Athletic Field Use Policy

Policy Number: #400

Responsible Executive(s):

• Senior Vice President and CFO

Responsible Office(s):

• Athletics and Physical Plant

Date Revised: 01-22-2021

A. Purpose

The Athletic Field Use Policy identifies the mission of the university athletic field resources, establishes priorities and parameters for their use, and outlines scheduling procedures.

B. Scope

The university recognizes that Varsity Athletics, Club Sport sand Campus Recreation are important components to the undergraduate and graduate student experience. They are central to recruitment and retention efforts and contribute to the development of a strong sense of community. To support a quality NCAA DII athletic program the quality of the playing surface is paramount and therefore parameters must be in place. The university athletic fields are specifically tasked with supporting these university programs; with priority given to Varsity Athletics and limited secondary support provided to Club Sports and Campus Recreation. All field use by external entities must be approved by the Director of Athletics.

C. Policy

Match Pitch—Use is restricted to varsity athletics competitions at all times.

East Practice Pitch—Use is restricted to varsity athletics practices and approved athletic camps/clinic son a limited basis. This space is closed for maintenance no later than the Sunday preceding final exams week in the spring through June 15 each year. Exceptions can be made for women’s lacrosse through the end of the NCAA DII Championship season for championship tournament competition. Beginning June 16-July 31 each year varsity athletic teams are permitted to schedule camps and clinics with approval from the athletic director. Two weeks of regeneration will be built into the schedule at the conclusion of summer camps and clinics and no uses of the field by any group or team may take place during this time. This two week period will be based on the NCAA DII fall sports start date and the camps and clinics schedule no use is permitted at this time. At the conclusion of the NCAA fall competition and practice schedule, this space will be closed through February 15. Additional use of the space must be approved by the Director of Athletics. All scheduled use must be submitted to Physical Plant to accommodate weekly scheduled maintenance and irrigation schedule.

Priority is (1) In-season varsity athletics and (2) Out of season varsity athletics.

West Multi-Purpose Pitch—During the academic year, the Office of Student Life may schedule Intramural Flag Football and Soccer, Club Men's Lacrosse and Rugby games with the approval of the Director of Athletics.

This space is closed for maintenance no later than the Sunday preceding final exams week in the spring through June 15 each year. Exceptions can be made for championship tournament competition in women’s lacrosse, men’s club lacrosse and rugby. Beginning June 16-July 31 each year varsity athletic teams are permitted to schedule camps and clinics with approval from the Director of Athletics. Two weeks of regeneration will be built into the schedule at the conclusion of summer camps and clinics. This two week period will be based on the NCAA DII fall sports start date and the camps and clinics schedule no use is permitted at this time. At the conclusion of the NCAA fall competition and practice schedule this space will be closed through February 15. Additional use must be approved by the Director of Athletics. All scheduled use must be submitted to Physical Plant to accommodate weekly scheduled maintenance and irrigation schedule. Priority is (1) out of season varsity athletics tournaments, (2) Intramural Sports games, (3) club lacrosse and club rugby competition, (4) one club sports practice before home competition, (5) in-season varsity athletics practice, (6) out of season varsity athletics practice.

Green Space and “The Beach”--The athletics facilities coordinator schedules and approves all use of this space. This space is closed for maintenance no later than the Sunday preceding final exams week in the spring through June 15 each year.

Priority is (1) Club Sports, (2) Intramural Sports, (3) Events (4 ) Varsity Sports

Baseball Field—Priority is varsity athletics practice and game play. Additional use (i.e. Summer Conference use, fundraisers and recruiting events) as cleared through the Director of Athletics. This space is closed for maintenance immediately following the last scheduled baseball competition or championship tournament competition in the spring through July1 each year.

Softball Field—Priority is varsity athletics practice and game play. Additional use (i.e. Summer Conference use, fundraisers and recruiting events) is cleared through the Director of Athletics. This space is closed for maintenance immediately following the last scheduled softball competition or championship tournament competition in the spring through July 1 each year.

Approved Exceptions to Athletic Field Activities

All exceptions to this policy must go through an approval process administered by the director of athletics. The only outside group pre-approved to use the athletic field space is Special Olympics. This event is coordinated and scheduled through the Director of Athletics or designee. Additionally, varsity student-athletes are permitted to schedule the field space for individual training when they are not in use or closed for annual and daily maintenance.

Athletic Field Scheduling

The University delegated authority to schedule the athletic fields resides with the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics may choose to delegate field scheduling to the Athletic Facilities Coordinator or other staff member of their choice.

Fall Schedule Deadlines

August 10

The deadline for Varsity Athletics to submit practice and competition requests for the East Practice Pitch and the West Multi-Purpose Pitch to the athletics facilities coordinator.

August 10-15

All Varsity Athletics practice and competition requests must be finalized by the athletics facilities coordinator and approved by the Director of Athletics.

August 15 –the second Friday of the fall semester

Club Sports opportunity to request field space for matches and competition for the entire fall semester. The schedules will be finalized by the athletics facilities coordinator and approved by the Director of Athletics within five days of the deadline.

After the second Friday of the fall semester any changes must be approved by the Director of Athletics and must accommodate previously approved schedules for Varsity Athletics and Club Sports.

Spring Schedule Deadlines

December 23

The deadline for Varsity Athletics to submit practice and competition requests for the East Practice Pitch and the West Multi-Purpose Pitch to the athletics facilities coordinator.

December 23-January 5

All Varsity Athletics practice and competition requests must be finalized by the athletics facilities coordinator and approved by the Director of Athletics.

January 5 –the second Friday of the spring semester

Club Sports opportunity to request field space for matches and competition for the entire spring semester. The schedules will be finalized by the athletics facilities coordinator and approved by the Director of Athletics within five days of the deadline.

After the second Friday of the spring semester any changes must be approved by the Director of Athletics and must accommodate previously approved schedules for Varsity Athletics and Club Sports.

 D. Definitions