GCAC BY-LAWS (2023-2024) 

ARTICLE I – RESPONSIBILITIES OF COACHES

• The coach shall abide by the Constitution, By-Laws and Guidelines of the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference and the Illinois High School Association.
• The coach shall not go on the field or playing area during a game or meet except with the permission of an official.The coach shall not play any girls who are known to be physically unfit. The IHSA concussion protocol must be adhered to. (6/15)
• Each coach shall assume responsibility of insuring that the participants of his/her team are eligible to competeThe coach or his/her representative must attend all mandatory meetings in relation to his/her sports.

ARTICLE II – SCHEDULES

Section 1 – Master Schedules

A two (2) year master schedule will be drawn up for all conference-sponsored sports, except cross country, golf and track.  The sports coordinator will be responsible for drafting a new master schedule for his/her sport and submit it to the Executive Board for review and approval.  Once approved, the scheduled will be sent to the Athletic Directors by the corresponding secretary.  (6/23)

Section 2 – Post-season Meetings

A designated representative from each school fielding a varsity team in that sport must attend the post-season meeting.  A post-season meeting will be held for volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and softball to select all-conference, athlete of the year, and seed conference tournaments.  Bowling, Cross Country, Golf and Track and Field selections are determined as outlined in the sports guidelines.  The penalty for failure to attend the required post-season meeting shall result in the following consequences/penalties:

1. First offense will result in notification by phone and/or email to the offending school’s Athletic Director;
2. Second offense will result in a fine to the offending school;
3. Third offense will result in a year probation for that coach; (6/23)

Section 3 – Contracts

Member schools are required to exchange contracts for all GCAC contests. (9/05) These contracts, initiated by the host school, will carry the same binding obligations as all IHSA contracts. (5/02)

Section 4 – Required Contests

The teams in sports that are placed in divisions (Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Soccer and Tennis) are required to play either a single or double round robin within their sports divisions.  All divisional contests must be completed before the post-season meeting. (6/15)

Bowling and Golf must play a minimum of six (6) different varsity versus varsity GCAC contests.  (9/12)

All GCAC required contests must be completed before the date of the divisional/sport seeding meeting.

Section 5 – Submitting Schedules

Final Volleyball, Basketball and Softball schedules must be given to the assignor by an appointed date.  Failure to hand in a completed Volleyball, Basketball, or Softball schedule at the appointed time may result in the offending school assigning their own officials. (6/23) 

Section 6 – Movement of Schools within Sports Divisions

Movement from one sports division to another will be based on the petitioning procedure as outlined in Addendum C of the Constitution.

Section 7 – Scheduling Officials

Officials will be scheduled by the conference assignment chairperson for all conference contests and GCAC tournaments. (6/15)

ARTICLE III – CONTESTS

Section 1 – Weather Postponement

A contest may be postponed by mutual agreement of the Athletic Directors because of severe weather conditions or other emergencies.  Postponed contests shall be rescheduled at the earliest date possible and practical.  For spring sports, every effort should be made to reschedule cancelled/postponed contests during the week designated on the master schedule.  All divisional contests must be completed by the post-season meeting with conference games taking precedence over non-conference games. The appropriate Assignment Chairperson and the officials involved must be notified by the home school no later than two (2) hours prior to the start of the contest.  Failure to do so results in full financial responsibility to the officials for game fees. NOTE: Outdoor sports may need special consideration. (6/15)

Section 2 – Contest Cancellation 

If a contest is canceled, in a NON-emergency situation, the officials and Assignment Chairperson must be contacted at least 72 hours in advance.  If contact is made between 24 hours and 72 hours prior to the scheduled contest, the canceling school will be required to pay half of the officials’ fees.  If contact is made the day of the scheduled contest, the canceling school will be responsible for paying the full amount of the officials’ fees in addition to any transportation fees accrued by the opposing school. (6/15) 

Section 3 – Contest Delays

When at all possible, emergency phone numbers should be in the possession of the coach. Should something happen en route to a game, please call.  When a team calls and reports problems on the road, all attempts should be made to play the varsity game.  If this is impossible, the game should be rescheduled. (10/95).

Section 4 – Tournament Status 

A school that forfeits and/or cancels any Freshman, Junior Varsity or Varsity Conference contest, in any sport, may be denied any tournament position in that sport by the Athletic Directors’ Executive Board. (10/95)

Section 5 – Rescheduling Contests

By mutual agreement of the coaches involved, a postponed contest may be rescheduled without penalty. 

ARTICLE IV – FEES/DUES

Section 1 – Sport Fees

Each member school shall be charged a stipulated entry fee (based on the current fee schedule) per team and level in each sport sponsored by that school and sanctioned by the Conference. (10/95)

Section 2 – Annual Dues

Annual dues are payable to the Treasurer by January 15^th based on the current fee schedule. 

