Dr. Mark Cousins Appointed Director of Policy
By Stephanie Ramirez | Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11:00 AM
Dr. Mark Cousins has been named director of policy in his 15th year of service at the University Interscholastic League.
As director of policy, Cousins will take on the responsibilities of administering and enforcing eligibility rules, working as the liaison between the UIL and various committees and organizations, revising and updating the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules and various other duties.
Cousins’ said two of his goals for his new position are to continue to implement the rules of the UIL successfully and to ensure that students continue to benefit from participating in events.
“I am very excited to take on this new role and the challenges it presents,” Cousins said. “I look forward to working with our schools and interested parties to create a more advantageous environment.”
Cousins said many of the state organizations have similar goals and only differ in what they each respectively work for. For the UIL, it is to work toward making sure students are able to take part in extra-curricular activities.
“I think the value in extra-curricular activities has to stay in the forefront so that our policy makers understand the importance of student participation,” Cousins said. “We really want them to see that the benefit of participation in these activities greatly outweighs what it costs them.”
Before becoming director of policy, Cousins worked as an athletic coordinator in charge of wrestling, soccer and baseball. He will continue to work on baseball and soccer for at least this season.
Cousins completed his degrees at the University of Texas at Austin where he received his undergraduate degree in sociology, followed by his Master’s in sports administration and then a Ph.D. in educational administration.
Before joining the UIL, Cousins worked for four years with the UT athletics department as a student manager of the football team.
Cousins first started at UIL as an intern in 1994. In 1995, Cousins became a part-time administrative assistant. Then in 1996, moved up to assistant to the athletic director, and eventually on to athletic coordinator.
Cousins officially took over as director of policy on Feb. 5. He replaced Bonnie Northcutt who was policy director since 1995.