Rules & Regulations 

(Executive Athletic Board affirmed 11-12-24)

Regulations

Manager/Coach of teams is responsible to the Superintendent, League Director, Principal and Athletic Director.

Under Direction of

Final management is under the direction of the Catholic League.

Video Tape & Cable TV

1. All T.V. - Radio - Video Broadcast Taping, live or tape media, must be approved by the League Director for all League contests, Play-Offs and Championships.
2. Permits will be issued from the Catholic League Office upon request by media.
3. Schools not in an event or contest may not film or video tape contests/events. This applies to all member schools in competition against other member schools. (Reaffirmed April 28, 1998)
4. Football teams are required to exchange video tapes of two (2) previous games as requested by opponent. This exchange should take place by Tuesday preceding the scheduled game. If both schools use Hudl then schools are required to upload two (2) previous games by Sunday preceding the scheduled game.

Score Report

Both teams are responsible to make sure all varsity, reserve and frosh scores are posted on the CHSL website, www.chsl.com, win or lose.

Coaches of Teams

1. Coaches of teams should be faculty members. If a non-faculty coach is used, that coach must be registered with the M.H.S.A.A. before duties are assumed. Coaches must be 18 years of age or older and not a high school student.
2. Athletic Department staff may be reprimanded, censored, placed on probation, or suspended for violation of the rules and regulations or for poor sportsmanship, by the League Director or the Executive Athletic Board.
3. Athletic Department staff members are required to attend scheduled meetings as called by the Catholic League Director. The names of those schools who were not represented and those whose head coach did not attend when required will be published in the minutes of the next Executive Athletic Board Meeting. In addition, the principal shall be notified individually of meeting absence by staff members. (Board approved 1-29-91)
4. The school and its athletic staff will be held responsible for the behavior of its coaches, students, participants and followers. Principles of good sportsmanship and Christian values must be foremost in athletics.
5. Teams should not run up a score in any sport at any level. In one sided games it is ethical that the team with the advantage use substitution, altered play and sportsmanlike conduct to avoid injury, embarrassment and harassment of opponents.
6. See C.H.S.L. Policy & Procedures regarding ejection and disqualifications.
7. All athletes and parents/guardians should be informed of the specific expectations regarding sportsmanship. Forms are available from the League Office and are to be completed for every athlete and kept at school. (Board approved 4-30-96)
8. When a coach or spectator is disqualified during a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct that person shall be prohibited by the school from coaching or attending at least the next contest and/or day of competition for that team. (MHSAA REG V, Sect. 3 (d) #2). (Board Approved 4-29-97).

Sportsmanship

When an athlete is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct that athlete shall be witheld by the school from at least the next contest and/or day of competition for that team (MHSAA REG V, Sect. 3 (D) #1).

Any coach who is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct two or more times during a season, any player who is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct three or more times during a season is not eligible to participate in the remainder of the sport season, and the MHSAA tournament for that sport (MHSAA REG V, Sect. 3 (D) #2).

Within the Catholic League only the portion which excludes an athlete or adult from the remainder of that sport season may be appealed to the League Director.

Officials

1. The Catholic League shall assign all officials for league home contests in the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
2. Home team pays officials, on site, no more or less than set by the Executive Board.
3. In the event a contracted official does not show up for a game in any sport the home school shall compensate the official who works the game alone with additional moneys totaling one-half the fee. (Board approved 5-17-88, amended 9-11-01).

