UTAH SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION HANDBOOK
Updated 9/23/24
Policy and Procedures for the Governance and Membership of the Utah School Sports Association (USSA)
HISTORY OF THE USSA
The Utah Schools Sports Association (USSA) was founded in the fall of 2007 by Richard Dewey, a Parent of a Student at Independence High School (IHS) in Provo. Mr. Dewey observed the need for an athletic association that would provide a legitimate High School athletic experience for Students that were left out of the traditional system. He had seen a similar association a decade earlier that folded when two Athletic Directors, who were the driving force behind the league, left Utah for other jobs. Mr. Dewey set out to design a similar league, but with an organizational structure that would provide long-term league stability. His family background had somewhat of a history in organizing long-term sporting venues. In his hometown of Memphis, Mr. Dewey’s father organized the Liberty Bowl (technically its precursor, the Delta Bowl) and voluntarily served as its first President. Over 60 years later, the Liberty Bowl is still considered one of the top bowl games in the Country.
Mr. Dewey promised the administration of IHS that he would provide a good coach and form a league that would give students the desired experience. His first step was to organize a basketball team that was more structured and competitive than the previous Jr. Jazz City League teams with which the school had been competing. The Administration agreed to support a higher grade of sports and to hire former college player and highly polished coach, Josh Hall, to coach the basketball team.
Mr. Dewey and Mr. Hall completely committed to the establishment of the USSA by investing a considerable amount of their own time and money to launch the league in 2007. Mr. Dewey made over 1,000 calls to 100 schools. He found 10 schools willing to join the league the first year, and several more the following year. The locations ranged from Logan to Price and Ogden to Provo. Mr. Dewey served as the Commissioner the first year.
Having heard of the dissolution of the prior league, Mr. Hall, with his business background, advised Mr. Dewey to structure the USAA in such a manner as to be ongoing and stable. The organization of the USSA was established immediately upon completion of the first basketball season. Mr. Dewey chose the second Commissioner to replace himself, and together they organized a completely volunteer Board of Directors. The Board soon took over all organizational functions. USSA Member Schools were then asked to provide replacement Board Members so the league could be self-sustaining even if the existing personnel were to leave. A bank account was set up as well with funds rolling over each year to the new season.
Mr. Dewey, finding a mix of City League and High School Certified Officials who were willing to Referee games, originally provided the Officials. Shortly after the start of the first season, Bo Earls of Utah Valley University came aboard, providing refs and facilities from the University. The addition of Mr. Earls and the services he provided gave great impetus to the league and he was among the first USSA Board Members.
While the first season was limited to boys’ basketball, the league quickly expanded to other sports. Volleyball and flag football were added the second season, then Mr. Dewey launched a separate soccer league as a trial sport the third year. The league gauged the students’ interest and merged the new soccer league into USAA. Other sports have been added since.
In 2018 the USSA registered as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. All Board and Commissioner Positions are volunteer. The only paid positions are the Officials and Arbiters.
Currently, the USSA is comprised of an eclectic mix of Charter, Alternative, Residential Treatment, and Independent Schools. Association schools provide their Students the athletic experience that is critical for the development of self-discipline, time management, and social skills that will be needed for future success. Mr. Dewey’s dream of providing the High School athletic experience for all Students is alive and well.
