The Leaguer Answered prayers Devine's Stacy Hamilton nervously awaits the final point in the defending volleyball champion's 15-12, 15-3 win over Quitman in the 3A state tournament, November 19. To the right, Amarillo setter-hitter Cristrie Selfridge serves in the Sandies' 15-1, 15-11 5A title win over League City Clear Lake. Other champs included (4A) Dumas, a 17-15 victor over Channclview; (2A) East Bernard, which beat Bloomington, 15-11, 15-4; and (A) Plains, a 15-11, 15-7 winner over Kennard. Photos by JOHN MOORE Sunset Commission suggests rule changes he Sunset Advisory Commission, a established in the state treasury. The fees would be in order to fund the Education, directed by H. Ross Perot, joint citizen-legislator panel whose money from membership fees would be program, and then telling them how the found the UIL to be one of the most T charge it is to review state agencies, deposited into this fund. THe UIL money would be spent. For years, efficient and effective operations in Texas recently examined the University membership fees would be set at a figure members of the Legislative Council have education," he continued. "The Interscholastic League as part of its review large enough to cover the costs of the set membership fees at a rate sufficient to effectiveness of the League could be of the Texas Education Agency. administration of the program. Expenses cover operating expenses, and this greatly jeopardized if it is subjected to the Among the recommendations made would then be allocated by the Legislature procress has worked quite well." inherent political pressures placed on by the advisory panel were: from this fund to cover the costs of One of the four potential options the elected officials. To burden the State • to authorize the State Board of administering the athletic, academic and Sunset Commission might have adopted Board of Education with constantly Education (SBOE) to change any U1L rule, fine arts contests. Currently, League funds was the dissolution of the UIL and the hearing UIL matters — the great majority including those governing eligibility and are deposited in accounts administered by transfer of its duties to the Texas of which involve athletic eligibility - could League structure and organization. The UT-Austin and the fees are set by the Education Agency. diminish the Board's effectiveness in SBOE has had authority to review changes Legislative Council. "We see no problems with a review completing its mission." to UIL rules since 1984. "It is difficult to understand the need committee studying the League rules and Although the UIL is operated as part • to appoint a committee to conduct a for the establishment of a fund in the State recommending changes," Marshall said. of the Division of Continuing Education at review of the League. Treasury," Marshall said. "In effect, this "Each year, the Legislative Council and its The University of Texas at Austin, it's rules • to place the UIL under the state would give the State the power to tell UIL- committees perform this important task. are contingent upon State Board of appropriations process, with a fund being member schools what their membership "The Select Committee on Public Education approval. Volume 72 • Number Three • December, 1988 • ISSN 0897-4314 . ' • ' • • .:• viewpoint The Leaguer A little holiday gift The Leaguer Is the official publication of LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL the University Interscholastic League. The Chairman Bill Graves, San Angelo ISD; Leaguer Is distributed to Texas public school Vice Chairman Sam May, Sinton ISD; Larry s stated in September's financial administrators, contest directors, coaches Butler, Spearman ISD; Richard Cohagan, report, the University and sponsors, the media, and to other Gunter ISD; Eddie J. Little. Kilgore ISD; Paul BAILEY interested parties. The UIL office is located at Curtis, Uvalde ISD.Bill Borgers, Cypress- Interscholastic League enjoyed its A MARSHALL 2622 Wichita. Austin, TX 78705. Letters, Fairbanks ISD; Bob Howes, Joshua ISD; second consecutive year in the black. It inquiries and changes of address should be Kenneth Judy, Crawford ISD; G. W. Maxfield, would be nice to take the credit for this sent to UIL, Box 8028, UT Station, Austin, TX Gorman ISD: Dan Owen, Holliday ISD; James 78713-8028. Phillips, Brazosport HS, Brazosport ISD, feat of fiscal high-wire walking, but the fact The Leaguer is published eight times Freeport; Robert Ryan, Dimmitt ISD; Victor is we got lucky. The weather for last year's yearly by Texas Student Publications. It is Rodriguez, San Antonio ISD; Wayne football games was especially pleasant, published monthly, September through May, Schaper, Spring Branch ISD, Houston; Walter and so the fans packed up and followed with the exception of a combined March/ Sears, Mt. Vernon ISD; Bill Shaver, Bellville ISD; Director's Viewpoint April issue. There are no issues in June, July or Robert Smotherman, Whireface ISD; Jerry their teams here, there and yonder. Thus, August. One year's subscription is $8. Whitaker, Cushing ISD; and Bennie Wolff, we got a larger than anticipated sum from Second class postage paid in Austin, TX. Sfockdale ISD. our share of the gate receipts. our business while maintaining monetary ISSN 0897-4314. