Deposed Southlake Carroll quarterback Daxx Garman will not play football for the Carroll Dragons this year.
Garman, a transplant from Oklahoma whose eligibility to play in Southlake was called into question last month, lost his bid for reinstatement from the University Interscholastic League executive committee Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday's vote against Garman was unanimous. The committee upheld an earlier ruling by the District 7-5A executive committee that that Garman family moved to Southlake strictly to play football.
"We did this as a family move to Southlake, Texas," said Pat Garman, Daxx Garman's father. "I don't understand how that can be moving for athletic purposes. That would mean that any kid that moved anywhere and played any sports would be moving for athletic purposes."
In a statement Tuesday, the Carroll Independent School District said it will continue to comply with UIL rules.
"Our disappointment in this situation comes from how the ensuing media coverage and negativity affected this high school boy and his teammates," the district said in the statement.
Parents said the Dragons' football program will be fine, despite the ruling.
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"I don't know how the hardcore fans are going to react, but I do know that this community is deep in talent, so I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't another guy right behind him that could throw the ball just as well," parent Walt Mountford said.
He said it was that while the situation was sad for Daxx Garman, it offers a lesson for students throughout the Metroplex that rules have to followed.
Emily Frame, a Keller parent, agreed, calling the UIL ruling a good decision.
"Well, it's sad for him, but there are morals and there are standards, and I think we have to uphold them," she said.
Garman's attorney filed an appeal on behalf of the student-athlete on Aug. 30 after the player was declared ineligible to play by the District 7-5A executive committee because of a residency violation.
The UIL forbids students from transferring for athletic purposes.
Last spring, Garman transferred to Southlake from Oklahoma, where his former high school was forced to forfeit six games and its district title over issues with his residency there. Garman had been previously cleared to play by the District 6-5A executive committee when Carroll High School was aligned in District 6-5A.
After questions about the legitimacy of his residency arose in Southlake, the District 7-5A executive committee met and voted Garman ineligible just hours before the team's first game. His family then filed for the appeal that was heard Tuesday.
WFAA-TV reported last week that a clause in the Garmans' Southlake lease included language that would allow the family out of the lease should their son not be able to play football for the Dragons, according to DallasNews.com.
Carroll ISD's statement on the UIL ruling:
"We appreciate the time and attention representatives from the University Interscholastic League and the local District Executive Committees have given to this student eligibility case. Regardless of the outcome of today’s hearing, Carroll ISD remains steadfast in its quest to comply with UIL rules while also protecting the rights of the students and the families who reside in our district.
Today was about the family’s opportunity to provide the UIL with the facts of this case so the UIL could fairly apply its rules and regulations in determining this student’s eligibility. Our disappointment in this situation comes from how the ensuing media coverage and negativity affected this high school boy and his teammates.
CISD will continue to work under the oversight and guidance of the UIL in all matters related to residency and eligibility. While the general public may not understand our responsibility to guard and protect student records, we believe the parents of our students do understand and would want CISD to respond in the same manner for their children.
In the spirit of our long-standing tradition of academic, fine arts and athletic excellence, Carroll ISD will continue to focus on serving our Dragon families."
Julie Thannum
Carroll ISD Executive Director of Communications & Marketing
Garman wasn't the only student athlete denied eligibility Tuesday. Student-athletes from Buda Hays High School, Teague High School and Rio Hondo High School also had their appeals Tuesday. After hearing testimony from all interested parties, it was ruled that the students changed schools for athletic purposes.
Two student-athletes from Prosper High School were granted eligibility for varsity athletics after the committee ruled that the student-athletes did not change schools for athletic purposes. In other action, a Prosper High School student-athlete was denied an appeal to regain varsity eligibility.
NBCDFW's Omar Villafranca contributed to this report.
