UIL Rule Changes Approved by Commissioner of Education

Date: Feb 15, 2005
Category: General Information

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX - Amendments to current UIL rules passed by the Legislative Council of the University Interscholastic League have been approved by Commissioner of Education Dr. Shirley Neeley.  The Commissioner’s approval allows the rule changes to take effect beginning in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years.

Among the changes approved by the Commissioner was the issue placed on the referendum ballot by the UIL Legislative Council to allow an additional team from each district to advance to the playoffs in conferences 1A and 5A for all team sports.  Currently, two teams from each district advance to the playoffs in conference 1A and three teams advance in conference 5A.  Allowing a third team to advance from each district in conference 1A passed by a more than two to one margin with 213 in favor and 91 opposed.  The four-team format in 5A passed on the referendum ballot with a vote of 133 in favor and 92 opposed.  The changes will not take effect until the next realignment period in the 2006-07 school year.  The issue of adding a fourth team to the playoff structure in conference 4A did not pass.

Other changes placed on the referendum ballot and approved by the Commissioner Thursday are eliminating the Texas Cup game at the state basketball tournament for conference 1A, adding mixed doubles to spring tennis, and extending the ending date of the summer strength and conditioning program by one week in July.  These changes would become effective during the 2005-06 school year.

Commissioner Neeley’s approval also allowed the following rule changes passed by the UIL Legislative Council in October to take effect during the 2005-06 school year:

• Creating a pilot theatrical design contest;
• Prohibiting unattached participation in school-sponsored contests, meets and tournaments;
• Further identifying common indicators of changing schools for athletic purposes.

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