Freshman Rep. Sahara Hayes loves gymnastics and follows the sport closely. So when the abuse allegations against former Utah gymnastics coach Tom Farden were first reported last summer, she got upset.
An investigation into Farden’s behavior exonerated him. But a month later, former Red Rocks gymnast Kara Eaker suddenly retired and brought allegations of abuse during her time at Utah.
That’s when Hayes, D-Salt Lake City, decided she’d had enough.
“I don’t think that anybody, particularly anybody in our state-run schools, should be should be having to deal with abuse, especially to that magnitude,” Hayes told The Salt Lake Tribune.
Hayes filed HJR7, a joint resolution that “condemns abusive coaching practices in Utah schools,” for the 2024 Utah legislative session. She said her goal is to make it clear the state won’t tolerate behavior that has been alleged of Farden, Utah Tech women’s basketball coach JD Gustin, or others.
“I would love it if people could take note,” Hayes said. “I never hope that people are just going to magically change their behaviors based on a resolution or something. But I want the school administration to know that we are observing this, and that if something like this comes up in the future, this isn’t something that we want to tolerate. This isn’t something that we value here in Utah.”
Eaker alleged being “isolated in an office with an overpowering coach, door closed, sitting quietly, hardly able to speak because of condescending, sarcastic, and manipulative tactics.” She also alleged being yelled at “to the point of tears in front of the whole team.”
Farden parted ways with the Red Rocks in November. Gustin served a two-game suspension in November and is still employed.
A joint resolution must be passed by both the House and Senate, but does not require the governor’s signature. If passed, it won’t be codified into Utah law. Hayes hopes her joint resolution, which does not have a floor sponsor yet, can be the foundation of further action should the situation arise.
“It could be used as more of a launching ground for other bills to come,” Hayes said. “I also think that it can be used as justification should the state choose to get involved in any further allegations of abuse.”
