Academic Eligibility
Academic Eligibility
Statement from McKinney Ice Hockey
Academic excellence is the foundation of success, both in life and in hockey. The McKinney Ice Hockey Club (MIHC) is committed to helping student-athletes prioritize their education, develop responsible habits, and uphold the standards of their schools, the UIL, TAHA and the AT&T High School Hockey League. Playing hockey is a privilege; strong academics come first.
General Eligibility Requires
Eligibility Requirements:
No Pass/No Play:
- Student-athletes must meet UIL academic eligibility rules at their respective schools to participate in any league games or practices (at the discretion of the league rules).
- Hockey is a privilege contingent upon maintaining “student in good standing” status with all passing grades.
Grade Checks:
- MIHC teams must obtain and follow each player’s school UIL eligibility calendar for grade reporting.
- Academic eligibility is checked after the first six weeks and at the end of every grading period (six, nine, or twelve weeks as determined by the school).
MISD UIL Academic Eligbility Calendar
Documented Verification:
- Every grading period, the team manager must collect:
- A copy of the report card (or signed eligibility status report from a school official).
- Academic Ineligibility Report listing any player not in good standing, signed by coach and manager.
- Any student without verifiable documentation will be listed as ineligible and cannot play or practice (at the discretion of the league rules) until eligibility is confirmed.
Ineligible Players:
Any grade below 70 (unless in an exempt/AP/honors course) renders a student ineligible to play league games.
- An “incomplete” grade or grade under protest is treated as failing and renders a student ineligible until resolved.
- Ineligible students may practice (at the discretion of the league rules), but may not compete in games until passing grades/progress reports document restored eligibility.
Private School / Home School / District Changes:
- A student academically ineligible in public school cannot regain eligibility simply by transferring or changing school type or districts. Eligibility must be restored according to UIL rules before any transfer.
Holiday and Breaks:
- All students are eligible to play during school holidays or breaks of one calendar week or more (e.g., December holiday, summer recess, spring break).
Exempt Classes:
- Courses officially exempt from No Pass/No Play rules (AP, Honors, or school-identified classes) do not affect eligibility. MIHC must obtain updated exempt course lists each year.
Reporting Deadlines:
- Four (4) days are granted after the grading period for receipt of report cards; dates on the eligibility calendar reflect this extension.
Home School / Hybrid & Online Students
McKinney Ice Hockey and our league, which follow UIL‑based eligibility standards, team administrators are responsible for obtaining official grade reports from parents before the player is allowed to participate in games or competitions. Progress reports, parent‑generated documents, or informal teacher or administrator statements are not accepted as substitutes for this official grading documentation for eligibility purposes.
For homeschooled, hybrid, or online‑program students, UIL requirements still apply. This includes aligning their curriculum to Texas academic standards, providing official grading reports, and completing any required standardized testing used to verify academic eligibility. The same standards apply across the board, including providing grade reports showing the player is above the UIL 70% passing threshold in all classes. (e.g., “equivalent of 70 on a 100‑point scale”) aligned to the districts grading policy.
Disciplinary Alternative Education Program
Students who are placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for a reason included in TEC §37.006 must be prohibited from attending or participating in a school-sponsored or school- related activity as provided by Subsection (g) of that section.
Bottom Line:
- If a student is eligible to play any other UIL-sanctioned sport at their school, they are eligible for MIHC hockey participation.
Failure to comply with these academic eligibility requirements may result in suspension from team activities or league sanctions against MIHC & The Player. Every player, parent, coach, and manager is responsible for maintaining and verifying eligibility.
We promote the values of integrity, discipline, and personal development on the ice and in the classroom.