YTBulldogs
12-04-2009, 09:43 AM
The Texas Association of Sports Officials filed a lawsuit on December 3rd against the University Interscholastic League in hopes of preventing the UIL from requiring officials to register with the League in order to officiate varsity contests.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of what has been an ongoing battle between TASO and the UIL. At its legislative council meetings on Oct. 26, the UIL passed an amendment to section 1204 of its constitution and contest rules, which previously stated that its members schools were to use TASO-registered officials to call varsity sports.
The amendment, which received final approval from state Commissioner of Education Robert Scott in November and is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010, changed 1204 to state that member schools must use officials registered with the UIL - removing TASO from the constitution and contest rules for the first time in 33 years.
TASO filed its suit in the Travis County district court, seeking a temporary restraining order to block the UIL from enforcing the new measure and bar the league from collecting any fee or tax as a condition for officiating games.
“We don’t think the UIL has the power to do any of this, and we don’t want our members feeling pressured to pay what may be an illegal fee to protect their jobs until the court sorts this out,” said George Coit, chairman of the TASO board of directors.
Officials who wish to call games in Texas currently pay $50 dues annually to TASO. The UIL amendment requires the same fee for registration beginning in July.
The lawsuit also questions whether the UIL has the authority to regulate the officials that call its contests. Those officials currently contract with and are paid by school districts. The UIL has 20 days to respond to the suit.
Messages left by the Chronicle with UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt were not returned on Thursday.
Texas is unusual in its current officiating setup. Currently, 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.
James Batiste, president of the local basketball chapter of officials which voted to become a UIL chapter this summer, said he feels the concerns many TASO members have may be overblown.
"I think a lot of this is being blown out of proportion," Batiste said. "Many people feel that the UIL is trying to come in and take over and that's not their objective.
"I think once the dust settles, it's going to be better for our vocation."
TASO members continue to question why the UIL feels the need to require officials to register with the league and collect a dues fee.
"It's just leery of why the UIL wants us," said Stephen Hallmark, who is on the board of directors for the TASO Houston football chapter. "We've had a great relationship for 33 years."
Still, like many others, Hallmark hopes for some type of compromise.
"I feel (the lawsuit) is a good way to have all parties look at the positions they're holding and to try to come to a win-win situation for everyone," he said.
sam.khan@chron.com
The lawsuit comes on the heels of what has been an ongoing battle between TASO and the UIL. At its legislative council meetings on Oct. 26, the UIL passed an amendment to section 1204 of its constitution and contest rules, which previously stated that its members schools were to use TASO-registered officials to call varsity sports.
The amendment, which received final approval from state Commissioner of Education Robert Scott in November and is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010, changed 1204 to state that member schools must use officials registered with the UIL - removing TASO from the constitution and contest rules for the first time in 33 years.
TASO filed its suit in the Travis County district court, seeking a temporary restraining order to block the UIL from enforcing the new measure and bar the league from collecting any fee or tax as a condition for officiating games.
“We don’t think the UIL has the power to do any of this, and we don’t want our members feeling pressured to pay what may be an illegal fee to protect their jobs until the court sorts this out,” said George Coit, chairman of the TASO board of directors.
Officials who wish to call games in Texas currently pay $50 dues annually to TASO. The UIL amendment requires the same fee for registration beginning in July.
The lawsuit also questions whether the UIL has the authority to regulate the officials that call its contests. Those officials currently contract with and are paid by school districts. The UIL has 20 days to respond to the suit.
Messages left by the Chronicle with UIL executive director Dr. Charles Breithaupt were not returned on Thursday.
Texas is unusual in its current officiating setup. Currently, 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.
James Batiste, president of the local basketball chapter of officials which voted to become a UIL chapter this summer, said he feels the concerns many TASO members have may be overblown.
"I think a lot of this is being blown out of proportion," Batiste said. "Many people feel that the UIL is trying to come in and take over and that's not their objective.
"I think once the dust settles, it's going to be better for our vocation."
TASO members continue to question why the UIL feels the need to require officials to register with the league and collect a dues fee.
"It's just leery of why the UIL wants us," said Stephen Hallmark, who is on the board of directors for the TASO Houston football chapter. "We've had a great relationship for 33 years."
Still, like many others, Hallmark hopes for some type of compromise.
"I feel (the lawsuit) is a good way to have all parties look at the positions they're holding and to try to come to a win-win situation for everyone," he said.
sam.khan@chron.com