The UIL announced that they will allow schools to broadcast Friday night football games during the 2020 season last week.
This is a change to the organization’s longtime limitations, in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt announced the decision June 17 during the organization’s biannual legislative council meeting.
Because Breithaupt expects some fans will choose not to attend games this fall due to the fear of contracting COVID-19, UIL legislative council members were supportive of the one-year change.
“There’s a Friday Night Lights elements that still exist in Texas, and we don’t believe COVID-19 is going to do away with that,” Breithaupt said. “But I do believe this is a time for us to stand down on our Friday night broadcast rule.”
The UIL will not be involved in specific broadcast decisions. Instead, it will permit school districts to make individual decisions about streaming games on digital platforms. Both schools in the game must agree on the broadcast regulations.
The change for this season will only apply to football.
Radio stations have been allowed to broadcast high school football games for some time and the lifting of the ban is for television and digital broadcasts. The UIL had already permitted all other sports to showcase live events besides state championship games.
UIL Deputy Director Jamey Harrison said the organization is dedicated to having fall a sports season and hopes to announce their plans soon.
“We are in very close contact with our state leaders, continually working on plans.” Harrison said. “The situation is very fluid and circumstances and information changes, so we have to pivot regularly on our plans.”
The UIL is discussing different proposals for the upcoming season. Some are requesting that only family members should be able to attend while others suggest all sports should be postponed for the following season.
RHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jacob Campsey said his first responsibility is the safety of the kids but knows not having a season would be tough for everyone.
“I’m in the business of kids, although I know it could be really tough on the community and I hate that,” Campsey said. “I don’t want to see these seniors lose their season if we can play safely. The word postponement doesn’t bother me. I don’t want to see the word canceled.”
Gov. Greg Abbott announced Texas had reached another daily high as 5,000 people tested positive for COVID-19 on June 23, while Milam County reported 73 cases as of Wednesday morning.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.