SUBURBAN JUNIOR WRESTLING LEAGUE

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Adopted 10/15/03 – amended 11/5/07

 

Rule 1 - Name:

 

The name of the organization shall be known as the Suburban Junior Wrestling League (previously known as Essex County Junior Wrestling League).  All references will be abbreviated “SJWL”.

 

Rule 2 - Aims & Objectives:

 

The aims and objectives of the organization are as follows:

 

a.      To foster, perfect and extend the aims and ideals of wrestling.

 

b.      To present wholesome recreation to all those interested, either to participants or spectators.

 

c.      To facilitate athletic relationships among member municipalities of the league.

 

Rule 3 - League Membership:

 

Section 1  A team must be sponsored by a municipality having a Recreation and Parks Department or like organization with a full-time professional staff.

 

Section 2  Teams meeting the requirements of Rule 3, Section 1 shall be given a franchise under one of two classifications:

 

a.      Permanent – A municipally sponsored team, which has entered the league for two (2) consecutive seasons and is in its third or more consecutive season.

 

b.      Provisional – All franchises that do not meet the permanent franchise

Requirement.

 

Section 3 New teams must be approved by a unanimous vote of permanent franchise municipalities of the current season.

           

a.      Permanent Members:  Belleville, Caldwell/West Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Nutley, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood/South Orange, Millburn, Passaic Valley, Verona, West Essex and West Orange.

 

b.      Provisional Member:  Montclair

 

 

Section 4 To be a member in good standing, the current membership fee must be in process by December 1 and, furthermore, must be paid in full by January 15 of the current year.  Failure to comply shall subject the franchise to suspension and/or other action of the Executive Committee.  See Rule 11, Section 1.

 

Section 5  Municipalities will be responsible for representation at all League meetings and furthermore shall be responsible for all business conducted at said meetings.  Failure to comply shall subject the franchise to suspension and/or other action of the Executive Committee.

 

Section 6 

a.      The representation from each municipality shall be no more and no less than one (1) in number, who furthermore shall be the Recreation and Parks Executive or his/her full-time professional assistant to be designated by said Executive prior to or at the Annual Organization Meeting.  Said representative shall remain in this capacity until indicated otherwise and in writing to the Executive Director and at least one (1) week prior to any regular meeting.  At no time shall the team coach or manager serve in this capacity.

 

b.      Each permanent member municipality shall have one (1) vote only.  At no time shall a proxy vote be permitted, and only designated representatives of permanent franchises, as outlined in Rule 3, Section 5, shall be entitled to vote.

 

c.      At no time shall persons other than the officially designated representatives of member municipalities be accorded the privilege of conducting league business, other than submitting written recommendations over the signature of the principal representative and on official local letterhead and making certain inquiries for point of clarification, unless by invitation of the Executive Board.

 

Section 7  New applicants for membership shall submit, in writing, to the Office of the Executive Secretary, such intent and desire to join the league, prior to August 31 of the current season.  Applications filed after that date shall be subject to consideration for the subsequent season.

 

Section 8  Prospective applicants shall file with the Office of the Executive Secretary the following:

 

a.      Name of municipality, governing Recreation and Parks Department or    Commission, and name of Executive, proper title, and appropriate address.

 

b.      Home gym.

 

c.      Name of proposed representative to the League’s Executive Board.

 

Rule 4 – Government

 

Section 1  The government of this league shall be vested in the Executive Board, which shall be composed of one (1) representative of each member community as defined by Rule 3, Section 5 of this Constitution.

 

Section 2  The Executive Board shall annually select, at the spring meeting, an Executive Secretary, who shall serve as Executive Officer of the League, and the League Treasurer, who shall handle all monies for the League.

 

Section 3 In the event of a vacancy in any office, the Executive Board shall elect a successor for the un-expired term.

 

Section 4 The Executive Secretary may designate a League Director with Executive Board approval.

 

Rule 5 - Finances

 

Section 1 Each member municipality shall pay an “annual membership fee” in accordance with Rule 3, Section 4 of this Constitution.

