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Suggestions for Coaching UIL Academic Events
By Dr. David Stevens, Academic Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:33 AM
Sponsoring or coaching UIL academic contests is both challenging and rewarding. Here are some suggestions that have proven successful for coaches of academic events.
One of the initial objectives is to recruit team members for your activity. Although entries are limited to a maximum number in district competition, recruit more team members for several reasons.
It is inevitable that someone will get too busy, lose interest or not show up the day of the meet. It is important to have back-ups who can fill in.
Healthy competition for positions on the team is normally a good thing. Use competition to encourage each student to push harder to earn a spot on the team.
Practice Really Does Make the Difference
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:30 AM
“Practice makes perfect.” It’s a cliché we have all heard, but I’ve often wondered who coined this phrase. Whoever wrote it, my mother seemed to have the market on it when she’d wake me up super early on mornings to practice the piano while my two older brothers snuggled underneath the covers much longer than me. One piano. Three kids. Often, I drew the short straw. That’s what happens when you’re the baby of the family and your older siblings are boys.
I didn’t like hearing it then, but I grew to understand the truth in the saying as I began to compete in UIL and later, as I coached. It didn’t take long to recognize that my students who broke to the final rounds were those who asked for extra practice sessions with me during lunch and after school when all their squad team members had long since called it a day.
It was also the kids who took advantage of every invitational tournament we scheduled. There they were, on the bus, ready and prepared for another challenge to compete against opponents who also had made speech and debate a priority in their busy schedule.
Writing Must Grab the Reader and Make Them Feel
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:19 AM
I cried this weekend.
No, not terribly shocking news. I do cry sometimes. But these tears didn’t come from some sappy Lifetime movie or frustration with my kids, husband, family or any other slice of my life.
I cried during a presentation — reading some of my own writing.
Not exactly the best way to present — especially since I don’t own waterproof mascara.
But I didn’t apologize. In fact, I told the audience that my tears were good. It meant I felt something. And we should feel when we read.
The presentation was at the JEA National Convention in San Antonio and was called ‘Make Average Writing Great’ or something like that.
Contest Evaluations Should be Both Postive and Instructive
By Bill Duggan, President of TMAA | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 11:00 AM
Greetings from TMAA! I hope you are having a productive fall.
Most of you are well into a new school year and I hope your experiences thus far have met or exceeded your goals and expectations. I also hope our retired members are fishing, hunting, birding, traveling or whatever makes them happy.
I suppose many of you had the pleasure of judging marching contests throughout the state this fall. I know you were impressed as I was with the quality of our marching bands and how they continue to raise the bar year after year. I’m certain the performances of our choirs, orchestras, and concert bands in the spring will be equally impressive. Congratulations to the UIL State Marching Band winners: in 3A, Argyle High School directed by Kathy Johnson and in 5A, Marcus High School directed by Amanda Drinkwater. All of the bands at the State UIL Marching Contest were outstanding, and these two were particularly special.
Dr. Poole of Barber’s Hill ISD Elected as Chair of Legislative Council
By Kate Y. Hector, Media Coordinator | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:47 AM
Dr. Greg Poole, the newly elected Legislative Council Chair, drapes medals on winners at the Cross Country State Championship
Photo by Kate Y. Hector
At the October 2012 University Interscholastic League Legislative Council Meeting, Dr. Greg Poole, superintendent at Barbers Hill ISD, was elected as the new chair.
“I am more proud of the position that has been entrusted to me than any other accomplishment I have been blessed to receive,” Poole said.
Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL executive director, said Poole’s greatest attribute is his leadership. Poole served on the teacher retirement board for six years and has been a progressive leader during his time at Barbers Hill ISD.
“He is a champion for young people,” Breithaupt said of Poole. “He is a champion for coaches and directors, and he is one who pursues excellence. I think he will have a great year as Legislative Council chair.”
Volleyball Tournament Wraps Up in Garland ISD Venue
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:38 AM
At the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland ISD, Brock High School goes up for a block during the 2A semifinal game against Holliday High School. Brock won the game and went on to beat Schulenburg High School to take home the 2A Conference State Title.
