2019 Brackets

[ElvisLives]

I don’t understand the logic of the schools using another chapter. I can understand they can’t agree on a crew but just have the chapter send a crew neither has used during the year.

Really?  You don't understand the logic?  It is very simple.  If I can't get the guys that I believe (however misguided) will help me win, I'm dang sure gonna make sure it ain't people that I believe (however misguided) will help you win.

Anything that happened during the regular season goes out the window.

That will never change, as long as the competing teams have direct input on the assignment of officials.
 
Logic:
The U.I.L. has control of officiating assignments. 
The U.I.L. is comprised almost exclusively of coaches (OK, superintendents, most of whom are ex-coaches). 
The U.I.L. will never voluntarily relinquish control of officiating assignments. 
Therefore, the assignment procedure in Texas will never change.

What would it take to make that change?  Being a component under the Vice President for Diversity & Community Engagement at the University of Texas, to force the U.I.L. to relinquish that control would take a literal act of the State legislature.  Yeah. Sure. They U.I.L. itself could voluntarily make that happen.  The VP could make that happen.  The President could make that happen.  The Chancellor could make that happen.  The Board of Regents could make that happen.  Don't count on that goose laying a golden egg.  So, we'd have to get some legislators on our side, to enact some legislation to make that happen.  Anybody know a legislator that would at all be interested in taking this on?  Not like they don't have anything else to consider, like school finance, flood water control, highway infrastructure improvements, energy production and commerce, firearms issues, etc.  Even if you could find someone that would champion the cause, with a majority of legislators being UT grads, they ain't about to approve something that would weaken their institution even the micro-amount this would be.

It is the most conflict-of-interest laden system on the planet.  Yet, sadly, it (probably) ain't gonna change.   
   

[TXPanhandle]

This happens every year to almost every chapter.  Yes, it is a huge problem.  If my chapter supports your requirements from varsity down to 7th grade all year long, you really are obligated to use my chapter when you play another school that my chapter supported.  When a chapter works a school's home scrimmage, they are obligated, by the UIL, to support that school all year long due to the school paying for the officials to the chapter.  A strong message needs to be sent by chapters that get hosed in the playoffs to those schools that pull this HORSE HOCKEY by not sending officials to their home scrimmages the next year, with the message that you are on your own for officials this season.  Also, when a chapter agrees to support a team's entire program from varsity to 7th grade, there should be a contract between the varsity schools in that district agreeing to utilize that chapter when in the playoffs when playing another school that chapter supports.  No one ever seems to want to make a stand.  But then again, there may be a lot more involved than most of us know.  As long as coaches know they can get away with it, they will.  This gets back to the whole coaches having the right to scratch.

To jump on the band wagon...I too absolutely have an issue with is occurring.  This response brings up a very good point regarding the requirement for a chapter to cover the games of a school when that chapter charges them for the scrimmage.  It's always a one-way street but that can change if a chapter will stand their ground.  In this particular case, stand your ground by telling the WF AD (who gets to respond on behalf of both coaches) that the chapter will be meeting, or has met, and ALL officials in the chapter agree they will not work any game where one of those two schools is participating.  You can go as far as including games where one of the two schools is also the visiting school.  That way, for example, if WF High is playing a JV game at Vernon (another school covered by this chapter), the WF High coach or WF AD can then explain to the Vernon coach why no officials will be present.  That being "sorry coach but we do not have any officials available that are willing to officiate this contest."   

Additionally, and I know this is easier said than done, but I would also like to see the chapter who is receiving the game graciously decline by telling the schools they respect their fellow officiating colleagues (the offended chapter) work and kindly decline to send officials to work that game.  If all chapters would respond accordingly when this occurs there could be some additional power taken back by the chapters.  But of course we all know not every chapter will abide by that kind of "gentlemen's" agreement. 

[JasonTX]

Additionally, and I know this is easier said than done, but I would also like to see the chapter who is receiving the game graciously decline by telling the schools they respect their fellow officiating colleagues (the offended chapter) work and kindly decline to send officials to work that game.  If all chapters would respond accordingly when this occurs there could be some additional power taken back by the chapters.  But of course we all know not every chapter will abide by that kind of "gentlemen's" agreement.

But don't decline it the week before.  Wait till the day before to decline it.   

[psv]

I don't know, this probably wont be very popular, but... does this really happen that often?  I mean, we have the data, almost 20 years worth, how many times a year does this really happen?  It is easy to say "We wont cover your SV next year".  Coaches get weird this time of year and this is one of the ways that manifests itself.  Most chapters have had this happen, and most have also been the beneficiary of this type of thing happening.
So, it kind of comes out in the wash in the end.

