UIL responds to high school transfer rulings at THSCA Coaching School

HOUSTON High school transfers were a hot topic this year at THSCA Coaching School.

In wake of the UIL siding with district executive committee decisions rendering high-profile prospects North Crowley defensive back John Meredith III and Denton Ryan quarterback Colton Nussmeier ineligible over the last month, the states athletics governing body was asked about transfers on Sunday during its annual press conference.

Both rulings were met with wide reactions across social media from media and coaches alike, some disagreeing with the state executive committee siding with the local DECs.

To transfer schools and be eligible for UIL competition, according to the official website, "all students must complete a Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) and be found not to have changed schools for athletic reasons." When that form (Previous Athletic Participation) is being completed, it needs to be completed with great fidelity and great honesty, UIL executive director Jamey Harrison said.

If it's not, then we have an input that is flawed.

When you have flawed inputs, you may end up with flawed outputs.

We have a very good approach, but it's not perfect.

I say that all the time.

It is a human-based system, like any system, a football team, basketball team, or a company, your output is only going to be as good as the input that is put into it, and so that's what we really try to lean into.

Harrison estimated that the UIL received around 17,000 to 18,000 previous athletic participation forms this past year and presumed less than 50 of those players were ruled ineligible.

In a state like ours, when you have highly-rated college recruits, it's going to generate more interest, Harrison said.

The UIL also emphasized that the rules in place were voted on by its member institutions.

Our rules are not made by any UIL staff members UIL athletic director Ray Zepeda said.

They're made by our member schools for our member schools, and I'm reminded every day in the execution of my job that my personal opinion about those rules really don't matter.