Former UHSAA director Glen Beere left positive legacy

Former Utah High School Activities Association director Glen Beere died Friday after a battle with ALS, leaving a legacy that those who knew him say still impacts Utah prep sports.

Beere directed the UHSAA from 1987 to 1994 and ushered in an era of new organization for the association, said UHSAA legal counselor Mark Van Wagoner, who worked with Beere during his time as director. The changes Beere made, including forming the predecessor to the board of trustees, allowed the UHSAA to flourish at a time when prep sports were increasing in popularity in the state.

"He did a great deal of organizational work, which has been extremely valuable for the association," Van Wagoner said. "He was not one to try to aggrandize himself — he was rather modest in his reports and things. He contributed greatly, I think, to how successful the UHSAA is now."

Beere, who according to an obituary that ran in The Tribune on Sunday also served as principal at Bingham, Brighton and Alta during his career, was honored with the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service award for his work as UHSAA's director. It was an honor that Van Wagoner said was fitting for someone who achieved much.

"He did a great deal of work for sports in the state of Utah," Van Wagoner said. "Sometimes people think those halls of fame are reserved for people who compete on the field. But without what people like Glen do, those athletes can't compete."

- Bubba Brown