2012 GirlsÕ State Basketball Tournament
Regulations and Guidelines
This letter spells out information and regulations associated with participation in the 2012 GirlsÕ State Basketball Tournament. This information is being posted well before qualifying teams are known in order for some preparation to be made in advance. Please contact our office should questions about the state tournament remain after reviewing this letter. Keep in mind regulations as posted in the basketball tournament manual shall apply unless otherwise specified in this letter or in other associated correspondence.
STATE TOURNAMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION
Rosters and season results will
be retrieved from the QuikStats website (www.quikstatsiowa.com). Please
review your rosters and be sure they are updated and the information (NUMBERS,
spelling, year, position, height) is correct. IF THE INFORMATION IS LISTED
INCORRECTLY ON QUIKSTATS, IT WILL BE LISTED INCORRECTLY IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT
PROGRAM. THE IGHSAU
DEVELOPS THE OFFICIAL SCORESHEETS FROM THESE
ROSTERS. IF THEY ARE INCORRECT IN
THE OFFICIAL SCOREBOOK, YOUR TEAM IS AT RISK FOR RECEIVING A TECHNICAL FOUL IF
THE NUMBERS AND NAMES ARE INCORRECT IN THE SCOREBOOK. PLEASE
DOUBLE-CHECK THIS.
Statistics for 1A/2A state qualifiers must be updated through the
regional final on QuikStats no later than noon on Tuesday, February
21. Statistics for 3A/4A state
qualifiers must be updated through the regional final no later than noon on
Wednesday, February 22.
There is an information sheet
posted on the IGHSAU website for coaches to download (it is a Microsoft Word
document) and fill out. When you
have completed the form, save it and e-mail it as an attachment to Jason
Eslinger (jasoneslinger@ighsau.org). Coaches no longer need to go online to
fill out the roster and results information. Click here
to download the state tournament information sheet.
In addition to the team information sheet. all regional finalists must e-mail a team photo, along with information identifying everyone in the photo, to Jason Eslinger (jasoneslinger@ighsau.org). Please keep the size of the photo under 5 mb.
Photo and information sheets must be submitted to the IGHSAU no
later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 20.
Please meet these important deadlines. Failure to have information submitted on
time will result in your team being omitted from our state tournament program.
ROYAL PUBLISHING
Royal Publishing is authorized by the IGHSAU to sell ŌhometownĶ
advertisements to be included in the 2012 state basketball program. If your team qualifies for the state
tournament, area businesses in your communities and your
booster club will likely be contacted by Royal Publishing in regard to
purchasing an advertisement in the state tournament program. Businesses and booster clubs are in no
way obligated to purchase an ad---but may do so if they wish.
MANDATORY STATE BASKETBALL VIDEO EXCHANGE
It is the responsibility of each head coach who qualifies for the state tournament to make appropriate communication with the head coach of his/her first round state tournament opponent to facilitate a video exchange from each teamÕs regional semifinal and regional final games. Video exchange shall occur the day after completion of the respective regional final games and shall be by next-day mail or physical delivery. If mutually agreed to by both opposing coaches, video exchange does not have to be made.
IOWA BANKERS SCHOLARSHIP
The Iowa Bankers Association is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship and Student Achievement Award at the 2012 Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament. One scholarship will be awarded in each of the four classes. All state tournament qualifying teams are asked to nominate one senior on your basketball team that you believe possesses the scholastic, leadership, and citizenship skills necessary to receive this award. Only one student per qualifying school may be nominated. Nomination forms must be received by the Iowa Bankers Association by Friday, February 24. This presentation will take place immediately after introductions prior to each championship game.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Each school shall select an adult from their community who exemplifies good sportsmanship and proper decorum. Immediately prior to the team introductions at the first round games for all teams, a presentation will be made at center court to the representatives chosen by the two participating teams. A $250 award will be presented to each school at that time.
ATHLETIC UNION OFFICE
The Athletic Union office in Wells Fargo Arena will be located in the Business Suite on the 200 Level. This office will be staffed through the conclusion of the final game each day of the tournament. Scores, box scores and other statistics will be posted on the Athletic Union web site (www.ighsau.org) following each game throughout the week.
