Bylaws

American Tournament Organizers Alliance Constitution Travel Basketball Season

Article I.

Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of the alliance shall be the American Tournament Organizers Alliance, and hereafter shall be referred to as ATOA.

Section 2. The purposes of the alliance shall be to serve as a pathway to assisting tournament directors with the overall rules and guidelines for their youth basketball tournaments, in addition, to stimulate and regulate interscholastic athletic competition among the teams & organizations that participate in our sanctioned events in accordance with the standards established by the ATOA Board of Control.

Section 3. The mission of the ATOA is to serve its members by providing leadership and guidelines for the administration of youth basketball events, which will enhance the tournament experiences for all student athletes thru sportsmanship which will develop good citizens through interscholastic athletics, which provide equitable opportunities, positive recognition and learning experiences to students while maximizing the achievement of their athletic goals. Temper tantrums, poor sportsmanship, violent confrontations and more have become commonplace in youth sports programs. Some teams, players, parents and/or coaches are not allowed to participate in certain tournaments due to the aforementioned actions and behavior, however they simply play in another tournament, in which the operator/director is unaware of their previous actions.

Section 4. All members of ATOA agree to follow all rules of the Board of Control or risk disciplinary action by the Board of Control including possible expulsion from the alliance. The American Tournament Organizers Alliance has developed a Parents Code of Conduct/Ethics which will be the governing body for its sanctioned tournaments which include consequences for bad behavior. Any coach, parents, or player violating the below rules may not be able to participate in any of The American Tournament Organizers Alliance future youth basketball tournaments.

Article II.

Board of Control

Section 1. For the purpose of administration only, the following organizations are the Board of Control. These are the Board members of ATOA.

Halftime Sports

Tournaments "R" Us

NEC Basketball

Lakepoint Sports

Ga Pistols

Phoenix Rising

One more to be added

Article III.

Board of Control

Section 1. Administration: The administrative authority of the ATOA shall be vested in a Board of Control composed of designated members. This Board of Control shall make ALL FINAL decisions on ALL cases brought before the Board of Control.

Section 2. Power and Duties of Board of Control: The Board of Control shall:

(a) Have general control over all athletic contests decisions on team objections/suspensions or expulsions on matters brought to the board in which member organizations host

(b) Have the authority to interpret and to enforce the Constitution of the ATOA.

(c) Determine and authorize all necessary expenditures of money in the conduct of the affairs of the Alliance (d) Determine methods of, and qualifications for, registration of future members of ATOA; revoke participation of any official/organization for just cause.

(e) Hear appeals from decisions of the Acting Tournament Director and render final decisions in those appeals. (f) Have authority to rule on any cause not covered by the Constitution and Bylaws on matters brought to the board in which member organizations host.

(g) Add new members (tournament host) to ATOA &/or the Board of Control

Section 3. Meetings: The Board of Control shall meet once a month, via conference call, during travel season and every other month during the off season. Other meetings may be called by the Board of Control.

Section 4. Quorum: A majority of the members of the Board of Control shall constitute a quorum for meeting purposes as well as the transaction of any ATOA business.

Section 5. Investigations/Penalties: The Board of Control shall initiate investigations, conduct hearings, collect information, render decisions and fix penalties based on the information provided to the staff, and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ATOA. Such decisions shall be subject to review by the Board of Control on appeal by the principal of the member of the person/team/organization involved. Some examples of disciplinary action are, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Probation to an individual in an athletic program.

(2) Probation to a team in an athletic program.

(3) Suspension to an individual in an athletic program.

(4) Suspension to a team in an athletic program.

(5) Expulsion of an individual from participation.

(6) Expulsion of a team from participation

Section 6. Hearings: Any person/team/organization charged with violating ATOA regulations shall be notified of such charges by the Board of Control. If a hearing is desired by the individual(s) involved, the Board of Control must be notified immediately in writing. Provisions will then be made for such hearing, and the individual(s) so notified. Hearings shall be conducted by the Board of Control and the individual(s) involved and who shall act in an advisory capacity. After testimony has been heard, the Board of Control shall meet in executive session with the members of the Board of Control who are present at the hearing. After discussing with the Board of Control the evidence and possible penalties, the Board of Control shall decide what penalty, if any, is to be placed against the individual(s) involved.

Section 7. No member of the Board of Control shall serve on the Board while a case involving the organization, he/she represents is being heard.

Article IV.

Amendments

Section 1. The Constitution may be amended by a majority of the membership of the Board of Control.

Article V.

Effect of Agreeing to join ATOA

Membership in the alliance is voluntary. By joining the alliance, a member organization agrees to abide by all rules of the alliance. If a member organization, or that organization’s governing body, files suit against the alliance and does not prevail on the merits, the member organization shall reimburse the alliance for all legal fees and expenses incurred by the association in connection with said suit. Each member organization has a responsibility to monitor its events and to self-report any violations of ATOA Bylaws to the Board of Directors as soon as the event director is aware of possible violations. The responsibility extends to all administrators of the organization. Each member organization is responsible for the conduct of its administrators and coaches and for any knowledge possessed by its administrators or coaches.

Enforcement. The Board of Directors shall have power to suspend or otherwise penalize any member organization for the violation of any provisions of the Constitution or Bylaws of the alliance or for other just cause. The period of suspension or other penalty shall be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors where the penalty is not fixed. A major part of this purpose is to stress to coaches, players, officials, and fans the vital importance of sportsmanship. It is critical that all people in each of these categories understand the major role that they play and the role model that they can be for others. Recognizing this principle, unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of any of these groups cannot be accepted. As a result, the following actions will be taken when unsportsmanlike conduct occurs:

Article VI.