Section 3 – Conference Deficit 

In the event of a deficit, the Principals’ Board, upon the recommendation of the Athletic Directors’ Executive Board, may levy an assessment on the members of the Conference to the extent of the deficit divided equally among all Conference member schools.

Section 4 – Fees Payable

Failure to pay Conference fees by the required date(s) shall result in written notification being sent by the Conference Treasurer to the Athletic director.  After a reasonable amount of time has passed and fees are still not paid, the Principal of the offending school shall receive written notification of the failure to respond. (9/10)

Section 5 – Necessary Expenses

The Athletic Directors’ Executive Board shall have the authority to appropriate funds from the Conference Treasury for necessary expenses. (9/10)

ARTICLE V – CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS

Section 1 – Divisional/Conference-Wide Competition

The Athletic Directors’ Executive Board shall determine whether championships shall be determined by Divisional or Conference-wide competition.

Section 2 – Procedures

The Athletic Directors’ Executive Board shall approve all Conference tournament procedures.

Section 3 – Tournaments

Conference tournaments in Volleyball (JV and Freshman), Basketball (Varsity, JV, and Freshman), Soccer (JV only) and Softball (JV only) will include all GCAC teams.  Lower level tournaments in Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer will include all conference member teams. (6/23)

Section 4 – End-of-Season Coaches’ Meeting

All varsity coaches or designated representative from each team must attend the end-of-season meeting.  Lower level tournaments will be seeded at this meeting.  Failure to attend the required meeting or meet the deadline set for online seeding will result in penalties outlined in Article II, Section 2 of these By-Laws.  (6/23)

Head varsity coaches or a designated representative will meet in divisional groups to determine All-Conference Athletes and Athlete of the Year.  (10/17)

Section 5 – Non-Bracketed Sports

Sports not played on a round robin basis, the championship shall be determined by an annual Conference meet.  All tournaments in Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis and Track and Field must follow IHSA Guidelines for substitutions and line-up changes. (6/23)

Section 7 – Tournament Forfeitures

Any forfeiture of any conference regular season or tournament contest will result in the following:

• If it is the school’s first offense, there will be a $250.00 fine assessed payable to the Conference Treasurer. During the regular season, the school that was the winner of the forfeit shall inform the treasurer of the infraction.  The sports coordinator of the tournament shall report violators to the treasurer.  A second offense will result in a $500.00 fine.
• All fines must be paid within 30 days of the date of the violation. A late fee of $50.00 will be assessed if the fee is not paid by the deadline.
• Offending school is responsible for official’s fees and any transportation cost(s) incurred by the opposing school.
• If a school commits a second offense, the school will then be put on probation. When put on probation the school must
  • Have the principal meet with the conference President and the Principal on the Executive Board. The meeting would clarify and explain the reasons for probation define the expectations of the school during the time of probation and discuss the payment of fine(s) by a set deadline.
  • Follow the constitution, by-laws and sport guidelines for the entire calendar year without violations in order to be removed from probation.
• Failure to comply with these rules may result in suspension from conference play for a period of time to be determined. (6/16)

ARTICLE VI – AWARDS

Section 1 – Award Determination

The Athletic Directors’ Executive Board in accordance with IHSA rules shall determine all awards.

Section 2 – Purchase of Awards

The Conference shall provide funds for the purchase of suitable awards for Conference championships

Section 3 – Award Distribution

The distribution of awards shall be the responsibility of the Conference President or his/her representative.

Section 4 – Selection of Athlete of the Year

This award will be given in each GCAC recognized sport at the varsity level to the Athlete of the Year.  An Athlete of the Year Award will be given in each division in the following sports:  Basketball, Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Outdoor Track.  One Athlete of the Year Award will be given in the following sports:  Bowling, Golf and Indoor Track and Field. (4/18)

PROCESS OF SELECTION:

An athlete must be nominated by her coach and be the first athlete nominated for all-conference consideration.  Each coach who nominates an athlete must present statistics verifying the nominee’s accomplishments. All Head Coaches will vote on all nominees.  Coaches are allowed to vote for their own athlete.  There can be no ties for Athlete of the Year.

ELIGIBILITY:  Any athlete (who is eligible by IHSA standards), regardless of her year in school, is eligible for selection.

AWARD:  A plaque will be awarded to the Athlete of the year in each of the GCAC recognized sports.