 

Section 2 Should expenses incurred exceed the balance on hand, members are obliged to reimburse the League equally.

 

Section 3 The League shall be responsible for at least the following expenses.  “Approved” shall be defined as “approved by a simple majority of the Executive Board of the SJWL”.

 

a.      Cost of approved awards for team winning the League Championship.

 

b.      Cost of approved Coordinator of Game Officials.

 

c.      Cost of approved officials at all League meets.

 

d.      Excessive administrative costs at the request of a member municipality and on approval by the Executive Board.

 

e.      Any other administrative cost directly related to the operation of the League on approval by the Executive Board.

 

f.        The balance shall carry over.

 

Section 4 The records of the Treasurer of the League may at any time be examined by the Executive Board, on request by a majority of the remaining members.

 

Section 5 The Treasurer shall submit financial statement at all regular meetings of the Executive Board.

 

Rule 6 – Committees

 

Section 1 The Executive Secretary may appoint Special Committees, in the best interest of the League, with the approval of the Executive Board.

 

Rule 7 – Amendments

 

Section 1 This Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a favorable two-thirds (2/3) vote of the permanent membership present, and voting, at any regular or special meeting provided that:

 

a.      A minimum of one week’s notice has been given, in writing, for the meeting.

 

b.      The proposed amendment has been submitted to all members of the Executive Board, in writing, at a prior meeting for perusal and discussion.

 

Rule 8 – Registered Office

 

Section 1  The registered office shall be the office of the Executive Secretary.

 

Rule 9 – Membership Fee

 

Section 1 The annual membership fee shall be determined at the pre-season meeting.  Distribution of funds shall be as provided in Rule 5 of the Constitution.  Current expenses per team are as follows: $20.00 for trophies; $10.00 for administrative expenses; $35.00 for Coordinator of Game Officials; $5.00 for League Treasurer; $10.00 honorarium for Executive Secretary (or his/her designate as League Director); $375.00 the cost of officials;  $15.00 for Tournament Director (League Championship); and $55.00 for officials (League Championship): $50.00 web site management                                                             Total membership fee of $575.00 per team.

 

Rule 10 – League Officers

 

Section 1 The Executive Secretary or his/her designated League Director shall serve as the Principal Executive of the League.  He/she shall, furthermore, call and conduct all meetings of the Executive Board; keep minutes of all meetings; conduct all necessary correspondence and notify members of all regular and special meetings; keep records of the League; be responsible for drawing up the League schedule; compile and issue League standings and scores; and collect team rosters.

 

Section 2 The League Treasurer shall keep financial records for the League; receive and hold all funds of the League; disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Board, and be responsible for financial statement at all regular meetings.

Section 3 Only representatives of permanent franchises are eligible for office.

 

Rule 11 – Meetings

 

Section 1 Meetings shall be held at the call of the Executive Secretary or his/her designated League Director, whenever necessary, throughout the year.  Municipalities will be responsible for representation at all league meetings and furthermore shall be responsible for all business conducted at said meetings.  A minimum of two (2) meetings shall be held:  the annual spring evaluation meeting (prior to April 30), and the fall organization meeting (prior to October 1).  Failure to comply shall subject the franchise to suspension and/or other action of the Executive Board.

. 

Section 2 The Executive Secretary shall call a meeting within a reasonable time when requested by three (3) League representatives.

 

Section 3 Special meeting may be called at the discretion of the Executive Secretary or his/her designate when business in the best interest of the League warrants it.

 

Rule 12 – Voting

 

 Section 1            A quorum of the Executive Board shall consist of the simple majority of the permanent membership in accordance with Rule 3 of the Constitution.

 

Section 2 Each permanent member municipality shall be entitled to one (1) vote on any question or motion.  A simple majority vote shall carry any motion, unless otherwise stated.

 

Section 3 Provisional franchise members shall not have voting power, see Rule 3, and Section 6b of the Constitution.

 

Rule 13 – Eligibility

 

Section 1 No wrestler shall have attained the age of 15 years before September 1st of the current school year and no player shall be above the eighth grade.  This date will be consistent with N.J.S.I.A.A.

