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
The idea for All-Century Teams was an idea I first presented to the Centennial Committee. I urged the group to call the team “the favorites” rather than “the best.”
The Web site states “as part of the UIL's Centennial Celebration, we would like to recognize some of the best athletes to ever play high school athletics in the UIL. Vote for your all-time favorites to help us identify some of the best in the sports of football, volleyball, girl's and boy's basketball, track & field, soccer, softball and baseball.”
Once the committee approved the idea, I was a little concerned about a few possible outcomes.
One possible scenario — some people would be upset because of a player left off the online voting list. This scenario came true. We have received a few phones from upset people..
I fully expected that reaction, and quite frankly, I would have been disappointed if that type of comment did not make its way to my desk. Each list has a write-in candidate for that very reason.
Admitedly, some great players did not make the list. The list is best effort to include some of the greatest athletes, but I am not perfect. I may have left off a perfectly good candidate, and that is why we have the write-in option. If you can’t find your favorite on the list, write the player in that you believe should be included and then tell your friends to do also.
The second possible outcome — the list would generate some interest and fun. The interest has exceeded even my expectations. More than7000 votes have been cast after just one month of voting. I find it remarkable that volleyball has generated nearly as many votes as the football team in this football crazy state.
Each online voting list will be posted on the opening day of practice for that sport and will close on the district certification date. The votes will then be finalized and announced at each state tournament.
We also plan on inviting the selected athletes to attend their respective events and be recognized.