Section 5 – Awards Distribution for Non Bracketed Sports

Awards for individual sports shall be distributed as follows: 

Tennis  

Varsity 1^st and 2^nd Place, Junior Varsity 1^st and 2^nd Place (6/15)

TEAM PLAQUES:

Varsity Red Tournament - 1^st 10 1/2” x 13”, 2^nd 9” x 12”                                    JV Red Tournament - 1^st 8” x 10”

Varsity White Tournament – 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”                                        JV White Tournament – 1^st 8” x 10”

1^st Place - Gold medal

2^nd Place - Silver medal

3^rd Place - Bronze medal

DIVISIONAL AWARDS:  Varsity Red and White JV Red and White Plaques

INDIVIDUAL MEDALS AND ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (Certificates):

Varsity Red

1^st – 3^rd Place (First Singles and First Place First Doubles) (9/12)

1^st and 2^nd Place (Second Singles and First Place Second Doubles) (9/12)

1^st Place (Third Doubles)

Varsity White

1^st – 2^nd Place (First Singles and First Place First Doubles) (6/15)

1^st Place (Second Singles and First Place Second Doubles) (6/15)

1^st Place (Third Doubles) (6/15)

CROSS COUNTRY 

Red Division Varsity 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd Place, White Division Varsity 1^st, 2^nd Place (9/12) 

TEAM PLAQUES – Red 1^st 10 1/2” X 13”, 2^nd 9” X 12”, 3^rd 8” x 10”         White 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”  (6/15)

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS (Medals and Ribbons):

                         1^st - 25^th Place – Medals (6/16)

ALL CONFERENCE AWARDS (Certificates):

                        1^st - 25^th Place (6/16)

Junior Varsity

PLAQUES: 1^st, 2^nd Place

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: 1^st - 20^th Place – Ribbons

Frosh/Soph

PLAQUES: 1^st Place

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: 1^st - 20^th Place – Ribbons (10/17)

 Open Race

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS: 1^st - 20^th Place – Ribbons

TRACK AND FIELD (OUTDOOR)

Red Division Varsity 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd Place, White Division Varsity 1^st, 2^nd Place (9/16)

TEAM PLAQUES:     Red 1^st 10 1/2” x 13”, 2^nd 9” x 12”, 3^rd 8” x 10”                         White 1^st 9’ x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS (Medals for each division):  (9/16)

1^st-4^th Place each Event (including Relays):

ALL CONFERENCE AWARDS (Certificates for each division):

1^st and 2^nd Place finishers in each event

TRACK AND FIELD (INDOOR) Varsity (9/10)

TEAM PLAQUES: 1^st 10 1/2” x 13”, 2^nd 9” x 12”, 3^rd 8” x 10”,

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS (Medals):

1^st-6^th Place each Event (including Relays):

ALL CONFERENCE AWARDS (Certificates):

1^st and 2^nd Place finishers in each event

Section 6 – Awards Distribution for Team Sport

Awards for team sports shall be distributed as follows:  

VOLLEYBALL Junior Varsity, Freshman (9/13)

TEAM PLAQUES:  (9/13)

JV Red Tournament - 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

JV White Tournament - 1^st 8” x10”, 2^nd 7” x 9”

Freshman Red Tournament - 1^st 8” x 10”, 2^nd 7” x 9”

DIVISIONAL AWARDS: Varsity – Red and White; JV – Red and White - Plaques         

ALL-CONFERENCE VARSITY AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Three (3) times the number of schools in the Red Division – 24 (9/18)

Two (2) times the number of schools in the White Division – 14 (9/18)

BASKETBALL   Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen (9/13)

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Varsity 1^st place 15 gold medals, 2^nd place 15 silver medals (6/23)

TEAM PLAQUES:  (9/18)

JV Red Tournament - 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

JV White Tournament - 1^st 8” x 10”, 2^nd 7” x 9”

Freshman Red Tournament - 1^st 8” x 10”, 2^nd 7” x 9”

DIVISIONAL AWARDS: Varsity Red, White   JV Red, White – Plaques (9/18)

ALL-CONFERENCE VARSITY AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Two point five (2.5) times the number of schools in the Red Division – 20 (10/17)

One point seven five (1.75) times the number of schools in the White Division – 13 (10/17)

SOFTBALL   Varsity, JV (9/18)

TEAM PLAQUES:

JV Red Tournament - 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

JV White Tournament – 1^st 8” x 10”, 2^nd 7” x 9” (6/15)

DIVISIONAL AWARDS:     Varsity Red and White – Plaques (6/15)           JV Red and White - Plaques

ALL-CONFERENCE VARSITY AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Three (3) times the number of schools in the Red Division – 21 (10/17)

Two (2) times the number of schools in the White Division – 16 (10/17)                       

SOCCER Varsity, JV (9/05)

TEAM PLAQUES:

JV Tournament - 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

DIVISIONAL AWARDS: Varsity Red and White   JV Red and White – Plaques (6/15)

