University Interscholastic League announces athletic changes

In a June 11 press release, the University Interscholastic League’s Legislative Council passed an amendment for split divisions in the post season 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,” the release stated. “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. All schools in the conference would remain in their assigned district per the 2024-26 alignment.”

Wimberley High School head football coach and athletic director Doug Warren said, “The change will definitely be interesting to see how it plays out. The biggest question that I have is, how will the regional and state tournaments be affected?”

For conferences impacted by the proposed modified playoff structure, the top four teams from each district will advance to the playoffs, as occurs in the current structure. The two advancing schools with the largest enrollments as submitted in October 2023 are bracketed into Division I and the other two schools are bracketed into Division II, with both divisions playing for separate state championships after district certification. The amendment would follow the format used for the current 6A football championship structure.

“We have been doing split divisions in football for a while so it makes sense to do it in the other team sports as well,” Warren said.

The Standing Committee on Athletics’ recommendation to the legislative counsel is to pass the amendment to be effective Aug. 1, which would begin with this year’s athletic schedules, if approved by the commissioner on education.

For the October 2023 enrollment submissions, Dripping Springs ISD in Class 6A reported 2,484 students. Wimberley ISD in Class 4A reported 855 students. Enrollment figures for determining Division I and Division II can be found on the UIL website at www.uiltexas.org/alignments.

Dripping Springs High School head football coach and athletic director Galen Zimmerman was not immediately available for comment.