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WESTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS

2007-2008

OFFICERS

Conference President

Dr Ray Rhodes

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

Mr. John Green, Commissioner
PO Box 646
Borger, Texas

Men's Supervisor of Basketball Officials

Tony Stigliano

Women's Supervisor of Basketball Officials

Brent Sherrod

Women's FastPitch Supervisor of Umpires

Mack Gipson

Baseball Supervisor of Umpires

Danny Garcia

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONSTITUTION OF THE

WESTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ARTICLE I

Name

Section 1 The name of this organization shall be the "Western Junior College Athletic Conference."

Section 2 The Charter members of this conference are: Frank Phillips College, Howard College, Midland College, New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico Junior College, Odessa College, South Plains College and Western Texas College. (Lubbock Christian withdrew, Amarillo College dropped intercollegiate athletics and withdrew from WJCAC May 3, 1985, Clarendon Junior College withdrew in 1993.Clarendon College was readmitted in to the conference in April, 1998. Western Texas College with drew from the conference in May 1999 and was readmitted in October 20001.)

ARTICLE II

Purposes

Section 1 The purpose of this conference shall be to promote, foster, and control junior college athletics in such a way that these intercollegiate activities will be consistent with the total educational program of the junior colleges involved.

ARTICLE III

Nature of the Conference

Section 1 This conference is an independent organization governed by its own Constitution and By-Laws, and member institutions are governed by said Constitution and By-Laws in all contests among themselves.

Section 2 In competition with colleges and other organizations not members of this conference, the member colleges will be bound by the conference Constitution and By-Laws. The non-member opponents may compete under their own code or rules.

ARTICLE IV

Membership

Section 1 Eligibility for Membership: Institutions recognized to be junior colleges by a state or regional accrediting association are eligible for membership in the conference. Colleges having academic classification above the junior college grades and conducting college programs for the upper division classes are not eligible for membership in the conference.

Section 2 Conditions for Membership: Members of this conference agree:

a. To supervise and control athletics sponsored by this conference so that the activities will be administered in accordance with the rules and purposes as set forth in the Constitution, the By-Laws, and the minutes of meetings of this organization.

b. To establish and maintain high standards of ethical control and fair play.

c. To pay the annual dues before the deadline as set forth by the conference.

Section 3 Admission for New Members: New members may be admitted only by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the member institutions.

a. Prospective members must make application in writing to the conference president at least thirty (30) days preceding the annual meeting.

b. The conference president must notify all member colleges regarding membership applications fourteen (14) days preceding the annual meeting.

Section 4

a. Termination of Membership: Membership of any member institution failing to maintain the standards as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws may be terminated by a three-fourths vote of the member institutions.

b. Member colleges wishing to resign from the conference should submit a letter of resignation to the Conference President, who shall refer it to the member institutions for final disposition. The resignation of a member college will not be accepted until all obligations, financial and otherwise, have been met, and the college is in good standing in every respect.

Section 5 No college formerly holding membership in this conference shall be reinstated to conference membership without full payment of all money due the conference at the time of resignation, expulsion, or suspension.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 1 The elective officers of this conference shall be a President, Vice-President, and a Conference Commissioner. These officers shall be selected from a membership of the conference.

Section 2 Officers of the conference shall be elected by a majority vote of the member institutions represented at the annual meeting.

a. The President and Vice-President shall hold office one year beginning June 1.

b. The Conference Commissioner shall serve for a term of one year and be voted on every spring meeting.

c. The office of president shall be rotated among all member colleges. No college may be represented.

Section 3 Officers of the conference must be regular full-time members of the administrative staff or academic faculty of the member college they represent.

Section 4 The Executive Committee of the conference shall consist of the elected officers and the immediate past-president.

Section 5 Vacancies, other than that of President, among the elective officers of this conference shall be filed by appointment of the Executive Committee for the remainder of the un-expired term. The Vice-President shall fill a vacancy in the office of president until the next annual meeting.

Section 6 The appointed officers of this conference shall consist of such officers as the members deem necessary. The president, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall make these appointments.

Section 7 Members of the standing committees and advisory committees shall be appointed by the president with the approval of the Executive Committee. Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the president.

ARTICLE VI

Meetings

Section 1 This conference shall hold semi-annual meetings during the months of April and October of each year. The date and location of this meeting for the following year shall be set by action of the members at the annual meeting. Specific detail of time and place will be arranged by the President, and he shall send notice thereof to all colleges at least thirty (30) days prior to the time set forth meeting.

Section 2 Special meetings of the conference for specified purposes may be called by the President.

Section 3 Voting by mail, telegraph, or telephone shall be permissible when necessary during the interim between meetings. Such voting will be conducted by the President, by his making contact with the chief administrative officers of the member institutions. All votes cast verbally will be later confirmed in writing.

ARTICLE VII

Finances

Section 1 All funds and property of the conference shall be obtained, held, and administered in accordance with the procedure stated in the By-Laws and minutes of the meetings.

Section 2 The conference commissioner shall render annually a duly audited statement of all funds collected and expended and shall furnish a copy thereof for publication in the minutes of the annual meeting. The audit of the accounts of the conference commissioner shall be accomplished by a committee appointed by the President.

