Judge says Utah high schools can’t restrict play of international students
Jan 2, 2025, 5:38 PM | Updated: 5:56 pm
FILE: On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby issued a preliminary injunction that forbids the Utah High School Activities Association from enforcing a rule that restricts how F1 visa holders can participate in prep sports. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Foreign exchange students can’t be excluded from participating in high school sports based on the type of visa they use to attend Utah schools, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby issued a preliminary injunction that forbids the Utah High School Activities Association from enforcing a rule that restricts how F1 visa holders can participate in prep sports. That means that students currently enrolled in Utah schools on F1 visas can now play varsity sports without limitations until the case is concluded.
Officials have never released the total number of students affected by the rule, but Juan Diego Catholic High School told KSL there were 28 students attending the school this fall on F1 visas. Several students opted to leave the school or the state rather than accept the restrictions, school officials said.
Association attorney Mark Van Wagoner asserted in court hearings that the association was trying to deal with one of the most insidious problems it faces — recruiting of international student-athletes. In an effort to do that, the association amended its constitution in May of 2024 with a rule that restricted how F1 visa holders could participate in sanctioned activities and athletics.
