TASO gets restraining order; UIL revises its refs amendment

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Officials’ tug of war reaches new level
TASO gets restraining order; UIL revises its refs amendment

AUSTIN — Less than 24 hours after a temporary restraining order was entered in the ongoing legal battle between the University Interscholastic League and the Texas Association of Sports Officials, the UIL’s Legislative Council again amended its constitution in regard to officials.

The council met Thursday to revise and clarify the language of an amendment that mandates all officials calling varsity team sports must be registered with the UIL.

The amendment, which passed in October and was approved in November, met opposition from leaders within TASO, the organization governing high school sports officials in the state. TASO has managed high school officiating in Texas for 33 years. TASO sued the UIL in December, claiming the UIL can’t regulate officials because they are independent contractors.

Schools get clarifications

The temporary restraining order entered Wednesday prevents the UIL from enforcing the passed amendment until a temporary injunction hearing scheduled for Feb. 1.

The revisions passed by the council Thursday make an exception for individual sports to use non-UIL registered officials if so desired. UIL-registered officials would be required for all team sports (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball).

The UIL also mandated that UIL-registered officials be used for non-varsity contests unless mutually decided otherwise by the participating schools.

Finally, the council voted to pass the amendment effective immediately. When originally passed in November, it was set to take effect July 1. Member schools would still be able to use TASO- or UIL-registered officials for the remainder of the school year.

“This gives clarification to the schools because there was a lot of confusion out there,” UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said.

George Coit, the chairman of the TASO board of directors, made his organization’s stance clear.

“TASO does not want this fight,” Coit said.“The majority of TASO members are against this proposal.

“Most of our officials just want to officiate. All of our officials are independent contractors and not subject to regulations from an organization in which we have no vote or no representation.”

San Antonio ISD athletic director Gil Garza, who is the president of the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, supported the UIL’s stance and said the majority of the THSADA’s constituency does as well.

Starkly contrasting views

“Most of us are proponents of officials, and we understand their value,” Garza said. “There have been some problems, and more often than not, the problems stem from the leadership of the officials association. It’s not something we like or we want, but it’s a fact.

“This initiative may solve those problems. I believe that this is something that is good and that can be good, and our association is supporting it 100 percent.”

Coit maintained that if the mandate takes effect, it will not only cripple TASO but high school sports officiating in general by causing a shortage of officials.

“If this amendment is passed, it will cause a logistical nightmare for scheduling,” Coit said. “If this is passed, we’ll really be short on officials, because most of the guys won’t officiate this upcoming season.”

Though Breithaupt can’t comment on specifics of the legal battle, he expressed some frustrations with what has transpired.

“It’s disappointing, but it’s their right (to file a lawsuit),” he said. “It’s been very frustrating for our schools ... but I think our schools have spoken, and they want to bring this under control.”

Texas situation unique

Texas is unique in its current officiating setup. State high school sports association offices govern all aspects of officiating in 44 states. Four other states require officials to register with the state association but allow officials associations to do their own training.

Officials who wish to call games in Texas pay $50 dues annually to TASO. The UIL amendment would require the same fee if it takes effect. The fee would be used to cover things like insurance, rule books, background checks, teaching and administration.