Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MIDVALE — The Utah High School Activities Association faced a daunting task in replacing assistant director Bart Thompson, who announced last month he was leaving to take the executive role in Nevada.
It turns out, Utah executive director Rob Cuff didn’t have to look far.
The association has promoted director of officials Jeff Cluff and communications and technology director Josh Taylor to be assistant directors within the organization, Cuff announced Tuesday morning. The duo will assume the responsibilities of Thompson, who is leaving to serve as executive director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.
“We have been extremely fortunate to hire great athletic administrators and outstanding people in this office over the years,” Cuff said in a statement. “The UHSAA has been a tremendous training ground for assistant directors in taking over other leadership positions in athletic administration both in state and out of state.”
Cluff came to the UHSAA in 2014 after a 13-year career at Dixie State, where he worked as coordinator of media relations, among other roles. He will continue as the director of officiating, and also act as the director of baseball across the state.
Now is the time to promote from within our association and build on the momentum we already have in place as a staff. I am excited for Josh and Jeff and the relationships and opportunities they will continue to have as assistant directors.
–Rob Cuff, UHSAA executive director
Taylor has worked in the UHSAA offices since 2010, serving as the organization’s communications and technology director — managing the website, developing RegisterMyAthlete.com and working with Unified Sports and the Special Olympics of Utah. His additional responsibilities will include acting as the state’s director of soccer and speech and debate.
“Now is the time to promote from within our association and build on the momentum we already have in place as a staff,” Cuff said. “I am excited for Josh and Jeff and the relationships and opportunities they will continue to have as assistant directors.”
Current assistant directors Kim Monkres and Ryan Bishop will continue in their roles as assistant directors, and the organization has also hired Granite School District athletic director Dave Vande Veegaete as director of wrestling. He will help interpret rules and procedure, as well as director the state wrestling tournament, an assignment with which he assisted Thompson for several years.
“Dave’s expertise and his experience in assisting Bart at state wrestling tournaments will provide our membership the consistency and stability necessary to address the needs and complement the great things happening within Utah wrestling.”
All three newly appointed individuals will begin functioning in their new capacities on July 1.
