Mid-Penn Athletic Conference Constitution

Updated: September 2022

Article I: Name

This organization shall be known as the Mid-Penn Athletic Conference.

Article II: Object

Section 1

The primary purpose for the existence of this conference is to provide the opportunity for our youth to participate in a league which fosters good sportsmanship and fair play.

Section 2

To protect the mutual interests of the members of this organization and to cultivate the ideals of clean sports and the development of character.

Section 3

To promote the uniformity in the arrangement and control of contests.

Section 4

To provide authority for the settlement of disputes not covered by the PIAA.

Section 5

All rules and regulations of the PIAA shall be followed in conducting all of the conference's leagues and activities.

Article III: Meetings

Section 1

Two meetings are to be held as follows. The second Thursday in November designated as the fall meeting and the fourth Thursday in February designated as the spring meeting. The time and place of the meetings will be established by the president. Athletic Directors will meet prior to each meeting and at the conclusion of the athletic season.

Section 2

Special meetings shall require notifications from the president to the principal of each conference school. Meetings for admission into any league must have a 14-day notice submitted to the principal of each school.

Section 3

A majority of the members of the Conference shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 4

All meetings shall be open for general business purposes.

Section 5

A dinner meeting may be held after the conclusion of the winter sports season state championships, for the recognition of the conference championships and athletes.

Article IV: Membership

Section 1

Applications for membership shall be made in writing at any official meeting of the conference by a responsible and authorized member of the applying school. Applications are to be sent to the president of the conference.

Section 2

A three-quarters (3/4) roll call vote of the member schools present is necessary for admission to the conference. Conference members applying to any league must receive a three-quarters (3/4) roll call vote by members of that league.

Section 3

New teams voted into a league of the Mid-Penn Conference may not be eligible for a championship for a maximum of two years from the date of acceptance into a league. However, should all teams in the league schedule the new team before the two-year period concludes, the new team becomes immediately eligible for a championship. New teams will appear on the league master schedule after two years of membership.

Article V: Officers, Duties, and Order of Succession

Section 1

The officers of this conference shall be President (Principal of member school), Vice-President (Principal of member school), and Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2

The above new officers shall be installed to hold office at the spring meeting (February).

Section 3

The above officers shall be rotated bi-annually, among the member schools, in order of succession agreed upon.

Section 4

Newly elected member schools shall be eligible for succession to office starting in the last position.

Section 5

No member school may refuse the responsibility of office by resignation, declination, nor can it succeed itself in the same office.

Section 6

In case any officer of the conference moves from the district, his/her successor or designee shall fill the term. The appointment shall be approved at the next meeting of the conference.

Section 7

The duties of the officers shall be such as usually pertain to their respective offices.

• In the case of any dispute, the President shall appoint an arbitration committee consisting of the President and representatives of two other member schools, neither of which shall be involved in the dispute.
• It shall be the duty of the Vice-President or designee, preside at all meetings in the absence of the President.
• It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer to keep accurate minutes of the conference meetings and to mail/email copies of the minutes to the principal of each member school following any meeting. In addition, he/she shall keep such other records as may be assigned to this position. It shall be a further duty to keep accurate financial records to be reported at each meeting denoting the status of the treasury and provide an annual financial report at the Spring meeting (February). He/she shall turn over to his/her successor, the Secretary, and financial books, along with the treasury balance at the Spring meeting. The Secretary-treasurer shall be responsible for awards to championship teams. Beginning 2018-2019 secretary will be responsible for creating all sports master schedules for a two-year cycle.
• The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive $200 per year, plus expenses.

Article VI: Dues and Assessments

Section 1

The dues for each sport shall be $50, plus $5 per league. Note: Other fees incurred by member schools include, but is not limited to, sport scheduling websites (rschool, Schedule Star), arbiter (assigning website), assigner fees per sport.

Section 2

The dues are payable as follows:

• Secretary-Treasurer will send a due bill.
• Dues are payable in advance of the fall meeting for the coming year and are set at the last meeting of each school year upon approval by member schools.

Section 3

If assessments are needed, they can be approved by the membership.

Article VII: Athletic Relations

Section 1

Members are permitted to schedule games/matches with non-league schools except on the dates when regularly scheduled league contests are held.

Section 2

The league schedules, as adopted, shall be played upon the dates selected except by mutual consent in accordance with the by-laws for that sport. All league games/contests must be played.

Section 3

Any school that does not abide by the Constitution regulations and League By-Laws shall not be eligible for any trophies or honors awarded by that League. It shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of member schools to find a school guilty of violating this section of the Constitution.

