Recent Site News & Updates

UIL MS Debate

Do you have middle school students that want to learn about argumentation and debate? 

Would you like to get a feeder program for CX Debate started in your middle school that could strengthen your high school program? 

Are you interested in providing debate competition at your middle school invitational or district meet? 

See the resources designed especially for UIL Middle School CX Debate!

https://www.uiltexas.org/speech/debate

A+ Middle School Debate

Do you have students interested in learning debate? If so, the UIL high school debate page has resources to help provide CX Debate to your middle school students!

A+ Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot

Is your campus interested in the A+ Theatrical Design pilot? If so, let us know!

NCAA Rule Interpretation Update Affecting UIL Football Games

The NCAA has recently clarified the interpretation of the 10-second runoff rule in situations where an injury timeout occurs in the final seconds of the 2nd or 4th quarters. This update, approved by the CFO Board of Managers, is intended to close a potential loophole in the rule and ensure fair play.

**Key Update:**

• If a player is injured on a play where there is a temporary stoppage of the clock for a first down with 10 seconds or less remaining in the 2nd or 4th quarters, the opponent has the option of a 10-second runoff. The runoff can be avoided if the team takes a charged timeout.

This change aims to prevent teams from gaining an unfair clock advantage by feigning or exploiting injuries. The updated rule will be enforced in all UIL football games effective immediately.

Please ensure that your coaching staff and players are aware of this update, as it may have a significant impact on game strategy, especially in close end-of-game situations.

For more details, you can refer to the attached document HERE

UIL Protocols for Electronic Relay Judging Equipment - Swim & Dive

UIL Protocols for Electronic Relay Judging Equipment

The following protocols will be utilized for the 2024-25 UIL Swimming & Diving Season.

In all UIL championship meets in which electronic relay judging equipment is being utilized, a minimum of two (2), preferably four (4), relay takeoff judges must be assigned to observe relay exchanges.

1. An individual relay takeoff judge should be assigned to observe no more than four (4), preferably two (2) lanes.
2. Side takeoff judges should be positioned on the side of the pool nearest the lanes for which they have responsibility.
3. Lane takeoff judges should be positioned facing the side judge and adjacent to starting platforms for which they have responsibility, where they will have an unrestricted view of the incoming and outgoing touches and departures.
4. An alleged rules infraction, that is observed by any of the takeoff judges, shall be recorded immediately in writing. Each relay takeoff judge, who observes an alleged rules violation, shall wait until the last competitor of the heat is in the water before signaling an observed violation by raising a hand overhead, with open palm.  Both officials observing relay takeoff exchanges shall not be located next to each other on the side of the pool.
5. When the relay judging equipment records an exchange of 0.00 and beyond on the positive side, or from the manufacturer’s starting point, there shall not be an early relay takeoff violation charged unless there has been an observed contact with the starting block by a swimmer or team personnel at the block and observed by the official assigned to the lane.
6. Should the electronic relay judging equipment fail, it would take dual confirmation from officials to validate a DQ.

An Overview of the Fall 2024 Lincoln Douglas Debate Resolution

Whether we reside in rural or urban areas, the necessity for food is universal, making the Fall UIL topic a crucial exploration of American agricultural practices and their effects on both human and animal welfare. This topic invites a values-based analysis, encompassing environmental justice, the ethical provision of food, the protection of quality of life, and animal rights, among others. A fundamental step in addressing this topic is to define “agroecology.” According to the Soil Association, a UK-based organization advocating for alternatives to industrial farming, “Agroecology is an umbrella term that covers lots of agricultural practices that you may be more familiar with, like organic, biodynamic or permaculture. Organic farming is a form of agroecological farming. All organic farmers are required to meet a strict set of standards. These standards guarantee higher animal welfare, fewer pesticides and antibiotics and no GMOs [genetically-modified organisms]. Organic practices also support more jobs on farms, healthy soil and more on-farm” (https://www.soilassociation.org/causes-campaigns/a-ten-year-transition-to-agroecology/what-is-agroecology/).  Therefore, affirmative cases are likely to emphasize the health benefits of rejecting GMOs, the promotion of animal welfare by opposing confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), or environmental protection through the reduced use of pesticides and herbicides. Conversely, negative cases may argue that industrialized agriculture is essential for feeding a growing global population, that intensive farming methods protect the environment by producing more food on less land, or that well-regulated CAFOs can effectively balance animal welfare with minimal environmental disruption.

Fall 2024 LD Debate Topic

The 2024 Fall Lincoln Douglas topic is now posted.

ACADEMIC COORDINATOR, COACHES AND DIRECTOR REGISTRATION

Registration must be completed each year.

Please register no later than Oct. 1.  

• Each high school campus coordinator should complete the academic coordinator registration form for your campus.  Please note that schools are listed by city, then school. This registration includes space for you to list contact emails for each event coach. If you do not have that information, please leave it blank for now.
• The annual speech coach registration form should be completed by each coach of speaking events at the beginning of each school year.
• Theatre directors will register during the one-act play enrollment process.  

For elementary and middle school academic coordinator registration, dates and deadlines, visit the A+ Academics section of the UIL website.

UIL names 231 students to 2024 All-State Journalism Staff

Students who earn more than 50 points through competition at the local, regional, state and national levels earn acceptance to the All-State Journalism Staff. For 2024, UIL will recognize 231 students for overall excellence in scholastic journalism from UIL competition to yearbook, newspaper, online news and broadcast journalism competitions. Congratulations to all these outstanding students and their advisers. 

See the list of honorees here. 

See the list of criteria here. 

A+ Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot

The Legislative Council has authorized the UIL to conduct a Theatrical Design pilot for the 2024-25 school year. Information about this exciting event is found here!