Leaguer, April 1980
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The Leaguer USPS 267-840 The Official Publication of the University Interscholastic League VOL LVIV. NO. 9 APRIL, 1980 AUSTIN. TEXAS 3,000-plus attend ILPC The 53rd annual Interscholastic League Press Confer ence state convention was an "unqualified success," said Bobby Hawthorne, ILPC director. "The feedback I've received has been strictly positive, both from a delegate and adviser's point of view, and from a speaker's point of view," Hawthorne said. "Of course, we've had some suggestions for improvements, but not a single complaint on the organization or ad ministration of the convention. "Naturally, I'm elated," he added. More than 3,000 Texas high school and junior high journalists registered for the two-day sessions, March 21-22 on the University of Texas campus. Almost per fect weather conditions further contributed to the suc cess of the convention. "The true measure of an outstanding program is the NEW OFFICERS—Outgoing ILPC president Lisa ing on are officers Cary Hancock, Lis Oropeza, Julie quality of the speakers and ours were truly phenome Moore of Carrollton Newman Smith High School intro Blailock and director Bobby Hawthorne. (Photo by nal," Hawthorne said. "Chuck Savedge, Jim Paschal duce the newly-elected officers during Grand Awards Howard Castleberry) and Ben Van Zante were mentioned by advisers for Assembly activities of the 53rd ILPC convention. Look conducting outstanding sessions, as were John Hudnall, Bill Seymour, Liz Burdette and Louanne Ward." Court upholds transfer rule Summer camp rule decision expected in early summer The League's transfer rule is constitu or liberty without due process of law. schools by completely removing any ad its merits later in the year, but was post tional, the Third Court of Civil Appeals TCLU attorneys also contended the rule vantage of recruiting athletes ... We feel poned when presiding Judge Cire suffered ruled March 19 in Austin. unconstitutionally erected a barrier to that it is a legitimate state purpose to dis a heart attack. The rule, which prohibits high school interstate travel by penalizing students courage the recruiting of high school ath In South Texas, a state district judge varsity football and basketball players who had to move to Texas with their letes in the more competitive sports granted a Falfurrias youngster a tem from competing for a year after they families. programs." porary restraining order allowing him to change schools, was upheld by the appeals The court, however, disagreed, ruling Sullivan's family moved to Austin from participate in the district tennis meet. court, which based its decision in part on that John Sullivan, for whom the suit was Vermont, where the youngster was a high The ruling, handed down April 10, came the right of a state high school association originally filed, was not penalized for ex school basketball player his junior year. despite the youth's participation in an to make its own rules, since participation ercising his right to travel to another He enrolled at Anderson High School but out-of-state tournament which he knew in high school sports is not a constitution state. the transfer rule kept from playing var would render him ineligible later in the ally protected freedom or property right. "To hold otherwise would require us to sity level. spring. "We do not believe that the UIL rule is determine that the right to play inter John Duncan, TCUL executive director, "The local judge, who was up for re directed toward deterring interstate tra scholastic high school basketball is a said he was inclined to appeal the decision election, ruled in the boy's favor," Mar vel," the court ruled. "The rule applies 'fundamental right' or a 'life necessity,' to the State Supreme Court but was shall said. "He didn't say why. Didn't say equally to students moving intrastate as the opinion said. "While we realize that awaiting legal advice. the rules were out of line. He just ruled well as interstate and is, in fact, equally this right is certainly a valuable one, it Elsewhere, the judge presiding over the the boy could play. applicable to students who change schools cannot be said to rise to the same level of case against the League's summer camp within their own communities where there dignity as the right to medical care or rule is currently reviewing testimony in "The mother of the boy, who is the ten is no travel at all," the opinion said. welfare payments. preparation for his decision, which is ex nis coach at the school, knew the rule," he Texas Civil Liberties Union attorneys "The rule does not seek to punish any pected in early summer. said. "The boy knew the rule but they argued the transfer rule violated the con one but merely to assure the integrity of Federal District