Section 4

An approved league schedule constitutes a contract between member schools.

Section 5

The league by a majority vote of the member schools, may officially censure a school for just cause.

Section 6

The league, by a unanimous vote of the remaining member schools, may dismiss a team from league membership for just cause.

Section 7

All league schedules will be adopted by majority vote and will be presented at the Fall meeting prior to the new PIAA enrollment cycle (odd calendar year). The new schedules will begin in the next year (even calendar year).

Article VIII: Vote

Section 1

Each member school principal, or his designated agent or representative shall have one vote on conference issues. On league issues, each member school in good standing through their principal, or his designated agent or representative, may vote.

Section 2

All schools represented shall vote on all issues requiring a vote.

Article IX: Parliamentary Procedure

Section 1

Robert's Law of Parliamentary Procedure shall be followed at all meetings.

Section 2

A copy of these laws shall be owned by the Conference and possessed by the president during his term of office.

Article X: Amendments

Section 1

This constitution and by-laws may be amended at any meeting of the conference provided a notice in writing shall be given to each member school at least two weeks prior to said meeting. All points of judgment shall be resolved by the league officials as they occur without appeal in all leagues of the Mid-Penn Athletic Conference.

Section 2

A three-fourths (3/4) majority roll call vote of the total membership shall be necessary for approval of all proposed amendments. The amendments so adopted shall become effective immediately.

Section 3

The secretary shall keep a detailed account of any action which changes the by-laws. The secretary shall summarize all additions or changes to the by-laws and shall furnish each member of the Conference a revised copy.

By-Laws

In General

1. All assigners will be paid $125 per sport per school. It is understood that boys soccer, girls soccer, boys basketball and girls basketball are considered separate sports.

2. Officials may be assigned by contracted assigners or member athletic directors and paid no less than the Mid-Penn established rates.

3. There must be at least four (4) schools enrolled to constitute a league.

All-Star team rosters

Boys/Girls Soccer - 4 forwards, 4 midfielders, 4 defenders, 1 goalie

Boys/Girls Basketball - 5 first team and 5 second team

Wrestling - by weight class (14 total)

Baseball/Softball - 5 infielders, 4 outfielders, 2 pitchers, 2 catchers

All-Star selection process

A. The selection process begins with the sport chairperson notifying all member schools of a coaches meeting date, time, and location within the first two weeks of the regular season schedule.

B. A nominee ballot as set by the chairperson will be forwarded to all athletic directors at least two weeks prior to the conclusion of the regular season. Nomination forms are to be returned as set by the chairperson. It is the responsibility of the athletic director to forward information to their coaches.

C. A coaches meeting will be held on the Sunday following the last regular season playing date. Head coaches must be present at this meeting. No meeting will be held for wrestling as it will be done by email and strictly by weight class record.

D. A record of the all-star teams named should be forwarded to the conference secretary for media publication.

E. Coach or representative attendance:

1. A $100 penalty will be assessed to any school that does not have the head coach or school representative attending the scheduled date for an all-star meeting for any sport.
2. The head coach or representative may vote for their own players for all-star and MVP selection.
3. Nominated players that do NOT have a head coach or school representative at an all-star meeting may still be considered for the all-star and MVP selection process.

Basketball

1. All Junior Varsity games will begin no later than 6:30 pm and Varsity games will start no later than 8:00 pm. Schools can mutually agree to adjust start times when necessary.

2. Postponed games are to be played as soon as possible.

3. The Varsity schedule shall be played as a division (playing each twice) and crossover (play opposing division once) master schedule. The divisions will be named East and West. (beginning 2020-21)

• A conference championship for both Boys and Girls will be played at the conclusion of the regular season. First place teams in each division will be the opponents.
• Tie-breaker procedure for two teams tied for first place in a division:
  • Divisional record
  • Head-to-Head Match up
  • League record
  • Power Ranking
  • Overall Winning Percentage
• Tie-breaker procedure if more than two teams tied for first place in a division:
  • League Record
  • Power ranking
  • Overall Winning Percentage

4. Junior Varsity and Junior High teams will not compete for any award or honors.

5. Varsity team members wearing team apparel with sneakers may shoot at half time of the JV game. Non-basketball players will not be allowed on the gym floor, before, during or after any game. Home team is responsible of having basketballs available for the visiting team.

