UIL Leaguer

On the 11th day of the 11th month, just 45 minutes before the 11th hour, the UIL staff gathered to commemorate Veteran’s Day. Compliance officer Ed Stidham came in formal military dress. Lt. Col. Stidham served 25 years in the Army Reserve. His duties took him to nine different countries and about 30 different states. He retired April 15, 1995.

“Veteran’s Day is an unbelievable day,” Stidham said. “It means so much to me when someone puts out their hand and says ‘thank you.’ It’s an awesome day for military people and to be remembered is very special.”

Accounting officer Pat Lindsay also served in the army for 16 years. Supply Sgt. Lindsay worked all over the United States during her time in the military.

“This day is very special,” she said. Lindsay said the Ft. Hood tragedy struck home with her even though she is no longer in the military. “Those are my brothers and sisters,” she said. “It’s hard to understand, but you build such camaraderie in the military.”

In connection with the Centennial Celebrations, the UIL unveiled a historical marker on Oct. 26 that details UIL’s history and values. The unveiling followed the annual Legislative Council meeting.

The process to get the historical marker began two years ago, when the idea came up in a Centennial Celebration planning meeting.

Brooke Keeler, a UIL assistant, started the application process with the Texas Historical Commission. The application was based on UIL the organization, as opposed to a building. Historical markers based on organizations are only granted if the subject has had a strong contribution across the state of Texas.

Once the application process had begun, Music Director Dick Floyd helped decide the content for the marker. To do this, he said he read the text of many historical markers from the Texas Historical Commission Web site.

“The goal was that someone who knew nothing about UIL at all could stop and read the marker and know the impact UIL has had on education in the state of Texas,” Floyd said.

National High School Activities Week was created in 1980 by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as a means to promote the value of interscholastic activity programs across the country, and in 1983, President Reagan and the U.S. Congress officially set aside one week to recognize the importance of these activities.

For almost three decades, schools across the nation have participated in highlighting their athletic and fine arts programs and recognizing their dedicated coaches, sponsors and directors, fans and officials. This year the designated week is Oct. 11-17.

This annual fall event does not celebrate the record of any individual team or the success of a fine arts group, but rather the overall importance and value of interscholastic activities programs.

• Sunday, Oct. 11—National Be A Sport Day: to encourage awareness and discussion about the importance of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity to the conduct of interscholastic programs.
• Monday, Oct. 12—National Fine Arts Activities Day: to focus on the students, coaches and sponsors involved in fine arts programs.