Just received this from the UIL -
The Third Court of Appeals decision in the suit filed by TASO vs UIL overturned the
decisions of the lower court and dismissed the lawsuit. While TASO continues to claim
victory and has recently filed another suit against UIL employees, it does not change the
fact that UIL member schools have the authority to make rules regarding their games.
There has been confusion among some officials and UIL member schools regarding the
issue of registration for sports officials. To clarify this issue, the UIL offers the following
information.
According to Section 1204 of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules (C&CR), officials
who wish to officiate UIL contests must be registered with the UIL. This registration
process does not require the individual official to align with the UIL, nor does it require
the official to join the UIL as a member. Registration is required in order to provide the
UIL with directory information to communicate and contact officials regarding playoff
game selections and pertinent sports related information. It also verifies that each official
has completed and passed the Officials Compliance Program(OCP), (formerly COPE).
This two step process is free to officials and does not require any additional action.
Registration should not be confused with membership. Each chapter will decide whom
their service provider will be for rule books, insurance, training, etc. Chapters may
choose either TASO or UIL for these services. However, all individual officials who
wish to officiate UIL contests must register with the UIL annually, regardless of their
chapter membership affiliation.
There has been much propaganda and many myths perpetrated by those who do not wish
for officials to have a choice where they receive their services. For over 30 years the UIL
required officials to join TASO. Many officials have questioned why they were forced to
join TASO. At the same time many schools desired a different model.
In response to the escalating concerns, the rule changes approved by the UIL Legislative
Council now gives a choice to officials, while allowing officials the opportunity to decide
where to receive their services. However, all officials must complete the free registration
process annually.
Concerns regarding who will assign games at the local level is unfounded. Local
chapters have been an integral part of officiating long before an officials association was
formed. Chapters will continue to make assignments for games locally, in all sports as
they presently do.
Playoff assignments shall be made as they have been in past years. UIL member schools
who agree on officials shall continue to contact the chapters directly for assignments.
However, they are required to use only officials registered with UIL.
Both UIL and TASO chapters shall have the opportunity to be assigned playoff games by
the UIL office when schools cannot agree. However, neither the UIL nor the local chapter
can assign officials to playoff games who are not registered with the UIL.
The registration process does not align or declare an official with the UIL and does not
make them a member of the UIL. Registration allows officials to be eligible to officiate
UIL games under section 1204 of the UIL C&CR.
There is some concern regarding the November 1st date. Officials should be registered
with the UIL prior to that date. The time frame comes prior to the beginning of the
football and volleyball playoffs. The use of non UIL registered officials must have prior
approval from the UIL Director of Athletics after November 1, 2010. Penalties for
utilizing non UIL registered officials, without approval, are covered in the UIL C&CR.
It is important to note that UIL member schools will be granted administrative access to
every local chapter regarding registration information in the coming weeks. Schools will
be able to monitor registration progress chapter by chapter, sport by sport. This will
allow the schools to monitor officials who are eligible to officiate UIL contests.
If you have any questions feel free to contact the UIL office.