6. Junior High basketball games will begin at 6:00 for grade 7 and approximately 7:00 for grade 8.

Baseball & Softball

1. Starting times for all contests will be 4:30 pm. Schools can mutually agree to adjust start times when necessary.

2. Postponed games are to be re-scheduled on the next available date for both schools.

3. Suspended games will be scheduled as soon as possible.

4. The league championship for baseball and softball will be determined by a straight season schedule. In the case of a tie for the league championship, co-champions will be declared.

5. Umpires will be paid in accordance with adopted fee schedule. However, combined Varsity /JV games will have a 3-inning cap for the JV game following the Varsity game and umpires paid the adopted fee. Varsity games only results in paying umpires the adopted fee. JV game only will have umpires paid at adopted fee and the JV game will have a 5-inning cap. It is understood that JV games played beyond either 3 or 5 innings will have umpires paid the adopted JV game fee.

6. Junior High Softball will play seven (7) innings in accordance with NFHS Rules. Effective for Fall 2020 season.

7. The Varsity schedule shall be played as a division (playing each twice) and crossover (play opposing division once) master schedule. The divisions will be named East and West.

• Tie-breaker procedure for two teams tied for first place in a division:
  • Divisional record
  • Head-to-Head Match up
  • League record
  • Power Ranking
  • Overall Winning Percentage
• Tie-breaker procedure if more than two teams tied for first place in a division:
  • League Record
  • Power ranking
  • Overall Winning Percentage

Wrestling

The schedule for each season is the responsibility of schools in the league.

All meets will begin at 7:00 pm. Junior High matches will begin at 6:00 pm. Schools can mutually agree to adjust start times when necessary.

The league championship will be determined by a straight season. In case of a tie for the league championship, co-champions will be declared.

Golf

1. Each school will host one match comprised of the teams in the Mid-Penn.

2. All matches will be 9 holes.

Soccer

1. The starting times will 4:30 pm until the first Monday in October. The start times will then become 4:00. Schools can mutually agree to adjust the start times when necessary.

2. Postponed games must be re-scheduled at the next available date for both schools.

3. Suspended games will be scheduled as soon as possible.

4. Overtime lengths are set as the NFHS and PIAA standard. They are two (2) ten-minute periods of sudden death during the regular season. Regular season tournaments are NOT included in this procedure.

5. The league championship will be determined by a straight season. In case of a tie for the league championship, co-champions will be declared. Three points are awarded for a win and one point for a tie.

6. JV games will be played up to a maximum of thirty-minute halves.

Tennis

1. Schedule: Each school will host one home and one away match comprised of the teams in the Mid-Penn.

2. Protocol for Competition Ladder: The following will be overseen by the tennis league chairman:

1. Each member school must submit a competition ladder to the tennis chair halfway through the season and the ladder may not change. Movement on the ladder may occur barring injury. Players may move up or down one position only on the ladder because of injury.
2. Coaches must possess proof of challenge matches at every league match in case opposing coaches have competition ladder questions.
3. The following ladder positions must be played at the indicated positions (see table below):

*** The added values of the ladder positions must be lower at your #1 doubles position in comparison to #2 doubles.

Appendix A

Sport Chairs

2022-2024

Soccer - Matt Aten

Basketball - Anthony Melito

Tennis / Wrestling - Mike Snyder

Baseball / Softball - Curt Chilson

Golf - Tyler Koser

Appendix B

Officials Fees

2019-2023

* Officials working Varsity Field Hockey or Soccer games that are suspended prior to half time will receive $35. Any game suspended in the second half will result in each official being paid the full varsity fee of $70. (The game is now official since it has reached half time.) In any game stopped before the official start time due to weather or an emergency, each official will receive $25 to cover expenses. (Adopted 8/17/2011)

Mid-Penn All Star Selection Process by Sport

Baseball/Softball

1. The All-Star meeting will be held on the Sunday following the end of the regular season.

2. The All-Star team for both baseball and softball will consist of a 1st and 2nd team.

3. The All-Star team for both baseball and softball will consist of the following: 1 catcher, 2 pitchers, 4 infielders, 3 outfielders, and one utility player.

4. The individual with the highest number of votes will be named the League’s Most Valuable Player.

5. The All-Star teams will be forwarded to the conference secretary to be released to the media.

6. Nominations and voting for Coach of the Year will conclude the meeting

Basketball

1. Coaches submit their nominations to the chairperson by established date.

2. Coaches pick an overall MVP; this athlete is then removed from the 1st or 2nd team votes.

3. Coaches pick a Defensive MVP; this athlete is then removed from the 1st or 2nd team votes.

4. Coaches will receive a ballot to rank nominated athletes.

• 5 athletes for the First Team.
• 5 athletes for the Second Team.
• Nominations and voting for Coach of the Year will conclude the meeting.

