Bel Air High School is facing a shake-up in its athletics department after boys soccer coach Sergio Delgado was handed a lengthy suspension by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Delgado received a three-year suspension, a concurrent three-year probation, and a public reprimand for what has been described as a "Category B violation" under UIL regulations. According to KTSM, the UIL's decision followed findings that the coach had provided sport-specific skills instruction before the sanctioned start date of December 1.
This ruling comes after Delgado appeared via Zoom for the UIL State Executive Committee's meeting last Thursday. The committee's move to firmly suspend and publicly reprimand Delgado has created ripples throughout the Bel Air school community. The UIL's penalization is believed to revolve around Delgado instructing players outside of the designated season. Such instruction before the official beginning of practices is a clear breach of UIL policies, one that the school had to rapidly respond to, with interim coaching measures being put into place. The UIL highlighted the importance of adhering strictly to established guidance to ensure a level playing field among schools.
The investigation at Bel Air involved reviewing several days of video footage in which Delgado was observed violating UIL rules by initiating off-season practices and providing instructions. According to the El Paso Times, Ysleta ISD athletics director Martin Segovia cited eleven videos, five of which confirmed Delgado's non-compliance. The specific dates for these practices have not been disclosed by the district.
In the committee's discussion, which included input from various Ysleta ISD officials, it came to light that Bel Air's administration had previously instructed Delgado to cease all open field morning activities by 7:45 a.m. to not interfere with students' testing schedules. Delgado reportedly did not just refuse to follow this directive but also allegedly became aggressive when confronted by school authorities. Segovia and Morgan's accounts were corroborated by additional video evidence of Delgado's unauthorized instruction on other fields as well, which was part of the UIL's resolution.
While Delgado remains a district employee and is currently on administrative leave, the Ysleta Independent School District has been eager to reassure stakeholders that it is handling the situation with due diligence. The district's concern for maintaining the integrity of its programs was echoed in a statement, "We want to reassure our families that all personnel matters are handled in accordance with district policy, and Ysleta ISD will continue to fully cooperate with UIL officials throughout this process," as reported by both the El Paso Times and KFOX-TV. As this situation unfolds, teacher Steve Salcido steps in as the interim coach, tasked with leading a soccer program that previously celebrated a state title under Delgado's now controversial tenure.
