Frequently Asked Questions
State Games, a program of the Alabama Sports Festival (ASF) Foundation, Inc., instills in our athletes the importance of academic excellence and good citizenship, providing opportunities to compete in Olympic-style games. The ASF Foundation was founded in 1982 at the request of the United States Olympic Committee and is a charter member of the National Congress of State Games.
Who can compete?
A participant must be a resident of the State of Alabama for at least 30 days prior to the day of competition they wish to enter. In addition, out-of-state full-time students who are enrolled in an Alabama college or university are eligible, as are U.S. military personnel and their family members stationed in Alabama.
Athletes residing in a state adjacent to Alabama who belong to a club based in Alabama and regularly train/compete in Alabama are eligible. Plus, participants in designated individual sports may be eligible to compete.
The ASF Foundation reserves the right to restrict individuals and/or teams from competing in the Games for the best interest of the event.
The ASF Foundation reserves the right to restrict individuals and/or teams from competing in the State Games for the best interest of the event.
When and where will the 2013 State Games be held?
State Games XXXI will be held June 21-23, 2013, in Birmingham, Alabama. Check each specific sport page for times and dates of each event. Opening Ceremonies for all participants will be held Friday, June 21, 2013.
How do I register?
To enter the State Games, carefully read the information concerning your specific sport of interest from www.alagames.com. Follow the step by step registration instructions and submit by entry deadline. Athletes may compete in any number of sports, yet conflicts in scheduling are the responsibility of the athlete.
Do I have to provide proof of age?
Proof of age is required. Copies of Birth Certificate, eligibility list, Military I.D. and/or driver's license are acceptable proof-of-age documents. Do not mail or hand-deliver any proof-of-age documents to the ASF Foundation. The coach/participant should have proof-of-age documents on hand at the event site. In case of eligibility disputes, lack of proper documentation may result in disqualification of individual participants and/or team.
What are the registration fees and what about the refund policy and weather issues?
Each sport has its own entry fee requirements. Consult the appropriate sport section of our Web site or the athlete flyer for entry fee amounts. There will be NO REFUNDS of entry fees because of rain or other acts of nature, or if an athlete or team fails to participate. Sports using outdoor sites are weather dependent. Competitions will be conducted unless State Games officials determine otherwise, or if the playing fields would incur significant damage.
What about returned checks?
It is the ASF Foundation's policy to charge a $40 service fee for returned checks in addition to the amount of the original check. The applicant will only be able to participate when the entry fee and service fee have been paid.
What type of awards are given?
State Games medals awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each event. Athletes are responsible for pick-up of awards at the venue on the day of the event.
If I win an Academic Scholarship, how do I receive it?
When you have finalized which university or college (in-State or out-of-State) you will attend, please send the following items to the ASF Foundation Office, P. O. Box 20327, Montgomery, AL 36120-0327:
- A copy of your 2 or 4 year university or college acceptance letter
- Your social security number
- The date you will begin classes
Upon receipt of the above information, the Academic Scholarship will be forwarded to the registrar's office of the college or university that you choose. The scholarship check will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to you beginning classes. An ASF Foundation Academic Scholarship can be used for continuing education classes or transferred to a family member.
What about insurance coverage?
Insurance is the responsibilty of each participant. In some instances, the National Governing Body (NGB's), which sanctions an event, may have secondary coverage. In the event of an emergency, injury or illness, medical aid will be contacted. Competition preparation, such as taping, is the responbility of the participant.
What about heat-related issues?
Due to the heat in the summer months, dehydration and heat-related illnesses are common. It is important for each athlete to bring ample supply of fluids to maintain adequate hydration during their event. We recommend you stay out of the sun when not competing and to decrease your effort if heat is extreme.
Can I smoke?
Tobacco use (cigarettes, cigar) is not allowed at any venue (indoors and outdoors). We appreciate you respecting your fellow competitors, spectators and volunteers by not using tobacco products.
What about medical emergencies?
In the event of a serious injury, the University of Birmingham (UAB) Hospital Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day and is located at 1802 6th Avenue South in the Medical Center District on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus. The main number is 205-934-5100.
Does the ASF Foundation provide housing and food?
Athletes and coaches are responsible for their own housing and food, and checking and agreeing to the hotel/motel's cancellation policy. Arrangements are being made with Birmingham Metro Area hotels and motels for a special athletic rate for participants in the 2013 State Games. Once registration begins, hotel information will be announced. Please advise the hotel/motel that you are part of the ASF Foundation State Games and wish to receive the special athletic rate.
What uniform should I wear?
All contestants must comply with uniform requirement of their sport. The ASF Foundation reserves the right to disqualify any participant whose uniform is thought to negatively affect the Games.
