Athletics News
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Non-School Participation Activities Need Some Clarification
By Darryl Beasley | Tuesday, October 06, 2009 12:27 PM
We are fast approaching another basketball season, but before we head on to that topic I would like to discuss non-school participation, which includes 7-on-7, tournaments and leagues in the summer, fall and spring.
Over the last couple of months, we have had numerous calls from all corners of the state about non-school leagues and tournaments. Many people seem to be confused about what coaches and schools are allowed to do for non-school participation.
This article will outline what coaches and schools, including school booster clubs, are not allowed to do in regards to non-school participation for team sports — baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball or volleyball.
In the past, we have received reports of schools using school transportation for 7-on-7 games and non-school events. On other occasions, schools allowed their school-owned player equipment (shoes, uniforms, etc.) to be used for non-school competition. We also had a number of schools hosting basketball tournaments this summer and fall outside of the season by contacting the school coach and inviting the varsity, JV, 9th, 8th, and 7th grade teams to participate. All of these situations violate UIL rules.
State Cross Country Course to Remain the Same
By Traci Neely | Tuesday, October 06, 2009 12:22 PM
The fall season sports of cross country and volleyball are now in the last few weeks of district competition. Another UIL State Championship month is upon us.
The UIL State Cross Country Championships will be held at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock for the 11th straight year. The meet will occur on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The park is in fantastic shape, thanks to some rain and Rick Atkins, director of Round Rock Parks and Recreation. Atkins and his department added many improvements to support the state course including the bridge over the lake and the dam improvement around the drainage area of the lake.
Many coaches have asked us to consider an adjustment to the start line. I have studied the course map with both the UIL staff and RR PARD staff. Our choices are very limited. The state course must be designed to meet the needs of the participants, as well as the mass of spectators. Cross Country draws a large audience and that tends to dictate the choices for the start and finish line.
I have examined the elevation changes across the park and considered all factors. The logistics of moving the start line to the opposite side of the lake (NE corner) will not work for a large meet.
Accuracy is Vital on Previous Athletic Participation Forms
By Sheila Henderson | Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:58 PM
I would like to take a few moments to express my gratitude to everyone for their support and well wishes since I started last February. I have gained valuable experience these past few months that will continue to help me as we go forward in the new school year.
Now that we have had a solid start to the school year, I would like to revisit a “coach’s favorite,” the Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF). The athletic staff continues to revise and tweak the form in an effort to have a document that is clear, concise and easy to follow.
The latest revisions to the PAPF were made July 2009. It is important to pay particular attention to the items in red bold print on both pages of the form. These are usually areas that get overlooked and cause the PAPF form to be incomplete.
It is also important to know which students actually need the form. Before participation at the VARSITY level at a new school, all NEW STUDENTS in grades 9-12 who have ever practiced or participated in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball or wrestling in grades 8-12 at another school in the United States or Mexico before, during (in school athletic period) or outside the school day must complete a PAPF. The form must be sent back to the last school of participation for that individual student-athlete. However, it is the recommendation of UIL that the PAPF form is completed the first day a new student steps onto your campus.
Voting Begins for All-Century Teams
By Peter Contreras | Wednesday, September 09, 2009 12:54 PM
The University Interscholastic League is celebrating its 100th year this school year.
UIL has stood the test of time, and today, is an organization revered by many across the nation for its mission and dedication to students in Texas.
Throughout the years we have consistently produced the best of the best. Our students not only excel in the classroom but also in the athletic arenas. In that vain, as part of the UIL’s Centennial Celebration, we have established online voting for UIL All-Century Teams in football, volleyball, girl’s basketball, boy’s basketball, track and field, soccer, softball and baseball.
To help celebrate this landmark in UIL history, a Web site dedicated to the UIL Centennial Celebration has been created. You can link to that Web site at www.uil100.org
With Football Season Gearing Up, Coaches Need to Review Rules and Guidelines
By Cliff Odenwald | Thursday, August 13, 2009 12:18 PM
This is an exciting time of year for football coaches, players and fans. Communities and school districts are gearing up for the start of a new football season.
