Jose' Jones, Commissioner
P O Box 583233
Minneapolis, MN 55458-3233
Phone and Fax: (651) 780-2269
E-Mail: jonesjj@isd.net

This year's championships will be held in Winona, MN, one of the River Cities of southern Minnesota. This is the first time in the 13-year history of the NIVC that the championships have been held in Winona.

The Gostomski Fieldhouse/Girosky Athletic Complex will be used for all matches. There are four courts that will be used for pool play matches and all rounds of the playoffs. The championship match will be held on Court 1. Pool play matches will begin on Saturday 28 March 98 at 10:00 AM. After first round pool play, a challenge round will be held for 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th Place teams. 1^st place teams will receive an automatic bid into the Gold Division of the playoffs. Divisional playoffs will begin at 8:00 AM on Sunday 29 March 98.

This is the 13^th year of this conference tournament. The conference has grown from the 10 teams during its inaugural season to 24 teams this season. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, last year's conference champions looks to repeat its winning ways from the tournament held at St. John's University. Michigan Tech, Providence College, St. Cloud State University, St. John's University Mankato State University and Winona State hope to derail the UW train.

Event matches are free to all persons whose names appear on the Official Entry Form upon presentation of their ID Card. Students and Faculty of St. Mary's University will also receive admission upon presentation of an ID Card.

All players and coaches will be issued ID Cards prior to the beginning of the tournament. These will be given to the Team Representative at the Coaches' meeting being held on Friday 27 March 98 at 8:00 PM Room B. These passes may be used for admission and are good only for the participant's name appearing on the ID Card. The passes may be used at area sponsors.

Adult Admission:                         $3.00 per day $5.00 - two day pass
Student Admission: 12-and-under $2.00 per day $3.00 - two day pass

There is a mandatory meeting for all Coaches and/or Team Representative. It is scheduled for 8:00 PM, Friday, 27 March 98 in Room B. At this meeting, Team Representative information for the 1998 season must be identified by each team. We will also discuss ways that we can improve and make the NIVC become a more efficient organization.

Awards will be given to the First, Second and Third Place teams. In addition to these awards, an all tournament team will be selected and an award will be given to individuals who comprise this team. A MVP award will be given as well.

All Championship officials have been selected by the Commissioner and each have a rating of at least a Regional Official as directed by the United States Volleyball Association (USAV). Assignments for all matches will be made by the Commissioner and will not be changed unless a major conflict has occurred between officials and coaches in previous matches. The Conference will provide FIRST officials for all matches, pool play and tournament play. Teams are responsible for providing second officials, scorekeepers, and line judges for all matches. If possible, the Conference will provide four officials for the Final Championship match in the Gold Division.

Failure to provide the officiating crew for your assigned matches could result in the forfeit of the first game of your next match. For every minute the officiating team is late, one point is given to the next opponents — up to the 15-0 forfeit. The second offense results in the loss of your next match!!!

Sports Medicine is being provided by the Conference. Ice will be provided for usage for the teams. Teams must provide all medical supplies, such as tape, for their own usage.

Emergency procedures are in place if the need arises. Athletes and coaches must have all necessary documentation to show proof of medical insurance, primary and/or secondary coverage.

No food will be allowed on the main floor of the facility. Eating areas are designate as the upper part of the balcony. Players will be asked to leave the gym area if eating or drinking in the facility. No coolers will be allowed in the playing areas. Coolers must be left in the eating area.

Water, PowerAde, and Gatorade will be allowed in the gym area provided it is in plastic, non-spillable containers. Pop will not be allowed.

Locker Room Facilities are available for usage by players. Teams must provide towels for their own usage.

A Hospitality Room will be available for Coaches listed on the Official Roster, Official and approved Tournament Personnel.

An Official Program of the Championships will be on sale for $1.00. Two (2) copies of the program will be provided to each team upon arrival.

The following Rules & Regulations, approved by the NIVC and the United States Volleyball Association, will be in effect throughout these 1998 Championship Tournaments.

$250 per team is the entry fee for all team. This fee must be paid prior to participation in the tournament. All checks payable to the NIVC.

Entry fees will cover the cost for officials, tournament awards, telephone calls and volleyballs for the tournament.

The Team Roster, which must be verified prior to the tournament, is limited to 15 players. Rosters must identify the following:

Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Team Representative
Players

Those persons, whose name appears on the verified Roster, will be permitted to sit on the Player's bench during competition. Printed Team Rosters will be distributed to each team prior to the competition. These rosters will be used to enter line-ups and are to be given to the Second Referee before each match. The Second Referee will check the printed Team Roster before play begins. No one will be allowed on the team benches unless their name appears on the Official Team Roster form and has proper identification (i.e., ID Card). Replacement of ID Card will cost $5.00 per players.

Team Rosters may be changed, at no cost, until 5:00 PM, CST, Friday 21 March 98. Changes involving Players, Coaches, or Team must be made in writing prior to this time.

Changes made after 5:00 PM, Friday, 21 March 98 will cost $25.00 per change.

NO PLAYERS MAY BE ADDED TO THE ROSTER AFTER 21 MARCH 98.

Other roster changes involving coaches, team representatives a jersey numbers will be permitted until the roster is verified at check-in. Cost/change will be $25.00.

The 1998 Championships will be under USAV Rules with the following specific modifications:

• 3-12 substitution rule
• A maximum of three (3) uniform numbers is permitted.
• All non-rally scoring games will have a 17 point cap.
• All deciding games will be rally scoring.
• Teams must honor warm-up procedures.

All protest will be settled at the time that they are lodges. No match will be allowed to proceed until the protest is settled. The Protest Committee shall decide all protest. There shall be no appeals. The Protest Committee will consist of the two non-playing team of the pool play matches, the first official and the Commissioner.

The Quality Inn is the official housing facility for each of the team. It is the responsibility of each team to secure housing and be ready for pool play. It is also the responsibility of each team to make sure all financial arrangements have been made prior to check-out. No damage deposits have been collected prior to the tournament. Teams will be charged if damages occurs.

A limited number of Conference Tournament T-shirts will be available for purchase. Teams will be given a copy of the design and must order shirts prior to the tournament. Very few extra shirts will be order for the tournament.

We encourage all teams to visit sponsoring organizations that provide financial and donated support to this tournament. A map and list of those businesses will be provided in the Official Program.