Eligibility Lists

1. Form 1, State Eligibility, must be sent to the Catholic League Office and all opponents 5 days prior to the first contest.
2. The Catholic League Transfer Report Form must be submitted to the League Office ONLY, for all sports, all levels.
3. When in doubt as to the eligibility of a student, check with the League Director after consulting the State and League Manuals. Schools may not agree to waive any rule and play athletes who are not eligible.
4. Schools that are negligent in submitting, to the League Office, Eligibility and Transfer Forms, after notice, shall forfeit the next game and succeeding games providing that eligibility forms and transfer forms are not submitted to the League Office prior to their next scheduled league contest.
5. Transfer students into Boarding schools who are members of the Catholic League shall be eligible immediately (under MHSAA Exception # 13) only if they transfer from a residence/school that is not in the Diocese of Detroit or Lansing. Boarding School transfers that enroll prior to the 4th Friday of September and do not meet this residence exception will become eligible for Catholic League and non-league contests on the 91st school day. Boarding School transfers that enroll after the 4th Friday of September will become eligible for Catholic League and non-league contests on the 181st school day. Boarding school transfer students in grades 10 and 11 that transfer from a residence/school that is in the Diocese of Detroit or Lansing may be eligible immediately for Junior Varsity sports that are offered pending approval from the Catholic League Director. Boarding school transfer students in grades 10 and 11 that transfer from a residence/school that is in the Diocese of Detroit or Lansing may be eligible immediately for Varsity League and Non-league contests pending approval from the Catholic League Executive Board. Effective August 1, 2019. (Board approved, 5-18-84. Revised, March 2019).
6. Two Semester Team Status (Board Approved 12-12, 2000):  The Catholic League may designate a varsity team or an entire athletic program as one whose transfer students will be ineligible for two semesters. This designation may be applied to varsity teams or entire athletic programs by the Catholic League Office for one or more of the following reasons:
   1. A high number of incoming transfers on one school team in a previous semester. The number of transfers will be considered in light of the number of transfers at other league schools, the number of participants in the program and the school enrollment.
   2. Violations of regulations regarding undue influence or athletic motivated transfers.
   3. When deemed appropriate by the League Director a special committee of 5 members of the Executive Board may be convened to meet and review the Green Transfer Reports and other data as it pertains to the above determination.
   4. This "Transfer Committee" shall be chaired by the League Director and shall make a recommendation to the entire Executive Board as to the application of the two-semester status.
   5. The Committee members selected by the League Director shall meet at least one week prior to the Executive Board meeting when their recommendation shall be voted upon and then passed on to the Board for approval.
   6. Schools whose programs are under consideration for the two-semester status shall be informed of this by the League Office and may make an appearance to both the Transfer Committee and the Executive Board.
   7. The Catholic League Manual's Due Process procedures shall be afforded to any team or school given the two-semester designation.

Eligibility after one semester for individual athletes in programs given the two-semester designation may appeal to the Catholic League Director for waiver requesting either immediate eligibility or eligibility after one semester. Only requests for waiver in accordance with MHSAA regulations will be heard.

Schedules

1. 1. Dates, time and site of League matches shall not be changed after the date established by the league office without the approval of:
   1. The League Director
   2. Payment of previous contracted officials to the League Office.
   3. Approval of opponents.
2. All changes in schedules must be approved by the League Director. In his absence the Associate Director may grant approval.
3. Cancellations of contest can only be made when emergency conditions exist and cancellation or change is approved by the League Director.
4. Any school not completing the scheduled league contests and league commitments (Play- offs - Tournaments - Meets - Matches), will not be eligible for League Play-offs, Meets/Matches, Sectional Championships, Awards and will be suspended, in all sports, from league schedules for one (1) year. (Effective April 1, 1986). Schools in violation shall not be allowed to compete with member schools in good standing. This Rule encompasses all boys and girls, league varsity sports including Cheerleading and Pom Pon. The League Director may approve and grant cancellation when judged necessary.
5. Members of the Catholic League are not to schedule non-league contests without the approval of the League Director. This pertains especially to out of state contests, tournaments, "classics" or out of the ordinary games or meets. To avoid conflicts with Playoffs, Championships and League Schedules, contact the League Office.
6. Check with your opponent, one (1) week in advance to see if all necessary arrangements have been made for your contest: time, place, seating, tickets, color of jersey, parking, locker rooms, crowd control, security, etc.
7. It is a violation of Catholic League Regulations for a school to schedule a contest in an attempt to alter the "next contest or day of competition penalty" imposed for an ejection. Questionable adjustments to the published schedule shall be determined by the League Director. (Board approved 12-10-91).
8. Due to the shortage of officials a deadline date shall be set by the League Office as the absolute final date to change a scheduled game. After this established deadline date only, games changed due to acts of God (rain out - lightning) will be rescheduled Games changed for any reason other than weather cancellation will not be rescheduled after the deadline date and may be declared a forfeit against the school requesting change.
9. Regular Season Contest Days
   1. If a team fails to arrive for a regular season contest at the time stated on the contract, it will be necessary for the host administration to delay the contest, declare the game forfeited, reschedule the contest, or declare the event "no contest".
   2. If the host management has been notified of the reason for the delay and projected arrival, the officials must stand by for 60 minutes beyond the scheduled starting time. When the team arrives, with or without notification within the allotted time (30 or 60 minutes), a reasonable amount of time must be provided for the visiting team to conduct a pre-game warm-up. In any case, warm-up may not be less than 15 minutes.
   3. If the host management has not been notified that there is a delay and the reason for it, the officials have permission to leave the site, without obligation, 30 minutes after the contracted start time has passed. (Board Approved 3-7-00).