 

Section 2 Every wrestler must be a resident of the municipality for which he is competing.

 

Section 3 Any wrestler who qualified to wrestle in the League when the season opened will be eligible to complete the League’s season.

 

Section 4 Each community will submit to the Executive Secretary or his/her designated League Director an official roster of all wrestlers, at the weight in which they will certify at the first dual meet, before the season begins.

a.      The roster shall include name, address, age, grade and certified weight.

 

b.      Wrestlers can be added to the roster during the season prior to the seventh (7th) match, and furthermore, shall be made through the Executive Secretary or his/her designated League Director, as long as they meet age and residency requirements.

 

Section 5 The penalty for using an ineligible wrestler shall be the forfeiture of all meets in which the ineligible wrestler(s) participated.

 

Section 6 Individual team integrity is considered sufficient guarantee of age rule observance.

 

       Section 7 Weight Classes:

 

a.                  Existing weight classes are as follows:

 

60 lbs.             80 lbs.             100 lbs.          126 lbs.

65 lbs.             85 lbs.             105 lbs.          135 lbs.

70 lbs.             90 lbs.             112 lbs.          145 lbs.

75 lbs.             95 lbs.             119 lbs.          Heavyweight (140-170)*

               Super Heavyweight (optional will not be in team score)

 

b.                  At mid season (date to be determined), the weight classes will be increased by two (2) pounds to provide room for natural growth.  The two (2) pound increase will hold for the championship meet.

 

a.                  All wrestlers must weigh-in stripped before each dual meet and championships meet. This weight needs to be recorded on match sheet. (*) Hwy must be a minimum of 140lbs.

 

b.                  Each wrestler must certify his/her weight class in the first match he/she competes in.  On the day of the match, a wrestler cannot wrestle more than two (2) classes above his/her actual stripped weight.

 

Rule 14 – Officials

 

Section 1 A Coordinator of Game Officials shall be appointed to assign officials for all League meets.  For his duties, he shall receive $35.00/team.  See Rule 9, Section 1, in accordance with Rule 5, Section 3b.

 

Section 2 Officials will be paid $55.00 for regular season meets.  See rule 9, Section 1, in accordance with Rule 5, Section 3c.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rule 15 – Executive Committee

 

Section 1 The Executive Secretary shall appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the Executive Secretary and two (2) other League members holding permanent franchises.

 

Section 2 The Executive Committee shall pass judgment on rules not related to protests.

 

Section 3 The members of the Executive Committee shall be made known to the League membership prior to January 1.

 

Rule 16 – Protests

 

       Section 1  Protest shall be on rule interpretation only.

 

Section 2 Protest fee of $25.00 must be a certified check, money order, or cash, and shall accompany all protests.  The fee will be refunded if the protest is won.  If the team loses the protest, the fee goes to the Treasurer and is deposited in the League fund.

 

Section 3 Protest must be filed in writing with the Executive Secretary within forty eight (48) working hours of a protested meet and be accompanied by a $25.00 fee (Rule 16, Section 2).

 

Section 4 All officials, coaches, and scorekeeper shall be notified at time of protest.  Note shall be made in the scorebook.

 

Section 5            The Executive Secretary shall refer all protests to a sub-committee of the Executive Committee.  Subsequent to referral, the Executive Committee may delegate action to the Protest Committee.

 

Section 6            Protests must be signed and submitted by the Recreation Department Executive.

 

Rule 17 – Protest Committee

 

Section 1 A protest committee shall be appointed prior to January 1 by the Executive Secretary.

 

       Section 2 Three (3) individuals shall serve on the committee.

 

Section 3 The members shall in no way be associated with the League, but should be knowledgeable of wrestling rules and regulations.

 

       Section 4 Decisions of the Protest Committee shall be final.

 

 

 

Rule 18 – Equipment/Personnel

 

Section 1 Home teams are responsible for providing one (1) scorekeeper and (1) timer and one adult supervisor for each meet.

