A New Standard in Student-Athlete Excellence: Utah Prep Academy Launches Premier Golf and Football Camps
A New Standard in Student-Athlete Excellence: Utah Prep Academy Launches Premier Golf and Football Camps
In the desert red rock beauty of Hurricane, Utah, a quiet revolution is taking place. It’s not just the stunning landscapes or the proximity to world-class golf courses and athletic facilities that have caught national attention—it’s Utah Prep Academy, a fast-rising private school with a bold vision: to be the launching pad for tomorrow’s leaders, scholars, and elite athletes.
This spring, Utah Prep is taking that vision one step further with the launch of two new immersive experiences for student-athletes: the Utah Prep Golf Camp and the Utah Prep Football Skills Camp. These additions come as the Academy continues to build one of the most dynamic high school athletic programs in the nation, now attracting top-tier talent, legendary coaches, and college recruiters from coast to coast.
Next-Level Camps, Next-Level Training
The newly launched golf camp is not your average swing clinic. This is a high-performance experience designed for driven golfers between the ages of 12 and 18 who are serious about taking their game—and their recruitment prospects—to the next level. Campers receive 15 hours of elite instruction, play a 9-hole round at the award-winning Sand Hollow Resort with individualized coaching, and even share a private dinner with a current college golf coach to gain insights on what it really takes to play at the next level.
Meanwhile, the football camp offers intense skills development under the guidance of former collegiate athletes and coaches, designed to simulate a college-style environment with high reps, technical refinement, and player evaluations. Small group sessions ensure that each athlete receives personalized feedback, setting them up for summer showcases and fall seasons.
These are not introductory camps for casual athletes. These are recruiting-caliber experiences for players ready to perform at the highest level.
Enter Keith Smart: A Legend at the Helm
In a major move that signals the Academy’s ambition to lead on the national stage, Utah Prep hired former NBA head coach Keith Smart to lead its basketball program. Known for sinking the game-winning shot in the 1987 NCAA championship for Indiana, Smart went on to coach multiple NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Now, he brings decades of pro-level experience, strategy, and mentorship to Utah Prep’s hardwood.
“I’m here because Utah Prep is building something different,” Smart said. “This is a place that doesn’t just chase trophies. It builds men—young leaders who are ready for life, on and off the court.”
And he’s not coaching scrubs.
Utah Prep’s national basketball team features some of the top-ranked high school players in the world, including AJ Dybantsa, currently ranked by ESPN and On3 as the No. 1 recruit in the country. The squad plays a national schedule and regularly faces off against other elite programs from California to Florida, all while attracting college coaches and NBA scouts to the gym in Hurricane.
Why Families Are Choosing Utah Prep
For parents of high-performing student-athletes, the path to college scholarships and success is often a tricky one. Too many schools promise athletic development without academic support, or offer academics without real sports credibility. Utah Prep bridges both worlds.
“We’re a leadership academy,” says the school’s founder. “We’re here to raise up young people who are ready to succeed in every part of life—athletically, academically, spiritually, and socially.”
Unlike most prep schools, Utah Prep provides students with a complete, faith-friendly campus environment. Students live in private dormitories, eat together in a structured environment, and participate in life-skills and character development programs. Parents are looped in every step of the way, with weekly updates, mentorship reports, and real college prep planning from day one.
The result? A tight-knit student community that stays focused, healthy, and driven. It’s an environment where young athletes thrive.
About Utah Prep Academy
Founded in Hurricane, Utah, Utah Prep Academy is a private, college-preparatory boarding school that specializes in combining elite athletics with character-driven academic excellence. The school operates with a mission to cultivate leadership in every student, using a holistic model that integrates rigorous coursework, life mentorship, and national-level athletic training.
Utah Prep offers specialized tracks for basketball, football, golf, and other sports, with year-round training programs designed to position athletes for college scholarships and success. The school also offers advanced placement classes, ACT/SAT prep, and academic tutoring. Its student-athletes are housed in supervised dorms, and the school environment emphasizes structure, character, and faith-based values.
With a faculty made up of former Division I athletes, experienced educators, and now, elite coaching talent like NBA veteran Keith Smart, Utah Prep has become a rising force among American boarding schools—especially for families who want their children to be seen, supported, and challenged to grow.
Learn More
To explore upcoming camps, enrollment opportunities, or visit the campus, families can visit UtahPrep.com or follow the school on Instagram for highlights, student stories, and updates from the road.