Now, if a school is covered by a chapter and refuses to use that chapter in the playoffs and does that year in and year out, then that should be worth a discussion, in the offseason.  And certainly an agreement with the school could be made to not cover them the next season...

But just for a rare occurrence…. isn't that kind of making us part of the game (and I understand all the points above).

When I was a younger official this type of thing fired me up.  But a wiser gentlemen said "Sometimes coaches just feel they need to shake things up to try and win and move on, and we are one of those things that can be shaken..." 

[TXPanhandle]

For a respective chapter the frequency of this happening is not very much (maybe once every three or four years) which, in my opinion, adds to the chapters argument. If it was occurring within the chapter multiple times a season, every season, I would tell you there’s an issue with the chapter. But infrequent tells me all other teams do not have an issue with the chapter so that makes it much easier for the chapter to stand up for themselves, which they should do. I just hope every chapter member will take the stance scratch the teams but that’s highly unlikely. I promise you there’s a terrible crew chomping at the opportunity to finally get into a 5A stadium game. And that crew is not the quality product the chapter wants on that field.

[TxBJ]

It probably happens more in bigger chapters where their teams play each other in the playoffs more often.

[TexDoc]

I don't know, this probably wont be very popular, but... does this really happen that often?  I mean, we have the data, almost 20 years worth, how many times a year does this really happen?  It is easy to say "We wont cover your SV next year".  Coaches get weird this time of year and this is one of the ways that manifests itself.  Most chapters have had this happen, and most have also been the beneficiary of this type of thing happening.
So, it kind of comes out in the wash in the end.

Now, if a school is covered by a chapter and refuses to use that chapter in the playoffs and does that year in and year out, then that should be worth a discussion, in the offseason.  And certainly an agreement with the school could be made to not cover them the next season...

But just for a rare occurrence…. isn't that kind of making us part of the game (and I understand all the points above).

When I was a younger official this type of thing fired me up.  But a wiser gentlemen said "Sometimes coaches just feel they need to shake things up to try and win and move on, and we are one of those things that can be shaken..."

It does happen multiple times every year.  Maybe not to the same chapter, but it does happen every year. 

[bctgp]

When these scenarios happen perhaps the non-home chapters should tell the Coaches no thanks. You both have a home chapter more than capable of officiating your game.  Just a thought

[texasH]

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  I've been reading this board for many, many years but as you can see don't post, ever really.  I will chime in on this one though.  Just to piggy back on what everyone has said, I completely agree with it all.  (taking a change from a standpoint that Elvis mentioned would be a long almost impossible process.  However taking a stand like some others have mentioned would not be, and actually be very simple if the chapters would just grow a set and make it happen.  Just taking San Antonio as an example (I'm not in SA and don't know if it has even happened in SA).  SA ABC HS is playing SA XYZ HS tomorrow in the 3rd round of the playoffs.  They are using Houston chapter.  SA chapter calls both coaches today and tell them exactly what has been mentioned on this board.  We understand you are not comfortable with using us in the playoffs in Nov/Dec, so we are not comfortable with serving you in Aug, Sept, Oct so please make plans now to have some other chapter cover your games, 7th grade thru Varsity for the entire 2020 Football season.  And that's it - period. No negotating, changing your mind, etc.  Coaches will be officiating sub-varsity games b/c no other chapter in the state can/will send officials that far out 1) b/c what wants to travel that far for sub-varsity and 2) most chapters barely have enough to cover their own sub-varsity.  As for Varsity, we know there will be some chapters out there that will send officials for them, but if it changes throughout the year, nothing is consistent, probably getting some newer officials and rookies, and paying an arm and a leg for travel.  At some point, principals, AD's, someone in finance is going to see the outreageous costs associated with officials when their school is playing next year (all year, home road, etc).  Again, no going back on this - chapter stands strong the ENTIRE year.  Pretty sure there are still plenty of HS's in SA region for officials to work and nobody is going to be sitting at home by taking this stand.  Just grow a set and do it.  Just my opinion.  Sickening that the coaches have this much pull.  Again, not part of SA and don't even know if it's happening, just used as an example as we all know it's happening at least to a few chapters throughout the state.  Bottom line is, local chapters can take a stand and make it a hardship for these schools that decide to make these playoff decisions.  Is it a cure all/fix all, absolutely not, but like in anything else in life, if you take a stand for what you believe in, it's going to open some eyes and get some attention, somewhere, somehow.  Once again, Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families.

