3359-48-01
Coaching and departmental information.
(A) Awards for varsity letter winners.
(1) Award procedure.
At the completion of their regular schedules, all head coaches will submit a list of
athletes eligible for awards to the office of the director of sports information. Athletes
who have lettered will pick up their various letter awards from the athletic equipment
manager after the season's banquet. In addition, a list of special award winners must
be submitted to the office of the director of sports information at least one week prior
to the season's banquet. Those special awards will be distributed to the athletes at the
season's banquet. Please review recent banquet programs for a listing of these awards.
Any coach wishing to initiate an additional special award must obtain approval from
the athletic director.
(2) Athlete, manager, and trainer awards.
The following awards will be presented upon completion of a varsity season of
competition:
(a) Varsity awards:
Participation
Male
Female
First year
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
Windbreaker
Jacket
Blanket
Watch
Windbreaker
Jacket
Blanket
Watch
(b) The initial recommendation for award consideration must be made by the head
coach of the sport in which the student has engaged.
(c) All final recommendations for awards shall be made through the director of
athletics.
(d) The requirements for earning a letter shall be at the discretion of the head coach of
each sport. However, there shall be the following stipulations:
(i) An award is a special accomplishment for performance during a contest. The
determining factor for earning an award is playing time.
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(ii) The respective head coach for each sport shall determine how much playing
time is needed.
(iii) All seniors who have participated for four years may earn an award regardless
of playing time.
(iv) A coach may recommend an award be granted to an athlete whose potential for
outstanding performance has been interrupted for reasons of injury or illness.
Such a recommendation by a coach will have to be accompanied by strong
supportive evidence.
(v) Each head coach shall turn in their requirements for earning a letter to the office
of the director of athletics.
(vi) A student must maintain academic eligibility throughout the semester of
his/her regular competitive season.
(vii) A student-athlete may win only one award per academic year. A second
award will be in the form of a certificate.
(e) General requirements pertaining to all athletic awards should be:
(i) The student must represent himself/herself, the sport, the program, and the
university in a creditable and complimentary manner.
(ii) Student must adhere to all university, program, and team rules and regulations.
(iii) Student must demonstrate a genuine interest in and dedication to amateur
athletics and his/her sport.
(iv) Student must be a full-time student making normal progress toward a degree.
(v) Student must maintain academic eligibility throughout the semester(s) of
his/her competition.
(vi) Transfers from four-year institutions and junior colleges who have lettered at
those institutions will continue to receive their successive letter awards as if
they began their careers at the university of Akron. In the case of a junior
college transfer who has lettered in a particular sport at the junior college, the
athlete has a choice of the "A" blanket or "A" jacket, providing he/she meets
the requirements of earning a letter.
(f) Individual sports awards. The following format shall be used as a basis for
individual incentive type awards for each sport:
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(i) A most valuable player award (touchdown club award).
(ii) A captain's award.
(iii) Each coach may designate other categories of awards, not to exceed four
awards.
(3) Banquets.
Banquets honoring respective athletic teams and individuals will be arranged through
the athletic director's office and all institutional events will comply with national
collegiate athletic association (NCAA) restrictions. Dates and times of banquets will
be announced in advance with consultation of coaches. Players, coaches, and other
support staff will be invited with the approval of the director of athletics. Guests will
be admitted at a minimal charge. Banquets are a budget item.
(B) Car coach program.
The athletic department supervises a "car-coach" program for athletic personnel provided
with a courtesy car through area car dealers. The responsibility for the maintenance of this
car rests entirely with the designated athletic representative who is entrusted with the
privilege. The director of athletics will determine allocation of all courtesy cars. It is
incumbent upon each courtesy car recipient to maintain good relations with his/her
respective dealership. Agreements as to use, mileage, and duration of service, are at the
sole discretion of the respective dealership. All cars must be returned immediately upon
request. However, no athletic representative may participate in the program without first
obtaining a one-million dollar automobile liability policy to indemnify the university. A
current record of the policy must be on file with the director of athletics. Failure to secure
a liability policy in said amount will terminate individual use of a car though this program.
(C) Cheerleaders.
The university of Akron cheerleaders are a departmental organization open to all full-time
students in good academic standing. The program is directed through the university of
Akron's athletic department. The assistant athletic director is the advisor for the group.
Responsibilities will include the coordination of the cheerleading unit for the calendar
year and overall direction and implementation of all activities. Responsibility for practice
and game supervision will be delegated each season by the advisor to a designated coach.
Male and female students comprise the Zip cheerleaders. The zip mascot, "Zippy," is also
under the direction of the athletic department.
