Reader comments
Experienced Cuff to direct UHSAA

Anyone who has every met Rob will understand that the UHSAA has the right guy for the job.

Excellent choice. Rob will do a fantastic job, always has and always will.

Congratulations Brother Cuff!

That will be his toughest job

Everyone knows that Cluff is qualified.

Everyone knows there are others who are equally qualified.

Is this the safe appointment?

Is this just a good ole boy appointment?

Is he capable of fixing the problems with the UHSAA?

The problems with recruiting, region assignment, steroids, para-professional coaches, and a dwindling pool of potential ref's, are just some of the more well documented issues confronting the new Director.

Hopefully he will be able to solve, not just address these issues. Finally, there needs to be some accountibility at the UHSAA, just as teachers and principals are being held accountible through AYP and NCLB.

Go cats!

Why did Wilkey only last a few months?

I hope you're not looking for a problem free UHSAA. When your dealing with all of the schools, coaches, players and worst of all - parents, there will always be problems. There will be ways of handling things that just aren't fair for some, but solves problems for others. For example, I don't know what your opinion on para-professionals is, but I think that is a GREAT way to go.

He retired to go on an LDS Mission

Wilkey got called to an LDS mission

Yeah, Cuff won Championships at Mt View. Even in the face of recruiting. Yup, he knows the pain, all the Wesley's lived just down the street from him and went to Provo. I dont know if he ever had transfers, but he lost some big transfers himself. He is a stud. Have known and watched him for years. The ultimate in inegrity! Good luck Rob, figuring out how to have dads justify moving their kids to an apartment for a year or two just to transfer. You will be busy!!!

Good luck, Mr. Cluff. In my opinion, sportsmanship is the biggest issue in high school sports. Some kids behave like animals; some parents behave like criminals. And it's got to stop. Think, people.

Dave Wilkey served UHSAA and its member schools both honorably and effectively for many years as associate director before Evan Excell's retirement. Mr. Wilkey was a champion of girls' sports and making sure young women had the same opportunities as young men. He worked quietly but effectively behind the scenes to give girls their fair share of the high school activities pie. He had always planned to retire a serve an LDS mission with his wife when the time was right.

When Mr. Excell retired, Mr. Wilkey was not ready to go yet, so he applied for the job of executive director. To bypass him just because he might not last more than a few years would have been disrespectful and a major slap in the face. The UHSAA board did the right thing in hiring Mr. Wilkey, even if it was only for a short time.

Mr. Wilkey was allowed to retire as executive director on his own terms and on his own timetable, which he was entitled to do after so many of dedicated service. As we congratulate Rob Cuff on his new appointment, we should also thank Mr. Wilkey for his unselfish service.

Thanks, Dave!

we are all asking for the same...have some guts in making difficult decisions and be worthy of the results

A previous comment identified several problems facing the UHSAA. Among them are recruiting, region alignment, steroid abuse, para-professional coaches, and a dwindling pool of qualified officials. Add poor sportsmanship (especially of parents/fans) and significant budget issues, and that's a plate too full for most people to handle.

But here's where we can all heave a huge sigh of relief: If anyone can handle it, it's Rob Cuff.

I moved to Utah in 2000 and became a sports official in 2001 -- the same year Rob was hired by the UHSAA. For want of a better term, we "grew up" together in high school activities.

Having watched this man's development from assistant to executive director, I can say this: Rob Cuff has more energy than anyone I've ever seen in such an all-consuming job. He is one of the most positive, polite people you will ever meet. And he has more integrity than you can shake a stick at. He is an excellent manager and problem-solver. He understands the underlying purpose of high school activities. That understanding guides everything he does. The board couldn't have made a better choice.

Congratulations, Rob!

Please do the right thing and move them up a class or two where they belong. And don't forget your small town roots, remember us when you have to make the tough decisions regarding recruiting.

from your old neighborhood says congrats on your new appointment! You will do great work in a tough job!

The only complaint I have is that dad's should not coach their own son's on the high school level. They can't let go of the emotions that we all have about our own children, and look at everything through rose colored glasses.

Congrats Rob! I hope that he will be able to reign in the recruiting that the Big boys (especially Bingham have done for decades). The parents recruit the other parents by making promises and telling untruths about their boundry coaches. Go luck and I don't envy your job that lies ahead of you if you are the man of integrity that I've heard.

"I think the transfer rule needs to be looked at and re-evaluated,"

Interesting that you choose this can of worms to open on your first day.

Unless he has figured out that hearings about transfers are absolutely consuming the time and budget of the UHSAA and is ready to make the rule uniform.

Say a "one time transfer" rule. Any other time would require the year sit-out penalty.

It is stupid that some schools have a "fight every transfer" creed. While others let everyone go that wants to go.