14 Del. Admin. Code § 1035-5.0 - Maximum Game Schedules and Designated Sports Seasons

5.1 The maximum number of regularly scheduled interscholastic contests or Competition dates for each team and individual in the recognized sports and their sports season shall be designated by the Board.

5.2 Additional Requirements for the High School Level

5.2.1 The third contest or Competition date in a week shall be held on Friday (no early dismissal permitted), Saturday or Sunday. This requirement does not apply when a Member School is closed for the entire week such as during winter or spring vacation.

5.2.1.1 A team shall not participate in two or more different events at the same level of competition on the same day. However, a team shall be permitted a one time per season exception to participate in two different events on the same day. If a team elects to use the exception it shall count as two contests or two Competition dates as applicable toward the season team limitation.

5.2.1.2 With the exception of cross country, indoor track, outdoor track and golf, participation in a triangular meet shall count as two contests and participation in a quadrangular meet shall count as three contests toward the seasonal limitation.

5.2.1.3 Participation in any part of a quarter or half shall count as a quarter or half toward the weekly and daily limitations in that sport. However, in the case of football, participation on a free kick or a play from a scrimmage kick formation shall not count as a quarter. Overtime periods shall be considered as part of the fourth quarter or second half.

5.2.2 A week shall be designated as starting on Monday and ending on Sunday for all sports except football. A football week shall begin the day of the varsity game and end the day preceding the next varsity game or the following Friday. The preceding game limitations, with the exception of the individual daily limitation, shall not prohibit the rescheduling of postponed games at the discretion and convenience of the Member Schools involved provided the game was postponed due to inclement weather, unplayable field conditions, failure of the assigned officials to appear for the game, breakdown of the bus or van carrying the visiting team, or any other circumstances beyond the control of site management which preclude playing the game. However, a team may not participate in more than four contests or Competition dates in a week.

5.2.3 The maximum number of regularly scheduled contests for each of the recognized sports, except football, shall be exclusive of conference championships, playoffs to determine tournament state berths, and the state tournament or meet. Member Schools are limited to one conference championship event. In wrestling, the state meet qualifying tournaments shall count as the only permissible event in addition to the regular season and state meets. The maximum number of regularly scheduled football contests shall be exclusive of the state tournament. Any playoffs to determine state tournament berths shall be under the control and supervision of the DIAA tournament committee.

5.2.4 A Unified Partner shall not participate on a non-Unified school team at any level in the same sport during the same school year.

5.2.5 A Member School which participates in more than the allowable number of contests in a season shall be suspended from the state playoffs or, if a nonqualifying team, fined $500.00 for each contest.

5.2.5.1 A school which exceeds the weekly contest limitation shall be required to forfeit the contest and pay a $250.00 fine.

5.2.5.2 A student who exceeds the weekly or daily contest limitation shall be considered an ineligible athlete.

5.3 Additional Requirements for the Middle School Level

5.3.1 Game limitations, with the exception of the individual daily limitation, shall not prohibit the rescheduling of postponed games at the discretion and convenience of the Member Schools involved provided the game was postponed due to inclement weather, unplayable field conditions, failure of the assigned officials to appear for the game, breakdown of the bus or van carrying the visiting team, or any other circumstances beyond the control of site management which preclude playing the game. However, a team may not participate in more than three contests and Competition dates in a week.

5.3.2 A student shall participate in a particular sport for only one season during each academic year.

5.3.3 A Member School that participates in more than the allowable number of contests in a season shall be fined $500.00 for each contest.

5.3.4 A Member School that exceeds the weekly contest limitation shall forfeit the contest and pay a $250.00 fine. A week shall be designated as starting on Monday and ending on Sunday for all sports except football. A football week shall begin the day of the middle school varsity game and end the day preceding the next middle school varsity game or the following Friday.

5.3.5 A student who exceeds the weekly or daily contest limitation shall be considered an ineligible athlete.

5.4 Student athletes may participate on a nonschool team or in a nonschool event In-Season provided the requirements in 14 DE Admin. Code 1040 Out-of-Season and Summer Athletic Activities and Contact are met.

Notes

14 Del. Admin. Code § 1035-5.0

26 DE Reg. 202 (9/1/2022) (Final)