Vandegrift Wins the Lone Star Cup — a testament to excellence

“Winning the prestigious 6A Lone Star Cup is the ultimate recognition of excellence across all facets of our school — academics, athletics, and extracurriculars,” said Drew Sanders, athletic coordinator and head football coach at Vandegrift HS. “To be named the best 6A high school in the state of Texas is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unity of our students, staff, and community.”

Throughout the school year, Vandegrift teams consistently excelled at the district and state level, earning points across a wide range of competitions. The school earned 122 points overall, highlighted by state championships in football, boys soccer, and FIRST robotics.

“This award reflects not just one team’s success, but the strength of an entire school and community committed to greatness in every arena,” Sanders said. “Thank you to all who contributed to this achievement.”

The UIL Lone Star Cup trophy will be officially presented to Vandegrift High School during a home football game this fall. This marks Vandegrift’s first Lone Star Cup victory at the 6A level. The Vipers previously earned back-to-back Lone Star Cups in 2014-15 and 2015-16 while competing in Conference 5A.

By JOHN D. BOYLE, Four Points News

For many, the Texas UIL Lone Star Cup is simply a measure of competitive success, a ranking of schools based on their performance in athletics, fine arts, and academic competitions. But for Vandegrift High School Principal Charlie Little, the significance of the Lone Star Cup extends far beyond the standings. It’s a reflection of a school culture built on opportunity, inclusivity, and excellence across all disciplines.

Now, that culture has been recognized in the most definitive way possible: Vandegrift has officially won the 2024–2025 UIL 6A Lone Star Cup.

“The Lone Star Cup is unique because it rewards schools that offer opportunities across the board,” said Little. “It’s not just about football or band, it’s about robotics, drama, debate, and so many other programs that allow students to explore and excel.”

Vandegrift has a proud history in the competition, having won back-to-back titles in the 5A classification before moving up to 6A. While the school has consistently ranked among the top 10 in 6A, this year’s win marks a historic achievement, Vandegrift’s first Lone Star Cup victory at the highest classification level.

Lone Star Cup – more than a trophy

Established in the 1997–98 school year, the UIL Lone Star Cup is awarded annually to the top high school in each UIL classification (1A–6A) based on overall excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics, and other student activities. Schools earn points through success in UIL-sanctioned competitions across multiple categories, emphasizing a well-rounded student experience. Academically, schools score through UIL State Championships in debate, speech, current events, and math, while theater programs contribute through One-Act Play performances. Robotics teams earn points in state competitions, reflecting STEM excellence. Athletically, points come from state finishes in football, basketball, soccer, swimming, track, and more, with cross country, tennis, and golf also contributing. Marching band and concert competitions bring points for fine arts, ensuring recognition beyond sports.

The Cup is awarded each June after all UIL state competitions conclude, recognizing the state’s most comprehensive and successful high school programs.

***“We want every student to find their place and thrive at Vandegrift.” – Charlie Little, Vandegrift Principal***

Culture of opportunity

Vandegrift’s success in the Lone Star Cup is no accident. According to Little, the school’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their passion, whether in athletics, fine arts, STEM, academics, or other interests.

This culture of opportunity is built from the ground up, with strong parental and community support helping to develop programs before students reach high school. “Programs that thrive at the high school level usually have deep community roots,” Little explained. “Our football program, for example, aligns with youth leagues, and our band starts preparing students in sixth grade. But it’s not just those programs—it’s robotics, it’s agriculture, it’s DECA. We want every student to find their place and thrive at Vandegrift.”

Little’s vision and commitment has been to offer any student who walks through Vandy’s doors an experience better than most private schools. “If one kid is interested in something, we’ll figure out how to support it.”

Beyond competition – a measure of school health

While topping the Lone Star Cup standings is thrilling, Little is quick to emphasize that rankings are not the end goal. “The Cup is really a measure of a school’s overall health,” he said. “If a school is consistently in the top 10 or top 15, you can bet they have a strong culture of excellence that extends beyond just athletics.”

This philosophy is why Vandegrift continues to invest in its faculty and programs across all disciplines. Little believes that hiring passionate educators and directors in every department—not just in sports—is key to fostering a thriving school environment.

“If a student’s passion is theater, we want to make sure they have an excellent program to be a part of. If they’re into veterinary science, we want them to have access to one of the agriculture programs in the state. Every student deserves to be excited about coming to school,” he said.

Winning—and what comes next

Now that Vandegrift has claimed the top spot in 6A, the victory brings a moment of celebration, but also reaffirmation.

“This win is an incredible honor and a tribute to our entire community,” said Little. “It proves that you can build a public school where excellence is expected, encouraged, and accessible to every student. But we’re not done. Our mission doesn’t change—we’re going to keep building, keep growing, and keep giving students the best experience we can.”

The Lone Star Cup may be a trophy, but at Vandegrift, it’s much more. It’s a symbol of a school that values every student’s journey, ensuring that excellence is not limited to a single program, but embedded in the culture of the entire community.