General News
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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.
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."
After More Than 3 Decades, Dr. Farney Retires From UIL
By Jeanne Acton | Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:14 AM
On the wall in his office hangs a plain wooden plaque. It reads, “Success is never final. Failure is never fatal.”
Simple words with a powerful message.
This message sums up the Executive Director of the University Interscholastic League Dr. William Farney’s philosophy: “The winning doesn’t make you a better person. The competition does.”
For more than three decades at UIL, Dr. Farney has lived and led with that philosophy. But Jan. 30, 2009, after 14 years as executive director, Dr. Farney will take down that plaque and retire from the League.
“I really feel like it’s time,” he said. “We have people in place — strong people — to take care of this organization. I’d put this staff up against any staff in the U.S.”
In 1977, Dr. Farney started his career at the UIL as the athletic director and assistant director under then-director Bailey Marshall.
Dr. Farney Was More Than a Strong Leader; He Was and Still Is a Great Friend
By Charles Breithaupt | Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:10 AM
I thought this would be an easy job. My task was to write an article about my boss, my mentor and my friend. Turns out it is most difficult to put in words all of the great memories from the past 17 years.
Dr. Bill Farney is retiring on Jan. 31, 2009. After a stellar 45-year career in education, 31 at the UIL — the last 14 as Executive Director, he has decided to hang up his spurs. He is well-deserving of whatever joys retirement can bring to him. But, I can’t let him ride away without a few words of appreciation and admiration.
Dr. Farney grew up in the Waco area and attended Chilton High School where he graduated as class valedictorian. He participated in a variety of UIL activities, including academic and athletic competition. He received a scholarship to Paris Junior College where he played both football and basketball. From there he went on to the University of Tulsa where he played football and graduated with a degree in English.
He began teaching and coaching football, basketball and track at Lorena High School and later went to Robinson as high school principal. He was eventually hired as superintendent at Crawford ISD. He was the youngest superintendent in the state at age 29. While at Crawford, he served as head football coach, head girls’ basketball coach and track coach. He won a state championship in girls’ basketball in 1975.
In 1977 he was hired at the UIL and served as Athletic Director and Assistant Director until he assumed the duties of Executive Director in March 1995.
Dr. Farney is a member of the Texas Girls Association’s Hall of Honor where he also served as state president. He was inducted into the Texas Basketball Hall of Honor in 2006. He has served on numerous National Federation committees including the NFHS Board of Directors.
Welcome to the Leaguer Online
By Bill Farney | Tuesday, November 11, 2008 10:01 AM
We want to welcome you to the Leaguer Online. We hope you enjoy the site and find our new way of dispersing information helpful and easy to navigate.
We will continually add new articles and new information each month. Please continue to check the site for updates.
If you find problems or errors, please feel free to email the managing editor, Jeanne Acton at jeacton@mail.utexas.edu.
After Ike, High Island HS Finds Its Way Home Again
By Charles Breithaupt | Friday, November 07, 2008 10:16 AM
Thomas Hardy once wrote, “You can never go home again.” He was right of course, but he never knew the people in High Island.
High Island is a small southeast Texas coastal town along the Gulf Coast. Ravaged by hurricane they had little hope they would ever be able to return, yet miraculously many did.
Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at High Island High School Paul Colton had evacuated from his own home as Hurricane Ike barreled toward the Texas coast. Having already cancelled one game because of the evacuations, Coach Colton was concerned that the damages to the tiny Conference A school, nestled on the gulf coast, could cost his team the season.
He, like many others in High Island, awaited news regarding the rest of the season. Most importantly he awaited information regarding the fate of the school and the homes of many players who lived in the coastal communities along Bolivar Peninsula.