ARTICLE VIII

Amendments

Section 1 This Constitution may be amended at the annual meeting by a three-fourths affirmative vote of the representatives present; provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the conference commissioner at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting; and furthermore, provided that a copy of the proposed amendment shall have been duly sent to each member college by the Conference Commissioner fourteen (14) days prior to the annual meeting. Amendments added and changes made in May shall not become effective until the following September.

Section 2 The By-laws may be amended or changed at any time by a three-fourths vote of the members present at the annual meeting or at a special meeting. Amendments and changes in the By-Laws shall not become effective until the following September.

ARTICLE IX

Representation

Section 1 At all meetings of the conference each member institution shall be represented by one official delegate, who shall be the chief administrative officer of the college or someone designated in writing by him.

a. The designee shall be a full-time member of the administrative staff or academic faculty of the college he represents.

b. Provided, however, that a member institution may be represented by an official delegate of another member institution. The institution being represented by proxy must inform the president of the conference in writing of such arrangements prior to the meeting. The person who is to act in proxy shall be designated by name. Proxy votes shall not be counted in determining a quorum.

Section 2 A quorum shall consist of official delegates from a majority of the total conference membership.

ARTICLE X

Probation, Suspension, Expulsion

Section 1 The conference may, at any regular or called meeting, expel, suspend, or place a member institution on probation by a three-fourths vote of the member institution. The member institution against which the charges of violation have been made shall not vote.

Section 2 The executive committee shall be empowered to invoke a temporary suspension or take temporary probationary action upon any member of the conference for violation of the constitution or By-Laws. The president shall be required to call for a conference vote within three (3) weeks of this temporary probation or suspension.

Section 3 All charges of violation against a member institution or a coach or both must be filed with the Conference President, and he shall within a twenty-four (24) hour period notify the coach and the head administrator of the member institution of the nature of the charge.

a. The Executive Committee shall investigate the charges, and within five (5) days after preferment of charges hold a preliminary hearing of the case. The findings of this hearing shall be reported in full at the next annual or special meeting.

b. Following the preliminary hearing the Executive Committee can, at its discretion, invoke a temporary probation on the offending college.

Section 4 Member institutions are permitted to engage in athletic contests with member colleges placed on probation; however, no member institution shall engage in any athletic contest with a suspended or expelled member institution.

BY-LAWS OF THE

WESTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ARTICLE I

Membership

Section 1

a. Annual dues for membership in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference shall be eight hundred dollars ($800.00) plus one hundred dollars ($100.00) per conference sport. To be reinstated into the conference a college must pay seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) in addition to the conference dues.

b. No institution shall be eligible for competition unless all dues are paid on or before October 15 of the current college year of competition.

ARTICLE II

Administration

Section 1 Duties

a. President

1. Preside at the annual meeting, special meetings, and executive committee meetings.

2. Appoint committees with the approval of the Executive Committee.

3. Appoint delegates to non-elective office.

4. Render decisions on all points not covered by the Constitution, By-Laws and administrative regulations, after consulting conference interpreter.

5. Call all meetings.

6. With the approval of the Executive Committee he shall be empowered to temporarily suspend or place on probation any member institution for violation of the Constitution and By-Laws, or for any conduct contrary to the code of clean sportsmanship as fostered by the conference.

7. In the event of a tie vote on any motion, the president shall cast the deciding balloting any conference meeting.

8. Examine and file the eligibility forms of all competing athletes participating in the activities of the conference.

9. Represent or designate some to represent the conference when necessary.

10. Serve as chairman of the Executive Committee.

b. Vice-President

1. Preside at all meetings in the absence of the president.

2. Pass on matters in which the president's college is involved and on all eligibility forms of the president's institution.

3. Fill the un-expired term of the president.

4. Serve as a member of the Executive Committee.

c. Conference Commissioner

1. Maintain the membership, correspondence, and financial records of the conference and prepare reports as directed.

2. Act as recording secretary at all conference and executive committee meetings and present each member college a copy of the minutes within ten (10) days of the adjournment of each meeting.

3. Recommend an annual conference budget and oversee its implementation.

4. Transact all financial operations of the conference including collection of membership fees, payment of all bills and accounts, purchase of awards, trophies, supplies, and printed materials and forms.

5. Submit financial records for an annual audit and provide an annual report for publication in the minutes of the annual meeting.

6. Act as custodian of the records of competition in all sports sponsored by the conference.

7. Secure nominations from conference coaches for "All-Conference" teams and players.

8. Conduct, tabulate, and publicize a pre-season poll of conference coaches' predictions of final team rankings in the conference.

9. Keep an up-to-date, cumulative list of all sports statistics.

10. Disseminate conference statistics, including national rankings and individual player statistics, weekly to all interested parties, i.e., coaches, regional directors, national offices, sports information directors, newspapers, etc.

11. Publicize successes of former WJCAC players presently playing on major college level or professionally.

12. Conduct and publicize the selection by the conference coaches of "All-Conference" teams.

13. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee and keep the President informed of all matters and correspondence relative to the affairs of the conference.

14. Complete other duties as assigned by the Conference.

15. Provide fifty (50) Conference Sports Passes to college Presidents, annually by November 1.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 1 The Executive Committee

a. Conduct the business referred to it by the conference at the annual or special meetings.

b. Investigate charges and take necessary action upon member colleges which are charged with violating the Constitution and By-Laws of the conference.

ARTICLE IV

Official Sports

Section 1 The recognized intercollegiate sports for men shall be: Basketball, Baseball, Golf. The recognized sports for women shall be: Basketball, Cross Country and Fast-pitch Softball and Volleyball.

Section 2

a. Any of the officials sports when participated in by three (3) or more of the conference schools in any one year will be played to a conference championship. In case of ties, co-champions will be declared.

b. The conference meet for all spring sports shall be held at one site, if possible.

c. All Western Junior College Athletic Conference teams are responsible for completing ALL conference games. Failure to do so will cause the forfeiting team to be placed on probation and will not be permitted to qualify for the regional play-offs for the following year.

d. Scheduling for Basketball, Baseball and Fast-pitch Softball and Volleyball will be done at the spring meeting. All sports will draw on the odd numbered years and reverse home/away schedule the next year.

Section 3 Open Wound Policy:

a. Under circumstances when constant or profuse bleeding occurs, the participant may be attended by the appropriate team following NCAA Rules. Should bleeding not be controlled immediately, the player shall be removed from the game.

b. Anytime an official stops the game for blood on the uniform the article of clothing must be changed before reentering the game.

Section 4 Conference championship in each of the official sports will be determined as follows:

GAME MANAGEMENT

Section 1.A Game Administrator must be present at all WJCAC Athletic Contests.

The Game Administrator is the Athletic Director of the host team unless otherwise designated.

a. Game Administrator should contact the game officials (referees, umpires, etc.) prior to the athletic contest.

b. Game Administrator will assist in all aspects of the contest to provide a positive experience.

c. Game Administrator will provide a secure avenue for game officials to leave court at half time and completion of WJCAC Athletic Contests. Also an area for the officials to meet before, during and after the game.

2. No artificial/noise makers are allowed in WJCAC indoor Athletic Contests.

3. All cheerleaders, bands, dance teams, etc., must coordinate all activities through the Game Administrator.

4. Mascots should not interfere with the officiating crews at anytime.

5. Water and cups will be provided at all WJCAC Athletic Contests.

6. There will be a secure area 20 ft. behind the visiting team bench for only their fans or as an empty buffer zone.

7. A uniformed security guard or police officer shall be at all WJCAC indoor athletic contests. Also a uniformed security guard or police officer will be available if needed at out door contests.

8. All WJCAC Athletic contests will be played using only WJCAC approved game balls.

1. Basketballs – RX-10 and RX-10W

2. Baseballs –

3. Volleyballs – Tachicara NJCAA , Black and Gold

4. Softballs – Dudley WT12YFP (4N131)

9. An athletic training area will be provided.

10. No student under 21 years of age may work scorer’s table, which includes clock, scorebook, shot clocks, possession arrow and announcer at WJCAC Athletic Contests.

11. Game Administrator will arrange for all teams to enter or exit games through a separate entryway or at different times before games, at half times and at the end of the game. This should be specified before the contest.

12. Teams are responsible for providing their own bench and shower towels

13. No Music or sound effects during a live ball.

14. A "Statement of Purpose" will be played prior to the beginning of the athletic contest.

15. The WJCAC adopted the NJCAA Sportsmanship Policy in the fall meeting 2005.

Men's Basketball

A. Men's Basketball

1. The Conference Championship will be determined by play in a double round-robin schedule on a home and home basis. Each college shall play other member institutions competing for the conference championship in basketball. There shall be a limit of twenty-nine ( 29) regular-season games.

2. The National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball Rules shall apply to all conference basketball games. There shall be a 35-second clock used in every minute of play during both conference and non-conference games.

3. The official basketball for use in all conference games shall be the Rawlings Basketball Model RX 10 composite. Host institution will provide visiting teams with six of the balls for warm-up.

4. The visiting team shall be allowed twenty (20) minutes warm-up before the start of the game, or whatever time mutually agree upon.

5. Visiting college-sponsored bands, drill squads, and cheerleaders shall be allowed free admission to the game when identified by a faculty sponsor. Visiting college bands and drill squads should notify the home college at least two weeks in advance if they wish to attend or perform. Areas will be designated for cheerleaders and mascots by the host school.

6. Visiting coaches shall be given free admission to games when scouting conference opponents.

7. The home team shall furnish 6 official basketballs for pre game warm ups.

8. The home team shall provided a secure locker room for the game officials for use prior, during and after the athletic contest.

9. The Supervisor of Officials will have the responsibility of assigning the officials for all conference games.

(a) Officials assigned by the supervisor of officials will be placed under contract no later than January 1 and paid $100.00 per official. Men's basketball games will be officiated by three (3) officials. Overnight expenses if necessary due to inclement weather or other situations beyond the control of the officials and with the approval of the Athletic Director of the home school can be paid by the home school. Each school will make its own arrangements to pay officials.

(1) If an official is ill or cancels game, no payment will be made.

(2) If an official does not arrive at the game site due to inclement weather condition, the official will be paid travel allowance for miles traveled, but will not receive officiating fees.

