, and in the case of an odd number of participants, the count of the majority gender may only exceed the next highest gender count by one (1).

Some sports require participants to follow specific rules governing the format of play based on gender identity. Please see our sports rules page for more specific details

Fraternity Leagues

• For certain sports or tournaments, fraternity leagues may be available exclusively to chapters that are affiliated with, and in good standing with, the Interfraternity Council and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life on campus.
  • To join any of these leagues, chapters must coordinate with the IFC representative, meet the specified participation criteria, and follow the procedures for registering their team and players.
  • Participants who are not affiliated with the chapter or are not in good standing at the time their eligibility is verified by the FSL office shall not be permitted to register or participate.
• Fraternity leagues will operate identically to Men’s leagues; the sole modification being that playoffs will be seeded according to final standings, rather than by draft, as is customary in other leagues.
• These leagues constitute the participant’s one non-co-rec team; thus, players will not be permitted to participate on a Men’s team for the same sport and season.
  • Players are still eligible to participate on a co-rec team within the same sport and season.

Open Leagues

• Leagues not labeled ‘Co-Rec’ are considered ‘Open’ leagues, and there are no roster or participation requirements beyond basic eligibility.
• A wide variety of leagues are offered based on participants’ experience and preferences, including skill level and affinity groups.
• Open Leagues are considered “Non-Co-Rec” in regard to eligibility for playing on multiple teams for one sport, during a single season.

Each league will have labeled divisions as one of the three levels of competition offered. Teams should pay attention to the competitive level of the division they are registering for to ensure they are playing at the level intended by both their team and the others in that league.

Competitive

• For teams looking to compete at a high level in every game and play for an intramural championship.

Recreational

• For teams who are looking to compete at a fun, moderate level in each game and play for both the love of the game and the fun of being with their team.

If a time slot in a league does not have one of the labels above, it is because there are not enough time slots to distinguish among the three, and the league is assumed to be a blend of competitive and recreational, with a playoff bracket following the regular season.

Defaults

• A default allows a team to notify their opponent that they are unavailable for their scheduled game without affecting their place in the league or their playoff eligibility.
  • If a team has any combination of two forfeits OR defaults in regular season games, they will be removed from the league and no longer eligible for playoffs.
• Defaults must be communicated by 12:00 pm (noon) on the day of the match to ensure the default is confirmed. If the match takes place on a Sunday, it must be communicated by 12:00 pm (noon) the Friday before.
• If a team is aware they will not have enough players to play their game, they should notify the Intramural Sports Program by emailing [email protected] with their team name, division, and game time.
  • Example:
    • Team A is scheduled to play on Sunday, but knows they will not have enough players.
    • The team must send the email notification to [email protected] by noon on the Friday before.
    • Emails received after the deadline may be counted as forfeits.
• If a team defaults, they will lose three (3) SRS points.

Forfeits

• IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ
  • If a team forfeits two regular-season games, they will be removed from the league and will no longer be eligible for the playoffs.
  • If a team has any combination of two forfeits OR defaults in regular-season games, they will be removed from the league and will no longer be eligible for the playoffs.
• Teams must have the minimum number of players required checked in with the referees and ready to play on the playing surface at the scheduled game time. The game clock will start at the scheduled game time, and a 10-minute grace period will be allowed to allow a team to arrive.
• If a team arrives late, they will lose three (3) SRS points but will be allowed to play the game’s remaining time. If a team does not show in this grace period, they will lose seven (7) SRS points and be marked as a forfeit.
• If a team forfeits its first scheduled game, they will be removed from the league; the first team on the waitlist will take its spot, and the forfeiting team will be placed on the removed list.
  • If there is no team on the waitlist, the forfeiting team may remain in the league, at the discretion of Intramural staff
• Refunds will not be given to teams who are removed due to forfeit.

Delay of Game Penalties

In the event one team is ready to start a victors season match, and the other is not, the team that is ready will be awarded points toward their score every 2 minutes. This will continue until either the match starts or the unready team forfeits.

• Sport Specific Points
  • 3 points for Flag Football
  • 1 goal for soccer/futsal
  • 1 point in volleyball
  • 2 points for basketball

Inability to Continue

If a team begins a game with the minimum required number of players and drops below that minimum during the game due to injury or an emergency, the team will be charged with a loss, not a forfeit.

Participation & Check-In

• Participants who are in good standing and on their online roster by noon on the day of their game, or by noon on Friday for Sunday games, will be guaranteed eligibility to play.
• Each participant must sign in with the intramural staff on or near their playing surface and present a physical ID card to verify their identity.
  • Accepted forms of Identification are:
    • MCard
    • Government-issued photo ID
      • Digital ID Cards are not accepted at this time
  • Copies and/or digital Photos of Identification will not be accepted.