Forfeits, Canceling a Sport or Team

1. Penalties for Forfeits: A team once indicating participation in a sport, to the League Office, failing to fulfill any scheduled contests may be fined an amount equal to the entry fee for that particular sport for each contest forfeited, plus expenses incurred to hold the contest. In the event any school forfeits more than three (3) contests in one (1) year, that team may not be eligible to compete in a League Championship at that season’s end.
2. Schools canceling a sport prior to season, but after schedules have been distributed, shall forfeit any entry fee.
3. When a team is dropped after schedules have been distributed the Principal must sign and send a letter to the League Director stating the reason the team is discontinued. The school must also notify all opponents in writing. (Board approved 9-13-88).

Financial

1. In all League scheduled events, individual schools, coaches, etc. are not permitted to award special awards, charge assessments, or entry fees other than those designated by the League Office. This applies to all sports and levels, including freshmen and junior varsity tournament fees.
2. Schools may not sell assessment tickets to a league member. Schools may not purchase assessment tickets from member schools. Schools are urged to sell or distribute tickets, in their own community, to improve attendance at championship games.
3. PASSES: No passes will be honored, except those passes issued by the League Director. These league passes are definitely to be honored at any game, either league or non-league and are to be used by the COACH/ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS/HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY ONLY.
4. See C.H.S.L. Financial Policy, League Fees, Officials Fees.
5. A school faculty/staff Photo Identification Card shall admit the faculty/school staff member to any athletic event at any Catholic League member school, regardless of the opponents. These ID's are not to be transferred to others and admit only the faculty/staff person pictured. The previous school year's photo ID will be honored until October 1 to allow schools time to obtain current year cards. These photo ID cards shall also be honored at all Catholic League Playoffs and Championships where possible (Board approved 4-28-98).

Playoffs and Championships

1. No league member will schedule a contest at Play-off or Championship sites without the written approval of the League Director (Board approved 5-12-81, reaffirmed 1/23/95).
2. Schools may not schedule any non-league contest at any level on the dates of playoff, championship, or Operation Friendship in that sport.
   1. Schools whose teams are participating in a playoff Championship or Operation Friendship may not schedule or be in any non-league contest in any sport on those days. Consideration may be given by the League Director when weather or emergency conditions cause a last-minute rescheduling of a Catholic League Championship. (Board approved 5/1/90 amended 10-9-02).
3. See Completion of Schedules, Penalties for Forfeits.

Michigan High School Athletic Association

1. Members of the Catholic League shall present all appeals and inquiries of Rules and Regulations to the M.H.S.A.A., only after they have first been presented to the League Director. This applies to all Coaches and Administrators.
2. Any member school wishing to request reclassification for State Tournaments or Meets in the M.H.S.A.A. must receive PRIOR Executive Athletic Board approval before any petition or request is made to the M.H.S.A.A. (Board approved 5-10- 88).
3. Any member school wishing to enter into a Cooperative Program in the
   1. M.H.S.A.A. must receive PRIOR Executive Athletic Board approval before any petition or request is made to the M.H.S.A.A. In sports not directly sponsored by the league, member schools are required to inform the Executive Board of their intent to enter into a Cooperative Program. (Board approved 9-10-91).

Physical Examination/Assumption of Risk Forms

1. All athletes, participants, tryout candidates should be informed, in very specific terms, of the possibilities of injury. "Assumption of risk" forms are available from the League and are to be completed for every athlete and kept at the school.
2. All students participating in athletics must have a current physical examination, plus Assumption of Risk/Insurance on file in the school's office.

Sub-Varsity Championships 

1. The Catholic League will award sub-varsity Sectional Championships. (Board approved 5-10-88).
2. Sub-Varsity players must meet all eligibility requirements.
3. Must not be a senior, or in the 7th or 8th semester.
4. Must comply with all MHSAA Rules and Regulations, specifically game and date limitations.
5. All rosters are frozen (meaning no downward movement) with three league dates remaining, in all sports except football where rosters will be frozen with one league game remaining.
6. The League Director may conduct a post season sub-varsity Championship Tournament in boys and girls’ basketball. Logistics to be determined by the League Director.
7. Only Freshmen are eligible for Freshmen teams.
8. Junior Varsity and Freshmen teams may be presented commemorative award for winning their regular season sectional championships. (Board approved 4-28-98).

All matters of Rules

Regulations and Policy not covered in the C.H.S.L. Manual, shall be decided and administered by the League Director.

Catholic to Catholic Transfers

The Principal of a member school receiving a transfer student from another member school, who does not meet one of the exceptions to the MHSAA transfer regulation, must complete a Request for Review prior to the student attending a class. The Catholic League Director, with input from school principals or others may determine that the student will be ineligible for two full semesters. The new school should inform the student and parents that the Request for Review has been initiated and of the possibility of two semesters of ineligibility prior to the student attending even one class (Board approved 1-23-07).