Possible UIL rule change currently pending approval

Get your “large school” versus “small school” calculators out this year, local sports fans. You’ll need them if a proposed  University Interscholastic League (UIL) rule change gets final approval.

On June 11, the UIL’s Legislative Council passed an amendment for split divisions in the postseason for volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and baseball. The split divisions postseason format will be applied to 1A-6A basketball, 2A-6A volleyball, softball and baseball and 4A-6A soccer. This change creates two state championship brackets for each conference.

This amendment is the same format used for the current UIL 6A football playoffs. The top four teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs. Where things change for these sports is the two advancing schools with the largest enrollments, as submitted in October 2023, will be placed in the Division I bracket. The other two schools will be placed in the Division II bracket. Both divisions will play for separate state championships.

This will not affect district alignments in these sports for the next two years.

The rules officially take effect Aug. 1, pending approval by Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.