81R9269 JKB-D
By: Gattis H.R. No. 2868
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The tenure of an admired scholastic administrator
drew to a close with the retirement on January 30, 2009, of Dr.
William Farney as executive director of the University
Interscholastic League; and
WHEREAS, A Texas native, Bill Farney was a four-year
letterman at Chilton High School in football, basketball, and
track, and graduated in 1958 as valedictorian of his class; he
attended Paris Junior College and the University of Tulsa on
football and academic scholarships, earning a bachelor's degree in
English, and contributing to the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes' Missouri
Valley Conference football championship in 1962; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Farney began his professional career in student
athletics as an assistant coach for the basketball and wrestling
teams at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa; he came back to Texas in
1964 to serve as coach and principal in Lorena; he later moved to
Waco to become principal of Robinson High School, founding a golf
program that became 2A district champions in 1969; and
WHEREAS, This dedicated administrator and coach went on to
serve as superintendent of the Crawford Independent School District
while simultaneously coaching 22 different teams in 4 different
sports; his squads captured 14 district championships, 6
bi-district championships, 6 regional championships, and a state
championship, and they made a total of 4 state final appearances;
and
WHEREAS, In 1977 Bill Farney became athletic director and
assistant to the director of the University Interscholastic League;
he received his doctoral degree in education two years later and, in
1995, was promoted to the executive director position, which he
would hold until his retirement; his role as a compassionate leader
and consensus builder helped the UIL to promote sportsmanship and
academic accountability; he granted sanction to several new sports,
expanded the playoff system, and increased the opportunities for
girls to participate in athletics, among many other initiatives;
and
WHEREAS, Respected by athletes, parents, teachers, coaches,
and his fellow administrators, Bill Farney has made a positive
difference in the lives of Texas students over the course of several
decades, and his legacy of integrity and achievement in
interscholastic competition will resonate for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. William Farney on the occasion
of his retirement as executive director of the University
Interscholastic League and extend to him sincere best wishes for
continued success and happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Dr. Farney as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.