Soccer

1. Coaches can nominate a maximum of SIX players from their team for All-Star consideration.

2. The Soccer Chairman places all names on a ballot prior to the meeting.

3. Coaches engage in an open discussion regarding nominated players.

4. Coaches do not vote for their own players.

5. Coaches rank the top four players in each category (forwards, midfielders and defenders) and choose one goalkeeper through discussion and/or voting.

6. Following All-Star selections, coaches will choose from the list of Mid-Penn All-Stars to name an All-State selection (see below)

7. Nominations are made for Boys/Girls Coach of the Year and should be done on a weighted scale, if necessary, and if there is more than on nominee.

Coaches Voting for Boys/Girls All-State Nominees (This is the Soccer MVP)

1. Please take seriously the integrity of the Mid-Penn Conference when choosing your all-state selection, with no regard for the nominee's home school. We want our All-State selection to be the best-skilled player that will represent our conference now and in a possible future collegiate career.

2. The grade level of an individual should not be considered; we are selecting the best player, regardless of age or grade. This is not a senior award!

3. Your selection should not only be based on the two games against one another, but rather the entire season. Coaches may vote for their own player.

4. A team does not have to have an All-State nominee if they do not have a player of all-state caliber.

5. Please consider skill, anticipation, tactical and strategic maneuvers, and caliber of competition.

6. Voting for All-State will be on a weighted scale (5-3-1), depending on the number of nominees, by head coaches and any assistant coach, that has paid their dues to PSCA prior to the meeting.

Tennis

The Mid-Penn will recognize the team with the best overall record as Mid-Penn champions. Ties will be broken on head-to-head and then have co-champions if split regular season matches.

The Mid-Penn will recognize an MVP as well as three first team selections at all five positions (3 singles and 2 doubles).

The Chairperson for tennis will be responsible for administering the selection process as outlined below:

1. Only 6 league matches will count toward the all-star selection process.
2. Any player must participate in 4 of 6 matches to be considered for selection.
3. The #1 singles player with the overall best record will be considered the league MVP and 1st team all-star. If a tie occurs between two players, the league will honor them as co-MVPs.
4. Each of the three singles positions and two doubles positions will be awarded a first and second team all-star based on league record and winning percentage.
5. If a tie occurs between players in the same ladder positions, they will use head-to-head and then have co-all-stars.

Coach of the Year

Coach of the year will be determined by a coach's vote at the end of the season. The coach with the most votes will be honored as "Coach of the Year." Ties will not be broken. They will be honored as "Co-Coaches of the Year."

Wrestling

1. The Mid-Penn will recognize the team with the best overall league record as the Mid-Penn Champions. Ties will be broken on head-to-head criteria. The league will honor co-champions and tri-champions if necessary.

2. The Mid-Penn will recognize an MVP as well as 14 first team wrestlers regardless of weight class.

3. The Chairperson for wrestling will be responsible for administering the selection process as outlined below:

• Only the 5 league matches will count toward the all-star selection process.
• Any wrestler must participate in 4 of 5 league matches to be considered for selection.
• The top 14 records regardless of weight class will be named first team Mid-Penn all-star.
• Ties will be broken using head-to-head criteria, and total team points.

Coach of the Year and Outstanding Wrestler

Coach of the Year and league MVP will be determined by a coach's vote at the end of the season. The coach with the most votes will be honored as "Coach of the Year". The wrestler with the most votes will be honored as the league "Outstanding Wrestler of the Year". Ties will not be broken. They will be honored as "Co-Outstanding Wrestlers".

Golf

1. The Mid-Penn will recognize an MVP as well as four team selections for boys and girls.

2. The Chairperson for golf will be responsible for administering the selection process as follows:

• Only the four league matches will count toward the all-star selection process.
• Any golfer must participate in three of the four league matches to be considered for selection.
• The male and female golfer with the lowest stroke average will be considered the league MVP and 1st team all-star. If a tie occurs between two golfers, the league will honor them as CO-MVP's.
• The four male and four female golfers other than the MVPs with the lowest stroke average will be honored as Mid-Penn 1st Team All-Stars. If a tie occurs between the 4th and 5th all-star selection, the final list will include both as selections.
• To be considered for the All-Star team an individual must have a 45-stroke average or less for the boys and 50 or less for the girls.