1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS

FORT WORTH DIVISION

Colleen Baum, as next friend of daughter, 

Cate Baum; Imelda Garcia, as next friend of 

daughter Angela Benitez; and Jacquella 

Stewart, as next friend of daughter, 

Jaquesha Stewart,

Plaintiffs,

v.

FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 

DISTRICT,

Defendant.

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CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:21-cv-01262-Y

APPENDIX IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT FORT WORTH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 

DISTRICT’S MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFFS’ ORIGINAL COMPLAINT

UNDER FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 12(B)(1) AND 12(B)(6)

AND BRIEF IN SUPPORT

Tab Document Page(s)

1. Excerpts of University Interscholastic League Constitution and 

Contest Rules, 2021-2022, 112th Ed.

APP. 001–011

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 1 of 13 PageID 61
2

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Adam Rothey

K. ADAM ROTHEY

State Bar No. 24051274

arothey@thompsonhorton.com

KATHRYN E. LONG

State Bar No. 24041679

klong@thompsonhorton.com

THOMPSON & HORTON LLP

500 North Akard Street, Suite 3150

Dallas, Texas 75201

(972) 853-5115 – Telephone

(972) 692-8334 – Facsimile

Attorneys for Defendant Fort Worth 

Independent School District

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned certifies that on January 24, 2022, a true and correct copy of this document 

has been served upon all parties via the Court’s electronic filing system. A paper copy has also 

been sent via U.S. Mail to the judge’s chambers pursuant to the Court’s specific requirements.

Frank Hill

Stephanie Klein

HILL GILSTRAP, P.C.

1400 W. Abram Street

Arlington, Texas 76013

(817) 261-2222 – Telephone

(817) 861-4685 – Facsimile

fhill@hillgilstrap.com

sklein@hillgilstrap.com

Senior District Judge Terry R. Means

United States District Court

for the Northern District of Texas

501 W. 10th Street, Room 502

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

/s/ Adam Rothey

K. ADAM ROTHEY

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 2 of 13 PageID 62
Constitution

and 

Contest

Rules

C&CR

2021-2022

One Hundred and Twelfth Edition

University Interscholastic League

App. 001

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 3 of 13 PageID 63
112th Edition of the

Constitution and

Contest Rules

of the

University Interscholastic League

2021-2022

Telephone: 512-471-5883

Theatre Only: 512-471-9996

P.O. Box 8028

Austin, Texas 78713

Fax: Administration – 512-471-5908

Fax: Academics – 512-232-7311

Fax: Athletics – 512-471-6589

Fax: Theatre – 512-471-7388

Fax: Order Department – 512-232-6471

E-mail Addresses:

Administration/Eligibility: info@uiltexas.org

Academics: academics@uiltexas.org

Theatre: theatre@uiltexas.org

Music: music@uiltexas.org

Athletics: athletics@uiltexas.org

Media/Public Information: pr@uiltexas.org

Print Date: July 15, 2021

See website for most current revisions.

WEB Address: www.uiltexas.org

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

App. 002

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 4 of 13 PageID 64
This publication is not copyrighted. Any or all sections may be duplicated.

The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused through a community, are essential to the preservation of a free 

government.

SAM HOUSTON

Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute of man. It is the only 

dictator that freemen acknowledge, and is the only security which freemen desire.

MIRABEAU B. LAMAR

School and community opinion should be so conditioned that every interschool contest dramatizes not only the reign of law but the reign 

of a higher law giving the Spirit of the rules precedence over the Letter, thus establishing a jurisdiction in which Conscience is the court of 

final appeal, empowered to confer the ultimate and most highly valued awards.

Educational Competition

The Story of the University Interscholastic League

by ROY BEDICHEK

UIL Director, 1921-1948

2 University Interscholastic League

App. 003

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 5 of 13 PageID 65
Subchapter A. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

Section 1: NAME

The name of the organization shall be University Interscholastic League (UIL). 

Subchapter B. OBJECTIVES

Section 2: OBJECTIVES OF THE UIL

The objectives of the UIL are:

(a) to enhance students’ educational experience;

(b) to prepare them for citizenship by providing interschool competition among the public elementary 

and secondary schools of Texas; and

(c) to establish rules and procedures for sanctioning and conducting interscholastic competition, 

including rules providing penalties for rules violations by school district personnel, that are consistent with rules of the State Board of Education.

