Ute ready to take over the reigns for OHSAA during difficult times
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BVM) — After a two-month search, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has finally found its new executive director. That man is Doug Ute, who becomes the 11th leader in the organization’s 113-year history.
The #OHSAA Board of Directors has selected Doug Ute as the OHSAA's next Executive Director, making the former coach, teacher, athletic administrator, principal and superintendent the OHSAA’s 11th leader in its 113-year history: https://t.co/DK5NUiKJoY pic.twitter.com/OGetVro8bA
— OHSAA Sports (@OHSAASports) September 8, 2020
In early July, former OHSAA executive director, Jerry Snodgrass — who held the position since May 2018 — was relieved of his duties by the organization’s board of directors, reportedly due to internal issues. As a result, Bob Goldring — senior director of operations for the OHSAA — took over as interim president during one of the organization’s most difficult times.
But last week, Ute was officially hired, taking over the lead for the OHSAA after an impressive career in school administration and athletics. Ute has previously worked with the OHSAA as a Central District board member, and was the district’s secretary since the 2011-2012 school year.
Ute is a former basketball coach at Shenandoah High School in Sarahsville, Ohio. He later would go on to coach at Buckeye Central High School in New Washington, Ohio. There, he would also become a teacher and athletic administrator.
In 1996, Ute became principal at Elgin High School in Marion, Ohio. He soon moved up to become Elgin’s superintendent — a role he would hold for nine years. Ute followed that up by holding the same position for Newark City Schools the past 11 years.
While at Newark, Ute made several positive impacts on the school district. In addition to expanding the free lunch program and offering free breakfast to students, Ute helped create the Social, Emotional and Academic Success program, which includes counselors, teachers and other staff members who discuss ways to help students succeed in life.
This past spring, Ute resigned at Newark to become deputy director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. The new role would have begun this December. However, the OHSAA executive director role was one Ute could not pass up, and he is excited to get started.
“I have always thought like a former coach and athletic director, and the OHSAA is where I want to be,” Ute said in a statement. “I am humbled to be selected by the board of directors for this position and join a great team in the OHSAA office.”
Prior to his professional career, Ute was a standout athlete at Clear Fork High School, where he graduated from in 1980. The new OHSAA executive director went on to play college basketball at Ashland University. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, later returning to the school for a master’s degree in school administration, a graduate teaching degree in business, and licenses as a principal and a superintendent.
Being a former athlete and holding professional positions in several roles of school and athletic administration, Ute appears to be a perfect fit for the OHSAA, and they are happy to have him according to OHSAA board of directors president, Jeff Cassella.
“We are excited to have someone lead our organization with Doug’s experience, both in working with student-athletes and with his experience in the workings of the OHSAA,” Cassella said in a press release. “The board of directors is confident that Doug’s leadership style and experience is a great fit to lead the OHSAA through this unique year.”
Of course, Ute is beginning his tenure in one of the most difficult times the OHSAA — and high school athletics as a whole — has ever endured.
“We are all aware of the uncertainties that are before us due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I know that together we can and will be stronger together,” Ute continued in his statement. “My focus has always been on helping students become better people, and athletics are such an important part in that. That is true now more than ever. I can’t wait to get started and lead our member schools.”
Although Ute offers a positive outlook, some of the realities the OHSAA is currently facing are anything but. According to the organization, nearly 80% of the OHSAA’s funds are generated by attendance of tournaments. Obviously, with no spring sports, and the sudden halt of the conclusion of the winter sports season — which resulted in no state basketball tournament — the OHSAA took a significant financial hit.
“It is severe,” Ute said during a Q&A with Ohio media last week. “But I’m of the belief we’re always going to have the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and this association is going to provide student-athletes with an opportunity to compete. One of the things this state is proud of is we’re an organization that doesn’t charge an entry fee or a (tournament) participation fee, which we just did.”
The OHSAA will now charge a $25 entry fee for postseason events across numerous sports. The organization also suspended the state’s dual team wrestling tournament indefinitely according to an announcement made earlier in the month.
Additional moves by the OHSAA to cope with financial difficulty include cuts to its full-time staff, while also reducing senior staff pay by 20%.
Slowly but surely, the OHSAA will get back on track. Fall sports being played — including high school football — is a positive step in the right direction. Ute recognizes this, and is ready to conclude the fall sports season while jumping right into winter sports without any type of delay.
“Right now, we’re full steam ahead day one in the winter time,” Ute added during the Q&A. “We’re at the mercy of the virus. If it doesn’t spread, and the governor and department of health continue this path here, we’re ready to start winter sports from day one.”
It may be the toughest time to ever take on an executive director role for any high school sports organization. But as the sports world slowly begins to return to normal, it appears the OHSAA is in good hands with the experienced Ute at the helm.