Family’s previous home caused Grapevine baseball’s removal from playoffs
A Grapevine baseball player’s family failed to transfer ownership of its previous home and update a driver’s license, causing the two-time defending high school state champions’ recent removal from the playoffs, according to public records obtained by the Star-Telegram.
After previously declaring the athlete in question eligible, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD rescinded the decision for several reasons related to his residency, according to records from the University Interscholastic League and GCISD.
— The property deed of the family’s previous home had not been transferred.
The player’s family provided testimony regarding the transfer of the property to a family member, but a GCISD search of county records confirmed that the deed was never formally filed, GCISD interim athletic director Bob DeBesse said in an email to the UIL self-reporting the violation.
“Legally, ownership remains with the parents,” DeBesse said.
— The family continued to carry an active homestead exemption on the property.
“Per UIL and state residency guidelines, a primary domicile is legally defined by where a homestead exemption is claimed,” DeBesse said.
— At least one family member’s driver’s license had not been updated to reflect residency in Grapevine.
“Contrary to the reported permanent relocation, [redacted] Driver’s License has not been updated and remains registered to the previous residence in [redacted],” DeBesse said.
Section 442 of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules regarding residency states:
“The new residence should accommodate the entire family. The former house should be on the market at a reasonable market price or sold, or the lease or rental agreement terminated. All utilities and telephone service should be disconnected or no longer in the family’s name. All licensed drivers in the household should have complied with DPS regulations for changing their address.”
DeBesse said the district concluded there was no malice on the part of the family.
The player had been cleared before the season began. After the UIL notified GCISD about a complaint, a formal follow-up home visit was made on April 29 by DeBesse and incoming executive athletic director Billy Skinner.
Initially, the athlete’s athletic eligibility was upheld, but the newly discovered verified information led GCISD to reverse its previous position.
“Through our interviews, it remains clear that the family’s move was motivated by the genuine well-being and academic success of the student,” DeBesse said.
“Despite the positive personal and academic impact of the relocation, the failure to divest from the previous property and update legal residency markers (DL and Homestead Exemption) places the student out of compliance with Section 442.”
UIL athletic director Ray Zepeda expressed sympathy for GCISD in response to DeBesse’s report, which included that GCISD would voluntarily forfeit all games the ineligible player was involved in, resulting in the Mustangs’ removal just before the start of the playoffs.
“I appreciate the e-mail and the additional clarification,” Zepeda said. “Given the importance of this matter, we wanted to ensure that we fully understand your district’s current position. I am sorry that this has occurred and hate this for your community. We appreciate your transparency and collaboration.”
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