Deseret News | UHSAA punishes Bingham principal, Hillcrest drill team

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UHSAA punishes Bingham principal, Hillcrest drill team

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Drill parent | 10:15 a.m. April 24, 2009

Interesting. I put my name on my comment and it wasn't published. I'm appalled by Bingham's behavior. My daughter is on a drill team which I thought should have won the 4A title. They did not. First of all drill is subjective; period. Second, and most important, parents, coaches and administrators should be teaching the drill members sportsmanship above all. Losing can be a very valuable life experience. But the bottom line is that IT'S JUST DRILL. The Bingham crew needs to grow UP and move on. By the way, it hasn't been mentioned that Bingham video-taped Hillcrest at Region and State to prove their point. At every competition they explicitly state taping another team is against the rules. It's also in the handbook. So basically Bingham CHEATED to prove that Hillcrest changed two extra counts. Sorry, I can't imagine wanting to win a title that way. As a parent I would be horrified by Binghams' coaching. As for the prinicipal, how about you worry about the academics at your school a little more, and sports A LOT less.

Sports way too important | 10:32 a.m. April 24, 2009

After reading the massive number of comments about drill I was curious how Bingham ranks academically. When I looked it up I found that they rank second to last on college prep and 110th on school environment in Utah schools. It seems to me the Bingham pricipal the drill coach and the drill parents have their priorities wrong. Drill team isn't going to get your daughters a job; education is. Bingham needs to focus much less on sports and much more on academics if they really want their students to suceed.

Regarding "The Judge" | 10:42 a.m. April 24, 2009

Have you ever paid attention to how many Utah teams "win nationals." There are always more than one. That's because there are many national competitions, and the judging is different out of state. Utah schools consistently prove to be outstanding dancers. Given the fact that this California judge was from out of state, it's definitely possible that she had a completely different perspective. However, being from out of state why in the world would she be biased toward one Utah school? I'm sure this judge did her job the best she could, and then went home. Utah has once again embarrassed itself by making unjustified accusations about her motivations. So what else is new? Utah is always embarrassing itself. Will it never end? Please, get a grip. It's just dance.

Comments continue below

Oh yeah | 11:17 a.m. April 24, 2009

Heck Yeah Mr. Hicks

to: Drill Parent | 11:24 a.m. April 24, 2009

If you think your husband is cheating on you, you would hire someone to observe them. Well, Bingham had a feeling Hillcrest was cheating so they taped them. From what you have said, let the cheaters cheat and turn a blind eye. Drill or not, Hillcrest violated a rule and should be held accoutable. And if you are wondering where I live, it is close to both Brighton and Hillcrest. YOU need to get a grip!

Disappointed | 12:32 p.m. April 24, 2009

Hillcrest obviously altered the rotinue more than the allotated amount. That is cheating, and undeniable, regardless of if was intentional or not.

And while Bingham's prinicipal should perhaps have chosen his words more carefully, it is evident that once again the UHSAA has failed to address the real issues effectively. Poor judging is to blame, not principals or coaches. Just as poor officiating at soccer games accounts for the high amount of cards (not an increase in unsportsmanlike conduct), that put boys soccer on probation.

Tainted | 12:37 p.m. April 24, 2009

I hope Hillcrest enjoys their tainted championship and is more than a little embarrassed about the way they went about getting it. They certainly didn't deserve to win. Our team finished in the top five and they knew they hadn't performed well enough to win, but they were most disappointed by the fact that Hillcrest was "given" the title. DOES IT REALLY COUNT AS A CHAMPIONSHIP IF IT HAS TO HAVE AN ASTERISK NEXT TO IT? This title will always be tainted and everyone knows it!

Anonymous | 12:56 p.m. April 24, 2009

This is so sad for Bingham's team they work so
hard this year and they we REALLY good
but it doesn't mater now....
and after everything the person who stood up
for them got higher fines then anyone in
the situation....it's terrible!

