The Leaguer USPS 267-840 The Official Publication of the University IntertcholasHc League VOL LXIV. NO. 8 MARCH, 1980 AUSTIN, TEXAS Voting due on 2 sports proposals Limitations on the junior high basket­ be good," he added. "Each school should ball season and addition of the 3200- examine the issues and vote their con­ meter, or two-mile, run are the lone victions." proposals due to be voted on by member Administrators will be asked to select school administrators in early April. one of three options concerning the The proposals were recommended by junior high basketball season: the UIL Legislative Council for the —Junior high teams may play a max­ spring referendum ballot and will, if imum of 20 games including tourna­ approved, go into effect for the school ments; year designed on the respective ballot. —Junior high teams may play one Each year, the Council hears requests game per week, plus three invitational for a number of changes of League tournaments. rules. —No change of the rules as written "Actual voting is less than one month in the UIL Constitution and Contest away and school officials should be giv­ Rules. ing consideration to each of these pro­ The second proposal would add the posals," said Dr. Bailey Marshall, League two-mile run to the 1981 spring track director. "We urge all concerned parties meet schedule for boys and girls. to contact their respective school ad­ Results of the balloting will be re­ ministrators and let them know how they leased at a special breakfast, Saturday, feel about the various issues." May 2 in Austin, in conjunction with "Just because something is on the the girls' state track and field, golf and ballot doesn't mean the change would tennis meets. Ready writing co-director given honorary doctorate University of Texas English profes­ ry, "A Theory of Discourse.*' He is par­ sor and League ready writing contest tially responsible for distinguishing co-director Dr. James Kinneavy was re­ three forms of writing-informative, ex­ cently awarded an honorary Doctor of ploratory and expressive. His publica­ Humane Letters degree by St. Edward's tions include numerous books and arti­ University. cles. The doctorate recognizes Professor A UT Austin faculty member since Kinneavy's work for St. Edward's, a 1963, Professor Kinneavy has been ac­ private Austin university, in the theory tive both on and off campus in commit­ of rhetoric. tees and organizations dealing with Professor Kinneavy has worked with reading, composition, promotion and ten­ St. Edward's faculty in incorporating ure, teacher effectiveness and English writing into various courses of its un­ curriculum. dergraduate curriculum. St. Edward's President Stephen Walsh, The curriculum is a union of the content S.C.S., officiated at the special convo­ disciplines and the writing program, cation bestowing the honorary degree on Professor Kinneavy explained, with stu­ Professor Kinneavy and two others who dents required to write research and ex­ contributed to the curriculum—Dr. Janis OVER AND IN—South Oak Cliff's Ramona Dozier and Lynn Burgess of Pearland ploratory papers in courses such as biol­ Lauer of the University of Detroit and scramble for the basketball in action of the 30th annual girls' state basketball tourna­ ogy or philosophy. Dr. Richard Young of Carnegie-Mellon ment. The SOC Bears clipped Pearland, 78-55, en route to the AAAA title. For full Professor Kinneavy is recognized na­ University. results, see page 7. tionally for his work on rhetorical theo­ Regional spring meet sites selected Regional spring meet sites have been spring meet program from the director Regional sites are as follows: selected for 1980, League officials an­ general of their respective regional meet. Conference AAAA Region I, Districts 1-6—Texas Tech University, nounced recently, adding that spring Please check carefully the district and Lubbock; Dr. Ray Purkerson. Director. meet districts are the same for boys' conference in order to avoid confusion Region 11. Districts 7-15—North Texas State University, Denton; Dr Roy Busby, Director. and girls' track and field, golf, and ten as to where and when your meet will be Region III, Districts 16-24—San Jacinto College, nis. held. Pasadena ; Dr. Tom Sewell, Director.