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Sage Advice for Novice Coaches
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, November 18, 2014 9:44 AM
Fresh out of college and barely 21 years old when I first acquired the title of “speech coach”, I still vividly recall the nervous queasiness in my stomach when I took my students to their first tournament. They towered over me, being the vertically challenged person that I am, and my youthful countenance had tournament administrators asking my students, “Which one of you is the coach?”
I learned a lot those first years, luckily sometimes from mentors who came my way and sometimes through mistakes I survived. If you are a new UIL coach, here are some lessons learned that may help you along your journey.
You can never dream too big. You may be starting a speech and debate program from scratch, with no budget and perhaps little administrative support for this strange animal you’re attempting to convince everyone is a program that is essential for success in the real world. You may even be beginning with a zero budget. It probably appears that you are on an island apart from everyone. Don’t give up hope. As your speakers and performers start having success, people will take notice.
Cross Country Season Wraps Up
By Traci Neely, Assistant Athletic Director | Monday, November 17, 2014 2:58 PM
The starting line.
The cross country season has ended, and it feels like we just got started. This year was a tremendous success for the championship season, and I wanted to follow-up with a re-cap of one of the most well-attended state cross country meets in UIL history since 1996 at Old Settler Park in Round Rock.
State Meet
The state meet was more popular among spectators than ever before with the large growth of popularity for spectating the sport, fantastic weather and the addition of a conference and new qualifying format. For the first time, the cross country advancement from the regional meet included four qualifying teams and the top 10 individuals (not on a qualifying team) accounted for the increased numbers per race. It was also the first year for the new cross country alignment that created two more races than previous years with boys’ and girls’ conference races in 1A-6A.
OAP Updates and Reminders
By Luis Muñoz, Theatre Director | Monday, November 17, 2014 2:39 PM
Thank you for enrolling to participate in this year’s UIL OAP Contest. To date, 1227 have enrolled in this year’s contest. This is the highest number in League history. We look forward to working together to make this a productive year.
Please remember to download the new Handbook for One-Act Play. The link can be found under “Resources and Forms” on our website. Some major revisions were made on Oct. 16 on pages 28-29 and the pages that reflect the items involved.
Those of you who are looking for judges to complete your panels can find a directory of available judges on our site. It’s like match.com for OAP. We will be adding an addendum later this week.
Johnson, Walls Join League Staff
By Lauren Kelley, UIL intern | Monday, November 17, 2014 1:56 PM
Baylor alumni Kevin Johnson recently joined the UIL staff as the new IT director. After seeing a message on IT talk that the former director Kelly McCollum was leaving, Johnson’s interest was piqued because of the varied responsibilities of the job. “Most job postings are for a very specific skill set, but this was very wide and diverse,” he said.
As a high school student, Johnson participated heavily in UIL activities, stating this was one of his main attractions to the job. He competed in the Calculator contest, the Number Sense contest and the Science contest, where his team won state his senior year.
Jones Named New Policy Director for League
By Lauren Kelley, UIL intern | Monday, November 17, 2014 1:46 PM
Photo by Lauren Kelley
Kevin Jones may be new to the UIL team, but the organization is not new to him. Since he was a young student, the League has been a fundamental part of his life — from student-athlete to principal and now to UIL policy director.
“I am honored by the opportunity to work for such an influential statewide organization,” Jones said. “Like millions of other Texans, UIL has had a lasting impact on my life.”
Council Approves New Pilot Contests for 2015-16
By Lauren Kelley, UIL intern | Monday, November 17, 2014 1:37 PM
At the Legislative Council meeting, UIL Deputy Director Dr. Jaime Harrison reviews the plans for the rewrite of the Constitution and Contest Rules.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
The University Interscholastic League will introduce three new pilots to Texas schools for the 2015-16 school year. At the October 2014 Legislative Council meeting, the council approved pilot contests in both academics and music.
To promote the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities, the academic staff proposed a pilot robotics competition, and the council unanimously approved it.
“Robotics incorporates numerous STEM components, including mechanical and software engineering, computer programming and mathematics,” Academic Director Dr. David Stevens said. “Participation in robotics fosters creativity and innovation, while teaching students to work collaboratively, and to think critically and analytically.”
59 Students Named to All-State Journalism Staff
By | Monday, September 15, 2014 10:03 AM
Fifty-nine students have been named to the 2013-14 All-State Journalism Staff. To qualify for the staff, students must have earned 50 points by participating and winning different journalism contests throughout the year. Students can earn points by participating in UIL invitational contests, UIL district, regional and state contests, as well as ILPC and similar type journalism contests.
All-State Journalism Staff
Athletics Launches New RCP System
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, September 09, 2014 12:00 PM
Change is hard.
Athletic Director Dr. Mark Cousins is experiencing this firsthand. He and his staff launched a new and improved online Rules Compliance Program system this summer, and while the move will be much better for coaches and administrators in the long run, it doesn’t change the fact that a new system needs an adjustment period.
To his staff who is fielding hundreds of calls and emails from coaches and administrators needing assistance, Cousins describes the new RCP system like this: “It’s short-term pain for long-term gain.”
The long-term gain will mean better communication, efficient training programs and a more interactive system.
Former HS Photographer Talks About his Experience in Liberia
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, September 09, 2014 11:21 AM
While on assignment in Liberia, John Moore wore protective gear to protect himself from getting the Ebola virus.
John Moore, a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer who now works for Getty Images, recently returned from Liberia where he documented the Ebola epidemic. In high school, Moore was an award-wining photographer, taking home just about every ILPC photo medal. In college, he shot for the Daily Texan, the University of Texas at Austin newspaper, and the Leaguer.
After returning from Liberia, Moore spoke with Jeanne Acton about his experiences in that country.
Moore will be a featured speaker at the ILPC Spring Convention held April 18-19 at UT-Austin. At the convention, he will present a session with his photos from Liberia.
Football State Championships return to AT&T Stadium
By Kate Y. Hector, Media Coordinator | Tuesday, September 09, 2014 11:18 AM
The 2014 University Interscholastic League Football State Championship games will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
For only the second year, all 11-man and six-man football championship games will be played at the same location. Prior to last year, the Conference 1A six-man football championship games were played at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
“Having all football championship games in one location truly makes for an amazing experience for the coaches, athletes and fans, and last year it lead to a Texas high school football attendance record,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “We are excited to return to AT&T Stadium and continue to improve on a world class event in the state of Texas.”