DALLAS — A North Texas charter school says it is leaving the University Interscholastic League (UIL) for both athletics and academics after the UIL levied stiff penalties on its girls basketball program for recruiting violations, a representative for the school confirmed.
Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy sent a letter Thursday informing UIL of the decision.
The UIL recently banned Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy in Dallas’ girls’ basketball team from participating in any postseason games this season and suspended its coaches for two seasons. The UIL girls basketball season began last week.
“Until the UIL rules take into account the dynamics of open enrollment charter schools, it's become clear that we cannot fairly compete on their playing field. As such, Faith Family Academy has opted to withdraw from UIL competition--for both athletics and academics,” attorney Tiger Hanner, who represents the coaches, said in a statement to WFAA. “Hopefully, our decision will spur the state to look at the current rules and implement change that allows all open enrollment institutions to be treated equitably.”
The UIL previously said in a press release that the open-enrollment charter school was found guilty of violations including failure to report known violations in a timely manner or withholding information and recruiting after 18 students transferred to the school. To be eligible to participate in UIL varsity athletics at Faith Family, players had to live within Dallas ISD.
As a result, the UIL says the girls basketball team was issued three years of probation, a one-year suspension from postseason play and a public reprimand.
Head coach Andrea Robinson and assistant coaches Kadi Creel and Jordan Jones were each given a two-year suspension from all UIL activities, followed by two years of probation and a public reprimand.
“It has become clear that under the current UIL rules, an open enrollment charter school is going to be punished if students in the attendance zone opt to transfer to our program,” Hanner added. “It's also obvious that Faith Family is going to be subject to scrutiny simply because we sought to hire what we believe is the best girls basketball coach in the country.”
The UIL Thursday acknowledged receipt of the letter from Faith Family and thanked the school for its 20 years of participation.
"UIL rules and enforcement, specifically regarding student transfers for athletic purposes," the UIL said in a statement. "While we respect their choice, these rules are designed to ensure fair competition and prevent recruiting that creates unfair advantages. UIL remains committed to promoting an equitable, community-based environment for all student-athletes, and we thank Faith Family for their past 20 years of participation."
More Texas headlines:
