2009-10 Centennial Conference
General Championship Information for All Sports

 

specifics for each championship sport can be found in its championship guidelines page

 

II.              GAMES COMMITTEE

The Conference Office will name a games committee to assure the proper conduct of the tournament championship. The committee will generally be comprised of, but not limited to, the host Director of Athletics and/or Senior Woman Administrator, and representatives of the visiting team and the Conference Office.

 

I.               INCOMPLETE TOURNAMENT POLICY

If a tournament cannot be completed by the end of the day on Sunday, and each team has completed at least one tournament contest, the highest remaining seed will be the Conference's champion and automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament. Otherwise, the top seed as determined by the regular season will receive the automatic qualifier.

 

II.              EXPENSES

The host institution is responsible for securing and paying the personnel needed to ensure the best possible operation of the playoff contests, including:

á       security

á       scoreboard operator

á       official scorer

á       public address announcer

á       chaser(s) for foul balls

 

All game management expenses are paid by the host institution.  The host institution will be reimbursed for officiating expenses.  Hosts should complete the attached budget report and return to the Conference Office immediately following the tournament.

 

III.            CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY

The previous year's champion is responsible for bringing the championship trophy to the championship site.  The trophy must be engraved (updated) by the previous year's champion. The Centennial Conference championship trophy will be presented immediately following the conclusion of the championship game. Both teams are requested to return to their respective benches after post-game handshakes. A short ceremony will follow with the captain(s) being called forward to receive the trophy.

 

IV.            CHAMPIONSHIP ADMINISTRATION

Bench Area/Assignments

The host institution - or the higher seed at a neutral site - is the designated home team and will wear the light-colored (white) jerseys.  The designated home team will use the host institution's bench.

 

Crowd Control

The responsibility for crowd control rests with the director of athletics of the host institution. Host institutions must provide adequate security for effective crowd management. The host Director of Athletics or Senior Woman Administrator shall be prepared to use the public address system at the first sign of unsportsmanlike crowd behavior and request cooperation in maintaining proper playing conditions. The following announcement should be made:

 

"The Centennial Conference promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators.

We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity,

racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or

team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site."

 

Filming / Videotaping

If teams need special arrangements for filming its contest, please contact the host institution ASAP.

Game Programs

The host institution is responsible for the production of programs for all rounds of the championship.  See the sport page for quantities. 

 

Hospitality

The host institution should provide hospitality for visiting administrators (AD, SWA, SID) and members of the press. The Conference will reimburse for refreshments for the hospitality. 

 

Laundry Service

Teams should contact the top seed prior to the Saturday semifinals if they will require laundry service after Saturday's game.  Requests on Saturday may not be able to be accommodated.

 

Locker Room Assignments

Provided by host institutions during conference call.

 

Music

The host institution (all games; regardless of seed) shall provide appropriate music of a general nature to be played throughout the entire pre-game period.  The only music that may be played is during pre-game or between games; no music may be played during time-outs, halftime, following goals, etc.

 

National Anthem

The national anthem will be played before each game.

 

Noisemakers

Noisemakers, air horns or similar devices are not permitted.  The use of electric instruments is not allowed during play.

 

Officials

The Conference Office will secure officials for each match of the Conference playoffs. Members of the coaching staff or other representatives of participating institutions shall not make public statements critical of officiating in any Centennial Conference playoff game.

 

Practice at Championship Site

No practice will be permitted at the team championship site (host team excluded) prior to game day.  No practice is permitted on the game field prior to the warm-up for the first semifinal.  Prior to the championship game, the facility will be made available for official warm-ups prior to the start of play.  See sport page for minimum times.

 

Public Address Announcer

The PA announcer for the Conference tournament shall be impartial. The announcer is responsible to the Centennial Conference representative and games committee at each site.

 

1.      No special announcements shall be made without the committee representative approval.

2.      The announcer shall not be a "cheerleader" for any team. The announcer shall adhere to Conference procedures rather than usual institutional procedures during the regular season.

3.      Prior to the start of competition, the PA announcer shall read the Centennial Conference sportsmanship statement.

"The Centennial Conference promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators.

We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity,

racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or

team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site."

4.      The announcer shall do the following:

         a.      learn correct pronunciation of players and coaches for both teams

         b.      Identify all substitutes.

         c.      Identify the scorer(s)

         d.      Announce the team taking the timeout.

5.      The announcer shall meet with a committee representative prior to the match to review time schedules, coordination of the national anthem, lineups and the start of the match.

6.      An announcer shall not recognize corporate contributors or tournament sponsors.

 

Security

The host institution should:

a.      provide protection for equipment and warm-ups before and after the game, and at halftime;

b.      assure the prevention of alcohol use on the field and in the stands;

c.      enforce ban on artificial noisemakers within the facility;

d.      be available to escort disqualified person(s) to the locker room.

 

Scoreboards

Scoreboards with message capabilities are not to be used to encourage or attempt to intimidate any of the teams in the championship tournament.

 

Statistics

The host Director of Sports Information is responsible for contacting the local, regional and national outlets with the score and submitting a copy of the official box score immediately following the contest.

 

Team Seating

If possible, weekend hosts should reserve a special section for members of the competing teams when they are not playing.

 

Tickets

Admission is free to all championship events except for the following: Basketball, Swimming, Wrestling.

 

Training / Medical Services

Please contact the host institution ASAP if you have special needs so that arrangements can be made.