Photo by Ashley Landis, 1st Photo Texas
For the first time in the history of UIL volleyball, the state tournament was not played in the Austin area because of a date conflict with the F-1 races. The tournament was moved to the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland ISD, and it appears to have been a success.
"There were no real disadvantages,” Peter Contreras, assistant athletic director and tournament director, said. “Parking for our teams and spectators was not an issue, and the fact the facility has four locker rooms for teams participating was a big advantage."
Before securing a site for the 2013 state tournament, Contreras said the League will look at several factors.
Ad Hoc Committee to Study Cardiac Screening for UIL Participants
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:34 AM
UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt wants parents, students, coaches and teachers to know that “the safety of our students is a primary concern” of the UIL and has been for a long time.
In 2001, UIL created the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) —comprised of distinguished physicians, an athletic trainer and two executive directors of statewide coaches associations— to make recommendations to the League on what Breithaupt calls the 4 Hs – Head, Heart, Heat and Medical History.
And the committee has done just that.
“We have leaned heavily on the Medical Advisory Committee over the past 10 years,” Breithaupt said.
The committee has made recommendations on Automated External Defibrillators, physical forms, practice limitations, concussions and other medical issues . In fact, every recommendation the MAC has made to the Legislative Council has been unanimously adopted.
And now, select members from that committee will join members from the Legislative Council and the State Executive Committee to form an Ad Hoc Committee to study the issue of cardiac screening for UIL participants.
Live Streaming Makes Band Contest More Than a ‘Texas Happening”
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:21 AM
Austin Bowie High School took fourth place at the 5A State Marching Band Contest.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
On Nov. 5 and 6, thousands of high school band students filled the Alamodome with their artistry and musical talent for the 3A and 5A UIL State Marching Band Contest.
And while thousands of parents and fans filled the stadium to watch the performances, more than 3,500 watched from the comfort of their homes and schools.
For the second year in a row the State Marching Band Contest was streamed live over the internet by Mr. Video.
“What the viewers saw was exactly what was on the video wall in the Alamodome and also the content of the DVDs that are produced after the concert,” Music Director Richard Floyd said.
Floyd said the webcast has several benefits. First, it gives parents and members of the communities represented in the competition who could not make the trip to San Antonio the opportunity to view their students in the actual performances.
The Idioms of Academics
By Dr. David Stevens, Academic Director | Monday, October 08, 2012 1:35 PM
The origins of some commonly used idioms, or cliches, are unknown. Many can be linked to a phenomenon, odd behavior or special occurrences in history. However, those who use them often understand their meaning. Therefore, let us provide some meaning for those phrases you may hear in relation to UIL academics this fall.
It was raining cats and dogs during the fall Student Activities Conferences this year. Not literally. Well, maybe at the UT-Austin SAC. Those of you who attended that SAC did brave downpours and waded through water to get to sessions.
Our attendance was outstanding at each site, and the presenters and hosts were terrific. So it isn’t a stretch to say that the knowledge was raining into our attendees.
SWEF Focuses on Artistic Elements of Music Performance
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Tuesday, October 02, 2012 1:18 PM
The State Wind Ensemble Contest was established in 1976 as a part of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. During the years that followed this event gradually evolved into the festival format that is in place today. It is now referred to as the State Wind Ensemble Festival (SWEF) and provides an educationally rewarding and positive experience for all participants. This prestigious event is scheduled for May 4, 2013.
Much of the success of this event has been attributed to the Clinician/Commentator component of the format. This feature allows each performing group to have a 30-minute post concert clinic/critique with a nationally recognized conductor/educator. The focus of the event is on the subjective, artistic elements of music performance rather than the objective, technical details that tend to dominate critiques in a totally competitive setting.
With the approval of the UIL/TMEA Music Advisory Committee and the UIL Legislative Council the event was modified in 2000 to what many would term a festival format. The intent of this revision was to build on the most successful elements of SWEF, which cultivate the positive aspects of making music for music’s sake rather than the attainment of an objective rating. In addition a listening component has been added to emphasize the very important value of becoming good audience members as well as accomplished performers.