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Not that am 1 in the business of reserves equal to one year's budget. Or, in POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Dr. Bailey Marshall, director; Dr, William predicting the weather, but I did tell the other words, that arc large enough to The Leaguer. Box 8028. UT Station, Austin, TX D. Farney. assistant director and director of Legislative Council that with good weather support us for one year. This has been the 78713. athletics; Janet Wman, assistant director for the football playoff games, we could and academic director; Richard Floyd, policy that the Legislative Council EDITOR..., Dr. Bailey Marshall director of music activities; Bonnie Northcutt, lower the membership fees or waive them adopted several years ago. MANAGING EDITOR Bobby Hawthorne assistant to the director; Gina Mazzolini. altogether for the 1989-90 school year. We know that this reduction of' assistant athletic director; Bob Young, Since the weather has cooperated and membership fees will be appreciated by STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE assistant athletic director. Chairman Thomas M. Hatfield; Lynn F. Karen McGlashen, speech activities the indications are that gates this fall have all schools, especially during this time of Anderson, Jim Barnes, Mike Day, Bailey director; Lynn Murray, one-act play director; been at or above normal, then I will financial hardship. For several years, the Marshall. James B. Havard, Robert L. Marion, Bobby Hawthorne, director of journalism recommend to the council that the UIL has promoted its activities as "the Lynn W. McCraw, Ricardo Romo. William C. activities and ILPC director; Diana Cardona, membership fees be set at five dollars ($5) Powers. Jr., Byron F. Fullerton, Donna spring meet materials director: Dr. B. J. other half of education" and as "the best Lopiano, Susana I. Aleman and Guy Stamps, assistant to the director; Dr. Rhea for the 1989-90 school year. bargain for the educational dollar." You Wellborn. Williams, TILF secretary; Dr, Nelson Patrick, In the absense of unexpected might say we're now going to put your music director emeritus. expenses, this should allow us to conduct money where our mouth is. League supports Texas Special Olympics Alcohol sponsorship By TAD DRUART of amateur sports Programs Director, Special Olympics, Texas their transition into school and community Every Texas Special Olympics event is programs. designed to insure athletes a full range of criticized by principals The University Interscholatic League Texas Special Olympics has initiated a social, cultural and" educational is founded on the belief that students program to extend quality sports training experiences. Your district's music and The nation's largest school adminis­ enjoy the pursuit of excellence and seek and competition opportunities to many drama departments would be more than trator organization has challenged the opportunities to test themselves against more individuals with mental retardation. welcome to put on concerts or plays as well United States Olympic Committee their own accomplishments and the Together, your school and Special as participate in the pageantry of Opening (USOC) and the National Collegiate Ath­ accomplishments of others. These Olympics can give all students with mental and Closing Ceremonies. Journalism letic Association (NCAA) to stop publi­ opportunities are best provided through retardation a chance to experience the students could attend events and write cizing alcohol usage. properly conducted and equitably true joy of sports training and competition, news or feature articles as well as The National Association of Secon­ administered competitive activities. learn new skills, gain self-confidence, editorials to submit to the local media or dary School Principals (NASSP), repre­ Activities such as sports training and experience teamwork, and prepare for enter in state competition and the school senting 40,000 middle level and high athletic competition have proven to be the entry into other school and community yearbook. I think you will find the Special schools principals and assistant princi­ quickest, surest road to health, growth and programs. Olympics to be a very rewarding audience pals, urged that stance at a recent board of self-confidence. Yet not all students in The UIL supports and endorses the to perform for. directors meeting. Texas have the opportunity to participate Texas Special Olympics program. The Since Special Olympics is a year NASSP opposed the "sponsorship of in competitive activities. goals and philosophies of the two round sports training and competition amateur athletic events by brewing com­ Most physical education programs programs are very similar. By program it is through athletes that we can panies" and urged "the National Colle­ teach sports skills to students who in turn encouraging our students to become have the greatest impact.