Aug 31, 2016 Runnin’ with the Utes

This year’s football season will kick off Thursday, September 1st, at 6:00 PM. The University of Utah has a long history of fan involvement and distinguished players. Throughout most of the 20^th century fans and students would whitewash the cement Block U on the side of Mount Van Cott, in the 60s they added lights along the edges to make it more visible at night; The Utah Marching Band plays at every home game and even played at President Obama’s inauguration; and the team has won several championships including the 1939 Sun Bowl, 1964 Liberty Bowl, 1994 Freedom Bowl, 2009 Sugar Bowl, and 2014 and 2015 Las Vegas Bowl.

Photos of the University of Utah Football’s past can be seen in Special Collections. The images are donated by friends, family, fans, and the department of athletics.

Please visit the Special Collections Reading Room on Level 4 of the J. Marriott Library, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Written by Sara Davis

fans at the game

A tradition that started in 1905, students started painting graduation years on the hillside. In ’07 the student body president proposed the Block U.

students continued to paint the concrete U on the hillside until its renovation in 2006”

Utah’s First Football Team, 1892 Standing: Mr. Christensen, William Wallace, William D. Riter, Joel Grover Seated: George R. Dow, Joseph U. Eldredge, Alma Cunningham, Captain Harry Jennings, Irastus Fisher Bottom row: Frank Groesbeck, George C. McIntyre, Seth Thomas, Raymond Naylor

Utes game, 1930s

Utes game, 1950s

Utah Marching Band at Rice stadium, circa 1970

Utah Marching Band

The Utes played at the Rice stadium from 1972-1997

announcers and fans at the Rice stadium

Liberty Bowl, 1964. Utah victory (32) against West Virginia (6)