Most look at college as an escape from high school. Those at UVU looking to avoid the melodramatics of high school sports, however, may be in for a surprise.
For nearly a decade, UVU has been the proud host of multiple high school state championships and numerous athletic summer camps.
With experienced coordinators such as Mark Hildebrand, Director-UCCU Center and Brent Brown Ballpark, UVU’s reputation as a clean, user-friendly campus precedes itself.
According to Hildebrand, the first high school state championship to take place at UVU was in 2001. Since then, the university has built a strong relationship based on quality, service, and dedication with coaches from all over the state as well as the Utah High School Activities Association.
“They like us, I hope,” Hildebrand said with a smile.
It certainly appears that way. The yearly return of the women’s volleyball, drill team, wrestling and baseball state championships, along with various summer camps, make UVU one of the most high school-friendly universities in Utah.
“The high schools shop around and try to find facilities that are best for their particular events, and so they look at things like accessibility, location, and price is a big factor too,” said Hildebrand.
Conveniently located along I-15 in Orem, it comes as no surprise that UVU tops the list of prospective hosts. Hildebrand believes it is an amazingly devoted and hard working staff that keeps teams and camps coming back year after year.
Hildebrand wasn’t hesitant in mentioning the many benefits of hosting such events.
With hundreds of high school aged kids and their families attending the championships and camps, UVU has a remarkable opportunity to showcase not only its sports programs, but its campus as well.
Hildebrand and his staff take extra care to provide an efficient and friendly service. They know very well that for a lot of kids these events will be their first exposure to UVU, and they want the experience to be a good one.
The university isn’t the only benefactor. With hundreds of out-of-towners visiting Orem every year, the economy is also impacted in a positive way. The participants of the men’s basketball camps, which will take place this month, stay at a local hotel.
“[Coach Richard Hunsaker] does a team camp and he puts them [the kids] in a hotel which is conveniently across the street… you have the convenience of restaurants and hotels and it’s in close proximity to a lot of other things, so kids like to come here for that reason”, observed Hildebrand.
It’s a visit some students will no doubt make permanent.