WELLS FARGO ARENA TICKETING
Wells Fargo Arena has three seating levels. The 100 Level, referred to as the lower bowl, seats over 8,000. The 200 Level surrounds the middle of the arena and seats over 2,000. The 300 Level, referred to as the upper deck, seats over 6,000. Your ticket allows seating in any location, although the upper deck is closed to all seating unless the size of the crowd warrants its use. All tickets are general admission for $8. Wells Fargo Arena does not accept checks. Advance tickets are available for purchase either at the Wells Fargo Box Office, by telephone at 866-553-2457, or through the Wells Fargo web site (www.iowaeventscenter.com).
Corporately-owned suites are located throughout the building. Access to the suite-level is available solely for these suite owners and any school administrator needing access to the IGHSAU Office located in the Business Suite. There are no suite rentals available from the Athletic Union during the week of the tournament.
There is no public seating on the floor level of the arena. Only media, participating teams, cheerleaders, pep bands, entertainers, working officials, and coaches holding IGHSAU-issued access passes or wristbands are permitted access to the floor level.
WHO MUST HOLD A TICKET All spectators kindergarten and older must purchase a ticket. Children not yet in school will NOT require a ticket. Cost is $8 per session. Doors for each session of the tournament open 60 minutes prior to tip-off of the first game.
SALE OF TICKETS:
FIRST ROUND: Tickets for sale to your community will be sent via UPS from the State Office to all 32 state qualifiers on the day following your qualifying for the State Tournament. Contact Sherry Tegtmeier (515-288-9741) or sherry@ighsau.org should you have ticket questions or additional needs beyond the tickets sent through the initial allotment to your school.
SECOND ROUND: If your school wins its first round game, second round tickets will be available for community sale. At the end of your first round game, an administrator MUST pick these tickets up in the IGHSAU administrative office in the Business Suite on the 200 Level.
IMPORTANT
NOTE - All unsold tickets must be returned to the IGHSAU administrative office
in the Business Suite on the 200 Level at Wells Fargo Arena prior to your game.
Due to the ticketing structure in place at Wells Fargo Arena, tickets which are not returned prior to your game will be
considered ŌsoldĶ and your school will be appropriately billed. Please notify Sherry at the IGHSU office
if you have sold all your tickets and plan to send a check later.
It is recommended spectators purchase first and second round tickets from their school, as this will alleviate any wait at the box office windows. Ticket-holders may enter the arena from the northwest entrance, or the skywalk entrance – the two closest entrances to parking areas. Those without a ticket must purchase a ticket at the Wells Fargo Arena box office located on the southwest corner of the arena. The third entrance to the arena is located at the box office.
CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS: If your school advances to a championship game, tickets will NOT be sent back to your community, but rather sold on-site at Wells Fargo Arena.
Advanced ticket sale windows behind Section 101 will open immediately upon the conclusion of each first and second round game, and remain open through half-time of the following game. This schedule is to accommodate fans from a winning team seeking to buy their ticket for the next round.
In addition, all 13 box office windows at the southwest entrance to the arena will sell advance round tickets at any time. Please note the main box office is located on the lower level in the southwest corner of the building and outside of the ticketed area. In order to watch additional games of a session after purchasing an advance round ticket, individuals must use the advance sale windows behind section 101.
ADMINISTRATORS ADMISSION
School Administrators (and
spouses) will be admitted with their
administrator pass during any session their team is playing. They must enter through the VIP PASS
GATE located at the northwest corner of the arena. They must show their pass and have photo
ID available. The front row of the
spectator seating area is reserved for school administrators to facilitate
supervision of their student sections.
It is the expectation that each participating school have administrators
located there for supervision.
GENERAL ADMISSION SEATING GUIDANCE
Home team spectators (bottom line of a pairing bracket) should sit on the west (team and scorerÕs bench) side of the arena. Visiting team spectators (top line of a pairing bracket) should sit on the east (opposite the team and scorerÕs bench) side of the arena.
Public address announcements and the overhead video-board will provide game-day direction for the transition of fans from one game to the next.