Subchapter C. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL 

PROVISIONS

Section 5: DEFINITIONS

In the Constitution and Contest Rules, unless the context 

requires otherwise:

(a) Academy: two-year school for academically gifted and talented; created by the state legislature, 

under the management and control of the board 

of regents of the Texas State University System. 

Examples: Texas Academy of Leadership in the 

Humanities, Lamar University, Beaumont, and 

Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, University of North Texas, Denton.

(b) Alternative School: generally alternative schools are 

schools without defined attendance zones. Alternative schools include (but may not be limited to): 

discipline alternative education programs, juvenile 

justice alternative education programs, juvenile 

detention centers, county jails, drop-out prevention and drop-out recovery schools, credit recovery schools, schools of choice, ISD charters, high 

school equivalency (GED) programs, career and 

technical education campuses, early college campuses, T-STEM campuses, men’s/women’s leadership academies, multiple school district cooperative 

schools, or other ISD schools that do not have 

defined attendance zones from which they draw 

their students

(c) Calendar week: 12:01 a.m. on Sunday through midnight on Saturday.

(d) Charter school: an open enrollment school approved 

by the State Board of Education.

(e) Constitution: the Constitution of the UIL.

(f) Contest: includes competition.

(g) Contest Rules: the rules governing UIL contests and 

competitions adopted by the UIL.

(h) Director: the Executive Director of the UIL.

(i) District: a grouping of member schools within an 

established conference that is determined to facilitate reasonable competition among the schools in 

UIL contests for a two year period (designated as 

region in music competition).

(j) District Executive Committee: the committee of 

superintendents or designated representatives of 

member schools within an assigned district.

(k) Divorced parents: parents whose divorce has been 

declared final. Parents who are separated or who 

have filed for a divorce are not divorced.

(l) Elementary school: a school that is a unit of a school 

district and offers instruction in kindergarten through 

the sixth grade, regardless of whether all of the grades 

are offered instruction in the same building.

(m) Enrollment: begins the day of a student’s registration and attendance in a full class period and ceases 

with the last day of attendance.

(n) Fan(s): devotees of a germane activity, e.g., spectators at a sporting event or a performance involving 

school students.

(o) High school: a school that is a unit of a school district and offers instruction in the ninth, tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades, or any combination thereof, 

whether all of the grades are offered instruction in 

the same building. A school also fits this definition 

if it has: 

(1) only one ninth grade, one tenth grade, one 

eleventh grade and one twelfth grade;

(2) with one principal in charge of all four grades;

(3) if all grades have the same school colors, the 

same school song and the same school paper; 

and

(4) school is on an established campus with permanent classrooms.

 That school would be eligible for UIL membership as one four-year (grades nine through 

twelve) high school unit, even though all 

grades are not on the same campus or in the 

same building.

(p) Intersession: that period of time during a non-traditional school year when school is not in session or 

when a particular group of students is not required 

to attend school.

Section 1: Name 19

Chapter 1: Constitution

App. 004

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20 Section 5: Definitions

(q) Junior high school: a school that is a unit of a school 

district and offers instruction in the seventh and 

eighth grades, whether it also offers instruction in the 

sixth or ninth grade, and whether it occupies a building separate from an elementary or high school.

(r) League: The University Interscholastic League.

(s) Legislative Council: The Legislative Council of the 

UIL.

(t) Magnet program: curriculum offered within a high 

school that also serves students in a regular high 

school setting.

(u) Magnet school: a high school within a multiple high 

school district where all students participate in the 

magnet curriculum.

(v) Member school: a public elementary or secondary 

school that is part of a member school district and 

for which the annual participation fee has been 

paid

(w) Non-enrolled (home schooled) student: means a student who receives instruction from a non-public 

school as described in section 29.916(a)(1) and 

33.0832 of the Texas Education Code.

(x) Non-participating school: a public secondary school 

that is part of a member school district that is classified as a member or non-member and has not 

elected to participate in the germane activity.

(y) Non-traditional school year: any school year based 

on a system other than an approximate nine 

consecutive month instructional period with an 

approximate three month vacation during the summer months.

(z) Optional attendance area: a policy created by school 

board in a multiple high school district that permits 

students within that ISD to select the high school 

they wish to attend. Examples: school board policy 

allows students the option to transfer to a school 

outside their attendance zone to enroll in a magnet 

program; court mandated majority to minority 

transfers.

