HPISD Cannot Regain State Soccer Title, Trustees Say
Highland Park ISD’s board of trustees has “turned over every stone,” but has found no grounds to challenge the forfeiture of the Class 5A Division II boys soccer title, board members wrote in a Friday afternoon email.
Highland Park defeated Liberty Hill 2-0 to earn the state championship on April 11, but was stripped of the title hours later after district officials self-reported to the UIL that HP had used an ineligible player in the game.
The player was ineligible under HPISD rules that require students to earn a grade of 70 or higher in all but certain advanced placement courses to participate in UIL activities, according to the email. A list of the courses eligible for an exemption to that rule in the 2025-2026 school year can be found on page 7 of the district’s Academic Planning Guide.
Highland Park’s eligibility rules are stricter than the state’s minimum standard. According to the UIL website and HPISD’s email, when districts voluntarily adopt stricter standards, those standards determine eligibility.
“Unfortunately, given the UIL rules of eligibility requiring HPISD to apply its own local standard for academic eligibility in this case, there are no grounds by which the UIL’s required forfeiture can be appealed or overturned. The UIL has confirmed the futility of any appeal,” board president Maryjane Bonfield and vice president Bryce Benson wrote in the email.
They noted that the board met in a special called meeting for three hours on Thursday to study the issue.
The player was allowed to participate due to an oversight by coaches, who are responsible for reviewing the list of ineligible players and missed the name in this case, according to the email. The trustees wrote that, “We remain proud and supportive of our coaching staff for this incredible season.”
HP’s administration learned after the game that the player was ineligible, and contacted UIL to confirm the rules and the player’s ineligibility. Forfeiture is the minimum penalty for participation of an ineligible student. By immediately reporting the infraction, the district avoided more serious consequences, according to the email.
The email states that the player was also ineligible during multiple weeks of the playoff season, but it does not specify whether the student participated in any playoff games. Students who are ineligible under UIL rules are prohibited from traveling with the school group to competitive events, and from assisting at competitions, according to the UIL website.
HPISD has returned the state championship trophy, but the players can keep their individual medals, and the game MVP will retain his status. The district and board will review policies and work to ensure that this does not happen again, according to the email.
The trustees wrote that they were “heartbroken over the unfortunate turn of events.”
“Above all, this process has only reinforced and deepened our commitment to showing support for our Boys Soccer team in the days ahead and finding a way to memorialize their legacy as the best Boys Soccer team in HPISD’s history,” they wrote.