Current USSA Officers
Commissioner: Toby Melver
Treasurer: Kim Hughes
Board Member: Bryan Durst
Board Member: Blaine Hunsaker
Board Member: Dave Buer
Board Member: Becky Hogan
Board Member: Jim Hunter
To contact the Commissioner or members of the Board of Directors, please email [email protected]
League Website: ussasports.org
USSA CONSTITUTION
Article 1: Name, Membership, & Purpose
Section 1: Name
The Name of this association is the Utah School Sports Association (Herein referred to as the “USSA”)
Section 2: Membership
Any Utah High School is eligible for membership. The USSA Board of Directors shall set the terms, conditions, & requirements for membership in the USSA (See bylaws)
Section 3: Purpose
The USSA will provide opportunities for students enrolled in USSA member schools to participate in interscholastic athletic competitions. The USSA will stress the value of sportsmanship, fair play, and education
Article 2: USSA Administration
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall have governing authority and responsibility of the USSA for all of the following:
a. Set policy, rules, regulations, etc. for the USSA
b. Appoint the USSA Commissioner
c. Appoint USSA Board Members & Representatives
d. Approve or Deny membership, eligibility, protests & appeals
e. Manage USSA finances
f. Voting is majority vote with 4 Board Members present (physically or via phone, internet, or proxy), including the Commissioner
Section 2: Commissioner
The Commissioner is the Chief Executive Officer of the USSA and shall operate under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Commissioner is responsible for the following:
a. Carry into execution the rules, regulations, & by-laws of the USSA consistent with the best interest of the USSA
b. Oversee the management of the funds and assets of the USSA including any tangible items and copyrighted or trademarked material
c. Oversee and conduct USSA Board meetings and USSA related interactions
Section 3: Head of Officials
The Head of Officials is an appointed Board Member who will oversee:
a. Assignment and arbitration of Officials
b. Approval, review, and rating of Officials
c. Training of Officials and Coaches of USSA rules and regulations
Section 4: Coaches Association
Athletic Directors and Coaches may form a Coaches Association that may appoint officers and will work directly with the Head of Officials and Athletic Directors to address and propose questions, concerns, and adjustments with the Board of Directors
Section 5: Scheduler
The Scheduler is an appointed Board Member who will set up and maintain the league contest schedule. Appointment may vary according to sport and season
Article 3: Dues, Fees, and Funds
Section 1: Dues and Fees
All dues and fees shall be determined by the Board of Directors and the Commissioner and are subject to change on a seasonal basis. All Member Schools will be notified of amounts and due dates in a timely manner
Section 2: Funds
All funds shall be used directly for and only for the USSA
Section 3: Refunds
a. The USSA will set due dates for intention to participate and fees due for each sport
Schools will be required to pay the league fee for each team they intend to field before the schedule is built and posted
b. Refunds will be given if a school cancels their program before the USSA schedule deadline
c. Refunds will not be given If a school cancels their program after the league schedule deadline
Article 4: Amendments
Section 1: Amendment Submission
Proposed amendments can be submitted to the Commissioner or any member of the Board of Directors via [email protected]
Section 2: Amendments
Amendments shall be approved or denied by the Board of Directors and Commissioner
USSA BY-LAWS
Article 1: Eligibility of Players
Section 1: Age Rule
Enrolled, full time students, grades 9-12, up to 21 years of age, may participate as long as the safety of the student has been approved and verified by Parent/Legal Guardian and the USSA Member School Administration
Section 2: Attendance Rule
Any participating student must be an enrolled, full time, student at the physical “brick and mortar” facility, of the USSA Member School in which they participate
Section 3: Physical Examination Recommendation
Yearly Physical Examinations by a Medical Doctor are strongly recommended for all students previous to participation in USSA athletics. Each Member School is responsible for the health and safety of their own students
Section 4: General USSA Eligibility Philosophy
USSA member schools are responsible for policy and enforcement their own students’ academic and behavioral eligibility for participation in the USSA
Section 5: Regular season and Post-season Eligibility Rosters
a. Participating schools are required to submit a roster with players name, class, and player number to [email protected] at the beginning of each season. An exception to this rule will be made for schools that legally cannot release this information (i.e. Residential Treatment Centers). In this case, the student-athlete’s team number will need to suffice
b. Postseason Player Eligibility: A player must compete in at least 2 USSA contests (at least 1 league scheduled. The other may be a “friendly”, non-league contest with another USSA member team) during the regular season to be eligible for postseason play
