Inclement Weather Policy (Athletics)

Policy Number: #400

Responsible Executive(s):

  • Athletic Director

Responsible Office(s):

  • Athletics and Physical Plant

Date Revised: 01-22-2021

A. Purpose

If there is concern about inclement weather the Director of Athletics or designee has the authority to cancel practice, competition, events or any other use of the field based on this criteria. It is the university professional staff member in charge of the event to enforce this policy and contact the Director of Athletics or designee to make the final decision.

B. The Policy

The group who is scheduled to use the field must abide by the following:

  • If the outside air temperature is 32 degrees or below, the field should not be used.
  • If the outside air temperature is above 32 degrees and field is showing frost and/or ice and snow on the surface it should not be used. Only when frost is completely melted from sun or air temperatures should the field be used.
  • If the surface is experiencing high moisture due to a major thaw or precipitation and the fields are forming puddles, are slick, preventing footing, or oozes mud and water when stepped on, play on the surface should not occur.

During the winter the grass is not actively growing and cannot repair the damage it sustains during athletic events and practices as it does during the growing season. When the surface is frozen, has frost or excessive moisture the plant is not pliable and thus breaks or tears when stepped and played upon and the resultant damage is magnified. This damage to the plant is so severe it rapidly causes bare spots and exposed roots to develop that often need to be replaced with re-sodding efforts in the spring. The University has limited funds and it cannot continue to replace sod and repair fields that are damaged due to negligent acts. Acting responsibly will preserve these great resources at their current level for you and your teams for a long time to come.

Wellness and Recreation Utilization

Men’s Club Rugby: Throughout the academic year practices 3-4 times a week for 2 hours a day and 4-5 home matches. Use is limited to the Green Space, the Beach or off campus with exception given to home matches and a practice the day preceding a home match on the West Multi-Purpose Pitch.

Men’s Club Lacrosse: Throughout the academic year practices 3-4 times a week for 2 hours a day and 4-5 home matches. Use is limited to the Green Space, the Beach or off campus with exception given to home matches and a practice the day preceding a home match on the West Multi-Purpose Pitch. One, single weekend day tournament may be hosted on-campus in the fall as the field schedule allows and will only count as one of the 4-5 home matches hosted on campus.

Summer Athletics Camps, Clinics and Fundraiser Utilization

All varsity team usage is limited by the restrictions of this policy and will adhere to the scheduled annual field closure and daily maintenance schedule. The specific sport team usage will be managed by the Director of Athletics however use of the south lawn, baseball field and softball field will not exceed six weeks of camps, clinics and during the summer period.

C. Definitions

  1. Fall Intramural Season: The fall intramural season begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and concludes the Friday after Fall Break. The weekly rotation is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  2. Spring Intramural Season: The spring intramural season begins the Monday after Spring Break and concludes the last day of classes. The weekly rotation is Tuesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

D. Related Policies, Procedures, Forms and Other Resources (Optional)

Appendix I Maintenance Procedures

General Maintenance Cycle

The Plant maintenance schedule calls for a staggered cycle that allows rehabilitation of each field every three years. During non-rehabilitation years, the field will be aerated and fertilized annually or as needed as the Plant determines. The replacement of sod for the fields annually is the responsibility of the Athletic Department. The Physical Plant will determine the need and seek funding from the Athletic Department to accomplish this task.

Summer Maintenance

All varsity athletic fields will be closed for maintenance from the last scheduled practice for the Lacrosse, Baseball, and Softball seasons, which will be no later than the Sunday preceding final exams week, until June 15.

Summer Mowing

During the summer, when the athletic fields are not in use for approved fundraising programs, the field grass height will be two and one quarter inches and the mowing schedule will be every five days. Three weeks prior to the first day of scheduled varsity athletic practice for the fall season, the field grass height and mowing schedule will be adjusted to appropriate performance height for the upcoming season.

Exceptions to Summer Maintenance Schedule

Any request to utilize the fields outside the intended schedule must be submitted to the Director of Athletics who will review and render a decision for approval in consultation with the Associate Vice President of Physical Plant. Any additional maintenance required as a result of such a special use request will be charged back to the area requesting the event.