(3) If an official arrives at a game site of a game that is postponed, he is authorized to be paid travel allowance and one-half of the game fee.

(4) If an official arrives late to the game site and after the game has started, the official will be authorized to officiate only if both coaches agree and will be paid half the same fee. Official(s) must send written justification as to reason for tardiness. If reason for tardiness is due to circumstances beyond his control and is approved, remainder of game fee will be paid. If the official does not officiate, he will be paid travel allowance only.

(b) No changes will be authorized in game officials unless caused by personal sickness or injury or a death in the immediate family. If the official must cancel, the Supervisor of Officials will contact both coaches and athletic directors before assigning a mutually agreeable substitute.

(c) Top rated officials will be assigned on a priority basis. Non-preferred officials should not be assigned to schools that do not want them. Each coach should rate the officials according to the procedures set up by the Supervisor of Officials. The Top rated officials shall be assigned to call post season play and assigned by the Supervisor of Officials.

(d) Action concerning addition or deletion of officials will be made at either the spring or fall meeting. The top twenty (20) officials as rated by the coaches, will be rated Top Officials' and given priority in assignments. If a majority of a quorum of coaches votes that an official is not qualified to officiate conference games, he will not be assigned. A coach may recommend the addition of a new official to the conference list. However, if a majority of a quorum of coaches votes against the addition of the official, he will not be added to the list. In selecting basketball officials, each coach would have six (6)scratches, and if an official is scratched by six (6) coaches (four (4) women's coaches), that official ill not be allowed to officiate any conference game. Colleges will not be able to scratch officials once contracts have been signed. The officials will be voted on at the spring conference meeting.

(e) If a coach uses an official who was not assigned by the Supervisor of Officials, the game may be played under protest. The Supervisor of Officials will investigate and if the official is at fault there will be no forfeit, but if the coach is at fault the Commissioner may declare a forfeit.

(f) Officials residing in the town of either participating team may not officiate conference games except if agreed on by the Supervisor of Officials and participating coaches.

10. The home team shall provide refreshment at half-time for the visiting team at each conference game.

11. All Conference games will start at 7:30 p.m. except double headers, where the first will start at 5:50 p.m. and the second game will start at 7:50 p.m.

12. Colleges shall be limited to twenty-nine (29) regular season games as specified by the NJCAA.

13. Selection of teams for the Regional Tournament will be in the following manner: The teams that finish first, second, third and fourth in the conference schedule will go directly to the regional tournament.

14. Head to Head shall be used to break ties for conference playoffs, followed by the Power Points System which is as follows: points are accumulated under a plan where ten points are awarded to any team who has beaten the top finisher in the conference, nine points are awarded for defeating the second place finisher, and so on down the line with a victory over a last place team being awarded one point. In case of a tie in the standings, the team with the higher power rating is placed higher. Should ties remain after application of the power rating system, the following criteria will be considered in the order listed:

(a) should a tie still remain, a coin toss will be used to select a winner. Playoff game to determine 4th and 5th place by mutual agreement of both coaches at a neutral game site. Flip of coin after each college chooses a home site (not at regular playing facility). Method 1 or 2 must be used unless both colleges agree to a home and home flip.

15. An All-Conference Team shall be selected by the coaches in accordance with the following guidelines:

(a) The ballots may be open for examination by all coaches.

(b) Twelve (12) players will be selected for All-Conference recognition. Each coach will vote for twelve (12) players ranked in order of preference. Points will be assigned with twelve (12) points being assigned for the first choice, eleven (11) points for the second choice, ten (10) points for the third, etc.

(c) The twelve (12) players receiving the largest number of points will be designated All-Conference. The player who receives the largest number of points will be designated the Most Valuable Player of the league. Any player who receives at least one vote and is not among the top twelve will be designated as Honorable Mention All-Conference. There will be no first and second team designation.

(d) Coaches may nominate their own players but cannot vote for them when the ballot is sent out by the Conference Commissioner.

(e) The Conference Commissioner will be responsible for sending out, receiving and tallying the ballots. All ballots must be received by the Conference Commissioner no later than five (5) days before the first game of the Region V Tournament. Individual ballots that are not received prior to the five (5) day restriction will be considered null and void.

16. Member schools approved the following recommendations, and these will apply to men's and women's conference games.

(a) Any player ejected for a non-contact flagrant foul will be placed on probation for the remainder of the season. A second ejection of the same player will result in a one-game suspension for the next conference game. A third ejection would result in a two-game suspension from conference games. (If it is not possible to enforce these penalties in the current season and if the guilty player is a freshman, the suspension would be carried out the next season at the first conference game.)

(b) Any player ejected for a be suspended from the next conference game. A second flagrant physical foul will ejection of the same player will result in a two-game suspension. A third ejection would result in suspension for the remainder of the season.

(c) Conference teams have the responsibility of notifying the Conference President and the Supervisor of Officials that a member of their team is on probation or suspended.

(d) Appeal of any action taken can be made to the Supervisor of Officials at least 48 hours prior to the next conference game.

17. Code of Conduct

(a) Public Relations: Officials are to refrain from discussing in any manner, games in which they have officiated or have been assigned to officiate.

