UIL lifts Katy's forfeit for violating amateur rule
AUSTIN (AP) - Katy, the defending Class 5A Division I champion and third-ranked team in the state this season, will not have to forfeit games because of overzealous support from parents, the University Interscholastic League ruled Tuesday.
The UIL's state executive committee voted 3-1 to overturn a ruling by the District 19-5A executive committee that forced the team to forfeit four victories because a parents' group violated the amateur rule by buying meals and T-shirts for the players.
Instead, the state panel gave the team a public reprimand and placed the football program on a one-year probation. The maximum punishment the team could have received was a three-year suspension.
"I think their feeling was that the penalty was too severe for what the violation was," said UIL spokeswoman Rachel Seewald.
Last week, the 19-5A committee said the team had to forfeit two nondistrict games and two district games because players did not pay the full cost for meals at two September dinners and received T-shirts from a parents' group. Money for the meals and shirts was collected later.
Katy principal Robert Blankinship told the state panel he wasn't pleading innocence, but that school officials felt the district ruling was unduly harsh for something administrators reported as soon as they learned the details.
"The Katy coaching staff and administration was not aware this was going on; it was something the parents were doing on their own for the kids. Once Katy did find out what was going on, they did turn it in," Seewald said.
Katy has not lost a game on the field, but now carries a 7-1 record because of a separate forfeit for using an ineligible player in a victory over Fort Bend Austin.
Katy had been ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll but fell two spots this week, likely because of the questions surrounding its record. Katy plays Alief Elsik on Friday night.
The state executive committee called Tuesday's meeting last week to respond to this case. The session lasted more than an hour.
David Holmquist, the principal of Alief Hastings and the 19-5A executive committee chairman, explained how and why his panel came up with its punishment.
Katy's side of the debate was waged by Blankinship, head coach Mike Johnston, superintendent Leonard Merrell and athletic director Jack Rhoads. The UIL also presented a stack of e-mails and letters it received from parents and fans who supported Katy.
Also decided at Tuesday's meeting:
-The panel upheld a district ruling that makes Arlington Bowie wrestler Erik Davidson ineligible because it was determined that he transferred from Arlington High for athletic purposes.
-A public reprimand and one-year probation was given to San Antonio Jay volleyball coaches Sandra Gonzales and Tina Briones for abuse of officials.