PARK CITY, Utah — Park City High School has made a significant mark in the realm of high school athletics by receiving the prestigious Quality Program Assessment Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). This accolade comes after an exhaustive year-long examination of the school's athletics program, a process that school officials have described as both rigorous and transformative. The award was presented during the 56th annual National Athletic Directors Conference held in Tampa, Florida, highlighting the school’s commitment to excellence in sports education and management. Chris Baer, the technology coach at Park City High and a pivotal figure in the assessment process, explained that the Quality Programs Assessment (QPA) involves an in-depth analysis of an athletic department's operations, policies, and overall effectiveness. "The Quality Programs Assessment is essentially a rigorous, year-long deep dive into the ‘DNA’ of an athletic department," Baer remarked. He emphasized that the assessment seeks to identify and standardize documentation necessary for running a highly effective athletics program. The QPA is organized into ten distinct categories, covering critical areas such as department philosophy, mentoring practices, budgeting, and sports medicine. Baer noted that the thorough process required him to gather or develop hundreds of pieces of documentation, all aimed at establishing consistent standards across different sports disciplines. "Whether a student is playing soccer or football, I wanted to ensure that the same high standard of policy was backing them up," he stated, underscoring the importance of uniformity in athletic governance. One of the most labor-intensive aspects of the assessment focused on safety and risk management. Due to Park City High’s use of various community facilities, Baer and his team had to create specific Emergency Action Plans for each location. "We live in an incredible town with great partners like Basin Recreation and the City, which means we get to use a lot of different fields. But that also means every single one of those fields needs its own specific Emergency Action Plan," he explained. Baer credited athletic trainer Chris Antinori for his dedicated work in developing these plans over the years, adding that the QPA process prompted the department to revisit and refine them to ensure preparedness. "It’s about being proactive rather than reactive," Baer remarked, stressing the need for comprehensive safety measures in athletics. The assessment not only validated existing strengths within the program but also encouraged the department to formalize practices that had previously been operating informally. "The QPA pushed me to take those informal successes and turn them into a written procedure," Baer said. He recognized that formalizing these procedures is vital for ensuring the quality of the programs, regardless of who is in charge on any given day. Since completing the assessment, the athletics department has continued to focus on improvement efforts. Baer highlighted enhanced communication with coaches, particularly those who are not full-time district employees, as a key area of focus. "This year, thanks to Mr. Fine and Mr. Sheetz, we are holding meetings with our coaches to have these types of discussions," he said, indicating a commitment to improving the school experience for all students involved in athletics. The recognition from NIAAA serves as an important signal to the community that Park City High is committed to running a high-standard athletics program. Baer emphasized that while student-athletes might not notice significant day-to-day changes, the systems and protocols established through the QPA ensure a robust foundation for success. "We aren’t just ‘running events’ but are running a high-standard athletics program," he noted. The department has also implemented formal evaluations for coaches to facilitate their growth and enhance their mentoring roles. Parents can take comfort in knowing that the department has put in the necessary work to ensure a thoughtful and comprehensive experience for their children. "They can trust that behind the scenes, we have done the work to ensure every detail of their student’s experience has been thought through," Baer said, reinforcing the department's commitment to academic and athletic support. Baer, who completed the review process while earning his designation as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator, remarked on the value of the experience in identifying operational blind spots. "As a young athletic administrator, this process was invaluable for helping me see the ‘blind spots,’" he reflected. The assessment has positioned the department not just for immediate success but also for long-term sustainability. The significance of this accomplishment is underscored by the fact that only 158 high schools across the United States have earned the QPA designation, which accounts for approximately 0.69% of more than 23,000 high schools nationwide. Park City High School stands out as one of only seven schools in Utah to receive this esteemed recognition, marking a proud moment for students, faculty, and the wider community involved in the school’s athletic programs.