Players and coaches have spent many hours of hard work, dedication and sweat in preparation for the 2009 football season. The actual preparation for this season began at the end of the 2008 season during the off season period and continued during the summer conditioning program. The beginning of the preseason football workouts lets us know we are just a few weeks away from the first kickoff of the season.
As we begin our preseason practices there are important guidelines to keep in mind as we battle the Texas heat:
1) Remember to follow the preseason protocol that is outlined in The Constitution & Contest Rules and in the UIL Football Manual.
Review Precautions Before Starting Your Season
By Traci Neely | Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:58 AM
The brutal Texas temperatures just won’t let up, but that doesn’t keep the cross country season from starting. By the end of August, runners will be ready in time for the first meets of the season.
Practice for most high school cross country athletes continues through the summer months, which does tend to help prepare student athletes for the heat and humidity in August and September. Heat stress and heat stroke are extremely serious conditions. The chances of heat stress or stroke can escalate for an athlete during a practice session or during a long meet day. Coaches, athletes and parents must be proactive in regards to hydration, rest and recovery in order for this season to be successful.
Another serious issue that comes to mind when I think about the cross country season is training safely. Coaches can easily overlook or take for granted that athletes know how to train safely on the roads and in the parks. Every cross country coach prior to the training season should address the safety issues concerning how athletes are required to train.
Cross country participation has inherent possible dangers because most training takes place off campus. Coaches should make every attempt to train their runners in a familiar environment. During my coaching years, the following list of guidelines helped me secure a safe running environment for all athletes.
Softball State Championship Tournament
By Staff | Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:25 PM
After scoring in the seventh inning to win the game 1-0, the Brock varsity softball team celebrates the victory over Elysian Fields. The girls came into the State Tournament with a 29-8 record. Brock beat Hallettsville 3-0 in the 2A championship game on Saturday, June 6.
Photo by Mary Mendez
Photos from Softball State Championship Tournament
Softball State Championship Tournament
By Staff | Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:38 PM
During the bottom of the ninth inning of the 4A semifinal game, an Angleton player attempts to score on a squeeze play against Azle High School.
Photo by Mary Mendez
Photos from Softball State Championship Tournament
Start of New Job Marked With Unprecedented Changes, Gratifying Experiences
By Traci Neely | Friday, May 22, 2009 12:53 PM
Little did I know that the first two months working in the UIL office would be packed full of unprecedented events. I started work in late February, just in time to work the state championships for swimming and diving and the girls’ and boys’ basketball tournaments. Shortly thereafter, it seemed to calm down, and I was able to get a grasp on my new environment.
Then came the swine flu.
The end of April would bring a dilemma to the UIL that created historic consequences involving a very large number of spring sport athletes across the state.
The decision to cancel regional track meets brought on a deluge of public communication to the UIL office. The softball and baseball postponements created even more phone calls and frustrated athletes, coaches, school personnel and parents.
Finally, when all the events were rescheduled, some relief came but also so did some additional frustration. We knew that rescheduling events was the right thing to do, however it created more havoc on the previously adjusted details for softball, the late state track meet and other end of the year events such as high school graduations and senior prom.
Spring Changes in the Athletic Department
By Cliff Odenwald | Friday, May 15, 2009 12:58 PM
The first three months as Director of Athletics of the UIL have gone by quickly. The pace has been incredible. It seems just like yesterday that I was changing offices and preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.
With the promotion of Dr. Mark Cousins to Director of Policy and Rachel Seewald moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, the first priority was to hire two assistant athletic directors.
I knew it was going to be hard to replace the knowledge and experience of Rachel and Mark. Both of them were great leaders in the athletic department and were respected by all of the superintendents, principals and coaches in the state.
After going through a strong pool of applicants and an extensive interview process, Sheila Henderson and Traci Neely were named the new UIL assistant athletic directors.