(b) Sportsmanship Code: Officials who make derogatory remarks regarding Conference personnel, Conference institutional personnel, and/or fellow officials, are subject to immediate dismissal.

(c) Misconduct Reports: Officials will report the use of abusive, obscene or insulting language by any coach, player or trainer to the Supervisor of Officials. Officials will also report any serious misconduct involving institutional employees or spectators to the Supervisor of Officials and the Conference President.

18. Coaches of Men and Women Basketball will send statistics to the Conference Commissioner no later than noon each Monday after the first game of the season (this is suspended after Christmas Break until the Second Monday in January). Violation for the first offense will result in a reprimand sent to President. Second and succeeding offenses will result in reprimand and the coach will be fined Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each additional offense.

Women's Basketball

B. Women's Basketball

1. The Conference Championship shall be determined by an double round robin conference schedule play on a home and home basis. Each college shall play all other competing institutions. There shall be a limit of thirty (30) regular-season games.

2. Selection of teams for regular playoff competition will be based upon the conference won/lost record. In the event of a tie, first tie breaker is head to head competition, followed by the 'power rating system' will be used. The 'power rating system' should be used to break ties for conference playoffs as follows: points are accumulated under a plan where ten (10) points are awarded to any team who has beaten the top finisher in the conference, nine (9) points are awarded for defeating the second place finisher, and so on down the line with a victory over a last place team being awarded one (1) point. In case of a tie in the standings, the team with the higher power rating is place higher. Should ties remain after application of the power rating system, the following criteria will be considered in the order listed:

3. The basketball used will be the Rawlings RX-10W. Host institution will provide visiting teams with six of the balls for warm-up.

4. The visiting team shall be allowed twenty (20) minutes warm-up time unless a shorter or longer period is mutually agreed upon. When possible, women's contests shall precede men's contests and will begin at 5:50 p.m. or a mutually agreed upon time.

5. The home team shall provide refreshments at half-time for the visiting team at each conference game.

6. The home team shall provided a secure locker room for the game officials for use prior, during and after the athletic contest.

(a) Officials assigned by the Supervisor of Officials will be placed under contract not later than January 1 and paid $100.00 per official; and overnight expenses (if necessary due to inclement weather or other situations beyond the control of the officials and with the approval of the Athletic Director of the home school. Each school will make its own arrangements to pay the officials. Three (3) man crews shall be used in all conference.

(b) No person employed by or enrolled in the home college shall be used as an official in conference games. This does not apply to scorers and timers. Students of the host school are prohibited from serving as official scorer, timer, or 30-second clock operator.

(c) The assignment of officials shall be in the same manner as for men's basketball. (Reference: ARTICLE IV, Section 4, Paragraph A, Subparagraph 8 (f), Pg. 15)

7. The WJCAC All Conference team shall be selected by the coaches in the following manner:

(a) The ballots may be open for examination by all coaches.

(b) Each coach shall nominate a maximum of four team players for All Conference honors. A ballot will be distributed containing the names of the nominees and their school. The coaches will then rank the players in inverse order (10, 9, 8, etc.) with the highest rating of ten (10) being given to the best players, and a rating of one (1) given to the 10th best player. Coaches shall not vote for their own players. The player receiving the most votes ill be designated as the Most Valuable Player of the Conference and next ten players receiving the most votes will be designated as the All Conference team. Any other player receiving at least one vote will be designated a Honorable Mention All Conference.

(c) The conference commissioner shall assume responsibility for securing nomination, preparing ballots and counting votes. Balloting shall be done between the dates of February 10-20. Results shall be announced immediately upon completion of the vote count.

Golf

C. Golf

1. The conference team championship for men shall be determined by competing in 12 to 16 eighteen hole rounds of golf.

(a) Conference team play shall consist of five(5) or six (6) man teams.

(b) The four low scores on each 5 or 6 man team on each eighteen hole rounds is counted toward the cumulative total for each team at the conclusion of play in the Spring. If the competition in the spring is for the total of 16 eighteen hole rounds, then the team with the lowest cumulative total for the (16) sixteen rounds is the conference champion.

(d) Participating players cannot return to the golf course once their play is completed. Doing so will result in a two-stroke penalty being assessed against the player.

(e) The host college for each conference match will provide a trophy for the first place team and first place medalist at their own expense.

(f) Each Spring by February 15 the WJCAC Golf Coaches will decide which tournaments during the Spring semester will be counted as WJCAC Conference Schedule.

(g) All Conference and Conference Medalists selections consist of the lowest fifteen (15) players cumulative rounds for between 6 to 9 eighteen hole rounds. If more than 13 eighteen hole rounds are played the players are allowed to take their 13 best scores.

(h) In the event of a tie for the championship, an eighteen hole play off will be held using a five (5) man team. The four lowest scores will be the conference champions.

(i) Conference Coach of the Year will be the Coach of the Championship team.

2. All WJCAC golf tournaments will follow the NJCAA policies and the USGA rules as closely as conditions permit.

3. During play in tournaments hosted by conference members, the following penalties shall be in effect for the duration of tournament play:

Minor Violation - 1st Offense - Warning

2nd Offense - 2 stroke penalty

3rd Offense - Disqualification

Major Violation- Willful damage to the golf course will result in immediate disqualification.