| The spring meet regional program will Competitors have worked long and Region IV. Districts 26-32—Del Mar College, Corpus ChriBti: Dr. Dwayne Bliss, Assitant Super­ be divided into two weeks with the lit­ hard to win district championships and intendent, Corpus Christ! ISD, Director. erary, speech, and one-act play contests, the right to advance to regional levels. Conference AAA girls' track and field, golf, and tennis An error in time or place would be em­ Region I, Districts 1-4—Odessa College, Odessa; Dr. Lee Buice, Director. scheduled fort he first week, April 14-19. barrassing and disappointing—and pos­ Region II, Districts 5-8—North Texas State The following week, April 21-26, the sibly cost the student a state champion­ University, Denton; Dr. Roy Busby, Director. Region III, Districts 9-12—Sam Houston State regional spring meet is scheduled for ship and college scholarship opportunity. Ur^x'i-sity; Dr. David Henderson, Director. boys' track and field, golf, and tennis. Check carefully with the regional di­ Region IV, Districts 13-16—Del Mar College, District directors should mail in their rector to be certain you have the right Corpus Christi; Dr. Dwayne Bliss, Assistant Su­ district winners list to the regional di­ time and place for your school's events. perintendent, Corpus Christi ISD, Dircetor. Conference AA Dr. JAMES KINNEAVY rector at the site designated. If you have any questions, consult your Region I, Districts 1-8—Texas Tech University, Each school will receive a regional regional director. (Turn to REGIONAL, page 4) Awarded honorary doctorate inside Old problems Over their head Dark skies Elsewhere The latest trends in high How qualified are public pan­ Is it the eve of destruction for Editorials Page 2 school editorials retains the els in deciding complex speech contests? One teacher Journalism page 3 weaknesses of its predeces­ issues? Dr. Peter Flawn, UT warns of grim days ahead on Drama page 4 sors. Bobby Hawthorne looks President, has some doubts. page 5. Music page 5 at these trends on page 3. Page 2. Athletics page 6 editorials Page 2 Director's corner Are public panels qualified to make UIL rules? By BAILEY MARSHALL "Happily, we have come through some vent the exercise of it, and as a group insist on holding public de­ League Director of the extraordinary popular delusions (4) Perhaps the most foolish popular bates and referenda on complex public A good many public delusions sur­ that have affected us in the last two delusion of them all—that one individu­ policy issues. If we accept the curious round education today, both on the high decades. For example, support for the al's opinion is as good as another's, not­ perversion of democracy that holds that school and collegiate level. The follow­ extraordinary popular notion that recent withstanding a demonstrated record of one individual's opinion is as good as ing remarks were given by Dr. Peter high school graduates are better judges knowledge and skill and performance by another's—then we can dispense with Flawn, newly appointed president of the of what is 'relevant' to post-secondary one and the complete lack of any such our educational system, or at least we University of Texas at Austin. education than experienced educators record by the other. can dispense with our professional His statements are relevant to the seems to be the wane. I think we will "This is the talk-show syndrome of schools. public schools' education programs and soon be able to put that one away. fairness and equal time—'now that we "Logan Wilson spoke to this particular to the University Interscholastic League "However, many delusions are with have heard from the expert on the sub­ popular delusion in 1972, writing about programs in the schools, notably trans­ us. There is still abroad in the land the ject we will hear from a representative what he called the Noah's Ark principle fer and other eligibility problems. extraordinary idea that undergraduate of the ignorant' of participatory democracy in which who "It is not my purpose here to chron­ students—through some mysterious pro­ "This absurd position is supported participates in a decision is more import­ icle all of contemporary foolishness but cess of revelation—have the knowledge, collectively by individuals who—individ­ ant than what is decided. rather to discuss some rather subtle pop­ wisdom and judgment to manage large ually—seek out the most professional ad­ "This unthinking extension of 'one- ular delusions that affect education and educational enterprises such as colleges vice to manage their business affairs, man, one-vote' to 'one opinion is as good its traditional values. I assume you will and universities. solve health problems and design build­ as another' has come to full flower in the all agree that knowledge is better than "Other delusions include: ings. In a simple example, when the Federal Advisory Committee Act of ignorance and that individuals who can (1) The socially destructive doctrine engine of a car ceases to function—it is 1972, which in effect subordinates qual­ use language effectively, who can com­ that holds that although students should a rare driver indeed who assembles a ity of advice to the structure of mem­ municate, reason, calculate, analyze and have the opportunity to excel, students group of citizens to take a vote on what bership in the advisory body." create, and who possess vocational and who do not excel—indeed students wbo is the matter.