NO PHOTO ID = NO PLAY! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

• If a participant is either not on the printed roster or crossed off as ineligible for any reason, they will need to see the on-site intramural supervisor and are not guaranteed to be allowed to play

Use of Fraudulent MCard or Identification

• If a player is caught using an identification that is not their own, the team for which that individual was playing will forfeit that game.
  • The game will not be played or will end immediately if in progress
  • Both the individual using the ID and the ID’s owner will be subject to disciplinary action by the Intramural Sports Program, including, but not limited to, being prohibited from playing intramural sports for the rest of that season without refund. The captain of the team may also be held accountable if they are aware of the situation and/or do not assist with resolving the issue
  • Playoff reprimand
    • If the occurrence was in the regular season, the team will be prohibited from playing in the playoffs and may be removed from the league entirely
    • If the occurrence occurred in the playoffs, the team will be disqualified from continuing.

The Intramural Sports Staff may contact DPSS regarding the fraudulently used MCard or the Office of Student Conflict Resolution for a violation of the University of Michigan Standard Practice Guide

Participant Issued T-Shirt / Jersey Policy (Officiated Sports Only)

• All participants who purchase either the Semester Pass or a Victors Pass for a semester will be eligible to pick up a set of DriFIT T-shirts (One Maize, One Blue) that will be required to be worn during all officiated sport matches. The first set of shirts is included with the pass purchase.
  • Replacements will be made available for a fee of $5 per shirt
• Players will have until the end of the first week of the Victors Season to pick up their shirt at the designated times to be communicated.
  • After the first week, players will need to contact the Intramural Sports Office to schedule a pickup time.
• Enforcement:
  • During the first week of the Victors season, if a player forgets or has not picked up their shirt, they must get in line to either receive a new one or purchase one.
  • After the first week, if a player does not have their shirt, they will not be allowed to play until they return with the shirt

Participants are encouraged to bring both the maize and blue shirt to every match. The HOME TEAM will wear BLUE and the AWAY TEAM will wear MAIZE for every match.

Custom Uniforms

Teams are allowed to wear their own team uniform instead of the issued shirts if and only if:

• Each player has their own uniform with a unique number from the rest of the team
  • Numbers must be pressed or printed onto the jersey. You cannot tape, draw, or attach numbers.
  • You must contact the Intramural Sports Office for confirmation.
• The uniforms are all the EXACT same color and design.
  • For example, you cannot wear jerseys from different professional leagues, even if they are the same color.
• Custom Uniforms may NOT be Maize or Blue, as they would conflict with the Intramural Issued shirts. The standard is that the home will always be blue and the away will be maize.

Alcohol & Drug Policy

• The possession and/or consumption of alcohol or drugs by Intramural participants, coaches, and spectators is strictly prohibited at all facilities where Intramural Sports take place.
• Any participant, coach, or spectator who is under the influence or suspected of being under the influence will not be allowed to participate in any Intramural Sports activity, will be required to leave the facility immediately, and may face further disciplinary action.
• Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited to:
  • Suspension of the entire team while an investigation takes place
  • Forfeiting the game and possible removal from the league
  • Suspension for any participant involved from all intramural activities and potential restriction of facility access

Sportsmanship Rating System

The Intramural Sports Program is dedicated to providing a safe, fair, and enjoyable environment during all intramural contests. Unsportsmanlike behavior generally causes games to become not enjoyable, unfair, and in some cases, unsafe. In order to maintain the proper playing environment, the Sportsmanship Rating System (SRS) has been established and is in effect for all regular season and playoff contests.

• Regular Season
  • Teams are given 10 points at the start of each game and maintain those points through positive actions and behaviors.
    • You can only lose points; you can not earn points back during a contest
  • Points are deducted for in-game penalties, ejections, and unsportsmanlike conduct.
  • Teams can only earn 10 points per game.
    • A regular season game will be terminated if a team’s SRS point total for a game goes below three (3).
• Playoff Eligibility & Continuation Requirements
  • In order for a team to make the playoffs, they must have accumulated a total of:
    • Maize/Blue
      • Twenty-one (21) or more SRS points
    • Victors
      • Twenty-eight (28) or more SRS points
  • Teams must earn at least seven (7) SRS points in each playoff game in order to advance to the next round.
    • If a team falls below 7 SRS points during a playoff game, the game will end immediately and will be listed as a forfeit for the team that has fallen below the requirement.
    • The other team will advance or win the bracket regardless of the match score.

Scheduling

• Teams will play their regularly scheduled games based on the division they select. Division times may be slightly adjusted to give additional teams the opportunity to participate.
• Some leagues will use self-scheduling – Teams will be responsible for confirming match times with opponents.
  • The winning team must report the final score by a specified date and time.