TEAM AND CHEERLEADER ENTRANCE INTO WELLS FARGO ARENA
There is one Pass Gate for the participating team travel party and cheerleaders. It is located at the NE corner (2nd St.) of the Arena, at street level. This is also the only entrance for a participating team wishing to enter to watch a session of the tournament in which it is not participating. No tickets are provided for the team travel party or cheerleaders. Rather, you will be issued wristbands upon entering the pass gate. A new wristband is issued each day.
Wristbands are required to be at floor level. Specific instructions for the wristband use will be given to teams at check-in. There are no concession or merchandise stands on floor level. Players, coaches, managers, pep band members, or cheerleaders wishing to access the public areas of the building can do so only WEARING a wristband and only through a designated access point. Likewise, access to the floor from the public area is only available to those WEARING a wristband or IGHSAU credentials.
The official team travel party is limited to a total of 23 persons (coaches, players, chaperone, SCOREKEEPER, and managers . A team may have no more than 15 players in uniform. THE ENTIRE PARTY (up to 23) MUST ENTER TOGETHER. Under no circumstances will anyone in excess of 23 be allowed admittance to floor level or entry through the pass gate. Under no circumstances shall there be more than 18 people seated in the teamÕs chairs! Each school determines who will be included in its travel party. One bus driver per school will be allowed free admittance----they must enter through the VIP Pass Gate located in the northwest corner of the building. Children under high school age may be part of the travel party but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Each participating school is also allowed one LICENSED ATHLETIC TRAINER during the session in which it participates. The name of that certified trainer must be emailed to Joel Oswald (joel@ighsau.org) by noon on Thursday, February 23 in order for this trainer to secure admission. This trainer MUST enter through the VIP Pass Gate located at the Northwest corner of the facility. If this is not done, the trainer must be included in your team party of 23 and enter with the team party through the regular pass gate.
Each participating school is allowed up to six cheerleaders in uniform during the session in which it participates. These cheerleaders must enter through the team pass gate. This allowance is above and beyond the 23 included in the team travel party. One cheerleading supervisor will also be admitted through the team pass gate when accompanying the cheerleaders. Remember, a mascot is considered as one of the six cheerleaders.
PEP BANDS
Each of the participating schools is allowed to bring their Pep Band to perform during the game in which they are playing. This will only be during the first two rounds---there will be no Pep Bands during the championship games. This is not a requirement but rather an option subject to approval of your local school administration. The Pep Band will enter through the team Pass Gate located at the northeast corner of the arena. Each member of the Pep Band must have a ticket---which will be exchanged for a wristband upon entering. This ticket can be purchased from your community allotment or at Wells Fargo Arena ticket booth. The band director will be admitted free of charge with their group. One bus driver will be admitted free---they should enter through the VIP Pass Gate located at the northwest corner of the arena. An IGHSAU staff member will provide assistance in getting them set up and information about the performing protocol upon their arrival.
COACHES ALLOWED AT THE FLOOR LEVEL
Basketball coaches (and spouses) will be allowed to sit on the floor level of Wells Fargo Arena.---this includes all teams regardless whether playing in the state tournament, or not. The basketball coaches and their spouses must purchase a ticket and then enter through the VIP Pass Gate at the northwest corner. They will give their ticket to Monte Wilson, an IGHSAU staff member, who will then issue them a wristband to wear which will allow them access to the floor and spectator seating areas. You will be asked to sign in----each school is limited to four people. No players or children will be permitted. Hopefully this will allow an opportunity to network with other coaches, officials and the IGHSAU staff.
TEAM TRANSPORTATION PARKING
After dropping off the team at the pass gate, participating team vehicles will be directed to designated parking in the north parking lot at VeteranÕs Auditorium. There is no charge for parking participating team vehicles. Other busses parking in the VetÕs lot are assessed $25 per day for parking.
SPECTATOR PARKING
Charter or pep busses carrying spectators will drive south on 3rd Street (this is a one-way street---need to be in the right lane) and drop off fans at the south entrance of Wells Fargo Arena. From there, they shall proceed directly south on 3rd Street to Park Street, turn right and go two blocks, turn right on 5th Street. Parking, free of charge, will be provided in the right lane immediately west of VeteranÕs Auditorium. If full, buses would proceed straight ahead to the far north lot and park for a $25 fee or can park elsewhere at their own choice and cost. After 6:00 p.m., buses can also park on the street free of charge.