 

Section 2 Wrestlers may wear standard wrestling uniforms and sneakers.  Headgear is mandatory.

 

Rule 19 – Starting Time

Section 1 Starting time is officially set by the home team and must be arranged with the visiting team prior to the meet.  If additional time is required, make arrangements with the opposing team.

 

Section 2 A meet not starting 15 minutes after scheduled starting time is subject to forfeiture.

 

Rule 20 – Dates & Times

Section 1 Saturdays and one (1) weeknight per week has been set-aside as meet dates.

Section 2 Make-up or Rescheduled meets:

a.      In the event of doubtful weather, home team coach should contact visiting         

                        Coach and the Coordinator of Game Officials to let them know whether   

                        match will be held by 8:00 AM on Saturday and by 3:00 PM on weeknights

                

b.      Shall be scheduled and wrestled as soon as possible by the Teams                involved working through each Recreation Department Executive.

 

c.       The home team Recreation Department shall then contact the Executive Secretary or his/her designated League Director to inform them of the rescheduled dates.

 

Rule 21 – Reporting of Scores

 

Section 1 The home team shall be responsible for providing the official scorer and scorebook.

 

Section 2 All game results shall be emailed to the Executive Director or his/her designated League Director no later than Monday afternoon following a meet.

 

Section 3 The League Director will post standings and each individual match result on the web site by the following Wednesday.  .  These results are also needed to seed wrestlers for the Championship meet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rule 22 – Meet Rules

Section 1 All Matches shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations currently in force for the NJSIAA, with the following exceptions:

1st period – one (1) minute

2nd period – one and a half (1 ˝) minutes

3rd period – one and a half (1 ˝) minutes

       Section 2 We will not enforce shoelace rule.

Section 3 Home teams should be certain that their gyms are open one (1) hour prior to the scheduled starting time.

Section 4 In the event of doubtful weather, home team coach should contact visiting coach and the Coordinator of Game Officials to let them know whether the match will be held by 8:00 AM on Saturday and by 3:00 PM on weeknights.

  

        Section 5            A wrestler or coach ejected from a meet or match, shall serve a minimum of a one (1) meet suspension, which will be the next scheduled meet. The League Director and appropriate recreation department shall be notified immediately the follow day.

 

Rule 23 - Championship Meet:

Section 1 The championship meet will rotate among the member communities on an annual basis.

Section 2 Criteria for seeding will be overall record.  Wrestler must be on the roster per Rule 13 to be eligible to participate in the tournament.  Criteria for actual seeding will be determined prior to the start of the season.  A wrestler must be on the roster for more than one third (1/3) of the matches and certified in that weight.

Section 3 Coaches will complete a Season Summary Sheet on each of the wrestlers they enter in the league tournament.  Summary sheets will be due two (2) days prior to the seeding meeting.

Section 4 The host community will be responsible for supervising its gymnasium.

                  Every effort should be made to have 3 mats.

Section 5 In order to qualify for the tournament, a wrestler must have wrestled in at least four (4) of the scheduled dual meets in his/her weight class during the SJWL season.  Any applications for exceptions from this rule must be made in writing to the League Director.

Section 6 The League will hire a Tournament Director, who will be in charge of the seeding meetings, weigh-ins and the tournament.  He will settle all disputes on the day of the tournament not by coach’s vote.

                 Tournament Director to be paid $15.00 per team.  See Rule 9, Section 1. 

 

Section 7 Every effort will be made to have certified, cardholding officials.  Three (3) carded officials (or four (4) if the host team has three mats) will be assigned to work the Championship Meet.  The standard fee is to be $180.00 per official per Championship Meet.  See Rule 9, Section 1.  Officials work entire day for the meet.

 

 

Rule 24 - Awards:

 

a.      The League will approve all awards and special programs at the tournament.  A team trophy and medals (one for each weight class) will be awarded to the community that finished the season with the best record.

 

b.     Individual trophies will be provided for the winners in the Championship Meet.  Medals for 2nd and 3rd will also be provided. If wrestling should continue to 5th and 6th place ribbons shall be awarded.