CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas students in high school marching will have to be in good shape when the new school year starts.
A new UIL rule will require students to show they're in shape.
The deadline for its implantation will be Aug. 1.
After that date, if a student doesn't have a phyiscal on file they can't be in the marching band.
The UIL already requires sports physicals. And now, the state body wants to make sure band members are healthy enough to participate, especially in excessive heat.
The physicals will apply for students entering their first and third year of high school... as well as seventh and eighth graders.
Tuloso-Midway ISD band director Ralph Morales says requiring physicals gives directors like him added peace of mind.
“It's good to be aware of any physical ailments or physical conditions that we, as directors, need to be made aware of while we're conditioning our students for marching band, and marching band contests,” Morales said.
Because Tuloso-Midway starts school next Tuesday, the marching band was supposed to start practice today.
Morales says he kept them off the field because of the heat.
Tuloso-Midway students who need physicals for band, or any other reason, can get them tomorrow at a free health fair at Tuloso Midway Intermediate.