Inclement Weather

• A scheduled contest may be postponed, rescheduled, or canceled only by a staff member of the Intramural Sports Program, and decisions will be made to protect participant safety and the quality of our playing surfaces.
• Decisions will be made as soon as possible, and notifications will be sent out through our platform’s messaging system.
  • Never assume a game is canceled without confirmation from intramural sports.
• Games that are canceled may or may not be rescheduled, and no refunds will be given.

Rescheduling

• Regular-season games will not be rescheduled due to player or team requests.
• The Intramural Staff will attempt to reschedule playoff games when teams are playing in multiple sports, have academic conflicts and/or need religious accommodations, but it is not guaranteed.

Playoffs

The number of playoff brackets will be determined by facility availability and the number of teams in the league. Typically, leagues are split into two brackets, with the top half of teams going to the Championship Bracket and the bottom half to the Consolation Bracket. Winners of both brackets will receive an IM Champ Shirt

Eligibility for Playoffs

• General Eligibility
  • Every team is eligible to make the playoffs at the beginning of the season.
    • Social Leagues do not have playoffs
    • Some seasons may not have playoffs due to a low number of participating teams or the league’s structure.
  • Teams must play in at least one (1) regular season game and obtain an average of seven (7) SRS points or higher throughout their regular season games.
• SRS Points
  • In order for a team to make the playoffs, they must have accumulated a total of twenty-one (21) SRS points for ‘Maize’ and ‘Blue’ seasons or twenty-eight (28) SRS points for ‘Victors’ seasons throughout the regular season.
  • Teams must earn at least seven (7) SRS points in each playoff game in order to advance to the next round.

Draft Scheduling

• Due to weather, forfeits, sportsmanship, and other unforeseen circumstances, playoff times are subject to change.
• Playoff draft registration will be communicated to captains on the start date and time.
  • On the announced day, teams will have a specified amount of time to select their spot. If they fail to make a selection, they will be placed into a remaining spot at the end of the draft period.
  • All spots are first come, first served, and teams are encouraged to look ahead in the bracket when making their selection to minimize conflicts with future games.
  • Once a bracket position is selected, it cannot be changed or traded.
• “Right to Move” Rule
  • The Intramural Sports Staff reserves the right to move any team to a playoff bracket more suited for their level of competition. Factors considered when moving a team to a different level of competition include, but are not limited to:
    • Previous season performance with same/similar players
    • Regular season win/loss record
    • Margin of victory in regular season games

Rule Interpretations & Objections

• Intramural Staff will make rulings and give instructions based on their understanding of the rules and policies of intramural sports.
• If a captain has a concern that a rule or administrative policy has been misinterpreted, they should bring the matter to the officials’ and/or supervisor’s attention immediately.
  • The officials and/or supervisors will make a determination based on the facts available to them.
  • Rulings made based on an official’s judgment will be final and cannot be protested.
  • The decisions of the official(s) regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored, if a foul was committed, and the result of the match, are final and cannot be protested.
• If a resolution is not obtained, or staff is unable to come to a final determination, the Intramural Sports Program will make a case-by-case decision as to the results, including but not limited to:
  • A team forfeiting
  • The game being replayed
  • Or the game being replayed from the point of objection

Assumed Risk

• Participation is voluntary, and participants assume the risks normally associated with activities characteristic of a particular sport.
• It is recommended that all participants undergo a physical examination prior to participating in any intramural activity, and carry some form of health and injury insurance.

Liability

• Neither the University of Michigan nor the Department of Michigan Recreation accepts responsibility for ill health or injury sustained while participating in any of the events or activities.
• Neither the University of Michigan nor the Department of Michigan Recreation shall pay any medical and/or ambulance expenses incurred by a participant.

Medical Treatment, Assistance, and Disqualification

• Each recreation facility is equipped with basic first aid supplies for minor injuries.
• Should an injury occur, that injury should be immediately reported to the game official, the intramural supervisor, or the facility supervisor.
• Officials and supervisors have the authority to disqualify someone from participating due to physical or mental condition, injuries sustained, or other player-safety reasons.
• When a participant is bleeding, has an open wound, or has blood on their uniform, the player will be directed to leave the game.
  • The removed player may not return to the game until the bleeding has stopped, the open wound is covered, and the bloody uniform is changed.

Policy on Refunds

• All Intramural Pass sales will be final.
  • Although purchasing an IM pass does not guarantee a confirmed spot in a league or preferred division, the passes allow opportunity to participate in multiple types of sports activities.
  • Refund requests must be completed before the conclusion of the season for which the pass was originally purchased.

Refund Requests

• Those who believe they have a special circumstance that may warrant a refund should complete the Intramural Support Form.
  • Filling out this form will not guarantee a refund, but will allow us to review refund cases on a case-by-case basis to determine whether a refund is appropriate.
• Requests will be reviewed and processed in the order they’re received and will begin during the final week of the regular season of the pass in which a refund is being requested
  • If approved, the individual will be removed from all rosters for the semester for which they are being refunded.