There was a time when recruiting was a three to four month job for the recruiter and athletes depended on their coaches and news of their athletic ability to be known.

 March 12-16 Sports Schedule Soccer (boys) Monday, March 12 Katy vs. Elsik at Elsik 7:30 Cinco Ranch vs. Katy Taylor at Cinco Ranch 7:30 Soccer (girls) Monday, March 12 Katy vs.

Wednesday marked the beginning of what could be a fierce battle over student privacy rights and public school funding. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst introduced a bill, which, if passed, would subject tens of thousands of Texas high school athletes to mandatory steroid testing each year.  The bill is sponsored by state senator Kyle Janek (R – Houston). Under the proposed legislation, about 400 of the approximately 1,300 public high schools in Texas would be selected for testing each year.  At least three percent of each school’s athletes would then be chosen at random to provide a two-part urine sample.  If the first sample were to test positive, the second sample would be tested to confirm the results.  Consequences for athletes who test positive could range from a written reprimand to up to a three-year suspension from participation in athletic competitions sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). While over 100 public schools in Texas already test athletes for steroids, school districts have long resisted the idea of making the tests mandatory and of having them administered by “outsiders.”  This sentiment is widely held around the country.  The only state currently mandating steroid testing is New Jersey, where tests are done randomly on athletes participating in state championship events only.  The bill being proposed in the Texas senate would test on a much larger scale and would focus on deterrence, rather than trying to catch violators in the act, according to proponents of the legislation. Dewhurst says the state plans to allocate about $4 million to help defray the costs of the testing program, but school districts worry about whether or not it will be enough.  In the meantime, athletes and their parents worry about privacy issues.  In New Jersey’s program, male and female athletes selected for testing are taken individually to a restroom, required to remove their external clothing, enter a stall, and produce a urine sample, while a representative of the testing lab waits outside the stall.  While New Jersey officials say that no rights are being violated, many athletes who have undergone the testing feel differently and would like to see drastic changes in the way the program is administered.

Basketball (girls) Friday Cy-Fair vs.

Baseball Boxscores Atascocita   6 Westfield  2 Eisenhower  10 Sam Houston  2 Pearland  10 Texas City  1

  Mary Lou Retton was awarded the President George H.

As I have witnessed many high school sporting events (of all kinds) in the past few months, there are some things I have observed that I would like to comment on. First, it has been an incredible experience being a former high school and collegiate athlete to be able to go back and see sports at its purest form.

  Part 1 | Part 2   AUSTIN, TEXAS After a tough prelim round yesterday, swimmers and divers converged on the UT Swim Center this morning ready to turn in their best times.

** A Letter from the Editor **  The unwritten rules of sportsmanship and the superstar athlete There is a pinnacle of achievement in sports that casual fans may not be aware of.  It doesn’t result in a trophy awarded at a fancy banquet.  It doesn’t get you fifteen seconds on SportsCenter.  It might, however, make you the subject of heated debate on sports talk radio or Internet message boards.

  Sam Acho Sport: Football, basketball School: St.

    What do you say when someone just has that special spark and displays enthusiasm in all that he or she does? Dynamic, experienced, mature.

On Thursday, January 18, Cinco Ranch High School recognized its cheerleaders, athletic trainers, and football athletes at the Performing Arts Center. The evening began with a catered dinner from Triggs Barbeque at 5:30 p.m.

When athletics is spoken of, one must be careful not to exclude the dedicated work and support that dance and cheer teams bring to each and every game they attend.  The Spring Woods dance team travels constantly as they dance at as many athletic events as possible.

part 1 part 2 Scarborough High School was named the winner of the 2007 Sterling Bank Sportsmanship Award on Tuesday by the Touchdown Club of Houston.

This is for all my gridiron fans. Throughout the 2006 football season, Athlete’s Connection sports writer A.

    Click to see Keith Coleman, James Madison high school varsity cheerleader, is not your average cheerleader.

Attention Texas sports fans: Be prepared for an intense, all-out rushing attack in the Pearland and Cy-Fair game.

The level of competition for high school student athletes is steadily increasing with each passing year. This means that in order for high school student athletes to get noticed by college coaches, they have to standout among the standouts.

Click to see Running back Foswhitt Whitaker of Pearland and defensive player Justin Adams of Thurgood Marshall, won the Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, respectively, on Wednesday at the Touchdown Club of Houston's 27th Annual High School Awards Dinner, presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors and SportsRadio 610.