[TXPanhandle]

Couple of follow up thoughts based on the recent responses, which I appreciate. Using the example mentioned that references San Antonio, support from nearby chapters is a must as well. So In the example the Austin chapter should reject the season schedule as well. For NTX in this real scenario they would need to have FTW, Dallas and Abilene also say no thanks. It has to hurt. Lastly, we need TASO’s full support from the top down because we all know what’s going to hit the fan when the AD contacts UIL But this can be done!

[TxBJ]

Let’s not forget these games aren’t about us.

[940AC]

Let’s not forget these games aren’t about us.

Without a doubt, the games are never about the officials. I think I see the direction you are heading with your statement, but if schools aren’t using their own chapter that covers their varsity and sub-v games all season long, then there is an underlying issue. Coaches request crews regularly during the regular season, just like the playoffs. Some larger chapters use the draft system, again where the more popular crews among the coaches will be drafted with frequency. Were the officials that called their regular season games not sufficient enough for WF High and WF Rider? Were crews out of their home chapter already on other playoff games?
You can not argue, in my opinion, that if officials from their home chapter were available that they used in varsity games during the regular season, that these officials (barring any egregious situation that would have come up in game) aren’t up to the task to call this playoff game as well. As we all know, playoff assignments are hard to come by. Coaches requests come first and take precedence. When those coaches are from the same area and utilize the same chapter for officials, those officials should be given the benefit of the doubt.

[TxBJ]

I 100% agree they should use their local chapter, and I mean in general, not just this specific incident. However, I think talking about boycotts, getting other chapters to do the same, etc., is over the top.

[Etref]

Many,many years ago two small schools in the Panhandle asked UIL to assign a crew for a DISTRICT basketball game.

UIL assigned a crew from the Valley. After airfare, car rental, hotel, meals, etc the schools learned their lesson.

[psv]

It does happen multiple times every year.  Maybe not to the same chapter, but it does happen every year.

Hey Doc, how often, per year, on average do you think this happens?  Single digits?  Low teens?

Just curious..... I don't always know all the schools unless it is very obvious (like two Wichita Falls schools not using NTX, for example ) 

[adaref]

I have a crazy idea in the other direction. After the first round of the playoffs, no chapter works any games for any school they cover during the regular season. Even by agreement. Different looks for the playoffs.

[TexDoc]

Hey Doc, how often, per year, on average do you think this happens?  Single digits?  Low teens?

Just curious..... I don't always know all the schools unless it is very obvious (like two Wichita Falls schools not using NTX, for example )

Half a dozen in a season I'd say.

[dammitbobby]

Would never fly (probably even here as well) but I'd like to see crew assignments based on where the game is played.  Abilene school vs Amarillo team, played in Lubbock?  Congrats, SPC, you get to send a crew to that game.  Coaches can scratch individuals/and or complete crew but whoever they decide on  is going to be coming from SPC chapter.

[Etref]

What do you do for the State Championships usually always in DFW?

[TXPanhandle]

What do you do for the State Championships usually always in DFW?

Oh boy!  Please let’s not start this argument already. It will come soon enough.

[JasonTX]

Would never fly (probably even here as well) but I'd like to see crew assignments based on where the game is played.  Abilene school vs Amarillo team, played in Lubbock?  Congrats, SPC, you get to send a crew to that game.  Coaches can scratch individuals/and or complete crew but whoever they decide on  is going to be coming from SPC chapter.

Team A vs Team B has crew Jackson.  Team A wins the game.
Team C vs Team D has crew Jones.  Team C wins the game.

Team A vs Team C.  Coin toss to determine if Jackson or Jones works the game.  Keep doing that all the way to the championships.

[TexDoc]

Team A vs Team B has crew Jackson.  Team A wins the game.
Team C vs Team D has crew Jones.  Team C wins the game.

Team A vs Team C.  Coin toss to determine if Jackson or Jones works the game.  Keep doing that all the way to the championships.

 

[dammitbobby]

What do you do for the State Championships usually always in DFW?

For championship games, mutual agreement on officiating chapter.  Heck, could even do this for semis and quarters even.  But the rest, local game, local chapter.

[TXPanhandle]

For championship games, mutual agreement on officiating chapter.  Heck, could even do this for semis and quarters even.  But the rest, local game, local chapter.

The decision on officials for football should follow the process of all other UIL sports.  That being, when they get to the semi-finals and finals the coaches should have no say in which chapter or officials are calling the game.  UIL assigns the the chapter the game and that chapter shall not be affiliated with either participating team. 

[dammitbobby]

The decision on officials for football should follow the process of all other UIL sports.  That being, when they get to the semi-finals and finals the coaches should have no say in which chapter or officials are calling the game.  UIL assigns the the chapter the game and that chapter shall not be affiliated with either participating team.

So it has been written, so it shall be done.

...I wish