(aa) Patron(s): person(s) who reside in the germane 

school district.

(bb) Postsecondary institution: a public or private educational institution that offers education and training 

beyond the high school, whether it requires graduation from high school for admission to its program.

(cc) Radio Broadcast: any live or delayed audio only 

broadcast of a contest regardless of the means or 

medium of transmission.

(dd) Recruit: to encourage a student in any way to 

change schools for the purpose of participating in 

UIL activities at any grade level. It could include 

offering a student or the student’s parent cash, 

waiver of tuition, board or lodging, transportation, promise of better conditions at the participant school or on its team, a job or other valuable 

consideration to induce the student to enroll in a 

participant school.

(ee) Region: a grouping of districts of member schools 

that is determined to facilitate reasonable competition among schools certified to represent their districts in UIL contests (designated as area in music 

competition).

(ff) School district: an independent school district, a city 

or municipal school district, and common school 

district.

(gg) School week: the week beginning at 12:01 a.m. on 

the first instructional day of a calendar week and 

ends at the close of instruction on the last instructional day of the calendar week, excluding holidays.

(hh) Sponsor: any person who is principally responsible, 

or responsible by delegation, for directing or 

coaching any student in UIL contests.

(ii) State Board of Education: reference to rules of the 

State Board of Education including rules of the 

Commissioner of Education.

(jj) State Executive Committee: the State Executive 

Committee of the UIL.

(kk) Summer months or summer vacation: the approximately three consecutive month period of time 

during the summer when schools using a traditional school year are closed.

(ll) Superintendent: the superintendent of an independent school district and/or a superintendent’s 

counterpart in a charter school or in those private 

schools eligible for UIL membership.

(mm) Telecast: any live or tape-delayed video footage of 

a contest in its entirety regardless of the means of 

transmission.

(nn) Traditional school year: an approximate nine 

consecutive month instructional period with an 

approximate three month vacation during the summer months.

(oo) Transfer student: a student who changes school 

without a corresponding change of residence by 

the student’s parents into the new school attendance zone.

(pp) UIL contest: interschool competition in any contest 

listed in Section 380.

(qq) Valuable consideration: any tangible or intangible 

property or service that has any value, including 

anything that is wearable, usable or salable.

(rr) Varsity: a contest entry level as provided for in academic, music and athletic plans at which the team, 

team member or individual student is designated 

by the school to represent it in UIL district, region, 

zone, area, state or non-conference contests.

App. 005

Case 4:21-cv-01262-Y Document 8 Filed 01/24/22 Page 7 of 13 PageID 67
(ss) Vocational high school: a high school within a multiple high school district where all students participate in the vocational curriculum.

Section 6: COMPUTATION OF TIME TO ACT

(a) COUNTING AFTER AN EVENT. When action is 

required within a specified period of time after a 

specific act or occurrence, counting starts the day 

after the act or occurrence. Do not count Saturday, 

Sunday, or federal or state holidays.

(b) COUNTING BEFORE AN EVENT. When action 

is required within a specified period of time before 

a specific occurrence, counting ends the day before 

the act or occurrence. Count backwards beginning 

with the day prior to the event to find the date 

action should be taken. Do not count Saturday, 

Sunday, or federal or state holidays. 

Subchapter D. MEMBERSHIP IN UIL 

Section 10: QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

A public school district or open enrollment charter 

school in Texas that is subject to accreditation by the Texas 

Education Agency, or a private school subject to accreditation by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, 

may become a member of the UIL in accordance with the 

following:

(a) ALL HIGH SCHOOLS. A high school must fit the 

definition of “High School” in Section 5 in order to 

be eligible to participate in UIL competition.

(b) PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OPEN 

ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS. Unless its 

right to participate has been suspended or revoked 

by the UIL, an open enrollment charter school, and 

a public high school, junior high school or elementary school of a school district that is a member 

of the UIL and for which the district has paid the 

annual participation fee, is eligible to participate in 

UIL competition.

(c) PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Unless its right to participate has been suspended or revoked for violating 

rules or codes by another league similar to the 

UIL, a Texas non-public school may apply for UIL 

membership in the largest conference provided the 

school meets all the following conditions:

(1) school is accredited by the Texas Private 

School Accreditation Commission;

(2) school does not qualify for membership in 

any other organization similar to the UIL.

