(San Antonio, Texas)-At 6:00 p.m. on Friday, the University Interscholastic League state executive committee called an emergency meeting to discuss possible action against the 31-4A District Champions, Progreso Red Ants (30-0) involving an ineligible player. Progreso ISD officials held that meeting on their school bus, outside Comalander Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. One Progreso official said, “we were ambushed by the UIL. We were unprepared with their findings.”
After forty-five minutes, Progreso High School head soccer coach, Damian Magallan walked off the yellow school bus, stunned, and told HSSM, “I don’t understand what just happened but, we are out of the playoffs. The UIL disqualified my team,” said Magallan. Progreso ISD superintendent, Sergio Coronado was displeased.
The UIL argued that a player transferred from Progreso to La Joya Palmview HS and then went back to Progreso. The teenage player on the bus was questioned by the UIL State Executive Committee members without his parent’s presence. The player in questioned did not understand why he was there and told HSSM that he was “nervous and scared”. Yet, UIL officials continued to ask the teenage player more questions during the emergency meeting.
UIL State Executive Chair, Mike Motheral, retired superintendent from Lubbock, Texas ruled after hearing testimony, after questioning the teenage player, it was determined that Progreso High School allowed an ineligible player to participate. The player in questioned, with the assistance of Progreso ISD superintendent, Coronado interpreting, told UIL officials, he attended Progreso HS when he was a freshmen and Motheral continued questioning by asking, did you play soccer at Progreso and the player responded with “yes”. Motheral also asked, did you play varsity that year and the Progreso player answered “yes”. The player went on to say that as a sophomore his family had problems, and he enrolled at La Joya Palmview in the fall semester to live with his family member. The coach at La Joya Palmview HS then told the Progreso transfer that he would not be eligible to play varsity that season and the player decided to go back to Progreso HS after his family problems were resolved. The player in question told the UIL that he took time off to get his academics back in order and joined the Progreso team a few months later. “I have asked all the questions that I need to know of the young man,” Motheral said.
Progreso ISD Superintendent Coronado told the UIL that a PAPF (previous athletic participation form) form was discussed with the District 31-4A executive chair and were advised that one was not needed since the player never played at La Joya Palmview HS. Therefore, the player was cleared. Still, Motheral added, “he was not eligible…the coaches are responsible to know the rules; had they signed that PAPF form, we would not have these problems.” Motheral went on to add that the player admitted to two things: “He had family issues and the second one was that he wouldn’t get a chance to play at the varsity level.”
With time still clicking on Friday, the arguments continued on the Progreso ISD school bus with the UIL. Progreso ISD attorney Eden Ramirez responded and disagreed with Motheral by saying, “the player in questioned did not participate in any contest at La Joya Palmview or practice because it was not soccer season.” Motheral disagreed again. Progreso ISD responded with, “the player in question was enrolled in a soccer class during his time at La Joya Palmview.” Still, Motheral asked was he “involved” in any off season program and felt that his answer was insufficient. “I disagree with that Mr. Ramirez,” added Motheral. Progreso ISD continued to argue and disagreed with Motheral. “The player was enrolled in a athletic class at La Joya Palmview…the 31-4A DEC chair even told us we did not need a PAPF waiver since the player never participated at La Joya Palmview,” said Ramirez.
With less than ten minutes left on the clock on Friday, Progreso ISD atty, Benjamin Castillo added that, “we don’t think he ever lost eligibility in the first place…he never had a formal practice or did he ever play. The DEC chair told us we did not need a PAPF form signed.” Motheral quickly responded by saying, “That doesn’t hold much water with me.” The UIL received information about the incident on GameDay Friday morning. The UIL voted and approved the disqualification against the Progreso Red Ants.
In a statement send by the UIL Media department, “As per the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, the minimum penalty for allowing an ineligible player to participate is forfeiture of the contest in which they participated. As a result, Progreso’s state semifinal opponent Salado will advance to the boys conference 4A division I state final game.”
At 7:10 p.m., after the National Anthem was played at Comalander Stadium with both teams on the field, the announcer announced that the game between Progreso and Salado would not be played. Shocking Red Ant fans.
Hear complete UIL Emergency Meeting…
https://www.uiltexas.org/files/media/SEC_Emergency_Recording_4.4.25_Audio.m4a