What is the Alabama Sports Officials Bill?
The Alabama Sports Officials Bill creates new crimes of harassing, menacing and assaulting sports officials, coaches and administrators. The punishments are harsher than normal for convictions for harassment, menacing and assault. For example, a second-degree assault can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, but under the new law, a second-degree assault of a sports official, coach, and administrator could result in a sentences of up to 20 years.
Alabama has become the 16th state to toughen the punishment of angry fans who attack game officials, coaches, and administrators.
The legislation applies to all levels of athletics from church softball to professional sports.
What behavior is expected?
Participation in the State Games as an athlete, coach, parent or spectator is a privilege that can be revoked for inappropriate behavior. We expect everyone to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner or be subject to ejection from the playing and spectator area.
Code of Ethics
Purpose: A Code of Ethics is an essential tool with which to protect and promote competition in the best interests of athletes, coaches, spectators, Game Officials, and the State Games program. Ethics is defined as: "the basic principles of right action or good conduct."
- I. The ASF Foundation has designated the State Games Officials as the persons with full authority to see that this code of ethics/conduct and competition is conducted as outlined and within the highest principles.
- II. It is the duty of the Coach to be in control of his/her players at all times in order to prevent any unsportsmanlike act toward opponents, officials, volunteers or spectators.
- III. Coaches are expected to comply wholeheartedly with the intent and spirit of the rules. To deliberately teach players to violate the rules is indefensible and a Coach will be subject to suspension for a period of time.
- IV. Coaches should confine their discussion with State Games Officials to the interpretation of the rules and not constantly challenge official decisions involving judgment. A continuing practice of challenging judgment of an official could result in the Coach being suspended for the remainder of the game and being required to leave the competition site. Failure to leave the competition site will result in a forfeiture of the game.
- V. Coaches should expect a courteous and dignified attitude toward both players and themselves from Game Officials. If this attitude is not apparent, a written letter should be delivered to the Alabama Sports Festival Chief Executive Officer.
- VI. It is the responsibility of Coaches and State Games Officials to place the welfare of the athletes ahead of all other matters. Coaches and State Games Officials are obligated to seek immediate medical attention for any athlete who is injured during the course of competition.
- VII. State Games Officials have the responsibility of conducting the contests in a dignified, professional and unbiased manner and shall deal with all situations in the spirit of good sportsmanship and in the best interests of amateur athletics and the Alabama Sports Festival.
- VIII. Unruly behavior by spectators towards players, coaches, officials and/or volunteers will not be tolerated. Such behavior may result in the dismissal of the offending spectator from the competition site by the State Games Officials and enforced by the Tournament Director.
- IX. Abusive or insulting language by athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers and/or spectators will not be tolerated. Such behavior may result in the dismissal of the offending person from the competition site by the State Games Officials and enforced by the Venue Director.
- X. It is the responsibility of the athlete to be familiar with the rules of play governing their competition and to adhere to these rules. The willful violation of any rule of play by an athlete or coach may result in their dismissal for the remainder of tournament play by the State Games Officials.
- XI. The responsibility of upholding the ideals of the Olympics, the foundation of the ASF Foundation's State Games, is to be held in the highest regard by all parties associated with this event and any violations will be dealt with by the ASF Foundation office.
- XII. Each venue or facility has rules and regulations (either posted or contained in a book) that all athletes, coaches, parents and spectators must abide by and adhere to in order to ensure safety and sportsmanlike conduct. If these rules are violated by anyone, then the venue or facility manager, director or owner has full authority to ask those persons to leave the premises. All violations will be brought to the attention of an ASF Foundation staff person and then proper action, such as disqualification or dismissal, will be taken. Repeat violations of venue or facility rules will result in loss of privilege to participate in the ASF Foundation's State Games. The judgment or ruling of the ASF Foundation staff member and venue or facility manager, director or owner is final.
How are disputes handled?
Judgement calls made by officials are final. No video camera appeals are allowed.
Action taken against athletes and/or coaches who are proven to be in violation of the framework and/or rules of the sports in which they are participating shall be determined by a Protest Committee; consisting of the Tournament Director and /or Sport Commissioner, ASF Foundation Regional Manager, and the ASF Foundation Executive Director.
Decisions made by the Protest Committee having immediate impact on the competition are final and will not be subject to appeal. Any decision made by the Protest Committee regarding future sanctions or penalties against a team or individual may be appealed in writing to the ASF Foundation Board of Directors.
The protest will be addressed at a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors. In the event that rules governing player/coach eligibility, behavior and/or conduct are violated, the following sanctions may be applied:
- 1st violation - Forfeiture of all games played and medals won;
- 2nd violation - One-year suspension from competition;
- 3rd violation - Indefinite suspension from competition.