Section 11: ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

A school seeking membership in the UIL shall submit its 

application to the Executive Director. If the application (a) 

demonstrates that the school district or open enrollment 

charter school is eligible for membership, (b) states that the 

school board and superintendent comply and will comply 

with applicable state law, Texas Education Agency regulations and the terms of participation in UIL contests as set 

out in the Constitution and Contest Rules, (c) is signed by the 

superintendent, and (d) is accompanied by payment of the 

annual membership fee, the Executive Director shall enroll 

the school as a member of the UIL.

Section 12: MEMBERSHIP DUES

(a) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES. A member 

school shall pay annual membership dues in an 

amount determined by the Legislative Council.

Section 13: INITIAL AND CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE

(a) NEW MEMBERSHIP. After enrollment as a new 

member but before membership can be effective, a school must provide certification from the 

school superintendent that the school superintendent, member secondary school principals, and all 

coaches, sponsors, and directors of UIL activities 

have completed the new school training required 

by the UIL Legislative Council. All school personnel required to complete the training must do so 

no later than August 15 of the first school year in 

which the school will be participating in UIL activities. Any member school superintendent or secondary school principal who is employed after August 

15 must complete the training within 60 days of 

employment in that position. Any school employee 

assigned as a UIL coach, director, or sponsor after 

August 15 must complete the training prior to the 

first organized activity.

(b) CONTINUATION. A member school or school 

district may continue its membership by paying 

the annual membership fee before October 1 for 

the membership year of August 1 through July 

31. If it fails to pay the annual fee before October 1, a school’s or school district’s membership 

may be suspended. Eligibility to participate in 

activities after this time is subject to decision of the 

State Executive Committee. If a member school or 

school district fails to pay its fee before January 

1, the school’s or school district’s membership for 

the current school year may be terminated. If the 

school’s membership is terminated, the school or 

school district may reapply for membership.

(c) SCHOOL PERSONNEL TRAINING. A member 

school’s right to continue to participate in UIL contests is subject to certification by the school superinSection 6: Computation of Time to Act 21

App. 006

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Random Steroid Testing Parent and Student 

Notification/Agreement Form.

(6) Concussion Acknowledgement Form. According 

to Section 38.155 of the Texas Education 

Code, “a student may not participate in an 

interscholastic athletic activity for a school 

year until both the student and the student 

’s parent or guardian or another person with 

legal authority to make medical decisions for 

the student have signed a form for that school 

year that acknowledges receiving and reading 

written information that explains concussion 

prevention, symptoms, treatment, and oversight and that includes guidelines for safely 

resuming participation in an athletic activity 

following a concussion .....” * This section 

also applies to students participating in the 

cheerleading program at the school.

(7) Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Form. Each 

year prior to any practice or participation 

in athletics, a UIL Sudden Cardiac Arrest 

Awareness form signed by both student and a 

parent or guardian is required. 

(8) Completion of Forms: Completion of forms 

as outlined in 1, 2 and 7 above satisfies the 

requirements contained in Section 33.096 of 

the Texas Education Code (TEC).

(A) The UIL Medical Advisory Committee 

(MAC) has reviewed and updated the 

required forms listed to ensure compliance with TEC 33.096.

(B) If there is a reason why a school cannot 

comply with the above requirements, 

that school’s administration should submit a request for exemption from TEC 

33.096 to the UIL Executive Director or 

their designee.

(C) An electrocardiogram (ECG) is not 

required. Should a parent/guardian 

choose the option of an ECG for his 

or her child, the parent/guardian is 

responsible for having the ECG administered and read in compliance with the 

law. A school district may provide an 

opportunity for this through an ECG 

program and may fund the program. A 

school is not required to provide such a 

program.

(b) VARSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

(1) Subchapter M. Only students satisfying all the 

requirements in Subchapter M of the Constitution are eligible for varsity competition.

(2) Non-District Games. In non-district interschool 

games or contests, only eligible students may 

participate. Each school shall complete a varsity eligibility list for each sport.

(3) Eligibility Forms. Schools shall submit comprehensive eligibility forms for football, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and soccer. 

For all other athletic activities general alphabetical listing of eligible athletes is required. 

One copy shall be sent to the District Executive Committee Chair and one copy shall be 

filed in the school’s office.

(4) Certification. Completed eligibility forms are 

to be signed by the superintendent or a designated administrator and the coach. These 

forms are to be submitted before a contestant 

is allowed to participate in a varsity contest.

