Future looks bright for UHSAA and high school sports

Over the past 30 years, the Utah High School Activities Association has experienced the best and the worst of prep athletics in the state. It has dealt with numerous challenges and enjoyed plenty of successes.

Throughout that time, the UHSAA has relied on the services of Evan Excell (executive director since 1994) and Dave Wilkey (assistant director since 1978) to keep things running smoothly.

As Excell retires and Wilkey takes over the top position at the association, it's an opportunity to examine the direction of the UHSAA as it looks toward the future.

"Our biggest positive is the number of opportunities we give to young people," said Wilkey.

"Studies have shown how valuable those chances are as long as they are kept in perspective. The dropout rates are lower, attendance is better and the atmosphere is better at the school when the kids are involved."

In order for the UHSAA to continue to provide the chances for student-athletes to compete, particularly in state tournaments, the association has to have secure financial backing. Both men are pleased with where things stand in that regard.

"We're very financially solvent right now," said Excell. "Our image overall is good and we have good people working with us."

But they also realize that current economic concerns could change that positive picture very quickly.

"The landscape is changing, particularly with regards to gas prices," Wilkey said. "We have to be responsive. We have to be continually changing and that's going to force some hard decisions, including possibly cutting contests because of needs."

But economics are only one of the many issues the UHSAA is evaluating at this point.

"One of my big concerns is the impact of club sports and what it costs kids to prepare to play high school sports," Excell said.

Another area that is worrisome to the association is attendance at state events.

"Attendance was growing up until a few years ago," said Wilkey. "It's one of the big topics because we don't know what to attribute it to. We know there is so much competing for people's attention and something has to give.

"But there's a lot of excitement at these events. There are thousands of people who prefer to attend high school events over others because they consider it the last bastion of pure sport. We want to keep creating that atmosphere."

While people can expect thrilling competition at state events in current sports, neither Wilkey nor Excell think that more activities will be added in the near future.

"Many sports have applied to join the association, sports like lacrosse, ice hockey, rodeo and bowling, but I don't see any being added," Excell said. "Plates are pretty full here and in the schools."

That opinion will draw mixed reactions from fans of traditional and newer sports, but the UHSAA hopes no matter how people view the decisions, they recognize what the association is trying to do.

"We're not 'those guys' in the office," Wilkey said. "We're all together in this thing and we need to be unified like a team, with coaches, parents and administrators. If we do, we won't just survive but we'll thrive. I encourage people to become acquainted and involved in the process."

Excell said that everyone at the UHSAA has a job to do and he hopes people would respect that.

"We work overtime to be fair," he explained. "I hope no one ever takes decisions personally. We try to always think what's best for the kids first."

That attitude and the emphasis on sportsmanship is what Excell was most proud of, although those things now take a back seat to other activities as of July 1.

"I'm going to be kicking back and enjoying my family," Excell said. "I'm also going to be doing some golfing, fishing, camping and hunting. I'm just going to play it by ear."

Wilkey plans on continuing to place the same importance on the mission of the UHSAA.

"This is about people and relationships, seeing them grow and mature," the new executive director said. "It's about seeing the UHSAA family face challenges and find solutions.

"I've been here for 30 years and I still look forward to the lessons the kids learn from winning and losing. It's fascinating to watch the threads of life that add vibrancy to the tapestry."

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