c. Postseason Roster: A postseason team roster must be submitted to [email protected] by all teams that qualify for the postseason. Printed rosters will also be available for inspection by Tournament Officials, Referees, and Athletic Directors upon request, should any questions of eligibility arise
Article 2: Supervision of Students
Section 1: School Responsibility:
a. Each USSA Member School is responsible to provide an adequate number of adults for the supervision of students and fans at every USSA contest and activity
b. An Administrator on duty is required to be present for any students and fans (minor and/or adult) in attendance at any contest or activity other than the members of the participating team. This includes contests/activities away from the school’s home site
c. Failure to provide adequate supervision at all USSA contests may result in fines, sanctioning, and penalties up to and including expulsion from the USSA for the school involved in the violation
Section 2: Coaches:
Coaches are responsible to manage the members of the team they coach and cannot be required to manage other students or fans
Article 3: Eligibility of Host Facilities
a. All facilities in which USSA contests, activities, and events will be hosted are expected to be at or above the standards set by the USSA and legal High School dimensions as described in NFHS rule books
b. An inspection of host facilities for safety and rule compliance is required for all USSA member schools before an USSA contest, activity, or event may be hosted
c. Host facilities are required to have bathrooms available for participants and fans
d. Host facilities are required to have a designated administrator on duty that is responsible for security, sportsmanship, and the safety of the student- athletes, fans, and officials; before, during, and after (the property has been vacated) any USSA contest, activity, or event
e. The designated home team (Host) will be responsible for record/bookkeeping, score clock operation, and final score reporting
Article 4: Team Eligibility
a. Schools may enter a second team into USSA league play
b. The second team will NOT be eligible for the post season and may be placed in a separate division
c. The second team will be considered Junior Varsity/Exhibition. Contests with this team will not be counted toward State Tournament seeding
d. Players from the second team will be eligible to be moved to the school’s first team, including postseason play. This practice is equal to traditional sub-Varsity and Varsity program
Article 5: Officials
Section 1: Approval of Officials
a. The USSA Head of Officials must approve all Officials
b. Compliments, questions, or concerns regarding Officials can be directed to the Head of Officials via [email protected]
Section 2: Assignment of Officials
a. Assignment of Officials will be overseen by the Head of Officials or will be delegated to an Arbiter who will be overseen by the Head of Officials
b. Board approved Arbiters may be used by the Head of Officials on a sport-by-sport basis to assist with scheduling of Officials
Section 3: Uniforms
a. Officials are encouraged to work with Coaches and Players to stay within the spirit of the game when it comes to uniform rules
b. Some schools may not have enough like uniforms for all of their players. As long as the uniforms are not a safety issue, Officials and Coaches are encouraged to allow students to play
c. Athletic Directors from a school that only has one set of uniforms will need to communicate with the opposing school to bring their light or dark uniforms at least one day before the contest
d. Teams will have a definite color contrast for Officials to be able to do their job accurately
Article 6: Compliance, Violations, Protests, and Appeals
Section 1: Compliance and Violations
a. The Member School’s Athletic Director, or designated school representative, shall be responsible to determine and verify that all participating students have met all eligibility requirements within the time frames as set by the USSA Board of Directors
b. The Member School’s Athletic Director shall be responsible for their School’s compliance with all USSA policy, rules, and regulations
c. The Member School’s Athletic Director shall be responsible for their School’s non-compliance with any USSA policy, rules, and regulations
d. Violations to USSA policy, rules, and regulations may result in fines, suspensions, sanctioning, and penalties up to and including expulsion from the USSA
e. A team that refuses to travel for a contest will forfeit and will be charged the cost of Officials, Arbiter, and clock/book staffing for the event
f. A team that forfeits a game may be fined up to $50 for the first offense. Fines will increase for multiple forfeits. The reason for the forfeit(s) will be taken into consideration
g. Changes to contest schedules may result in fines if made after the schedule has been posted
Section 2: Protest Procedures
a.Protests must be submitted to [email protected] within 24 hours of the contest being protested
