BVCHEA stands for Brazos Valley Christian Home Educators Association. 

BVCHEA is a non-profit organization created by homeschool families to provide some of the opportunities that traditional schools offer. BVCHEA was established in 1991 and it has been bringing together homeschool families ever since!

You may see BVCHEA sports teams referred to as the Brazos Valley Mustangs. BVCHEA is the name of our organization. Brazos Valley Mustangs is our team name.

Please click the Athletics link at the top of this page to find out more about each sport.

Where there is a will, there is a way! The BVCHEA board has developed a process to evaluate new sports, and have recently added some great new opportunities. Please reach out to us to find out more about how new sports can be offered and what is required to get it off the ground! Also, check out the TAIAO website for the sports/activities that the league offers postseason play for!

The BVCHEA Board of Directors oversee the operations of the organization. Board members help with administrative functions, make decisions on issues that affect the organization, and help coordinate the athletic programs and functions. There are sports committees that represent the different sports programs. Coaches are volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to their teams.

Your company can sponsor a Mustangs sport! Go to Support Us to view team sponsorship options and incentives. You can donate directly through our website. Your donation goes directly to our athletes and teams. ANY amount is appreciated and helps us provide for these programs. BVCHEA is run by volunteers and we have very little overhead.

Board members are married couples who apply to be part of the board. Active board members decide who will become board members. Couples can apply to join the board by filling out the board member application (both must submit applications) and submitting them to a member of the board of directors. The board will review applications. Applications are available here.

BVCHEA was founded in 1991, and as with any organization, it has gone through some rough patches. It is a testament to the organization and the dedicated families who kept it going that BVCHEA continues to grow and thrive. Homeschool organizations experience turnover as families graduate their kids and move on. While BVCHEA cannot go back in time to change the past, we look forward to continued growth and building a good environment for our families! If you have a concern about a specific incident involving a BVCHEA member or student, please contact us and a board member will reach out to discuss your concern.

BVCHEA is run entirely by volunteers. Coaches may be offered reduced registration fees for their children. Contact a board member for details.

BVCHEA encourages and is grateful for volunteers who step up to help coach! We want coaching to be a fun and rewarding experience for you and the kids!

To ensure the safety and integrity of our programs, we have a process for approving potential coaches. Potential coaches need to submit a coach application. Board members will run background checks, review all applications, and may choose to meet with applicants. Coaches must complete required training, become familiar with TAIAO league rules, and understand BVCHEA expectations for coaches. Applications are available here.

YES! We always need volunteers! It takes a lot of work to organize these programs, and coaches need parents to help lighten the load. Parents, relatives, friends – anyone can pitch in! Volunteer opportunities include: 

• Fundraising for team equipment, 
• Planning teambuilding events and sports banquets, 
• Updating social media pages, 
• Helping with game day duties: ticket/concession stands, scorekeeping, photo/video 

 Your coaches and board members can help find opportunities for you to get involved! Volunteer applications are available here.

TAIAO stands for Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations. 

Public schools play in UIL (University Interscholastic League) and most private schools play in TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools). Since UIL and TAPPS govern the vast majority of school sports, they set the standard for rules and regulations. Neither allows homeschool organizations to be members, but there are options. TAIAO is one of the three Texas leagues that accommodate homeschool organizations and is the largest of those. BVCHEA is a member organization of TAIAO.

TAIAO is not a homeschool league. It is a blend of smaller private schools, charter schools, and homeschool organizations.

BVCHEA joined TAIAO in 2017. Prior to that, BVCHEA was a member of TCAL. Around that time, TCAL was experiencing some turmoil and losing its members due to other leagues not allowing their teams to play TCAL opponents.

1. Postseason Play: TAIAO offers a state playoff (football) and an end-of-year state tournament (other sports). This is an exciting way to finish the season for players and coaches. 2. Legitimacy and Accountability: Being in a league such as TAIAO offers assurance to opponents that BVCHEA operates under very similar rules and policies. TAIAO organizations do not have to create and maintain their own rules.

There is a small financial cost of being in TAIAO. The fees go toward postseason events and TAIAO operational costs. TAIAO organizations are also expected to self-enforce the TAIAO rules, so there is some administrative work the coaches, volunteers, and board members have to do to meet that expectation. 

TAIAO administration, along with the help of sports committees made up of volunteers from member organizations, determines how the postseason will work for each sport.

