On Monday, Dec. 17, the University Interscholastic League approved my media request for a “videographer” credential as well as requests for the two other media people in my company for whom I was requesting credentials.
See the following email:
[UIL FootballMedia Credential Request Approved
Inbox
UIL Media Department
Dec 17 (5 days ago)
to me
Thank you for submitting your online credential request. Your credential request was received and approved.]
I made it through the gate inspection without incident with the sideline pass I had picked up at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. When I got to the sideline, an eagle-eyed employee wearing a “Platinum Security” uniform (I assume he is affiliated with Cowboys Stadium and not the UIL) noticed my camera (which is only 2.4 inches tall and 4.8 inches long and weighs 9.5 ounces) and questioned my credential.
He informed me that he would have to call a UIL official over to ask him whether I would be allowed to use that camera as a videographer. The UIL official and the “Platinum Security” man came over to where I was standing on the sideline a few minutes later (just as the coin toss was being held) and told me I could not, even though I had been approved as a “videographer” (as I had explicitly requested to be on the online application form on Monday, which also included a link to a previous production).
So I took only still photos during the game. As the game wore on and it was clear my team was not going to win, I realized that God Himself (in the form of the double-crossing UIL official who had accosted me) had intervened to keep me from having to produce a video of the game action.
I was fully prepared to do so, regardless of the outcome of the game, as I have videos on this channel of two rare Gilmer losses to Argyle in December of 2011 and to Prestonwood in September of 2012. I bow to the almighty authority of the University Interscholastic League, though. I don’t have the kind of bucks (pardon the pun) that State Farm, FOX Sports or others have to be able to have any clout with the Leaguers. It’s always all about the money in this country. We all know that.
Speaking of that, I recently monetized my channel, but I want all viewers to know that every dime I ever receive from YouTube will be donated directly to the Gilmer Athletic Booster Club. (My account has cleared almost $25 so far in just over two months.) I personally am not in this for the money. I love high school football because it is the one level of the sport that is NOT totally (although even it is becoming that way) about making money.
Congratulations to both teams for making it this far. The Gilmer Buckeyes have made our entire community proud once again. Villafuerte! Also, congratulations again to the Navasota Rattlers for a perfect 16-0 run to the state championship and I wish I could have briefly documented on YouTube your awesomely dominant performance during the game to make up for the fact I didn’t video but a few plays of your offense the other time our two teams met in Lufkin in 2009. C’est la vie and life goes on. Thank God (the REAL One, not the UIL) for Texas high school football!
Sincerely,
gilmergreene aka William Russell Greene