b.Protests must be submitted in the form of a detailed report of the incident. Please include as much supporting evidence as possible
c.Protests concerning a contest must include the names of the Officials, Coaches, and Schools involved
d.The protest will be reviewed and ruled upon within 3 business days
Section 3: Appeals
Any USSA member school or individual subject to the authority of the USSA may file an appeal to the Board of Directors for charges or allegations of violations of USSA policy and procedure
a. Email a detailed appeal of ruling report to [email protected]
b. The appeal will be reviewed and ruled upon or a hearing will be scheduled within 3 business days
Section 4: Hearings
a. Hearings will be decided by majority vote from at least 4 Board members, including the Commissioner
b. All hearings will take place within a timely manner
Article 7: Rights of the USSA
Section 1: Contests, Activities, & Intellectual Property
a. All rights to contests and activities conducted within the jurisdiction of the USSA are owned by the USSA
b. The rights to these contests and activities include rights to the images of the contest, filming, broadcast, reproductions or other intellectual property rights including the USSA website (ussasports.org) and its content
Section 2: Commissioner and Board of Directors
a. The Commissioner and Board of Directors is the governing body of the USSA and has the right to amend, eliminate, or alter any policy, procedure, rule, or regulation as they determine appropriate for the best interest of the USSA
b. Any changes will be updated in the USSA Handbook within 10 business days
Administrative Policies & Guidelines
Article 1: Sportsmanship Policies
The Athletic Director or designated representative from each USSA member school is responsible to promote and enforce good sportsmanship for all Students, Staff, Fans, & Guests
Section 1: Philosophy
The USSA encourages its members to “develop teamwork & self-discipline, leadership, and social skills that will empower students for future success.” We expect each of the teams, coaches, their fans, and all who associate with the USSA to model these values, both in the classroom and during competition
Section 2: General Sportsmanship Guidelines & Acceptable Behaviors
“Everyone should do their job: Let the players play, the refs ref, and the fans be fans of their team.”
a. Be “Humble in Victory, Gracious in Defeat”;
b. Be respectful to all (participants, coaches, officials, staff, and fans);
c. Sportsmanship expectations should be announced at each game;
d. Cheer FOR your team, and cultivate a positive environment;
e. Display appreciation for good performance regardless of the team;
f. Demonstrate concern for all injured players;
g. Applaud good play, regardless of the team;
h. Regardless of the outcome, positively address your opponent after the contest
Section 3: Policies Regarding Ejections, Fighting, and Violent Acts
Any player or bench personnel ejected by an official shall be suspended from the next regularly scheduled, equal level (Varsity, JV, etc.) competition
a. While serving their suspension, and prior to returning to competition, ejected player or bench personnel shall complete the free NFHS Course, “Sportsmanship” at www.nfhslearn.com
b. While serving their suspension, and prior to coaching in their next contest, an ejected coach or shall complete the NFHS online course, “Teaching and Modeling Behavior” at www.nfhslearn.com This course will cost $20 (paid by the Coach or School) and will take approximately 5 to 6 hours to complete
c. If a player or coach is ejected during tournament play, he/she must have the required course completed before they may be considered for an appeal of suspension
d. When serving out a penalty for ejection, a coach, player, or bench personnel is prohibited from attending any contest, is immediately banned from the playing or contest area, and is prohibited from any further contact (direct or indirect) with the team for the remainder of the contest (“out-of -sight, out-of-sound”)
e. When a player is ejected and must sit out an additional game, the player shall not be in uniform, warm-up with the team, or be introduced with the team
f. An ejected player must be accompanied by an adult or adults until a Parent or Legal Guardian is present to take custody of the player
Article 2: Due Dates
All due dates will be determined by the USSA Commissioner and Board of Directors. Due dates will be published in a timely manner as to allow all schools adequate time to comply
Article 3: Insurance
All USSA member schools are responsible for School Students, Staff (paid and volunteer), and facilities’ Insurance
USSA Sport Rules and Regulations
The following rules and regulations are followed by the USSA. In some cases, minor rules have been altered to accommodate the Students, Facilities, and Teams
Article 1: Tie Break Rule
This Tie Break Rule is for the seeding of the State Tournament. The win/loss record in USSA scheduled league play will determine tournament seeding. This is assuming that teams have an equal number of league games played against the same league/divisional opponents. Point differential will NOT be considered in tie break procedure.
