Progreso community, school district react to UIL punishment

PROGRESO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has reprimanded the Progreso High School soccer program.

The governing body for high school sports in Texas found the team had an ineligible player. Both the program and the head coach were punished.

Several area residents told ValleyCentral that they were heartbroken by the ruling. They hope more is done so that this never happens again.

Youth soccer coach Alicia Pina is heartbroken after UIL reprimanded the Progreso Red Ants soccer team.

“It hit in the heart because we did have several players that put their 100% and am so sorry that they didn’t go to the state and do feel for them and this is just a lesson that we all have to learn," Pina said.

An investigation revealed the team used an ineligible player last season; they were forced to forfeit their undefeated season just minutes before their state semifinal game in April.

Many locals like Laura Longoria believe the ones who suffer the most are the students.

“The kid is not behind the desk to mentiras or to lie," Longoria said. "The kid is a student, you know, and he is there to enroll and participate and do whatever, and if they love soccer and live that with a passion, and then for this to happen, it is just messed up.”

As part of the reprimand, the program will be on probation for the next two years. Additionally, Coach Damian Mallagan will be suspended for three games next season.

Pina believes something else should be done.

“I will support if they let him go. Yes, I would," Pina said. “I have voiced out in the past that we want educated, with degrees, personnel that can do paperwork and have the skills to coach as well. I am confined on our school board.”

Progreso School Board Member Agapito Perez says they have not discussed terminating the coach. He says the board will meet in a few weeks to discuss any potential appeals they can make.

“I know that we will be having a board meeting in the next few weeks and I know that sometimes we make a mistake," Perez said. "We need to take the punishment and we need to make sure that moving forward we know that all our standards are in place and avoid any mistakes in the future.”

Progreso ISD also said that they have already implemented new protocols to ensure greater oversight of student documentation and that they are following all the rules.

“From where the paper trial begins, that it ends properly in the right hands up to the hands of the superintendent or the athletic director," Perez said. "In this case, because it is an athletic situation, but we are talking about all protocols in the district.”

Pina just hopes children continue giving their all to the sport.

“This is just a hurdle we are passing by and soccer still lives in Progreso," Pina said.

Inspite of the ruling, Progreso will be eligible to qualify for the postseason next year and make a run at a state title.