TAIAO welcomes anyone from its member organizations to be on its committees. TAIAO conducts a summer meeting, where voting takes place on rules and other agenda items. BVCHEA is typically represented on these committees and at the summer meeting, where we contribute input and work toward making TAIAO better. TAIAO is far from perfect, but if we help bring forward solutions and put in the work, we and our fellow member organizations can help TAIAO continue to grow and provide amazing opportunities for our youth.

Like public and private schools, BVCHEA is focused on local competition and league postseason (state playoffs/tournament). TAIAO postseason competitions are in-state, offer a good level of competition, and are more convenient for families. 

However, BVCHEA does not rule out the option for our teams to compete in national competitions. The decision to travel out of state is highly dependent on coach and player/family interest and is not mandatory. Traveling out of state is a big ask for some of our families, so participation in these activities is optional. National tournaments also have rules that could exclude BVCHEA athletes, and the dates/travel time of such tournaments can overlap other sports/activities. Those factors must be considered as well.

YES! BVCHEA is an organization of homeschool families who want to provide their kids with opportunities to play sports. Participation in BVCHEA athletics requires an annual family membership fee. With a family membership, your children can register play any of the sports we offer for their age level.

BVCHEA activities follow TAIAO eligibility rules and policies. TAIAO eligibility rules are outlined on the TAIAO website. This includes the limit of years of eligibility, grade classification for homeschool children, minimum and maximum ages, and exceptions.

No. Our league rules state that 8th graders must play on the junior high team. UIL and TAPPS have the same rule. 

It is important to know that UIL/TAPPS/TAIAO all have rules that once an 8th grader plays in a high school contest, that athlete's high school eligibility limit of 4 years BEGINS. This means that they are giving up their senior year of eligibility because they are starting their high school career earlier. If your athlete enrolls in a school, the school will investigate and account for their previous athletic experience.

There is an exception in TAIAO that allows 8th graders to play up in a very specific case. The TAIAO rules describe when this applies and the caveats that go with it. BVCHEA high school teams, so far, have large enough rosters, and have not had to consider playing up 8th graders.

The short answer is NO, they are not more restrictive in totality. Age limits along with maximum total years are the same. 

The longer answer is that there are some differences when defining what is “restrictive.” TAIAO sets a hard limit on max age for homeschooled children without proof of being held back in K-6 by an accredited school. TAIAO also allows some flexibility in areas that UIL and TAPPS do not.  UIL and TAPPS are very restrictive in the area of academic performance enforcement.

Like UIL and TAPPS, TAIAO allows 4 years of participation at the high school level. (Refer to: UIL: Eligibility Policy, TAPPS: Bylaws Article V and Eligibility FAQ )

No. TAIAO rules, like UIL and TAPPS, do not permit super seniors to participate. UIL, TAPPS, and TAIAO allow 4 years of participation at the high school level. Super seniors, if allowed, would be taking a spot that should go to a player of high school age. We are thrilled that a player enjoyed the sport and wishes to continue playing. We encourage them to pursue intramural sports at their college or recreational leagues for adults. And we welcome them to come back and help at Mustangs practice!

No. The normal grade/age association is that students finish up their senior year while they are 18. Schools educate children until they reach the age of 18 and are considered adults. The occurrence of a 19 year old on a school team is rare. 

Children grow physically each year, and (males in particular) begin to gain in physical stature quite significantly later in high school and into their college years.

Because many homeschool organizations have modeled their programs after the club/select system rather than UIL, they’ve opened the door to their teams having 19 year olds. There have been instances of homeschool teams where the varsity roster is entirely 19 year olds. This has gotten the attention of UIL and TAPPS and is already putting homeschool organizations at risk of losing the ability to schedule games with UIL/TAPPS opponents. By following TAIAO rules across the board, BVCHEA is ensuring that all our teams are preserving the integrity of homeschool sports.

Per TAIAO rules, the only exception that allows for an athlete to play while they turn 19 within the academic year is if the athlete was held back in K-6 by an accredited academic institution.

As Christians, we should work to understand and adhere to the rules with clear consciences. It is important to play with integrity and to teach our kids the same. TAIAO rules, like UIL and TAPPs rules, do not play favorites. They have been developed over many years and apply to all participants. TAIAO rules outline any exceptions that may apply. 

Yes. BVCHEA feels that it is important to have consistency across all sports and activities. It doesn’t make sense for a student to be eligible to play one sport, but not another. Schools don’t don’t operate like this, and neither does BVCHEA.