Re:Are you kidding? | 1:01 p.m. April 24, 2009

Everyone involed with drill team is aware of that
rule my daughter is a senior in high school, and on the drill
team, we are a 3A team and every girl on our team
is aware of that rule....is very known and is
talked about often about....she didn't make a mistake!

UHSAA power | 1:15 p.m. April 24, 2009

I think it is important to note that a private organization, the UHSAA, has the authority to put on probation and fine a public employee. That would be like Brent Brown or Larry Miller making rules about car sales for everyone to follow and then fining Gov. Huntsman or some government employee for not abiding by them. Does anyone else see a problem with this?

Cheating husband??? | 3:32 p.m. April 24, 2009

I'm not sure comparing a cheating husband to drill is appropriate, however, my point was that both Bingham and Hillcrest violated the rules. Bingham's taping was no less of a rule violation than Hillcrest's was. Had Bingham been given the title, Hillcrest could have turned around and filed a complaint that Bingham violated the rules also. Would that have satisfied Bingham? Why were they spending time taping instead of just trying to make their routines the best in the state?

Scoring | 4:11 p.m. April 24, 2009

I am confused here. I thought that the High and low score for each routine was thrown out and only used in the event of a tie breaker (that is what it has in the USHAA scoring section). If that is the case could the one judge effect the outcome? I just looked at the score sheets and it appears that even if the judge in question put awarded close to the the other judges the outcome would be the same. Just an observation though I did not crunch the numbers.

Alta Hawks Fan | 4:26 p.m. April 24, 2009

This sounds familar to me. Refs robbed Bingham in football this year too. Hey lets all play the blame game.

to let you know | 5:14 p.m. April 24, 2009

i was at the state drill competition, and Hillcrest was by far the best team there, they danced the best and looked the best...so just get over it!

think they should be # 1 always | 5:30 p.m. April 24, 2009

Bingham always has an excuse as to why they don't win something. ie judges picking on them...Refs at a baseball game...they cheated. They think they are gods gift to everything...sports, dance or drill. Just maybe it was an honest mistake. EVERYONE makes them in their life. NO i don't have a child that goes to EIHTER school.

Concerned drill member | 5:55 p.m. April 24, 2009

There seems to be a lot said about Hillcrest's "tainted victory." But if Bingham had succeeded, Hillcrest had been disqualified, and Bingham had been given the title, how would that not be a tainted victory? How could the team take any pride in knowing that they won only because they poured over illegally recorded tapes to find any reason to disqualify Hillcrest?

Any anyways, if Bingham really deserved the state title, they should have been able to beat Hillcrest's dances, regardless of any extra changed counts. A state deserving team should be able to clearly defeat the other teams, leaving no need to dig for other team's flaws. Also, a state deserving school should be able to have good sportsmanship no matter what the circumstances are. They should be able to accept their loss, be happy for the winning team, and think about how they can improve in the next year. Based on this, do you really think Bingham deserved the title?

Tapes | 8:46 p.m. April 24, 2009

The tapes came from Remember When video. Not from personal tapes. Bingham was not at Hillcrests region. Any of the other teams would have loved also to have changed there dances judged on comments from judges at region. All could have improved there dances too had they know the rule wouldnt have stood.

Confused | 9:19 p.m. April 24, 2009

I'm confused. Why in the world would Bingham have tapes from Remember When Video of the region competition they didn't participate in? From previous experience with that particular business, it usually takes months for them to get the vidoes edited and to the coaches and parents. Our videos of the year end dance shows in May usually arrive in the fall.

Confused | 10:15 p.m. April 24, 2009

Tapes are not put into dvd form for many months. But tapes are there for proof if needed as was the case in this. Bingham did not request the tapes until the evening of state when many people that did attend the region noticed such a vast different in the kick routine and knew a rule had been broken. Then the tapes were requested.

Re:Confused | 2:39 a.m. April 25, 2009

Just to clear things up my daughter is on a drill team that was at that state competition and we received her videos in the end of February maybe early March. This could
explain why it had been brought up until recently.
Also if you thought something had been changed
don't you think you would find the video and figure
it out too....just a thought.

