The news became official on Dec. 7, when the university announced that Dockendorf had signed a four-year deal to lead the Red Rocks through 2027 and shed the interim head coach tag she received following a mutual parting of ways between the school and now former head coach Tom Farden. …
Friday night at the Huntsman Center, though, was Dockendorf’s first opportunity to be Utah’s head gymnastics coach in front of a large crowd, during the preseason showcase known as the Red Rocks Preview.
Afterward, sitting at a nondescript table in the depths of the arena, dozens of interlocked U logos emblazoned on a background behind her, Dockendorf looked the part of head coach more than she ever had before. …
Those who worried NIL was a slippery slope, were right.
Every student-athlete from those three sports — women’s gymnastics, and men’s and women’s basketball — will have the opportunity of receiving a free lease on either a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Edition or a 2024 Ram 1500 Big Horn Night Edition truck.
That is different than the football NIL opportunity announced in October in a couple different ways — only scholarship football players were offered the opportunity, while this deal applies to all athletes on the gymnastic and men’s and women’s basketball teams. Also, football players only had the Dodge Truck as an option.
Lease and insurance costs will be covered by donations to the Crimson Collective for each student-athlete.