UIL clears up misconceptions around Demas ruling

Within minutes of the news hitting the wire, the responses started rolling in.

Comment after comment was made in response to the UIL State Executive Committee's decision of ruling Tomball receiver Demond Demas ineligible to play his senior season at Tomball by a 6-0 vote. Due to the decision, Demas had the option to either return to North Forest or seek a private school route.

Instead, the No. 2-ranked recruit in Texas for the 2020 class, who is verbally committed to Texas A&M, will sit out his senior season of varsity play and stay at Tomball High School.

READ: Texas A&M commit Demond Demas denied his appeal to UIL; will sit out senior season

The reactions on social media have ranged from questioning the decision, attacking North Forest High School and Houston ISD's academic track record, the UIL rules on transfers and more.

VYPE reached out to the UIL office to clear up what have become some common misconceptions the public is creating around this decision by the State Executive Committee.

UIL Media Coordinator Kate Hector addressed some of the common misconceptions that have been flooding social media and cleared up some wrongly reported information.

MISCONCEPTION: This happened because Demond Demas is a 5-star recruit?

UIL: "No, that is not part of the decision-making process ... The quality of the athlete or how high-profile it is really has no bearing on the proceedings. When it gets to the State Executive Committee it's an entirely new hearing. If there's any new information, the District Executive Committee's decision is presented as information, but it's a totally new chance for the student to make his case."

MISCONCEPTION: He should be able to leave North Forest because HISD has been failing Texas Educational Agency ratings.

UIL: "The State Executive Committee will look at whatever the family provides as documentation as reason for the move. So, the family can choose to provide whatever they like."

MISCONCEPTION: All appeals are denied by the State Executive Committee.

UIL: "If you look at the historic trend, between 60 and 70 percent are denied."

2018-2019 SEC Stats

51 Appeals
36 Denied
11 Approved
3 Withdrawn

70.59% SEC Upheld Previous Decision

2017-2018 SEC Stats

36 Appeals
22 Denied
11 Approved
3 Withdrawn

61.11% SEC Upheld Previous Decision

2016-2017 SEC Stats

48 Appeals
31 Denied
14 Approved
2 Withdrawn

61.11% SEC Upheld Previous Decision

IN-DEPTH STATS ON SEC MEETINGS SINCE 2004-2005 - CLICK HERE

In the past 10 years, going from the 2009-2010 to the 2018-2019 seasons, the SEC has heard 455 student eligibility appeals. Of those, 310 were denied and 118 were approved and 24 were withdrawn. Over the 10-year period that VYPE looked at, 68 percent of appeals were denied 26 percent were approved.

READ: Transfers in Texas High School Football becoming a trend and a concern

MISCONCEPTION: Demond Demas can re-appeal in the middle of the season and try to get eligible for the rest of the year.

UIL: "No that is not correct. When a student changes schools, even if they are ruled to have changed schools for athletic purposes, they are ineligible for one calendar year after they'v moved. If you change schools midway through the year then one calendar year after the move he would be eligible ... You can't re-appeal to the state executive committee for any student eligibility cases."

MISCONCEPTION: He can't play football at all at Tomball.

UIL: "He would be eligible for JV (junior varsity), this is just for varsity eligibility."

MISCONCEPTION: What is the full process of this, how does it work.

UIL: "It all starts with the Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) and then that goes to the District Executive Committee and then to the State Executive Committee. So, there is due process for every student that is changing schools and lots of opportunities to present information."

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Demond Demas Interview