(5) Suspension. Failure to furnish correct and 

complete information may, upon request by 

the proper committee, constitute grounds for 

suspension.

(c) PREVIOUS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM. 

The Previous Athletic Participation Form is 

required if a new student in grades 9-12 practiced 

or participated with his or her former school in 

grades eight through twelve during any previous 

school year in any athletic activity.

(d) MINIMUM PENALTY. If an eligibility form or a 

Previous Athletic Participation Form was not filed 

prior to competition, and it was an inadvertent 

error and the student is actually eligible under 

Subchapter M of the Constitution, the District 

Executive Committee is not required to demand 

forfeiture or to rule the student ineligible. They 

may assess the minimum penalty of reprimand to 

the school.

(e) SUB-VARSITY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 

An individual is eligible to participate in UIL 

contests if that individual is a full-time student 

of the member school the student represents, has 

been in attendance and has passed the number 

of courses required by state law and by rules 

of the State Board of Education, and is passing 

the number of courses required by state law and 

by rules of the State Board of Education; or is a 

non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation and is in compliance with all provisions 

included in section 33.0832 of the Texas Education 

Code.

Section 1206: SCHOOL PRACTICE AND GAME 

RESTRICTIONS

(a) NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOL YEARS. (Refer to 

Section 383).

Section 1205: Athletic Eligibility 129

App. 007

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130 Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restricitons

(b) SUNDAY PROHIBITION. A UIL member school 

shall not participate in any athletic contest or conduct any practice or teach any plays, formations or 

skills on Sunday.

(1) Violation. Any showing of films to or meetings 

of athletes for the purpose of instruction or 

reviewing of plays, formations or skills in any 

sport will be construed as a violation.

(2) Coaches Sunday Meetings. This does not prevent coaches from meeting on Sunday or 

from seeing films or planning an instructional 

program, provided no athletes are involved in 

this meeting.

(3) Exceptions.

(A) Golf. If the regional and/or state golf 

tournaments are scheduled on a Monday, the one 18-hole practice round 

allowed at the regional and/or state 

tournament site may be played on the 

Sunday afternoon preceding the meet 

(no earlier than 12:00 noon) if permitted by the regional or state meet director.

(B) Tennis. If the regional and/or state 

tennis tournaments are scheduled on 

a Monday, and if participants arrive 

at the site on the preceding Sunday 

because of travel distance, it will not 

be a violation of this rule if school district personnel accompany or transport 

participants to a tennis court for the 

purpose of practicing on their own, if 

permitted by the regional or state meet 

director.

(C) Cross-country. If the regional and/or 

state cross-country meets are scheduled 

on a Monday, and if participants arrive 

at the site on the preceding Sunday 

because of travel distance, it will not 

be a violation of this rule if school district personnel accompany or transport 

participants to the course site for the 

purpose of practicing on their own, if 

permitted by the regional or state director.

(c) REGIONAL AND STATE COMPETITION AND 

PRACTICES ON SUNDAY. The UIL Executive 

Director, or designee, may grant exceptions to Section 1206 (b) on a case-by-case basis for team sports 

competitions and practices related to regional or 

state events when conditions exist that warrant 

such an exception. Regional or state tournament 

directors may reschedule postponed or weather 

delayed tournaments on Sunday afternoon or evening with prior approval of the tournament director and the participating schools and with prior 

permission from the UIL Executive Director.

(d) SCHOOL OFF-SEASON WORKOUTS, INSCHOOL DAY PERIOD. 

(1) Accelerated physical education activities, calisthenics, skills, strength training or conditioning exercises may be conducted during 

the school year within the school day provided such activities do not exceed one regular 

classroom period, not to exceed 60 minutes 

when classes meet every day (300 minutes 

per week for block schedules). This provision 

applies to a non-enrolled (home schooled) 

student participating in accordance with section 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code.

(2) The 7th, 8th or zero period for athletics is 

considered part of the school day, provided 

all students enrolled in the class are receiving 

state or local credit toward graduation and 

are not enrolled in any other physical education class. The 7th, 8th or zero period may not 

be longer than other class periods. This period 

may not exceed one 60-minute period. 

(3) Schools may use non-traditional systems for 

length of classes provided:

(A) the classes meet within the regular 

school day;

(B) classes are alternated throughout 

the semester and meet on MondayWednesday-Friday one week and Tuesday-Thursday the next week; and

(C) the schedule is mandated at the beginning of the semester and is not changed 

to allow for more time during an abbreviated school week.