WJCAC Coaches shall serve as Tournament Rules Committee and enforce and interpret the rules. The coach of the player(s) involved will not be included in the committee.

4. In case inclement weather forces cancellation of a tournament, to which no team traveled, the tournament will be eliminated from conference play.

Track

E. Track

1. The conference track championship will be determined in a Spring track meet. This meet will be in a location approved by the member colleges. The championship will be determined by the total team points in the conference meet.

(a) The track and field events shall be the same as those of the NJCAA.

2. Points shall be scored 6-4-3-2-1 for all events.

3. A college may enter as many participants as it wishes in an event, but only one relay team in each relay event.

4. Scratching of participants will be permitted to the finals without penalty.

5. Team trophies will be given for the conference championship and for first place in the relay event.

6. Medals will be awarded for the first three places in each event.

7. The Conference Championship track and field meet records shall be the official record of the WJCAC.

Baseball

G. Baseball

1. The conference championship will be determined by a four game series against all other conference teams.

2. Conference series is 2 double header played Friday and Saturday except for Easter weekend. Start time for both dates is 12:00 noon. Make up games should be played on Sunday or Monday, if possible.

(a) Game delays may require changing starting times. All conference schedule changes must be approved by the Conference Commissioner.

(b) Run Rule: 10 run after 5 innings or 8 runs after 7 innings in a 9 inning game; 10 runs after 5 innings in a seven (7) inning game.

3. Game delays include rain out and light failure or any circumstances beyond the control of the coaches and players.

(a) All games under 5 innings of play will be resumed at the point of suspension.

(b) All Make up games will try to be completed on second day of the series before the scheduled games on the second day of the scheduled series.

(c) If unable to make up the games on the day after the series the game will be rescheduled at the next open date of both teams schedule through the Athletic Directors of those colleges.

(d) All games postponed will be made up in order of schedule.

(e) All games will be official games after five (5) innings of play.

4. All games will be conducted under the NCAA Baseball Rule Book\ NJCAA Rulebook-Casebook (adopted by NJCAA).

(a) The WJCAC will not allow a courtesy runner for the catcher.

(b) All pitchers must throw four pitches to intentionally walk a batter

5. Effective 1993-1994 the official ball will be the D-1 Pro-Baseball. The Diamond D-1 baseball will be used for all Region V Conference games. (Ball adopted by the TJCBCA)

6. Batting practice and infield will be forty-five (45 minutes or less if mutually agreed by both coaches).

7. All Conference Team nominees and balloting will be conducted by the conference commissioner prior to the end of the season.

(a) The ballots may be open for examination by all coaches.

8. All Conference Team will consist of Most Valuable Player, four (4) outfielders, six (6) infielders, five (5) pitchers, two (2) catchers and one (1) designated hitter. Anyone receiving at least one vote will receive All Conference Honorable Mention.

9. Umpires will be contracted by the home team coach. Each coach will be allowed two (2) scratches at each college location on the conference schedule.

10. Baseball coaches are required to send stats in 12:00 noon every Tuesday after the first game of the season. Violation for the first offense will result in a Letter Of Warning to the President of the college. Second and succeeding offenses will result in a two hundred dollar ($200.00) fine for each additional offense.

Section 5 Scheduling in all official conference sports with the exception of basketball will be accomplished at the annual spring meeting for the next college year. The basketball scheduling will be accomplished at the fall meeting in conjunction with the eligibility meeting.

a. These schedules shall be included as a part of the official minutes of this annual. meeting.

b. Should these schedules be changed after publication of the annual minutes, then the home team shall notify all conference members no later than fourteen (14) days before the date of the rescheduled contest.

Women's Fast Pitch Softball

H. Women's Fast Pitch Softball

Section 1. A double round robin schedule home and home series will determined the conference championship. In case of a tie head to head competition , power points system, followed by a coin toss if head to head does not break the tie.

Section 2. Series will be a double header. All games will be seven innings.

a. Start times will be 1:00PM and 3:00PM

b. Eight run rule: after five (5) innings in a seven (7) inning game.

c. International tie-breaker will be implemented in all games. Top of the 10th inning the player who made the last out from the previous inning will be played on second and so forth through innings until a winner is determined.

Section 3. All games delays including rain outs and light failure or any other circumstances beyond the control of the coaches and players.

a. All postponed game(s) will be made up on the Sunday following the series, if unable to make up on Sunday the game(s) will be made up at the end of the season.

b. All games will be official games after five (5) innings of play.

Section 4. Each conference team will send their softball schedule and rosters to the Conference Commissioner prior to the softball season each year.

Section 5. All games will be conducted under the NCAA Fast Pitch Softball Rulebook. (adopted by NJCAA)

Section 6. The official ball for the conference play WT-12Y-FT and the official book for each game shall be the home team's book.

Section 7. Two (2) qualified umpires shall be contracted by the home team. game fee will be set at $50.00 per game per official. Umpires residing in either town of the participates may not umpire conference games.

Section 8. The Conference Commissioner prior to the end of the season will conduct All Conference Nominations and Balloting.

Section 9. All Conference Team will consist of Most Valuable Player, four (4) outfielders, Six (6) infielders. five (5) pitchers, two (2) catchers and one (1) designated hitter. Anyone receiving at least one vote will be All Conference Honorable Mention.