Judge George E. Cire made the decision to go and by-pass his stitutional right against loss of property a competitive sports program in public heard the case on its merits for two days, spring eligibility. Two weeks prior to the April 1-2. district meet, he filed in federal court but "We received outstanding testimony dropped the suit when he couldn't find a $250,000 from school people throughout the state judge they thought would rule favorably. as well as from the commissioner of the "A few days later, they came across a Colorado Activities Association, Ray local judge, up for re-election," Marshall Ball," said Dr. Bailey Marshall, League added. "Apparently, the boys parents Clark Foundation director. were a source of contributions to his re The summer camp case is the continua election and the judge ruled, without com tion of a suit first filed in Houston during menting on the merit of the rule itself, pads TILF's coffer the summer of 1978. Greg Kite, a stand that the boy could play. out basketball player at Houston Madi "It's this type of courtroom manipula Future Texas Interscholastic League administrators in the past months, Wil son, filed for and received a temporary tion that is threatening the extracurricu Foundation scholars received a shot in liams said, adding, "We hope the school restraining order asking that the League lar activities program, here and nation the arm recently, coming in the form of people and their friends will continue to not penalize him for attending a summer wide," he said. "Somehow, the tide must a $250,000 endowment grant from the support the TILF program and we feel basketball camp in California. reverse itself, or we're all going to be in a Clark Foundation of Dallas. confident they will." The case was scheduled to be heard on lot of trouble." Col. Walter Kerbel, executive director Eligibility of the Clark Foundation announced Students earning eligibility for a awarding of the grant, to be used as en TILF scholarship during the 1979-80 dowment funds for to-be Clark scholars. school year will receive an application at Wet behind the ears Applause The grant will be made at $50,000 per the State Meet contests, Williams said. year over the next five years. Kerbel Applications will be made available at An old-timer and a new face League one-act play director said. the registration desk at the State Meet walked away with top honors Lynn Murray recently re The contribution brings TILF near headquarters, located in the Joe C. in the state swim meet. See ceived the highest honor $750,000 in endowed funds. Thompson Conference Center. the list of stars on page 6. awarded by a state theatre "The TILF directors are optimistic of Students earning eligibility in previ association. See this and an reaching $1 million in endowed funds in ous years and are graduating in May interesting article on an up the near future," said Dr. Rhea Williams, of 1980 should write the TILF office, Hoop & hollar coming summar drama work TILF secretary. "On behalf of the pub Box 8028, University Station, Austin, shop on page 5. lic schools of Texas, we express our deep Texas 78712, sending a stamped, self- Three days of running and est appreciations to Col. Kerbel and the addressed envelope and requesting an gunning, disciplined defense Clark Foundation for their outstanding application. and hair-raising offense Elsewhere and generous investment in the educa "We have a limited number of scholar ended with the crowning of Editorials Page 2 tional future of young Texans." ships available," Williams said. "But we five state basketball champs. Journalism page 3 The Clark Foundation grant augments urge all qualified persons to apply for a Drama page 4 See pages 6 and 7 for full a fund solicitation drive being conducted scholarship. Last year, the Foundation Music page 5 currently by Texas high school adminis awarded some 141 grants worth more details. Athletics page 6 trators. Almost $5,000 has been raised by than $133,000." editorials Page 2 Director's corner Due process rarely at question in litigation By BAILEY MARSHALL ecutive committee, which is composed of for no due process in this area. Many eligibility or violations of rules. You are League Director one school administrator from each times, a decision has to be made within either eligible or ineligible. In competi In today's society, there is increased school in the district. one or two days, or even a matter of tion, this is the only way rules and regu- awareness and concern of due process. The parents may ask the school to pre hours, in the determination of eligibility. latons can be effective. This issue has been present in most liti sent it for them, should they wish not to They do not have time to go through If and when exceptions to rules are gation in which the League has been in attend.