Coach Responsibilities

The coach or school official/employee must accompany and remain with the school's Academic League team members throughout all three matches or the school’s teams must forfeit the matches.

If a coach is unable to attend a match, he/she must submit a written notice to the Academic League Liaison in the Office of Leadership & Learning prior to the match. The notice must state the name of the school official who will accompany teams to the match along with his/her position at the school site, and be signed by the principal of the school. The Academic League Liaison will inform the moderator of the match.

Coaches are expected to distribute, go over, and use their discretion in monitoring the Academic League Contestant’s Code of Ethics. Moderators may ask a coach to replace a student who violates the Code of Ethics with a substitute player.

The coaches are expected to ensure proper decorum by all participants throughout the competition.

Coaches are encouraged to recommend potential moderators.

For a school to be eligible to compete, each coach is responsible for ensuring that his/her school sends an annual entry fee of $150.00

Protests and appeals concerning questions and scores will not be allowed once the moderator has made his/her ruling.

Protests and appeals will be heard on matters of procedure and rule interpretations by the Commissioner, with the advice of the Academic League Board. The Commissioner's decision shall be final.

If a protest will impact the outcome of a match, a coach may file a protest as follows:

• The coach may file a written protest or appeal within 24 hours of the disputed match with the Academic League Liaison in the Office of Leadership & Learning, and the liaison will contact the Commissioner.

• The coach must inform the moderator of his/her intent to file a written protest at the end of the disputed match.

• The moderator will inform the scorekeeper of the coaches' intent to protest upon calling in the score.

• The Commissioner may then seek written statements from any other coaches or officials involved.

• The Academic League Board shall be convened or contacted by the Commissioner before the end of the regular season.

• The Commissioner shall render a decision within five days after the protest or appeal is filed with the Academic League Liaison.

• Only the coach may contact league officials and speak on behalf of the team.

• All involved will respect the decision of the Academic League Board as final and make no further protests or appeals once rulings have been made.

Coach Feedback on Moderators: If any two Academic League coaches from separate schools agree that a particular moderator not be used again, the Commissioner is to be notified and given reasons for this recommendation. The Commissioner shall decide whether the moderator shall be retained or dismissed upon full investigation and with the advice of the Academic League Board. The Commissioner’s decision upon the retention or dismissal of moderators is final and may not be appealed.