Meet New Executive Director, Rob Cuff He 2009-2010 School Committee
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August 2009 - Volume 23, Number 1 UPDATEUPDATE Success Starts When Students Take Part Meet New Executive Director, Rob Cuff he 2009-2010 school Committee. He is a regular speaker at many state, section Tyear begins under and national conferences and clinics. the leadership of newly Cuff earned his Master of Arts Degree in Education from appointed Executive the University of Phoenix and his Bachelor of Arts Degree Director, Rob Cuff . in English from Brigham Young University. He graduated Following the retirement from Richfi eld High School, where he was a member of a of Dave Wilkey and a state football championship team and a state basketball rigorous two-month championship team when he played for his father, Bob Cuff , a personnel search, Mr. long-time coach at Richfi eld High School. Cuff was hired from a strong fi eld of qualifi ed candidates. “My wish during my tenure is that Mr. Cuff has served the I will be granted the wisdom to do UHSAA the past 8 years what is right and the ability to work in the position of Assistant Director prior to becoming the Executive Director. His reponsibilities have included together in building relationships in baseball, basketball, drill team, football, music, soccer, establishing education-based high softball and volleyball. He was also the director of the UHSAA school activities.” Coaches’ Education, and he is currently a NFHS Certifi ed Instructor. He is also recognized by the NIAAA as a national -- Rob Cuff, UHSAA Executive Director certifi ed athletic administrator or CAA. Rob has served on several committees, including Chairman of the Awards Prior to coming to the UHSAA, Rob Cuff was a respected Selection Committee, a member of the Constitution and Athletic Director, English teacher, and coach at Mountain By-Laws Committee, a member of the Board of Directors for View High School. Rob was named Teacher of the Year in the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, a member of the 1995. Rob coached the boys basketball team for twelve Utah Sports’ Offi cials Hall of Fame Committee and the State years, seven of which as head coach. During those seven Board of Trustees for Special Olympics Utah. years, he guided the Bruins to seven consecutive top fi ve Cuff is currently a member of the National Federation state fi nishes, winning 83% of his games and compiling Baseball Rules Committee and a member of the National an incredible 23-5 state tournament record. Those state Federation Football Rules Committee where he also fi nishes included back to back 5A State Championships in serves as Chairman of the Football Games Administration 1998 and 1999, fi ve trips to the fi nal four and two Conso- Committee. He served on the National Federation Strategic lation Championships. His Bruin basketball teams also won Planning Committee and the National Federation Records region championships four diff erent times. c ontinued on next page IN THIS ISSUE • New Assistant Director (page 2) • Chalk Talk: Freshman Teams (page 5) • Changes to the UHSAA (page 3) • Music Educator of the Year (page 5) • Who is the UHSAA? (page 3) • NFHS Updates (page 6) • UIAAA Update (page 5) • Calendar of Events (page 7) c o n t i n u e d from page 1 Cuff was named both the Frank Layden Coach of the Year that come with the position of UHSAA Executive Director. and the Art Hughes 5A Coach of the Year in 1998. In 1999, Rob is married to Sonya Garner of Provo and the proud he was again named the Art Hughes 5A Coach of the Year. parent of four children. With the support of his family, He was the President of the Utah High School Basketball friends and the UHSAA staff, Rob is tackling the daunting Coaches Association and was a member of the Utah High tasks of his new job with humility and a positive attitude. School Basketball Coaches Association executive board for six years. He was the tournament director for the Great Basin Basketball Tournament, served as a member of the executive board of the Utah Basketball Tip-Off Club and served as a member of the executive board of the Utah County Football Officials Association. He was a high school certified football referee for 12 years, offici- ating several state playoff games, including three state championship games. As a respected English teacher for many years, he was named Teacher of the Year in 1995. Prior to joining the UHSAA, he was the Athletic Director at Mountain View. Rob also refereed football for 12 years, including three state football championships. His experiences as an athlete, teacher, coach, referee and Assistant Director will provide valuable insight to the rigors and responsibilities New Assistant Director, Kevin Dustin r. Kevin Dustin has has been a participant in a small school setting and an Mbeen named an Assis- educator in a large school setting. His additional experi- tant Director of the Utah ence in event