(4) This period includes dressing, the actual 

off-season conditioning, redressing in street 

clothes, etc. Passing and punting machines, 

chalk talks and films are permitted. Full team 

drills are permitted in team sport practices.

(e) ATHLETIC/PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES. 

Student-athletes shall not be enrolled in more 

than one physical education and/or athletic class 

whether or not they are receiving credit. Exceptions: (with local school approval) PE Class: 

adventure/outdoor education; PE substitutes: 

Partners PE, JROTC, cheerleading, drill team, 

marching band.

(f) OFF-SEASON SCHOOL TEAM PRACTICES 

PROHIBITED. School teams shall not practice 

outside the specific allowable practice dates 

except during the one in-school day practice periApp. 008

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od. Off-season activities before or after the school 

day or during the lunch periods are specifically 

prohibited. This does not prevent students from 

using school-issued shoes and/or clothing before 

or after school; however, participation before or 

after school shall be strictly voluntary and not 

required, and coaches shall not instruct students 

in any manner. For additional restrictions, see the 

Football Plan.

(g) SCHOOL SUMMER PRACTICE PROHIBITED. 

Any specific grouping of high school baseball, 

softball, basketball, football, soccer or volleyball 

participants during the summer months for the 

purpose of conditioning and/or organized athletic 

team instruction is prohibited except as specifically 

provided for within the plans for these activities 

and in (h) below.

(h) SUMMER STRENGTH/CONDITIONING PROGRAMS & SPORT SPECIFIC SKILL INSTRUCTION. Summer strength and conditioning 

programs and sport specific skill instruction may 

be conducted by school coaches for students in 

grades 7-12 from that coach’s attendance zone only 

under the following conditions.

(1) Sessions may be conducted by school coaches starting on Monday of the first week 

school is not in session and ending on a 

date set forth by the UIL Calendar. Sessions 

may be conducted only on Monday through 

Friday.

(A) A student may attend no more than 

one two-hour strength and conditioning session conducted by a school coach 

or coaches, per day. Schools shall take 

administrative care to prohibit an 

athlete from working with one school 

coach for two hours and a separate 

school coach for another two hours.

(B) A student may attend no more than 

two hours per week of sport specific 

skill instruction, conducted by a school 

coach or coaches, with a one hour maximum in any one given day.

(2) Sessions conducted by school coaches shall 

include only students who are incoming seventh graders or above.

(3) Sessions shall include only strength and conditioning instruction, exercises, and sport 

specific skill instruction. Football contact/

restricted equipment is prohibited.

(4) School shirts, shorts and shoes may be 

provided by the school.

(5) Attendance shall be voluntary. Coaches shall 

not require athletes to attend in order to 

try out for or participate in any UIL sport. 

Attendance records shall be kept, however 

students shall not be required or allowed to 

make up missed days. Students may work 

out on their own, without direction of the 

school coach.

(6) Fees, if any, shall be established and approved 

by the superintendent and collected by the 

school. The Texas Education Code requires 

school districts to adopt procedures for waiving fees charged for participation if a student 

is unable to pay the fee, and the procedures 

should be made known to the public. Fees for 

all other students shall be paid by the students 

and/or their parents.

(7) Any payment for conducting strength and 

conditioning sessions to school coaches who 

instruct students from their attendance zone 

shall be from the school and no other source.

(i) OFF-SEASON SCHOOL FACILITY USE. Athletes 

may attend open gyms, facilities and weight rooms. 

School personnel shall make every effort to see that 

students understand that participation is strictly 

voluntary and never required. Participation shall 

not be a prerequisite for trying out for a school 

team. Attendance records may not be kept. Coaches 

may be present to supervise the facilities and school 

equipment, if permitted. Coaches shall not provide 

specific instruction in sport skills. Weight lifting 

instruction is permitted and progress charts may 

be kept. Facilities may be made available to athletes 

under the following conditions:

(1) Recreational opportunities receive advance 

approval by the local school board and 

administration.

(2) The dates and times of operation shall be 

announced, posted or publicized so that every 

student attending that school is aware of the 

opportunity.

(3) Each activity is based on a first come, first 

served basis.

(4) School coaches are responsible for notifying 

student athletes in their sport that their 

participation is strictly voluntary, never 

required, and is in no way a prerequisite for 

making the team or getting more playing 

time.