A demonstration of courage | 4:08 a.m. April 25, 2009

It is a common practice for coaches and school administrators to have a clause in their contracts prohibiting criticism of those officiating athletic contests involving their teams. The rationales for this include protection of the officials, encouragement of sportsmanship and fostering respect for individuals who usually try very hard to be fair. However, although well intentioned, such restrictions run counter the core American concept of freedom of expression.

I know nothing about Utah HS sports (I'm a Texas transplant) but I applaud the courage displayed by Hicks who certainly knew that his statements would evoke the wrath of the UHSAA and cost him some cash. Screaming at or threatening officials during a contest is unacceptable. However, anyone should be able to question the competence or impartiality of an official or point out a rules violation without fear of punishment.

It's simple | 4:27 a.m. April 25, 2009

I have no dog in this fight but it's an interesting story. The situation doesn't seem very complicated to me. If Hillcrest's team violated the rules then it should forfeit (as happens in every high school and college sport I am aware of). Period.

Also, Bingham's principal had every right to express his views regarding a judge's apparent inconsistent scoring and alerting those in charge of a rules violation.

simple | 9:25 a.m. April 25, 2009

Yes most teams would not want to keep an award that everyone knows they cheated to win. Mistake or not everyone knows they didnt win it fairly. As there coach helped write the rule book its questionable if she had a memory problem that created this mistake, but regardless the award was given to a team that broke rules. Its strange how they want to hold onto it when everyone is laughing behind there backs knowing they dont deserve it. And how sad for the girls that should have recd it but at least they can hold there heads high. Bingham followed the correct rules and recd the tapes from the correct source.
Im very grateful that none of my children will ever attend hillcrest. Its not the vaules i want them to learn. The only way for hillcrest to earn any respect from the community now is to do the right thing and turn over the award. But we all know that wont happen.

Proud to be a miner | 11:56 a.m. April 25, 2009

Why would bingham not be mad about another team cheating. Hillcrest cheated and didnt get punished. You think that Brighton and lone peak aint mad either> As far as other sports go bingham is like all other school when complaining about refs etc. I am proud to be a miner and knowing that my school doesnt have a major drug issue like some schools. I love bingham and everything it has done for me! Go miners, go mr. Hicks

Anonymous | 12:25 p.m. April 25, 2009

Sports teaches such great values as using steroids or cities cheating to get the Olympics.

entertaining | 12:50 p.m. April 25, 2009

This article had me laughing out loud. I can't believe anyone would be so pathetic to cheat in drill, let alone any sport or activity. But this is drill team. It reminds me of skate-gate at the Olympics. Call me naive, I just always put drill teams and cheerleaders above the mentality and childishness of other sporting events. Yes, this is a compliment. What is this world coming to when someone cheats to win and the kids and parents know it and are OK with it. This whole thing is just so dumb that it's funny. Only in Utah.

judging is not sports | 7:07 p.m. April 25, 2009

Anyone who sets themselves up to be upset about judging is in the wrong line of work. I've never understood why so many people expect "Judges" to get it right.

Judging never has determined a winner in anything. It's based on different points of view. Sports that rely on judging are flawed from the beginning.

Go ahead and compete in these activities but when you get mad at results, then shame on you. People are flawed, always will be, and when judging is the only way to "win" it's not true sport.

My Dad was wrong | 12:50 a.m. April 26, 2009

My father told me years ago that cheaters don't win -- that they almost always are caught and punished. Contrary to what my father thought, this story proves that cheaters sometimes win and get to keep their trophy even if they are caught doing so. What a great lesson for our youth.

