UIL Legislative Council Meeting Results

Date: Oct 22, 2007
Category: Legislative Council

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

AUSTIN, TX— The current system for football alignments will remain in place and superintendents will decide whether or not to add a fourth team to the playoffs in all team sports for Conference 4A after decisions handed down by the UIL Legislative Council on Monday. 

After extensive discussion of a split conference alignment for football, the UIL Legislative Council voted to survey school superintendents after the 2008-2010 realignment is released this spring to determine whether or not to move forward with the plan for the 2010-2012 alignment period.  The Council instructed the UIL staff to place the item on a survey and include a scenario of the split conference alignment using the 2008 enrollment figures so schools could see how the split conferences would have affected things this realignment period.

“The Legislative Council had a great deal of interest in the split conference alignment plan for football, but felt now was not the time to move forward with it, especially since we are currently in a realignment year,” said UIL Assistant Director and Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “By using the 2008 enrollment figures to create the sample alignment, it gives everyone a chance to look at this plan with fresh numbers and a  new perspective.  Giving superintendents across the state a chance to weigh in on this concept provides a more comprehensive look at the way our schools feel about it and we’re encouraged by the efforts and wisdom of the Council.”

Conference 4A superintendents will decide if a fourth team is added to the playoffs in the sports of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball after the item is placed on a referendum ballot this spring.  The results of the referendum ballot are binding, and will take effect in the 2008-09 school year.

Additionally, the Legislative Council amended the penalty for a positive steroid test result.  In June 2007, the Council passed a penalty structure relating to the statewide random steroid testing program that the UIL is implementing this school year.   At that time, the penalty for a first time positive steroid test was a suspension from competition for a minimum of 30 calendar days.  That penalty was amended, and if approved by the Commissioner of Education, will now be a suspension for a minimum of 30 school days of competition in all UIL athletic activities for a first positive test.  A student must undergo an exit steroid test and receive a negative result in order to restore their eligibility. 

In other action, the Legislative Council determined that all coaches who have been ejected from a contest and have not had the ejection overturned by the UIL State Executive Committee must complete the National Federation of State High School Associations Fundamentals of Coaching Course.  The course must also be completed by all first year coaches and any coach who is not a full-time employee of the school district. 

 

The following items were approved by the Legislative Council, and take effect August 1, 2008 if approved by the Commissioner of Education:

* Creating a specific medium ensemble category for Mariachi;

* Increasing officials fees in all sports;

* Expanding the Conference 4A soccer alignment from 32 to 64 districts.

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