G-CC Rules

Background:

The Graham-Cooper Cup of College Football Supremacy [hereafter referred to as The Cup] was established as a facilitator of, and symbol for, familial unification.  The Cup was introduced on February 23rd, 2007 on the eve of the marriage of Blakely Alexander Cooper and Sarah Christine Graham.  Unfortunately, for members of future generations, the proceedings were not captured on video.  Neither audio nor written records were established at the time, which has contributed to the necessity for this document.  Additionally, extraordinary circumstances have arisen that challenge the assumed rules of the contest.

Purpose:

To establish and document the rules governing The Cup, in an attempt to eliminate the potential for ambiguity and dissent.


I.  Regulations for Awarding The Cup

The Cup will be awarded to the G-CC participant representing the school/team with the best season finish.

Best season finish is defined as follows:

- Highest post-season1 ranking per the USA Today poll
    [1 - after bowl games / championship tournament]
- Ranking system will default to the Associated Press [AP] poll,
    if USA Today is no longer in publication

Exception to the definition above:

- The Sweep Clause:  regardless of post-season ranking, any school that wins games against all G-CC competitors will be awarded The Cup.

Note: all G-CC competitors implies the total number of current participants - as such, a school may not exercise The Sweep Clause if games versus every other G-CC eligible school are not on their schedule

Exception to the exception:

- A school that wins the National Championship can not be denied The Cup per The Sweep Clause.

The Cup shall remain in the possession of the participant representing the winning school until the conclusion of the following football season [after the final bowl championship subdivision post-season contest].


II. Eligibility Requirements for G-CC Participants

Currently, the G-CC eligible schools and their associated participants are as follows:

    Indiana University                       Jan Graham
    Pennsylvania State University      Lance & Ruth Cooper
    Purdue University                       Tom Graham
    University of IOWA                     Blake & Sarah Cooper
    University of Wisconsin              Josh & Julie Bahr

The addition of future members is limited.  Individuals eligible for addition must meet both of the following criteria:

1.    Individuals that have graduated from [or are currently enrolled at] a school in the Big10 conference

Note:  There are no grade point requirements for eligibility [beyond those established by the academic institution for graduation].

2.    Individuals linked to the 8 participants listed above by birth, legal adoption or marriage.

Eligibility exception:

Any future spouse of Michael Cooper or Beth Graham [members of the founding nuclear families] will be eligible to participate assuming they meet eligibility criteria 1.

Eligibility Restriction:

1.  Regardless of academic record, a G-CC participant may not amend their school affiliation, nor may a participant be associated with more than one school.
 
Exception to Eligibility Restriction 1:

Assuming it is supported by the individual's academic record [graduation/enrollment from two eligible schools] a G-CC participant may accumulate the school association of a deceased G-CC participant, if no other individuals are eligible continue the association.

III.  Assignment of The Cup

The Cup is to be delivered to the next year's recipient per the following guidelines:

- The Cup must be shipped within eleven [11] days [calendar / not business] of the conclusion of the Bowl Championship Subdivision [FKA: Division 1-A] college football season [after the last bowl game].

- Delivery shall be via USPS Priority Mail or equivalent method of the era.

Note:  RE future delivery methods:  Due to the significance and irreplaceableness of The Cup, it shall not be delivered via matter teleportation until such time as the technology has been deemed safe enough for the conveyance of live freight.

- The Cup shall be packaged and shipped in its original box and with the protection of the original styrofoam, or equivalent dunnage.  If the original box can not be used as the outer shipping container due to deterioration or shipping regulations, The Cup shall still be packaged in the original box which will be placed in a secure, outer shipping container.

Shipping Exception:

The Cup may be hand delivered, assuming that the delivery occurs in accordance with the timeline established above.  The recipient of the cup may agree to extend the timeline by 30 days to allow for hand delivery. 

Note:  All hand-delivered exchanges of The Cup are required to be photo-documented.  Digital image files are to be sent to the current G-CC Chairman.

Split Participants:
 
In the event that the winning school is represented by multiple participants from separate households, possession of The Cup will be established by the following policy:

- The time of possession will be divided evenly between the eligible households.

- The possession rotation of The Cup will be inversely related to the length of time since each participant's last possession of The Cup.

- If the rotation can not be established via the method noted above, it shall be determined by geographic distance from the participant relinquishing The Cup, with The Cup travelling the shortest possible distance to the first participant [in an attempt to limit shipping costs].

IV.  Requirements of Cup Recipients

Upon the post-season designation of the subsequent awardee of The Cup, the associated participant is required to prepare a suitable display area for The Cup.

A suitable display area is defined as:

- An area that is in plain sight to home visitors.  [While mantelpiece display is not required, storage in a closed cabinet, drawer or closet is strictly prohibited]

- An area that is safe from potential pet damage.

- An indoor area, protected from the elements.  [Sun exposure is allowed.  Recipients may feel free to display The Cup in their front window, assuming the window is closed and pet-free, or take The Cup outdoors for boasting/photographic sessions.]

V.  Additions & Amendments

Changes to this document will be made via the following procedures:

1 - The originating participant is required to seek informal [verbal] agreement from at least one additional participant.

2 - The proposed change must be submitted to the current G-CC President

3 - The President will document the proposal and present it to all current participants for review and voting.

4 - A majority vote is required to ratify a change to this document.

Voting Body:

For all G-CC votes:  including the original confirmation of this document and all subsequent proposed changes, the list of eligible voters will be formed in accordance with the following guidelines:

- Each current, individual participant will receive one vote.

- Considering his past contributions to the establishment of The Cup, Michael Cooper [not an eligible participant] has been granted voting rights.

- In the event of a tie, the current G-CC President will cast a second, deciding vote.