@ think they should be #1 | 9:50 a.m. April 26, 2009

There are no refs in baseball

Bad values??? | 6:16 p.m. April 26, 2009

Many people have criticized the values that this teaches to the girls on the Hillcrest team and making the rule breaking into a GIANT ordeal, but in truth, if things had gone the other way and Bingham had won state, this issue would not even have been looked into. Bingham would not have compared any tapes and the rule violation would not even have been known. This shows that Bingham was just looking for any way to win, by getting Hillcrest disqualified. Talk about teaching bad values..

Apparently Bingham | 9:00 a.m. April 27, 2009

doesn't CHEAT TO WIN because their routine followed the rules. Sounds like the Bingham Coaches are trying to win within the rules, where are the bad values being taught in that ?

Contesting | 1:38 p.m. April 27, 2009

All the coaches know all the rules. And the rule is that if you want to contest a result you have to do it by the end of the competition. If it was so apparent that the routine was different why didn't Bingham contest it then? Why did they request to see the tapes and then accuse Hillcrest of violating a rule? They knew that was against the rules as much as Hillcrest knew the counting rules. In no way, shape or form is this trying to win within the rules. I don't have a child at either of these schools (thankfully), but I can't quite figure out why Bingham won't address the fact that they violated at least one and possibly two rules. Rules are rules. One is not worse than the other.

to Contesting | 3:51 p.m. April 27, 2009

If you're going to comment, at least know what your talking about. The protest was made THE NIGHT OF THE COMPETIION!!!! The UHSAA are the ones who have drug this out for this long. By the way, Bingham wasn't the only school that inquired about the unethical/cheating that took place, it was apparent to several teams that very night.

Just Some Thought | 9:52 p.m. April 28, 2009

Think about this for a minute. The sportsmanship and competition rules have been developed by the Principals around the state. The UHSAA just enforces the rules on the books. Look at the fines and suspensions from the NBA & NCAA for speaking out against officials. No different at the High School level, just a lot less money. If you don't like a rule, then there are ways to get it changed. The protest rule, in all HS sports, is that it must be done before the competition is over. The next day is to late. If that rule doesn't work for Drill, let the Principals, including Mr. Hicks, get it changed. Where is Brighton in all this? They lost as much as Bingham but it seems they chose to take the high road.

RE: Just for thought | 8:14 a.m. April 29, 2009

That's a good question on "Where is Brighton" they were the ones who actually pointed out that night that Hillcrest had changed their routine from region. They knew this because they beat Hillcrest in region. Their coach was all upset and was encouraging Bingham to join them in a protest. But it was only Bingham that filed and went after the TRUTH, so yes we ask again Brighton you helped start the fight but then you stand back and let others do your fighting for you. Next point of interest I would personally like to thank the Hillcrest Drill Team and some of their parents for attending the Bingham Football, Basketball, and Region competitions for the last 3 years your support is amazing, we are putting together our year end video and we could use more footage of our performances. Could we borrow some of the video that you took? You must have hours and hours worth. I know you by name and watched you take it so don't pull a BRENDA and LIE about it. I'm done with the High School experience and the Drill experience thank the Lord!!!!

No Surprise here!!! | 11:04 a.m. May 6, 2009

There is absolutely no surprise in the way this whole thing went down. The UHSAA is a total joke! Why in the world would the UHSAA fine the principal more $$ for speaking out than they would fine the admitted cheaters!! What a crock! And anyone who thinks the Hillcrest coaches made an "honest" mistake is kidding themselves! They have been doing this for nearly 20 years and pretty much wrote the rulebook!! Now they claim they were unaware of the rule?? Come on!! Try something a little more creative than that one if you're going to cheat... Just admit that you knew you'd get away with it! And you knew you'd get away with it because YOU WROTE THE RULES!!!! How convenient!

Davis Drill? | 11:35 p.m. July 10, 2009

I need to point out Davis High School. They swept region this past year and have won many region titles over the past 15 years. In 2005, they were VERY close to taking state...In a fair, clean, fight I congratulate them and wish them the best of luck. Davis now has a male coach coming from Odyssey Dance Theatre. Word on the street is that he is VERY good. I'm excited to see their stuff!! They looked so good at camp!

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