UIL makes split decision

The UIL decides to split basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball into two divisional brackets when playoffs begin.

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) held its biannual Legislative Council (LC) meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, and under the Standing Committee of Athletics portion of the meeting, the LC voted to make some changes to the playoffs and will be implemented for the 2024-2025 fall, winter, and spring sports.

The Standing Committee of Athletics aims to consider proposals for changes in the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules that have athletic-related aspects to report recommendations to the Legislative Council on June 11, 2024. The meeting was a business meeting of the committee and not a public hearing. Thus, presentations may not be made by outside groups or individuals during this meeting. If one of the committee members needs clarification, questions may be asked of those in attendance. The UIL Director or a designated member of the UIL staff and Legislative Council members not assigned to this committee shall be recognized to speak on any issue.

In the Standing Committee meeting, there was a proposal to split divisions in volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, and baseball for the playoffs. This change to the current playoff structure in some sports would allow for split divisions in the postseason for 2A-6A volleyball, softball, and baseball, 4A-6A soccer, and 1A-6A basketball. This change would create two state championship brackets for teams to advance through the postseason for these conferences in volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and basketball.

According to UIL, this amendment would follow the current class 6A football championship structure format. All schools in each classification would remain in their assigned district according to the 2024-26 alignment. The top four teams from each district will advance to the playoffs as occurs in the current structure, however, under the new playoff structure, the two advancing schools with the largest enrollments, as submitted on “Snap-Shot Day” in October 2023 placed into the Division I bracket and the other two schools will be placed into the Division II bracket, with both divisions playing for separate state championships when the playoffs begin.

UIL stated on June 11, 2024, “Additionally, the Legislative Council passed an amendment for split divisions in the postseason for volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and baseball. This change to the current playoff structure in some sports would allow for split divisions in the postseason for 2A-6A volleyball, softball and baseball, 4A-6A soccer, and 1A-6A basketball. This change would create two state championship brackets for teams to advance through the postseason for these conferences in volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer and basketball. This amendment would follow the format used for the current 6A football championship structure. All schools in the conference would remain in their assigned district per the 2024-26 alignment. The Standing Committee on Athletics moves that the Legislative Council pass this amendment, to be effective August 1, 2024, if approved by the Commissioner of Education.”

Here are the districts and enrollment numbers for the three school districts in Terry County and their first-round (Bi-District) competition in the playoffs.

When looking at these enrollment numbers, Brownfield, Meadow, and Wellman-Union will not compete in Division II when the playoffs begin in basketball, volleyball, baseball, and softball. Brownfield is the second largest in the district, Meadow is the largest, and Wellman-Union is the second largest in the district. Volleyball in Class 1A will stay the same as three teams from each district that go to the playoffs.