MIDVALE — Big changes could be coming to high school sports in Utah.
Two proposals — one for students attending the school on F1 visas and the other for all sports transfers — were approved Wednesday by the Utah High School Activities Association’s executive committee. It was done.
This change is an effort to do two things. First, reduce the number of transfer appeal hearings that are held when student-athletes wish to transfer to another high school. Second, it will crack down on allegations that some schools are recruiting international student athletes to play at local private high schools.
“This is the most organized, large-scale, malicious recruiting scheme I’ve seen in my time here,” said Mark Van Wagoner, the association’s attorney for nearly 50 years. , referring to the network of club coaches and independent scouts. Teenage athletes from other countries attend private schools in Utah. He encouraged committee members, primarily high school principals, to take action and send both proposals to the group’s board of directors. The board will consider the changes on May 1.
“We cannot continue without solving this problem,” Van Wagoner said. “Because this is hurting the association and it’s hurting our children.”
Van Wagoner said there was an ongoing investigation into the recruitment of student-athletes on F1 visas, at one point holding aloft a thick envelope of documents, suggesting evidence of complaints about recruitment was pouring in. did.
KSL has been investigating the same allegations for two years, and has identified problems at private schools ranging from the recruitment and acceptance of student-athletes recruited (through intermediaries such as club coaches) for the primary purpose of playing sports at the school. Found the evidence. There are also allegations that tuition fees may be waived or reduced, but all principals who spoke on Wednesday denied this.
New forwarding rules
Changes to transfer rules will simplify the movement of students, schools and association staff between schools.
“We had 150 appellate hearings last year,” Van Wagoner said. “We thought the rules were self-enforcing, but they weren’t. So we made some important decisions that we thought would be fair and perhaps open up more in other directions. We have made changes.”
Under the new rules, students who have played a sport at a Utah school within the past 12 months can transfer for any reason, but will automatically sit out for 30 days or 50 percent of their games, whichever is greater. It is stipulated that the qualification will be revoked.
There are exceptions, but they are specialized and are mostly handled between schools. Exceptions include school closure or program discontinuation, disciplinary expulsion (removal from school), divorce, death of a parent, documented bullying, and legitimate change of residence.
If a student has a living parent, there is no longer a guardianship situation unless there is a “decision to abandon.”
visa student
The group also unanimously approved changes to athletic eligibility for students attending Utah schools on F1 visas.
Students attending Utah schools on F1 visas will not be eligible to participate in varsity sports under the new rules unless one of two things happens at the school level: A school can choose to be independent in sports and not become part of the Utah High School Activities Association, or a school can play with his F1 athletes on varsity, but not in postseason play. cannot participate.
Before Van Wagoner took up the issue before the committee, three private school administrators spoke out against the proposed rule change. Aaron Schrader, Leighton Christian Academy principal; and Gary Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School.
“As one of the largest international schools in the United States, it is clear that this decision could have a significant impact on Layton Christian,” Schrader said. “Our main goal is that we want to remain a member in good standing with the UHSAA…and make sure that our students have access to those opportunities (sanctioned by the association). I would like to.”
Principals said that students’ experiences at school would be diminished if they were not allowed to actively participate in all activities of interest, including sports.
Colosimo said he doesn’t understand singling out students on F1 visas.
“But what may be the underlying problem here,” he said, “but I think we’re all aware of, is that there are illegal aliens…international students attending private schools. But undocumented students tend to attend private schools. Public schools are pretty much the same, except they follow the rules for international students.”
He said F1 visa holders at Juan Diego High School have “completed their paperwork and paid their tuition, but contrary to rumors, they have also paid all their tuition, room and board. I am legally doing everything I have to do to stay in the country.” The students don’t do anything…there are no documents that you can’t even ask if they’re not documented, but their participation is full. ”
Many principals subsequently expressed anger at Colosimo’s comparison of undocumented students to F1 visa holders, saying there were no similarities. Undocumented students are most often considered local students, unlike students on visas who are participating in international or exchange programs.
Van Wagoner read an email from a woman who currently hosts international students, stating that some international students are not protected by coaches or principals and will no longer participate in a “full high school experience.” He said he could be subject to penalties for not being allowed to do so. You are not allowed to play sports. She said the adults who allowed these children to be “abused and taken advantage of” should be held accountable. Van Wagoner said the association is concerned about all students and their safety.
There was a discussion on Wednesday about allowing F1 visa holders to play after one year, but the decision was rejected without much discussion.
Northridge High School Principal Jason Smith said, “In my opinion, I think we’ve reached our limit. We have huge trust issues with some of the schools. … I trust the school. I don’t trust him, and I don’t trust him either.” , I can’t trust what was just said…Personally, and in Region 5, trust is gone. ”
Pinnacle Academy Principal Roberta Hardy said she believes the proposed rule changes are just the first step in addressing what she calls human rights issues.
“This is the first part,” she said. “But I want to put it on record that this is not the end. … I’m in favor of sanctions and getting rid of people at all costs, because this is ridiculous. … This is very heinous to children.” So we’re just bringing them here to use them.
“And I’m going to fight with every last bit of my strength to keep fighting. So I want our member schools that joined us today to listen to me. We’re not done. This isn’t the end. ‘It’s just the beginning. ”