ALL-CONFERENCE VARSITY AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Four (4) times the number of schools in the Red Division – 32 (10/17)

Three (3) times the number of schools in the White Division – 21 (9/14)

GOLF Varsity, JV (9/10)

TEAM PLAQUES

Varsity Tournament - 1^st 10 1/2” x 13”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

JV Tournament – 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

1^st Place 6 gold medals

2^nd Place 6 silver medals

ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

1^st Place through 15^th Place (6/15)

BOWLING Varsity, JV (9/05)

TEAM PLAQUES

Varsity Tournament - 1^st 10 1/2” x 13”, 2^nd 9” x 12”, 3^rd 8” x 10” (6/15)

JV Tournament – 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Varsity - 1^st Place 6 gold medals

Varsity - 2^nd Place 6 silver medals

ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Varsity - 1^st Place through 15^th Place

LACROSSE

Varsity, JV (6/23)

TEAM PLAQUES:

JV Tournament - 1^st 9” x 12”, 2^nd 8” x 10”, 3^rd 7” x 9”

DIVISIONAL AWARDS: Varsity Red and White   JV Red and White – Plaques (6/23)

ALL-CONFERENCE VARSITY AWARDS (Certificates and Medals):

Four (4) times the number of schools in the Red Division – 32 (6/23)

Three (3) times the number of schools in the White Division – 21 (6/23)

ARTICLE VII – OFFICIALS/ASSIGNMENT CHAIRPERSON

Section 1 – Selection

The Athletic Directors’ Executive Board shall select an Assignment Chairperson(s) (assignment of officials) for Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.

Section 2 – Duties of Assignment Chairperson

Off-Season:

• to secure officials for each contest (based upon the number of officials required) selected from the current listing of officials registered with the IHSA (9/05);
• to secure officials based on fees authorized by the Conference;
• to utilize official contracts;
• to encourage/organize some type of continuing education, skills development for officials (10/95)

Pre-Season:

• to provide member schools with the names, addresses and phone numbers of assigned officials;
• to provide access to the master list of officials assigned to the Athletic Director, Conference President and Recording Secretary (6/15);
• to inform officials of Conference rules, and to be responsible for the enforcement of same.

During the Season:

• to secure officials for all tie-breaker and tournament contests;
• to act, with the Conference President, to settle any protests, problems, etc. that may arise at conference tournament semi-final and final games;
• to formulate a method of evaluating officials, which would include some observation;
• whenever possible, notify the home school of a change of officials 24 hours prior to game time.

Post-Season:

To submit to the Conference Treasurer an itemized list of expenditures prior to reimbursement;

Section 3 – Assigning Guidelines

• to refrain from assigning officials who have an affiliation with a member school to a contest for that school at any level; furthermore, such officials may not officiate inter-divisional contests in that school’s GCAC division; (10/95)
• to limit the number of varsity contests an official works for a member school, whenever possible. This guideline does not include tournament assignments. (6/15)
• to make every attempt to give all member schools a qualified variety of officials.
• to assign the necessary number of officials for each level and sport (Volleyball, Varsity and JV – 2, freshman – 1; Basketball, 2 for lower levels and 3 for varsity; Softball, Varsity – 2, JV – 1). (6-23).

Section 4 – Payment of Assignment Chairperson/Officials

• The Assignment Chairperson for Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball shall be paid by the Conference 13% of the total amount paid out to officials scheduled for all regular Conference contests and Conference tournaments according to the Master Schedule for that sport. (5/01) (9/06) All non-Conference contests shall be the financial responsibility of each school. (9/05)
• The Assignment Chairperson for Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball shall receive 13% from each member school of the total amount paid out to officials for all other non-Conference home contests and tournaments they are requested to schedule. (5/01) (9/06)
• During the regular season, the home school is responsible for paying the officials. (5/96)

Section 5 – Cancellation/Forfeiture of Contests

If a contest is canceled in a NON-emergency situation, the officials and Assignment Chairperson must be contacted at least 72 hours in advance.  If contact is made between 24 and 72 hours prior to the scheduled contest, the canceling school will be required to pay half of the officials’ fees.  If contact is made the day of the scheduled contest, the canceling school will be responsible for paying the full amount of the officials’ fees.  Host schools must notify the officials at least two (2) hours prior to the cancellation of a contest. (9/05)  The host school will be responsible for paying a fee (to be determined by the assignors and included in the fee payment sheet) to the scheduled officials in the event the contest is canceled after the officials arrive. (8/03)

Section 6 – No-Show Officials

It is the Athletic Director’s responsibility to notify the Assignment Chairperson if an official did not show for a contest.  Every effort should be made to play contests in which an official does not show by moving a lower level official where needed. (10/95)