Tryouts are held in the second semester (normally late spring) of each school year at the
JAR arena. High school seniors who are eligible to enter the university of Akron in the fall
semester are also welcome to attend. A listing of the judging criteria is published
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four weeks prior to the selection date. Practice dates with coaching supervision are
provided at the university of Akron in advance of tryouts. Non-partisan judges are
selected to choose the squad.
(D) Dance squad.
The university of Akron dance squad is a departmental organization open to all full-time
female students in good academic standing. The program is directed through the
university of Akron's athletic department. The assistant athletic director is the advisor for
the group. Responsibilities will include the coordination of the dance squad for the
calendar year and overall direction and implementation of all activities. Responsibility for
practice and game supervision will be delegated each season by the advisor to a
designated coach. The zip dance squad is comprised of female students.
Tryouts are held in the second semester (normally late spring) of each school year at the
JAR arena. High school seniors who are eligible to enter the university of Akron in the fall
semester are also welcome to attend. A listing of the judging criteria is published four
weeks prior to the selection date. Practice dates with coaching supervision are provided at
the university of Akron in advance of tryouts. Non-partisan judges are selected to choose
the squad.
(E) Contest and travel squad allowances.
The following is a list of NCAA sanctioned and university approved travel squad and
contest limitations. Coaches are to strictly adhere to these provisions. NCAA legislation
controls playing and practice seasons during the academic year. This period must be
defined by each respective coach and be on file in the director of athletics office prior to
the initial practice session.
Maximum
contests or dates
Baseball 70 contests†
Basketball 28 contests
Cross
9 dates
Country
Players
Manager Trainer
Other* Coaches
Total
22
15
8
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
3
1
29
21
10
Football
Golf
Riflery
Soccer
64
7
8**
18
3
3
7
1
1
11
1
1
2
88
8
9
22
22
9
1
1
1
1
2
1
27
11
Softball
Tennis±
11 contests
28 dates
14 dates
22 contests ††
6 dates †††
60 contests
30 dates ***
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Track ±± 24 dates
Volleyball 32 dates ††
6 dates †††
25
12
1
1
1
2
2
2
28
18
† (with no more than 60 during the traditional segment)
†† (during the traditional segment)
††† (during the non-traditional segment)
± (including not more than 10 individual singles or doubles tournaments that are counted
as single dates of competition)
±± (indoor/outdoor)
* As approved
** Lake Erie match (16 allowed)
*** Tournaments count as one date
(F) Athletic equipment room policy.
(1) Equipment issue and laundry policy.
(a) Athletic equipment and laundry service will be provided to varsity athletic teams
only.
(b) The following sports will be stored in JAR equipment room:
Men's/women's cross country, men's/women's track, volleyball, golf,
men's/women's tennis, men's/women's basketball, softball, baseball, riflery,
soccer (MH).
Football, as well as the athletic laundry, will be housed at Buchtel field.
(c) The issuance of equipment and clothing is restricted to the number of athletes in
each sport as indicated below:
Men's/women's cross country
Men's/women's basketball
Baseball
Softball
Football
15 athletes
17 athletes
30 athletes
30 athletes
130 athletes
3359-48-01
Golf
Men's/women's tennis
Men's/women's track
Volleyball
Soccer
6
12 athletes
15 athletes
40 athletes
18 athletes
30 athletes
(2) Equipment issue and recovery procedures.
(a) Athletic equipment that is issued will be recorded on equipment cards by equipment
room attendant.
(b) Each athlete will be issued practice equipment and mesh laundry bag if approved by
their respective coach.
(c) Special equipment and clothing will be issued on a required basis. Laundry service
will be provided at least once per day.
(d) Dirty items will be prepared for laundering by the athlete. The manner of
preparation will be determined by the equipment room personnel. Clean clothing
will be distributed from the equipment room.
(e) All equipment issued must be returned within three days of the end of the season or
when the coach informs the athletic equipment manager that the athlete is no
longer on the team. It is the athlete's responsibility to see that the equipment
issued is returned to the proper place in the equipment room in good condition. At
this time, any lost or damaged equipment or clothing will be evaluated and the
athlete will be notified of the action that will be taken for lost or damaged
equipment or clothing.
(f) Failure to return equipment or clothing will result in university action in the form of
a financial hold on records and transcripts.
(3) Any item of equipment or clothing which is lost or damaged through neglect and/or
modification by an athlete, will be charged to the respective athlete. Failure to pay for
the item will result in university action in the form of a financial hold on records and
transcripts. The only person authorized to modify equipment or clothing is the athletic
equipment manager.
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Replaces:
3359-48-01
Effective:
01/31/2015
Certification:
________________________
Ted A. Mallo
Secretary
Board of Trustees
Promulgated Under:
111.15
Statutory Authority:
3359
Rule Amplifies:
3359
Prior Effective Dates:
05/22/91