Organizer asks Eagle Pass ISD to help cover gym fees for regional youth basketball league

Luis Padilla, organizer of the Play For God youth basketball program, asked the Eagle Pass Independent School District board during public comment on March 11 to consider helping cover facility costs after rising fees forced five teams out of the league.

Padilla told the board the league restarted last week and ran 32 games, with another 32 scheduled, and that some teams could not afford the $45 per participant fee. "We had to let go, like, 5 teams because they couldn't afford it," Padilla said. He said parents also face an entry charge of "7 to $6" per person to attend games.

Padilla described the program's history and community impact, saying it began in February 2009 with 17 teams, grew to more than 100 teams before the COVID-19 pandemic, and that alumni include local business owners and first responders. He also said the league has drawn teams from nearby communities — Rio Eagle Pass, Carrizo, Vale, Crystal, Allende and Nuno Rosita — and that out‑of‑town teams account for roughly 85–86% of participants.

Padilla asked the district to help because, he said, facility costs have increased substantially. He said the current gym rental estimate is "$32,000 for the gym. That's 10 Saturdays," and that the program now pays about $3,227 per week; by contrast, he said the group previously paid roughly $810 weekly and now pays "over $6,200 a week." Padilla said those larger costs forced the organization to drop about 50 players across five teams.

An official reminded the audience that the board is not allowed to respond to public comment speakers during the meeting; no board member addressed Padilla's request on the record.

Padilla closed by asking the board to "please help us out" so lower‑income players can continue to participate in the program.

The request was made during the Citizens Communications portion of the March 11 regular meeting and was recorded but did not result in a formal agenda item or vote on March 11.