Cross Country

I. Cross Country

1. The conference cross country championship will be determined in a Fall Cross Country meet. This meet may be in conjunction with the Region V meet. The championship will be determined by the lowest team points in the conference meet.

2. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Cross Country rules shall apply to all conference meets.

3. Team plaque will be awarded to the WJCAC Conference Champions.

4. Plaques will be awarded to the top seven finishers and they will be named to the All Conference Team.

5. The conference championship cross country records shall be the official record of the WJCAC.

(Cross country passed September 25th 2002)

ARTICLE V

MEMBER COLLEGES

Section 1 In order to qualify for participating in any athletic activity sponsored by this Conference, a member college must meet the following requirements:

a. Each college must be a member in good standing of this organization and its own conference in order to enter a team or an individual in any activity sponsored by this Association

b. Each member college must submit completed eligibility forms, in accordance with the eligibility rules of the NJCAA. Failure to do so will result in the appropriate disciplinary procedures as established by that ruling body. Forms must be postmarked on or before the date of the first regularly scheduled contest in each sport except in football, cross country, and soccer, which must be submitted within two (2) weeks after their first regularly scheduled game.

Note: One copy of the form shall be mailed to the Region V Director (Men sports Joe Tubb and Women Sports Rex Parcells) and the other copy to the Office of Eligibility, NJCAA, PO Box 7305, Colorado Springs CO 80933-7305. (303)590-9788

Section 2

a. No member college shall permit any employee to participate directly or indirectly in the management, coaching, officiating, supervision, promotion, or player selection of any All-Star Team or contest involving junior college players unless sanctioned by the NJCAA. Facilities of a member school can be made available only providing the contest is first sanctioned by the NJCAA.

Section 3 A member college which uses an ineligible player whether knowingly or not, shall forfeit all contest in which the ineligible player participated.

Section 4 A member college which knowingly uses an ineligible player shall, in addition to the penalty set forth in Section 3, be subject to such further penalty as the appropriate Regional Director may deem advisable under the circumstances. The maximum penalty which the Regional Director may impose shall be forfeiture by the member college of the right to participate in Regional and/or NJCAA sponsored tournaments, meets, and games, in one or more sports, for a period of one calendar year, commencing on the date of the last scheduled contest of the sport in which the violation occurred. During the time the penalty is in effect, the member college shall be deemed to be on athletic probation in the sport or sports covered by the penalty. At the end of the probationary period, the member college shall request that it be taken off probation. Such request shall be made in writing to the Executive Committee and the Commissioner of Eligibility, who by majority vote shall grant the request or continue the member college on probation for a period not to exceed one additional year. At the end of such time, the additional probationary period shall be automatically terminated. During the probationary period, neither the individuals nor the team(s) shall be eligible for Regional and/or NJCAA honors.

Section 5 If an investigation of eligibility is initiated by a member college of the NJCAA, the costs so involved shall be borne by the college which initiates the investigation if the student or students so involved are found eligible, and if found ineligible, by the college in which the student or students are enrolled.

Section 6 Colleges having an intercollegiate program above the Junior College level shall not be eligible to compete in any athletic program sponsored by the NJCAA.

Section 7 The person serving as interpreter for eligibility cases shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee when it considers player eligibility problems.

Section 8 The Conference President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee to consider player eligibility problems during the first week of November. All member colleges shall be notified of this meeting by mail.

Section 9 The Western Junior College Athletic Conference will follow current National Junior College Athletic Association eligibility rules.

PROCEDURES OF APPEAL

Section 1 decisions on questions of eligibility shall be made in the first instance by the appropriate Regional Director, who shall furnish a copy of his decision in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the member college, the Commissioner of Eligibility, and the Executive Director. Any member college has the privilege of appeal on a decision concerning the eligibility of any student which the college deems unfair or unjust. This appeal must be made in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Commissioner of Eligibility, with copy to the Regional Director, within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision of the Regional Director. The Commissioner of Eligibility shall also have the power on his on motion, to review decisions of Regional Director. The decisions of the Commissioner of Eligibility shall be in writing, and copies shall be furnished by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the member college, the Regional Director, the Executive Director, and the Executive Committee.

Section 2 Any member college may appeal from a decision of the Commissioner of Eligibility to the Executive Committee. The appeal must be in writing, within ten (10) days from the date of the decision appealed from, sent to the Executive Committee, with copies to the Commissioner of Eligibility and the Regional Director by certified mail, return receipt requested. Decision of the Executive Committee shall be in writing, and copies shall be furnished to the member college, the Commissioner of Eligibility, the Regional Director, and the Executive Director by certified mail, with return receipt requested. Such decisions shall be final.

Section 3 If an appeal is finally disapproved, the costs of conducting same shall be borne by the member college involved. No member college shall be penalized for action taken in reliance on a written decision of a Regional Director or the Commissioner of Eligibility, even though the same is subsequently reversed.

