In Salt Lake City, Utah, the Moala family is speaking out about a heartbreaking situation that has left their son, Livai Moala, sidelined from his passion for football during his senior year.
As a talented running back for Orem High School, wearing jersey number 39 and standing at 5’11, Livai is part of the class of 2026.
Still, due to strict rules from the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), he can’t play because his family hasn’t relocated to the school’s boundaries.
The reason? His mother’s severe disability makes moving nearly impossible.
This shows the challenges of UHSAA’s housing disability policies, where families with unique hardships often feel overlooked in the name of fairness.
Livai’s Mother Shared her Family’s Struggle in an Emotional Facebook Post that’s Gaining Attention
Victoria Moala explained that they transferred Livai from Syracuse High School to Orem High last year, not for sports, but to help him academically.
At Syracuse, his grades began to slip because he had become too comfortable in his environment, despite the positive influence of his friends.
After the family prayed and fasted for guidance, and Livai did the same on his own, they felt it was the right move.
The change paid off quickly when Livai ended the fourth quarter with a perfect 4.0 GPA, proving his determination and ability to adapt.
Livai isn’t just an athlete; he’s a well-rounded young man with a consistently high GPA of 3.8 to 4.0 throughout high school.
Football is his passion, but he excels in leadership, building relationships, and hard work.
Victoria described him as respectful and committed, someone who steps up when things get tough. Yet, despite his character and efforts, UHSAA rules have blocked him from playing.
The policy requires the entire family to sell or rent their home and move within the new school’s boundaries for athletic eligibility.
For many families, this might be manageable, but for the Moalas, it’s a massive barrier.
Victoria lives with multiple sclerosis and is quadriplegic, relying on a power wheelchair controlled by a chin-drive joystick.
Since 2023, she’s slept in a hospital bed that required six men to install, and their home has special modifications like a wheelchair lift to make daily life possible.
She also deals with intense anxiety, adding emotional strain. Moving isn’t simple; it’s a health risk that could worsen her condition and burden the family more.
As Victoria put it, she shared this not for sympathy but to provide context.
Even after submitting a personal statement and letters from friends, neighbors, and professionals vouching for Livai’s character, both Syracuse High and UHSAA denied the request.
They cited policy, stating that Syracuse couldn’t certify the move since the family still resides in their original home.
“We understand rules. But where is the compassion? Where is the justice? Families everywhere make sacrifices for their children’s opportunities.”
Via Facebook
This quote from Victoria’s post captures the family’s frustration. They feel the system lacks heart, especially since UHSAA claims to review cases individually.
Victoria mentioned hearing about other students in similar situations getting approved. Still, when they asked questions, they were told the association couldn’t spend more time on their case due to the high volume of others.
It left them feeling dismissed, like Livai was just another number. Senior year is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and denying him the field doesn’t serve anyone, she argued.
The family has made other sacrifices, such as Victoria’s mom driving their daughters to Provo multiple times a week for activities, showing their commitment to all their children’s dreams.
To gain a broader understanding, it’s helpful to examine UHSAA’s transfer rules. These policies aim to prevent unfair recruiting and ensure a level playing field in high school sports.
According to UHSAA guidelines, students transferring schools without a complete family move often face penalties, such as sitting out games or having limited eligibility.
Hardships can be considered, but they require documentation, and not all situations qualify for consideration.
For example, the association has exceptions for military families facing permanent changes of station, recognizing their unique challenges.
They also clarify what counts as a hardship, things like natural disasters or family separations, but medical disabilities like Victoria’s aren’t explicitly listed as automatic exemptions in public documents.
Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with a process that can take 4-6 weeks, involving various forms, evidence, and sometimes appeals.
In Livai’s situation, the denial appears to be tied to the residency requirement, despite the family’s medical context.
The Post has Encouraged Facebook Users to Share their Experiences
One commenter, Toke Kefu, pointed out inconsistencies in how transfers are handled.
“The sad part about this is we say that school comes first.. but kids can transfer schools freely for educational reasons to join another schools awesome marching band or a school who has a great dance or cheer team.. yet those kids don’t get penalized. Just the athletes.”
Via Facebook
Brieann Tuinei echoed the sentiment, calling UHSAA a “joke” and suggesting approvals depend on connections rather than merit.
“I’m sorry UHSAA is a joke… so many times this happens, but when they say case by case they mean ‘who do you know?’ … But I do hope things turn out for Livai, he’s a good athlete and he can’t get this year back.”
Via Facebook
Ana Hausia shared a similar ordeal with her son in California, facing eligibility delays and sitting out games.
“My son is a senior at rancho Cotati in Rohnert park ca and we’re facing the same issue as we speak. … I hope things turn around for both our boys they deserve to go all out for the 1 time ofas!”
Via Facebook
Another user, sharing the post about their nephew, expressed outrage at Syracuse High’s role.
“How can these people sleep at night? Why is so hard to just let my nephew go to another school and seek opportunities there? … This is bullying behavior to me!! What a horrible school decision!!!!”
Via Facebook
These responses reveal a growing frustration with high school athletic policies that appear rigid and unfair, particularly when disabilities or hardships are involved.
Similar cases across the U.S. highlight the need for more flexible rules.
For instance, some state associations have added exceptions for divorced families, boarding school returns, or natural disasters, but disabilities like multiple sclerosis often fall into gray areas requiring strong appeals.
In Utah, while the UHSAA reviews facts and documentation, families like the Moalas feel that the process doesn’t always account for real-life complexities.
Orem High School hasn’t publicly addressed the claims yet, but as the story spreads, a response could help clarify their stance and show support for students in challenging situations.
Perhaps it’s time for UHSAA to revisit how housing disability factors into eligibility, ensuring that compassion aligns with the rules.
The Moalas aren’t giving up; they’re asking everyone to share Livai’s story and fight for fairness.
