New UIL rule adds parity

The University Interscholastic League has passed a new rule for the 2024-25 season to bring more parity and competition across some sports this year.

The rule essentially splits each classification up into two divisions after four teams qualify for the playoffs.

The rule is supposed to promote competition throughout the classifications and give teams a fair shot of advancing through the bracket. Throughout Colorado County, two of it’s Athletic Directors weighed in on the decision.

“It really doesn’t do anything for the small schools,” said Rice Consolidated Athletic Director Brad Dumont. “It only benefits the big schools. Travel is not a factor. Any school district would travel in order to be competitive. We look forward to the day UIL splits division one and division two into all sports.”

A little more west down I-10 Weimar ISD Athletic Director Wade Griffin had a similar response to the rule change.

“I think it is a good idea in theory, but it doesn’t always have the desired effect. It doesn’t always separate the bigger schools from the smaller schools,” Griffin said.

Griffin shared the same opinion as Dumont in that if the UIL splits the classifications, they should fully split them. Griffin said if the UIL splits the classification, they should look to football for the format.

“I think if they want to truly split the classes and make it more even it should be done like we do in football and already break them into districts and have a true split conference,” Griffin said.

Here in Columbus Athletic Director Matt Schobel also weighed in on the decision made by the UIL. He took a more optimistic approach to the rule change and even said it will benefit the smaller schools.

“I think the rule change will be beneficial especially for schools who are typically one of the smallest in their classification,” Schobel said.

With the rule change passed and the season fast approaching, these Athletic Directors all showed excitement and willingness to have their teams ready to play every single game regardless of it their team benefits from the rule change or not.