Good afternoon, Member School and District Administrators:

In preparation for the start of football and volleyball beginning play this evening, UHSAA member schools and our student participants have many things to be grateful for. We are grateful for the teamwork that we have seen across our state in helping make education-based activities a possibility in our state this fall. We are grateful for your hard work in creating and overseeing plans to create safe learning and playing atmospheres for our students. We are grateful for the confidence our students and their families have shown in UHSAA member schools and our collective ability to create and ensure a safe atmosphere for participation in education-based activities. Indeed, we have much to be grateful for as you have opened fall sports, especially in regards to many of our colleagues around the country.

However, our gratitude about our circumstances, and our celebration of our successes, isn’t a reason for complacency; instead, it is a call for our Association to continue to work together to achieve even greater heights in the midst of an historic pandemic. Throughout the summer, the UHSAA staff has educated coaches and school administrators on best practices and recommendations that have been grafted to ensure safe competitive environments for our students. While I am pleased at the efforts that have taken place around the state, I call on everyone in the UHSAA membership to double-down on efforts to ensure that safety guidelines are being universally adhered to across the Association. The return of high school sports in Utah has brought national attention to our state, mostly positive about how we are providing opportunities for students to return to play and participate. In light of that, please ensure that everyone under your jurisdiction is taking seriously the ‘Return-to-Play’ practices that have been put in place by the UHSAA, in conjunction with advice from your local health officials. 

One district, one school, one team, one coach, one student participant who chooses not to follow these guidelines has the potential to undermine participation for all of our nearly 100,000 participants and 155 member schools. Instead of focusing on the sometimes overwhelming task of how the guidelines are being uniformly enforced, focus on enforcing the guidelines with the constituents you lead every day. There is no one group or individual that can ensure mandates are being followed statewide, but together, we can all ensure our communities are following the mandates and the spirit of teamwork will ensure the fall sports season will be played to a successful completion.

This is an exciting time for our Association, as every day we are all working to create best practices that one day could become a national standard in how to guide school communities through public health crisis. Thank you for your continued commitment to the ‘Return-to-Play’ guidelines. The UHSAA staff stands with you and ready to serve you in the continued efforts to keep students safe while we play.

Respectfully,

Robert C. Cuff, CAA

Executive Director

Utah High School Activities Association 

About UHSAA

The UHSAA is the leadership organization for high school athletic and fine arts activities in Utah. Since 1927, the UHSAA has led the development of education-based interscholastic athletic and fine arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The belief is these activities are an essential part of the high school experience and go a long way to improving academic performance and producing better citizens... Read More