Individual vehicle parking is available in the lot immediately north of VeteranÕs Auditorium. The lot charge is $7. Other parking options include parking ramps at 7th and Crocker, 5th and Grand, and 4th and Locust. A map showing recommended access to Wells Fargo Arena and surrounding parking is located at the following web site (http://www.i235.com/tournament_maps.htm). Be aware all downtown parking ramps are connected directly with Wells Fargo Arena via the skywalk system. Maps assisting spectatorsÕ travel from the Arena to I-235 will be available at the Arena and at the web site listed above.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau has provided a listing of hotels and rates. Click here to view the list.
PARADE OF TEAMS/BREAKFAST
There is no longer a Parade of Teams (Friday night) or Honors Breakfast (Saturday morning).
TRAINERS
A certified athletic trainer from Iowa Health Des Moines, Outpatient Therapy staff will be positioned at each end of the playing floor near the basket. They will go onto the playing floor only when directed by a coach. They are also available prior to each game for taping, treatment, etc. in a room across the hall from the locker rooms. Note – One certified athletic trainer will be admitted in addition to the 23 person travel party. The school must notify Joel Oswald by noon on Thursday, February 23 if they intend to bring their own certified athletic trainer. This athletic trainer must enter through the VIP Pass Gate located at the northwest entrance of Wells Fargo. If notification is not provided, any trainer must be part of the 23 travel party. No team trainers or school personnel are permitted in the seats designated for the IGHSAU training staff.
BASKETBALLS/TOWELS
Do not bring basketballs to Wells Fargo Arena. We will have balls for each team to use during the warm-up periods associated with your actual tournament games. The balls will be identical to those used in the tournament games. There will be no towels available at the Arena. Each team needs to furnish its own towels.
PRACTICE
Practice on the arena floor is prohibited prior to your actual pre-game time sequence. However, should your team wish to practice on a 94-foot floor prior to the tournament, it is acceptable to practice in other facilities as long as no school time is missed.
PRE-GAME WARM-UP
The playing floor will be available thirty minutes before each session. Teams will be allowed twenty minutes on the floor to warm-up between games. Specific instructions for team introductions will be given at the tournament.
DRESSING ROOMS IN THE ARENA
The dressing rooms are located on the west side of the arena. Each team is solely responsible for its own valuables. While each player will have a locker available in the dressing rooms, there is no area to lock valuables. Please make arrangements to have someone from your party safeguard any valuables. We have made every attempt to create a pleasant stay for your team while participating in the arena. No fans or parents will be allowed access to the floor level of the arena. Once a team member is dressed in uniform for the game, she will not be allowed access to any other level of the arena. Taping will be done in the sports medicine area across the hall from the dressing rooms.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Following each game, teams are given
a 5-minute cooling off period in their locker rooms. At
that point, the head coach and three players selected by the head coach are
required to report to the interview room to answer requests for interviews from
the media.
ARENA SECURITY
All bags and purses are subject to search by Wells Fargo Arena security prior to spectator entry. No outside food or drink is allowed to be carried into the arena by spectators.
BANNERS, SIGNS and NOISEMAKERS
The display or use of banners, signs, hoops, placards, or other paper product is strictly prohibited. Please educate your parents and fans accordingly so they know they cannot bring signs or banners into the arena. Please remind your students that Ōpounding on or kicking the seatsĶ is prohibited. Additionally any objects which provide a safety concern (pom-poms on a stick, helium products, etc) are prohibited. All artificial noisemakers (airhorns, cowbells, thunder-sticks, etc) are prohibited. Spectators will not be allowed to bring any of these items into the arena. Any of these items discovered in the arena will be confiscated by arena security. Uniformed cheerleaders may use signs or cards to lead cheers only.
PETS
Except as otherwise stated
herein, no pets are permitted at events sanctioned by the Union. Any
persons found with a pet at an event will be removed from the premises.
However, this policy shall comply with the provisions of Iowa Code ¤216C.
