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Journalism Director Wins Paschal Award
By Staff | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 1:08 PM
UIL Journalism Director and Interscholastic League Press Conference Director Jeanne Acton accepts the James Paschal Award at the the Columbia Scholastic Press Associaton's spring convention in New York City. CSPA honors state or regional school press association officials who have distinguished themselves in the field with with the award named for the late James Frederick Paschal, a former director of the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association and a former editor of The CSPAA Bulletin.
Much Ado About Ethics
By Scott Coulson, TMAA Concert Band Vice President | Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:16 PM
The buzzword in the media today is ethics. Headlines are littered with stories about unethical behavior and those lacking integrity. Investors make poor financial decisions. CEOs of major corporations embezzle shareholder funds. Politicians misuse campaign funds or “forget” to pay their taxes! When I used to get the Leaguer in the mail, I confess that I went straight to the back page to see if I recognized anyone’s name under “Official Notices” and “Public Reprimands.” Come on, admit it, you did too!
The dictionary defines ethics as “principles or standards of human conduct, sometimes called morals” and integrity as “possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards.” The Texas Music Adjudicators has its own Code of Professional Ethics. As TMAA members, it is our responsibility and even our mandate to maintain our professionalism and to be beyond reproach as we execute our judging duties. Though brief, the expectations of ethical behavior are clearly defined as follows:
Adjudicators shall know and uphold all rules for music competition in the current issue of the
Constitution and Contest Rules published by the University Interscholastic League.
Adjudicators shall be physically, emotionally and mentally fit to discharge their duties at music
contests.
Sponsor Excellence Awards Announced
By Kim Rogers | Wednesday, March 04, 2009 9:50 AM
The University Interscholastic League is proud to recognize 15 of the top UIL sponsors in Texas as the 2008 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winners.
The winners were selected by a panel of judges in the areas of music, athletics, and academics from nominations submitted by school principals and superintendents across the state.
The award, now in its 18th year, was created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the educational system.
Each winner receives $1,000 and a distinctive trophy from the UIL in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the pursuit of educational excellence through interscholastic competition. The University Interscholastic League continually strives to strengthen and promote the role of extracurricular activities in Texas through programs like the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award.
UIL Celebrates Black History Month
By Stephanie Ramirez | Friday, February 27, 2009 10:07 AM
Walking in to the University Interscholastic League office, one of the first things a visitor see is a wall that displays more than just your average office artwork. In honor of Black History Month, the UIL unveiled a display to honor African-American participants over the years.
“I wanted the exhibit to show the same support for Black History Month that is exhibited around the country,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said. “At the UIL, we have so much to celebrate in regards to Black History Month because we have had so many gifted actors, musicians and athletes compete.”
When he was principal of Hardin-Jefferson High School, Breithaupt had his students put together a display, which eventually became his inspiration for this project.
Smith Promoted to Financial Director
By Ty Terrasso | Friday, February 27, 2009 9:59 AM
Dijaira “Di” Smith believes herself to be a pretty lucky person, but luck had little to do with her recent promotion to Financial Director this month. Her willingness to go the extra mile has been instrumental in her professional success over the years.
She grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil with no desire to claim the United States as her place of residence. It would only be by a stroke of her signature luck that she would come to call Austin home.
Smith first came to the United States in 1995 in pursuit of her masters’ degree in Business Finance. For several years she worked within the private sector as a financial manager in Sao Paulo before making her decision to move to Austin. Di sought the upward mobility a Western education would provide her. The professional climate in Brazil at the time made female advancement in the workplace a difficult proposition. She planned to get her MBA in America and return to Brazil with the competitive edge necessary for a woman to compete in upper management.
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.
Odenwald Named Athletic Director
By Jeanne Acton | Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:58 AM
While Cliff Odenwald is a relative newcomer to the UIL staff, the newly appointed athletic director certainly is not a newcomer to athletic administration and working with the UIL. For more than 14 years, Odenwald served as an athletic director and coordinator for some of the largest athletic programs in the state.
From 2003-2007, Odenwald was the director of athletics for Plano Independent School District where he was responsible for scheduling and overseeing 460 athletic teams and supervising 250 teachers, coaches and trainers. Prior to that, Odenwald was the assistant athletic director for Garland ISD for 10 years. He also coached high school and college athletics for more than 15 years.
Odenwald joined the League in 2007 as the associate athletic director in charge of the mandated steroid testing program.
Kim Rogers Promoted to Chief of Staff
By Chris Schmidt | Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:06 AM
Those looking to snag a piece of candy from Kim Rogers’ desk will have to make a slightly longer walk. She’s got a new office and a new job.
On Feb. 1, Rogers was promoted to chief of staff after more than seven years as the director of public information. Prior to her work as a director, Rogers served as public information officer.
The newly created position will allow Rogers to assist Executive Director Charles Breithaupt in changes regarding staff and office procedures. She also will have various duties involving the Legislative Council and elected officials’ offices, including the attorney general.
Dr. Charles Breithaupt Appointed UIL Executive Director
By Jeanne Acton | Monday, February 16, 2009 11:02 AM
As the newly appointed executive director of the University Interscholastic League, Dr. Charles Breithaupt said he feels both blessed and challenged.
“When they offered me the job, I was kind of in awe,” he said. “Here I was, sitting in the tower of the main building at the University of Texas with the vice president, thinking, ‘How could a small town boy like me be here?’ I am so grateful and can’t thank everyone enough for this opportunity.”
But Dr. Gregory Vincent, vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement at UT and head of the nationwide search committee, had little doubt that this former “small town boy” was up for the challenge of executive director.
Since 1995, Breithaupt, a graduate of Buna High School, served as associate director and director of athletics for the League. He was promoted to UIL associate director in August 2004.
"Dr. Breithaupt is undoubtedly committed to the UIL's mission and programs,” Dr. Vincent said. “It was clear to the search committee that his experience has won him the respect of superintendents and coaches across the state. He is very familiar with the challenges of the position as well as the challenges that schools and districts face every day."
Seewald Resigns as Athletic Coordinator
By Chris Schmidt | Thursday, February 05, 2009 11:04 AM
Rachel Seewald, athletic coordinator of the University Interscholastic League, resigned Jan. 30 after more than 16 years of service with the organization.
Seewald began working at the UIL as an office assistant only four months after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She was promoted to director of public information one year later.
“As a young college graduate they trusted me and weren’t afraid to challenge me with added responsibilities,” Seewald said. “They never wavered in their faith of my abilities.”
In 1997, Seewald earned her master’s degree in education from UT, and two years later she became the athletic coordinator for volleyball, girl’s basketball and track and field.
During her tenure, volleyball went through possibly the most significant changes of any other sport with the switch to rally scoring and the change of venue for the state tournament, moving from Austin to San Marcos. She believes these changes to be her greatest accomplishments while at the UIL, and those who worked with her give her great credit for making these transitions as smooth as possible.
“Rachel will be greatly missed by all of us,” Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL executive director, said. “She is well respected across the state by coaches and officials and will be very difficult to replace.”