In the event of a tie between teams or individuals (i.e. Cross Country, Golf, etc.), the seed will be determined by:
a. The win/loss record of state tournament qualifying competitions, between the teams/individuals involved. If a tie exists, the seed will be determined by:
b. The head-to-head record between the teams/individuals involved in the tie. If a tie still exists, seeding will be determined by:
c. Success against the next highest ranked finisher in state tournament qualifying competitions, continued on down until the tie is broken. If a tie still exists, the seeding will be determined by:
d. A playoff contest between the teams/individuals at a neutral site to be determined by the Athletic Directors and Coaches from each school involved. If BOTH schools agree, a coin toss may be substituted for a playoff contest to break the tie
Article 2: Sports Offered by the USSA
Cross Country (Girls & Boys)
Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
Basketball (Girls & Boys)
Soccer (Boys & Girls)
Cross Country
USSA Cross Country rules (see nfhs.com for complete Varsity rule books)
Cross Country is the only USSA sport in which 7th and 8th grade students are allowed to participate. These students are allowed to participate as the school Junior Varsity team
Junior Varsity events will be 2 miles from start to finish
Varsity events will be 3.1 miles (5,000 meters) from start to finish
Team scores will be determined by the total points scored by the first five finishers of each team
Volleyball
USSA Volleyball Rules (see nfhs.com for complete rule books)
The only rule difference between the Girls and Boys volleyball leagues is the net height
Girls Net Height: 7 feet 4 and 1/8 inches
Boys Net Height: 7 feet 11 and 5/8 inches
Basketball
USSA Basketball Rules (see nfhs.com for complete Varsity rule books)
USSA Mercy Rule Amendment:
1. There will be a switch to a running clock anytime a team has a lead of 30 points or greater in the second half
2. The running clock will be stopped only during free throws and time outs
3. If the lead drops under 30 points, the clock will return to normal basketball procedure
Soccer
USSA Game-play Rules (See nfhs.com for a complete rule books)
1. During the regular season there will be no overtime. In the State tournament, ties will be broken with two 10-minute sudden death periods (“golden goal”). If the score is still tied after both overtime periods, then a shootout will be done (according to NFHS rules)
3. Shin-guards are mandatory and must be worn inside the socks. Both socks shall be the same, single color. Footwear may be athletic shoes or soft-cleated shoes. Shorts cannot have pockets. Players cannot wear jewelry. Players not wearing appropriate attire will not be allowed to play until it is corrected
4. Mercy Rule: Referees must call the match winner when a team has an 8-goal advantage during the second half. Referees must immediately call and end the match when a team has a 10-goal advantage. Match results will be recorded from the score at the end of the game
5. Matches will consist of two 40-minute halves and a 10-minute halftime
6. During the regular season, a win will be worth 3 points, a tie will be worth 1 point, and a loss will be worth 0 points. Total team W/L/T points at the end of the regular season will determine final regular season standing and seeding in the final tournament. (See tiebreaker rule)
7. The field will be marked with white lines 50-80 yards wide, 80-120 yards long. The goal area is 6 yards, the penalty area is 18 yards, and the center circle has a 10-yard radius. Schools will forfeit any games they host that do not meet field-size regulations
8. The ball will be size 5
9. It is the responsibility of each team (school AD & Coaches) to read all the rules & season schedule correctly and understand team requirements
10. Referees will perform roster and equipment checks for each team before every match
11. Home Uniforms will now be the dark uniforms. Away uniforms will be the white uniforms. If a school does not have two sets of uniforms, they must notify the opposing team within a reasonable time frame to wear contrasting colors
***These USSA rules & regulations must be distributed to ALL coaches and ALL referees