Section 4 Whenever charges are brought against a member college of the NJCAA, such college shall be furnished with a detailed account of such charges by certified mail, with return receipt requested. Such college may within twenty (20) days thereafter request a hearing on such charges by certified mail with return receipt requested. If no hearing is requested within the twenty (20) day period, the NJCAA may initiate any investigation it deems necessary to assist itself in arriving at a decision of charges. Any such hearing or investigation shall be conducted by a committee composed of the Executive Committee and the Commissioner of Eligibility. The member college shall be notified by certified mail, with return receipt requested, in as reasonable a period of time as possible of such decision and the penalty or sanctions, if any, thereto.

Section 5 The reasonable cost of such hearings shall be paid by the member college against whom the charges are brought, providing the charges against the member college are substantiated. In the event the charges are not substantiated, then the reasonable cost of such hearing shall be paid by the NJCAA.

ARTICLE VI

GRANTS-IN-AID

Section 1 Grants-in-aid to a student participating in athletics shall not exceed tuition and fees (as listed in the college catalog) and the actual cost of room, board, and books.

a. Athletes on jobs must be performing useful work and must be paid no more than the usual salary paid to others for the work performed.

b. Transportation costs are permitted, provided it is only one round-trip per year.

Section 2 A record of grants-in-aid given to athletes shall be kept by the head of the institution or by a committee appointed by him which is responsible for approving such aid to students.

Section 3 A college may award grants-in-aid in each of the sports in which it participates in accordance with the limitations established by the conference.

Section 4 Grants-in-aid shall be continued for the full year as long as the student remains eligible for athletic conference competition.

Section 5 Member colleges which award grants-in-aid to athletes participating in sports not played in this conference as official sports shall include these students as grants-in-aid students when they play conference sports.

Section 6 Athletes awarded grants-in-aid for any sport may participate in other conference sports.

Section 7 All grants-in-aid funds must be administered by the college.

Section 8 Once a student has signed a National Letter of Intent with a conference school, that individual may not participate for another conference school unless:

a. The individual has been released by the conference school with which they originally signed. This process requires the completion of the NJCAA Transfer Waiver Release Agreement.

b. The individual has fulfilled their National Letter of Intent commitment period, plus has sat out one full, additional academic year (August 1 thru July 31 as defined by the By Laws of the NJCAA, Article VIII, Letter of Intent, Section 1,c.)

This amendment became effective August 1, 2001

Section 9 Any individual accepting institutional/athletic related aid during an academic year (August 1 thru July 31), with the intent to participate in athletics, may not play for another conference school unless:

a. The individual has been released by the conference school with which they originally signed. This process requires the completion of the NJCAA Transfer Waiver Release Agreement.

b. The academic year in which the individual received institutional/athletic related aid has expired, plus the individual has set out one full, additional academic year (August 1 thru July 31).

This amendment became effective August 1, 2001

ARTICLE VII

AWARDS

Section 1 To be eligible for an athletic award, a student must meet the eligibility requirements of this conference.

a. The Conference Champions and All Conference awards will be the same type for all sports and uniform from year to year.

b. Individual awards will be given to members of the All Conference Teams in baseball, basketball, golf, cross country, and softball, volleyball and cross country.

c. Plaques will be awarded to college for the Conference Champions.

d. All stats on players must be complete and up to date on both the NJCAA and WJCAC websites for players to be eligible for post season awards.

ARTICLE VIII

CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER AND SUPERVISOR OF OFFICIALS

Section 1 The colleges of this conference shall vote once a year on the position of Conference Commissioner, and Supervisor of Officials.

a. These positions will be made at the spring meetings.

b. The fees for these two services shall be set at the annual meeting.

Section 2 It shall be the responsibility of the member colleges to report the result of each athletic contest to the Conference Commissioner within 24 hours of the conclusion of the contest. The Conference Commissioner is authorized to call the college collect if a report has not been received.

ARTICLE IX

EXECUTIVE REGULATIONS

Section 1 Order of business. The regular order of business at all regular meetings of the conference or those of the executive committee shall be:

a. Roll Call.

b. Reading of the minutes

c. Appointment of committees.

d. Report of officers and committees.

e. Old business.

f. New business.

g. Election of officers and appointing of committees.

h. Recess for scheduling of sports.

i. Adjournment.

ATHLETIC GRANTS-IN-AID GUIDELINES

Section 1 Conference Rules:

a. Athletic grants-in-aid shall be awarded in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC). rules passed by the WJCAC specify that the monetary amounts awarded to an athlete and the aggregate amounts in each sport shall be restricted to a certain level in an effort to save funds and to allow institutions to compete with one another on an equal basis.

b. The WJCAC established that each sport, men's and women's shall be given an equivalent number of full grants-in aid.

Basketball shall award no more than sixteen (12) equivalent full grants each

Golf shall award no more than eight (6) equivalent full grants each

Baseball shall award no more than twenty four (16) equivalent full grants each

Volleyball shall awarded no more than fourteen (11)equivalent full grants each

Fast pitch softball shall award no more than twenty four (16) equivalent full grants each

Cross country shall award no more than (15) equivalent full grants each

c. The amount of full grants-in-aid shall be determined by criteria established by the NJCAA

WESTERN JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ORGANIZED 1960

MEMBERS:

Clarendon College, El Paso Community College, Frank Phillips College, Howard College, Midland College, New Mexico Junior College, New Mexico Military Institute, Odessa College, South Plains College and Western Texas College