When you read this year’s HISD Code of Conduct, you’ll see something interesting on the last page – a form to request a new sport on your campus.

According to the district’s athletics department, students and parents have always been able to ask for a sport, and requests for both UIL- and non-UIL sanctioned sports have been requested. Some of those requests have resulted in schools getting a new team, including lacrosse at Lamar High School and volleyball at Carnegie Vanguard High School.

There aren’t set minimum requirements for a sport to be added to a school, as it will depend on the sport and the number of participants that would be needed.

How long will it take to get an answer to a request? That depends on whether the sport is or is not sanctioned by the UIL. If the sport is not sanctioned, the decision would come directly from the campus, at the discretion of the principal. An interest survey would be administered amongst students, and it could take about three to six weeks to get an answer.

If the request is granted, the principal would decide when the team would be formed and begin play. If the sport is sanctioned, the school’s principal would have to make a request to a district executive committee. If the committee grants the request, the team would be formed and begin playing the following school year. An explanation will be provided if a request is denied.

It’s easy to request a sport. All you have to do is send your name, phone number, school, and the sport you want to HISD Athletics Director Marmion Dambrino, 4400 W. 18^th St., Houston, Texas, 77092.