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SALT LAKE CITY — Citing “safety concerns for everyone involved,” the Jordan Board of Education halted the proposed “Jordan Cup,” which was intended to provide district-level competitions for spring sports athletes whose seasons were cut short by COVID-19.
As envisioned, “Jordan Cup” competitions were to be conducted in late June, after the end of the school year. Participating students would have undergone 10 days of conditioning prior to taking part in the athletic competitions.
But the Jordan School Board decided Tuesday night not to proceed based on safety concerns, district spokeswoman Sandy Riesgraf confirmed on Wednesday.
The school district envisioned competitions in baseball, girls golf, boys and girls lacrosse, boys soccer, softball, boy tennis, and track and field.
Since the events would have been conducted outside of the school year, they would not be sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association.
The association called off the spring high school sports season in mid-April after Gov. Gary Herbert and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sydnee Dickson announced that Utah public schools would be closed to in-person learning for the remainder of the school year.
Related:
'Jordan Cup' a go for high school spring sports (in June), pending board approval
Jordan School District is moving ahead with plans to conduct district-level competitions for its high school spring sports athletes whose seasons were cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.Students petitioned the association to resume competition. The UHSAA’s board of trustees considered the request but declined to reinstate play. Parents and student athletes approached the Jordan School District asking for alternatives. The “Jordan Cup,” initially dubbed the “Superintendent’s Cup,” was proposed by Superintendent Anthony Godfrey.
But the school board, apparently persuaded by medical professionals who raised concerns, called off the initiative.
John Moon, whose two sons played on Mountain Ridge High School’s soccer team, called the board’s decision “a huge injustice to our kids.”
The proposed “Jordan Cup” gave his sons hope that they could end the high school season on a high note.
“Now, we are devastated for a second time,” he said.