(5) No instruction may be given on a Sunday or 

during the off-season of a team sport.

(6) Someone other than a coach should be 

appointed to supervise facilities.

(7) Coaches should not participate with their 

athletes in the athletes’ sport. Such actions 

Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restricitons 131

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132 Section 1206: School Practice and Game Restrictions

place the responsibility on the coach and 

school to prove they are not violating Sunday 

and off-season regulations.

(8) Use of facilities may be restricted to that 

school’s student body. Note: If only members 

of an athletic team are participating in 

their sport in an open recreational facility, 

it could be deemed a violation of off-season 

regulations.

 Refer to sport specific manuals for further details.

(j) DAY OF GAME RESTRICTION. Participation in 

an off-season program shall not be required for 

varsity athletes on the day of an in-season varsity 

competition, or for non-varsity athletes on the day 

of an in-season non-varsity competition.

(k) ROOM AND BOARD RESTRICTIONS. Workout 

sessions which involve meals and/or overnight 

lodgings are prohibited.

(l) HOLIDAY RESTRICTION. A school shall not conduct contests or practices, use school facilities, personnel or equipment during five consecutive days of 

December. Any organized or required practice will 

be a violation of this regulation. Schools may choose 

any five consecutive days which include December 

24, 25 and 26, with the following exceptions.

(1) When December 26 falls on a Thursday, 

schools may participate in a tournament 

game on December 26.

(2) When December 26 falls on a Thursday, 

schools shall still follow a five-consecutive day 

restriction, including December 24 and 25.

(3) No practice shall be permitted on any of the 

five consecutive days.

(4) Travel is not permitted on December 25.

(5) Travel is permitted on the 26th if a tournament game is scheduled on December 27; 

however, no practice shall be permitted on the 

26th.

(6) A team that has a game on December 23 

could travel home on December 24 and still 

be in compliance with this section.

(7) A school may request an exception to these 

travel restrictions when safety concerns exist 

relative to travel. The UIL Executive Director, 

or his or her designee, may grant the exception only when the school has clearly provided evidence of the travel safety concerns 

and determines the school cannot reasonably 

be expected to comply with these restrictions.

(m) POWER LIFTING TEAM RESTRICTIONS.

(1) Power lifting teams shall be authorized by 

the superintendent or local board of trustees 

prior to their inception.

(2) If there is an in-school day athletic period, it 

is a violation for off-season athletes to participate in power lifting outside the school 

day unless weight training is also provided 

during the in-school day off-season period.

(3) Power lifting teams may not, in any way, be 

construed as part of a student’s off-season 

conditioning responsibilities.

(4) Power lifting teams shall not be limited to 

athletes from a particular sport or to athletes 

specifically.

(n) PRE-SEASON PRACTICE REGULATIONS FOR 

SPORTS WHICH BEGIN PRACTICE PRIOR TO 

THE SCHOOL YEAR.

(1) Student-athletes shall not engage in more 

than three hours of practice activities on those 

days during which one practice is conducted. 

(2) Student-athletes shall not engage in more 

than five hours of practice activities on those 

days during which more than one practice is 

conducted.

(3) The maximum length of any single practice 

session shall be three hours.

(4) On days when more than one practice is 

conducted, there shall be, at a minimum, two 

hours of rest/recovery time between the end 

of one practice and the beginning of the next 

practice.

(5) Schools shall not schedule more than one 

practice on consecutive days and studentathletes shall not participate in multiple 

practices on consecutive days. Exception: 

Volleyball.

Section 1207: RULES, VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

(a) RULE VIOLATIONS. Students who violate the 

rules in the specific athletic plans shall be subject 

to the penalty in the specific athletic plan, or subject to the range of penalties applicable to student 

representatives in Sections 27 and 29. The regulations in the athletic plans govern all varsity and 

sub-varsity teams and contestants. Ninth grade 

(whether in junior high, on a separate campus 

or with other high school grades) and other subvarsity teams and contestants are restricted to the 

same game limitations, season, etc. as the varsity 

team.

(1) An individual who commits an offense under 

section 22.01 C 2 of the Texas Penal Code 

(assault of a sports participant) while participating in UIL contests will subject themselves 

and any school with which they are affiliated 

to the full range of penalties in sections 27 

and 29 of the constitution, up to and including disqualification and suspension.

