The University Interscholastic League has announced the realignment of athletic districts beginning next fall through spring 2011. And while we understand the need to realign every two years — primarily due to changes in school populations — we hope that school districts and athletic groups will realize the hardships that these new plans could cause students and that they will work to help alleviate academic strain on youth.

Under the new district lines, students from Midway, Waco and University High Schools will have to travel as far away as San Angelo and Stephenville for football and basketball games. One-way from Midway to San Angelo’s Lake View High School — part of the newly formed District 8-4A — is 213 miles. That’s a drive of three hours and 40 minutes.

Imagine a varsity basketball game ending at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday in San Angelo. Once those players shower and board the bus and stop for food, it could be 3 or 4 a.m. Wednesday before they return to Waco.

Under the current alignment, sometimes basketball players returned as late as 1 a.m. from games in Waxahachie (currently in their district), a Midway basketball mom whose son graduated in 2009 told the Trib.

This will be far worse, we fear. And students and families from Waco and University High will have just as far to haul.

San Angelo is southwest of Abilene. And that’s a long drive, even by Texas standards.

We hope school districts will take this into consideration and will schedule these games on weekends or when students don’t have to rouse for school early the next day.

Sleepy children don’t test well — and, after all, aren’t they students first?

We are heartened to hear that Waco ISD athletic director Johanna Denson told Trib reporters that the district is looking into possibly doubling up on Friday night games, or even holding Saturday games, as a way to reduce midweek travel on the teens.

We’re all for that. While they’re at it, how about booking a venue midway between?

The most important thing is to keep talking about ways to make this work. Keep the dialogue rolling. Our students are worth it.