UIL rejects proposal barring freshmen from varsity play; takes no action on shot clock

Taking the rare step of outright rejecting a proposal, the UIL Legislative Council turned away a controversial proposal to bar freshman athletes from participating in varsity competition during its meeting in Round Rock.

It was one of several proposals the committee heard on Tuesday.

The committee took no action on a proposal to add a shot clock to high school boys and girls basketball in the state.

Another topic that generates discussion, the UIL decided not to follow other states, who use the National Federation rules that have chosen to add a shot clock in recent years.

• The UIL will study a proposal that suggested all baseball playoff rounds move to best-of-three series unless a one-game series was agreed upon by both coaches. Currently coaches have the ability to flip for a one-game or best-of-three series. The proposal only includes Class 5A and Class 6A.

• The UIL will study the Class 5A football alignment structure that currently splits the conference into Division I and Division II based on enrollment size. All classifications smaller than Class 6A currently use the format.

The current setup is in question due to the amount of school districts that have elected to opt up to Division I in recent alignments. Corpus Christi ISD has opted up schools in each of the last several realignments in order to keep its schools together in football.

• The UIL took no action on a proposal to move the Texas high school soccer season to the fall. Currently the season takes place from January through mid-April.

The UIL did approve several proposals including:

• Making permanent recent additions to allowable guided summer strength and conditioning and sport-specific training, that were initially put in place due to COVID-19.

• An addition of a class to the list of courses for which there is an exception to the UIL rule that limits enrollment in physical education courses during the school day.

• An increase of $5 to the travel reimbursement fee for high school sports officials.

• The creation of a 10-year compensation plan for sports officials.

The Legislative Council will study several proposals including the participation of sixth graders in Class A competition; an adjustment to the process of filing a Prior Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) if the previous school is a private school; allowing a golf assistant to coach on the course during tournament play; and amending junior high track meet start times.

Quinton Martinez covers all things sports in South Texas. Support local coverage like this by checking out our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe  

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: UIL rejects proposal barring freshmen; takes no action on shot clock