With the recent storms, and the many calls we have received from media, fans, athletic trainers, coaches and administrators, the Board reviewed, updated and clarified the protocols for games interrupted by catastrophic injury and/or weather. The input received provided the framework for discussion and creation of bylaw 14.6. The below was discussed and passed on August 13, 2011 in a regularly scheduled Board meeting.  

AIA Bylaw Provision 14.6

SUSPENDED GAME PROTOCOLS

After further review of AIA bylaws, policy and NFHS rules, the AIA Executive Board on 13 September 2011 reviewed and addressed concerns related to games being interrupted because of events beyond the control of the responsible administrative authority.  Games shall be continued from the point of interruption unless the teams agree to terminate the game. In the event of a cancellation, postponement, termination, or forfeiture of a game due to inclement weather, the following guidelines will be applied and put in place to promote cooperation between the school administrators, coaches and officials promoting the safest environment at all AIA events.

 

CATASTROPHIC OR POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC INJURY

(Game is stopped and player has a defined catastrophic injury, or evaluation is in process)

 

1. Offical(s) have determined that either a catastrophic injury has occurred, or that the injury sustained is potentially catastrophic (Decision reached following consultation with available medical personnel or trainers).
2. FB:  Rule 3.3 and/or Rule 3.4 will be invoked.  All other sports shall be handled as per the rulebook.

 

WEATHER RELATED SCENERIO

 

1. In all sports, the NFHS “Guidelines on Handling Contests During Lighting Disturbances”, found in all sports rulebooks for outdoor sports, will be followed (Located in Rule Book Appendixes).
2. The decision to stop play and resume play is determined by the officials.  This decision can and should be made in consultation with school administrators and/or coaches.
3. Pressure to complete or resume a game should never outweigh the safety of the players or fans.
4. In the event that a Football Game has been suspended and is in a lighting delay, the following options are available for conclusion of the event:

1. Wait out the delay and complete the game when conditions warrant.
2. Complete the suspended game from the point of interruption at a later date.
3. One team forfeits to the other and statistics are nullified.
4. The teams agree to terminate the contest at the point of interruption, keep the score, and the statistics up to the point of interruption shall count. The game is entered on www.aiaonline.org with the score of the game.
5. In the case where a game is tied and terminated during regulation play or OT, teams may elect to split power points. The game is entered on www.aiaonline.org as a tie.
6. Game is “Cancelled”, and games counted for computation of power points is reduced by one for the affected teams.  The game is entered on www.aiaonline.org as a cancelled.