How do you describe the heart of a champion? How do you put in words the fuel that powers a competitor's passion and devotion to the game? Perhaps one must acknowledge the beauty of high school athletics and the youthful dreams of the athlete yet unmarred by cynics and the demands of higher authorities. As this weekend of play-offs unfolded, true class, pride, intensity, and integrity was witnessed as teams fought the battle to continue to the next level.

  A Conversation with J. Dubb   Although College Recruiting is a yearlong process, many talented athletes go unnoticed and un-recruited by numerous colleges.

After Memorial took its trip to San Marcos to represent Texas Region III, the 19-5A volleyball All-District list was released.

To be an athlete and to excel on the field of play is amazing. Many high school athletes are recognized for their superior athleticism, leadership qualities, and community service efforts.

  Reliant Double-Header The Cinco Ranch Cougars will face another formidable opponent this week as they take on the Westside Wolves at Reliant Stadium on Saturday 5 p.m.

  Although The Athlete’s Connection is dedicated to covering the high school student athlete, we care about the pursuit of higher education. We at The Athlete’s Connection believe that higher education is important and promote the best collegiate opportunities possible.

  The Cinco Ranch Cougars will face off with the Cy-Ridge Rams to kick off the 2006 playoffs.

  Lady Cougar athletes Shannon Smith, Hollie Pinchback, and Stefanie Gilbreath signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at Division I universities. Smith signed an intent letter to play softball for the University of South Alabama, while Pinchback committed to play softball for the University of Illinois.

  Stratford High School celebrated its student athletes who have committed to continue their athletic career at the collegiate level with a letter of intent signing ceremony.

The Stratford Spartans are facing off with cross-town rival Memorial Mustangs on Friday night at Tully Stadium.

  Click to see Coaches, parents, and others were in attendance at the J.W.

  The Katy versus Cinco Ranch football game has been highly anticipated since the beginning of the season.

    The large turnout for the Northbrook Homecoming festivities was a momentum boost for not only the Raider team but for all who were present.

Are you ready for some football? We hope so because the stage is set for an outstanding showdown in District 18-5A.

        Memorial’s homecoming festivities were awarded with surprises, a packed crowd, the return of alum, renewed friendships, gorgeous weather, colorful mums, and a 23-0 victory over Northbrook.

What quarterback wants to give up the ball? Not one! John Melvin, a Memorial freshmen quarterback, not only plays ball everyday with the freshmen B team but also is out on the field with the varsity team every weekend keeping the ball in top condition for the players.

      Nimitz High School celebrated its’ homecoming festivities with a packed home crowd and sense of excitement as the Cougars came within seconds of beating the Memorial Mustangs. The half-time festivities were well orchestrated with a grand performance by the band followed by the presentation of the homecoming court. The nominees were presented from across the field and walked under the sword salute to be presented to the home crowd.

  Houston, Texas – Eisenhower cheerleaders Stephanie Jacksis and Deshai Philip earned All-Star awards this summer in the Texas A&M Cheerleading camp. Both student-athletes, along with their competition, were required to come up with a chant, dance, jump, and cheer to perform for the UCA judges.

  Houston, Texas – MacKay crowned Kinkaid's HC queen Senior Julie MacKay and her court were presented to the fans and driven onto the field in convertibles.

  Houston, Texas – Eagle spirits were high for Friday's game as it marked the celebration and dedication of the newly constructed SBS home stadium. Parents, faculty, students, alumni, and Second Baptist fans converged on the parking lot and field to witness this momentous occasion and enjoy the opening festivities. Inspite of threatening skies and rain, the Eagles aggressively battled Victoria St.

  Aledo, Texas – Class 4A takes on Class 5A in Opening Game The new Aledo Bearcat Stadium opened Friday night with a crowd that began pouring in before 5 p.m.

The NCAA is eliminating the A and AA tags that officially separate football’s major from more modest programs. In doing so, it has acknowledged the branding and frustration of sports programs that have been labeled small-time for years.

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. – New Jersey on Wednesday became the first state to institute a statewide steroid-testing policy for high school athletes. The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association's executive committee voted unanimously to adopt the policy. "New Jersey will serve as a model plan for other (states)," said Robert F.

Houston, TX – While graduating high school athletes of the class of 2006 may have already determined their September college plans, 2007 and 2008 high school athletes are just beginning the college identification process – and they will have an edge over this year’s graduates in attracting offers via a full-spectrum service which focuses on promoting and placing above-average student-athletes in quality colleges and universities.