JAN./FEB. 2006 Volume 90 • Number 4 LeaguerUN IVE RS I T Y I NT E RSC H O L A ST I C L E A G U E utstanding Sponsor Excellence winners selected OBy Kim Rogers Briefs and Notes achievement he University Interscholastic League is proud to recognize 15 of the top UIL sponsors in Texas as the 2005 UIL Sponsor Calendar of TExcellence Award winners. upcoming events A panel of judges in the areas of music, athletics and academics se- Jan. 31 ....................Last day lected the winners from nominations submitted by school principals and to hold fall/winter Elem/JH superintendents across the state. district meets The award, now in its 15th year, was created to identify and recognize Feb. 1 ..................... Deadline outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their to set up academic and OAP extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the educa- district online tional system. Feb. 1 ................ D e a d l i n e “The benefits of interscholastic competition and student performance to complete academic district are only possible through the hard work and dedication of sponsors, meet organization and submit coaches and directors like these,” said UIL Director Dr. Bill Farney. “On requisition forms behalf of the UIL, I commend these outstanding educators.” Feb. 1 ................ First day for Each winner will receive $1,000 and a symbolic keepsake in recognition Elem/JH spring district meets Feb. 1 ...................ILPC News of their outstanding achievements in the pursuit of educational excel- -papers and IAA entries due lence through interscholastic competition. The UIL continually strives Feb. 1 .................... Proposed to strengthen and promote the role of extracurricular activities in Texas amendments to the constitu- through programs like the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. tion and by-laws due See Sponsor Excellence, p. 12 Feb. 4 .................Last day for academic invitational meets using Set A materials Feb. 10 ...............First day for Eddie Wolksi steps in academic invitational meets using Set B materials Feb. 11 ...............Last day to as new waiver officer hold district CX debate competitions By Amy Casteen UIL Staff Feb. 13 ................. CX debate “It breaks your heart district results deadline Waiver Officer Eddie Wolski when you can’t help, Feb. 15 ............... Deadline to sits at his desk, talking to a coach but it makes you feel accept athletic plans (except on the phone about a student football) for next year whose waiver he denied. good when you can.” Feb. 16 .................CX Debate “I did everything I could do, -Eddie Wolski deadline to submit judging Coach, but I have rules I have to feels for the students he must information for state meet follow,” Wolski explains to the make decisions about, he says. Feb. 16 .................CX Debate coach. He also is very familiar with the certification deadline for Wolski was hired as the waiver UIL rules regarding eligibility and advancing teams officer in August and assumed a po- Feb. 23 ................. Title entry has a rapport with coaches so he sition that requires him to evaluate cards for OAP due understands their concerns and athletic waivers and determine March 1 ................. Max Had- feelings when it comes to making eligibility for students. “Some dick Teacher of Year and Edith his decisions. we can help. Some we can’t. It Fox King nominations due Wolski’s athletic background breaks your heart when you can’t March 1 ..............First day for started at Coahoma High School, online registration for Solo & help, but it makes you feel good where he played football and ran Ensemble when you can,” he says. track. At Coahoma, Wolski met Eddie Wolski stays extremely busy as UIL waiver officer. Since he With 19 years of coaching The UIL web page is: experience under his belt, Wolski See Wolski, page 7 www.uil.utexas.edu started, he has processed more than 400 waivers. UIL Leaguer 2 • News January/ February 2006 You’re on somebody’s list Teachers and coaches change lives through their work with students EDITOR By David V. Stead teachers. If there are only three people listed, time with. Dr. Bill Farney, Executive Director, Minnesota State High School League two of them will be coaches or teachers. You’re That’s much easier, right? The lesson? The UIL Director on somebody’s list. people who make a difference in your life are MANAGING EDITOR ou’re on somebody’s list. Yes, you are. Those whom you have touched, either directly not the ones with the most credentials, the most Jeanne Acton, You may not know it, but your name is or indirectly, will remember your character, your money, or the most awards. They are the ones assistant academic written somewhere on the list. commitment, your caring. who care. director Y As we begin a new year, I want to share a Here’s another example. As you may know, America needs people like you who like kids; ADMINISTRATIVE couple of things about the role you play in the Charles Schultz, the creator or “Peanuts” comic who care more about what is right than who gets STAFF lives of kids and to challenge you to take on the strip, is from Minnesota. Here is a piece of phi- the credit; who are willing to risk; and who can walk Dr. Bill Farney, mantle of leadership in order to help kids believe losophy he’s shared. into a “charged” situation and enable people to director in themselves. 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the take a piece of pride away from the encounter. Dr. Charles As an organization, we build our foundation world. You … all of you … are heroes. You are a Breithaupt, with and for adults in order to help them focus 2. Name the last five Heisman trophy win- favorite teacher. assistant director & on students. ners. I believe the dream of the educational athletics director of athletics They are the ones who matter most… the 3. Name the last five Indianapolis 500 win- and fine arts programs at the high school level Richard Floyd, director of music kids. They are the future leaders who will carry ners. begins with the coach, the teacher, the admin- activities our message. 4. Name three people who have won the Nobel istrator, the official, or the school board member Treva Dayton, We need to recognize success and connect with or Pulitzer Prize. whose vision is truth; whose choice is to compete director of academics students through our work in education. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award within the rules; and whose personal expectation Jeanne Acton, Think about the impact you have on people’s winners for best actor and best actress. is to raise the standard for the people with whom assistant academic lives. More importantly, think about the people How’d you do? they work in order to help them achieve beyond director who are the very most important in the lives of The point is that none of us really remember their self-imposed limitations. Daryl Beasley, the students in your school. the headliners of yesterday, and these are no A South Dayton New York teacher said, “To- assistant athletic If you haven’t yet made the connection, follow second-rate achievers. day we live in a society where peer pressure is the director Diana Cardona, along with me. They’re the best in their fields, but the applause strongest drug facing our youth.” spring meet materials Truly, it’s you and others like you who work dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, This week, and in every week ahead, I ask you director with kids, who guide peers, and who interact with and accolades and certificates are buried with to make it your personal challenge to turn peer Peter Contreras, your school community. their owners. pressure into a positive force. athletic coordinator Let me give you two examples of what I’m Now, try this exercise: No group of people can be as successful as Dr. Mark Cousins, talking about. This simple demonstration involves 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey you. athletic coordinator gathering a group of people together. through school. Only you can go one-on-one with kids who, Sandra Deel, Ask them to name the 10 people who mean 2. Name three friends who have helped you in the future, when asked to name someone in financial officer the most to them in their lives … who truly made through a difficult time. their life who truly made a difference, will put Eddie Wolski, waiver officer a difference for them. Tell them not to include 3. Name five people who have taught you your name on their list and remember that you Rachel Harrison, family members. something worthwhile. were their favorite teacher. athletic coordinator If they name eight people, I’ll bet five of 4. Think of a few people who have made you Kelly McCollum, them will be coaches or teachers. If they name feel appreciated and special. (MSHSL gave permsission for the reprint of this technology director five people … three of them will be coaches or 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending article which previously ran in its newsletter.) Luis Muñoz, one-act play director Bonnie Northcutt, director of policy October, November/December, January/February, Garland ISD; Mark Henry, Galena Park ISD; John Leaguer March and April/May. There are no issues in June, Folks, Northside ISD. Jana Riggins, July or August. One year’s subscription is $8. Peri- 4A • Darrell Floyd, Stephenville, ISD; Rick Reedy, assistant academic “ISSN 0897-4314” odicals Postage Paid in Austin, TX. Frisco ISD, Don Hendrix, Crosby ISD; Alton Fields, director Pleasanton ISD.