Rules and Regulations
General Rules
- Valid Virginia Tech identification is required for admittance.
- The primary function of these facilities is to serve the recreational, educational, wellness, and athletic needs of Virginia Tech students, faculty, staff, spouses, and families.
- Virginia Tech and the Department of Recreational Sports do not assume liability for property loss and/or injuries resulting from any activity or event.
- Individual patrons shall utilize all Recreational Facilities at their own risk.
- A parent or legal guardian must accompany any users under the age of 16 years.
- Animals are prohibited in all recreational facilities, unless utilized as a guide for disabled patrons.
- All recreational facilities must be used for the purpose for which they were intended, unless prior approval has been granted by the Department of Recreational Sports.
- General supervision of facilities shall be the responsibility of the Department of Recreational Sports, its staff members and student supervisors. Specific supervision for programmed activities shall rest with the responsible instructor, coach, coordinator, or supervisor.
- Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, including public intoxication is prohibited in all Recreational Sports facilities.
- Smoking and the use of chewing tobacco is prohibited.
- No food, drink (except water in closed containers), or chewing gum is allowed in any program areas.
- Participation in any kind of gambling is not allowed.
- Weapons are prohibited.
- Bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards are prohibited in all indoor facilities.
- Signs may not be posted on any wall without prior approval from the Department of Recreational Sports. All postings must be placed on general use boards.
- Appropriate athletic footwear is required in all activity areas. Shoes that leave black marks on wood floors, boots, sandals or open toed shoes are prohibited in all program areas.
Gyms
- Appropriate shirts and shoes are required. Shoes with soles that will mark the floors are prohibited. Shirts must be worn at all times.
- Hanging on the rims or backboard pads is prohibited.
- Open recreation priority and challenge rules are posted in each gym and must be followed.
- Profanity or abusive language is prohibited.
Indoor Track
- Follow posted directional signage for using the track.
- Racing is not permitted.
- Throwing or dropping items to/from the track to the ground floor is prohibited.
- Stay in your own lane to prohibit interfering with another patrons exercise.
- No horseplay or loitering on the track.
Pools
- The lifeguard is in complete authority, must be obeyed at all times, and has the authority to suspend individuals or organizations from the pool area.
- No shoes allowed in the pool. Proper footwear (flip flops & sandals) is allowed on deck.
- No food, drinks (except water), or chewing gum in the pool area.
- Appropriate swimming attire is required. No cut-offs permitted in the pool.
- Remove all band aids, hairpins, etc. before entering pool.
- Shower before entering pool.
- Do not dive off the starting blocks.
- No excessive talking to or distraction of the lifeguard on duty.
- Wrist bands are a safety feature, and must be shown to the lifeguard upon entry at WMH.
- Children under 18 years of age may attend open recreation swim times only when accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Children that cannot swim must be within arms length of parent or guardian.
- No rough play, shoving, or general horseplay.
- No running on the pool deck.
- Swimmers are not to hang or play on the lane lines in the pool.
- No persons will be permitted to swim having skin lesions, discharges, sores, inflamed eyes, mouth nose or ear discharges.
- Water basketball is allowed only at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty. If permitted, there is to be no hanging on the net or rim.
- Infants must wear swim diapers under bathing suits when swimming.
- Adults may use jogging belts provided by the pool for jogging through the water. All swimmers must be able to swim without an aid in deep water, and are subject to a swim test when a guard suspects the use of PFD’s present a danger. Life jackets may be required depending on the lifeguard’s decision.
- Kick boards and pull buoys are not to be used as surfboards or water wings and should be used appropriately.
Diving Rules
- One person at a time on the diving board.
- No consecutive jumping on the board.
- If using the 3 meter dive, swim to the bulkhead before exiting the pool.
- If using the 1 meter board, you may exit at the side of the pool at the ladder closest to that board.
- Do not use the 1 meter board farthest away from the locker rooms.
- The platform is not open during open recreation swim times.
- When the diving boards are in use there is no swimming allowed in the diving well.
- No diving allowed from the starting blocks.
- No stunt dives allowed off the pool sides or diving boards.
- Children are not allowed to jump off diving boards unless they can do so without assistance. Parents cannot catch their child jumping off the diving board.
- No walking on or diving off the bulkhead.
Locker Rooms
- Cell phones may not be used in locker rooms.
- Children over the age of ??? must use the appropriate locker room for their gender.
Weight Rooms / Cardio Equipment
- Spotters are required for all free-weight bench presses, shoulder presses, dumbbell presses, and squats.
- Patrons must clean equipment after every use.
- Users are required to have full-length towels on all machines-wash towels and hand towels will not be accepted.
- Appropriate athletic wear is REQUIRED for training. Clothing with exposed rivets, buttons, zippers, or other metal parts is not permitted (Gym staff have the authority to make decisions on apparel.)
- Appropriate athletic footwear must be worn: boots, sandals and open toed shoes are not permitted while training.
- Weights and other equipment MAY NOT be removed from the weight room.
- Olympic Style lifts (Cleans, Snatches, and Jerks) and their variations or combinations are NOT PERMITTED.
- Collars are required on all bars.
Outdoor Area Regulations
- Do not mark any fields without permission of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- No motor vehicles are allowed on the fields at any time without permission of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- Any structures, such as tents, must be approved prior to the event.
- No stakes or posts may be placed into fields without first contacting the Department of Recreational Sports for utilities approval.
- Weapons are not permitted.
- Rollerblades, bicycles and skateboards are prohibited on the tennis courts.
- Golf practice is not permitted on any Recreational Sports field.
- Tennis nets may not be removed from courts for any reason.
Room Reservations / Events
- All scheduled activities must meet the prior approval of the Recreational Sports Department.
- Groups must provide proof of general liability insurance in an amount no less than $500,000 prior to an event.
- Sale of concessions, novelties, and all other goods and services are prohibited in recreational facilities unless prior written approval is granted by the Department of Recreational Sports. If approved, such sales must meet all guidelines and policies set forth by the University relating to concession sales and the distribution of goods and services.
- Access to rooms will be provided by facility staff. All room doors must be closed and locked at the conclusion of a reservation.
- Sponsor must present a copy of the facility contract if asked by facility personnel.
- Sponsor is responsible for proper disposal of trash and any damages caused by their use.
- Amplified music or sound in conjunction with activities must have prior approval of the Department of Recreational Sports.
- Equipment may not be moved without prior approval from the Department of Recreational Sports. If approval has been given all moved equipment must be returned to its original location.
- Virginia Tech and the Department of Recreational Sports reserve the right to interpret these regulations in the best interest of the University, its students, faculty, staff and guests.