Eligibility

Eligibility Pamphlet (Print Version)
In MS Word | In Adobe PDF

Protect Your Eligibility by Knowing the Rules
The Arizona Interscholastic Association is comprised of member schools that establish eligibility criteria for students to be able to participate.

When you become a member of an interscholastic team at your high school you will find that both your school and the AIA will have rules you must follow in order to be eligible to participate.

The information on this page will acquaint you with the major rules and regulations you must follow in order to maintain and protect your high school eligibility. Any questions you have concerning these essential requirements, or with your athletic eligibility, should be checked with your school assistant principal of activities or athletic director. These administrators have a complete copy of all AIA eligibility requirements.

Domicile Rule
You, whether an adult or not, are privileged with eligibility for interscholastic competition only at the school in which your parents or legal guardians are domiciled.

Age Limit/Birth Record Rule
If you become 19 years of age on or before September 1^st, you are NOT eligible for any part of that school year.

You must submit an acceptable original record of birth before your name is placed on an eligibility list for competition.

Permission to Participate
Using a form provided by your school, you must get signed permission to participate from your parents or legal guardian.

Activity Specific Parent Permission Form
In MS Word | In Adobe PDF

Permiso de Padres Para una Actividad Específica
en MS Word | en Adobe PDF

Physical Examination Rule
You must have a physical examination on file with the assistant principal of activities, stating that you are physically fit for interscholastic athletic competition. TUSD physical exam forms must be used and are available at each high school or at the links below.

Your physical examination for the following school year must be given on or after March 1^st.

The physical must be performed by a doctor of medicine (M.D.), osteopathic physician (D.O.), certified registered nurse practitioner (N.P.), or a certified physician's assistant (PA-C).

Annual Preparticipation Physical Evaluation
In MS Word | In Adobe PDF

Physical
In MS Word | In Adobe PDF

Doctors' Release
When an athlete or spirit line member is treated by a physician, a written release from that doctor must be received by the school's Athletic Trainer prior to participation in any practices or games.

Maximum Participation Rule
You may be eligible for no more than eight semesters after you enroll in the ninth grade and the 7^th & 8^th semesters must be consecutive.

Transfer Rule
If you move with your parents to a new school attendance area, you will be eligible at your new school provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.

If you transfer schools and your parents do not move into the attendance area of your new school, you will be ineligible for 365 days. Students who transfer schools without a domicile change can retain partial eligibility in those sports/activities in which the student was not active for the previous calendar year.

Amateur Rule
You must be an amateur. This means that you have never used and are not using your knowledge of athletics or athletic skill in an athletic contest for financial gain.

You shall participate and always have participated under your own name.

Recruitment Rule
AIA rules prohibit recruiting of high school students for athletic purposes. If you are solicited to enroll in or transfer to a school to participate in athletics, you are being illegally recruited and your eligibility is in jeopardy.

If the recruitment rule is violated you will not be eligible at any school until reinstated by the AIA Executive Board.

Sportsmanship Rule
If you are ejected from an interscholastic contest for unsportsmanlike conduct, you will be ineligible for your team's next contest.

You may also be subject to additional penalties.

Hazing/Initiation
Initiations/hazing is defined as any verbal or physical act that intimidates, degrades, disgraces, or injures any student; or forces someone to do ridiculous acts or suffer physical or emotional pain as an initiation to a group or program. There shall be no initiations/hazing of any student during District sponsored events, activities, and interscholastic functions.

Non School Participation
A student who is a member of a school team shall not practice or compete with any other group, club, organization, association, etc., in the same sport during the interscholastic season of competition. This applies to team sports: football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, track relay and swimming relay teams.

Home-Schooled Students
Notwithstanding any other law, a child who resides within the attendance area of a public school and who is instructed at home shall be allowed to try out for interscholastic activities on behalf of the public school in the same manner as a pupil who is enrolled in that public school. The individual providing the primary instruction of a child who is instructed at home shall submit written verification that the student is receiving a passing grade in each course/subject taught and is maintaining satisfactory progress towards advancement/promotion. An Affidavit of Intent must be filed with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending home school.

TUSD Dropping of a Class Policy
Students are required to take a minimum number of courses to be academically eligible. Failing to take the minimum requirements will result in being declared ineligible. Dropping a class(s) in conflict with stated processing dates will also declare a student ineligible. ALWAYS CONSULT WITH THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO DROPPING ANY CLASS TO ENSURE YOUR ELIGIBLITY IS NOT IN JEOPARDY.

Game Day Attendance
Participants must be in all classes on the day of a performance, contest or game, except in the case of a valid excuse and at the discretion of the school administrator. Violations will declare the student ineligible for the next performance, contest or game. Students are expected to attend class the day following an activity.

TUSD Eligibility Guidelines

1. All students participating in extracurricular activities must meet the following criteria:
   1. Pass all classes the previous nine week/semester grading interval.
   2. Be enrolled in at least 5 credit bearing classes during each nine week/semester grading interval of participation.
   3. All incoming freshmen must have passed all classes the last quarter of eighth grade. Middle school students who have one failing grade on their final report card can regain eligibility by enrolling in and passing any semester class offered at high school or middle school level. Students who have failed two or more classes will remain ineligible until the four and one-half week progress report indicates they passed all classes.
   4. Seniors who meet all graduation requirements need only to be enrolled in 4 credit bearing classes each nine week/semester grading interval.
2. All students participating in AIA sanction activities must have on file in the Activities Office the following:
   1. Physical Exam Card (fine art participants exempt)
   2. Parent Permission Card
   3. Birth Certificate (fine art participants exempt)
   4. Emergency Card
   5. "Paid" receipts for participation fees
   6. Student Managers/Athletic Trainers must have on file in the Activities Office a Parent Permission Card, Emergency Card, meet all academic eligibility rules and no fee will be required.
3. All participants must have a "Eligibility Clearance Slip" prior to any tryouts, practice or games, or before receiving any equipment or awards.
4. Activities governed by Academic Eligibility Guidelines
   1. All athletic teams
   2. Other sanctioned interscholastic activities which compete:

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