The Utah High School Activities Association Board of Trustees finalized the formats and procedures for the 2027-2029 statewide school alignment on August 21, 2026. This new system introduces a Composite Realignment Index to determine classifications and regions for member schools.
New Alignment Methodology
Starting with the 2027-2029 alignment cycle, the UHSAA will place member schools into classifications using a Composite Realignment Index, or CRI. This metric combines school enrollment, socio-economic status, and competitive performance to establish classifications and regions for competition.
The Board of Trustees maintains final authority over all classification and region assignments. This oversight includes the ability to consider geographic factors and handle appeals. The UHSAA conducts these statewide realignments every two years to update competition parameters.
Realignment efforts include a general alignment as well as a separate alignment specifically for football. According to the association, region assignments for the new cycle are finalized in December of even-numbered years, with competition under the new alignment scheduled to begin the following August.
Leadership Transition
The announcement comes during a period of leadership transition for the organization. J. Ryan Bishop officially began his tenure as the seventh Executive Director of the UHSAA on July 1, 2026.
Bishop, a former principal of Wasatch High School, succeeded Rob Cuff, who retired earlier this year. Cuff served the association for 25 years, including 17 years as Executive Director. Bishop previously served as an assistant director for the UHSAA from 2014 to 2017 and previously led Davis High School to a 5A State Championship in 2004.
Association Overview
The UHSAA, founded in 1917, serves 163 member schools and over 115,000 student participants across Utah. The organization administers 29 sanctioned sports and activities, establishing rules and policies to promote sportsmanship and leadership through education-based interscholastic athletics.
