Quote:
Originally Posted by ebarker
There are two things I quite don't understand.
1) What does UIL bring to table ?
edit: After watching Ray's video the answer seems to be a) it partly solves a funding issues for schools
2) Why doesn't UIL acknowledge the existing system instead of creating a parallel system ???
edit: and b) it creates a state championship because Texas isn't a District yet.
am I missing any other key points ?
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Hi Ed,
1) The UIL is a huge thing in Texas. It "legitimizes" extra-curricular school activities. It's not just a funding thing. School administrators are more inclined to provide a variety of types of support for existing teams and to start new teams because it is now a UIL activity.
2) It is not creating a separate system. It is joining on with one that already exists. No changes are made to FIRST as it exists; the UIL simply recognizes it as an official activity and joins in to provide further recognition of eligible schools. (As I noted above: The UIL pilot does not in ANY way change or impact the regular FIRST season. All Texas teams will be able to participate in FIRST programs and competitions the same way they have in the past.) You can compare what's happening with Texas with what already occurred in Minnesota, Arizona, and Connecticut; I welcome folks from those areas to chime in with how it has impacted their state, schools, teams, etc.
Also, consider reading more about the UIL here:
http://www.uiltexas.org/about