As such, a person with a disability or a person training an assistive animal
has the right to be accompanied by a service dog or an assistive animal, under
control. The person is liable for damage done to any premises or facility
by a service dog or assistive animal. A "service dog" means a
dog specially trained at a recognized training facility to assist a person with
a disability, whether described as a service dog, guide dog, hearing dog,
support dog, independence dog, or otherwise. An "assistive
animal" means a simian or other animal specially trained or in the process
of being trained under the auspices of a recognized training facility to assist
a person with a disability.
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOTAPING
Photography is permitted in the arena. Spectators may videotape as long as the equipment is hand-held, the taping is done from a ticketed seat, and no external power is utilized (no tripods). Photography or videotape shot for the purpose of re-sale or re-distribution is strictly prohibited.
One person from each team playing in that game will be allowed to videotape from above Section 116 in the ADA section---located on the east side of the main concourse. A tripod may be used in this section only. In order to videotape from this area, the person must secure a special pass from Jason Eslinger in the media room. If not part of the travel party of 23, it is the coachÕs responsibility to secure proper credentials from Jason Eslinger upon arriving.
Steve Pope Photography will provide photographic coverage of the GirlsÕ State Basketball Tournament. Steve will take action, reaction, and team photographs of all tournament games. Individual and team award ceremonies will be covered as well. After the tournament, photos can be viewed and ordered at www.stevepopephotography.com. Steve will have a display at the tournament with information concerning previewing and ordering photographs. All orders and inquiries for this event shall be made with Steve Pope Photography through his website (www.stevepopephotography.com) and/or phone number (515-770-1869).
YEARBOOK PHOTOGRAPHY
One yearbook/school newspaper photographer (still photography) per school is allowed. A request for this access must be sent by a school administrator via email to Monte Wilson (monte@ighsau.org) no later than February 24. Approved yearbook/school newspaper photographers must purchase a ticket to enter the building. The photographer shall report to Monte Wilson at the VIP Pass Gate located at the northwest entrance to the arena. At that location, a media pass will be issued in exchange for the photographerÕs ticket. No accommodations are granted for videographers, who are subject to the same videotaping regulations as any other spectator.
ALCOHOL & TOBACCO POLICY
No alcohol or tobacco is to be sold or consumed on the grounds of any state tournament venue leased or provided to the Athletic Union for the purpose of conducting a state championship.
Section 123.46 of the Iowa Code States: A person shall not possess or consume alcoholic liquors, wine or beer on a public school property or while attending a public or private school-related function. A person shall not be intoxicated or simulate intoxication in a public place. A person violating this subsection is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. This policy will be strictly enforced.
SPECTATOR ATTIRE
Notify your students and patrons that shoes and a shirt are required for admittance into all IGHSAU indoor events. No masks or apparel presenting a safety concern will be permitted. Anyone wearing clothing which is obscene or objectionable will be asked to remove the clothing and/or may be required to leave.
SPECTATOR CONDUCT
Each school is responsible for supervising and policing their own spectators regarding behavior and conduct.
The following
behaviors by spectators are not permitted at Iowa GirlsÕ High School Athletic
Union sanctioned competitions and shall result in the specified penalties.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
Immediately following the
completion of each game on Monday through Friday afternoon, a brief awards
presentation will be held to present a team trophy, individual plaques, and
cheerleaderÕs medals to the losing team and to announce the day and time of the
next competition for the winning team.
BOTH TEAMS AND THEIR CHEERLEADERS
SHALL REMAIN ON THE FLOOR FOR THIS AWARDS PRESENTATION. FAILURE TO DUE SO WILL RESULT IN AWARDS
NOT BEING PRESENTED AND SUBJECT THE VIOLATING SCHOOL TO OTHER SANCTIONS TO BE
DETERMINED BY THE ATHLETIC UNION BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Please instruct your team to come
forward to receive their awards.
Immediately following each championship game on Friday and Saturday night, an awards presentation will be made. The All-Tournament Team will be recognized, and trophies and medals will be awarded to the runner-up team followed by the championship team. A team picture will also be taken.
TRAVEL AND PER DIEM SUPPLEMENTS
Each qualifying team will receive travel and per diem allowances as per IGHSAU policy.
We sincerely hope this information assists you in planning your trip to the 2012 GirlsÕ State Basketball Tournament.
Mike Dick
Executive Director