Richland Springs athlete ruled ineligible, UIL to decide illegal recruiting question
The District 16-1A Division II District Executive Committee has ruled that a recent transfer from Mullin to Richland Springs football is ineligible to play in the 2022 season and that a decision on the accusation of illegal recruiting by the Richland Springs coaching staff has been upheld and referred to the UIL State Executive Committee.
DEC chairperson Dave Lewis, who is the superintendent at Rochelle ISD, could not be reached for comment by phone but provided the following statement by email:
"The District 16A District Executive Committee had to decide if a student moved for athletic purposes and if Richland Springs ISD recruited the student. The DEC decided that the student did move for athletic purposes and that based on the evidence presented, Richland Springs did recruit the student."
The DEC met Tuesday morning at the Rochelle ISD Administration Building in a meeting open to the public.
The SEC may uphold the ruling on the player's eligibility or rule to overturn the decision at the local level.
Present at the meeting were Lewis, along with Richland Springs superintendent James Womack, Lohn superintendent Leon Freeman, Brookesmith athletic director Jack Graves and Cherokee superintendent Jennifer Bordner.
Also present were Brent Williamson, head football coach and athletic director at Mullin and Mullin ISD superintendent Dr. Ronny Beard as well as the Richland Springs athlete and his father.
Mullin, which is north of Goldthwaite in Mills County, is approximately 32 miles northeast of Richland Springs, located in San Saba County.
Mullin competes in District 15-1A Division II along with Blanket, Gustine, Sidney and Zephyr. Districts 15 and 16 meet in the first round of the state playoffs.
There are three teams from 16-1A DII ranked in the Texas Football magazine preseason rankings: Richland Springs is ranked No. 4. Cherokee is No. 10 while Rochelle is No. 15. Blanket is the No. 18 team in the state.
Richland Springs has won nine state championships in six-man football, all under Burkhart. He has compiled a record of 223-12 while leading the Coyotes.
The Coyotes embark on a quest for a 10th state title when they travel to High Island Friday to open the season. Mullin hosts Brookesmith to open the season.
This is a developing story and will be updated
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Richland Springs football player ruled ineligible
