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Battle continues over who officiates high school sports
By SAM KHAN JR.
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
July 21, 2010, 7:35PM
SAN ANTONIO — As the 78th annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School came to a close on Wednesday, the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Association of Sports Officials remained in a standstill in their legal battle over who governs the officiating of high school sports contests.
The legal battle, which began in December when TASO sued the UIL, is ongoing in the state's Third Court of Appeals. The court issued a writ of injunction against the UIL in February, preventing the organization from collecting any fees in relation to its officials registration program or from enforcing the amendments to rule 1204 of the UIL's constitution, which were passed in November requiring schools to use UIL-registered officials.
That writ of injunction is still in place with the high school sports season less than a month away, meaning that it is likely that the season will begin with TASO-registered officials still eligible to officiate varsity team sports contests when games begin in August.
"No question about that," said Gary Schumann, the attorney representing TASO in the case. "Under the current orders out of the court, TASO officials are absolutely entitled to be the sole officials at games. That's easily going to be the circumstance well into the season."
TASO filed a motion earlier this month to compel the case to mediation but the UIL responded by saying the court should deny that motion. The parties are waiting for a decision from the Court of Appeals on that matter as well.
Because the case is in litigation, the parties can't comment on specifics. In Houston, it appears TASO is conducting business as usual. On July 13, the Houston football chapter had its annual coaches' picks for all football games this season as coaches from around the area gathered at the Campbell Center and agreed on officials for their games.
"We're doing business like we always have," said Tommy Moore, executive secretary of the Houston chapter. "Our goal has always been to provide the best product we can for Texas high school football, and that's what we're doing."
The UIL is in the process of registering officials that had already registered with the league prior to the lawsuit, but the court's ruling prevents the UIL from registering new officials. Executive director Charles Breithaupt said that the UIL is now offering free registration for its officials - previously there was a $50 fee required to register.
"All we're trying to do is help our officials and support them," Breithaupt said. "We've offered our officials free registration. I think it's an opportunity to work hand in hand with them. We've been very supportive of TASO and they've been in the only game in town for the last 30 years."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/7118906.html
By SAM KHAN JR.
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
July 21, 2010, 7:35PM
SAN ANTONIO — As the 78th annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School came to a close on Wednesday, the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Association of Sports Officials remained in a standstill in their legal battle over who governs the officiating of high school sports contests.
The legal battle, which began in December when TASO sued the UIL, is ongoing in the state's Third Court of Appeals. The court issued a writ of injunction against the UIL in February, preventing the organization from collecting any fees in relation to its officials registration program or from enforcing the amendments to rule 1204 of the UIL's constitution, which were passed in November requiring schools to use UIL-registered officials.
That writ of injunction is still in place with the high school sports season less than a month away, meaning that it is likely that the season will begin with TASO-registered officials still eligible to officiate varsity team sports contests when games begin in August.
"No question about that," said Gary Schumann, the attorney representing TASO in the case. "Under the current orders out of the court, TASO officials are absolutely entitled to be the sole officials at games. That's easily going to be the circumstance well into the season."
TASO filed a motion earlier this month to compel the case to mediation but the UIL responded by saying the court should deny that motion. The parties are waiting for a decision from the Court of Appeals on that matter as well.
Because the case is in litigation, the parties can't comment on specifics. In Houston, it appears TASO is conducting business as usual. On July 13, the Houston football chapter had its annual coaches' picks for all football games this season as coaches from around the area gathered at the Campbell Center and agreed on officials for their games.
"We're doing business like we always have," said Tommy Moore, executive secretary of the Houston chapter. "Our goal has always been to provide the best product we can for Texas high school football, and that's what we're doing."
The UIL is in the process of registering officials that had already registered with the league prior to the lawsuit, but the court's ruling prevents the UIL from registering new officials. Executive director Charles Breithaupt said that the UIL is now offering free registration for its officials - previously there was a $50 fee required to register.
"All we're trying to do is help our officials and support them," Breithaupt said. "We've offered our officials free registration. I think it's an opportunity to work hand in hand with them. We've been very supportive of TASO and they've been in the only game in town for the last 30 years."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/7118906.html