Enforcement of ATOA rules

The Board of Control shall have power to suspend, to fine, or otherwise penalize any member, individual, team or organization for the violation of any provisions of the Constitution of the alliance or for other just cause. The period of suspension or other penalty shall be left to the discretion of the Board of Control. Any member, individual, team or organization under suspension, may be reinstated by the Board of Control upon application made in writing, 20 days in advance of the time it desires to be reinstated, Any member, individual, team or organization under expulsion, may not be reinstated by the Board of Control for the remaining time left in that said travel season.

Article VII.

Violations

Student Athletes Ejected for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

On the ejection of the student-athlete, the host organization will be required to submit a report on the action of the player.

The minimum penalty will be as follows: 2 Game Suspension - The student-athlete is also suspended from all levels of participation (in AOTA events). In addition to what is presently required when a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, a meeting shall be held with the player, coach and parent(s) or guardian(s) with a report on the meeting and plans to directly address the matter so it doesn’t happen again.

If a player is ejected for a second time for unsportsmanlike conduct, a more severe punishment including possible expulsion from future events shall be imposed by the Board of Control.

Coaches Ejected for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The alliance will be given a choice of removing the coach for a specified number of contests. On any subsequent ejection by the same coach, the alliance will be given a choice of removing the coach for a specified number of contest(s) and/or face further disciplinary action. If the coach is ejected from the contest and an assistant coach is not available to continue as coach, the game is terminated and forfeited to the opponent. If a coach is ejected for a second time for unsportsmanlike conduct, a more severe punishment including possible expulsion from future events shall be imposed by the Board of Control.

Any Individual Ejected for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

The alliance will be given a choice of removing the individual for a specified number of contests. On any subsequent ejection by the same individual, the alliance will enforce further disciplinary action. If the individual is ejected from the contest and will not exit the facilities, the game will be terminated and forfeited to the opposite team and the proper authorities will be contacted to remove said individual(s)

Substitutes Leaving Bench Area during an Incident or Fans Coming onto the Floor

The host organization will be required to submit a report and video tape if available. All members are instructed to inform individuals taping to continue taping all incidents.

For substitutes leaving the bench area during an incident, disciplinary action may occur, including but not limited to probation and/or suspension/expulsion from future ATOA events.

For fans coming onto the floor during an incident, the team will be held responsible for providing the information needed about the individuals involved, other disciplinary action may occur, including but not limited to authorities being called, probation and/or suspension/expulsion of the individual(s) or the entire team.

Fighting

The alliance will be given a choice of suspending the individual(s) for a specified number of ATOA events or expulsion from all ATOA events for the remainder of the season. This decision will be made by the Board of Control and will be final, no appeals will be heard for fighting violations.

Playing of Ineligible Student-Athletes

Player eligibility requirements are event based. They possibly could change depending on certain events. All incidences, whether accidental, intentional or other use of ineligible players by any team shall require that team victories in which the ineligible player has played to be forfeited to opponents; and any one or more of these additional actions may be taken:

(a) That individual or team records and performances achieved during participation by such ineligibles be vacated or stricken

(b) That team or individual placed under suspension by the Board of Control pending further investigation

Article VIII.

Appeals

Any appeal request regarding the suspension of players or coaches or any individuals shall be submitted in writing from the administrator of the organization, stating which rule was misapplied.

Article IX.

Disclosure Required on All Participating ATOA Websites

Parents & Coaches Code of Conduct/Ethics:

I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game.
I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of my personal desire to win.
I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment.
I will require that my child’s coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach.
I (and my guests) will be a positive role model for my child and encourage sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy, and by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, officials and spectators at every game, practice or other sporting event.
I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all.
I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
I will remember that the game is for youth - not adults.
I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability.
I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, player, participant, official or any other attendee or staffer including but not limited to any form of intimidation verbally or physically. No cursing.
I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any coach, player, parents, participant, event staffer, official or any other attendee this includes but is not limited to any unwanted physical contact.
I will not initiate or participate in a fight or scuffle with any coach, player, parent, event staffer, participant, official or any other attendee.
I will show respect to all coaches, game officials, parents, teammates and opposing players at all times, and will never act in a manner that is disrespectful to them or my team.
I will demonstrate good sportsmanship regardless of the score or situation by acting in a positive manner towards coaches, officials, other parents and other players.

I understand that if I fail to conform my conduct to the foregoing while attending The Tournament Alliance Basketball Organizers sanctioned event, I will be subject to disciplinary actions, including but not limited to, the following in any order of combination:

Verbal warning issued by event director or school official
Local police authorities contacted, suspension/expulsion from future ATOA events and immediate ejection from any American Tournament Organizers Alliance event for a period of time to be determined by the Board of Control based on the alliance's constitution.

By registering for this particular Basketball Tournament Organizers Alliance tournament, you attest that all coaches, players and parents on our team(s) have read and understand our Parents & Coach code of conduct/ethics, thus providing their consent that any coach, player, and/or parent who violates the Code of Conduct/Ethics may be subject to disciplinary action from The American Tournament Organizers Alliance. All decisions made by the Board of Control are Final.