The rules put forth by the national tournaments are lacking in areas and are inconsistent across sports. They are attractive to homeschool teams because they have very wide eligibility requirements. A big problem area for homeschool sports is that because of the lax rules, these teams have no way of limiting the number of 19 year old (or “super senior”) players, so these teams could have an entire roster of college aged players. BVCHEA wants our homeschool families to play school sports, and part of that is playing according to the rules that schools have to follow. 

National homeschool rules are also restrictive in that they do not permit non-homeschoolers. BVCHEA allows students to participate if they are homeschooled or attend a school that does not offer the sport. Homeschool national tournaments prohibit these athletes from participating. This can have an impact on BVCHEA sports which include non-homeschool families, including families from multi-day co-ops and half-day schools.

YES! It is a league requirement that BVCHEA players have a sports physical on file. Your child cannot play unless we have this form. The form is good for two years from the date of the exam. You can upload a photo or scan of the paperwork to your BVCHEA TeamSideline account. From a web browser, sign into BVCHEA.org, click “Members,” click the pencil icon next to your player, and upload the document to the player’s record. It is highly recommended that you and your player discuss any health concerns with the coaches.

YES! BVCHEA allows participation from non-homeschooled players who do not have the opportunity to play sports at their school. BVCHEA family membership dues are required. If the school begins to offer sports, your child will need to play for their school team if their sport is offered.

IMPORTANT: Please note that BVCHEA is a homeschool organization and its teams may play in homeschool tournaments that ONLY allow homeschooled players. For these events, your child cannot be on the roster or play in those games, but is welcome to come cheer on their teammates. We know this may be a difficult situation, so please discuss with your player before the season begins. 

YES! If your child's school does not offer a specific sport, BVCHEA allows them to play. BVCHEA family membership dues are required. A transfer process will also be required so that eligibility records can be kept. In addition, if your school begins offering that sport, your child will need to join their classmates on the school team and will not be able to play that sport for BVCHEA. BVCHEA's policy is that our volunteers/coaches do not poach or recruit players away from other teams. 

IMPORTANT: Please note that BVCHEA is a homeschool organization and its teams may play in homeschool tournaments that ONLY allow homeschooled players. For these events, your child cannot be on the roster or play in those games, but is welcome to come cheer on their teammates. We know this may be a difficult situation, so please discuss with your player before registering.

YES! If you have played for another school/organization, you will need to follow the transfer process. This helps the league track eligibility and ensures there are no recruiting violations. The transfer process applies if your child played for another academic institution such as a public/private school OR homeschool organization. 

Transfer forms are not needed for participation in Little League/city league/club or travel team/church league.

The only way the previous coach could negatively impact the transfer process is to claim a violation. If the former coach ignores the request or doesn't respond, TAIAO will assume their approval. Coaches have all dealt with player movement, so while they may not like that your player is leaving, the likelihood of a coach trying to stop a transfer is rare.

BVCHEA is a Christian organization. As such, our volunteers, coaches, parents, & players strive to exhibit Christian virtues. Our teams pray during practice and games and participate in short devotionals. Respect for other players, coaches, opponents, and spectators is something that should be paramount to all who participate in our programs. Cursing and other inappropriate behavior should be avoided on and off the field. If you feel that your family can work within those parameters, you are welcome to participate.

More than likely, your insurance company covers sports injuries. Please reach out to them to discuss. If you do not have insurance or the injury is not covered, please reach out to a BVCHEA board member to discuss the BVCHEA insurance process.

The league rules state that any player who was previously expelled from their former team must wait one year before being allowed to participate. BVCHEA is a Christian organization and expects all participants to exhibit good character and behavior at all times. If your child has a history of behavior issues and would like to participate, please contact us to discuss. 

Describe the item or answer the question so BVCHEA leadership encourages coaches to field competitive teams, much like school teams do. Most coaches determine this by what they see during practice. It’s important for all players to give their best effort, have a coachable attitude, and show their determination to get better. Coaches are also encouraged to play those on the bench as opportunities arise. If your player feels like they should have more playing time, encourage them to approach the coaching staff and inquire about things they can do to improve their skills. If you need to discuss your concern with someone other than a coach, you can reach out to the board member who serves on that sport’s committee.

The intensity and competitive level of Mustangs sports can vary. We rely on our amazing parent volunteers who coach our programs. These coaches have different coaching styles and methods, and rosters change from year to year, so experiences will be different from sport to sport.