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Rules: For Your Sake
Academic competition
Music competition
Athletics competition
Hardship waiver
Awards rule
What parents can do
Rules, For Your Sake
Participants in University Interscholastic League contests are expected to abide by rules and regulations. A summary of rules which may affect high school eligibility is presented in this document. We urge you to read this and learn the League rules. If there are rules you do not understand or want explained in more detail, or if there are rules you would like to see changed, we suggest you discuss the matter with your superintendent, principal, athletic director, coach, or sponsor. Answers to many questions can be found in the Constitution and Contest Rules, which is the final authority for all UIL rules. A copy is available at every member school.
Academic competition
In addition to the general eligibility rules, the academic contestants need to be aware of several areas for which specific eligibility rules apply. For instance, a student who participates in Lincoln-Douglas Debate may not participate in Cross Examination Debate, Prose, or Poetry. Because there is no amateur rule for academic events, contestants may accept pay for such things as working on a newspaper, acting, or publication of original works.
One of the goals of the academic program is to provide a variety of competitive activities for a large number of students. Up to 80 students may earn the privilege of representing their high school at the district meet in 22 academic events.
Awards rule for academic and fine arts contests - Awards for academic and fine arts contests which do not count on League standing are not governed or limited by the UIL whether or not it is an activity which the League sponsors. For purposes of this rule, "count on League standing" means any contest that causes an individual or team to advance toward a UIL district, bi-district, area, zone, regional, or state championship.
Use our policy tutor to learn more about the appeals process for UIL rules.
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Music competition In addition to the general eligibility requirements for all League activities, there are certain regulations that apply specifically to participants in music contests. These rules are designed to insure equality and maintain a healthy balance of competition in areas that are unique to the music program.
Music awards rule - While school music organizations may not participate in interschool contests that give money or other valuable consideration as awards, no such limitation applies to individual student musicians. In other words, students may accept awards for competing in any interschool or intraschool non-UIL music competition without jeopardizing their UIL eligibility.
Sunday contest - School sponsored organizations may not compete in a music contest on a Sunday. This rule applies only to the actual competition. It is not a violation of this rule to travel or participate in a rehearsal or concert on Sunday.
Membership in a competing organization - UIL rules stipulate that each individual must be a bona fide member of a competing organization representing a specific school. It is the prerogative of the local school district to determine criteria for membership. It is important to note that a student need not be enrolled in the corresponding music class in order to participate in a League music event.
Limits of participation - A student may participate in only one group in each organization event. This rule prohibits students from representing their school in two similar groups, such as two concert bands or two mixed choirs. It does not restrict participation in multiple organizations such as band and orchestra or mixed choir and tenor-bass choir.
Use our policy tutor to learn more about the appeals process for UIL rules.
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Athletic competition In addition to the general eligibility requirements for all League activities, there are certain regulations that apply specifically to participation in athletic contests.
Athletic amateur rule - is in effect from a student's first day in the ninth grade through the last day of UIL athletic competition in the twelfth grade, during school and non-school time and when school is not in session. The amateur rule prohibits students from accepting money or other valuable consideration for allowing their name to be used to promote a product, plan, or service, or for teaching or participating in a League sponsored sport (see Constitution and Contest Rules for an exception to teach swimming.) It also prohibits students from accepting money or other valuable consideration from school booster clubs for any non-school purpose. Valuable consideration includes anything wearable, usable, or salable, such as tee-shirts, hamburger coupons, free or reduced rate tennis racquets, etc. Student athletes may accept certificates, medals, trophies, or other symbolic awards for participating in athletic contests.
Sports which are not sanctioned by the UIL (such as bowling, motorcycle racing, rodeo, etc.) do not come under this rule.
Violations of other League athletic rules occur when students:
- change schools for athletic purposes.
- are recruited by individuals representing other communities or public schools.
- do not pass an adequate physical examination given by a physician, and do not have written acknowledgment of their parents or legal guardian for athletic participation.
- repeat the seventh or eighth grade for athletic purposes.
- display unsportsmanlike conduct while interacting with other players, fans, or contest officials.
- alter a grade or a report card to falsify academic progress.
Use our policy tutor to learn more about the appeals process for UIL rules.
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Hardship waiver
Students may apply for a waiver of the parent residence rule or the four-year rule if they do not comply with the letter of these rules.
Awards rule
Protect your UIL eligibility by checking with your principal or contest sponsor before you accept an award or prize for competing in any UIL contest. For example, you could lose your eligibility if you accept awards or prizes (such as certificates, merchandise, trophies, etc.) based on your performance in UIL contests from a local booster club, civic group, newspaper, etc.
Students who participate in school tournaments or meets may accept symbolic trophies, medals, plaques, or ribbons provided they are presented by the organization conducting the tournament or meet.
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What parents can do
- Help the UIL conduct fair and equitable competition by adhering to rules, upholding the law, and respecting authority.
- Realize officials are human and will make mistakes, but their decisions must be respected.
- Delegate authority to schools and then back up the decisions made by the schools. If you desire a policy change, determine at what level the change should be made (with the coach, principal, superintendent, school board); then discuss your point of view reasonably at that level.
- Help your children and their friends understand that competition is a learning experience and should be fun, and that those who do their best are winners.
- Be aware of capabilities and limitations of young people; don't have undue expectations.
- Let your children live their own lives, not relive your life.
- Be involved in areas other than those of your own child, thus contributing to overall school unity and spirit.
- Show respect for your children's opponents.
- Be careful not to criticize other youngsters.
- Be attentive to the needs and wants of other students who may not have parents who care.
- Help your children and their friends develop integrity through the intensity of competitive activity.
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