The University Interscholastic League, known as the UIL, is calling for a reduction in unsportsmanlike behavior at high school sporting events.
There’s been a spike in outbursts and altercations involving athletes, coaches, and spectators. This year, though, Dallas ISD plans to crack down on harmful behavior.
High school sporting events are officially underway. There’s excitement and fierce competition both on and off the field. At times, the intensity boils over. Dallas ISD sports leaders all agreed there must be a way to neutralize those situations.
Vince Reyes is the assistant superintendent for Dallas ISD athletics. He spoke to NBC 5 at the start of the 2024-2025 football season.
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
“As they get into the heat of battle, there are ways they can cope with the heat of battle if you will,’ Reyes said.
He’s aware that there’s been a troubling trend across the state.
“The UIL has made it perfectly clear that sportsmanship and issues with sportsmanship across the state has increased, and Dallas ISD intends to buck that trend,” he said.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
The numbers have been heading in the wrong direction for some time. In 2018, NBC 5 reported a change in UIL rules following an uptick in ejections.
It’s not been much better since COVID, with our partners at the Dallas Morning News reporting the UIL’s complaints of a decline in sportsmanship.
The UIL said there has been a 50% increase in coach ejections over the past 10 years, a 45% increase in fan ejections over the past five years, and a 10% rise in player ejections last school year.
Dallas ISD wants to be a part of the solution with its "Stop, Think, and Choose" initiative. Even student leaders are on board. Jacob Marsaw is a senior and athletics department intern.
“Keep that competitive drive, but make sure we do it in a respectful manner that what we’re trying to do at the end of the day,” said Marsaw. “We can have our differences, have our trash talk but we want to make sure it’s a safe place for everybody.”
Stop, Think, and Choose applies to athletes, coaches, and fans, who are encouraged to “play big.”
“The way they can play big is to be happy to come to the game, understand that everyone out here, including the officials, are doing the best that they can, and the third is just to enjoy each other’s company,” said Reyes.
Reyes points out that the energy in the stands can contribute to emotional outbursts on the field. He said it boils down to a simple reminder.
“It’s a game,” he said. “Enjoy it.”