(2) Schools shall develop policies for preventing 

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any spectator who commits an offense under 

section 22.01 C 2 of the Texas Penal Code 

(assault of a sports participant) from attending 

future events in activities sanctioned by the 

league. The policy shall provide for the school 

to consider all circumstances of each incident 

when determining the length of suspension 

from future events in activities sanctioned by 

the league.

(b) ELIGIBILITY RULES. In addition to rules in individual sports plans, each varsity team and athlete 

shall observe all rules contained in Subchapter M 

of the Constitution.

(c) MINIMUM PENALTY FOR USING INELIGIBLE 

PLAYER. In the event an ineligible contestant is 

used in any UIL game or contest, knowingly or 

unknowingly, the minimum penalty shall be forfeiture of the game, contest or event. Refer to Section 

27 (c)(3).

(d) UNATTACHED PARTICIPATION. In any UIL 

member school sponsored athletic contest, meet or 

tournament, UIL member high school students shall 

not be permitted to enter unattached. The penalty 

for violation of this rule shall be assessed against 

the member school(s) in violation. This provision 

applies to a non-enrolled (home schooled) student 

participating in accordance with section 33.0832 of 

the Texas Education Code.

(e) POSITIVE ANABOLIC STEROID TEST.

(1) First Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a 

report of confirmation of a first positive 

specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result during his/her high school participation, or upon 

a refusal to submit to testing after random 

selection, a student-athlete shall be suspended 

for thirty (30) school days of competition in 

all UIL athletic activities. Prior to eligibility 

restoration, a student-athlete shall undergo 

an exit anabolic steroid test and receive a 

negative result.

(2) Second Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a 

report of confirmation of a second positive 

specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result during 

his/her high school participation, or upon a 

refusal to submit to testing after random selection of a student-athlete who has previously 

been subjected to the first positive test penalty, 

a student-athlete shall be suspended from all 

UIL athletic contests for one (1) calendar year. 

Prior to eligibility restoration, a student-athlete 

shall undergo an exit anabolic steroid test and 

receive a negative result.

(3) Third Positive Anabolic Steroid Test. Upon a 

report of confirmation of a third positive 

specimen ‘B’ anabolic steroid test result during his/her high school participation, or 

upon a refusal to submit to testing after 

random selection of a student-athlete who 

has previously been subjected to the first and 

second positive test penalties, a student-athlete shall be suspended from all UIL athletic 

contests for the remainder of his/her high 

school career at any UIL member school.

(4) Responsibility for Cost of Tests. The UIL will 

cover the cost for the first exit test for purposes of eligibility restoration for the penalties 

outlined in (1) and (2) above. Any subsequent 

exit test(s) for purposes of eligibility restoration are conducted at the expense of the 

school, student-athlete or the family of the 

student-athlete. Only anabolic steroid tests 

conducted by the UIL approved contractor 

will be considered for the purposes of this 

testing program.

Section 1208: ATHLETIC REGULATIONS

Schools shall abide by rules in the Constitution, by rules in 

the Contest Rules, by rules in the “Official Notices” column of 

the Leaguer, by regulations issued from the UIL office in the 

sports specific manuals, and other official notices from the 

UIL office. Where any term or section of the Contest Rules or 

the sports specific manuals is found to be inconsistent with 

the Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail and apply, and 

the remaining terms and sections of the Contest Rules and/or 

the sports specific manuals shall continue in effect.

(a) ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS. A school shall not participate 

in a sports activity unless its varsity acceptance 

for that sport, signed by the superintendent or 

designated administrator, is on file in the UIL 

office by January 15 of the preceding school year 

(September 1 for football). If a school wants to 

register for a sport after the filing deadline, it may 

do so if approved by a majority of the District 

Executive Committee.

(1) A school which does not participate in football the first year of a new alignment may 

not participate the second year except by 

unanimous consent of the District Executive 

Committee.

(2) Only schools in Conferences 4A, 5A and 

6A are eligible to participate in UIL soccer. 

Exception: 3A schools who sign up as noted 

above for participation in soccer will be 

placed in a 4A district for competition.

(3) Only schools in Conferences 4A, 5A and 6A 

are eligible to participate in UIL team tennis. 

Exception: 3A schools who sign up as noted 

above for participation in team tennis will be 

placed in a 4A district for competition.

Section 1207: Rules, Violations and Penalties 133

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