management, marketing and working High Activities Association with corporate sponsorships will add to the strength of filling the vacancy left by our team. Kevin has the personality and work ethic that new Executive Director, Mr. will bring instant respect to his position.” Rob Cuff. Kevin was hired “I believe high school activities are a great part of the from a number of qualified academic mission of our high schools. Activities should candidates screened and synergize with the academic goals of every school and interviewed by a UHSAA enhance the opportunity for development of character Search Committee. He and lifetime skills,” said Dustin. “I am excited about assumed duties August 10. the opportunity to work with the Utah High School Kevin has spent the past Activities Association and our member schools. I am 14 years in the athletic department at Utah State well aware of the challenges and opportunities that University where most recently he served as the lie ahead. Associate Athletic Director for Development. Prior to I want to employment with Utah State, Kevin taught English and thank Rob coached basketball at Sky View High School. As head and his staff coach, Kevin led the Bobcats to the 1994 state champi- for their onship and was named the Utah 4A Coach of the Year. confidence Kevin will have responsibilities over baseball, basket- and for ball, drama, football and golf. He will also work with providing corporate sponsors, marketing and supervise statewide me with this coaches’ education. UHSAA Executive Director Rob new chal- Cuff said, “We are thrilled to have Kevin join our team lenge.” UHSAA Staff (L-R): Mike Petty, Becky of directors. His experiences in high school activities Anderson, Jeanne Widerburg, Bart as a participant, official and coach are exceptional. He Thompson, Rob Cuff, Heidi Bruce, and Amie Wagstaff 2 New Changes to the UHSAA New Alignment of Members Schools: This will be the ville), Doug Jacobs (Reg 13, Kanab), Robin Nielson first year under the new alignment which divides the 134 (Reg 18, Dugway), Martell Menlove (USOE). member schools into 20 regions (1A-5A). Go to uhsaa.org New Executive Committee Chair: Craig Hammer, for list of the member schools according to the regions. Washington District Administrator, moves into the chair Four New Member Schools: The UHSAA welcomes position with a wealth of experience having served 6 four new member high schools for the 2009-10 school years on the Board of Trustees, 11 years on the Executive year. Welcome to Maple Mountain (4A), Rockwell Committee, 13 years as Dixie High principal and 9 years as Charter (2A), Stansbury (4A) and Westlake (4A). a high school basketball coach. Nine New Board of Trustees Members: Rick Bojak New UHSAA Executive Director: After working as an (Reg 3), Alma Uluave (Reg 6), Craig Seegmiller (Reg 9), assistant director for 8 years, Rob Cuff became the new Robert Garlick (Reg 12), Arlin Ovard (Reg 14), Norm UHSAA Executive Director on August 1, 2009. Allred (Reg 17), Ted Chidester (Reg 20), Kent Larsen New UHSAA Assistant Director: Kevin Dustin was (2A, Gunnison), Jim Clark (Davis), Dixie Allen (USOE). appointed the new UHSAA Assistant Director. Nine New Executive Committee Members: Scott New Sportsmanship Committee will address pertinent Tennis (Reg 1, Viewmont), Scott Bushnell (Reg 2, issues in our schools. Committee members include: Murray), Darrell Eddington (Reg 5, Box Elder), Chair Craig Hammer, Becky Anderson, Scott Bushnell, George Bayles (Reg 7, Timpview), Larry Bergeson Dean Fowles, Betty Ann Rember, Rick Bojack, Mae Miya, (Reg 9, Dixie), Travis McCluskey (Reg 11, Grants- Mark Hunter and two coaches to be announced. The Purpose of the UHSAA he purpose of the UHSAA shall be to administer and Participation in Athletics & Activities Offers Benefits. Tsupervise interscholastic activities among its member Students who participate tend to have higher grade- schools according to the Association Constitution and point averages, better attendance, lower dropout rates, By-Laws. Knowing that student activities are a significant fewer discipline problems and attend college more often. educational force in the development of skills needed to become a contributing member of society, the UHSAA reaffirms that students are the focus and reason for the Association. Attendance & Participation “Together we must continue to pass on the positive Increases in 2008-2009: values and principles that high school activities have taught each one of us. We must help students dream • Girls Basketball and succeed by creating one of the most powerful and • Volleyball The UHSAA reported the influential educational experiences that can be provided • Drill highest total attendance at to young people.” Rob Cuff, UHSAA Executive Director • Swimming the state tournaments for “SUCCESS STARTS WHEN STUDENTS TAKE PART. As • Boys Soccer these seven sports in the coaches, administrators and educators, we hope to instill • Softball 2008-2009 school year.