The University Interscholastic League legislative council met Sunday and Monday in Round Rock to discuss proposals regarding high school athletics across the state of Texas, and several amendments were passed during the general session.
Perhaps the most significant development came in the arena of student-athlete eligibility. The council passed a proposal from the standing committee on policy that prohibits foreign exchange students from participating in UIL varsity athletics beginning in the 2026-27 school year. That came amid concerns about competitive advantage and fairness to Texas athletes.
After the floor was opened to discussion on the amendment, a concern was also expressed about the possible competitive advantage that schools with open enrollment have. The conversation then shifted to athletes who move to different schools within Texas for athletic purposes but are immediately eligible to compete at the varsity level due to lack of intervention from superintendents and district executive committees. The UIL in recent legislative sessions has taken several measures to tighten up the expectations of the DECs when it comes to eligibility issues. The rule passed Monday represented another step in that process of protecting competitive equity across the state…