Removal from Contest
Athletic Directors and Coaches:
As we approach the beginning of interscholastic competitions for our member schools, we want to take a moment to review the provisions of Section 138. Removal from a Contest – Ejections.
In football, in the event a player is removed from the contest, ejected or not allowed to return to the field of play, the minimum suspension shall be the remainder of the game and the first half of the next contest. In all other sports, the player shall serve a full one game suspension at the next scheduled contest shown on the schedule submitted to the TAPPS office prior to the season. The student fine for an ejection is $100 during the regular season and $200 during the playoffs. For a fan ejection, the school will be fined $250.
In the event a coach is removed from a contest, the suspension is for the remainder of the game and the next game for football and two games for all other sports. The coach fine for an ejection is $300 during the regular season and $500 during the playoffs. Any coach removed from a contest must exit the facility and is not allowed to be in the facility or in remote contact with the team during the game suspension. A student ejected may remain on the sideline for the game in which he is removed from the contest, but any further penalties assessed to the student will also result in penalties for the head coach. The student may not be on the sideline during the first half of the next contest.
The only appeal of an ejection allowed by the TAPPS By-Laws is an ejection for targeting in football. A school may appeal an ejection based on targeting for review by TAPPS and TASO. That appeal should come to the TAPPS office, not the officials’ chapter.
In the event a coach or player is removed from a contest, the school must report the incident on an Ejection Form located on the TAPPS Forms landing page:
Ejections must be reported by both TAPPS schools involved in the contest. If a student was removed from the final contest of the 2023-24 season, then that suspension must be served the first half of the school’s first contest the following year.
Finally, the practice of fans storming the court, field or pitch is not condoned by TAPPS and one that puts players, coaches and fans in a situation with potentially disastrous outcomes. The court/field has no place for fans prior to the game (especially during warmups), during the contest or after the contest while the teams still occupy the court or benches. It is incumbent upon the home school game administrators to ensure that the spectators respect the boundaries and do not interact with the teams or officials.
Schools whose fans rush the field/court/pitch with players and officials still on the court will be subject to the following:
First Offense – $1500 fine
Second Offense – $1500 fine and no fans at next game
Third Offense – Additional sanctions to be determined by TAPPS
Please join TAPPS in our 2024 commitment to Competition with Honor. If questions arise, please reach out to our office at [email protected] or by phone at 254-947-9268.