Deseret News | Reader comments: Experienced Cuff to direct UHSAA

Reader comments
Experienced Cuff to direct UHSAA

29 comments | Read story

Curtis Marsh | 4:43 p.m. June 9, 2009

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

Mark | 5:25 p.m. June 9, 2009

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

Anonymous | 5:35 p.m. June 9, 2009

Congratulations Brother Cuff!

Comments continue below

Stop recruiting | 5:52 p.m. June 9, 2009

That will be his toughest job

? | 6:08 p.m. June 9, 2009

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.

shr3891 | 10:15 p.m. June 9, 2009

Go cats!

Anonymous | 6:55 a.m. June 10, 2009

Why did Wilkey only last a few months?

To: ? | 8:19 a.m. June 10, 2009

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.

Anonymous | 8:24 a.m. June 10, 2009

He retired to go on an LDS Mission

bosoxnut | 8:57 a.m. June 10, 2009

Wilkey got called to an LDS mission

Good Luck | 9:51 a.m. June 10, 2009

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!!!

Lew Lund | 11:25 a.m. June 10, 2009

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.

Thank you, Dave Wilkey | 1:35 p.m. June 10, 2009

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!

Cluff | 1:49 p.m. June 10, 2009

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

Rob Cuff: The right choice | 1:51 p.m. June 10, 2009

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!

Judge/Juan Diego | 3:55 p.m. June 10, 2009

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.

A Bulldog | 4:24 p.m. June 10, 2009

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

Anonymous | 5:50 p.m. June 10, 2009

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.

HS Parent | 6:15 p.m. June 10, 2009

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.

Hmmm | 9:53 p.m. June 10, 2009

"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.

parents | 1:37 a.m. June 11, 2009

Can Mr. Cluff's first rule be to make parents banned from athletic events. Parents make sports miserable for coaches and kids. It blows my mind how much parents act like jerks.

RE parents | 5:15 a.m. June 11, 2009

I don't think you realize how few kids would stay involved if they didn't have parental support. And, you had better check the budgets of the schools before you ask parents not to pay their five dollars for every game they go to and drag the the younger ticket buying siblings to. Think before you make your next wish.

Wow | 8:30 a.m. June 11, 2009

all you people on here crying about tranfers, parents, coaches, players, sportsmanship, refs, sounds like your the very ones Mr. Cluff should be looking at!!.

First off... | 1:07 p.m. June 11, 2009

It's CUFF, NOT Cluff.

2nd, Rob is a genetleman, has integrity, wisdom, experience and a calm demeanor that has allowed to him to be successful at whatever he does.

3rd, having been a coach, a Ref. and a parent of athletes, and a memeber of the UHSAA for nearly a decade--he has the ultimate resume and qualifications for this position.

4th, If transfer rules and other forms of cheating exist it will NOT be because of Rob. Evan and Dave were equally qualified and yet people discovered new ways to cheat all the time--it has ever been that way, and ever will be--and it is NOT completely in the hands of the UHSAA; your legislature and School Boards are equal partners in the system, do you hold them accountable too?

5th, Rob WILL make some mistakes along the way--everyone does. But, it's how those mistakes are handled that will determine his leadership. So, have patience.

6th, Rob's BIGGEST challenge will be with acquiring and maintaining a qualified pool of Referee's and Official's. You can't play without them and the pool of talent is shallow!

All the best Rob!

RE:First off.. | 2:10 p.m. June 11, 2009

Thank you Mrs.Cuff.

First off/and 7th | 2:13 p.m. June 11, 2009

And 7th lets ban all know it all posters who think they can speak for Rob Cuff..

Bulldog | 9:43 p.m. June 11, 2009

let's all take a deep breath. Rob Cuff will do a good job and the earth will continue to rotate on its axis.

safe | 9:46 a.m. June 16, 2009

Way to pick the safe good ol' boy choice. Nothing will change, but maybe that's good. We'll see, it should be interesting. I'd like to see someone with a more global view, but good luck Rob.

WE LOVE ROB! | 9:52 p.m. June 16, 2009

Rob cuff will do an amazing job and EVERYONE knows this! he has put up with so much throughout his life, and he definetly has the power to take on this new job!

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