UIL Statement Regarding Dallas ISD Investigation

[granger]

USTIN, TX‹ Dallas ISD has reported a violation of state law involving no-pass, no-play that occurred during the 2005-06 school year. Dallas ISD has notified the UIL of the findings of their investigation of this matter.

In their report, Dallas ISD indicated that an ineligible student-athlete participated on the South Oak Cliff High School basketball team during the
2006 regional and state championships. The minimum penalty for allowing an ineligible player to participate in any contest is forfeiture. The UIL does not have the authority to set aside state law.

The UIL has taken no official action in this matter other than to clarify the mandates of state law. No-pass, no-play took effect under House Bill 72 in 1985, and was modified under Senate Bill 1 in 1995.

 

[lilblu]

Dallas SOC to forfeit basketball title




ARTICLE TOOLS: Email Article | Print-Friendly Format Dallas South Oak Cliff will forfeit its 2006 boys basketball state title after an internal investigation showed a player's failing grade was changed. Fort Worth Dunbar, the runner-up that year, will be awarded the state title. Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced Wednesday results of the review of the South Oak Cliff championship run. An investigation by WFAA-TV first revealed questions about whether a student was passing his course work or even showing up for class.
DISD officials said the University Interscholastic League, which is the governing body of high school sports in Texas, has been notified of the South Oak Cliff violations.

UIL spokeswoman Kim Rogers said using an academically ineligible player violates the state's no-pass, no-play law.

"This is not a UIL rule violation. It is a violation of state law," she said.

The forfeit means Fort Worth Dunbar, the team South Oak Cliff defeated 76-58 in the state championship game, would be recognized as the state champion.

UIL Athletic Director Charles Breithaupt said the UIL will wait to get formal notification of the forfeit in writing from DISD officials before Fort Worth Dunbar is officially notified of its state championship.

Dunbar would eventually be presented with a first-place trophy, Breithaupt said.

- Staff and wire